The scene opens with Clarie standing tall on a grand stage, delivering her speech as a presidential candidate. Her voice is steady, filled with conviction.
"So, my dear citizens, if you vote for me, I promise to bring more empowerment to women!" Clarie declared with determination, her eyes scanning the hopeful crowd.
The audience erupted in applause, but the scene subtly shifts.
---
Scene Shift – A Harsh Reality
In a dimly lit office, a woman sat across from a man in a suit, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her documents.
"U-um… did I get the job? I have all the required degrees," she asked, her voice hopeful but nervous.
The man leaned back in his chair, eyes cold and calculating.
"Oh, is that so?" he sneered, feigning interest. "You're capable… but if you really want this job…" his eyes darkened as he stood and walked over to her, gripping her wrist.
"There’s something I want from you."
Without another word, he pulled her into a back room, her protests muffled by the closing door.
---
Scene Shift – Back to Clarie’s Speech
Clarie smiled graciously, waving at the crowd.
"If you vote for me, there will be no poverty. I will make sure of that!" she declared passionately.
---
Scene Shift – In a Dark Alley
A frail woman sat against a wall, clutching her thin shawl tightly around her child. The boy tugged on her sleeve, his voice weak.
"Mother… I'm hungry…" he whimpered.
The woman’s eyes filled with tears. Without hesitation, she handed over the last scrap of bread she had been saving for herself.
"Here, son… you can have it," she whispered, forcing a smile despite her gnawing hunger.
---
Scene Shift – Clarie’s Speech Again
Clarie raised her hand for emphasis.
"If you vote for me, I will improve medical facilities for all!" she promised.
---
Scene Shift – At a Hospital
A distressed man clutched his young son as he approached the doctor.
"Um, doctor… is my wife okay?" he asked, his voice shaking.
The doctor feigned sympathy, his expression blank.
"I'm sorry… she passed away yesterday. We did our best."
The man's eyes widened in shock.
"W-what?!" his voice cracked. "If she was already dead, why didn't you tell me yesterday? At least my son could have seen his mother one last time!"
Tears welled in the man's eyes, but the doctor remained impassive.
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"Listen, this is a hospital. You shouldn’t raise your voice here. If you want the body, pay the bills first."
The man stared in disbelief.
"Bills? She was already dead! You made me pay for the surgery this morning—when she was gone yesterday?"
The doctor shrugged coldly.
Without another word, the man pulled out a wad of crumpled bills and threw them in the doctor’s face.
"Money! Money! Is that all you people care about?!" he roared, his voice filled with pain.
---
Scene Shift – Back to Clarie’s Speech
Clarie smiled warmly as she concluded her speech.
"Thank you. I hope you will choose the right person as your president," she said with a dazzling smile.
The crowd erupted into applause.
---
Scene Shift – Kael and Lyra
Kael and Lyra walked side by side, heading toward their new apartment after their day at the university. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the streets.
Kael glanced at his sister.
"Um… so, sister… how did Professor Morris even come to the university after that technique of yours?" he asked curiously.
Lyra’s eyes narrowed in thought.
"I think someone is using him…" she muttered.
"I don’t know how… but when I used that technique, he couldn’t even speak. We took the necklace easily."
Kael frowned.
"So… you think he’s already brain-dead, but someone is using his body with some kind of technology?"
Lyra nodded slowly.
"Yeah… it could be. Though I’m not sure. Maybe he’s temporarily brain-dead. But if this is true, we need to find the seven stones quickly."
Kael’s brow furrowed.
"But, sister… we can’t rush it. We agreed to keep a low profile for a few days. That was the plan, right?"
Lyra sighed.
"Plans have changed," she said, her voice firm. "We can’t go back to the university now. We don’t know who’s controlling Professor Morris."
Kael crossed his arms.
"But how are we going to track the stones? They could be scattered in seven different directions. It’ll take forever."
Lyra smiled faintly.
"Don’t worry…" she said confidently.
Kael raised a brow.
"Huh? What do you mean, ‘don’t worry’? How will we find them?"
Suddenly, he felt someone’s hands cover his eyes from behind.
"Guess who?" a playful voice teased.
Kael’s eyes widened.
"H-huh? Hey, what kind of joke is this?" he turned around. "Wait… you… you’re Esil?!"
The girl, dressed in sleek knight-like armor, grinned.
"Correct! I’m glad you didn’t forget about me," she said cheerfully.
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
"Why are you here?"
Esil’s playful expression turned serious.
"Lord Zeiran—I mean, your father—sent me to help you locate the seven stones."
Kael turned to Lyra, who nodded in confirmation.
He crossed his arms.
"And how exactly are you going to track them?"
Esil faked a hurt expression.
"Hey! You forgot about my abilities? I’m offended!" she pouted playfully.
Kael rolled his eyes.
"Whatever… just make it quick."
Esil smirked.
"Still as impatient as ever, Kael. But I like that about you," she teased, poking him lightly.
Lyra cleared her throat.
"Ahem… maybe we should focus on the task at hand," she interjected.
---
Scene Shift – The Secret Society HQ
In a dimly lit chamber, AM stood before a man in a black suit, his expression grim.
"Sir… I think those two kids have figured out that I’m using Morris to keep an eye on them," AM reported, his voice low and cautious.
The man’s eyes narrowed.
"You came all the way here just to tell me that?" he growled.
AM smirked slightly.
"No, sir… there are some positives too," he added.
"We’ve confirmed that they’re from an advanced species—probably more advanced than the ones we faced 300 years ago."
The man’s eyes gleamed with interest.
"Hmmm… the threat is bigger this time…" he mused.
"Keep an eye on them through all available cameras. Use satellites if you have to. But don’t let them get their hands on the seven stones. We haven’t found them in over 2000 years."
AM’s lips curled into a sly smile.
"Understood, sir. But… perhaps we should wait and let them retrieve one or two stones first."
The man’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"That’s a risky plan…" he muttered.
AM’s voice rose with conviction.
"Think about the power we’ll have if we manage to steal the stones after they find them. Even two would be enough."
The man in the black suit considered the gamble, then finally nodded.
"Fine. But if you fail…" his voice lowered to a dangerous whisper.
"The elites, the politicians… the entire elite class could fall for the first time in history. Everything depends on you."
AM’s eyes hardened.
He saluted.
"To the glory of Bal," he whispered with reverence.
---
