One thing New hadn't foreseen was the heavy downpour that soaked them both to the skin. When they reached Nu's room, where there was a secret passage, they were so wet that they needed to dry off and change their clothes. Gem looked curiously around the musician's room, which made an electrifying impression on him. He liked everything from the perfectly matched white furniture to the fluffy salmon-colored rug, the aquamarine chandelier in the center of the ceiling, the shades on the bedside lamps, and the aquamarine walls. In the corner was a set of instruments consisting of drums, bass guitar, keyboard and amplifiers, all in various shades of green. On the windowsill he saw two pink orchids in white pots, right next to which there was a picture in a decorative frame... of the head of the Knights of Light, Zee, whom Gemini knew from the brothers' stories. It surprised him only a little, because he remembered that both Phu and Dunk didn't have a good opinion of the director, he was said to be very cold in relations with people, sometimes mean and arrogant, and his subordinates were simply afraid of him. So why would NuNew keep a picture of him in his room, and in a frame carved with tiny stars and hearts?

"Does the boss have a secret that my brothers don't know about? If I tell them, they'll probably pick their jaws off the floor! Ah, I can't wait to see their faces! They think Zee is some kind of monster!" Gem thought and stopped looking around. Gem, maybe because he spent so much time with Rose, became something of a shipper. He had already shipped himself with that mystery boy, and now he had a reason to ship NuNew with Zee, he pictured them together and smiled, knowing that they would be a beautiful and powerful couple.

New handed Gemini a purple towel, one of many in his collection. Gem immediately began to dry his hair, and his new friend walked a few steps to choose dry clothes from the wardrobe. He looked carefully at his clothes and finally took off a neon yellow T-shirt with a print showing a white eagle with a golden crown on his head turned to the right with spread wings and a golden beak and talons from the hanger, giving it to the boy. He smiled gratefully and exchanged his drenched gray T-shirt for the one New gave him. Gem was sure he had seen an identical eagle somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where. NuNew gave him a critical look.

"No, yellow is probably not your color." He shook his head in displeasure.

"It's okay, the color isn't that important, at least it's dry."

"I'm an artist, a nong Gemini, and as an artist, I like things to be neat and tidy, that yellow makes your complexion look even paler. I think the lilac shade will suit you better".

"It... It's good," Gemini agreed, stuttering a bit.

New plugged in the dryer and, after taking care of Gemini's hair, dried his own as well and changed into a short-sleeved rainbow T-shirt that read "Love always WINS, because LOVE is the strongest SPELL". He also chose pants with the right leg in apricot color and the left leg in a shade of azure, which looked quite funny. He fastened a black wide bracelet with metal spikes on his left wrist. Gem watched the actions of his new friend and thought.

Even though he guessed the existence of this world, and his parents told him different stories from time to time, until now he thought that this world would never belong to him, that it was behind some gate, an impassable barrier that was beyond his reach. When he was younger, he sometimes dreamed of becoming one of the Knights of the Light, an elite club tasked with roaming the universe and maintaining peace and order in it, but when he turned 18 and his mother still hadn't taken him to the Institute, lost all hope. He could only admire his brother, Phuwin, who practiced new tricks every day, learned the history of the universe, learned about magical, non-magical and demonic beings, and beamed with happiness when his mother asked him about his training at evening dinners. Dunk, the eldest of them, had been called to the Institute for training before he was 16 and was now regarded by the whole family as a professional with considerable experience. Dunk had gone on missions more than once by the head of the department, Zee Pruk Panich, and Phuwin still had a lot to learn, but he was said to be doing great.

Gem stopped believing he was a hybrid too.

"He's more of a squib than a hybrid." - Aunt Rim's disdainful voice still echoed in his head.

Aunt Rim was his mother's sister, but she was different from her in everything, and to emphasize those differences, she even dyed her hair blonde. Aunt Rim was a Thai teacher at a school less than 300 meters from her home. Gem and Phuwin never liked her.

"I have a bad feeling about her," - Phuwin used to say after each visit, but he could never justify it. Gemini agreed with him, but when they told their mother, she laughed at them.

"Oh boys, what's on your mind? Aunt Rim can be a little cold, but that's probably because she's a squib herself".

"Aunt Rim?"

"Yes. Aunt Rim has had a hard time coming to terms with who she is, but she still loves our world, knows a lot about it, and tries to help us protect it. I think you boys watch too much TV series. If you were so focused on your studies, you would achieve much more. And don't annoy me with such insinuations again. Aunt Rim isn't a bad person, she's just unhappy".

The boys somehow found it hard to believe, but not wanting to start an argument with their mother, they decided not to mention it to her again. Phuwin promised Gemini that he would review the documents available at the Institute in the hope of learning something from there, but so far he had no opportunity to do so.

Gemini was very happy when New informed him that according to some of their laws that day, he also gained the right to visit their branch. He knew quite a bit about the Wizarding world, mostly what Mom, Dunk, or Phuwin told him, but he had no idea that both New and Khaotung, the famous Formula 1 driver, were also part of this magic. He changed into another shirt that was handed to him. In the meantime, New, who loved trinkets, searched his jewelry collection and found a few pieces of jewelry that he felt would best emphasize the first impression the young Titicharoenrak had made on him. He approached him and pinned a small silver hairpin with a tiny owl carved on it in his hair, and a moment later hung a modest pendant of the same shape around his neck.

"You look like someone who would make a career out of the entertainment industry," - He said and ran one last brush through his hair, making sure it was completely dry.

"Oh, I'm not sure, I don't think it's for me."

"Why do you think like that? From what I've seen, you're talented, you can talk to people, you look good, you have a nice voice, great grades, I think you'd make a great actor or singer".

"Thank you," Gem bowed his head modestly, overwhelmed by the amount of compliments from someone Rose considered her greatest idol. Although he was well aware of his attractiveness, he did not exalt himself, and around Khawarin he felt ashamed that he was getting so much praise from him. At the same time, he was also happy. His dream had just come true.

"So? Ready to meet our branch members?"

"Y-yes, I'm ready." Gemini smiled a bit nervously. His heart was beating like crazy as Nu opened the passage and led him forward. In the corridor, he had already passed Khaotung, who was in a hurry dressed in a typical Ferrari red sweatshirt, but apart from his brothers and Pond and Joong, he didn't know anyone here. He could recognize only Zee.

New led them to a large, airy room that looked a bit like a Non-Magical conference room. In front of it was a large white desk, behind which was an equally white, unadorned chair, and right next to it hung what looked very much like an interactive whiteboard from the world of Non-Magical. Smaller desks were placed around the desk, with space for a laptop and a drawer for small items. At the desk furthest from the entrance, there was a young girl with very dark, slightly curly hair gathered in a ponytail on top of her head tied with a red bow. She accentuated her blue eyes with blue eyeliner and her lips with a striking red lipstick. She looked funny enough, but Gem found her trustworthy from the first moment, even if she was wearing a bizarre outfit of red plaid pants, heavy combat boots, and a neon pink long-sleeved shirt with a small lettering in gold glittering on it. "Hybrid" just above the left breast. In front of her was a large cup with a straw, probably filled with some kind of cappuccino. The girl noticed them, waved her hand in their direction, and New led him there.

"This is Iris, my completely magical sister." He introduced the girl, who reached out to shake hands with the new visitor.

"Hello Nu, little brother. Good morning, handsome. So this is a nong Gemini" - She marveled. "You're cute, you know?"

"Maybe not so directly? Have some shame, little sister," - NuNew admonished her, slapping her shoulder lightly and playfully. - "I'm sorry about her, my sister seems lonely."

"It's okay, P'New, your sister seems like a nice person."

"Of course I'm nice." - She laughed cheerfully and walked around her guest, examining him carefully. - "Don't tell me my brother picked out your clothes?"

"Why? What's wrong with this outfit this time?" - New asked.

"Oh! How many times do I have to tell you not to get into styling people, you have absolutely no sense. A purple shirt and black pants? It was better to give him white pants".

"How do you know he didn't choose it himself?"

"Because I know you inside out, and I know you're the only one who has absolutely no idea about fashion. Tomorrow, when we have some free time, I want to take Gemini shopping, we have to choose the perfect clothes for him, this will be our showcase of our Institute".

"Have you at least asked him if he wants to be a showcase of anything?"

"Ouch. I was just about to do that. Nong Gemini, will you do us the honor of allowing us to do your photo shoot? We will be able to feature you on all our posters, you will be our face. What do you think?"

"Posters? Don't you exaggerate?" - Gemini wasn't sure if he heard it right. Many people told him he was handsome and he knew it, but with NuNew he felt intimidated, the singer had millions of fans, he was tastefully dressed, his skin seemed smooth and free of any blemishes, his voice was pleasant, melodious, very nice. With him, Gem felt that she would never be able to match him.

"Nope. Not at all! I think you're perfect! But it's from tomorrow, today you have an important meeting, you'll meet some people in our group, I can't tell you much for now, I don't want to deprive Nat of this pleasure, he's been preparing for this moment for a month! If only you could see him! He was taking notes, and he must have changed his speech to you about ten times".

"Nat? Who is this?"

"Nat is our elf, he is very nice and cute, unlike the boss. If I were you, I'd watch out for the boss and stay away from him unless you have something really urgent".

"Why?"

"You'll find out soon," - She winked at him, and just then, out of nowhere, a boy slightly shorter than him appeared with fair hair and ears that, without a doubt, brought to mind typical elven ears.

"Welcome to the Knights of Light institute, nong Gemini. I'm Natasit Uareksit but you can call me Nat. Follow me, I'll take you to our lecture hall, where the other candidates are already waiting. For now, there are few of you, because we are still in the search stage".

Gemini exchanged glances with New, and when New nodded with a smile, giving him permission to go with Nate, he followed him. As Nat led him down the long corridor, which had endless rows of huge windows on one side, and as many identical doors on the other with a plate with the number and description of the room behind them, Gemini felt a growing excitement. His pulse quickened, his cheeks flushed pink, and he felt like he was shaking inside.

He had dreamed of this moment for years, had given up hope that it would happen, so he had made a contingency plan: he was going to become a doctor. Even though singing was his favorite thing in his spare time, and he was usually the one chosen for school plays, assemblies and speeches, he didn't feel it was the right path for him. He was glad that his mother supported him in everything, letting him decide for himself.

"If you make a mistake, you will feel the consequences of it the most," She used to say, and he agreed with her.

He could have chosen architecture or engineering, and he was good at that too, but he had thought it through very well and was determined: medicine was his major, his first and final choice. That way he could help others, and maybe one day some cunning fate would bring his unknown hero to him and make them meet again. He wanted very much to believe it, even if the odds were slim.

Finally, Natasit stopped in front of the only door that was different from the others: it was green, and the solar system with all eight planets was painted on it. Nat placed his finger on the round button in the center that looked like a fingerprint reader, and a silver doorknob appeared that Gemini was sure hadn't been there before. He stood like a pillar of salt for a moment, staring at this strange phenomenon, until Nat noticed it and waved his hand in front of his eyes.

"Master Gemini, what are you thinking about?" Nat asked very politely.

"Master Gemini?" - The taller boy echoed. - "Before, you spoke to me more directly."

"Oh! These are just our rules. Your family is very well known and respected here, you have great respect with us, we will never forget what your mother and your aunt Mrs. Rim did for us".

"My mom with Aunt Rim?"

"Uhm. Now I can't tell you about it, but if you are curious, come to my room after the meeting, I live at 106 in the second corridor, behind the lilac door, you will surely find it, because there is a big fern in front of my room".

"OK, I will come. You got me curious, Mom never talked about anything involving Aunt Rim and the Institute".

"I know, she was waiting for the right time".

"And I? How long must I wait for you? Are you wasting our precious time on empty chatter again?" - A tall, handsome, slim man came out of the hall wearing a tasteful gray suit that looked as if it had been made especially for him. Black, shiny hair revealed a smooth, wrinkle-free forehead, and the face showed no signs of aging, yet Gemini felt that this man was much older than himself.

"Sorry boss," - Nat choked out without even looking in his direction. His gaze fixed on the floor.

"Natasit, how many times do I have to tell you that work first, gossip later?"

"Yes, boss, I understand. Sorry. It will not happen again".

"I know it will happen again. Just try to limit it, we have plenty of work without it. Hurry up, everyone else is here".

And the man called the boss entered the hall to take a seat at the desk.

There were already several people in the room, Gem immediately noticed Phuwin next to Pond, and a moment later he also found Dunk and Joong sitting in the last row, the rest he didn't know. There were seven other boys, about the same age as him, and three girls, sitting very close to each other and cheerfully talking about something probably not important. Everyone seemed relaxed and calm, so Gem decided there was no need to worry. In the third row sat a boy with a mole on his nose similar to the one Gem had met, but his heart told him it wasn't him, the other one looked somehow different, he was more grown up, a bit fatter, more substantial, this one was petite and short, more he was cute than handsome, and his hair was lighter, though that shouldn't really matter since hair can be dyed.

Gem felt only a slight disappointment that, although similar to the other, this boy could not be his hero.

He greeted Phuwin, Pond, Dunk and Joong briefly, sat down in the empty chair next to Phuwin and focused on what the boss and Nat had to say. And they gave them a lot of new information, although from the expressions and complete disinterest of their brothers, Gem guessed that they repeated it a lot, probably every time someone new joined the club. Nat asked everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Gem soon learned that the boy with the mole on his nose was Fluke Natouch Siripongthon, and was eight years older than him, yet he was a new member just like himself. This comforted him, for it meant that he was not the only one who had had to wait a long time to be appointed to the Institute.

The next boys exchanged their nicknames and names, and Gem wrote them down on a piece of paper he found in his backpack. Cooper Patpasit, Kaownah Kittipat, Satang Kittiphop Sereevichayasawat, Yoon Phusanu, Aun Napat Patcharachavalit and Neo Trai Nimtawat landed on his list alongside Fluke, Joong, Dunk, Pond, Phuwin, Ciize, Milk Pansa and Love Pattranite. The girls immediately after the meeting approached him and started talking to him as if he was their old, good friend whom they had not seen for years. When asked about it, Ciize replied.

"Oh, Gemini, how can you not remember us? We were at your mom's birthday party last year, she invited us".

"Aaaah! Thats you!" - Gemini beamed as his mind reached the pushed aside memory of the party his Aunt Rim, who always loved parties and entertainment, had organized for her sister. Ciize and Love were both at the party and he even exchanged a few words with them, but later he had so many other responsibilities that he simply forgot about it. The only thing he didn't know was Milk, but that quickly became clear. Milk, like himself, was informed very late about the appointment for training.