The journey from the outskirts to the Superiot had been long, and tiring. I had said goodbye to Keva, comforted her, and ascended the steps of the train that would take me to the place I would spend the next year in. The Eligera Superiot, located in our beautiful capital city, Eligera.

When I finally arrived at the foreboding gates of this prestigious college (although it was more of a prison), I didn't pause to look around. I didn't have time. Besides, I already knew most of it. The single main building was surrounded by smaller, but unnecessarily large constructions around it, like the athletics rooms, the cafe, the salon among too many others. Ah, the privileges I get by being born into such an esteemed family. Exclusive SUperior access to all these wonderful but useless facilities? Hell yeah!

I almost ran through the dark, lamp-lit pathways leading to the main building; bursting through the stained glass doors and hurrying up the spacious elevator.

There were too many things to do before midnight that day, and it was already 10:30. I walked through the hallways and past the ornate door of what I assumed to be my wonderful dorm for the rest of my stay at the Superiot.

Sighing, I scrunched my face up in disgust as I stared at it. This was gonna be fun.

After a quick shower and an hour of trying to sleep (I pretty much just lay awake, strategizing and stuff) , I snuck out. It was finally time for the first stage of my mission. It was midnight, and hardly anybody was awake. I knew the place like the back of my hand, of course. Areas without surveillance, schedules, hidden hallways. Right now, I had to get to the registrations office without being spotted. Dodging the security guards and a multitude of students, I made my way through the maze of the school, starting from my dormitory and moving through the air vents until I got to a place where security was low. Then I slowly climbed out, landing softly on the balls of my feet, right next to the office.. I finally got to the doors, which were about a mile and a half away from my dorm, and pushed them open. The room was empty, and the continuous, monotonous beeping of computers filled it. I sat down at the corner station, the most hidden one. I had only a few minutes before the guards came in. Now my furious typing created a strange tune as it mixed with the beeps.

'Student name?'

Aisa Farrow.

'Fetching file...'

A window opened up, containing all her details. I skimmed through them, scrolling down to the next page. I knew all of this already. I had done my research. Gosh. It's too bad I couldn't just grab and make away with her. It would be the perfect crime- no evidence and no mess. But It would have been too conspicuous- people would become suspicious and compromise Libra Proelia's mission. I guess they want me to suffer through the long process of... whatever I was doing. Suddenly, a certain detail caught my eye.

'Classes: Science, Beauty, Politics '

I started. Huh. I had expected beauty, or arts, or something that Superior girls were expected to do. Not intelligence.

I would have loved to stay and investigate further, but the clock was ticking faster. My eyes flicked over other random details until I found what I was looking for. Ah! There it was.

'Guide: zander Perin' I started. That name sounded awfully familiar...

Right! It's that stupid third year people kept raving about.

Well, you won't be meeting or mentoring our lovely Lady Farrow anytime soon,. A grin spread across my face as I typed away. I hope you like your new friend, sir.

A few clicks was all it really took.

Just as the guard rounded the corner, I erased all traces of my presence and disappeared through the emergency door as the approaching footsteps paused.

***

I woke to a silent dorm. I was, undoubtedly one of the first to arrive, as much as I didn't want to be. It had been over a week since I snuck into the registrations office, and ever since then I had been making small alterations to the school to make my stay here more... comfortable. Not that it would ever really be. A camera twisted to the side, changes in guard schedule, a pathway to easily access the exits, small explosives stored in obscure places...

Today was the day all of those clueless first years came in. Aisa Farrow would be one of them. I had to go for some ridiculous session that briefed us on what we had to do as guides. I'll definitely get bored. I had zero interest in dealing with and attending to the whims and stupidities of a bratty first year- especially Aisa Farrow- however this was integral for the success of my mission in the LibPro.

Sighing, I threw on the uniform I had found in the wardrobe- a stiff blue blazer rimmed with lighter tones, well pressed navy pants, shiny black shoes and a beautiful button down shirt- the whole package- and walked into the bathroom to wash my face. On my way, I fleetingly caught sight of my reflection in the mirror.

I look far too much like him.

That was the only thing I could think of as I wrenched my eyes away from the brown haired boy in the mirror. I felt his hazel eyes look away too. The emotions I felt were unexpected, uninvited. I thought I would be over this by now. But deep in my heart I knew that his memory would always linger, bittersweet and heartrending, tearing me apart until the day I die. My hands had moved mechanically, almost without me thinking, and an icy splash of water hit my face, pulling me back from the thoughts swirling around in the darkest corner of my mind. I wiped my face with a towel, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding.

There's no time for this, Rai.

My expression controlled, I closed the door behind me and headed down for breakfast and the briefing.

***

"You will introduce yourselves, then take your first year for a tour around the campus and give them a little information about each area. For example, you would show them the common room, and..."

I stifled a yawn, sitting with an erect but aching back in the classroom as Master Antonelle 'briefed' us on what we had to do. In reality, it was nothing but a giant lecture designed to waste our time. Yay.

"Mister Perin? You will be taking Miss Fatima Ahmed, one of the first from an... Inferior family to attend our prestigious Superiot" Zander seemed confused, and more than slightly disgusted. He had probably applied to guide Aisa, to get close to her family. How typical. Anyway, he was going to have a whole lot of fun with 'Miss Fatima Ahmed', judging from his expression.

"Mister Denlow, you will be the guide of Miss Aisa Farrow. You probably know the Farrows' political standing, and your family's association with them, so I hope you will be... cautious with your mannerisms and give her the appropriate respect." I simply nodded, composed, suppressing a smile as Zander looked at me in hardly concealed contempt.

He listed a few more names and their guides, and, much to my relief, finally looked at his watch and told us to disperse and find our first years.

I took my time walking to the entrance, in no hurry to meet the fantastic Aisa Farrow. The poor thing was probably trembling at the entrance. Or she was flirting with some boys. It depended. But I didn't want to drag this out longer than I had to for both her and me so I quickened my pace, getting there slightly after the other guides. By which I mean that Aisa was a forlorn, lonely figure standing in the empty reception. She saw me coming and straightened, regaining her composure. Strange.

As I walked closer, more of her came into view. Needless to say, she was gorgeous. But it was a very mainstream kind of beautiful- with wispy blonde hair flowing in the wind, piercing aquamarine eyes intensely focused on me. Her small, heart shaped lips parted as she exhaled, her crossed arms falling to her sides while she raised her pale hand in greeting. It was so obvious she would have been attractive. I just didn't anticipate her to look this good, especially with those scores.

Whatever. I was used to pretty girls and bratty rich kids. It's not like she would be any different, anyway. They're all the same in the end.

For the third time today, I rearranged my face into an expression of stoic pleasantry and held out my hand to her as I approached. I wanted to see what hid beneath her Superior exterior- so I decided to test her patience by being, well, me.

"I'm Raiker."

She looked up, awkwardly shaking my hand, an attempt of a demure smile spreading across her features.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Farrow. I will be your guide and mentor for this year."