The next day there's a knock on the door. I open the door and a woman that looks a little younger than my mom enters. She asks "Are you Aurum Llanura?" I nod. "You've demonstrated Nova powers so I'm here to take you to be trained. Feel free to discuss it with your parents first and take as much time as you need. I'll be outside when you make your decision."
I talk to my parents and they agreed that this would be good for me so pack and go outside and got into the extremely nice car, marked as palace property, that the lady who knocked on the door came in. I read and watch the scenery go by. I feel a sense of excitement and dread at the same time. Since I live in the state of Florathia where the capital is, I don't have to be anxious for long.
Eventually we arrive at the gates. As one might expect, they're impossibly beautiful, made of a material that looks like nautilus shells. Behind them is an exquisite garden with amazing ocean views. "We're here," the lady, who is apparently named Cora, says. I get out of the car and Cora leads me to the entrance hall. "I'll give you the tour," she offers.
The entrance hall itself is full of beautiful maps and high windows with exquisite decorated curtains. "Follow me " Cora says as she leads me down a hallway. "This hallway contains the rooms where you'll spend most of your time." The hallway is filled with paintings, some classical and some more recent. I don't pay much attention to it. She opens a door that leads to a simple room with mats, treadmills, weights, and stuff like that. "This is the training room," she explains. She then leads me down the hallway and points out various classrooms and a library. When I ask to see the library Cora claims that it's not very fun and continues on. She takes me up the stairs and opens the door to an elegant bedroom. "This is yours. There's an event tonight so I'll send someone to make you presentable."
I'll spare the details of that.
The important thing is that there's a ball that night. It's boring in every possible way. I try my best to imagine myself anywhere but here. It's only partially effective, as usual.
I sit down at an empty table and someone sits down across from me. He asks, "Not a fan of these things, are you?"
"I'm not," I reply.
"Me neither," he says. After a pause he adds, "What's your name? I haven't seen you around."
"I'm Aurum. You?"
"Cygnus."
"I haven't seen you around before. Are you related to a diplomat or something?"
"Nope."
"You're here for training?"
"Yep."
"Aren't Nova usually identified in elementary school? You're clearly way older than that."
I shrug. "I guess I'm the exception."
"Well you certainly do seem exceptional," he says with a smile and a wink.
I laugh in his face. "I'm flattered and all, but I literally just met you and I am not in the mood."
I'm extremely relieved to finally climb into bed.