Ryuzo was sitting in a chair, holding the portrait of a lovely looking woman in his hand. Days have passed since the last Dark nature attack, but it was still a mental shock what happened then. He has seen the cyllius a lot of times, but never this close. The only thing he wanted to do was to inspect the situation of the wall, to know they were still safe, nothing more. What he got in return was something else, something he never expected to happen. It made him regret his choice to go there, regret the voices he heard from the cyllius during their sudden attack. He has quite good ears, so he didn't like to be near them, didn't like to hear the voices of the dead clearly, people's fears or their bad memories. The words he heard...from one of the many voices that spoke...it must have been his mother's voice. 

It didn't touch Ryuzo, I swear! Only me, only me. That were the words he heard from the Cyllius. Not many people know his name, so he was sure it was her voice, but why did she say that? He didn't have many memories of her so this was something special for him. He actually remembered now that he was even there when she said those words. The mystery of his past, the truth the Order kept hidden from him, the answers Ryuzo wanted to know so badly when he was young. He knows it's somehow connected to the specific moment that the cyllius managed to capture of his mother. It had revived an old hope he had thrown away a long time ago. 

Things have been changing these past days. Perhaps it's time for himself to change as well. One thing was for sure though; those words kept haunting him now, even the nightmares started to return. If he didn't go to the walls, he wouldn't be having this dilemma now. He didn't like the idea, but his motivation to know the truth surpassed his hate this time. To find the answers, unravel the truth, he needed to go outside the city. 

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The days of preparation went by in a flash. Throughout Dedroy's harsh training days, many things were gained from it. Ayuki not only confirmed her Fes type as an enhancer but also partially her inheritable Fes ability too. They couldn't put their fingers on how it exactly worked since it seemed completely dependent on Ayuki's feelings. The results in training weren't that consistent either. Nonetheless, she was able to use her Fes ability frequently now which increased her odds of success with the admission.

The rest of Dedroy's training were based on improving her physical condition. "A strong, healthy body has the best Fes capability. The rest is up to your character. The order will make sure to access who you really are," Dedroy said to her yesterday, the last day of their training since today was to start of the General Admission. 

Make sure to find who I really am. Even she herself doesn't know much about herself. Would that be a problem for the admission? Dedroy didn't tell her at least. There were a lot of things he didn't explain to her about the admission which made it hard to say what to expect from it. Her goal to see how the Order works didn't change. She needed to know if it's worth to be part of it. 

Ayuki was walking towards the Order headquarters, where the admission was going to take place. Ravendell's office wasn't that far from it and the room she spent in when she woke up after that Defarin attack was also in the same building.

Would this also end the suspicion people have of her? There was a moment during her training days that was worrisome. It happened on one of her library visits when she was about to head back home. A group of people was waiting there, waiting for her. "Look, that's her. That's the intruder girl!" One of them said. "What are you still doing here? Why hasn't the Order kicked you out yet?" Another man with a bald head said.

Ayuki at that moment was confused. "Excuse me?" What did they mean? Didn't the Order inform the people of her situation, about Ravendell taking responsibility for it? 

"You heard me. You're not welcome here! You only bring us bad luck. Ever since you came here, the Dark nature has worsened. Don't think you can fool us," the baldy said. 

"Yeah, as long as you're—"

"That's enough," a manly voice said and interrupted the woman from talking. Ayuki didn't know where he appeared from, but he was now standing between her and the group of people. 

"What's this supposed to mean? You're from the Order, right?" The baldy asked. 

"Idiot! That's Hyu Wester. He's one of Hyo Ravendell's supporters." The woman immediately rebuked baldy's attitude. 

Baldy gasped. "I'm sorry, please forgive my rudeness."

"My apologies as well from the Order," Wester said. "The intrusion situation hasn't been publically announced yet since it's still under investigation. Until then, please be patient and await Hyo Ravendell's announcement." He turned his head now towards Ayuki. "I will handle this. Please continue your activity." He slightly bowed his head and stretched out his left arm as a gesture to let Ayuki know she can leave. 

After that, nothing of that sort has happened so far. Whoever that Wester was, she was thankful for his help. If he wasn't there, how would it have ended? Not that good she imagined. It was mysterious how he appeared. It surely wasn't through a portal. He was cool, polite, and attractive looking too. Thanks to him, she had a better image of the Order now. At least they do their work well and seem to be respected by it. 

Ayuki arrived at the location. It wasn't that crowded than she thought it would be. Most people in this city probably already took this admission and only have to take the Specialized Admission. "Good morning Yona. Did you came here for the General Admission?" The woman at the counter asked her. 

"Yes. That's right." Ayuki said. I chose to be an hour later than the opening. The admission was anyways going to be available for almost the entire day. 

"Alright, that's great to hear. Please fill in this form and place your sign here once you have read and agreed to all the terms." The receptionist said. 

While filling in the form, Ayuki glanced around to see the other participants. Most people were older than herself, even an aged man looking around the age of sixty was going to apply. There was someone else wearing a hoody, concealing his face, perhaps to hide his scars? Behind him were a couple of girls and boys too, guessing around the age of fifteen years old. The admission accepted all people above the age of fourteen. Some ages were however very limited to the career choices. Each department offered monthly payments so you can make a living out of it if you wanted. 

The form also mentioned the Varyion Order Elites in the preference of choice section. A warning was added, clarifying the risks of joining it. It was the most dangerous department in the Order after all. Ayuki was prepared for it, knew at least the risks. She completed the form and handed it back to the receptionist. 

"Thank you for filling the form Yona Ayuki," the receptionist said. "Are you aware of the dangers of joining the Order Elites, that you can easily lose your life in certain cases?"

"Yes. I understand." Hearing it sounded worse than she thought. Makes you almost regret the choice of doing it, but at the same time, you feel it's too late to change now. Her heart started pumping faster now. 

"Okay. Are you aware that you can always switch to another department if you don't want to continue? Things can be different than you imagined, so the option to try something else is always there."

"Yes. I'm aware." Wew...almost forgot that part. Nothing is set in stone so no need to keep worrying about it. 

"Okay, great. Then please continue to the waiting area up ahead. Your number will be called once your up. Good luck."

"Thank you very much." The number badge she received was sixty-one. She continued to the next area. Once past the door, she saw a lot more people there waiting in chairs to be called in. Ayuki joined them and sat on a chair. 

"Hey," a girl behind her said. Ayuki looked back to see her face. She had blond hair, a bob haircut and looked around the same age as Ayuki herself. "I'm Aisha."

"Ayuki, nice to meet you." She said while waving her right hand back at Aisha.

"So, what are you here for?" Aisha asked. 

"The Order Elites. I wanna know what it's like," Ayuki replied. 

"Oh, what a coincidence. Me too!" She said happily and leaned a bit more forward now. "What's your number?"

"Sixty-one. And you?"

"Thirty-four. I'll be going ahead of you," Aisha said with a giggle. 

"I noticed, yeah. How exciting. I have no idea what to expect."

"Hmm, don't get your hopes up," she responded. "I heard it's not that special, rather very general."

General because of how this admission is called. Ayuki had to laugh at that joke. It's been a while since she laughed. Actually, it's her first time to laugh, she just realized. It felt...great. That Aisha was a cheerful one, that's for sure. "Thanks, I needed that."

"No problem. Hey, so what's your motivation for joining the Order Elites? I'm curious." Aisha asked.

To be more trustworthy? Because I want to clear my name? It probably wasn't a good idea to say that to her. "I think the Order Elites is the only hope left for this city. I want to see what I can do to help with that."

"Ah, I see. I have to agree with you there. Then... you must have heard the rumors about Yeon's lost research?"

Yeon as in Yeon Althain? One of Varyion's historical heroes. "No, I haven't...I only just know who she is. Is that your reason for joining then?" Ayuki asked. 

"My reason? Well..."

"Number thirty-four!" A man announced, coming out from one of the doors. 

"Oh, that's my cue. Sorry, I gotta go now. Was fun to talk you Ayuki," Aisha said while waving her hand again. 

"Yeah. Good luck Aisha." Ayuki did a thumbs up with her right hand. 

It felt different talking to someone around your own age, a lot more comfortable at least. I made a friend, I think? It would be great to have a friend; she was a pleasant and friendly person. Ayuki thought the people that would assign to the Order Elites would only consist of serious and anxious ones. Aisha was a good example that she was wrong about that. 

As the next numbers were being called, Ayuki could only wait and looked around in the mean time. There were four doors that probably lead to rooms separated from each other. All the participants had to go through one of those doors and wouldn't come back. What is going to await her? Well, if I do my best, I'll have no regrets. 

"Number sixty-one!" She stood up and walked through to the corresponding door.