Droch Omen

The day has turned to evening. The main learning activities at Special Proctor Gildas Junior High School have ended. All day long, Raibeart has tried to act normally.

He has attempted to meet Solielle to confirm what really happened to that girl. However, the difference in their class schedules made it difficult for him to find the right time.

"Her classmates say Solielle is a bit weak, probably because Hanasta isn't at school."

Damn it.

Even though he has tried to think of all the possibilities, he still couldn't guess what caused the situation to become like this. It was clear that all the students were still talking about that rumor. To keep his notes clean, he has made all the sources of the rumor seem as if they did not originate from within the walls of Ablaze.

Why haven't the Tidsears taken any action?

According to the plan, the rumor should have pushed for Hanasta to be expelled. Or it would be better if he decided to leave on his own before the final exams.

"I can't let him beat me again!" Raibeart vowed as he walked toward the part of the school designated for students from working-class families.

There, he intended to meet someone.

"GEORGIY!"

*

After school.

Thoughts about Hanasta continued to haunt the girl's mind throughout the day. Making her feel restless until she could meet him in person.

There are many things they need to talk about!

*

Special Proctor Gildas Hospital.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T VISIT HANASTA??!!!" shouted Solielle at the information desk.

"Miss Genesis, please don't shout. Just be patient," said an officer behind the desk. Trying to calm the girl down.

"I rushed here because I wanted to see the condition of my classmate whose health suddenly worsened. And you all are blocking me because you think he doesn't deserve my kindness? Are you crazy? Don't you know who Hanasta Giollanaebhin is? He scored the highest on school admissions test! You better remember, where he comes from does not make him deserving of bad treatment from anyone," the girl retorted.

The woman at the information desk had a slightly confused expression. However, weighing the issue, she decided not to create problems with the Genesis family members. She quickly surrendered and let Solielle know where Hanasta was being treated.

A male nurse appeared and led her to one of the cheapest treatment wards, typically designated for the lower-class workers. 

"Hanasta, your fate is truly unfortunate for being born in a slum area," thought Solielle. If only Hanasta were part of the elite class. Ah, no, if only there were no differences between the elite and the residents of the slum. 

Such things should not happen, the girl thought to herself.

"Please come in, Miss," said the male nurse while opening the door to a room. 

The shabby treatment room contained a dozen beds. All empty except for the one closest to the door on the left side. 

"I can't believe there's a place like this inside the walls of Ablaze," Solielle said unconsciously while observing her surroundings. It looked more like a rat nest compared to the luxury she had always enjoyed and witnessed. There were brownish-black spots in the corner of the ceiling. The wall paint was somewhat peeling. And the smell there was musty. 

"What? Solielle, what are you doing here?" Hanasta asked, just waking up from his sleep. 

Solielle hastened her steps to approach and immediately sat in the chair next to the bed. "What happened to you?" 

He pinched the area between his eyebrows. "The doctor said… maybe… I'm experiencing symptoms of depression and malnutrition." 

"What did you say? Can such things happen in Special Proctor Gildas? I'll ask my brother to audit the dormitory consumption budget again. It seems there's something wrong if there are students who are malnourished," Solielle complained while checking her HoloPad. 

Hanasta immediately lowered the girl's hand. "No need, Solielle. I ended up experiencing this just because I was too busy studying." 

In his heart, he scoffed at that lie. 

"Why do you always refuse my help? You don't have to bear all this alone!" Solielle retorted, distracted from the real reason she was there.

Graph. Suddenly, the frail teenage boy hugged Solielle, patting her back several times. 

"Ah?" 

"You need to think more about yourself, Solielle. I don't want anything bad to happen to you because of me." 

"Hanasta..." 

Drap drap drap. Bamm! The door to the room swung open violently from the outside. Revealing an adult man and two women dressed in hospital security attire. 

"NO! NO! LET ME GO!" Solielle screamed as her body was pulled away from Hanasta. 

Meanwhile, Hanasta, although not resisting at all, had both of his hands restrained behind his back and was forced to bow his head. As if his eyes, coming from a slum area, were not worthy of seeing the body of one of the Genesis family's daughters who insisted on staying by his side. 

The girl asked, why? 

He replied, this is the path I chose. Our worlds are different. 

"NO! HANASTAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" 

Their eyes managed to meet before they were separated by the closing door. Seemingly ending Solielle's hope of revealing the truth and reaching her dream future. 

* 

Georgiy turned when his name was called by Raibeart. "What's up?" 

"Have you done what I ordered? What's the response?" Raibeart asked bluntly in the quieter part of the corridor. 

However, the student from the working-class family looked confused. "What are you talking about?" 

"What the f*ck. Even you?" Raibeart asked in disbelief. 

Whatever the reason, the situation has become like this. Until he finds clues, more serious efforts need to be made. His intuition tells him that worse things will happen.

"Before everything gets worse for us," he whispered hoarsely, "I have to truly get you out of this place!"