18:06

After the speech given by the principal, there is a moment taken for the students interested in the military life to get the information about each base of the city, to which N04H and some other people attend. M1LO was there too, just next to him. And after everyone analysed what each base offers and promises in exchange of becoming their soldier, as well as also showing what exactly their work is about, some of the students go to other areas of the school field because of more reasons. Some try to make their decisions, some simply go to meet up with other friends, or some simply just want to stay and watch the whole celebration. Of course, there are others who remained around the information delivery area to get more details. But our friends decided to just have a small chat on their own once they have gotten the information they needed and also a small paper with everything regarding the bases written on it, similar to a brochure.

[M1LO]-So, N04H... did you already decide where you are going from now on?

[N04H]-You probably know the answer anyway, don't you, M1LO?

[M1LO]-Heheh... So I guess we will still be colleagues, huh... Well, I think it was expected since the majority wants to go to the Central Base and I don't see why you won't go as well. They have the best results in working against the M borns of the above from what the papers show after all. Hope we both get in when we will take our admission papers.

While they were immersed in their chit-chat, a girl their age, possibly one of the graduates too, approached them in order to discuss.

[C3LINE]-Hey, guys! Can you two come for a second?

[N04H]-Hm? What's wrong?

[C3LINE]-Oh, nothing important. We just made a plan of going to celebrate after everything is done and I wanted to take you to the organiser so you can get some details about this event. After all, he wants everyone from this generation to be present. Of course, only if you are interested... Mind if you come for a minute?

[M1LO]-I guess it's worth a try. Okay then!

"During my graduation event, nothing really interesting happened. At least, not until I got myself involved in something that normally I should've refused. Some of the people from my generation came up with the idea of a new event after the celebration at school was over. C3LINE was the one who introduced it to me and M1LO. She was a part of a group known from our generation to organise events around the school for us, the students, and especially during special occasions. The one leading the whole group, organising the members and coming up with the ideas was a guy named AU5T1N. But I can't really tell more about them. We weren't really friends or have known each other to say more about that group or the people behind it. I stood mostly with my roommates anyway, so maybe that explains this problem. But at the end of the day, we all got along in that school, even if we didn't know each other that well."

[C3LINE]-Alright! Here we are!

[AU5T1N]-I see you've invited more people to join us, C3LINE. Welcome!

[M1LO]-Okay, AU5T1N. What's this all about? What's your new, "amazing" idea this time?

[AU5T1N]-So, to get to the point... I was thinking of making a little trip, far from here, in order to celebrate this occasion. Somewhere we've never been before, any of us.

[M1LO]-How... far are we talking about, exactly?

[AU5T1N]-How about... one of the bars from the City of Above? No one went there, that's for sure. We can use some disguises from the training classes in order to hide and bring them back once we are done. I'm sure that would be an experience nobody could even imagine of!

M1LO stood a bit after what he just heard. His expression was a mix of emotions even he probably couldn't decipher. While his face expressed anger and judgement towards the words spoken, His eyes were showing signs of fear, but with no clear explanation.

[M1LO]-...Are you insane!? You've learnt nothing all these years! We try to stay as far as we can from the M borns of the above and you want us to go exactly where they are!? What if we get caught!?

[AU5T1N]-Oh, come on! Don't be like that! Everybody is curious about that city and its sky after all! And I can guarantee you that we won't get caught. We will go at midnight, when the bar should be full of people. And if they ask why we are so many at number, we can just say that we want to have a little party. Simple.

[N04H]-Why when it's full? Can't we go when there are just a few people?

[AU5T1N]-Because it would be a bit too suspicious to go in such a big number to an empty bar, don't you think? And knowing how strict the M soldiers are, we will get caught way too easily just because of this mistake alone.

[M1LO]-It's still too risky, AU5T1N!

[AU5T1N]-Living as a C born is risky, dear friend! At least we can try to make the most of our lives. Are you truly living if you don't take a risk every once in a while? ...So, are you with me? Or are you too afraid of living your own damn life?

[M1LO]-*sigh* Let's go, N04H... We're only wasting our time here.

M1LO was just about to leave, but it looks like N04H had a different idea, stopping him for just a few more seconds.

[N04H]-...M1LO, wait. He has a point. We can't just... run for the rest of our lives!

[M1LO]-So what? Are you with them?

[N04H]-M1LO, we only graduate once in a lifetime... Don't you want to celebrate it?

[M1LO]-Then go get killed by the M borns of the above, if that's what you want. I don't want to be associated with this. I don't want to lose my opportunity in the entrance. And don't you even dare to tell me later that I didn't warn you.

[N04H]-Wait, M1LO!

In the end, M1LO left alone, mad, and without looking back. Almost even looking as if N04H betrayed him. While at the same time, N04H remained, watching his friend taking his leave.

[AU5T1N]-Poor little guy! He's going to lose all the fun! Don't worry, we will keep some drinks for him too. So... are you going to be present at the entrance of the dorms at 51:30, N04H?

"As for the offer itself, I... was put to make a choice. It was either to follow my friend's logical advice and refuse the idea of that whole event, or... run for the rest of my life. Like I always did and like everyone else did because of our fears. The idea was stupid and reckless... but it also made me realise that we really didn't get to live the life we have been granted to its fullest at all. We've been hiding in the shadows ever since we were aware of ourselves and never got the chance to do something about it. It is maybe why I accepted their offer. Because... we hope that we will all be free one day. And I wished to experience what freedom feels like."

[N04H]-...Alright. But don't make me regret my choice!

[AU5T1N]-Worry not, dear friend! This is going to be the best experience of your life! I'm a man of my word!

51:25

Though even N04H knew that accepting this invitation from AU5T1N was pure insanity, he decided in the end to give it a try. Late at night, he came right at the location given the last time they have talked and went towards the group of people in the same spot described, knowing that this must be the group that wants to celebrate with the same event. AU5T1N also noticed his arrival in the meantime, but N04H only looked puzzled at the group itself, counting how many people are present. They were 34 at number. AU5T1N then came next to him and put his hand around his shoulder, making N04H snap back to reality.

[AU5T1N]-Ah, N04H! You actually came!

[N04H]-I... didn't know that we will be so many. I thought that only a few people will come since it's still a bit dangerous.

[AU5T1N]-As I said, everybody is curious about the City of Above. And, after all... you can't live your life without a few risks, right?

[N04H]-...Are you sure this is a good idea, AU5T1N?

[AU5T1N]-Of course! We only need to borrow some of the disguise costumes and we will have the best night of our lives!

Another guy from the group who happened to listen to their conversation started shouting, which made AU5T1N come closer to the group and abandon N04H. Or at least obligate him to come towards the group as well, standing right next to the leader.

[Student1]-And what if one of the teachers sees us? We will get in trouble!

[AU5T1N]-Stop panicking, everyone! We've already planned everything out! Only ten of us need to go and take them for everyone, and I think it's best that the ones who are good at sneaking fulfil this mission. While those ten are taking care of the quest, my friends and I will distract the teachers to give them time.

[Student2]-Won't they ask why you are awake this late though?

[AU5T1N]-Don't worry about that little detail. I've informed them that we are taking the celebration in one of the bars of the south. And if they actually try to find us there, the rest of the students are already having a party and I have a guy that will keep the teachers away from knowing that we are not present. Now, enough with the questions! Let's get moving! The ones from the top of the board from the sneaking class should make their way towards Room 15.

While everyone started talking to each other, N04H only crossed his arms and looked at opposite way of the group leader's location. But he didn't particularly seem mad nor surprised, more like a bit annoyed by the decision, simply whispering to himself. And even if he did whisper to himself, the one next to him managed to hear anyway.

[N04H]-*sigh* Of course the top of the board has to do it...

[AU5T1N]-Yes, that includes you too, N04H! You are in top five after all! Now let's get going, everyone! We got a night to celebrate!

"And I knew from the moment this whole event was put into practice that I might have done a mistake. For us to get into the City of Above, we had to take disguises from our school's property since, well... we are C borns and we have to hide from the M soldiers. And our only simple and quick way of doing so was by this action. Not only that, but I was among those who had to "steal" those disguises as well. As if I had nothing better to do than to go against the school's rules and risk my entrance in the Central Base... But, to be honest, I was risking it ever since I accepted the offer. Which made me think whether I had done the right choice or not.

We had to enter a specific room in which the special equipment used by the teachers for us to understand how those devices work usually stays, and which includes the disguises. I can't say that if I were to organise an event like that one, I would've chosen this option though. The disguise devices are too simple compared to what the soldiers actually use. When we were taught how to use these devices, usually there was a hologram programmed to act just like an M soldier in order to see if we manage to hide our C born appearance made by the colour in our hair and eyes that represents our energy and power, and if we also manage to play as different people in case of an emergency. But we've never actually tried those disguises on real M soldiers to see if they have the same effect as our soldiers' equipment. So I was wondering if AU5T1N actually knew what he was doing at that point.

But while we were taking the disguises, I stumbled upon a tiny sphere which I didn't remember at that time to be explained what was its use during our classes. I knew I've noticed it many times before actually, since it seemed to have been forgotten under the desks for a while and I saw it at the same place every time I had nothing better to do than just look around the class. But I never bothered myself to find out what it truly was since it was so small and insignificant. Yet I guess it sounds ridiculous to talk about it so sudden. It sounds ridiculous to me as well, but when I first saw it with my own eyes, I had no knowledge of its actual use. In the present, of course I am aware of it. But back then, I will be honest... I was a bit curious. I didn't think anyone would notice if it disappeared either since nobody gave any attention to it. So, I just... took it anyway."

When they were done taking the disguises, they hurried back while avoiding the possibility of being caught "borrowing" the school's property. In no time, all the ten people arrived and showed AU5T1N the devices before finally distributing them as one equipment per each person present.

[AU5T1N]-Alright! I think we are finally ready to go in the City of Above! Activate your disguises, everyone! We have to get moving!

Everyone started moving, but only one person was still a bit hesitant. Before AU5T1N could take any step forward, N04H came right behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked back, but once the question was given and he said his response, AU5T1N simply pushed N04H's hand away and moved along with the group. So that the only one with a bad thought will remain behind.

[N04H]-I'm going to ask you one last time, AU5T1N... Are you sure about this whole thing?

[AU5T1N]-Stop asking me that! Just trust my word and everything will be fine!

[N04H]-Yeah... I hope so...