Lora leads us to a large screen at the front of the room where a projection began, outlining the history and governance of Malum. Everyone in the center who looks about my age comes and sits down at a desk. I try to sit in the back and go unnoticed, my only desk neighbor being a girl with fiery red hair.

"Welcome to the Training Centre," Lora says, addressing the group. "Today, we will cover the fundamentals of Malum's history and its governance structure. Go to page 1301 in your history book."

After the presentation, Lora asks us to get into trios. The girl I sat next to comes up to me and starts talking.

"Hey, I'm Ada," she says with a friendly wave. "I can group with you if you want. How are you finding everything so far? I heard you're the homebound student this year."

"It's cool," I reply, trying to sound casual. "I already know most of the stuff, so it's been a bit boring."

Ada chuckles. "For someone who's been locked away for your whole life, you seem pretty uninterested. What's it actually like out here?" She takes a step closer, clearly curious.

"Uh, you know, just robots and stuff," I say, faking a cough and stepping back. "I lived in more of a house cell than a room, though. I've seen pictures of the city, so it's not like I'm totally new to all this," I explain.

Ada raises an eyebrow. "Okay, but I was expecting someone who'd be more, I don't know, socially awkward. The homebound student from last year was like that. Total wako."

"Wako? What does that mean?"

"You know, like a crazy person," Ada explains. "He never talked much but was surprisingly good at everything. Doesn't matter anyway—I heard he ended up with some mediocre job at the PICK." As she talks, Ada puts one hand on her hip and gestures with the other, like she's explaining something that's common knowledge.

"Do homebound students usually end up like that?" I ask, hoping she'll say no.

Ada shrugs. "Well, not usually. But to be considered for a council position, you have to be a homebound student. It's some kind of tradition." She rolls her eyes, clearly irritated. "It's not really fair, though. I work just as hard as anyone here, and I think we all deserve a chance. But good for you, I guess. Anyway, two years ago, the homebound student got a Council position even though he was underage. No one's ever made it to the PICK before turning 18, but he somehow managed to graduate two years early."

I'm surprised by this. My mother was always up on the latest gossip, but I'd never heard about this.

"Just keep in mind that landing a Council position only happens a few times a century, so don't get your hopes up too high," Ada continues. "They've improved the age serums recently, so your chances might be even lower now."

In Malum, we have to take age serums once a week as part of the protocol. The strength of the serum depends on your job, which is why a lot of people aim for high-status positions. I've heard the oldest member is 10,000 years old. Personally, the thought of living that long sounds pretty terrifying to me. Who would want to live for that long, anyway?

"I wasn't planning on aiming for one of those positions," I say. "I think I'm going to focus on architecture instead."

"That sounds fun, I would go talk to Eli then. He is super big on wanting to be a landscape architect. In fact, he hasn't shut up about it," Ada glances across the room at a blond boy with glasses, who is currently resting his head on his hand and giving Ada a sharp look.

"At least I know what I want to do, unlike you," Eli mutters under his breath.

"It doesn't really matter anyway," Ada continues with a dismissive wave. "It's not like there's a test or anything. You just put your hand on a glowing rock, and bam, you get assigned a job."

As Ada speaks, Eli strides over, clearly annoyed. "First of all, it's not just a glowing rock. It's a million-year-old zircon crystal that—"

"Determines our inner abilities, we know," Ada interrupts, making a face at him. "I was being sarcastic."

Just then, Lora steps up, her voice carrying over the room. "Looks like everyone has formed their groups. Get to know each other well because this will be your permanent group until the PICK ceremony."

"Great," Eli says with a groan, clearly displeased about being in a group with Ada.

"Um, nice to meet you," I say to Eli, realizing we haven't been properly introduced yet.

"Oh, hello. I'm Eli," he replies, looking a bit surprised. "I haven't seen you before. Are you a transfer from another sector?"

"No, I'm the homebound student," I explain.

Eli's eyes widen in shock, and his mouth drops open. "No way," he exclaims, shaking my hand vigorously. "This is amazing!"

"Why are you so surprised?" I ask, chuckling at his excitement.

"Malum has over a hundred sectors, and you're sent here!" Eli says, his expression shifting as if he's just realized something. "Not only are you in the same sector, but you're in the same training facility. And in my group! What are the chances?"

"I didn't know Malum was so big," I admit, astonished. The pictures of the city that V3-R showed me must only be from this part of it.

"The fact that I'm even talking to you could mean I might get a better job," Eli says, his eyes gleaming with possibilities.

"He's a person, not a statistic, Eli," Ada snaps at him sharply. "Sorry for his rudeness. He's always like this."

Eli ignores Ada and puts an arm around my shoulder, grinning. "Let's be friends, okay?"

Just then, Lora steps forward to address the class. "Everyone, please head to your study rooms and read from your compacts," she instructs. She starts directing people to their rooms and eventually approaches our group. "Ada, Eli, Judas—your room is 11. Once you've finished your tasks, head to the lounge area, and I'll give you your room keys."

I take the keys to the study room and head towards room 11, feeling Lora's gaze on my back as I walk.