"When are you set to leave for school?" Isaac asked, lying in a bed with various tubes connected to him.
"Tomorrow," said Riley.
"Good luck at school, kid"
"I will. But will you be alright?"
"I will be fine. This is the best hospital in the capital, so I am almost guaranteed to get better," he grinned.
"If you say so," she hummed.
"Don't forget to give my thanks to Decker."
"I am sure he will be pleased to hear that again." she chuckled and stood up to leave.
"Bye."
"Bye." With that, she left the hospital and returned to Rapunzel's Tower. It was the hotel that she had been lodging in with Decker and the children since they arrived in the capital. It was owned by an heiress from some General's family.
The village had been a little corner of the world. When she arrived at the capital, she had been shocked beyond repair. From just a glance, she saw skyscrapers and some buildings that looked like they belonged in a Fantasy or Historical novel. The mismatch of buildings wasn't the only cause of shock as she saw visible traces of Earth in the city. The hospital was a prime example. It looked just like some of the hospitals on Earth except for the equipment looking a bit crude.
She wondered about the disparity between the village and the capital. What was the cause? Either way, the most bizarre thing was Earth technology being fashioned into the world's day-to-day lives despite them using technology that belonged to either Victorian or Reconnaissance.
When she asked Nicholas, he said:
"They were inspired by the stories from Earth."
"So it's mimicry."
"Yes.A bad one at that. Those stories only reveal so much."
The technology seemed odd and out of place and showed none of the charm modern-day technology had. Decker mentioned that there was a rise in researchers who were actively trying to close that gap.
"Haaa…!" She plopped onto the luxurious bed in her room.
"Back so soon," said Nicholas leaning against the door frame.
"I would have stayed longer but I was certain Isaac wouldn't have it."
He walked towards her and sat on the bed. "Either you still have plenty to pack so good you are early,"
"I guess," she said with a small smile. She couldn't help but stare at him as she had been doing ever since he became human again. Though knowing it was a monthly thing that depleted energy, she decided not to dwell much on the matter. She knew if she asked for more information words such as confidentiality would come from his mouth.
She glanced at her newly bought suitcase, a present from Decker, which was half full and sighed.
"Sir Nicholas, I suppose you have already packed yours."
"I will be a mouse most of the time. It's pointless to worry about such things."
"Even the mighty Nicholas can be a sloth which means I am free to slack off as I please," she said cheekily.
"You say that but I know you won't."
She pursed her lips. He was right as per usual. Ever since what happened during the Act, she has been busy. She could visibly recall herself running away many times while others sacrificed themselves to help her.
It was the third time she had stood idle and allowed those closest to her to die. She promised herself a fourth would never arrive.
Nicholas, sending the mood had shifted thanks to her comment, promptly retreated to his room.
She shook her head as she watched him run away with his tail between his legs. Why did those people even fear him?
She began packing and when she was done she crashed onto her bed and immediately drifted off to sleep.
***********
Clad in a military-style skirt with the blouse buttoned to the top, Riley stepped out of a carriage and came face to face with a pair of golden gates. Cypher scrambled out a few seconds later dressed in the male version of her outfit.
She nodded at him."Let's go." He promptly followed after her as they walked inside the gate where they met rows upon rows of shrubs that spiralled around the statue of a lion.
"How may I help you?" asked the lady sitting at the front desk. After a bit of a walk, they found themselves at her desk, confused about where to go next.
Riley spoke up. "We are new to the school and late arrivals so we don't know where we are supposed to go."
"Late…" The lady looked at them sceptically.
"Yes. Here is my invitational letter." She handed over the letter she had received and with one read of it, the lady's eyes widened in surprise and she called over someone.
"Your letter verifies your identity. Cadets, this is Lady Poppy, she will take you to see the head so don't lag behind."
Riley turned to look at the slightly plump woman whose hand clasped a luxuriously adorned purse and eyes seemed to betray her annoyance. What drew Riley's attention the most was the letter 'S' engraved on her cheek. She had seen that letter and the letter 'M' quite a lot after reaching the capital. Nicholas told her it was how the people of the world distinguished Main Characters and Supporting Characters from Extras.
Lady Poppy glanced at them and as though finished assessing them, she spared no other glance and walked off. Riley guessed she was an elitist. They trailed behind her, taking in the grandeur of the building.
After a while, they reached a door which Lady Poppy softly knocked on. "Dearest, I have brought some guests."
"Come in." A familiar voice answered.
'Wait, familiar? How come I recognize this voice?' She pondered.
As soon as the door opened, she realized why that voice was so familiar. It was Christopher.
"Sorry to disturb you, headmaster. I am Riley and this is Cypher. We apologize for the late arrival"
He smiled. "No worries. I understand your circumstances and have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
'Does that mean he knows about what happened at the village?' She looked at him suspiciously. It would not be surprising if the matter had spread to the whole continent and with him being friendly towards the village, it would be no surprise if he knew. However, wouldn't he have sent someone to check on the children if he knew so perhaps he didn't.
"Thank you for your understanding."
He gave another smile. "Cadet Cypher Ruin, you have been assigned to Class A. Be prepared for your practical exam next week and check with your squad leader for your other information."
"Yes sir!" He nervously answered.
"Good. Lady Poppy, please guide this cadet to where his class is and send word for the young master of House Praeteritum."
"Of course, Dearest." Cypher glanced at Riley nervously before being pushed by the plump lady out of the door.
They soon left.
"Now that outsiders are excluded, How have you been?"
"Well."
"I know of my dearest friend's demise. It truly does hurt that such an individual has left this world but my pain bears no importance, yours does."
"Is that why you invited me to this school?"
"Of course, not. That letter was already on its way before the Act. Anyways, you are here now and though I know of your circumstances, don't expect me to be partial."
"I won't."
"Good. Cadet Riley, you have no records of having undergone the mandatory nine years of general education."
"I…" She didn't know what to say. All that had happened had derailed her thought process of being someone from another world which meant she had no official documentation to prove the legitimacy of her existence besides the identification she had taken with Decker when she entered the capital.
"Despite that, the recommendation you have received loosens the rules a bit and allows you to take supplementary classes after your regular ones. After completing, you will take an exam to display your proficiency and if you pass, you will be awarded a certificate."
"I understand. How long will I have to do these lessons?"
"Two months is enough and if you fail, you will be unable to continue your studies here and will be held back."
The door creaked open.
He continued. "And here to bell you as your teacher is your classmate from the Honours Class, Cadet Xaden Scrivener." He motioned to the boy who had just walked in.
'Xaden…It couldn't be!?'
She glanced at him. Striking red hair and calm blue eyes that concealed every emotion. It was him. Her main character and the 'M' on his cheek further proved it.
She hadn't expected to meet him so early and now that she had.
'Target locked in'
She smiled at him. "Hello. I am Riley."
He cast a disinterested glance at him and looked at the Head.
"You have been quite daring as of late." He uttered in a menacing tone.
"They do say people at my age tend to be more bold."
Xaden sent him a cold gaze.
"Why must I tend to that?" He sent a pointed look at Riley.
"Recall that deal we had?"
"Vaguely, yes."
"It's time you fulfil your end of the bargain lest we need to invite your father into the discussion."
Xaden scoffed. "I accept ."
"Good. Please lead her to your class."
Xaden turned to face Riley and walked out. She hurriedly thanked the Head and walked out following after him.