The guy named Insunya walked alongside aunt Mary as we followed behind them. Aunty was smiling and laughing along with the stranger as we headed to Local Bq, a barbecue shop in sector 004.
"Do you know this guy Bell," I asked.
"No," She mumbled.
Even by her look and tone, I could tell she was upset with me.
"I'm sorry, it was insensitive of me and I'll try to take on fewer jobs," I tried to apologize.
"Okay," She said.
"Do you forgive me," I asked.
"I will in a few hours," She said with a straight face.
I laughed out wrapping my hands over her neck.
"You can't ever be mad me, you love me too much," I teased.
"You're deluded," She smiled.
"Here we are," Insunya said as soon as he reached the front gate of Local Bq. He rubbed his hands together, excitedly.
"He's that hungry?" I thought.
"I haven't been to this place in ages, hope it's still good as I remember," Insunya said.
"Food still excites you huh Insunya," Aunt Mary said, smiling at him.
"Well, of course, food excites every one Aunty, that's a fact," He turned to me and Bell. "Aren't you guys excited,"
"Tonight we introduce the new Heaven sauce that tastes like actual heaven," Bell read the sign in front of the gate. "Whatever" She added, sounding pessimistic.
"A new sauce???" I and Insunya both said it at the same time. "Whoo, perfect," I said excitedly.
I sometimes come to Local Bq once in a while. If I sometimes hit a jackpot when hunting Landers, an get a lot of crystals, I treat Aunt Mary and Bell to some nice bbq. And whenever they introduce a new sauce, it never disappoints. I had personally heard rumors about this heaven sauce that they were preparing. A few people had a taste and their life has changed drastically, all because of tasting this sauce.
"You guys are weirdos," Bell said, entering the gate.
"She has no appreciation of the food arts," Insunya said.
I nodded in agreement. "Well said sir,"
"So, do you come here often?" Insunya asked me as we both entered.
"Once in a while," I said. "What about you?"
"I used to come here a lot, but I've been a bit busy,"
We entered the restaurant and to my surprise, there weren't as many people there as I had expected.
"Not many people huh?" Insunya said, sitting down.
"Yeah, works been kinda rough," Aunt Mary said.
"I see," Insunya said, taking out his wallet. He took out a dog tag, then called over the waitress.
"Sir Tonan, it's nice to see you again," The waitress said.
"Nice to see you too Janine," He handed her the tag. "You guys can order whatever you want, don't hold back because you're shy or anything, it's all on me."
"Don't hold back heh," I thought, getting all excited. My stomach rumbled in agreement with what I was thinking.
"Well, I would like sticky grilled chicken thighs, grilled chicken wings, two grilled corn, a flat iron steak with the heaven sauce," I ordered without any shame.
"You opportunist dumbass," Bell screamed at me.
"What?" I said in confusion," He said don't hold anything back, and I don't want to waste his money or time,"
"That's a bit overboard honey," Aunt Mary said.
"No, no, it's fine, perfect actually," Insunya said. "I'll have what he had, except drop the wings and add a potato salad please, and make it spicy,"
"I don't want mine as spicy please," I added.
"I'll have the wings and corn please," Bell said.
"Potato salad would be fine for me," Aunt Mary said.
"With beverages right?" Janine asked.
"Yes please,"
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"There we go," Insunya took out three envelopes from his pocket. "This is for Aunty, and that's for Reid and Bell," He handed the envelopes.
"It's time I introduce myself properly," Insunya cleared his throat. "My name is Insunya Tonan of the Tonan house, I'm an ambassador for Winston Acadamy."
"Wait, you mean Winston, THE Winston Acadamy in district 5?" Bell got excited.
"Yes," Insunya said. "These envelopes contain an invitation from the new Headmaster Storm himself, he personally wrote in and gave it to me to give it to you,"
I opened the envelope and started to read the letter.
"Dear Reid Flannel," It said. "It's a pleasure and an honor to write to you. The reason I'm writing this letter is to personally and officially invite you to the Winston trials, entrance exams required for all incoming first-years to attend. I would greatly recommend that you participate in this, as it will help with your development and get you even closer to your goal of becoming a Sentinel. I know this is a bit sudden, but please think about it for these few days, the resources here at Winston's will be invaluable to you. I hope to you at the trials and ultimately, at the Winston campus,
Sincerely,
Professor Kirian Storm"
It's real. I've always dreamed about attending Winston and gaining my official Sentinel license over there, but the cost of the trials is unreal.
The cost...
"We don't have the money to afford this Insunya, sorry"
"This is an invitation from Storm, you don't need to pay for anything, all you need to do is pass the trials and you're set,"
"What's the catch, it all seems to be too good to be true,"
"There's no catch," Aunt Mary said. "I know the professor, he's doing this because he genuinely believes in you guys and wants to change how everything is run. You guys going to Winston would be perfect, it's safe over there and I'll have a piece of mind."
"Winston pays their students, going on jobs and doing other things, this way you'll be able to take care of your mother and be on the right and legal path to becoming a Sentinel. But of course, you'll have to pass the trials first."
"Is it hard?" I asked.
"Depends on your level and knowledge. But the trials will be revealed on the day of the trials. But my advice to you is to train as much as you can and study a lot. The trials are a week from today."
"All the noblemen kids will be there," Bell said, getting nervous.
"That's your advantage over them, they know each other, but they don't know you," Insunya said. "If you hope to succeed, the first step is to not compare yourself with others, and the second step is to believe in yourself,"
"And the third step?" I asked. "Normally there are three steps,"
"Is to try your hardest, so even when you fail, you can keep your head up," Insunya smiled. "Reid Flannel and Rhoda Bell, I've heard a lot good things about you guys, I hope you lead up to my expectations and his expectations, I'll be rooting for you guys alright."
Aunt Mary smiled.
"Insunya was even kind enough to lend you guys his older textbooks for you to prepare," Aunt Mary said.
"That's only fair since the other kids will also have these," Insunya said. "I want you to pass, I always love an underdog story you know. Liz would love you two."
"Who's Liz?" I asked.
"My younger sister," Insunya smiled.
"He's one of those people?" I thought.
"But enough talk about me and the trials lets just enjoy dinner alright," Insunya said cheerfully.
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After dinner, Aunt Mary escorting Insunya to his car.
"He reminds you of yourself doesn't he," Aunt Mary said.
"Yes, he does," Insunya said. "Redhunter, let's see what you've got."
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Apparently Professor Kirian Storm was appointed headmaster not long ago, the previous one had stepped down and Storm was appointed. He doesn't like the way the school is being run, full of nobility and the wealthy. He wants to make the school more diverse and more open. He also claimed that the school system had become too political, now he's here to change it all up.