"First..." Minister Leyson stated. "... for your groundbreaking research, the Republic of Misterra will award both of you, Jester Eventide and Valiant Bardean, a substantial sum." He paused for dramatic effect. "One million zeons."
Jester's breath hitched. One million. His mind reeled. That was five hundred thousand zeons each.
He was an orphan. Living modestly. Alone. This was an incomprehensible sum. Enough to buy a small mansion, not just a house, in the capital.
These years, after he became an orphan, he had scrimped and saved. Dreamed of a day he wouldn't have to worry about future expenditure. Now, half a million zeons. It felt surreal.
Beside him, Vale simply raised an eyebrow. A flicker of genuine surprise in his usually placid green eyes. The Mayor, however, beamed like a proud peacock.
"The funds will be transferred to secure accounts in your names by the end of the week. It will be managed by a state-appointed trustee until you come of age, or released earlier for approved educational or housing expenses." Minister Leyson clarified. "But that's not all."
He leaned back, a grander gleam in his eyes. "In recognition of the profound national impact of your work, the President of the Republic of Misterra himself will bestow upon you both the Presidential Medal of Valor."
Jester blinked. A medal? From the President? He imagined the ceremony. News cameras. A broadcast. It was a level of public recognition he had never even considered.
"The ceremony..." Minister Leyson continued. "... will take place next week, at the Presidential Palace in the capital. It will be a televised event. You both, along with a small delegation including your Headmaster and Mayor Bardean, will be transported there for the occasion."
Jester was speechless. He glanced at Vale. This friend of his wore a thoughtful, almost distant expression. As if composing a new piece of music about the absurdity of it all.
The Mayor, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with paternal pride. Glancing from Vale to Jester and back. Ms. Cyantrace offered a discreet, approving nod. Mr. Pendrake remained motionless by the window. A silent, watchful sentinel.
"This is… incredible, Minister." Jester finally responded. Realizing that it would be hopeless depending on Vale for this. "We just wanted to help."
Minister Leyson chuckled. "And you have, young man. Far beyond what you could have imagined. Your ingenuity and dedication have secured your place in the Republic's history." He paused, then added. "Do either of you have any questions?"
Jester's mind was still reeling from the money reward. But he quickly controlled himself and focused on his concerns.
"Minister..." He began. His voice was surprisingly clear. "... the public release of our research details. Will that be handled by the Ministry?"
"Indeed." Minister Leyson confirmed. "We have already prepared the official public announcement. Crediting both of you fully, of course. It will go out concurrently with the news of your awards. We anticipate a significant public response, especially among the unawakened youth."
"Good." Jester said. Nodding slightly.
This was the only detail that truly concerned him. He didn't want the publication of the theory to be delayed. Not because he was seeking fame. But because he kept remembering the demon attacks a couple of days ago.
If more people in the Market District at that time were transcenders, the poor little boy might still be alive.
"Excellent!" Mayor Bardean interjected. Finally breaking his silence. "I knew these two had something special. True prodigies, both of them. A credit to Oakhaven." He winked conspiratorially at Vale. Who simply ignored him.
Ms. Cyantrace then spoke. "Jester, Vale, I trust you understand the gravity of this. Your lives will change significantly after this. We will ensure you have appropriate support from the school and the Ministry."
Jester nodded calmly on the outside. Internally, he was still trying to fully process the information.
One million zeons. Presidential Medal. Televised ceremony. It was a lot to take in at once. Especially for a Wednesday morning. He had woken up expecting boring Social Study and tiring combat training. Instead, he acquired a fortune and national fame.
"That will be all for now, Gentlemen." Minister Leyson concluded. Standing up. The others followed suit. "We look forward to seeing you at the Palace next week."
As they exited the Headmaster's office, the heavy door clicking shut behind them. Jester let out a long breath. He looked at Vale.
"So?" Jester asked. "We're rich. And famous. How is that?"
Vale shrugged. A faint smile played on his lips. "It appears so. It had just given me an inspiration." He tilted his head. A glint sparkled in his eye. "I needed to write it down quickly later. A song starting like this..."
He immediately hummed a lively tune.
Jester stared at him. Then burst out laughing. "You are unbelievable, Bard."
...
Jester and Vale slipped into their Social Studies class just a few minutes before the bell rang. The teacher, a stern woman with spectacles perched on her nose, simply nodded at them.
They had Common Languages for the subject of the next class. It was not bad actually. The teacher guided them to learn from songs and stories.
Jester tried to focus. However, his mind kept drifting to the reward Minister Leyson had told him. Especially the financial ones.
When the final bell for the regular classes rang, the students surged out. Jester and Vale walked together to the crossroads of the school's specialized wings.
"Well, I'm off to learn how to make magic lights and floating baubles." Vale said in a dry tone. "Good luck with whatever thief skills they teach you, Clown."
Jester chuckled. A similar dry joke. "Yeah, yah, yah. Try not to accidentally turn the teacher into a talking toad. A mute one will do."
Vale simply snorted. Already humming again as he turned towards the Sorcerer's Wing. Jester watched him go for a moment. Then pivoted towards the Rogue Wing.
His first specialized class for the day was Acrobatics & Evasion. He entered the Rogue Wing. A part of the school he was rapidly becoming familiar with.
He found the classroom. Or rather, the training hall. Easily enough. It was a large, open space. Dotted with various obstacles. Low walls. Uneven platforms. Hanging ropes. Padded mats. And several other things.
Mr. Larken, the earnest-looking young man who had taught Dirty Fighting yesterday, stood in the center. Finn and Sunny had already been there. They were already warming up.
"Alright! Everyone is here. Get ready, Class! Stretch and pay attention!" Mr. Larken said. "Today, we focus on movement. A rogue who can't get into the right place is a failed rogue. A rogue who can't get out of trouble is a dead rogue."
Jester nodded. Shedding his backpack and stretching. He sensed a part of the increased agility he had experienced as Nightclown in Toonworld.
The physical strength and speed hadn't transferred completely... yet. But the muscle memory of quick dodges and agile leaps felt familiar.
"First drill!" Mr. Larken announced. Pointing to a series of low walls and platforms. "Vault, roll, slide. Maintain momentum! Finn, you first!"
Finn moved with surprising grace for a timid boy. Vaulting over the first wall. Tucking into a forward roll as he landed. And then sliding under a low bar. His movements were fluid. Almost instinctive.
Sunny followed. Doing it with similar efficiency. Making the vaults seem effortless. As he sprang over obstacles. His rolls were even tighter. More compact.
Then it was Jester's turn. He took a deep breath. Picturing Nightclown's frantic evasions from the Bowling Bouncers.
He charged the first wall. Planted his hands, and vaulted. Pushing off with his legs. He wasn't as smooth as Finn. More rough and comedic in his landing. But he completed the vault, roll, and slide much faster than the others.
Mr. Larken watched. His expression unreadable. "Not bad, Eventide. But you're not compact enough. And you waste more energy than it should. Speed is secondary to efficiency here."
He continued giving feedback. "Every wasted motion means wasted energy. Every second you spend recovering balance, is a second a blade finds your ribs."
They spent the next hour practicing. Repeating the circuits. Gradually increasing the height of the walls and the complexity of the movements.
Jester found himself sweating. His muscles were burning. He stumbled. He lost his balance. But he also improved significantly.
Each successful vault. Each fluid roll... They felt like a small victory. He thought of the Black Goatman. How easily it had kicked him aside. He wouldn't be caught flat-footed so easily again. This was the training he needed. Raw, physical, practical.
"Good, that's enough of that." Mr. Larken finally said. After Jester and his two classmates managed a particularly clean series of maneuvers.
"Now, evasion. I'll throw rubber darts. Your job is not to get hit. Simple. Don't just stand there. Move! Duck! Weave! Roll! Use the environment!" He gestured to the various obstacles.
He started slow. Tossing a single dart at Finn. Then Sunny. Then Jester.
Jester, with his experience from Toonworld, found an unexpected rhythm. His eyes easily tracked the incoming projectile. And his body reacted. He sidestepped. Dipped. And even incorporated a quick roll behind a low platform.
The others, too, moved with increasing speed and dexterity. Mr. Larken increased the speed and number of darts. Launching them in rapid succession.
"Don't just evade without thinking!" Mr. Larken shouted. "Try to save your energy! Evade minimally! Just make sure you don't get hit."
Jester felt a primal thrill. This wasn't just physical exercise. It was a survival game. He was using his body as a weapon of defense.
He imagined the darts were cursed projectiles. His movements became sharper. More economical. He was breathing hard. But a grin tugged at his lips.
This was why he chose Rogue. This was how he would get stronger.
By the end of the class, Jester was drenched in sweat. His limbs were aching. But he felt invigorated. He had connected with his body in a way he hadn't before. He had seen his own progress. However small.