?The three walked through the cobbled streets, the cold night air biting at their faces. Up ahead, a towering building loomed, its golden letters gleaming under the dim streetlights: A.O.M.C.—the Association of Mutual Cooperation.
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?For centuries, it had stood as a fragile bridge between two factions that had torn the world apart: the Blessed Ones—those with cursed blood—and the Unblessed—those without. The A.O.M.C. was meant to keep the peace. Whether it actually did was another matter entirely.
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?Micheal, a nineteen-year-old with messy black hair and sharp emerald eyes, rubbed his hands together, trying to warm them. “Damn. Could it be any colder?” His voice was low, his breath forming small clouds. “Think they’ll let us go back to our dorms?”
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?Beside him, Lily flicked her long black hair over her shoulder. Her almond-brown eyes gleamed with amusement. “Doubt it. We’ll probably be assigned new ones based on our discipline.”
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?Micheal groaned. “Right. Because nothing says ‘Welcome to your future’ like being thrown into separate rooms.”
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?Lily nudged him with her elbow. “It’s only four years.”
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?“Only?” Micheal scoffed. “That’s a whole eternity.”
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?On his other side, Angelica walked in silence, her crimson eyes fixed ahead. The mask she always wore concealed most of her face, but Micheal didn’t need to see it to know she wasn’t interested in their conversation. She never was.
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?They crossed the garden and approached the imposing gates of the A.O.M.C. Two guards, dressed in golden uniforms—fire manipulators, clearly—bowed slightly in Lily’s direction. A silent acknowledgment of her status as a princess. She responded with a small nod, but otherwise, her expression didn’t change.
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?Inside, Micheal’s eyes widened. The marble floors stretched endlessly through grand halls lined with chandeliers and towering statues. The sheer wealth on display was overwhelming.
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?“Okay,” he muttered. “I get why people want to be part of this.”
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?Lily barely spared the place a glance. “Eh. It’s alright.”
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If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
?Micheal scoffed. “Yeah, yeah. We get it. You grew up in a palace.”
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?A cool, mechanical voice rang out from the speakers:
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?“The Department of Finances will remain closed until further notice. Kindly wrap up any remaining business before midnight. All fourth-years, please proceed to Hall A and join the queues for your chosen discipline.”
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?Micheal swallowed hard. He knew this was coming—so why hadn’t he made a decision yet? Fire, nature, assassination… None of them felt right.
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?Lily perked up. “Oh! Hall A? I was there when we dropped off Axel for his fourth year!”
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?Micheal barely registered her words, his mind racing.
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?Lily turned to him, smirking. “Wait. Micheal… are you actually nervous for once?”
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?“What? Hell no.”
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?“Oh my God.” Lily gasped dramatically. “You don’t even know what you’re picking yet, do you?”
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?“Obviously, I do.”
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?“Mmhmm. What is it, then?”
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?Micheal hesitated. “I just don’t feel like telling you.”
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?Lily grinned. “You’re such a bad liar.”
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?“I’m not lying.”
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?“Uh-huh. Whatever you pick, it better be more useful than being a measly healer.”
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?Micheal grinned as Lily’s face turned red. “Excuse me? Measly?”
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?“I mean, healing’s just a subcategory of nature manipulation,” he teased. “Might as well go all in and master nature. Easiest one there is.”
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?Lily’s mouth fell open. “You have got to be joking. You—”
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?Before she could go on a full rant, Micheal caught movement from the corner of his eye. Angelica was already walking away, heading straight for the Assassin queue.
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?“Hey! Angie! You can’t just—” But she was already gone, disappearing into the crowd.
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?Micheal exhaled sharply. “What’s up with her?”
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?Lily shrugged. “Same as always. Allergic to emotions.”
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?Micheal frowned, watching Angelica’s retreating figure. “She could’ve at least said goodbye. We won’t see each other for four years.”
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?Lily’s expression softened. “We always find our way back to each other, don’t we?”
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?He didn’t answer. It didn’t feel that simple. Instead, he watched as Lily glanced toward the Healer queue.
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?“Well… I guess this is it.” She hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t want to be a healer with me?”
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?Micheal hesitated too. Then, shaking his head, he muttered, “No. That’s not for me. Good luck, though.”
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?Lily’s smile faltered before she nodded. “Good luck, Micheal.”
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?She turned and walked away.
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?Now alone, Micheal stood there, staring at the signs: Fire. Nature. Water. None of them called to him.
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?He wanted everything. But that was impossible. Not even the Big Three had mastered all disciplines.
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?Regret settled in his stomach like a stone. He regretted not preparing for this. He regretted not talking to Angelica. He regretted—
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?“Can’t decide~?”
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?A sultry whisper sent a chill down his spine.
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?Micheal flinched, whirling around to see a woman with light blue hair smirking at him. Her uniform—modified from the standard Water Manipulator’s attire—was cropped at the stomach, her sleeves cut off, her pants swapped for a short skirt.
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?Micheal knew exactly who she was.
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?He took a step back. “Miss Mitsuki. I’m in the middle of something.”
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?She stepped closer. “Oh, I can see that… Do you want some guidance~?”
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?His jaw clenched. He was her favorite target—and it pissed him off.
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?“No. I’m fine, thanks.”
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?Mitsuki pouted. “So formal. It’s like you don’t even recognize little old me.” Her fingers trailed up his arm.
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?He swatted her hand away. “Damn it, I’m busy.”
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?Mitsuki smirked wider. “Oh, of course~ And clearly, you need help. Let’s talk about it… over drinks.”
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?Micheal groaned. “I’m being serious.”
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?“So am I~” She looped her arm through his. “You thought you could just disappear for four years without a proper goodbye?”
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?He sighed in defeat. “Damn you.”
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?Her smile turned victorious. “That’s the Mikey I remember~ Now come on. I saw this amazing tavern down the street. We’ll talk about your… whatever it was.”
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?They did not, in fact, talk about any such thing.
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