7th of Janviay, 0000 A.C.

Noon

City Centre, Ravissant Brotherhood.

Jeanne Fensieaux ran down the obstruction course at full speed. Vaulting sideways over a log, she sprinted towards the finish line. Grabbing onto a rope, she catapulted herself over a slime pit and landed at the finish line.

Everyone cheered. The judge smiled and noted her time duration.

“How did I do?” she asked him. The judge said that he wasn’t allowed to show the result, but that it was very promising.

Hearing the crowd cheer again, she turned to see a young boy reach the finish line too. He was sweating, his silver/black hair all tousled up. Walking over to him, she extended her hand.

“Hey, nice to meet you,” she smiled cordially. “I’m Jeanne Fensieaux. What’s your name?”

The boy, still panting, shook hands with her. “I’m Jacques Rakhine,” he managed to say.

He’s the vice president’s son, she realised. “So you’re joining the Noble category then?”

“I sure hope so,” he grinned. “I mean after all, those evenings spent studying law books should amount to something.”

“Wow,” she laughed. “You don’t have a life, do you?”

“I’m not a very good people-person,” Jacques went with her towards the other entrants. “I assume you’re joining the Warrior category, seeing your performance on the Obstruction Course?”

“Oh yes,” Jeanne’s eyes gleamed. “Both my parents are Warriors, so I want to carry on the family business. Is that why you’re becoming a Noble too?”

“Partially,” he answered, not wanting to say anything to mess up his father’s reputation. “It’s also because I love debating and politics.”

“Well then,” Jeanne smiled, as they made their way to the exam hall to sit for their History paper. “Good luck, you’ll make an amazing noble.”