Isabella always wanted something more in her life. Born in a small village in a faraway corner of the Empire, she was praised for her beauty by others.

There was no doubt that she surely would live well in the future.

That was fine, and she thought it so. But, on the day her mother died, her world changed. She saw her beautiful mother lay still and pale all over. Her mother was known as the village's flower, but here she was, wilted and dead.

Beauty was an advantage, but it did not guarantee a prosperous life. She looked around and wondered if this village was where she wanted to spend her life. Did she wish to lie in some makeshift grave after death?

'I want to be more. I should be greater. I have to be better.' These thoughts hung with her for years until the day of the selection. The delight and pride she felt when Lewis discovered her vast talent were immeasurable.

She was special.

She was meant for more.

An Exalthood was perfect. She would be more than just a pretty face. Unlike her mother, she would go on to live a life worthy of her beauty and talents.

The first few days in the Blue Ocean Pavilion were slightly uncomfortable since she had never left home. But thanks to her talent, she was placed in the Inner Hall, where they helped care for her needs.

Her training was also a fresh experience for her. She never realized the enormity of her talent until she started training. Absorbing the vast amount of Ein rapidly and the supply of elixirs, Isabella soon elevated to the peak of Middle Apprentice Exalt without issues.

It was a given that she was above others. Natural for her.

She was out today instead of training because she lacked contribution points. It was irritating, but she had to undertake a mission to earn them.

"Isabella."

That voice calling for her was a surprise. She recognized Oscar's soft tone. Looking up, she saw the teen with black hair, black eye, and an unimpressionable face.

His clothes had been torn in several parts, but his face had the same small smile he always wore—her childhood friend, Oscar, who she had not seen in several months.

"Oscar," Isabella said blandly.

Oscar was happy to see Isabella again, but her dry and unenthusiastic response dampened his spirit. The awkwardness remained as Oscar was too confused by her antipathic tone to say anything.

Letting out a sigh, Isabella resumed walking. Her demeanor and attitude showed her unwillingness to talk.

"Wait!" Oscar grabbed her wrist. He wanted to catch up with her, and they were friends, so why did she respond so coldly?

Isabella's face darkened, and she snapped off Oscar's grip with a forceful tug. She looked back at him and said, "I would appreciate it if we didn't talk anymore."

Oscar was examining his hand. It was trembling from Isabella's strength. She was at a much higher level than him, even greater than Emily.

"I wanted to talk with you. Did you get any of Uncle Carlson's letters? How were you handling yourself in the Inner Hall?" Oscar ignored her detachment and launched into a series of questions.

"I ignored them. I'm doing fine." Isabella gave short and curt responses as if she did not know Oscar.

'What the hell happened?' Oscar trembled in disbelief to see his childhood friend behave this way.

"How could you not respond to your father?" Oscar was furious as he had seen Uncle Carlson care for Isabella since her mother died, yet this was how she acted towards her father.

"I have no time for that. There are far more important things to consider." Isabella looked at Oscar with her scarlet eyes. Unlike in the past, they held a hint of contempt. "You're a Grade Four. To be a powerful Exalt, you should focus more on your training than trivial matters."

"Trivial matters?" Oscar's voice shook with anger and disbelief at Isabella. How can someone regard their own family as trivial?

"Yes, trivial. We have the opportunity to be far greater than any of them. As Exalts, we will live longer. What good is the village or family when they will disappear?" Isabella put down her foot and made her statement.

"If they'll be gone, then all the more reason to cherish the time with them now!" Oscar shouted at her. He had never shouted at her in all their years together as friends. Heck, he barely raised his voice since he was a baby.

It shocked Isabella to see Oscar shout at her. In all their time together, he never did so. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "Who are you to shout at me? We're no longer in the village. We're in the Blue Ocean Pavilion, and I am an Inner Hall student."

"Inner Hall or not, you treat your family and friends this way?" Frederick was on the sidelines, listening to the argument. He stepped forward because Isabella's mindset was the kind he hated. It was the attitude his own family and many other Exalt families took with their relatives, just like that hateful bastard.

"Who are you?" Isabella turned to Frederick.

Frederick wrapped his arm around Oscar's shoulders and puffed out his chest to declare, "I'm this guy's best friend. I don't know your relationship, but it's wrong to treat your family and friends like that."

His eyes were unwavering as he stared at Isabella. This girl was pretty, but she was ice-cold down to her heart. Even though Emily was brash and rude, he could feel a hint of warmth and care behind them.

"You're also a member of the Outer Hall. You're not worth my time." Isabella shook her head. Her attention was only on those she found worthy. The only reason she started to talk with Oscar was to cut off this relationship forever.

"Oscar. I won't be tied down any longer. Unlike my mother, who chose to remain in that pathetic village, I will live a grand life." The village used to be all she knew, but now, seeing the broader world opened her eyes to new possibilities. The village was a tiny, insignificant chapter in her life.

"Is that so?" Oscar knew Isabella was not joking. She honestly believed this. "Are you so quick to break off your friends and family? What if your new friends can no longer keep up with you in the future? Will you cruelly cast them aside as well?"

"That's impossible," Isabella smirked. "You are nothing compared to Gilbert. No matter what, I will be side by side with him."

Gilbert Lockwood.

When Isabella first saw him, she was enamored. His chiseled face, the serene blue eyes, and the flowing azure hair. He was the most talented student the Blue Ocean Pavilion found in many years.

The Grade Nine Exolsia was terrifying, and even she felt a tinge of fear.

He was perfect in every way. They met several times and talked about their goals and dreams. He was kind enough to guide her and teach her many things.

He was her destined partner; she was sure of it. She yearned to stay by his side. No matter what, she believed he would never lose or fall apart.

Compared to Oscar, he was a million times stronger and better.

"Gilbert…." Frederick flared up in hatred. Deep hostility took root in his heart. "Hmph. Os, let's leave. There's nothing else for us here."

Oscar still had a vacant look in his eyes. Frederick dragged the lifeless Oscar away from Isabella.

"Likewise, don't come to me again. Gilbert might misunderstand." She turned around and left without looking back. She did not want anything to ruin her standings in the Pavilion and with Gilbert.

"Treacherous wench!" Frederick spat on the floor while supporting Oscar, who did not move but stared in Isabella's direction.

Oscar finally came to and separated from Frederick. His eyes were conflicted, and his face looked wearier than ever.

"Don't worry about that bitch, Os. If she wants to go, let her. She can die cursing she left you." Frederick tried to console the disspirited Oscar.

"I thought I knew her, but did I? For many years, we were together." Oscar rubbed his eyes which were tearing up. "Should I have known? Could I have helped her more?"

The tears fell onto the ground. He could not hold back the flood as they ceaselessly continued to fall. For the first time in a long while, his emotions had gone out of control.

Frederick clapped his hands onto Oscar's tear-filled cheeks, holding them. "Don't regret anything. Don't dwell on the what-ifs. She made her choice. Focus on yourself, Os. Prove her wrong! Are you not worthy? Become so strong that she isn't worthy of you!"

Oscar wiped off his tears, although his eyes were still watery.

"Thanks, Fred. You're right. But I don't want to brag in her face or anything. She chose to be left alone, and that's what I'll do." Since Isabella had chosen to cut him off, then he would oblige.

"Tch, you could parade it over her. That would give me some satisfaction." Frederick complained.

"To you, but I don't want to do such a thing to anyone." Oscar was raised to be a kind child. Although he entered the cruel world of Exalts, he wanted to maintain his sense of morality. He did not want to be like Isabella or Samuel.

"Geez, there's no convincing you to be a little more vengeful. Did you not like her?" Frederick asked.

"I always looked after her and helped her when she needed it. You can say it was closer than friends but less than lovers?" The final step before becoming lovers was something Oscar never crossed. If they never came to the Pavilion, Oscar and Isabella would probably have made that final step and gotten married. "There's nothing more now. She wants to be with Gilbert. She can live her own life as she pleases."

Although he said he was fine, he was still clearly shaken by the exchange, and his weak tone showed it. The words Oscar uttered before were mainly to console himself. Deep down, he felt somewhat responsible for her.

"Gilbert." Frederick gnashed his teeth upon hearing the name.

Oscar always felt it was strange; the irrational hatred Frederick had for Gilbert was confusing. Frederick mentioned it was because Gilbert was suspicious and gave off a bad feeling, but Oscar could tell that was not the case; there was something more personal.

'I won't force him. He can tell me when he wants to.'

The two silently made their way back to the Outer Hall. Their faces hung down with heavy expressions.

'What do I tell Uncle Carlson?' Oscar was conflicted about what to tell Isabella's father. Telling the truth would break his heart, but Uncle Carlson would be equally worried by the lack of letters. With his mind stewing over the problem, Oscar unknowingly arrived at Elder Saul's house, where, as usual, the elder rested on his reclined chair.

Elder Saul noticed the two students approaching and opened his eyes. His eyes clung to Oscar, who felt like he was being stripped naked.

"You've killed someone." The elder's words surprised the two boys. "I can tell by the look in your eye."

Oscar bowed to Elder Saul. "I was ambushed by another student and had no choice."

"No choice…." Elder Saul ruminated on the two words. "Become stronger; then you'll have more choices. But it is good you came back alive."

Elder Saul rarely gave any advice, words of praise, or concern. He was moved that Elder Saul showed him a hint of compassion. Oscar and Frederick were equally shocked that this dispassionate elder acted in this manner.

"It also seems like you're concerned about something." Elder Saul saw through Oscar once again.

"Elder. Can I ask you something?" Oscar requested.

"Hmm. Fine. Ask away."

"If telling the truth is hurtful to someone I care about, then should I not say anything? However, they'll still be hurt by not knowing the truth." Oscar looked to this elder for an answer to his issue.

Elder Saul got off his chair and came closer to Oscar. The boys tensed up like a stiff board. Everyone else thought this elder was a weak leftover, but they knew that was false.

Elder Saul stopped in front of Oscar and stared into his eyes. Oscar felt his mind floating away as if Saul's eyes were endless black holes.

"If you have a wound, is it better to burn it to seal it shut or let it fester and rot?" Before Oscar could respond, Elder Saul turned back. "The truth may hurt, but it hurts the most after a long buildup of lies. Make sure to judge whether the pain would be better had now than later."

Elder Saul went back to sleeping on his chair.

Oscar was silent and bowed to the elder.

'I know what I must do.'