"Welcome to Midaster", Bright smiled at Win.

"Thank you", Win returned a smile before adding, "Your Highness". The addressing thing reminds him of the addressing rule for the Royal Family back in his country.

"Potsdam, I want you to take Win to the tailor's room, then show him his room in the Page's Wing", Bright said, "Win you'll be a Page from now on, okay? Make sure you are rested enough before joining us in the Dining Hall. You'll be meeting your fellow Pages."

"Your Highness, um, the Magnifer said you'll-", Potsdam began but soon his words were cut off.

"Later. Rushing won't do any good", the prince nodded.

"Potsdam, do as he say. See you in the Dining Hall, Win", she grinned at Win who was standing stiffly in a position by now.

Soon they were out of the room, walking across the stone pathway. The Western Wing of the palace was huge. It could easily fit several Opas-iamkjorn houses if they are kept horizontally.

"Potsdam! Usual business?" A crooked man with small translucent wings stopped them.

"Nah man, got new arrival here", Potsdam answered with a grin.

"Who's he? Never seen him around?" The other man tilted his head slightly.

"The Preserver it is", Potsdam said.

"Oh my", the crooked man bowed down in front of him, "what a pleasure meeting you, sir", he tried standing up straight before letting out a huff at the inability to do so and added, "my name is Clomon, sir. Just a fellow Messenger".

"Nice to meet you, Clomon", Win replied. He didn't wai-ed this time, he finally got how the Numans bow to show respect.

"No need to bow sir, we Messengers live to serve! I'll take my leave now. Got Prince's orders to set up the Dining Hall!" He bowed low again.

"Um," Win hesitantly looked at Potsdam, who nodded in response, before saying, "That's alright Clomon, see you later".

The Messenger bowed again one last time before flying away in glee.

They resumed their journey. The halls soon finished and opened to a veranda, showing the large compound, some odd creatures grazing over the compound and the dark sky with star in it.

"Those are Usicos", Potsdam's voice answered Win's unvoiced thoughts.

"They look like Unicorns", Win said peering out a little bit more without stopping his steps.

"My apologies, sir, but what's a Unicorn? Never heard of those in books", Potsdam asked.

"Um, they are horses with a horn on their head", Win explained, "Never mind, they don't exist in real life. What exactly are Usicos, anyways?"

"Oh! Well, Usicos are horse-like creatures with wings. They shed their wings whenever the weight of feathers grow on them exceeds their carrying capacity. Unlike the wings of the birds, their skin along with the feathers comes off together".

"Then how is that again regrown?" Win asked not moving his intense gaze on them.

"Once it is shed the new skin emerges within seconds", He explained.

"Wow! So, your bonnet..."

"That's made up of the wing skin to be specific, yes. The skin shed from the wings is the softest and the smoothest in the Universe", Potsdam hopped a bit, waving his handing in the air, explaining his point.

With a last glance at the creatures, they turned left and started climbing the stairs in silence.

Win started replaying everything that he's been experiencing since he opened his eyes a few hours ago. Starting from him panicking about his whereabouts to knowing he's to save the Universe. He wonders what would his mother back on Earth would say if she'd learn her son is the Chosen One among all the living things in this world. Would she be afraid? Would she be extremely proud of him today? What would she do to him? Hug him?

He's light years away from his home- from his mom, dad, sisters, and friends. He is alone on this unknown planet amidst the unknown people, about to fulfil the plans set by Universe for him. He'd probably be fighting evils or revolts or maybe some ferocious aliens in few days. Nobody will get to know if he dies- he's already dead for his parents to begin with. He will probably die alone without watching a single one of his family members for the last time.

"Win? Win?" Potsdam's voice brought his back to Midaster, where is now, where he's to stay.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright? You look a bit pale", the Messenger face filled with concern.

"I am tired a bit, that's all", Win replied forcing a smile. He isn't fine. He's scared. He's scared of all the possible things that might happen to him.

"Oh, there it is. The room of the tailor", Potsdam announced after a few minutes.

The measuring ceremony was very short. A stout man bowed at him along with two goblin-like creatures before they started taking down measurements of his body. He even complimented on his slim waist which was very rare to find according to him.

Soon the goblin-like creatures went hurriedly inside a trapdoor and came out almost instantly with rolls of clothes.

"We'll send them off to you as soon as possible, sir", he bowed low as he and Potsdam took their leave.

Win was very tired right now unlike he was a few minutes ago. All those kinds of stuff going inside his head threatening him to pass out any moment now.

When he was finally in the Page's Wing, he didn't bother questioning about deserted hallways. He just got into his assigned room and laid down welcoming the mental exhaustion to envelope him. He wished that all these might not turn into a dream when he'd open his eyes again and he might definitely not find himself in his room back on the Earth.

•••

Several knocks broke Win's deep slumber. He didn't open his eyes immediately albeit he tried to move his hands over the sheets.

It wasn't his bed.

He opened his eyes taking in the high stone ceiling. He got up still drowsy and made his way gingerly to the door.

It was one of the goblin-like snouty creatures from the tailor room and Clomon, the Messanger. They gave him the heaps of clothes and bowed him. The goblin disappeared first with a 'pop'.

"Sir, they expect you in the Dining Hall in ten minutes", he bowed again before following the goblin's suit.

Closing the door, he scanned the room, still drowsy from the deep sleep he had.

It wasn't a dream. He's still there in Midaster. He's still the Preserver.

He sighed before changing in the Tunic and brown trousers. Finding a mirror on the opposite wall of the bed, he checked himself out. He was awed at the beautiful garments. It made him feel like those inhabitants of ancient Greek and Rome.

He found two pairs of Chelsea boots and a belt with a dangling dagger on it amidst the heaps and quickly put them on, too. He then jumped and walked around the room admiring the newly received garments. Sleep was now miles away from him.

After a few more hops and jumps, he finally styled his hair and walked out of his room, holding his head high. The clothes somehow have managed to give him the confidence to face any fucking problem.

Soon he found many people in the same attire stopping and looking at him and murmuring, "a new boy! We've got a new boy".

The murmurings didn't make Win falter his brisk footsteps that echoed through the hallways.

But before he could process what was happening, two large hands had pushed him harshly from behind, making him trip and fall on the floor with an "ouch!"

"Is this a Messenger boy trying to be a Page here?" A rumbling voice came from behind him. Probably that's the one who did it.

"A bully", Win muttered, groaning.

"What did you say, filthy Podding!" Then he had harshly pulled him up by his collar, making him face him. The crowd gasped at the word.

The boy was huge than him. He had blonde hair, styled back.

"I-I said nothing," Win tried to answer calmly.

"Who are you, eh? A new Messenger Podding? When I tell you something you should say, 'Yes, Sir Hendry'", he flared his nostrils, shaking him by the collar, "got it, dummy?"

"I-"

"Hendry! I'll give you three minutes to leave the boy alone", a familiar voice boomed through the area.

Hendry let out an audible gasp before putting Win down.

The crowd that was looking at Hendry's new target getting bullied, now made way for the group to emerge.

It was Bright with three more people.

"Joss, explain", Bright ordered glaring at Hendry.

The person on his right with freckle filled face and green hair nodded at once, "Bright, Hendry was bullying the new boy without any reason. He pushed him on the floor and called him- called him a 'Podding'", Joss squeezed shut his eyes in disgust before opening it and waiting for the prince to say something.

"How dare you say something like 'Podding' again, Hendry?!" Bright snarled and then scoffed, "Of course certain things never change!" He eyed him again, "Love, say it out once again, the punishments of uttering the word?"

"Death", the girl with pink hair, raised her eyebrows, "or worse like having tortured by dragons".

"Did you hear that Hendry? Even several warnings did nothing to you, isn't it? Try to change your tactics while there's still some time! I hope there wouldn't be a next time. Next time I'll take you to the Magnifer myself", Bright growled, "you're dismissed".

The boy ran away after muttering some incoherent insults and Bright turned to Win. His angry expression changed to a neutral one, "Are you alright, Win?"

"I am fine, Your Highness", He looked down remembering the etiquette he had read in the storybooks.

"That's a bit of luck you've got. First day and an enemy behind you", Win felt Bright's voice has now turned an amused one. He looked up hesitantly to find an overtly amused Bright looking at him and trying to suppress a smile.

"Got me frightened a bit, not gonna lie", Win chuckled feeling the thick tension disperse from the air.

"Ah, yes. Hendry is a tale-tell guy. He's not actually scary", Love answered, chuckling making others join her.

"Have you met everyone? You'll stay with them now. These will be your friends", Bright explained.

"I haven't met them, yet", Win said, looking at the curious faces.

"Alright. Everyone, this is Win Metawin, the chosen Preserver. Please introduce yourselves to him", Bright announced before moving back.

Getting the permission, everyone began the introduction, shaking hands with him in turns. He understood Pages are the new learners then comes Flashers and then Finishers. Bright and his troops, although are still Pages, were the leaders here.

Bright's troops introduced them at the end. Starting with Love, then Joss, and then red-haired Carmel.

"You can call me Bright", Bright shook his hands with Win earning a grin from the latter.

They soon made their way towards the Dining Hall.

"Are you thinking something, Win? You can ask us, you know? They call us the Genius Four", Carmel asked, sending Win's odd quietness

"Oh, I am fine, Carmel, thank you. And there's something I indeed want to know. The word that Hendry said, what does that mean?" Win asked as the other three peered in to hear the conversations.

"O-oh th-that", Carmel shuttered, turning to look at Bright.

"That's a very bad and forbidden word. It was typically used back in the Old times to ridicule the Messanger Numans", Bright explained.

"Is that really bad?" Win asked again, remembering the gasp from the crowds when Hendry uttered the word. "What does it mean? Po-".

"Win!" Love exclaimed, "never utter the forbidden word! You don't want to make this a habit and get the punishment after you've passed out as Finishers."

"Yeah, there are few people like Hendry. And trust me you don't want to get the ferocious punishments afterward. As Pages, you don't get punished, but later you may if you use it", Joss explained.

"Is the punishment that harsh?" Win asked.

"Very", Carmel nodded, grimacing in fear.

"So, remember Win. Rule number one, never utter the forbidden words and stop people from uttering it too, got it?" Bright asked.

Win nodded before they entered the Hall.

______

A huge thanks to my mum for not disturbing me amidst my brainstorming session!

Btw, I have added the meanings of Usicos and Podding in the 'some terms' chapter! Don't forget to check out the character aesthetics too so long to find perfect images 😅

And Win met his new friends! who's your favorite one from the 'Genius Four' (except Bright 👀)?