"Jeez, man. That thing carried on along longer than I thought it would," Tabito groaned, stretching his arms overhead as he, Riarshi, and Hara walked out of the auditorium.

"Aryl really does ramble on forever about a ton of unnecessary stuff," Riarshi sighed, feeling the slight pull in his back from sitting for so long.
"He's the commissioner, boys," Hara noted sternly, "and it's our orientation. We needed to know about all of that stuff."

As expected, and to everyone's displeasure, Commissioner Aryl used every second of the last hour to explain the full details of the Hero Internship.

Monday to Friday, the POH would assign every squad several missions to complete under the supervision of the squad leader. The schedule would be busy, and they would receive a small stipend for their work, but other measures had to be taken to ensure compliance.

Due to the wide range of commute times for the interns, everyone was offered housing within a wing of the HQ that contained dormitories. The migration would hopefully eliminate the probability of tardiness and allow the interns to be on call if need be.

Riarshi didn't have to think twice. He would immediately sign up the second he got home.

Cheerfulness from the prospect of moving out of his slum apartment brought a smile to his face as the trio walked along the landing of the third floor and started down the steps.

All three were hungry and decided to take a trip down to the cafeteria for a bite to eat. They could have easily transported there with their newly acquired personal ID cards, but Aryl urged to not become too dependent on its magic. Instead, they took the long and old-fashioned way down the flight of stairs.

Thoughts and fantasies of the future clouded Riarshi's mind, and before he knew it, the three of them strolled into the swarmed cafeteria. The digital clocks plastered around the HQ's walls had just struck noon, so the lunch rush was crazy busy with Heroes, local visitors, business people, and HQ staff trying to fit in quick meals during their criminally short break.

Riarshi, Tabito, and Hara made their way into the long line, grabbed some food, and sat down at a nearby table that had just cleared.

Rather than shoving food down their throats like all the other workers had done in mere minutes, the teens took their time eating. Neither had to be anywhere that day.

All three watched the quick, coordinated movements of workers and Heroes alike. There was little over a week left before they would be in the same position.

Is that what it's like to be fully working? Riarshi wondered with a hint of concern as the juices from his chicken sandwich splashed down onto his plate.

"Think we'll end up like that?" A voice joked from behind Riarshi. He spun around in his seat to see an all too familiar head of teal hair and a pair of deep yellow eyes staring back at him.

Leon Craft stood just feet away from Riarshi with a full tray in his hands. "Mind if I sit here?" he gestured to the unoccupied seat next to him. The corner of his mouth slanted into a small, but wary grin that matched his conflicted body language.

For the first time since they met, Riarshi heard a genuine tone of friendliness in Leon's voice. "Sure, plenty of room," he smiled back.

Leon nodded and sat down next to him. "Adachi and Helga are still in line," Leon said, placing his tray down. He then glanced up to Tabito and Hara. "Mind if they join, too?"

Both teens gave an approving but silent nod. Leon and Adachi had said some horrendous things to the three of them in the past, whether it be about their strength in magic, or deep familial issues. It would've been completely understandable if the trio told him off or cursed him out, but neither had the desire to stoop to that level. Both Leon and Adachi played a role in the defeat of the Tryout Demon. Fighting side by side against a deadly foe could break down even the strongest of self-imposed walls.

It was only but a few moments before Adachi Rivera and Helga Buchea joined the table. Adachi's fire-truck red hair glowed like the roaring fire of his magic as he cracked open his drink. Helga still held her summer tan extremely well, and her short pink hair was brushed neatly to the side. She offered a smile to Hara as she sat down.

At first, the mixture sat and ate in complete silence. It took, however, only five minutes for the six old classmates and bitter enemies to morph into a cohesive group of chatter, laughter, and merriment.

"You guys gonna move in?" Riarshi asked the group as he ripped apart a few pieces of bread.

"I might," Tabito replied, mixing his drink with a straw. "I already live in the city, not too far away, even. Might seem pointless."

"Ah, damn," Riarshi groaned. "I'm probably gonna sign up. Kind of obvious choice for me, you know? I live too far away, and I hate that stupid bus ride."

Tabito's eyes snapped to Riarshi. "Oh damn, you're right."

"I was about to sign up, too," Hara broke in. Both boys looked at her with surprise on their face. Hara lived on her own in a beautiful, deluxe studio apartment in downtown Spiritfield. Why she would ever want to live in a dormitory - few people knew the reason. Few, besides Tabito and Riarshi.

The realization about her home life softened their gazes as she looked back and forth between the two.

But Hara's response came as a surprise. "Seems like the smartest decision," she shrugged. "We'll have access to everything here, free of charge. Training areas, the gym, the cafeteria... all at our disposal. It's easy access to anything we'd need to get stronger."

"I'm signing up, too," said Leon, having just swallowed a bite of his sandwich. "Just like Hara said, having everything we need just a spell away would be so easy. The POH covers all the freakin' costs, too. We don't have to pay a dime in rent, even though we can use all this stuff." He gestured to the grand lobby and the flash of teleportation spells just to the outside of the cafeteria. "You'd be crazy not to take that deal."

"I'm moving in," said Adachi. "I got my own apartment right now, but I'm paying crazy money even though it's just a single. No way I'm passing up a free room and board when it's in a huge headquarters like this and I can eat, drink, or workout all I want."

"Me, too," added Helga. "Downtown's maybe a five-minute walk away, so it would make going out so much easier to do. Theres tons of access to HQ resources-" she leaned her head in toward Hara and lowered her voice, "-and apparently there're tons of young, single male Heroes available down in the bronze ranks," she smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Hara's eyes went wide, then she snorted comically.

The girls grinned to one another.

"Wait, Helga, are all the... uh, other internship girls moving in, too?" Tabito ventured.

Helga raised her eyebrow. "Well, from the ones I know... yeah, most are. For all the same reasons."

That sealed the deal. Tabito slapped the table and puffed his chest. "Welp, that decides it. I'm moving in. I won't be the only one left out from all the fun. If there're chicks and partying happenin' over here, no way I'mma live at home while working at the same time. Total buzzkill sometimes, living with my dad and sis."

Riarshi's eyes sparkled with excitement. Tabito was his first and best friend since joining the Hero Program, and was the first person to help him out of his secluded way of life. The orange-haired teen had been there for him since day one, and fought with him against the Tryout Demon. Having Tabito and his cheerful personality live so close by would be the hope of a lifetime.

Leon and Adachi raised their drinks in salute to the decision. Even they couldn't deny having a party animal like Tabito around would make things that much more fun.

Everyone got along extremely well thoughout lunch. By the rumble of chatter and snicker of banter, one could never guess that these two groups used to clash like opposing swords.

Conversation continued on until another joined the mix.

A seventh member found their way to the circle - a member no one recognized. He sat at the end of the table next to Adachi and placed his tray down. He was a shorter guy with dark-brown skin, maroon eyes, and black hair shaved down to a buzz cut. He dressed in a plain navy blue sweatshirt and a pair of ordinary jeans that were cuffed at the bottom.

"Hey, sorry, don't mean to be budging in like this," he spoke up with sincerity in his voice, "Name's Felix Watson."

Everyone else at the table greeted him and gave their names.

"So," Felix continued, cracking open his drink, "I was just about to sit over at that table when I saw you all siting over here. I think I recognize a few of you.  Any chance you guys are the one's who took down the Tryout Demon?"

Leon and Hara's heads snapped toward Felix.

"Not me," answered Helga, "everyone else." She pointed her thumb over her shoulder to the rest of the table.

"Well, yeah, I guess," Tabito said cautiously. He glanced over at Riarshi, who didn't pay the question much mind. "We didn't really do much, though, it was-"

"What do you mean: didn't do much? You guys took down a damn demon!" Felix declared with admiration in his voice. "You guys risked your lives for the rest of us when no one else did a thing. Especially you, Hara."

Hara looked up from her sandwich and tilted her head. "Me?"

"Yeah, you!" he expressed, leaning over the table, "you were the first to run in and do something against that Demon. Even though he was stronger, you still fought him. That's more than anyone can say!"

Hara's eyes ventured to Riarshi. "I wouldn't say that..."

"And you guys," Felix said, now looking between Tabito and Leon. "You guys crushed that demon's hand with that huge fire wall and particle gauntlet. That combo of magic was freaking insane."

Tabito said nothing. Leon took a moment to reply. "Thanks for the praise, man," he spoke evenly. "But in all honesty, we wouldn't have done anything if it wasn't for this guy over here." He pointed to Riarshi.

Felix, too, paused for a moment. "Yeah, but his shit don't count."

That gained everyone's attention, even Riarshi's.

Leon scowled at Felix. "What the hell you talking about, he's the one who freaking knocked the demon out and jumped in to save Hara."

"Riarshi risked his life just like everyone else here, Felix," Tabito snapped.

"Listen," said Felix, looking to everyone at the table besides Riarshi, "In case you didn't know, low magic users hate our guts. They think we're only focused on making money and gaining fame. I came over to introduce myself to the ones who used their magic without hesitation when shit hit the fan back there. We're all interns now, and that's the kind of attitude we need if we wanna give Heroes a good name."

Felix then finally looked at Riarshi. "But this prick clearly doesn't have that same attitude."

Everyone at the table formed angry and disgusted faces except Riarshi. Utter disbelief blunted his response of rage.

"Dude, what the hell did I ever do to you?" he asked. 

Now it was Felix's turn to display a look of shock. "You know what? I wanted to ignore you this entire time, but I'll tell you straight up. You know exactly what you did. I saw it all for myself. While Hara here fought that demon, you were off to the side playing in the grass. And what do you know, right when she's doomed, you suddenly get an enormous power up and save her like a white knight? You couldn't write it better than that. Oh, and don't forget, right when these guys finally crushed the demon's hand, you jump in to steal the final blow."

"Riarshi came up with the plan to beat the demon," Tabito added, raising a bit in his chair.

"Of course he did! So he could take all the glory! None of you are called the Tryout Hero, are you?"

Witnessing his retort backfire, Tabito sunk back down into his chair.

A flicker of rage lit within Riarshi's chest, but he swallowed it down. "Hey, I thought I used my Magic Breaker."

Felix snorted. "Thought? How the hell does that make sense? No one knows how to do it. Did you just guess?" He leaned back off the table and folded his arms. 

"Either way, you clearly had whatever power you used all along. I've heard your story, Riarshi. Commoner who lives in the suburbs beats the odds and makes his way into the POH. He then triumphs over everyone's expectations, defeats a demon, and becomes a national hero. Zero to hero, as cliche as one can get." Felix glanced over to Hara and Tabito with a knowing look. "I bet he pulled that low magic user card his entire time during the first semester, didn't he?"

Neither Hara nor Tabito chose to reply.

"Knew it," said Felix.

"Felix," said Riarshi, softening his voice. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I know it looks bad. But trust me, I wish I could go back and do what I did sooner-"

"Oh, you wish now, huh?" Felix snapped, cutting Riarshi off. "Being selfish isn't the worst part about you, Riarshi. People died because of you."

Silence crashed over the table. The heavy blow hit Riarshi where a tinge of guilt already lived in his heart.

Felix saw the opening. "You choosing to hold back to gain the spotlight let four people die back there," he insisted. "We're all still haunted by watching that shit happen, and that's where I hold just the tiniest bit of pity for you." The smallest smile grew on his face. "I couldn't imagine the guilt you feel right now, my dude. But hey, that's what you get when you use your magic for your own gain. Now you reap what you sow."

No one said a word.

"Welp," said Felix, getting out of his chair and grabbing his tray to claim his victory, "Hope you guys learn to see through the hoax this prick has got you all caught in. I've talked to a bunch of other interns and they all think the same thing. We all cheered him at first, but after taking the time to look at the hard facts, it all became plainly obvious." He flashed a peace sign over his shoulder as he walked away. "See ya. Good luck, Riarshi. Hope you enjoy being alone once everyone you've tricked sees through your bullshit."

Again, a tense silence fell over the table. Eyes focused solely on the food in front of them. 

It was all too much to bear. 

Riarshi stood from his chair and hurried away. His feet unconciously carrying him, he left the cafeteria, flew down the stairs, and entered the main atrium in a rush. He didn't know where he was going, all he knew was that he had to get away from everyone else.

The darkness was creeping in, and he wasn't sure if he could stop it this time.

His steady pace caught the disapproving glimpse of several people in the lobby as he brushed by them without restraint. Each pair of eyes that turned upon him felt like daggers searing into his skin. Not only did the other interns hate him, but did everyone else, too? Everyone probably recognized him, seeing that his scar was out in the open for everyone to judge.

His head throbbed, his chest ached, and the creeping chill of his darkness sent a growing shiver down his spine. His pace continued to grow along with the painful cold and bite of guilt in his heart. Everything mounted into a roaring, dark monster with ink-black hands about to swallow him whole.

Before the monster could sink its teeth into him, a hand grabbed Riarshi by the wrist. It was, however, neither cold nor dark. It was warm and welcoming. It pulled him out from the noisy crowd and into a secluded hallway.

A familiar voice then dragged him back to the present. "Stop, Riarshi, please."

A shine of sapphire swept away the darkness clouding his vision, and two small hands placed lightly at his cheeks thawed the chill at his heart. The noise of the atrium faded away until all that was left was a soft, comforting voice. 

"None of that was true," Hara said gently, looking him in the eyes. "Don't listen to him, Riarshi. None of that was your fault."

For just a second, the warmth of her hands and voice was almost too much to handle. Riarshi tried to turn his head away, but the light grip on his face grew strong. She turned his head to bring his eyes back to hers. His resistance crumbled under her touch.

"You were a hero that day. Nothing less. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Hara's right," said Tabito from behind. He placed a reassuring hand on Riarshi's shoulder. "Don't let that asshole get to you, man. You're tougher than that. He's the weak one. Where the hell was he when everything went down, huh? Didn't see him do shit. Anyone can talk big once the danger's all gone."

Leon, Adachi, and Helga emerged from the crowd and joined them in the hallway.

Riarshi looked up to everyone with wary eyes, "I didn't lie to you guys."

"We know, we believe you," said Leon. "Guy's a douche. He wasn't there to see you struggle through the first semester. And so what if a few people think you're lying? Screw 'em. We know the truth. Just know that we got your back."

Adachi and Helga both nodded to confirm.

"We've treated you like shit, man," said Adachi. "Sucks it took what it did for us to realize, but better late than never."

Leon stepped closer. "Listen, I get it if you still think I'm an asshole for the things I've said and done. I wouldn't blame you. Either way, we're all fellow interns now. I won't just stand by and let some jealous prick attack you for no good reason." He offered out his hand. "To a new start?"

Riarshi hesitated, but then extended his own to share a firm shake with Leon. The battle within his heart finally settled to a calm. "Yeah, I got you. To a new start."

At that, everyone left the hallway and merged back into the hustling crowd of the atrium.

Hara hung back for a moment. Riarshi noticed this and slipped back into the hallway.

"Hey, uh, sorry it's been all about me," Riarshi apologized. "Everyone just supported back there, but I... uh, know you've had it hard, too." He dropped his voice slightly. "How've you been, are you okay?"

Hara's eyes widened at the question. She bit her lip before she answered. "Yeah, I'm good," she smiled, and gave him a little push on the shoulder. "Stop worrying about me, though. Worry about yourself for once, idiot," she teased.

Riarshi returned her grin with his own.

With it being just the two of them in the secluded hallway, this would've been the perfect opportunity for Hara to ask Riarshi the question she had on her mind. But after everything that had happened that day, she decided it wasn't the best time.

Once Riarshi and Hara rejoined the group in the main atrium, Tabito inquired to everyone, "Hey, you guys wanna go to the Grimoire tonight to celebrate our new internships?"

Initially taken aback from the unexpected offer, Leon, Adachi, and Helga accepted.

"The guys can crash at my place after," Adachi offered. "Don't wanna make anyone travel far if we'll be out late."

"My parents have a place just across the street," Helga informed before looking to Hara. "You're more than welcomed to stay over if you don't wanna walk home."

Hara nodded. "Yeah," she chuckled, "that might be best."

"Just think," Tabito added as the group walked toward the exit of the HQ, "We'll be able to do this every weekend with no fuss once we all live here." He opened his arms wide and gestured to the entirety of the HQ atrium.

Excitement for a fresh start brought a new energy to Riarshi's step as he left the HQ. He wouldn't have to take the twenty-minute bus ride ever again, and he wouldn't have to stare at the leaky, cracked ceiling of his bedroom anymore.

Best of all, he wouldn't have to jump through hoops to see his friends - new and old.

He knew they had his back.