11:40 A.M. February 4, 4086 A.D.

The Great Lodge

Tori Henna

Tori gave them a skeptical look, wondering who were these two mysterious people trying to befriend them. Reluctantly, she reached out her hands and gave them a handshake while saying, “My name’s Tori. May I know why you’re acting like this?”

Dessa just stared at her straight in the eyes, smiling cheerfully as she hold Tori’s hands, as if she could see Tori’s inner soul through her eyes. WIthout letting go of her hands, she nonchalantly answered, “Well, to be honest, I saw you talking to Lieutenant Kendrick earlier. Are you related to him one way or another?”

“No. He just asked us some questions, nothing serious.”

“Oh. And you weren’t excited?”

“Why are you asking?” Troy suddenly asked, his gaze shifting from Dessa to Loriel, as if he was cautious of them. Troy folded his arms on his chest, his eyebrows knitted in a furrow, and asked, “Are you related to him one way or another?”

Tori couldn’t help but look at Troy in a strange manner. Dessa’s a beauty, yet he’s cold towards her? Hmm, I wonder why. She was aware of Troy’s playboy attitude, her always being the receiving end of it.

“And if I say yes, would you believe it?” Dessa smiled, her arms now placed on her hips. Stepping back, she stretched her arms sideward, and playfully moved her body, as if dancing in a jovial manner. “Ha ha ha. Nothing serious. We were just curious, you know. Besides, everyone here knows Lieutenant Kendrick.”

“Really?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know him?!”

Troy and Tori both shook their heads, their eyes still fixated on the dancing girl for different reasons. Without a care in the world, Dessa was still dancing, not minding if she was eliciting indecent impressions towards the people looking at her.

Tori couldn’t help but ask herself, wondering if this girl had some loose screws on her head. Looking at Troy, she could see his mouth wide open as drool streamed on his mouth and his eyes bloodshot like a maniac. Taking out a piece of crumpled paper in her pocket, she stuffed it inside his mouth, soliciting a gurgling sound from the manic Troy, while saying, “Sorry, but we don’t know him. Is he that famous?”

“Are you seriously asking him if he’s famous? Of course he’s famous!” Dessa shook her head, surprised at the things she was hearing as she continuously moved her body, as if dancing along with the soundless music. “He’s not just a famous Lieutenant, he’s also a respected hero. Ever heard of the Prancing Lion?”

“Yes, wait, don’t tell me he is the Prancing Lion? The great hero of the Seventh War?!”

“Yes. No wonder you’re reactions were so-so when you met him earlier.”

“Eeeeh! Eeeeeh!” Tori couldn’t help but shriek in delight as she unconsciously pushed the gurgling Troy, making him fall on the ground. She was flabbergasted, waving her arms in a frantic manner as she stammered her feet in happiness. “I’ve met my hero?! Sh*t, I’ve met my hero?!”

“You didn’t recognize him?”

“Well, I have never saw his face, even in pictures. All I’ve heard were stories from mom, about him and his exploits. In fact, my mom said he was her benefactor!”

“Really? Benefactor?” Dessa stopped dancing and stood momentarily, looking at her with an inquisitive look, her brows raised up in an arch.

Tori couldn’t help but notice a faint glint of light on Dessa’s eyes, even though it was just a mere second, wondering if she had said something that agitated Dessa. Curious of her reaction, in a happy tone, Tori replied, “Yes, benefactor. Somehow I think that there’s something between them in the past, but I’m not sure. Hee, hee.”

After saying this, Tori somehow felt that her body trembled uncontrollably as if she was surrounded by imminent dangers. Beads of sweat covered her forehead as she felt the chill invaded her body, as if eating her very soul. Is she angry?! My God, keep me safe from this devious woman! She was now sure that Dessa was closely related to Lieutenant Kendrick. Maybe his lover - this was the only conclusion Tori could come up with, considering Dessa’s unusual reaction.

Loriel, who was just standing a while ago, suddenly grabbed Dessa’s right arm and whispered to her, and the tension in the air dissipated. Dessa’s countenance flashed a beautiful smile and covered her mouth while saying, “Sorry, my bad. I’m acting impertinent again. I just wanted to say sorry again.“

Dessa took out her ringing Electophone from her breast pocket, and her eyes squinted for a moment, before telling, “Well, it seems I have forgotten something important to be done today. I’d soon keep in touch with you.”

Tori was still covered in sweat as she saw the two figures walking towards the Lodge side entrance. After they left, she released a deep sigh, unaware that she was holding her breath. Clenching her fists, she muttered in a soft voice: “No, don’t come back, devious woman.”

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12:15 P.M. February 4, 4086 A.D.

Waiting Room, The Great Lodge

Troy Jenner

Troy did not know how much longer do they have to wait for the examination to start. Somehow, he was already exhausted even though the exam have yet to begin. If somehow the test would involve some grueling task which would require body force, he felt that he would surely fail.

Looking at the silent Tori who was now sitting on a corner, he sighed softly, wondering about the earlier scenario. What the hell happened to them while I was removing the paper in my mouth? He shook his head, and without a thing to do, started scanning the waiting room.

The room was rather gloomy, as it was only illuminated by two helix Electolamps placed at the front near the blank Electoscreen. Not a single decoration could be seen on the black walls, and at the center front of the room was a small, metallic desk and a vacant chair, which he guessed as the proctor’s table. A transparent crystal orb was perched on a pedestal at the left side of the proctor’s table. He suspected that the size of the room was about 8 square meters, and somehow, he had this vague notion that this place was a classroom. Noticing that there was only him and Tori inside the room, with all the vacant chairs in an array, he felt scared, as if he could feel invisible beings gazing at them, somehow checking on them if they were good or not. After minutes of silent waiting, he heard a mechanical buzz, and the Electoscreen flickered, and a good-looking female android appeared on the screen.

“Examinee 9997 and 9998, please come forward and state your names.”

Tori and Troy both stood up and walked towards the Electoscreen. Without glancing at each other, they simultaneously answered.

“Troy Jenner, Examinee 9997.”

“Tori Henna, Examinee 9998.”

“Welcome to the testing area. Tori Jenner, please put your right hand on top of the crystal orb.”

Troy was sure that the crystal orb was part of the examination, but he was rather curious as to how it would test them. Since it looked harmless, he moved towards the crystal orb and placed his right hand without hesitation. After a few seconds of waiting, the crystal orb remained transparent, nothing was changed.

“Thank you, Troy Jenner. Now, Tori Henna, could you please put your right hand on the crystal orb?”

Troy was confused. Did I fail the examination? Is that it? As he silently moved away from the crystal orb, he looked at Tori and muttered, “good luck.”

Tori stared at him momentarily, and nodded in reply. She stood still for mere seconds, as if hesitating, and slowly placed her hands on the orb, as if she was cautious of the orb. Upon contact, the transparent orb suddenly changed its color into blazing red!

They were both silent and wide-eyed as they saw the intense light shining from the orb. Troy, with a questioning look, approached the screen. “Did I...did I fail the exam?”

“Don’t worry Troy Jenner. This is only the testing of the bloodline, and it would not affect the result of your examination.”

Testing of the bloodline?