A new volume. Enjoy.
Seron Maxwell
Born on the 3rd day of the third month of the year 3290. 15 years old. A third-year student at the 4th Capital Secondary School in the Capital District of the Roxcheanuk Confederation. His hometown is far from school, so he lives in the dorms.
Strauski Megmica
Born on the 14th day of the second month of the year 3289. 16 years old. A third-year student. She is from the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa. ‘Strauski’ is her family name. Because she started school a year after moving to Roxche, she is a year older than her cla.s.smates. A member of the chorus club.
Larry Hepburn
Born on the 12th day of the fifth month of the year 3290. 15 years old. A third-year student. He is from military family with a very long history, and trains daily to become a soldier himself. Seron’s best friend.
Natalia Steinbeck
Born on the 8th day of the sixth month of the year 3290. 15 years old. A third-year student. Her parents are famous musicians. Part of the orchestra club, and is skilled with musical instruments.
Nicholas Browning
Born on the 4th day of the fourth month of the year 3290. 15 years old. A third-year student. He has an androgynous appearance and is not part of any clubs. He and Seron are acquainted.
Jenny Jones
Born on the 17th day of the first month of the year 3290. 15 years old. A third-year student. She is the daughter of one of Roxche’s richest people. President of the newspaper club.
Prologue: During Summer Break
“So we won’t be able to have another group event for the rest of the summer, Treasurer Seron Maxwell?”
“Tch. And we still have 25 whole days left before the term starts. Too bad, I wanted to teach you guys some more things. But I guess I can’t push you guys too hard since my family canceled the newspaper club camp.”
“It’s not like I’m blaming him. Oh, and Mr. Hartnett contacted me about the case. Both Hampleton and Mrs. Lawrence are in hospitals designated by the Confederation Police. They’re not sure if either of them are fit to stand trial yet.”
“There’s nothing else we can do at this point. Just leave it to the adults. Anyway, since we won’t be meeting up until the fall term, tell everyone to think up story ideas. I want our new newspapers up on the walls as soon as possible, so I need everyone to contribute.”
“Seron. Are you suggesting we sully the sanct.i.ty of the press?”
“Easier than trying to figure you out. Anyway, we can discuss more at the club office when cla.s.ses start again. Call the others and tell them we have no more plans for the summer, and that they’re to gather at the club office on the first day back. We need to print that first issue, take photographs, submit stuff to compet.i.tions and lots of other things. We have a busy fall ahead.”
“Oh? I’m surprised you accepted so easily.”
“That’s not what I was talking about—”
“Never mind. Just let everyone know, okay?”
“h.e.l.lo! This is Larry Hepburn, on fire as usual! I seriously stink of gunpowder ‘cause I was out doing marksmanship practice with Dad and Cato. How’re you doing, Seron?”
“Ah! You got word from Jenfie?”
“Hm. Figures. Lia was saying something about a family vacation too.”
“‘Meet at the clubroom after cla.s.ses on the first day of school’. Got that. You’re moving back to the dorms before that though, right? I’m going to drop by school after our military sciences training camp, so let’s meet up for lunch. And… don’t tell anyone, but please help me with my homework!”
“Right. But you sure you’re gonna be all right, buddy?”
“You’re gonna have to call Megmica again. You haven’t called her yet, right?”
“Atta boy! I’m proud of you, Seron!”
“Huh? Oh, right. You did.”
“…Seron, you got a minute? We need to talk.”
“h.e.l.lo. Strauski residence.”
“h.e.l.lo?”
“Ohh, you’re one of Sis’s school buddies! Hiya!”
“Uh-huh! I’m Strauski Kurt, twelve years old! Nice to meetcha! We have another little brother too. His name’s Johan, ten years old.”
“‘Cause I went to primary school in Roxche for two years, duh. But I’m not good at polite stuff yet. The teacher tells me off too.”
“A lot easier for what?”
“‘Errand’? Oh, you mean is she out? Yeah. She’s at the department store with Mom and Johan to buy clothes. I’m watching the house. But they’re gonna bring back some of those deep-fried crisps for me. I love ‘em!”
“Y’know, you can’t get that stuff in Sou Be-Il, ever! Crisps like that don’t exist! Me and Johan cried ‘cause it was so good, when we first tried it! All the Westerners in the Capital District say, ‘it’s so good!’, ‘it’s delicious!’ and eat it all the time!”
“Yeah! If they don’t like it, they’re a fake person pretending to be from the West! Even Dad says we’d make a fortune if we sold it to Sou Be-Il! But you only eat it sometimes, Big Bro?”
“Wow! You live far away? Cool! Can I come over sometime?”
“Cool! I’m gonna bring Sis too!”
“S’wrong?”
“Awesome! Oh, you said you wanted to tell her something, right? But she’s out right now.”
“‘Take’ a message? Er… oh, that means I have to listen and then tell her the message later, right? I got it.”
“No newspaper club stuff for the summer, and meet on the first day of school. Got that. I wrote it down!”
“Leave it to me! Does Sis know your number, Big Bro?”
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