before the outing

Two and a half weeks had passed. The group had learned how to use their Evolutions more efficiently, and at the same time, they were slowly getting used to their new powers. Not all of them knew how to fully control them yet. During a small telescope session, Riven also gave Tessa, Nico's flame Evolutions after Tessa asked for it.

Everyone had just gotten up and was getting ready to head back to Wren's training area when an announcement came over the intercom.

"Hello there, students of the first year. Tonight, we'll be having a little party to celebrate your first outing. All students must attend. If we find out you didn't go to the party, you will be punished. Thank you, and see you tonight."

The voice on the intercom was Damien's.

"A party, huh? That sounds fun, doesn't it?" Harkel thought, projecting the message so everyone in their group could hear it, not just the ones in the room.

"Yeah… but truthfully, it feels like they're doing this because it might be our final time coming back here," Leo said telepathically.

"Don't jinx it, dude," Harkel responded.

"Don't joke like that at all," Riven added, this time speaking internally so everyone could hear. "Since it's my Evolution that gave you guys more than one ability and allowed you to awaken… I have one thing to say: if you feel like your life is on the line—or someone else's—do not hesitate to use your full strength. I know we want to keep this a secret, but I don't want people dying because we held back."

Everyone agreed in silence and walked to the cafeteria, meeting up there.

"So what should we do today? I mean, what's the point of training if we're just gonna have a party later?" Wren said while everyone was eating.

"I have an idea," Joey said. "Let's use this as an opportunity to really get to know each other and get closer." He smiled the whole time he spoke.

"Okay, I like the idea," Leo and Harkel said in unison.

They all headed to Wren's training room. After a bit of light training, they ended up sitting in a circle.

"Okay, I'll go first," Riven said. "My name is Riven Harlow. I'm a Wallborn from the Dawn family. My favorite thing to do is probably hang out with my mom and play video games."

"Oh, we know about that last part," Harkel joked, cheekily. Everyone in the room laughed as Riven threw Harkel into a wall using his gravity. As Harkel made his way back, he heard Joey start talking and quickly sat back down.

"My name is Joey Cross. I'm also a Wallborn from the Dawn family. My family didn't really have that much money," he said. The three boys who knew what had happened to him looked away.

"Nor did I really have that many friends either. But Riven, Jordan, and later on Harkel all accepted me—even though I was poor and didn't have anything to show for myself. But now, thanks to Riven and the money he gave us, my mom should be back on her feet in no time."

As Joey finished, tears welled in his eyes, but he held them in.

"Well said. I guess I'll go next. My name is Leo Ashvale. I'm a Beyonder from the Black Halo family. People say I'm upbeat… and a little too protective of my sister. I love hanging out with my mom—she's the one who taught me how to cook."

Everyone in the group had tasted Leo's cooking, and they could all admit it was fantastic. Knowing his mom was the reason for that made them wonder just how amazing her food must be.

"My name is Tessa Ashvale. I'm also a Beyonder from Black Halo. My family isn't well-known across the guild; truthfully, we're probably one of the lowest-tier families. We're not that respected. When my family found out I had a flight Evolution—and not even a powerful one—they looked really disappointed. But when my stepbrother here got a natural Evolution that lets him control metal at will, they saw him as the light of the family. I don't blame my brother—it's not like my family shunned me for having a weak Evolution—they just poured their attention into making his ability stronger."

After Tessa finished speaking, not even going over what she liked, one phrase caught their attention.

"Wait, stepbrother? I thought you two were just fraternal twins," Jordan said.

"Not everyone's twins like you two. Me and Leo have been step-siblings since we were born. We're the same age—Leo's just a month behind me. It's just… my family doesn't like us calling each other 'stepsiblings.' They prefer we call each other regular siblings instead. But I can see the confusion." Tessa smiled warmly.

"Well, I guess I should go," Jordan said. "My name's Jordan Harlow. I've got a twin brother, as you can see. I loved going to parks and practicing abilities there. I also like playing games with my brother, though not at the same level he did. My father was pretty strict, and my mother was protective. Basically, they were your average parents." Jordan smiled. Wren couldn't help but think about her own parents—specifically, how she never knew her father at all.

"My name is Harkel Voss. I'm the youngest in my family, and we're closely connected to the Evolaris family. I was actually supposed to go to the family's training camp, but my father convinced them to let me come here instead—and I don't regret it at all. I love hanging out with my brothers and sister. I look up to them. Heck, one of them is even a dean, though I haven't seen him yet. My goal is to become stronger than my brother, since that's the code my family lives by—and thanks to Riven, I probably can."

"I'm sorry… training camp?" Joey asked.

"Yeah," Harkel replied. "Even though we have around a thousand first-years—and who knows how many second and third-years—this academy isn't the only path. Some people, especially those with connections to big families, can skip it entirely and go to a family training camp. After a year or three, they're given a position in the family. But my father wanted me to go down the same path as my brother—to get stronger, or even surpass him."

Wren sighed. "My name's Wren Fallow. I'm a Beyonder from the Black Halo guild. My family's pretty high up in the ranks. I don't know my father—my mom never talked about him. She made me train my powers a lot when she found out I was a natural Evolver. I barely had time for friends… or any type of fun."

The mood turned somber.

"But at least you've got us," Harkel said, trying to lighten the mood.

Wren gave him a small smile. "Yeah… at least I've got you guys."

When Harkel saw that smile, he felt something strange.

"Did my heart just skip a beat?" he thought.

"Wow, look at the time," Leo said. It was 4 p.m., and the party started at 6. They all left the training area to change into their uniforms. When they arrived at the assembly hall—most of them for the first time—they all looked around, amazed at the sparkling jewels embedded in the ceiling.

But Riven noticed something else.

Crack marks.

Faint, but visible. Like a battle—or maybe even a massacre—had taken place, and someone tried to cover it up. But not very well.

"Hello everyone. My name is Damien Wright. In five days, you'll be heading out for your first outing. So, I say—at least for tonight—have fun and be kids."

As Damien said those last words, music started to play, and students began gathering on a makeshift dance floor.

"Is he serious about having a party right now? We just heard that our lives might be on the line," Harkel said, watching as kids happily danced.

Noticing some tables nearby, Wren walked over and sat down. Tessa soon joined her.

"Well… I mean… we might as well. It's right there," Harkel said as he stepped onto the dance floor. Leo joined him. Then the rest of the boys followed, forming a circle and taking turns dancing in the center.

Wren watched them with a smile.

"Idiots. C'mon," she said, getting up. She and Tessa laughed as they joined the boys.

"Look at that—kids being kids. We should've done this for the previous years as well," Mr. Sable said, watching the students through a mirror.

"I mean… even your daughter joined them. She's always been distant, hasn't she?" he added.

"Yeah… yeah, she has. But she's making strong friends now. Friends who can protect her," the Vice Principal said, standing beside Mr. Sable.

"So," said a silver-haired man in a gold-and-black armor set. "How do I look?"

"You look good, Sir Darius," Mr. Sable replied, bowing.

"Yeah, I just finished introducing myself in the second and third-year halls. Let's see how these kids react to my debut," Darius said, grinning ear to ear.