Today it rained so heavily that it flushed the city called Axteas. A small town located at the bottom of the mountain slopes of West Mountain. The city is still so beautiful and maintained its customs. Maybe many do not know about this city, apart from being remote, access to get there is quite difficult. That's what makes the residents of Axteas prefer to stay taking care of agricultural land rather than having to work outside the city.

From a distance, you can see a girl with shoulder-length hair running through the rain. Now and then a small jump to avoid the mud puddles that are starting to be seen covering the road a lot. Even though she was wearing a plastic coat, it didn't make her uniform look good. Her tattered uniform remained wet and was starting to show her shape.

Leona tightened her coat. Wiping the raindrops that fall on the top of the head. She didn't want her vision to blur just because of the raindrops. It was normal for her to run down the hill early in the morning. Passing the path before finally arriving at the school.

But this time is different. It was unusual for Axteas to be rained this hard. Almost the last 2 years the city has experienced a drought. But now?

"Aish!" She sighed, patting her wet uniform.

She should have arrived by now and sat in his chair. but the torrential rain stopped her. She was trapped and did not know how long she would be there.

"It's so loud. Can I get to school on time?" monologue itself.

Her mind is messed up, tomorrow Mr. Count will scold her for not following her subjects. Amid his frantic thoughts, her eyes caught sight of a bird caught between the branches and the roof of the old building where it was sheltering. The tip of her wing was injured and bleeding profusely.

'What a pity,' she thought pitifully.

Leona immediately stepped to where the bird was and tried to release it. Climbed the window near the tree where the bird was trapped couldn't get out. The first attempt failed, but in a little while, she could reach the branch that was pinching the bird's body. Until finally on the second attempt she Sociedad, the bird the size of an adult's fist was finally saved. Even though its wings were badly injured, at least the animal was free.

This little animal in her hand. It was the first time she had seen a bird with golden-red feathers that were so contrasting and beautiful. She stroked the bird gently and smiled. "What a unique color, this is the first time I've seen a bird-like you."

The bird just lifted its head slightly while chirping a little. As if he understood what Leona said.

"Do you know what I said?" asked Leona again which was answered again with a small chirp.

"Aish, it's so cute I even forgot to treat you." She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. Then bandage the bird's wings with it.

Too busy playing with the bird, Leona forgot that the rain had stopped a few minutes ago. Realizing this, she immediately rechecked her belongings before leaving the old building where she had taken shelter.

Feeling that nothing was lacking, she immediately ran from the old building to get to school quickly. But before that, she put the little bird she had saved on a twig that had been made a nest from the leaves that she met while waiting for the rain to stop.

"I'm sorry that I had to leave you, I hope you get well soon and can fly freely again. See you later!" she said before finally leaving the bird who saw it with a look that was difficult to interpret.

©©©

Archipelago school

Leona had just arrived at school, after 15 minutes of waiting for the rain to stop in the old building near the forest. She was grateful that Mr. The Count was absent and couldn't come to class today.

Just as she appeared in class, Karrie, her best friend, immediately greeted her excitedly. The girl with two braids immediately dragged her inhumanly to her seat in the back corner near the window.

"Where have you been, huh?" Karrie asked like a school interrogator who often confiscates inappropriate items from naughty children.

Leona hadn't had time to catch her breath yet but Karrie relentlessly attacked her with lots of questions. Even she was cornered in a corner and intimidated by her friend's gaze.

"Can you not ask me questions one by one? For God's sake, I haven't even finished sighing Karrie," she grumbled, which instead returned her friend's innocent grin.

Karrie cupped her hands in front of her chest, forming a pleading pose with a look of pity on her face. "I didn't mean Ona."

"Then? Why are you hounding me with a thousand questions like a reporter?" asked Leona inquisitively.

Karrie scratched the back of her neck uncomfortably.

"I was just too enthusiastic." She looked at Leona carefully, and Leona's brows furrowed in response. "You know about the shortlisted candidate Archipila?"

"Eum, who is chosen once every five years as a school representative, right?" Karrie nodded quickly with sparkling eyes.

"True and what excites me the most, your name is on the list!" she said happily.

In contrast to Karrie who was so happy, Leona felt confused. Why did she become a candidate? She doesn't have anything special, especially for a candidate. At the very least she should have riches like an abundant noble.

Seeing the confused look on Leona's face, Karrie immediately understood what was going on in her best friend's head."You don't have to worry, so the candidate doesn't look at anything even if everyone is considered equal by the school. So, anyone can feel that position."

"B-but..."

"Listen Na, everyone can indeed participate as a candidate. But, only she who is elected can be the only one," said Karrie.

Leona was even more confused, "What do you mean?"

Karrie leaned over and whispered in Leona's ear. "As far as I know, the chosen one will be followed by one creature."

Leona's hair growled, she quickly pushed Karrie's body away from her.

"Hey, why are you pushing me so hard?" Karrie asked a little annoyed at being pushed so suddenly and nearly toppled over.

Leona waved her hand in front of her face as she said, "I can't stand the smell of your breath. Have you eaten jengkol or something like that?"

Karrie glared. "That's good! My breath smells of Caroline flowers, you know."

Leona laughed blandly before turning her face serious again. "Haha... I was just kidding. By the way, how do you know about that?"

Karrie massaged her temples gently. "Oh my gosh, you almost made me stand to death you know. Eum, on the bulletin board there is a list of students who excel as selected candidates."

"Billboard, huh?" Leona muttered.

She then told Karrie to go back to her seat because the second lesson was about to start. However, before leaving Karrie turned to face her again. This time the girl whispered in front of her face while cupping both of Leona's cheeks. Made the girl couldn't help but stare at Karrie without being able to take her eyes off.

"I'm serious about that. So if you feel someone is following or stalking you. Remember, you are the chosen one!" Leona was stunned and at a loss for words.

"Gosh you're so funny, even though I'm just joking wkwk.." she continued, before leaving as fast as lightning from Leona's sight who was ready to tear her apart at any moment.

"Damn it! I was fooled by what the troublemaker said, Karrie," Leona cursed while laughing at her stupidity.