Dorin and Sebastian sat in the lecture room with the rest of the students as the judges went around to see the photos.

“What do you think will win 1st prize?” Dorin asked Sebastian.

[Hard to tell] Sebastian answered, [We might have our favorites, but it would depend entirely on the judges’ decision]

“But if you were to choose, which one would you pick?”

[‘Shadow lace’, How about you?]

“I like that photo of the moving lights, I’d like to capture something like that soon.”

[Hmph. Something like that is already common here in the city. Shadow lace is more interesting. The composition is unique and the lighting was perfect]

“I guess so... How about my work? What do you think about my brick oven?”

Sebastian looked at the picture, the flames dancing inside the oven, the steam from the newly baked bread. [It’s good, looks fit for a bakery commercial]

“Commercial?” Dorin looked at him, questioning.

“Oh, the judging has begun!” Margarette suddenly appeared beside them. “Where are your photos?” she asked the two.

“Margarette, you’re finally here!” Dorin greeted her happily. “Our photos are mixed up with the rest,” he said, “one of mine’s the old brick oven back at the dorm, Sebastian took pictures of the night sky...”

[The judges are almost finished] Sebastian cuts in, holding the slate in front of Margarette.

“Woah, you got your slate upgraded?” she asked.

“Oh, I fixed it for him as an apology for getting him injured,” Dorin answered absentmindedly. “Look, they’re putting ribbons on the winning pieces!”

They watched as the judges chose one picture from each category. For the wide aperture category, the photo depicted a person playing an old rusty accordion. Only the hands and parts of the accordion were visible, the rest of the picture blurred. The keys and the flaking body of the instrument were shown in vivid detail.

For the narrow aperture, the photo depicted the close up of a creepy toy monkey standing on a wooden fence. The woods could be seen at the back, where a red fox watched between 2 ancient tree trunks.

“That’s mine!” Dorin declared so loud that Josiah glared at him annoyingly. “You see that Sebastian? You see that Margarette?” he continued, his voice turned down. “I won something! I won something!”

[Congratulations] said Sebastian, his eyes still at the judging committee and at Professor Dupont who was laughing at them.

Next was the fast shutter speed award that went to a picture of 2 people playing the jump rope. For the slow shutter speed, it was light-up toy tops that got the prize.

[Here’s the last category] Sebastian said on his slate. He held his breath as the judges went to the last group of pictures – the photos of light and darkness. The judges clustered in front of the photos then finally pinned the ribbon on the freeway picture – the car lights flying in all direction over and under the flyover bridges.

Dorin looked at Sebastian who merely shrugs. He was about to turn away when Professor Dupont called the class’ attention.

“Here are the 5 winners for all our categories, but we still have 1 more prize to give away...” Sebastian quickly sat right back on his seat. “We judges have chosen 1 photo among all the others, and this photo will be our over all winner with the grand prize of a brand new top of the line TLR Camera...”

“And the winner is...” Anastasia said with a lovely smile. Someone at the back gave a drum roll as Mr. Rolei held up a blue ribbon and sticks it on the picture of the girl with the shadow lace.

Dorin gave a deep sigh.

“Now may we ask all the students whose photos were chosen, to please come forward to claim your prizes,” said Josiah. He started calling the names of the photographers according to the number of the winning pictures. “... Dorin Silvius for ‘The Monkey and The Fox’...” he called. Dorin stood up and stepped forward.

“and the grand winner, Sebastian Revious for ‘Shadow Lace’.”

Sebastian stood up.

Dorin looked back at his friend, a puzzled look on his face, as Sebastian stood next to him.

“How?” he asked Sebastian as they went to the front together.

[Secret] was the only word written on his slate.

Margarette clapped on her seat, sitting so tall and proud you might think she won the contest herself. The judges handed the 5 winners a certificate for 1 year supply of film and developing materials, while Mr. Rolei handed the boxed camera to Sebastian, including a brand new tripod and also the certificate for a year supply of photo equipment.

Dorin grinned from ear to ear while Sebastian looked as blank as always. After the congratulations and obligatory photos – that would most probably show a blurred Dorin, they went back to their seats and showed their prizes to their military friend.

“Look! Look! These developing materials and photo paper would be enough to last me a year back in Monarch forest!” beamed Dorin, “That means I wouldn’t need to sneak out for a whole year!”

“You shouldn’t sneak out in the first place!” sighed Margarette. She looked at Sebastian who was opening the camera box ceremoniously. “So you finally got what you wanted?” she asked her childhood friend.

[Yes. At last. And it didn’t cost a penny] he looked up from the box and stared at Margarette, words showing up on his slate, [except for the registration, of course] he added.

“That way you wouldn’t need to work so hard selling your charms...” Margarette said.

[Can’t stop. I still need the money for school fees and paraphernalia]

“School fees?” asked Dorin after he got tired of looking at his certificate. “You mean... you pay the school to teach you?”

“Of course,” replied Margarette, “Unless you’re a full scholar, you need to pay for tuition, for your stay in the private dormitories, food, laboratory expenses, books and other materials. For under privileged students such as Sebastian, they need to pass a diagnostic exam every year to determine if they can join the scholarship program.”

[I have a partial scholarship grant with special benefits, that’s why I need to work for my other fees]

“He used to be a full scholar but there was an incident last year that almost made him loose his whole scholarship grant.”

[Margarette, too much info]

“But it’s the truth!” Margarette went on. “That’s why, Dorin, never get involved with charm students. Most, if not all of them, are cheap conniving thieves! Particularly a certain Leonard Luther! I hope you never cross paths with that bastard!” she said heatedly.

“Woah, why the animosity?” it was the professor, joining them from the judges’ panel. “Aren’t you three supposed to be celebrating today?”

Margarette looked embarrassed. Professor Dupont smiled and put an arm around Sebastian and Dorin.

[It’s nothing, Professor, just talking about an acquaintance] said Sebastian.

“Professor Dupont, I’ll be on my way now.”

It was Professor Newton of the Science and Technology Division. She was looking at a flat, transparent panel that she kept swiping with her finger. Beside her stood Anastasia and Josiah.

“So soon?” Professor Dupont ran to her side and fuzzed about. “But I thought you said you can join us for dinner?”

“As I have said earlier, I still have a project pending...”

“But you promised me dinner!” Professor Dupont complained like a child.

“Rain check,” the other professor replied. “I might be free next week. I’ll contact you `till then,” she turned away to face Josiah and Anastasia. “I’ll see you two in campus.”

“See you soon, Professor Newton!” said Anastasia as she waved the professor out the door.

“Let’s clean up, Tasia,” said Josiah, adjusting his gloves. “I’ll start in the darkroom.”

“Hey, can we help?” Dorin offered before Josiah could leave the main hall.

“No,” Josiah said coldly.

“It’s okay, Dorin,” Anastasia said with a smile, “We can handle the cleaning by our selves, there are also other photography club members who are staying behind to help.”

[Exactly] Sebastian said, shoving the slate at Dorin. [No unnecessary senseless labor. Especially if it does not pay]

“Now that I think about it, isn’t it about time you treat me to dinner?” said the Prof. Dupont with a smile.

“That’s right! What time is it?!” Dorin panicked.

“It’s only 4:30. Still a bit early,” said Sebastian.

“Oh, so you’re both buying dinner?” asked Margarette, “May I tag along?”

“Actually, I’m still on kitchen duty, and Prof. Dupont here said he wanted to taste my cooking,” replied Dorin.

“Professor Jacob Dupont,” said the professor, stretching out a hand at Margarette. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced?”

“First Lieutenant Margarette Gunnar, Military Division,” Margarette shook his hand, “I have heard a lot about you from Sebastian.”

[Ssh!] Sebastian’s slate popped up from behind the professor.

“I believe you are his favorite instructor in the Magic Division,” she continued.

Sebastian stared blankly at her.

“Is that true Sebastian?” Professor Dupont turned to face his student, eyes wide, smiling. “Well, you are one of my most brilliant students so I believe I am very fond of you myself!” he grinned. Sebastian, as usual, showed no emotion. Even his slate remained blank.

[It’s time to head back] he finally says after a while of silence.