Grr! Grr! Grr!
"Eghosa! Wake up — the ship departs in two hours!"
"Ah, Trisha…" Eghosa grumbled, her voice muffled by the blanket. "Can't I just—"
"No! Up! We're already late!" Trisha laughed, throwing a pillow at her.
Eghosa dragged herself out of bed, muttering something inaudible.
They showered quickly and prepared for school.
"Mummy, we're off!" Eghosa called.
"So fast? Without breakfast?" her mother replied, startled. She had already been up for hours, cooking.
"Mummy," Trisha said, smiling, "Eghosa told you we start two hours earlier today."
"Ah! That's true," she said, laughing softly. "Sorry, my children."
"It's fine, Mummy. We'll eat on the way!" Eghosa said, waving as she and Trisha mounted their x-bikes and sped off.
---
University of Candor — Earth 236
"Ah, thank the heavens we made it in time," Trisha gasped, breathing hard as they parked their bikes.
Eghosa laughed. "That was one of the best rides I've ever had."
"Eghosa! Trisha!" a sharp voice called.
Both girls froze. Teacher Martha.
"Where have you two been? How can two of the five selected to represent the University of Candor be missing?!"
"Ah, Teacher Martha, we didn't mean to—"
"Save it. Get inside, now."
"Yes, ma," they replied in unison.
Once seated, Trisha whispered, "Don't you think Teacher Martha looks especially radiant today?"
Eghosa smiled faintly. "She's always beautiful. Just like you."
"You know that's not what I meant," Trisha said with a smirk. "It's not just her beauty… it's what she stands for. Without her, Teacher Marcus, and Dean Ancelot fighting for equality, students like us would never have gotten this far."
Eghosa nodded. "I know. That's why I don't want to fail her — or disappoint any of them."
"Then we won't," Trisha said firmly. "We'll win."
---
Announcement: "All students to the Central Hall!"
"Hey, Eghosa, what's that on your holoscreen?"
"Hmm… looks like a general notice. Let's go."
The hall buzzed with noise — footsteps, murmurs, the hum of excitement.
"Decorum, please!" someone called. "Dean Ancelot will address us shortly!"
Tap… tap… tap…
The dean's steps echoed through the hall as he approached the podium.
He was elegance and confidence personified — brown cloak, polished leather shoes, a green walking cane, and that signature silver hair glinting beneath his hat. Even his calm gaze carried command. Every student watched him — and none more closely than Eghosa.
He smiled faintly, tapping his cane once against the floor.
"I am honored to stand before you today," he began. "In the six years I have served as dean of this university, we have risen from scandal to respect — from obscurity to greatness."
He paused, eyes sweeping across the hall.
"Today, we rank second among all
institutions on Earth 236— second only to the Imperial College of Candor, the academy for our planet's human nobles."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"But today," he said, voice rising, "our greatest opportunity has arrived. The United Nations of Earths (UNE) has been granted one thousand slots by the Empire itself — a rare chance for humanity to send its finest to the Royal School of the Empire."
Gasps filled the air.
"One thousand," he repeated slowly. "That is the total number of humans across all three hundred Earths who may enter the Empire's Royal School. And of those thousand, only five slots have reached Earth 236."
Eghosa's breath caught. Only five… for the entire planet.
"Among all universities on this world, the University of Candor has been chosen to field five representatives," Ancelot continued. "Those five will compete against the finest from the top ten universities of Earth 236 for the honor of claiming our planet's five Imperial slots."
He raised his cane slightly, voice echoing through the hall.
"The competition will test mastery in three fields — Science, Combat, and Humanity Arts. To pass is to ascend. To fail is to fade."
---
"Now," he said, "listen closely. The chosen representatives of the University of Candor are:
Slitah. Trisha. Velibrum. Leonard. And finally… Eghosa."
A wave of relief and cheers followed.
Trisha exhaled deeply. "See? I told you, Eghosa. You were never in doubt."
Dean Ancelot waited for silence, his silver eyes scanning the crowd.
"Are you satisfied with these choices?"
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then a voice rose — sharp, proud, defiant.
"Sir, I am not!"
Gasps swept through the hall. It was Theran, the notorious prodigy of combat — and trouble.
"Proceed, Theran," Ancelot said calmly.
"On what basis were they chosen, sir?"
"A fair question," Ancelot replied. "Selections were determined by the UNE's standards — balance in all three disciplines. Eghosa, Trisha, and Velibrum earned S-Class in all but Combat, where they hold A's. Slitah and Leonard each hold one S and two B's."
He tilted his head slightly. "You, Theran, hold an S in Combat, but C's in Science and Arts. That is not enough."
"But sir!" Theran's voice trembled. "I'm the only one with an S in Combat on the entire planet! I've fought for this university in countless competitions!"
"You're right," Ancelot said, his tone softening. "And your contribution is valued. But this decision wasn't mine alone — it came from the UNE Council of Selection, following imperial guidelines. The Empire seeks balance, not raw might."
Theran's shoulders slumped. His defiance burned quietly into silence.
"Any more questions?" the Dean asked, glancing around.
None came.
"Good. Trisha, Eghosa, and the rest — prepare for departure. The transport to the Imperial City leaves within the hour. You will compete in one week."
Eghosa raised her hand. "Sir, do we have more details about the competition?"
Ancelot smiled. "You already do. Science, Combat, and Humanity Arts. Everything you've learned will be tested."
Velibrum spoke next. "Sir, can we say goodbye to our teachers before we leave?"
He shook his head gently. "They've already sent their blessings. Early birds earn advantage — tarry and you lose it. You may contact them later through your holoscreens."
He turned toward the exit, cloak sweeping behind him.
"Now move. Today begins your true journey. You've reigned as top students in Candor for years — but beyond these walls lies the Empire's gaze. There, you'll learn whether you are worms... or dragons."