Oh, damn! I completely forgot about the DRAGON FEAST!
Tim and Kano are probably already on their way... Shit, I have to hurry!
Iami had completely lost track of time. Today was her first Dragon Feast, just like Tim and Kano's. They had all agreed to meet at Haeankang Railway Station, located in the heart of Kinetan City.
Her family, especially her mother, was not thrilled about this trip. They were conservative, and the idea of Iami attending the Dragon Feast, particularly if it was held outside the city's red border, made them uneasy. The venue changed every year, making it unpredictable whether it would be inside or outside Kinetan.
Every year, on the sacred day of the DRAGON NEW YEAR, the location of the Dragon Feast was announced at Haeankang Station.
"Hey, where are you guys? We need to hurry! The location reveal happens exactly at 3:00 PM," Iami called Tim, anxious about their progress.
"Relax, we're already heading to Haeankang. Also, we've got a little surprise for you... See you there, Iaaamiii!" Tim's voice crackled through the receiver before cutting off.
Iami felt relieved. At least she wouldn't be the last to arrive. She lived in CITY AREA-N-[M1]-25/8, which was relatively close to the city center.
Kinetan City was a masterpiece of urban planning. The city was divided into four main sectors: North, South, East, and West.
It consisted of eight concentric circles, with an inscribed square inside the fifth circle. This inner square was further divided into nine smaller squares, each marked by 26 vertical lines (A-Z) and 10 horizontal lines (1-10), forming a grid system that made navigation effortless. Addresses were structured in a way that even a newcomer could find a location with ease.
For instance, Iami's address, CITY AREA-N-[M1]-25/8, meant:
- North sector
- Inside the square of the 5th concentric circle
- Located in the sub-square where the 13th vertical line (M) and the 1st horizontal line intersect
- The 25th house from the top of the northern side
- The 8th house from the left
The first concentric circle was a non-residential zone, reserved for administrative and religious institutions. Circular highways connected the four main sectors, and hospitals, known as healing centers, were scattered throughout the city.
Iami lived in the middle sector of the 5th circle, relatively close to the city center. The more elite citizens—Kinnes, Xenians, Pressans, and Flyers—resided within the squares of the 5th circle, while common people and Xephyruses lived outside it. There was a prevailing belief that the closer one lived to the city center, the more superior their status.
Maintaining residency within the squares was costly. Every household was required to pay an annual fee calculated as:
(square number) × (circle number) × 5000 Kine Iris (the city's currency).
Failure to pay resulted in a forced relocation to the next outer circle. If a family was pushed out beyond the 8th circle, they had two options: either work for corporate companies as unpaid labor for a year to regain their residency or leave the city entirely and try again the following year.
Despite the rigid structure, there was a loophole. If no slots were available for a family to move inward, their accumulated payments would carry over as a bonus, allowing them to skip one year's tax if needed. This system ensured that every citizen worked hard to maintain their place.
The inner two circles were almost exclusively reserved for the Kinnes. Commoners weren't even permitted within the 4th circle's square.
Tim and Kano lived in the 7th circle, the second-outermost one. Reaching Haeankang Station from there took nearly two hours, even using the fastest transport trains.
Iami, on the other hand, could reach the station within an hour, but since she had Flyer lineage, she wasn't bound by traditional transportation methods. By using the Keit Marks—special high-speed pathways for Kinnes, Flyers, and other enhanced beings—she could get there in just 10 to 20 minutes.
Checking her watch, she noted the time: 1:38 PM.
"I've got plenty of time. It'll be hard for Tim and Kano to reach the station in time, but I'll take it easy. Might as well enjoy a good shower before heading out—it's a special occasion, after all. The DRAGON FEAST!"
She stepped into her luxurious bathroom, gleaming with silver lights and pristine mirrors.
"Ugh, my hair looks so dry today," she muttered, inspecting herself in the mirror. She quickly reached for her shampoo and hair products. "If only I had Xephyrus powers… They can fix their messed-up hair instantly with their 'Refresher' ability. Maybe I'll ask Kano to fix it later."
Iami didn't particularly like Kano, mostly because he was a Xephyrus. They carried a distinct foul odor that only Kinnes, Flyers, and Kensan users could detect. It was ironic that Xephyruses could refresh spoiled food but couldn't cleanse themselves. This was one of many reasons why they were looked down upon by higher-tier beings. Some Kinnes didn't even consider them human.
"Iami! Won't you eat your lunch, you silly girl?" her mother's voice rang from the kitchen. She was a stickler for meal schedules, and lunch was always at precisely 2:00 PM.
"Just a minute, Mom! I'm almost done!"
Frustrated at the interruption, Iami quickly rinsed off, dried her hair, and stepped out of the bathroom. In her rush, she failed to notice a crow perched on the windowsill. It vanished into thin air, leaving behind a brief, faint blue glow.
"Eat properly, Iami," her mother nagged. "You might not get food until 5 PM. If the feast is held outside the city, it could take even longer."
This was just one of the many lectures her mother delivered daily. By now, Iami had mastered the art of selective hearing.
"Your father and I might be late to the feast," her mother continued. "He has administrative duties to attend to. And remember, don't spend too much time with that Xephyrus boy and that common Olas boy. You have class—you are superior to them."
"Mom, can you just be quiet for a few minutes? I can't even eat in peace," Iami snapped.
"Olas" was a derogatory term for common people without Kensan powers, like Tim.
Iami's family had a prestigious reputation among Flyers. Her father had always wanted a son to carry on their legacy, and when she was born a girl, he was furious. Being resented by her father from childhood, Iami had little love for her family. Growing up alone in a house without friends her age was miserable.
"I'm leaving now, Mom. Bye."
"Hmm. Just remember what I said."
Iami wished this was the last time she would ever have to say goodbye.
Stepping outside, she headed towards the Keit Marks.
"Alright, let's start this adventure. The DRAGON FEAST begins now."