I wake up with a jolt and all I see is darkness. My heart races as it dawns on me that everything that just happened was my aptitude test.

The previous events flood into my mind and I panic at the fact that I might still be trapped in the first scenario. I clutch my head in fear but feel a smooth plastic instead of my usual blackthorns. I lift the plastic off my head and the light almost blinds me. Blinking away the bleariness, I see Doctor Soy purse her lips as she removes what appears to be some strange headset from my hands. I look at her for reassurance, any emotion which might give away if I had passed or failed but with a test like this how could I? She says nothing and just hands the headset to Nurse Roy.

I look down at my hands which shake and the harder I try to stop them the harder it is to control. I must have messed up because Doctor Soy refuses to make eye contact and as I catch a glimpse of my reflection on the headset I can see why. My eyes have dulled from a vibrant brown to a dull grey just like everybody else - everybody else who I had let down. I let out a small sigh waiting for Doctor Soy to tell me that I'm a horrible person, that I'm a failure that won't ever be part of a real society. I wish she would just spit it out, just tell me the whole truth and completely ignore the 'don't ask, don't tell' approach which stemmed off from honesty policy.

"I'm sorry," she says, a hint of regret in her voice which surprises me, "it's best if you ignore everything you just saw. I can't possibly imagine what you are feeling right now but what you just witnessed isn't real."

I nod in understanding. Of course, it wasn't real but for some reason, the guilt I felt doesn't leave me. A sudden realisation crosses over me and then I realise that the aptitude test has another purpose - to make us stronger. To make us stronger in our beliefs of ourselves so we can believe in each other.

My epiphany must have shown on my face because Doctor Soy smiles as she helps me off the medical bed which is now patterned with creases.

"At least half of the test proved successful," Doctor Soy continue, perplexing me.

I stare at her. "Half the test?" My eyes widen as I try to comprehend what that means.

"Yes, that's correct. Half the test."

"What happened to the other half then?" My mouth feels dry. Is there a way to fail?

Doctor Soy looks towards the great hall's doors avoiding my question and Nurse Roy walks through accompanied by Sebastian. Sebastian gives me a confused look as if expecting an answer but I just shake my head not having any more idea of what was going on than he did.

With a brief set of commands, Nurse Roy leaves the room leaving Sebastian, Doctor Soy and I alone. Doctor Soy clears her throat and continues as if nothing has happened.

"Midway during Aegis' aptitude test the aptitude machine malfunctioned."

Sebastian and I stare at each other but I quickly avert my gaze partly in the fear of his generally calm composure reflecting the accusing glare of my aptitude test and partly the small twinge of irritation I feel from him leaving me alone when he said he would come back.

"How is that possible?" Sebastian asks keeping his tone neutral. "We live in a utopian society, it is impossible for something to be inefficient."

Sebastian's choice of words surprises me. It almost perfectly mirrors the way in which our class rep speaks and he seems to be handling the situation with ease. Considering he is one of our model students I guess it is to be expected but in class, he's so quiet it's as if he isn't there.

"Do you remember Mytopia's motto? Mytopia is Yourtopia and Yourtopia is Ourtopia. It means that our society is about each other and that's why our principle belief is belief; belief in each other and belief in The Worm. This means our society runs on trust and..." Doctor Soy looks around as if she expects somebody else to be present before leaning down and pulling us into a tight huddle. "...and if we don't believe everything is perfect then our society will fall apart."

Doctor Soy squeezes our shoulders and then turns to Sebastian.

"Although it is impossible for you to do your aptitude test I still have to follow protocol and read to you the brief."

I wait in silence until Sebastian has heard everything. His feet shuffle slightly when Doctor Soy mentions the black infraction and I can tell that he had never heard of it either.

"What do we do about the microchips then?" Sebastian asks.

Doctor Soy gives us a sad smile. "Unfortunately you won't have a microchip specifically tailored to your strengths and I can't guarantee that the microchips I give you will give you the same happiness that I have. However, I can give you the most flexible occupations in the hopes that you will find happiness in them."

I let Doctor Soy drop a small black square into the middle of my palm and I admire the fluorescent green intrinsic etches before putting it into my pocket the same way Sebastian does. I murmur my thanks as Doctor Soy opens the door for us and we head back to class. I take one final glance back to the hall which I may never see again, a part of me is saddened but as I feel the small square against my leg I feel the excitement of what is to come.

—————

The walk home is easy; following the route I always take it's as if I'm on autopilot. The yellow brick pavement is overshadowed by rows and rows of willow trees and at this time of day, most people are at work so a clear path is set out in front of me. Most people are but as I squint my eyes I notice a man in white standing next to a man in black. The white cloak he wears reminds me of Doctor Soy's but from the emblem on his breast pocket, I see that he's a scientist, a very rare occupation which only the most creative receive. Seeing the cloak also reminds me of what Doctor Soy said, about how if we don't believe we will fall apart. Living in a utopian society doesn't mean everything is perfect. It's silly to think that anything could be perfect but even though it's obvious it's something that is easy to take for granted. Maybe having the aptitude machine break was part of the aptitude test, part of me wants to believe that but as I see more and more cracks in the pavement out of the corner of my eye my doubts start to emerge again.

I pass by the two men quickly enough so that they don't notice me. They talk about a new invention but eavesdropping is a green infraction so I speed up my pace. I've never seen an occupation that wears a black suit but just being near it is intimidating enough. I pull my water bottle out of my bag and take a sip. It's my sixth bottle, only two left today. Society makes sure we drink at least eight bottles of water a day and whenever I do I can see why. Its rejuvenating and makes us see the world clearer not to mention it contains minerals which help clean our teeth although we have to artificially add them. Somehow, drinking also calms me down and as I look at the ground once more I realise that the cracks are practically non-existent. I see now - what Doctor Soy said wasn't a warning but an eye-opener to see the world in its full beauty.

Within a few minutes, I reach my upbringing which I share with my carers as well as a few of my classmates. My other classmates live in other upbringings but every year or so we get rotated the same way in which our study buddies are rotated so we can become more rounded people. This upbringing is upbringing 17 the same one I used to live in when I was younger. All upbringings look the same but we always return to our original ones before we move into our occupations so we can do a final collection before we move.

Like the microchip in my pocket, a sense of leaving is exciting. Getting to do your dream job is practically the best thing that could happen but as I put my foot onto the first step I realise that due to what happened during my aptitude test I might not have the occupation I want. I gulp hesitating to put my hand into my pocket. I'm scared of what it may be but Doctor Soy did say it was a flexible job.

Shutting my eyes tight I pull the microchip out of my pocket rubbing the etching in it for good luck. When I feel confident enough I bring the obsidian material towards my eyes and read the small writing on the side - 'Wall builder'. Crestfallen, I shove the microchip back into my pocket wrapping my fingers tightly around it. It seems so fragile but has the power to control one's life. I wonder how fragile it really is though, how easy I could crush it and pretend I lost it. After all, nobody knows your official occupation unless you tell them and you aren't registered with any service until your first day. Sighing, the thought is tempting but what would that do? Destruction or loss of public property is an orange infraction and the branding that comes with having an infraction isn't something I want at the start of my career.

Thoughts of hard labour in a harsh environment sends shivers down my spine. It isn't the worst job and it sure beats working in the mine but being a wall builder is a thankless occupation with a lot of repetitive work. It suits some, some who enjoy the simple lifestyle of working on the same thing over and over again. Some people enjoy having a single skill that they are really good at and I can understand why its flexible. It's just, to me, it seems brainless. I try to push the thoughts of what I will have to do in the next few years to the back of my mind and think about the festival we will have tomorrow. Every year there is a graduation festival and now that we have completed school all we have to do tomorrow is clear the last of our stuff and get ready for one of the biggest celebrations in Mytopia.

—————

Dinner is plain as always. Since we're technically still children our nutritional needs aren't as high as those who are in careers so in order to stay full our meals sacrifice taste for quantity. My mouth twitches slightly into a smile, every cloud has a silver lining I suppose and for a wall builder that's the amount of nutrition needed. I've hardly ever eaten out but I remember the taste of the first meal I had outside. It was a run down joint, which I believe has been recently renovated, but even though it was out of the general norm of an innovative standard it had a touch of something that made it feel warm and cosy. The word nostalgic feels appropriate but about what exactly? I have nothing to be nostalgic for but as I remember how the succulent sauce shrouded the white tendrils of chemically synthesised wheat germ I feel a longing in my stomach which almost seems alien to me.

Looking around the round table I catch the occasional chatter of the younger years with my classmates about their thoughts on the festival tomorrow and seeing them talk easily makes it seem like nothing even happened this afternoon.

"Hey, what's up?" Keanu asks, nudging me in the ribs.

"Umm, nothing. Why?" I avoid eye contact as much as possible. Even though the aptitude test feels like ages away now the words said still replay over and over in my mind.

'He's just an attention seeker. He only cares about himself and doesn't if think of how his behaviour affects other people's.'

Keanu narrows his eyes and the guilt pulls my gaze downwards.

"You've hardly touched your porridge though. I know it's not the best but you gotta eat something."

I look at my porridge and then the spoon which is halfway submerged in it. I touch the handle for a second but let go when I feel Keanu watching me. I gulp but I can't swallow anything, not with this not in my gut.

"Hey, Keanu, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Keanu mumbles taking the spoon out of his mouth, "go for it."

"Do you... I mean, do you think I seek attention?"

Keanu gives me a funny look but then sets the spoon down on the table hard enough to make me jump. Everyone's attention turns toward him and he cracks a smile before laughing for a solid minute while I play with my porridge trying to make myself as small as possible.

"Hey, everyone I've got a question for you!" Keanu says to which he is met with a series of nods of agreement. "Do you think Aegis seeks attention?"

I hear a few snorts at first and for a second I wish the ground would swallow me up but as time goes on I hear an agreement of 'no's' until Carer Gwendolyn speaks up.

"Really Keanu? Are you serious, boy! Aegis may be a klutz and he may be the class clown but when it comes to attention he's got nothing on you!"

My face reddens slightly and Keanu slaps me on the back whilst everyone reacts to what Carer Gwendolyn said before going back to eating.

"See? You've got nothing on me." Keanu beams, his teeth as white as his hair. "I swear if we weren't study buddies last year then the title of class clown might have been mine as well. I'm not saying you haven't got any skills yourself but..." Keanu looks at his nails with a playful look on his face. "...having the privilege of watching the master at work must have boosted your skills a lot."

The sincerity in Keanu's eyes helps to unknot my stomach even if he's making a joke. I can't help but smile back and the porridge in front of me seems slightly more appetising.

"Now come on." Keanu stand ups from the table with his bowl. "If we pack up now then we have more time to prepare for the festival tomorrow."

I nod before focusing on the food in front of me. Although it might lead to some cramps later I almost drink the remainder of my dinner, fighting the urge to gag by fantasising about the tantalising dishes I will get to try tomorrow. Almost in no time at all, I'm following Keanu up the vacuumed stairs, a daily chore for those who become carers, and entering the shared bedroom which consists of four bunk beds.

Its common practice for most upbringings for students to switch beds every few weeks so as to share the top bunk but it's not a written rule. Depending on how nice your bunkmates are also plays a large factor and because of that I don't think I've been a bottom bunker since I learned how to climb a ladder. Reminiscing on that, I wonder if I'll get to be top bunk in my new dorm. I've heard that depending on the career sometimes you get your own room to yourself. I guess since you're more mature that's a given but without even any experience of anything different, I already feel like I'm going to miss the small midnight whispers and pillow forts.

Staring at my minimal belongings on the wardrobe shelf, I see shards of distant memories in the shape of paperclip chains, polished colourful stones and a variety of dried up seeds. Society always told us that more belongings brought more envy and that experiences were the most valuable treasures. In hindsight I can see that what society says is true, objects that meant the world to me at one point are now simply glorified sentimental pieces of trash and for the most part, I don't feel a twinge of guilt as I say goodbye to my past as they skydive into the recycling bin. At the corner of my shelf one object does catch the attention of my eye and as I draw my hand towards it I feel hesitant in getting rid of it and decide to keep it.

My fingers gently brush the edges but in a failed attempt to grab it, it rolls off the shelf and falls into the bottom bonanza. My face drops as the bottom bonanza is a layer of mysterious items from previous upbringing students that cover the entire wardrobe floor and finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than uncovering a lost item. I heave a sigh of disappointment and almost turn to leave a memento to the stash but this might be my last turn to rubble rummage and memories of finding old treasures inspire me to do one last rubble rummage.

Sitting on my knees, I take my last breath of fresh air for the next hour or so. Just moving a small slip of paper could enrage the massive culture of dust bunnies and as I don't want to linger for too long I guess I'll be starting a war.

Picking through the rubble I clear an efficient route from years of experience, careful not to mistake treasure for trash. An old pen, a broken salt shaker, some rubber bands and a slightly scratched shell. Some items I pocket along the journey whilst others find themselves swept into a somewhat neater pile.

I don't know how long it took me but eventually, I see a small glimpse of wood. Brushing everything else to the side I see that it's actually the floor of the wardrobe. My silent whoop of victory is only heightened when I spot what I was looking for, cradled in a small nest from a crack in the floorboard. I pick it up in delight and turn to smoothen out the bottom bonanza but stop when I see another smaller object hidden halfway underneath the crack.

I prod my fingers into the crack and surprisingly the floorboard lifts with ease revealing a small black square on top of clandestine tiles. A sudden feeling of deja vu clutches my mind but that's impossible. This is the first time I've ever reached the bottom of the bottom bonanza and considering the state of the floorboards underneath it appears as if I might be one of the few who have ever seen it.

Taking the small black chip out from underneath the floorboard I inspect the pristine tiles for any more valuable treasures before returning the bottom bonanza to its original state with the exception of the colony of dust bunnies now present on my skin.

Coughing, I close the wardrobe to prevent a further swarm from attacking me and head towards the bathroom with the black chip pocketed. I wash my face quickly and put my hand in my pocket to further inspect the black chip. Upon further investigation, I notice that it is the same size as a microchip accessory and my theory is confirmed when I compare it to my wall builder microchip.

We don't need to wear our microchips officially until we start our careers but feeling around my temple I find the small incision which provides the port for our microchips. Peeling back my microchip skin accessory, an accessory that all Mytopians have to protect the microchip, I cringe slightly. The feeling reminds me of scabs accidentally torn off but there is no pain as I remove the silicon substitute that perfectly resembles the colour, texture and consistency of my actual flesh.

Mesmerized by the flesh substitute I can't help but stare at it up close. I've always had it implanted in my head but I've never had the thought to take it out and look at it closely. A likely reason may have been due to its price - since it's personalized it's a rather expensive microchip accessory, however, it isn't close to the prices of some microchip accessories which have special functions.

Microchip accessories with special functions help you with all sorts of things such as the best time to wake up, the best type of exercise for you and even calculates the risk of getting injured at a given moment. Although they're comparatively expensive they are still completely affordable to everyone as the salary you receive is entirely dependent on the effort you put in which is a core function which each microchip has. Using The Worms omnipotence, society has decided that giving people freedom, with the exception of minimal data collection, is the best way to secure peace in order to prevent the catastrophe of our predecessors such as the generation of Tsunemori, Thomas and Beatrice.

Comparing the flesh substitute accessory to the small black one I can see they both fit a microchip and without scrutinizing the black microchip accessory against another microchip accessory it would be easy to dismiss that they weren't the same size. Strangely enough they also both look brand new but the black microchip accessory must be a lot older because the Mytopia symbol of an infinity sign has blended into more of a double 'B' shape.

Although I've never worn a microchip before it almost seems natural as I slot it into my temple. I use the bathroom mirror to place the black microchip accessory on top of it. I smoothen the process my running my fingers along the incision but when I look to inspect my handy work I seem to have misplaced something because I can only see my microchip.

I press on my microchip to eject it and look at the contents of my hands but again I only see my microchip.

"Hey, Aegis are you in there?"

My heart skips a beat. "Umm, I'll be right out. Just give me a sec."

I quickly replace my flesh substitute and look around for where I could have lost the microchip accessory. Although it wasn't mine, to begin with, I already feel a strange attachment to it and since I found it in the bottom bonanza by the unspoken rules of every Upbringing it is now my responsibility.

Clenching my hands in frustration I wince slightly as the microchip currently in them digs into my skin. I open my palm and remove the microchip but when I close it again I feel the same sharp edges stabbing into my skin. I open my hand in confusion and to my surprise, the black microchip accessory appears seemingly out of thin air. I scratch my head in confusion. It isn't possible for things to just appear out of thin air but for some reason it has. It's illogical to think that the microchip accessory could turn invisible but as I place the accessory on top of the wall builder microchip it camouflages. Removing the microchip from underneath my palm seems empty but within seconds the black accessory reappears as if it never disappeared in the first place.

"Hey, Aegis. Aegisssss, are you ok?"

"Yeah," I say with a smile. I've never seen a disappearing microchip accessory before and I have no idea what it's function may be but I have a gut feeling that I should keep it hidden for now and that I might need it in the future. "I'm coming out."