"Why are we even here?"Zevian looked around the busy commercial district with his hands tucked into his pockets."Because I need new headphones," Miles replied."You could've ordered them online.""And miss the experience?""What experience?""Shopping.""Sounds exhausting."Miles stopped walking."You grew up in Veycrest and somehow know less about downtown than I do.""I know Veycrest.""You know convenience stores, cheap restaurants, bus routes, and places that give student discounts.""Exactly. The important parts."Miles shook his head.Veycrest City was one of the country's major commercial centers. Corporate towers dominated its downtown districts, while luxury neighborhoods, prestigious schools, entertainment districts, and countless businesses stretched throughout the sprawling city.Zevian had lived here for as long as he could remember.But his Veycrest had been very different.He grew up at Willowbrook Children's Home, a modest orphanage far removed from the glittering do

"Interesting."Felix Arden pushed his glasses higher as he looked at Zevian.The lecture hall remained unusually quiet.Darren's confident smile had disappeared."Wait."He looked at the mathematics lecturer."He didn't even show his work!"The lecturer nodded."He didn't.""Then how do you know he's correct?""Because I wrote the problem."A few students laughed.Darren's face darkened."I mean, couldn't he have guessed?"Felix answered before the lecturer could."No."Darren turned toward him.Felix calmly pointed at the board."The probability of correctly guessing that answer is effectively irrelevant.""Oh."Darren sat down.Zevian looked at Felix."I like him."Miles immediately nodded."Me too."Darren glared at both of them.The lecturer cleared his throat."The first problem was intended as a warm-up. Since both participants are ready, we'll proceed."Felix returned his attention to the board.The second problem appeared.This time, even several Mathematics students in the au

Seraphina walked around the electric bicycle once.Then twice.She looked at Zevian."You won a thirty-five-thousand-dollar motorcycle yesterday.""Yes.""And you're riding this?""Yes.""Why?""Free."Seraphina stared at him."The motorcycle was also free."Zevian paused.He looked at the bicycle.Then toward the parking area where his Valkyr V9R sat."...Good point.""THANK YOU!"Miles raised both hands toward the sky."I've been telling him that!"Zevian shrugged."This is more convenient."Seraphina finally couldn't hold it anymore.She laughed.Not the elegant little laugh she normally showed people, but a genuine laugh that made several nearby students stare.Zevian frowned."It's a good bike."That only made her laugh harder.Her phone suddenly vibrated.Seraphina took it out.Love Box[DAY TEN.][Last chance, Sinclair.][Midnight and your nerd officially breaks the record.]Her smile slowly faded.Day Ten.She had forgotten.For several minutes, while laughing with Zevian, Ser

Sunday morning.After spending the night at Willowbrook Children's Home, Zevian finally began his trip back to Auremont University.He could have returned Saturday evening, but Aunt Martha had refused to let him leave.According to her, visiting after several weeks and disappearing before breakfast was "ungrateful behavior."The children had agreed.Very loudly.So Zevian had slept in one of Willowbrook's spare rooms, eaten breakfast with everyone the following morning, and only escaped after promising to visit again soon.Now, he leisurely rode his electric bicycle through the familiar streets of Veycrest.The morning air was cool, traffic was light, and Auremont wasn't particularly far.Zevian wasn't in a hurry.His phone vibrated.A message from Martha.[The Foundation called again. They're sending representatives next week.]Zevian smiled.[Good.][And thank you for fixing the faucet.][That was harder than fixing the fence.][Come more often and you'll get plenty of practice.]Ze

Seraphina Sinclair had a problem."This one?""No."She looked at herself in the mirror.Too formal.She changed.Ten minutes later, she stood before the mirror again."This one?"Maybe.She turned slightly.No.Too obvious.Another change.A voice suddenly came from the doorway."Are you going somewhere important?"Seraphina froze.A younger girl stood there, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.She had similar dark hair and delicate features, though the mischievous amusement in her eyes was completely different from Seraphina's usual cold elegance.Seraphina frowned."Don't you knock?""The door was open.""Get out."Her younger sister didn't move.Instead, she looked toward the discarded clothes on the bed.One outfit.Two.Three.Her eyebrows slowly rose."Is this a date?""No."The answer came too quickly.Interesting."Then why have you changed three times?""I haven't."Her sister pointed."Evidence."Seraphina looked at the clothes."...I couldn't decide what t