It was time to go to school orientation.

  School orientation is basically a legal and ceremonial beginning to a child's educational journey, only available to the upper echelons of society. It involves uniform and supply acquisition, speeches from upperclassmen, and learning what classes and teachers the kids will have.

  Molly had never seen so many people her age.

  Accompanying her was Alistir, sitting across from her in the carriage.

  [Alistir]: “Molly, wear this whenever you go to school. I apologize for waiting to tell you this.”

  Molly received a gray bandana. Apparently, having a blue gem embedded into your forehead isn't common, and could lead to other kids getting distracted or even bullying.

  Strangely, she liked the bandana.

  The doors of the carriage were opened, and the two got out where all the others assembled. Gossip immediately began, mostly around the fact that Sage Alistir had brought a child to school.

  Around half an hour passed before the event started. Everyone funneled into the large doors of the theater and found seats.

  [Selend]: “I am beyond joyful that we have a record number of first-years this year!”

  [Molly]: “M-Mr. Selend?!”

  [Alistir]: “You didn't know? He's the top teacher here, and also works at the House.”

  The program continued. Selend spoke of how proud he was of his job, gave encouragement to the youngsters, and explained what all there is to do on campus.

  [Selend]: “Alright, would all of the Star Graduates please come up to the stage?”

  Molly noticed a few people getting up out of the crowd.

  Including Alistir.

  [Selend]: “Here are our Star Graduates, people of outstanding commitment and talent who have graduated from here.”

  Molly saw Alistir and three other people come up on stage, all dressed in similar attire. Each of them must also be just as awesome as Mr. Ali, Molly thought.

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  One was a slender young woman with really long, braided hair. There should be no reason, Molly thought, that someone's hair should be so long that you could risk stepping on it. Something seemed off with her hair, though. It seems almost too stiff, as if it isn't even hair at all.

  The next was a young man, a little smaller than Alistir, but probably around his age. He seemed much more mundane, except for the yellow axe he was holding.

  Finally, there was a large man who towered over everyone else. He had short white hair, but seemed the same age as Alistir. He wore the same uniform as the others, except that he also had on gloves.

  [Selend]: “These are graduates from past years, everyone! Not only did they succeed in primary education, but look at what they can do! Arne, would you step up?”

  [Arne]: “Yessir.”

  It was the tan lady with the really long braided hair.

  [Arne]: “Alright, kids, here is what staying in school could get you.”

  She focused for a moment. Suddenly, the giant braid of hair began moving from the base. She moved the hair until it stood straight up over her.

  All of the kids were shocked, Molly included.

  The hair then suddenly doubled in length as the braid came undone. The hair decoration on her head went from the base, up her entire hair length and tied itself back at the very end.

  Wow! School seems so awesome!

  Next was Yellow Axe Guy, who introduced himself as Ginga.

  [Ginga]: “Umm…. hi, little guys. I can basically control my axe and make it do stuff.”

  Molly immediately locked in. This axe is alchemy! She saw the gems in it!

  Ginga then put on a leather hat that dipped down in the front, making his face look like it had giant angry eyebrows. He seemed to need this for the axe for it to be able to work.

  The axe was thrown straight up into the air, spinning. Just when it seemed about to fall back down, it stopped mid-air, and began circling the room clockwise. It gradually worked its way down, until it finally returned to Ginga's hand.

  The giant guy was named Kursteb, a general in the army who would demonstrate his superhuman strength.

  [Kursteb]: “Pay attention, squirts! If you do well enough in school, you can even join the Army! Look at how strong I have become!”

  Kursteb then lifted up the other three on the stage and jumped twenty feet into the air.

  Those performances were cool, but Molly already knew the coolest show was about to begin.

  Alistir introduced himself, then began practicing magic. An ethereal aura enveloped his body, increasing density around his hands and palms. Suddenly, deep orange flames erupted from his hands, with the mystical aura following it. That substance started to guide and control the fire into a large fireball, five feet in diameter. Alistir held it above his head with both arms.

  The crowd went wild. Kids and adults alike were left in awe as shocked gasps and astonishment filled the room. Molly already knew Alistir was the coolest in the world, so she didn't react nearly as intensely.

  —---------------------------------

  Alistir felt sick. Even though he had done this every year, this year in particular felt rather wrong. These people on stage never even went to this school, but were the products of the Hero Program.

  The government selected them simply to excite the kids and influence them at a young age, so that many of them would pursue a career in magic or the military. Selecting people who could, say, do math really well or art wasn't nearly as exciting. These kids would be let down in the coming years, since they would never be able to reach the heights of those in the Hero Program.

  He also worried about Molly. He lied to her so that she wouldn't naively try to join it. He can only hope that she isn't selected by the Hero Program scouts that also came to this event.

  After the event, a meet and greet was set up for the four. Molly immediately went to get in line for Ginga.

  [Ginga]: “Hey there, kiddo. What do you want to ask me?”

  [Molly]: “Can you perhaps summarize how the alchemy in your hat and axe work?”

  [Ginga]: “Uh.. Ok, wow. Missy, who told you to come and ask me about that?”

  [Molly]: “I did. Duh.”

  Ginga was taken aback. Most kids asked questions like: “That axe is awesome, how does it work?” He was dumbfounded to hear such a concise question from such a small kid. How does she already know about alchemy?

  [Molly]: “I think that you have two telepathic crystals, which transmit information and magic from your magic organ to the axe.”

  [Ginga]: “Y-you’re on the right track, kid.”

  On the right track, my ass! She is completely correct! She knows about Tele-Crystal Alchemy?! That's an adult subject!

  [Ginga]: “Y-you got a strong future, missy.”

  [Molly]: “Of course I do. Heh heh heh…”

  [Ginga]: “What's your name, miss?”

  [Molly]: “Molly.”

  [Ginga]: “I'll remember you, Molly.”

  He wrote down her name on an odd list.

  Ginga returned to Hero Program HQ in the royal sector of the capital.

  [????]: “Who all have you scouted?”