"Excuse me, sir", A tall boy with freckles barged into the Literature classroom, "Sir Tine calls for Win", He bowed.

Sir Fong who was giving out the notes a very dull and long poem stopped immediately.
"Mr. Win, you may go".

Win was quite shocked. What could be the matter? He had paid ample attention to the classes, did his homework as much as he can, abided by the orders from his teachers, and have accepted punishment like a good boy, then what exactly was he being called for?

He reluctantly stood up and made his way out of the class, without sparing a glance at the questioning stares from his friends.

The boy soon introduced himself to be Toby, a Flasher, and asked him to follow him. Win didn't ask why was he getting called, he kept his face straight and walked towards Sir Tine's room in silence. The teacher's rooms were in the Western Win, far away from the classes. Therefore, it was a fairly long walk.

"Sir, I brought the Preserver, can I come in?" Toby peered his head in the room first, letting Win fidget his fingers wondering if his teacher was getting some punishments ready for him. Maybe he broke the disciplinary codes of a Page, subconsciously, or did he?

"Ask him to come in and you can go for your classes", came the reply from inside.

Win entered gingerly as Toby left, "Can I come in sir?"

"Ah, yes Win", Tine smiled at him warmly, "Come in".

"You and Joss were under my invigilation, so, I was writing your one month's report for the Magnifer", Tine said making Win palpitate, "We don't always show these reports or discuss it with the students, but the fact that you are a new one, I thought it'd be better if you know. Why do you look so scared?" He added, tittering.

"I was wondering, sir, did I do something wrong?" Win asked, honestly.

"Oh! No, no. In fact, I am very pleased with your conduct. You have attended all your lessons with full concentration, and have behaved well with your teachers and fellow Pages— though you've been a bit out of order at the first, we can overlook it in his case", Tine nodded, "The only problem is your wings and your powers which still didn't get to come out. Or did it?"

Win gulped, remembering the first day of Seeing class, "Not anyway I am aware of, sir".

"Are you sure? Your demeanor says otherwise", Tine tilted his head, "But that's fine if you don't want to share. If this is about Seeing, a Seer has Rights to Privacy", the teacher smiled kindly.

"Thank you, sir", Win bowed.

"You're welcome! But don't hesitate to talk to me if you feel any discomfort about anything", Tine reminded him.

"I will, sir", Win nodded.

"Well, that's it then. Now let's talk about the reward", Tine grinned, "For your good behavior and conduct, I reward you a day off to visit the Epson City".

Win's face perked up at that, "Th–That's so kind of you, sir!"

"Oh no! It's nothing, Win. As I have said, for a person like you, who didn't have a clue what was going on, one month ago, I think you have worked really hard. You have earned the reward", Tine nodded.

"You're really kind, sir! Thank you so much!"

"That's alright! Now, who do you want to accompany you?" He asked.

"Can Bright, Joss, Love, and Carmel accompany me?" Win asked, fidgetting his fingers.

"Bright's schedule is a bit tough to alter, but I'll talk to the Magnifer about it", Tine smiled and scribbled down something on the paper, hastily.

"Alright, sir!" Win nodded, smiling.

"Do you have any questions?" He asked.

"No sir".

"Alright then! You and your friends who will accompany you tomorrow have to write the first five chapters from your history book as a report and submit them to me by tomorrow before you all go out for you will not be able to attend the classes, is that clear?" Tine asked.

"Absolutely sir!"

"You're dismissed then", Tine nodded.

Win practically ran towards the classroom, insides gurgling with excitement and happiness. It took him fairly less time to reach the Literature classroom before the bell rings.

"Guess what?" He whispered, before squeezing between Joss and Bright.

"What?" Joss whispered back.

"Good news?" Love asked.

"Extremely! Sir Tine rewarded me to visit the City and asked if I want anyone to accompany me", Win grinned.

"Did you say our names?" Carmel asked while others looked at him with expectant glances.

"Of course!" Win nodded, excitedly.

"Finally a fucking leave from the classes", Joss exhaled in relief.

"However, Sir will talk to the Magnifer about Bright's leave", Win added looking sympathetically at Bright who pouted his lips subtly.

"Not again", He groaned.

"Come on! If Preserver has taken your name, His Majesty might not say no to that", Love cheered him up.

"We have another task to complete", Win leaned in a bit to pick up his bag and start packing as the bell rang.

"What's that?" Joss asked.

"We have to write the first five chapter reports from our History book and submit it to Sir Tine before going out tomorrow", He said standing up.

"That's the only thing we have to do for tomorrow, right?" Bright asked.

"Yes", Win answered following out the others of the classroom.

"That's not a big deal then", Joss shrugged before adding, "right?"

"Right. But it's still too much", Carmel groaned.

"It's not. I believe we can do a group study and finish it right away", Love said.

"That's a good idea, Love", Win nodded, smiling as they walked towards the next lesson.

•••

The next morning came soon with an over-excited Bright knocking at Win's door.

All the five friends couldn't sleep because it took them all night to complete their work and also because Love, Joss, Bright, and Carmel were too excited to show their new friend the City.

"Is it good news?" Win asked finding Bright grinning like a maniac.

"It is. Father permitted me to go out with you all. Plus, he's sending Potsdam with us for security", Bright replied.

"That's fantastic", Win grinned buckling his belt with the dangling dagger, "I couldn't wait to finally submit the works and go out".

"Me too!" Bright nodded, his cheeks sore from the intensity of his happiness, "it is the first time my father is letting me go out with my friends".

"Why he didn't let you go out before?" Win couldn't help but ask.

"You see, my father is skeptical about me. He thinks I cannot take decisions on the spot", Bright explained, looking at the high ceiling, "He thinks I can get in trouble and cannot save myself", he shrugged, frowning, "But you see, that's not right! I am... I just get too nervous in front of him", he clenched his jaws.

Bright quickly snapped back his attention to find Win staring at him with empathy, "Hey, don't give me that look, raven-head", he chuckled, masking his emotions, "I didn't mean to make you pity me".

"I am not pitying you, idiot! I am just—", Win immediately realized what he had said and clapped a hand over his lips.

"Hey, it's fine! We are friends, aren't we?" Bright laughed at Win's expressions.

"You didn't mind that... That word?"

"No", he shook his head, "you can call me anything just like Carmel, Joss and Love calls me. You're one of us now, the Genius Five, " he stopped a bit, biting his lips to suppress a smile, "even though we don't know if you are a genius. You can still pretend, can't you?"

"Ai'Bright!" Win cried with a gasp. Soon the room echoed with their laughter.

After breakfast, the five friends made their way to Sir Tine's office. Not finding him in there, they kept their bunches of parchments, tied in a roll, and wrote a message on a  blank parchment about their submission in brief.

Before their Literature class, Potsdam approached them and they happily followed him out of the palace.

Win was soon enchanted by the sky outside. It was beautiful with clouds scattered beautifully over the bright blue hue. Various sizes of Swans and Ray fishes floated in the sky, few carrying passengers on them.

"The Numans who cannot fly take help from the Flying animals", Potsdam said, finding Win awestruck at them.

They were soon out of the palace gates guarded by several Savers and entered the City.

"Welcome to the Epson City, Win", Bright welcomed him, putting a hand on his back and guiding him through the crowd.

Few Numans stopped by and bowed at the Preserver and the Prince and chanted out few words of praises.

Win was totally awestruck at the tall stone buildings and colorful display shops under them. He soon found himself checking out the garment shops with various designed clothes on sale and the fruits and vegetables stalls, he found it very amusing how banana-like fruits were green when ripe and yellow when raw— totally different from the Earth.

His friends also chanted out various odd names of various vegetables and fruits which he forgot by the time they reached the alleyway.

"Would you like to have some warm Hetchen at my father's shop?" Joss asked.

"Of course, Joss! We'd love to!" Bright nodded agreeing.

"What's Hetchen?" Win asked, following them down the alleyway.

"It's a steamed food, like noodles", Bright explained.

The alleyway was quite darker than the vibrant city outside but the crowd was a bit more nonetheless.

"There are so many people here!" Win exclaimed, twisting his way following Joss.

"That's because alleyways have loads of cheap pieces of stuff", Love explained.

Win nodded understanding.

"We are here!" Joss chirped before entering a shop with wooden doors.

Everyone followed him with Potsdam behind them. The shop was brightly lit in middle with people chattering around a fireplace.

"Dad! It's us!" Joss cried, making the chattering crowds stop gossiping and look at them.

Few murmurings were heard next with people curiously pointing at Bright and Win.

"Joss is that— Boony! It's the Prince and the Preserver with you!" Joss' father gasped leading a series of audible gasps from the crowds.

Soon Win began shaking hands with the curious, excited gossip–mongers and listening to them praising him with sorts of praises that exist in the Universe.

When he finally freed himself from them, he was amused to find Bright in a much messier state than him.

"Looks like the Prince was caught in between some cyclones", Joss joked, earning an eye roll from Bright.

"Leave them alone, please", a red-haired boy, pushed the crowd away and lead Win and his companions to a separate cabin.

"Crowds can be a bit feisty. We are sorry about that, Your Highness", the boy spoke, "I am Luke, by the way".

"Never seen you here", Joss squinted his eyes.

"I am a new worker here", he answered, before smirking, "you must be the that big boy of Sir Theming, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am", Joss rolled his eyes, "Where's father? Call your 'Sir Theming' and get lost from here".

"Your father is busy", he answered with a smug face, "we've got loads of customers today".

"I am here! I am here!" Theming soon entered the room with bowls of steaming food, "what's the fuzz I hear here, eh?"

Luke bowed at them and walked out of the cabin.

"Who's that father? Why is he here?" Joss demanded.

"That's Luke. His father was arrested for a crime, I thought I could keep him and teach him to work, now that you are busy with studies", Theming explained, "how about Your Highness and the Preserver? Is everything fine at the palace?"

"Everything's fine sir. We are out to show Win the City", Bright said, helping him with the soup.

Win bowed at the man.

"I see I see. Got a reward, haven't ya? Very well, very well. How are you, two Love and Carmel?"

"We are fine, sir!" Love chirped out, bowing her head and Carmel too followed her suit.

"That's good then. Eat up, now! Lemme send Luke here. I have to attend pieces of stuff", he walked towards the

"Why him?" Joss protested.

"What's wrong with that lad? He's a good boy. A nice helping hand", Theming furrowed his eyebrows before walking out of the cabin.

"What's wrong with you, Joss?" Love asked.

"What? That guy seems suspicious", Joss reasoned out.

"I didn't find a thing wrong with Luke", Bright said, putting the pieces of steamed potato-like things in his mouth.

"You won't know, Bright! I have a third eye Gift. I get to know if something is suspicious almost instantly!" Joss shook his spoon in the air.

"I think you're just thinking too much", Bright shook his head.

Luke soon entered the room.

"Would you like to take something else, sirs?" Luke asked.

"Not really. Thank you, Luke", Love replied.

"Luke, how old are you?" Bright asked, "why don't you go to the Palace training?"

"I am 18, sir. My uncle thinks I should learn to maintain a shop and fight than get that bookish knowledge", Luke answered.

"A typical Saver", Joss muttered.

"What's your problem, Joss?" Luke asked, clearly irritated.

"Nothing", he shrugged.

"So, you're of our age. It's the age where you should have your own opinion. What do you think about the palace studies?" The Prince asked.

"I am sorry, sir, but I, too, think palace studies are for rich Numans. Poor Savers like me is much comfortable in homeschooling", Luke answered, bowing his head in somewhat guilty.

"So your fighting techniques are different?" Win asked, finally chewing those potato foods.

"Yes, sir they are. He learns to use hands and knife or dagger to fight", Luke explained.

"You train every day, I presume. Keeping in mind the recent activities", Carmel asked.

"Not every day, sir. Sir Theming has customers coming up to the late hours, the shops stay too crowded all the time", Luke answered.

By the time they were leaving the shop, it was already dusk. They talked about different dagger fighting skills, freehand fighting skills, and everything in between. Win also learned the reason why Potsdam was so quiet during the entire conversation. Messengers don't barge in their Master's conversation.

What came as a shock was that, Win was no longer a 22-year-old Thammasat student. His age was 18 because Numans ages slowly as compared to the humans.

Luke was given leave by Sir Theming much to Win, Love, and Carmel's insistence and he showed them the other alleyways before taking them back to the palace.

Throughout the journey, Win grinned like a Cheshire cat listening to the tales of fightings Luke was telling them. He never knew fighting could be such a colorful topic to discuss— a few years ago Metawin would never like them, but now this seems to excite him even more.

"That's all for today. I will show you many awesome places the next time you're coming", Luke grinned.

"Thank you, Luke! It's really nice meeting you", Win shook his hands.

"Yes, Win's right. It was really nice meeting you", the other three nodded.

Joss however eyed Luke like a police suspecting a criminal.

"We can be friends then. Never hesitate to ask for help from this friend from the City", Luke smiled.

"Sure thing", Love nodded.

Soon they waved goodbye at each other and went inside the palace gates. That night Win slept with a smile on his face— the kind of smile he used to have when he'd go out with his family on a Sunday.

_________

Sorry for the late update. I couldn't figure out the City scene immediately, so I needed to brainstorm a bit.

Anyways, I hope the pace is not going too fast.

So, thoughts?