Ring, ring, ring, ring!

It's the eighth hour.

It's the eighth hour.

Work time, work time! All morning LopVampas, report to your stations immediately.

Yawning, the vampa rubbed his eyes. What's going on, where is he? Oh, right, he had left Aquamataly and returned to Frosaro. How much time had passed? He doesn't know, long enough, he supposed. Lifting himself up from the guest bed, he hopped around in a circle upon the carpet beneath him.

What should he do now? Should he just challenge the godbuns to a war? No, maybe it was too soon for that. Shouldn't he try and get more information first? Perhaps that would be for the best. Why rush into this? He'll be beat to a pulp if he does as he is now! He can't risk it, not like this. It's best that he waits for the right moment.

But, when would that right moment be? Days from now, weeks, years? No, no way, there's no way he's going to live with this mistake for years to come! Absolutely not, no way! But, when would be the right time? He doesn't know, maybe he should find someone to train with first. There's no way he could take out the godbuns like this, there's no way.

Reversing his elliptical, the farmer let out a sigh. What if that diary he found wasn't the true deep dark secret? Maybe he won't ever stand a chance against the divine at all. No, no, happy thoughts, Siorc, happy thoughts! This is the dirt he needed. This is what will lead him to getting that sweet, sweet redo! There's no other way, he can feel it. Archgodbun racing through his head once more, another question sea dropped down the anchor.

The archgodbun, should he try to find him and give him a nice long fight as well? Maybe that would be for the best. But, where would he be hiding? He doesn't know. Should he do more digging? Perhaps, that would be for the best. But, where would he get such information like that? Surely, some of the older adultbuns might know something?

School flashing through his mind, the farmer snapped his fingers. His teachers from his childbunhood, maybe they knew something! But, would they even want to speak to him after all these years? Maybe he would be wasting his time going back there. No, no, come on, Siorc, surely they have alumni stop by all the time! It wouldn't hurt to go over there, right? Hopping out of the guest bedroom, such resolution locked itself in.

Whiffing up a sweet scent in the air, the young adult resisted the urge to drool. Woah, Susu is making sweet ham carrot stew? Is today a holiday?! When was the last time he had a dish like this? Ah, he can't seem to recall. Oh, well, sweet indulgence, come to momma! Setting the table, eyes soon turned towards him.

"Good morning, Siorc," Susu greeted. "Your friends will be here in a few minutes. What do you want to do today?"

[I'm thinking of heading to my old school to ask the teachers a few questions about godbun history. Is that okay with you?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Sure, that's okay with me, I'll take you there," Susu responded, nodding. "You went to the Creamy Crop Academy, right?"

[Yes, that's where I went to school. I hope it's still there.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I'm pretty sure Creamy Crop Academy is still standing, though, I heard admission rate is getting lower by the year these days. I wonder why?" Her finger was on her chin.

Admission rate bouncing off his eardrums, a chill dropped down the bun's spine. Were childbuns no longer interested in getting an education these days? How strange. How many buns were in his class when he was in school? Maybe around fifty or so? How big were classes these days? Maybe he should ask that question, too.

[How big are the classes these days anyway?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I wish I could give you an answer to that, but I don't know," Susu said, shaking her head. Knock, knock, knock. "Looks like your friends are here. Sorry to ask, but could you put the stew on the plates for me?"

Nodding, the vampa hopped off towards the table. Four plates soon filled, the bun stared off into space. What if, one day, no buns would attend school anymore? No, no, Siorc, come on now, there's no way that would happen! Don't be silly. Surely, they would, right? There's so much to learn out there. Of course. He's thinking way too hard about all this.

"Thank you for having us," Zhulong said in a serious voice. "We hope we're not being a bother."

"And, sorry for coming on such short notice as well," Niquel said.

"You're fine, don't worry!" Susu exclaimed, warm smile on her face. "There's some stew on the table if you two want some."

Meaty goodness down the hatch, the bun's ears twitched. Should he tell Zhulong and Niquel about the archgodbun? No, maybe he shouldn't tell them either. Shouldn't this remain a secret until the right moment? Perhaps that was for the best. Right, he shouldn't rush this, of course he shouldn't. Eyes soon on him, questions were about ready to come his way.

"How did your search in Aquamataly go?" Niquel asked.

[It went alright. I found something that might be useful to fight the gods, but I think I still need to get more information. I might go to my old school and ask the teachers there some questions about godbun history.] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"So you did end up finding something useful after all," Zhulong said, voice trailing. "But, are you sure you want to go to your old school? Those teachers might not have the answers you're looking for."

[It's fine, I think they might at least know something. And, besides, I'm sure alumni go there all the time to visit! What harm would it do?] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I guess you're right, but I'd be cautious if I were you," Zhulong responded, arms crossed. "Some questions are not meant to be asked."

[I'm sure it will be fine! I'm not going to be asking anything super deep or anything. I just need to ask a few questions about the godbuns, is all. That's it, really.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"If you're sure, we won't stop you," Niquel said, arms crossed. "But, if I were you, don't mention you are asking because you are planning on fighting to gods to get a redo on your Divine Naming Ceremony. I'm pretty sure the teachers won't be too keen to hear something like that.

[I will leave that part out then. I'll just tell them that I want to brush up on godbun history. That should be enough, right?] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I suppose so, but try not to get your hopes up," Zhulong responded, arms crossed. He then stood up. "The stew was delicious, thank you, Susu. But, the two of us have to go back to Seeboro." He then turned towards Siorc. "See you later."

[See you later, Zhulong, Niquel.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

Finishing the stew, the bun hopped off towards the sink. Scrubbing the plates, the vampa gulped. Should he really go back to his old school now? Maybe he would be see as nothing but a pest fishing for information. No, no, come on, Siorc, that won't happen! Surely, they have alumni stop by to ask questions about things they learned many times in the past. This couldn't have possibly been out of the ordinary!

Susu telling him it wouldn't take that long to reach Creamy Crop Academy by buggy, the bun crossed his fingers. Would the teachers be willing to answer his questions? Please, let them have information about the archgodbun. Buckling his seatbelt as the vehicle was about to disembark, further questions had raced through him.

How should he go about asking this question? Maybe he shouldn't say the term archgodbun. But, what should he say in its place, the creator of all? Maybe that would do for now. No, perhaps that wouldn't be enough. Should he pass it off as some sort of old rumor? Maybe that would be the right move here.

Reaching Creamy Crop Academy before he knew it, the young adult pulled his hair up into a high ponytail. Did he look alright? He didn't look messy or anything did he? Clicking smiling face hairpins and earrings into place, he gazed down at the crossed out divine name on his shirt. What if the teachers ask about that, too? Buggy soon parked, eyes were soon on him.

"You want to borrow one of my jackets?" Susu asked. "I wouldn't let the older adultbuns see your shirt, if I were you. They might ask you a lot of questions."

[I'll take one if that's alright with you.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

Jacket sleeves tied around his waist, the vampa slapped his cheeks. Please, let the teachers from his childbunhood still be here. They had to have been, right? If they retired, he's toast! Heading towards the entrance, he took a deep breath. Let this place be the same as he remembered it, that's all he asks.

Same old hallways locking eyes with him, a sigh of relief flowed through the vampa. Phew, nothing's any different here. Where is the visitors office again? Oh, right, beside the dean's room. He'd better hop to it. Pouncing through the hallways, the young adult let out a sigh. How he wishes he could go back to the good old days. No, come on now, there's no time to get nostalgic here! Focus, Siorc.

Visitors Office looking straight at him, the farmer gulped. Here goes nothing. Same old buns behind the desk, the bun crossed his fingers. Please, don't send him away. Eyes soon locked onto him, sweat poured down his cheek. Why do they look like they want to wring him out like a wet towel? Sorry for disturbing them!

"Yes, what can I do for you?" the bun behind the desk asked. "Are you here to pick up your kid from aftercare or something?"

[Sorry, I need to speak with the teachers here if that's alright. May I have a visitors pass, please?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Hey, I know that robotic voice!" the bun behind the desk cried. "Siorc, good to see you after all these years! Sure, I'll give you a visitor pass, here you go. The teachers are probably in room Seven right about now."

Visitors pass slipped onto the table, the farmer placed his finger on his chin. Would the buns in here know a thing or two about the archgodbun? No, maybe he shouldn't get them involved in this at all. It would be best to not mention some things, right? Of course, there's no need to bring such a thing up to them, he'd better get moving.

Hopping towards the familiar classrooms from years long passed, the vampa crossed his fingers. Please, let the teachers know a thing or two about the archgodbun. Surely, they had to have some information about him, right? He doesn't know. He gets the feeling he might be about to be asking the wrong questions any moment now.

Room Seven about to be upon him, the vampa studied it for a brief moment. Multiple teachers looking lost in thought, he gazed at the board. What to do about low admission? How strange, just how many people were attending these days? Maybe he should ask about that. Knocking on the door, eyes soon wandered towards him.

"Yes?" a teacher bun asked. "Come in."

Bowing his head, the bun prayed to the skies above. Please, let at least one of these teachers know something about the archgodbun, anything? Even knowing that he exists would be more than enough! Warm smiles soon appearing on the teacher's faces, he prepared himself for possible headshakes.

"Siorc, it's been awhile!" a teacher bun cried. "What brings you here?"

[It sure has been. I still remember graduation day like it was yesterday! I just have a few questions about some things. It's very important. Is that alright about you?] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"That's more than alright!" a teacher bun exclaimed. "What do you need to ask us about?"

[I have some questions about the godbuns, if that's alright.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Of course, of course, what do you need to ask about?" a teacher bun asked.

Taking a deep breath, the young adult prepared himself. How in the world should he ask this question? Bun with a halo on their head scribbled down with an arrow pointing upward, the vampa almost wanted to shake the device. Would that really be enough here? Maybe it wouldn't be. No, of course it would be. Wasn't less sometimes more? Of course it was. Robotic voice racing out, his palms shook.

[Forgive me for asking such a bold question like this, I just want to know. Do any of you know anything about a the Creator of All? The archgodbun. If you know anything or recognize that name, please tell me. It would very much be helpful to know right now!] A crackling voice shouted through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

Room growing awfully quiet, the bun's ears jerked. Oh, no, did he ask a horrible question just now? Maybe he should apologize. Yes, he should show his remorse right here, right now. His apologies, he asked a forbidden question, please, forgive him for his sins! But, as he thought such, collective head shakes had come his way.

"The archgodbun, I'm sorry, but I don't believe I have ever heard that name before!" teacher bun number one asked. "Where did you hear that?"

[I heard a rumor somewhere, that's all!] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Ah, I see, well, as much as we'd like to say we have heard of that name, it doesn't ring any bells, sorry!" teacher bun number two exclaimed. "Could you tell us where you heard it?"

[Just around the block, that's all.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers, but his eyes wandered. Did he look paper thin right about now? Maybe he should just mention he went to Aquamataly. No, no, perhaps he shouldn't, that most certainly wouldn't help matters here.

"Is that so? Well, we're very sorry, we can't help you on that," teacher bun number three said. "Wherever you heard that from was probably just making it all up."

[Sorry to have bothered you all. I'll be going now.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Come now, you're never a bother!" teacher bun number one cried. "Come back any time."

[Before I go, I have one last question. How many students attend this academy these days?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Well, I'd say about less than forty now. Take care of yourself!" A wave.

Returning to Susu's buggy, the vampa stared off into space.

Only forty? There's a serious problem here.