Elsewhere, in a new country located at the opposite end of Spes-Nova – A group of children surround an adult, directly in front of the gate.

Well, two adults...but one of them is invisible.

?: “Gearick? Umichoka? Hakov and Heimsel? Josh?

….

Josh??

JOSH WHERE DID YOU SNEAK OFF TO NOW?!”

Josh: “Ahh, let go of me you stupid cow!”

*BAM!*

Josh: “Sniff* Okay Okay!...*Sniff* I'll behave...”

?: “Thank you Ms. Quarterly. Where was he?”

Ms. Quarterly: “He was hiding in a bush, planning an escape back. I suspect he wanted to return to his parents, considering they did warn us about his...lack of enthusiasm in regards to this once in a lifetime opportunity of a mission.”

Josh: “I just want to go home! *Sniff* Heroland is boring!”

Ms. Quarterly: “How do you know?”

Josh: “Be-Because it is! We *Sniff* We can't fight, we can't kill we can't steal, we can't do anything!”

Ms. Quarterly: “You CAN do those things in Herotopia, but you'll be arrested. Heroes will kidnap you and use you for experiments.”

Josh: “Heroland is boring! I don't wanna go!!”

?: “You're Going. Ms. Quarterly, if he continues throwing a fuss, just break a few bones instead of relying on punches.”

Ms. Quarterly: “But...sir?? Are you-I mean, he's just a 6 year old child-”

Sir: “Ms. Quarterly! Do I really need to repeat myself with you?”

Ms. Quarterly: “...No sir. I shall engrave your orders into my mind.”

Josh: “I don't wa...!!...”

Ms. Quarterly: “Hm? What's wrong? Weren't you screaming that you don't wish to go? Go on – keep it up.”

Josh: “...”

Ms. Quarterly: “I take it that you overheard our conversation just now?”

Josh: “...Mhm....”

Ms. Quarterly: “Do you know what it means? To have your bones broken? Do you still want to go back home?”

Josh: “N-*Sniff*-no...”

Sir: “Can I continue?”

Ms. Quarterly: “You may.”

Sir: “By having you all monitored at the time of birth, we began preparing for the day Herotopia would begin a brand new year of school. Now, that time has come.

Out of 7,000 possible candidates, only 7 were selected. The 5 of you managed to meet our expectations and earned yourselves a spot. You already underwent the interview process and were accepted into their second hero school, unfortunately, we had to brainwash you all in order to ensure you successfully earned your slots. Don't worry, the effects weren't permanent. Trust me, on this.”

Heimsel: “I have to question how we can possibly tell if you actually undid the brainwashing or not. If you managed to do it once without us knowing, we won't be able to tell if there's a difference or not now, or even in the future.”

Ms. Quarterly: “When the President of Villain Haven requests for you to trust him: you do it.”

Heimsel: “....O-Ok..”

President of Villain Haven: “Now, for the mission details, All that I ask of you is to learn. Learn what they teach, and become good at it. That's it. After you graduate, you are to report back here, understood?”

Umichoka: “That's...is that it? I mean no disrespect sir, but...that seems quite...simple..”

President of Villain Haven: “Hahaha! Oh that's because you haven't truly experienced The culture difference between Herotopia and our country, founded for Villainy and Evil. What are you to do if someone there begins bullying you out of jealousy and spite, due to your growing status?”

Hakov: “Hmph! If they dare, then I'll kill 'em as we do in our --”

*Smack!*

Ms. Quarterly: “You insignificant worm! What were you just told about the culture difference with Villain Haven and Herotopia? PAY ATTENTION!”

Hakov: “Then...Then what are we supposed to do?!”

*Crack*

Hakov: “Aaaah! My, my arm! Aaugh...my, my...”

President: “Oh calm down. A broken arm is nothing. We'll fix it before your semester begins...IF you stop presenting yourself as a whiny, little shit and learn to adapt to the situation! Do you need us to hold your hand throughout the entire mission? If that's the case, then maybe I made the wrong choice, with you.”

Hakov: “S...Sir I'm...sorry. Don't worry, I-I'll...promise to not kill, while I'm attending...Hero school.”

Gearick: “...Um, sir? I have a question.”

President of Villain Haven: “Put your hand down, we haven't sent you on the mission just yet.”

Gearick: “...”

Ms. Quarterly: “Is the question you're about to ask a stupid one? Think hard, before you answer.”

Gearick: “...No..At least, I don't think so...”

Ms. Quarterly: “Then proceed.”

Gearick: "Earlier, you both said that seven of us were scouted and chosen from the 7,000 possible candidates...well, why are there only five of us here? That...That was all I wanted to ask...”

President of Villain Haven: “Well, to be frank: One of them went on ahead, and the other isn't quite prepared for his mission yet, unfortunately.”

Umichoka: “Who dares to make the president look bad for choosing them?! All of us are LUCKY to have been chosen by you!

Wealth beyond our imagination!

Connections and a future position of power upon a successful mission!

Protection for our family and assistance for the needs of our loved ones!

Then there's the chance to experience education from the enemy camp!

What more could we ask for? Yet, someone actually dares to spit in the president's face after such promises! Who is it?! Who would attempt to shame our great, magnanimous and wonderful leader? Please share with me the identity of this insidious slacker, sir, and I'll make sure to bring them before you: grovelling for an apology!”

President of Villain Haven: “The 'insidious slacker', as you so aptly put it, is my son.”

Ms. Quarterly: “...”

Umichoka: “....”

Josh: “..Pffft!”

Umichoka: “...I...I...I-I am so SO sorry! I-I didn't know...if I had known...! Pl-Please don't kill me...”

President of Villain Haven: “Haaah, now-now, calm down, little miss Umichoka. I used the word 'aptly' because you perfectly described his situation. He got angry with me because I wouldn't let him own a pet, when I have three for myself and his sister has two. MY pets are to dispose of the bodies of my many enemies that pester me. My daughter proved herself through missions, similar to all of you right now, and received my permission to have a set of genetically modified bodyguards for her own security. Him?That lazy son of mine hasn't even made an effort to prepare for his transfer! He keeps pestering me about hiring a butler that can go on missions for him or a pet he can train to act like a human.

Even torture doesn't work on that spoiled brat all that much anymore...I just don't know...OH!

I'm sorry, I got off track for a moment there...and I do know what you're thinking:

'Mr. President Mr. President, if he isn't enthusiastic, then why choose him?

Is it some form of favoritism because he is your son?'

Well, no. Far from that, actually. If it wasn't because I raised him to be powerful enough to face off against both adult superheroes and supervillains , He wouldn't be allowed on this mission. I'm taking this 1st semester to beat him into shape by then. He isn't being forced to come because of favoritism, if that were the case then I wouldn't be forcing Josh to come now, would I?

With that misunderstanding hopefully cleared up, Ms. Quarterly here will be assigning you to your selected schools. Go ahead, Ms. Quarterly.”

Ms. Quarterly: “Thank You Sir. Gearick, Age 16. Your family specializes in technological killing and building. That makes you the perfect high school student to sneak into their main Academy of learning, Justice Heights. We suspect your identity will be exposed but don't you worry. Should that happen, our plant will rescue you shortly after your capture. Just try to last as close to a full semester as possible.

Umichoka, Age 12. Sweetie, we have selected you to infiltrate a middle school academy for gifted heroines. It hails as an elite school where young girls are raised in ways that, frankly, men can't teach through experience. Women heroines and retired veterans teach their girls how to survive in a predominantly male world. Take what you can from their teachings, and bring it back. We suspect your mission will last a little over a year, complete the targeted length and you will successfully complete your mission, regardless whether or not you get caught in the end.

Hakov and Heimsel, Ages 13 and 15 respectively. You both are to attend their second High school, 'Super Soldier Development Academy.' or SSDA for short.

...just ignore the dumb name. They specialize in training super-soldiers for the Herotopia Police force: a dangerous bunch that goes after law breaking Heroes and villains alike. Check how their Private education system differs from ours and report back. We'll tell you when you've finished your jobs so your mission has no time limit, just try to not get caught before we validate your mission as complete.”

President of Villain Haven: “My son and the kid who went on ahead will be checking out their third building. My assignment for those two is to merely check out its newly built third building: Some...flimsy non-combatant raising scheme. I wanna know just what exactly it is those conniving fools are hiding in there.”

…

?: “Do you know why I signed you up for this mission, dear?”

?: “Because you don't love me.”

?: “No! Never...Never that. Rise darling, it's because I promised your father...before he...you know...”

Rise: “...Yeah, I remember, mother.”

Mother: “...back then, he made me promise him...and ever since then, I've vowed to keep that promise even at the cost of my own life.”

Rise: “Oh? And what promise is that?”

Even if I have to die because of it, that I would rescue you from that evil land. This...mission in Herotopia doesn't even matter. President already knows my husband, Kenan's dying wish, so the fact that he still gave you this position, probably means he gives his blessings...”

Rise: “Mom...you know that ain't true. He's a monster that literally turns living people into furnishings for the capital city. There's no way he'll-”

Mother: “I told you, remember? Even at the cost of your mother's life, you will be rescued from that lawless place. Don't concern yourself with my fate...The world will know your parents died soon anyway.”

Rise: “Mother?! I don't get what you mean...are you planning to kill yourself...for, for me?”

Mother: “What? No, don't be foolish, you stupid child. That's just what you're going to say when the school asks about your family. Tell them your parents died. It's a classic that always works.”

Rise: “...I hate you sometimes, mother.”

Mother: “You say that, but aren't you kind of excited, to finally get away from that kill-happy nation?"

Rise: “...A little bit. Yeah.”

Mother: “See? Just listen to your mother, honey. Mother knows best.”

---