The Five, Who Shine in Gold

"What time is it?" - Dean asked.

"A little past 10 p.m. I think you should head home for today." - I answered, not thinking about how impolite that may sound.

"How mean! You're right, though. It wouldn't be good to sit through the whole ceremony half-asleep."

Almost a hundred people get assessed in these events, which is quite a lot, considering that one evaluation takes about two minutes. The assessment usually last for about 3-4 hours. There are breaks, of course, and even a buffet stand placed near there, but it's still an ordeal, if not for anything other than the lack of seating.

"Well then, I should get going! See ya tomorrow!" - Dean excused himself, ignoring my lack of response.

"Goodbye! Let's meet here at 9, one hour before the ceremony!"

"Yeah yeah, sure, steal more of my time." - He said sarcastically, walking away in the middle of our exchange - "Anyways, bye River!" - Dean shouted, already having moved out of talking range, which is an impressive feat, I must say.

I stared, as he made his way across our street, then finally making a right turn, and disappearing out of my sight. He lives about a 5 minute walk away from my house, that's why he can afford to stay here until this late.

Well, that's true for most of the noble houses. We live in an expensive area of the town, after all. Not that it matters for me - I thought, heading inside - who doesn't even have an acquaintance, except for Dean.

"Did he went home?" - My mother asked as soon as I stepped through the door.

"Yeah. Mom, I think I'll go to bed early tonight."

"Suit yourself! But River, don't forget to take a shower before that. You were playing outside for more than two hours, amd you have to look presentable for the assessment!"

"Okay! Goodnight mom, sleep well!"

"You too! Oh, and don't forget to wash-"

Before my mother, Teresa Moonborne, could assign me the housework, I cleverly made my escape to the bathroom, took off my clothes, and went into the shower to wash off the dirt and sweat, that was the result of going into the forest near our residence.

After that, I changed into sleepwear, and jumped into bed. I couldn't sleep because of my excitement, obviously, but I should at least try to get some rest.

I knew my plans, however, were thwarted, when I heard my hamster making noises, which usually means that he got bored of his anything-but-little cage, and wants to run around my room, for some reason.

So I got up, and obeyed his will, which made me question who is the owner between the two of us.

Unfortunately, it seems that today, something really motivated him, and he went on for almost an hour.

After I put him back, it was around midnight, and I was wide awake. I decided, that it's time I use my secret method.

You see, introverts have this thing, when they get tired from too much socializing. For me, it's enough to just imagine these kinds of situations, and I can get tired everytime. One of the few perks of not having even a few friends, I guess.

After that, I usually don't have problems sleeping. But, I suppose, God had other plans, because it didn't really work this time. By the time I managed to fall asleep, it was almost sunrise. So, with 2 hours of sleep, black circles, and barely functioning eyes, I went down to greet Dean.

"Hi! Looks like you slept well." - he said with a smirk

"And of course, you had no trouble sleeping" - I replied, half-annoyed by how his appearance is great as always.

"I slept well, unlike someone here, thank you for noticing!"

"We sould get going, and on the way, you can tell me about how will this event proceed!" - I proposed, to divert his attention away from my not-so-presentable appearance.

"Why should I?"

"Come on, I know you were there, when your brother got his badge"

"Ugh, fine, but you ought to buy me something from the buffet as a thank you gift!"

"You know I won't, so shut up and give me your information!"

"Well, isn't that contradictory?"

"Pretty please~"

"Fine, I was just teasing you! So listen, because I'm only going to tell you once!"

"You already know, the choosing system. You go up to the device when your name is called, put your fingers in the holes, it takes blood from you, and analyzes it, so it somehow can awaken your powers,I don't know, it's very complicated, and finally, it displays the color of your badge for you, and only you."

As we were walking, the landscape slowly transformed. We left behind the big houses and mansions, the characteristics of this district. The buildings became taller and taller as we headed towards our destination.

"Why? Shouldn't everyone see? wouldn't it be obvious if you use it even once anyways?" - I interrupted him, hitting him with a barage of questions.

"You don't know what will a bunch of fifteen year olds would do. In worst case, like in the year my brother got his badge, some started attacking eachother, because they didn't get the kind of badge they wanted."

"Uhh, those are some real entitled kids."

"Yeah, I agree."

In the middle of our chat, we arrived at a huge guilding. There was a quite big crowd standing before the doors, which weren't open yet. Although there wasn't any sign of it, the building was so famous, that we instantly knew.

This was the location of the event.