The next day, Caramel went out with Ninjakid to get some groceries down in the little village at the base of the mountain. She often didn't like going down there, but Ninjakid wanted company, and Negakid wasn't the ideal choice, especially when it came to socializing.

As the two went along the streets, a few villagers said a greeting to Ninjakid with a bright expression. They were famous for a number of accomplishments regarding the protection of the village. However, the same popularity could not be said for Caramel. Without that protection, especially when dealing with the children her age, it got REALLY hard for her.

For this reason, Caramel tried to keep herself hidden behind Ninjakid, to avoid too much attention. However, she was not sly enough, and the kids pointed and whispered, casting mean leers in her direction. Caramel pretended not to notice them, but failed horribly, as everywhere she went, they were there, ready to strike with their rumors and stares.

Just then, up ahead, Caramel noticed there was a crowd forming at the end of the street. Curious, she tugged Ninjakid's sleeve, who also noticed and allowed her to drag them over to mix with the rest of the crowd.

"What's going on?" Caramel asked a stray villager.

"There's an outsider on horseback outside the village; a female!" the villager responded. "She appears to be advertising something."

"Advertising what?" Ninjakid wanted to know.

"Search me. Just head to the front of the crowd and find out."

Her curiosity piqued even further, Caramel let Ninjakid elbow their way through the crowd, since she was too polite to push at other people. Once they made their way up to the front, they did indeed see a girl riding on a horse. She had flaming orange hair and red-orange eyes, and wore a black coat with gray stripes...and on the back was the BPS symbol.

Eyes widening, the realization hit Caramel like a punch to the face. "You're from BPS?!" she blurted. The entire crowd turned to face her, making her duck her head in embarrassment. However, her shout had attracted the girl on the horse as well. She looked down on Caramel, a smile on her face.

"Why yes, I am," she said, confirming Caramel's assumption."My name is Yogibo, and I'm a member of the Obsidian Patron Guild. I'm also one of the professors at BPA."

"BPA?"

"Black Plasma Academy. We're accepting new students now! These students will undergo animation, story writing, rigging, cinematography, and more classes, and, if lucky, are selected for internships at the BPS company building itself!"

Caramel was frozen still. She didn't want to move in fear of waking herself up for a dream. She couldn't believe that someone from BPS, (or at least, someone closely related to them), had walked into her home and offered a spot that would lead her to her dreams! However...she would enter into a whole new world, and all alone, too. And there was the chance that she may not get the internship at all.

"So, do I have any volunteers? Anyone interested?" Yogi asked the crowd. There were a lot of shaking heads and muttered "no's". But Caramel sucked up her courage. This was her chance!

"I...I would like to join!" she spoke up. Once more, the crowd looked back to see who had called out. "I'm an average animator myself, and I--"

"Doubt that," a child from the crowd said aloud, draining a little bit of Caramel's already-shaky confidence. However, Yogi gave her a kind look, admiring her bravery and determination.

"Do you...happen to have one on hand right now?" she inquired Caramel. Hesitating for a moment, then drawing up her phone, she clicked on one of her recent videos saved inside and gave it to Yogi, who seemed to be in deep thought.

"I've loved animation all my life," Caramel said, trying to sound more sure of herself. "And I think this academy you mentioned would really help awaken my untested skills. Who knows, maybe I could even get that internship and join BPS itself--"

"Ha! You? Join BPS?" another child said mockingly. "As if a HUMANCORN-thing would mix with all those professionals! Your animations aren't even as good as theirs!"

"Maybe my animations aren't as good, but it's all the more reason to improve them at this school!" Caramel shot back. "Whoa! I've never stood up to my bullies before! Do I really want this that badly?"

Ninjakid seemed to see the change in Caramel too, so they turned to ask Yogi: "How much is admission?"

Yogi bit her lip. "Oooooh...it's quite expensive. Like...close to $80,000."

Caramel nearly let her jaw fall out of her mouth at the word. This school was obviously top-notch if it costed that much. She felt her chances slipping away...

But then, Ninjakid placed a hand on her shoulder. "Well, why didn't you just say so? We'll send you the payment, along with our little girl."

Caramel whirled around in shock. "B-But Ninjakid! What about you and Negakid?! Won't you--"

"We'll manage. Besides, we've got one less mouth to feed," they joked, ruffling Caramel's hair. "But in all seriousness, I know you have the ability to become something great. Who knows, if and when you get the job, you can pay us back."

Caramel felt her eyes fill with tears. She was so lucky to have such supportive guardians taking care of her.

"Very well, then," Yogi said with satisfaction, handing Caramel an admission form and an envelope. "Fill that out and send it to the address on the envelope, and we'll receive you within 2 weeks. Also, be sure to work on an animation for the entrance exam." She then reared up her horse and turned. "Good luck to you, young animator!" With that, Yogi galloped away, leaving the young girl to stare in amazement after her, filled with a happiness she had never known before.

She and Ninjakid shared a slow stare, which Ninjakid broke, scratching their head nervously. "Negakid's going to kill us...^^;"