Next morning in classroom Eirian found himself distracted and worry about what Aven said.

‘He warned me not to told anyone about him especially Miss Hellen since he has no desire to meet her or he won’t teach his technic to me anymore’

Eirian saw how amazing Aven at controlling magic so he intent to follow Aven order. However, what he said about Alana being a lie...

“It’s seemed everyone is ready. Today's lesson is about...” Miss Hellen starts the class after name check every student.

‘The bomber clearly wants to cause chaos in the city so there’s no need to believed what was written on the wall. Alana indeed sells some weapon to other nation but that is just for improve international relationship and trust right?’

A sudden freezing air in his ear stop Eirian from his train of thought and made him realize Hellen is staring at him. When Eirian focus on her she continues. Alluding to Osmond speech about empathy from before at opening ceremony “Headmaster Osmond said we will teach you about empathy but some of you might already notice there is no such class. Osmond doesn't believe empathy can be taught with word. Like other virtue such as compassion we can debate its definition all day but you won’t know true compassion until you experience it. These past few weeks if you were paying attention then you would have experience empathy already even if you might struggle to understand or don’t share in the other person’s feeling and thought. Such virtue must be absorb from exemplars in life or through story whether in fiction or history then nurture and support into habit. There’s an old tale of elephant in garden “Susi” whom one day gone wild and rabid so the king wants to put him down but the monk stops him and observe that a group of thieves have been coming into garden in the night to plan their scheme and drink which Susi listen and learned from them. He advises the king to arrest those thieves and set a scholar to converse in their place so Susi could listen. A few days later Susi clam down and go back to be friendly with villager.”

“When a person can empathize with other then they become more than themself allowing for a condition of growth. No creature on this earth stands by himself. No one comes from nothing. We all take a piece of others into us every day to learn and grow no matter what those pieces are for good or ill. Those who block this process are bound to stagnate.”

“Alana believed most creatures are kind and already have some level of empathy since it was ingrained in all of us from birth which is what this school wants to taught all of you. But I would caution you against this line of thought. This school maybe a safe place we created through many hardships but not everyone would replied compassion with goodwill. Still, believing that as long as we show compassion then we will be met with compassion does have its own benefit. According to Prof. Fay it’s does make your life a lot calmer and happier since you don’t have to keep watch on everyone all the time. What aspect will you choose to see in other is up to you but be careful where you look for what you see find a way to settle and bloom inside you.”

After class everyone in the team walk up to Eirian except Bill who rush out of the class the moment Miss Hellen let them go “What happen to your face?” Calamity asked.

“Oh this? just a little accident from practice. Don’t worry about it.” Eirian taps his cheek. It’s no longer hurt the cut was very clean.

“Let’s go check city square they have a lot of shop setup for Solstice festival” said Josh.

In the morning Eirian remembers seeing dozens of vendors who were setting up booth. All the street is covered in poster for today's festival. A beautiful bird of paradise is posting in a picture with a glowing necklace. He is ribbon-tailed astrapia, his body is velvet black with plume above his bill, a iridescent olive green and bronze plumage round over his head and a two extremely long white tail feathers twirl in a wind.

'At bottom of poster it’s has a small word written “MAM necklace by Mercurius. Show your support in unity of Alana” Is Mr. Bernays sponsor this event?’

“I can’t believe Evan is going to perform at Alana tonight. Caw! I can’t wait to hear him sing again.”

“Evan?” asked Amy.

“You never heard of him? he’s the bird in poster.”

“I heard he has one of the most beautiful voices among all bird. I never got a chance to go out to his show. He’s only came to Amalthor a few times.” Biscuit look excited that she will finally get a chance to see him in person.

“I guarantee you won’t be disappoint” said Josh.

“We should all go watch...if you all want to that is” said Biscuit

“Do I have to go?” asked Calamity.

“Wel—well if you don’t want...”

“Come on Calamity, you would regret if you misses this chance. Getting a ticket for perform is almost impossible in Avion and she’s coming to perform here for free. We should all go.” Josh turn to look at the door where Bill left “But where did Bill go? I didn’t get a chance to call him.”

“He didn’t tell me.” Eirian and everyone don’t know where Bill in such a hurry to.

“Well maybe he’s downstair to buy all the good stuff before it’s sold out.” Josh concludes.

Below at the square Eirian is shock at how many people is walking and shopping in the new marketplace. A tense atmosphere between crow and other races from days before seem to subside as everyone is rushing to buy a new fancy product which was made for today's festival.

A cuisine and dessert in Solstice summer and winter theme in colorful red, yellow, gold and black. A vibrant t-shirt and hat embroider with a picture of multiples animal pair with either sun or moon.

“Look! a wolf howling at the full moon. I think this one would suit you Calamity.” Josh pulls a cloth out of rack to compare with Calamity.

“I think you would look better in this one” Amy picks out the shirt with cute rabbit eating under the sun.

Calamity didn’t answer but he’s clearly not into the idea of wearing either shirt.

“This hat looks nice Josh but won’t the hat on bird fall off when you fly?” Eirian browses other rack where bird’s clothes are in different design, mainly they don’t have a close arm part since bird need space to flap their wing.

“We can add a strap for you if you want” said the owner of booth as he is helping other customer.

“A hat huh, those cowboy hats aren’t really my genre though.” Josh put the hat on but not feeling the vibe he wants.

“What about you Biscuit see anything you like?” Eirian asks her when he noticed she doesn’t seem to look at these clothes.

“I am hoping to buy those necklaces in poster. In the morning I saw the crowd and scare so I thought I would come back later” Biscuit looks around trying to find the booth from Mercurius.

‘Necklace?’ Eirian looks around past eclipse pancake and wind sculpture booth until he spots Sagax who is scaring customer aways.

“I think I saw where Mercurius booth is”

Sitting in an empty booth calculate his earning is Bernays while Sagax chase anyone who want to come in away.

“We all sold out—oh it you” Sagax about to chase these group of kid away when he saw Eirian.

“Hello Mr. Sagax, Bernays. Do all necklace sold out already?”

“Ah Eirian it’s good to see you. I’m sorry we just sold the last necklace a moment ago.”

Biscuit look very disappoints. Once again her hesitation has cost her a chance to get something she wants.

“But we still have some left at the main store. Bill is making more right now.” with these word Biscuit eyes lit up with hope.

‘So that where he ran off to.’

“Should I go help?” Eirian asks since he’s works for the shop now. He’s feel weird Bill is the only one who needs to work extra hour.

“We already prepare those cores more than enough before you joined so don’t worry.”

Eirian nod and turn around to his friend “Right, Bernays this is my friend Josh, Calamity, Amy and Biscuit”

“Nice to meet you all” Bernays smiles and shakes hand/wing/hoof/paw with everyone.

And he seems to be very interested with Calamity since he’s the one Sagax mention before.

“How about we headed to the shop now before the rest of our necklace sold out. I’m guessing our little goat is the one who want one right?” Bernays can tell from her reaction.

“Yes” Biscuit speak half fill with hope and half scare at Sagax who is somehow scarier than Calamity which she didn’t think would be possible. She now hides behind Calamity back.

“Come Sagax we’ll sent someone to pack the booth later” Sagax pick up a bag of money and paper and they all walk out through the crowd. With Sagax at the front they have little problem getting out from city center.

“So, Eirian how do you think my marketing is going?” asked Bernays. He’s already know this campaign is a great success but he won’t mind more opinion consider Sagax is not very useful in that department.

“It’s incredible” Eirian express joy in his voice “I didn’t think any other races other than human would ever be interesting in MAM at all since they can use a magic of their own. To think you would hire a famous singer and make him wear a MAM like that. I surprise many people would just buy MAM following their idol. This will really help other races get closer to human more.”

“Yes, yes” Bernays open up at the compliment “Most people are simple minded Eirian, as a future leader you must remember this; They follow the flock; most never an idea of their own. It’s given them peace of mind and joy so they know they’re not alone. As long as you know how to lead they will follow.”

“Well, calling it simple mind maybe a bit much. They just want to support Evan and what this city stands for.” said Eirian.

Bernays smiles at a native Amiel who might as well be older than him “What they have, whoever they think they are was all given to them since young and they never question it. They can only follow the strong, the one that shine brightest. Don’t you see they can’t look away? It won’t take much to convince them what to think...Don’t you agree Josh?” Bernays turn to test a young crow. Josh Crawford, Bernays knew he heard this name before.

“I suppose if we talk on the big scale you are not wrong.” Josh answer with doubt in his eye but no hesitation in his voice “even I love the story with strongest and bravest hero the most. Their story is so epic and amazing I can’t stop reading. The great one embrace new idea and not fear change, they lead everyone else head first into the unknow and we can only enjoy following them in their foot step.”

“Oh, isn’t our young master here a little modest? I’m sure you can be one of the great heroes too” Bernays eyes tell Josh he knew which family he belongs to. And Josh doesn't like what Bernays implied at all.

“Why do you say he is the leader. We’re still haven’t decided yet you know.” said Amy.

“I’m sorry is Eirian not your team leader?”

“The vote is yet to cast” said Josh.

“We’ll decide after Amy led our team in the next assignment.” said Calamity.

“I see.” Bernays smiles and speaks no more on the subject until they reach the store.

“We’ve arrived.”