The ride out of Seckina had been silent, but not uncomfortable. His handlers told him Joyce had pulled some strings. He was getting a hotel suite near the competition arena. They would help him move his stuff into the suite, but after that, he'd be on his own.Soon, Hunter recognized the surroundings. Certain landmarks on the way to the capital — the Portsmith bridge the stretched across the Denman river, the iconic smokestacks of the Nelson Brothers factory, one of the oldest factories in the world. No one had used it in over a century, but it held immense historical value as one of the old pillars of the Oberon corporation—before the unification war, before their rebranding to Oberon Enterprises. Back then, the company was called Oberon & Sons.He felt some nostalgia when they approached the Oberon Capital itself. The last time he'd come here was when his father was still alive, 3 years before his death. He would have been around 8 or 9. He barely recognized the place, but there were a few things that stood out. His father had taken him to old restaurants. One was near the Establishment monument, commemorating The Council's genesis and the start of the unification war, where they declared independence. It didn't take them long to conquer or outright buy the rest of the world.The old world had died, and the new world had been born. The Council of Corporations had emerged victorious. Oberon Enterprises was a founding member of the Council and one of the oldest Corporations still in existence, rivalled in age by Smith Transports and Lumina Inc.The Council had promised a level of freedom that none of the previous nations could compete with. War had always been prevalent on Sanctuary, even the ancient Asutnahem had evidence of war and conquest if you looked back far enough. And speaking of the Asutnahem, Hunter recognized the Oberon Central Museum as they passed it. It had been his father's favourite place to visit when he took a break from the lab, which was a rare occurrence. He was always sure to bring Hunter with him. Hunter hadn't cared too much about history at the time. He still found little value in it.But as soon as he saw the museum, he committed to visit it. Maybe he'd discover the value in it that his father had always insisted was there. Perhaps he just wanted to feel close to him again. He felt a familiar ache. The feeling of loss was gone, but there he still felt a longing to talk to him again. He wanted to hear how his dad had a new idea for an old invention. He wanted to impress him with how far his synergy research had come along.There'd never been time to tell his father about synergies. It was meant to be a surprise.Hunter took a deep breath and refocused on the present. He'd visit the museum when he was more certain about how the next few days would unfold.The hotel that Hunter would stay at was nothing impressive, but it wasn't too shabby either. Once the staff showed Hunter to his suite and brought up his belongings, he explored what the small suite offered. There was a small envelope on the table in the small living room that was detached from the bedroom. It was much smaller than where he was used to living, but it was also quite nicer. Clean, and with a magnificent view of some of the surrounding high-rises, as well as nearby parks.The stadium was a few blocks away. Signs for Oberon Enterprises and the Oberon family were everywhere; Hunter even saw local sports team logos, though he didn't care for them. He noticed them plastered on buildings and the stadium. He'd always been too busy for sports.He would read the envelope on the coffee table in the morning after he'd gotten some sleep. There was still a full day before the competition began, but he would need to register tomorrow. He hadn't decided when he'd visit the museum, but he figured it would either be tomorrow, or in between the competitions rounds.If he made it that far.Even if he didn't, he could still visit it, anyway. No matter what, the competition would end for Hunter on a high note.Pondering the idea that he might not win felt like inviting in certain doom. But Hunter had never been one to hide from the facts. He'd just prefer to entertain the best possible scenario whenever he could. It would all workout for him, somehow. He would prove that he had value. Even if he didn't win, he might establish himself as a valid candidate to hire. Someone would be interested in giving him a chance, even if it wasn't Oberon Enterprises. Smith Transports was the only other corporation he considered. This was because both it and Oberon appeared uninvolved in his father's company's remains.Council Seats were Council seats. He would rely on them only as long as it was practical. He refused to let himself become a 'company man'. He wouldn't sell his soul over to those vast, unfeeling machines. They would never care about him any farther than he was useful to them.So their relationship would be based on mutual interest. He could stomach that.That night, Hunter slept better than he had all week. The threat of the Comics was gone. His future was still uncertain, but he's taken the path that gave him options, options that could support his great dreams if everything went well.He'd consider that a win. --- Hunter, I trust the suite is to your liking. Having verified your identity, I find myself obligated to set your mind at ease.You are likely aware that there were a few significant parties interested in your family's estate. While word of your presence will likely get out, rest assured that as a Global Youth Artisan Competition contestant, you're under Oberon Enterprises' protection, just like all other contestants.I'm also happy to inform you that we have approved your battery-centred workflow. There is a precedent for batteries to be used to assist in creating constructs when an individual has exhausted themselves from excessive etherium channeling. This is considered nothing but an extension of that allowance. Oberon Enterprises will happily loan you any necessary ether batteries for the competition. These batteries must only be used for designing and building your constructs. If they are used as components of constructs, in excess of any batteries that are supplied for that specific function, you will be disqualified from participating any further.Best of luck,Joyce CollingwoodTalent Acquisition Specialist for Oberon EnterprisesSeckina Centre OfficeP.S. Don't let the other contestants get to you. Stay focused on what you know, and I'm certain that you'll excel. It's also worth reiterating that Oberon Enterprises' protection only extends to active contestants, not previous contestants. Disqualification or loss means you're no longer protected.Hunter had taken some time to wake up before reading the letter that Joyce had left for him. The suite came equipped with a coffee press and a fresh bottle of milk in the fridge. The small box television had access to a few channels, and Hunter had to play with the antenna before it would show a clear-enough image.He turned the channel dial until he found the morning news. A terrorist attack in another domain, one in Oberon Enterprises Domain, far from the capital or Seckina, but still worrying. The news report included the Global Youth Artisan competition, but it seemed less significant to most of the city than to Hunter. Despite having earned the right to use the local stadium, the competition wasn't deemed popular enough for more than a brief article covering its history and some prominent international participants.For the first time, Hunter saw who he was going to be competing with. He recognized some faces from Seckina, a notable team who had apparently done very well in the previous competition but hadn't made it past the 4th place. Over 50 teams passed the preliminary examination. Three to four people comprised each team. Anything below that was considered an unnecessary handicap.Apparently, the 2nd place team from last year was also returning to try to claim a top spot. Either they didn't receive any magnificent offers last year, or they had their mind set on something better. Something like being sponsored to attend the Barnum Academy of Excellence. Hunter still did not know what was so special about the Academy, and he didn't really care. The academy was only a secondary consideration after receiving a commitment from Oberon Enterprises. He assumed that they'll only sponsor you if you commit, in writing, to joining them after graduating.Hunter would prefer to see what kind of cash equivalence they might hand out. It would be a win for each party. Someone who wants the sponsorship could receive it. This allows Hunter to live comfortably as he explores future options or builds a new client base, his Global Youth Artisan Competition win being a significant qualification. Maybe he'll create his own business, using synergies to gain a competitive advantage. He'll attract brilliant minds, fostering innovation and advancement.He preferred leaving the world to that option. Failing that, he would maximize his impact on Sanctuary.Yeah. Screw the corporations. He'd make his own.He laughed at himself.As if he'd want all that work. Having to deal with the sociopaths who run all the other successful corporations would be soul-killing.No thanks.After drinking his coffee, he read the letter and saw that there were two mores items inside the envelope, which contained a certificate which declared Hunter had passed the preliminaries, as well as a letter vouching for Hunter's identity.Hunter realized he didn't have an ID for his real identity. All he had was the fake ID that declared him as Jonathan Esper. He silently whispered his thanks to Joyce for being so conscientious. If he couldn't prove who he was, he probably wouldn't have been able to actually register. Feeling like he'd just dodged a bullet he didn't even know was coming, he took a shower and left the hotel. As he could partially see the stadium from his hotel window, he knew which direction to go. There were surprisingly few people around at this time, and the Stadium felt especially deserted. He was reminded of the crowded rec centre where he took the preliminary exams. Inside, however, it was surprisingly quiet.Hunter entered the stadium. There were very few people present, some staff who smiled and at him as he entered. He couldn't find the registration area. Luckily, someone nearby pointed out a huge banner with a giant arrow pointing to it—a banner Hunter had completely overlooked. -The arrow lead to another arrow, which lead to another, and Hunter found himself inside a large room filled with dozens of people. The other teams, it seemed. A rough count put the amount of people in the low 100's, which meant that just under half of the competing contestants were present. The rest would have already registered or would show up later in the day. Hunter also noticed that there were a few people in suits to the side of the room, observing proceedings and taking notes.Whatever their function was, Hunter couldn't tell.Hunter got a few curious looks when he entered, but mostly everyone seemed to be mind their own business. He could hear a few conversations, some in languages he didn't understand. These people must have travelled overnight, quite like himself. Or perhaps some had taken their preliminary tests earlier.Hunter studied the room. Most of the teams were staying to one side of the room, while another team was at the front, where he assumed they were being registered. What he saw next made him feel like a hundred pound stone had coalesced in his gut.Next to the registering team was a small affinity scanner, hooked up to a screen that was large enough for its contents to be legible across the room. Whatever logic caused them to think that the measured affinities would be anyone's business apart from the team and the person recording it, Hunter couldn't deduce it. Perhaps it had something to do with the suited individuals he'd noticed earlier. Each member of the team took a turn at the small machine."Larissa Vanderbeldt, Affinity: 18."The suits all took notes. A small bit of discussion broke out amongst the observing teams."Joy Medelken, Affinity: 20."That final score impressed Hunter. 18 was a good score for someone their age, slightly higher than average. He guessed these youths were around the same age as he was, within the range of 16 to 19, so an affinity 20 would measure within the 90th percentile worldwide. The suits took notes with a few raised eyebrows. The teams made a few impressed sounds, and there were a few scoffs and sneers as well."Tony Demore, Affinity: 18.""Julia Emerosa, Affinity: 17."All respectable scores. Hunter realized he had been bouncing his right leg. He kept his heel firmly planted against the ground, but then he realized his hands were shaking. The room felt hot. He was sweating.He would have to go in front of these people soon.The next team was called up.Their measurements ranged from 15 to 19. The team after that scored similarly, with one person having an affinity of 21. With a proud look on his face, the young man with such high affinity watched the audience after his score announcement. He graced the suits with a smile and a small bow.The young man's name was David Nettle. Hunter hadn't heard of him before. Not that he expected he should have. What was his deal? A high affinity would mean something if you were in a martial arts or strength competition. And that was only true if you trained regularly to take advantage of the increase in strength and endurance.But in an artisan competition, it made little a difference. At least, not beyond the obvious increase in the time and volume of etherium that you could use to test your construct. Without regular testing, something could go incredibly wrong. It was like debugging some software, except the result was mostly permanent if the artisan didn't have specialized tools and plenty of time.It wouldn't help with theory, nor would it help with creativity and problem solving. Joyce had said that those would be the focus for the last two rounds of the competition. The thought brought some comfort to Hunter, as he knew that whatever these people might think of him and his affinity, his value would be clear by the time the competition came to a close.Soon enough, it was his turn to register himself. When the registration staff called out if there were any remaining teams present that wished to register, Hunter stood. He gained a lot of attention. People had noticed him sitting alone as all the present teams had gone through the registration process. Those same people looked at him with surprise as he approached the registration table alone. He heard some laughter from the teams, and even the suits were whispering amongst themselves. Some snickered, others looked at him skeptically, but were prepared to write whatever information they were looking to glean from the event."Where's the rest of your team?" the man standing at the registration desk asked. Hunter shook his head."It's just me."The man shrugged his shoulders."Alright," he said, handing Hunter a sheet of paper he filled out. It only took him a minute, and he then handed over his proof of passing the preliminaries, as well as the letter from Joyce vouching for his identity. When the man saw the letter, he frowned and told Hunter he'd be right back. He left and came back a minute later and looked at Hunter in a way that Hunter couldn't parse; something between confusion and curiosity, but whatever he was thinking, he was professional enough to keep to himself."The letter was enough to verify you. Step over to the device, please, Mr. Koar."Hunter did so, gripping the drawstone. He felt the etherium flowing through him into the machine.He knew what the machine was doing. His father had once shown him the prototype of a version he'd built for the Council, improving an even older design. This machine still had some hallmarks of his father's contributions to the craft, even after having gone through a few iterations over the years, growing smaller and more streamlined.Hunter hadn't had his affinity measured in over 6 years.The machine beeped. The man looked at the result and frowned. Hunter braced himself."I'm sorry, Mr. Koar. The machine appears to be broken. One second."Hunter could have corrected the man, but he didn't. The machine was reset, and people started talking, wondering what was taking so long. Hunter knew as well as anyone that the technology was both accurate and reliable.The man finished resetting the machine, and Hunter gripped the Drawstone again.The machine beeped, and Hunter sighed."It's accurate," Hunter said, glancing at the screen., the result surprised him as much as it shamed him.Apparently, the rest of the room was just as surprised as he was.