Every citizen from Class A to Class F had the right to study alongside the Elite in the formal school established exclusively in the Elite Class.
Schools themselves were a rarity in Classes A through F. In fact, in most of those classes, not a single formal school existed. Formal schooling was reserved only for the wealthy because of its extremely high cost. Those who managed to study formally were given access to a variety of facilities. After graduation, citizens from Classes A through F who had completed their education would automatically rise in status and be granted a place in government. They could also freely choose which class they wanted to live in—except for the Elite Class. That class was only reserved for those born into the Elite.
Meanwhile, poor citizens from Classes A to F could only rely on volunteer teachers who taught them with whatever limited means they had. These teachers could only manage to teach the basics—reading, writing, and arithmetic. They could not teach children of Classes A through F the way Elite children were taught, surrounded by endless facilities to support their learning. Even though those teachers had never themselves attended a formal school like the Elite or the wealthy, they persevered and fought hard to educate the abandoned children of the lower classes.
"Rain?" Her mother tapped her shoulder as she sat in silence. "What are you daydreaming about?"
"Nothing, Mom. I just saw my teachers, Miss Tissa and Miss Leony pass by in front of our house," Rain said, her eyes following the people walking past the window.
"What about them?" Anna asked.
Rain shook her head. "Nothing, Mom. I just miss being taught by them. From the first time I couldn't read until I finally could, it was all thanks to them. I hope the Elite Class acknowledges their existence too. They're just as important as the high-ranking leaders."
Suddenly, outside their house, Rain saw a group of people heading toward the field. They shouted at the Elite Class, calling them deceivers. They carried scraps of cloth with all kinds of slogans written on them, "Elite Class are Traitors," "Pig Class," "Stop Star Game," "Star Game = Death Game," "F*ck the Elite Class," and many more.
"What's happening, Rain?" Anna asked.
"I don't know, Mom. Looks like they're going to protest about the Star Game." Rain then looked around. "Where's Dad?"
"Your father went out, he said he had some business to take care of."
"Could he be among them?"
Rain quickly grabbed a pocketknife from her room and rushed out of the house with her mother. "Mom, let's find Dad."
Anna nodded in agreement.
***
Neil continued giving his speech before the citizens of Class F. Behind him sat Billy, flanked by two women that they known as his wives.
Neil was fiery as he denounced the Elite Class for their unfairness and deceit. "We must put an end to the Star Game so there are no more victims! Let Zein and Felix be the last. We cannot let ourselves or our children become the next sacrifices!" He then turned toward Billy. "I also thank Mr. Billy for giving me the opportunity to speak as a candidate for our next Class Leader."
"How much did that corrupt official pay you, Mr. Neil?" A voice suddenly shouted from the crowd.
Billy immediately stood, curious who dared to shout at Neil.
"Mr. Edmund?" Neil asked, seeing his friend stepping forward. "Why would you say such a thing? I've never been paid by Mr. Billy. I speak here of my own free will, because I don't want others to suffer the same fate as your son and mine."
Rain rushed to stand beside her father after finding him. She gripped his hand tightly and spoke loudly to Neil. "Have you forgotten? That game wouldn't even take place if the leader behind you hadn't signed the decree. You know very well that every time he signs it, he receives 100 gold coins as compensation for the citizens taken."
Billy snatched the microphone from Neil's hand. "Watch your tongue! People from filthy slums have no right to speak so boldly to a leader like me."
Turning her back to Billy, Rain faced the citizens. "Will you still vote for a class leader like him? A corrupt leader, who marries and divorces endlessly, who humiliates his own people?" She pointed directly at Billy.
"We're powerless, Rain. He's too strong. He has the Elite Troops and weapons. What do we have?" said one Class F citizen.
"If you unite, we can win!" Rain cried. She pointed at the rocks scattered before them. "Look at those stones. Didn't you kill Mr. Marcus with stones just like those? You can do the same to him."
Thud!
A ten-year-old boy hurled a stone that struck Billy in the stomach.
"Well done, Nathan!" Rain shouted.
Immediately, the citizens followed Nathan's lead, pelting Billy and the Elite Troops with rocks. Chaos broke out. Billy fled the stage and tried to hide under a car, but one of the citizens spotted him.
"Where are you going?"
"Please, don't hurt me."
"Hey, he's under the car!" the man shouted. The others dragged Billy out by force. Some even threatened to douse him in gasoline and burn him alive.
In the midst of the riot, a helicopter landed right in front of the stage. Out stepped eight Special Forces soldiers. Their uniforms were entirely black from head to toe, helmets covering their heads, bulletproof vests strapped to their chests, and long rifles resting on their shoulders. They immediately secured Billy from the enraged crowd.
"Hey, where are you taking him?" shouted Benny, still not satisfied after throwing stones at Billy.
The Special Forces didn't answer. They kept pulling Billy away from the mob. The furious citizens blocked their way.
Bang!
"Everybody down!"
A gunshot rang out into the sky. One of the Special Forces had fired it. Instantly, the crowd hit the ground.
But while everyone else ducked, Rain stood tall before them.
"Get down now! Or these bullets will tear through all of you!" barked one of the soldiers, raising his rifle toward Rain.
Yet Rain didn't move an inch.
"Are you defying me?" the soldier asked.
"No. I just want to meet your leader from the Elite Class."
"For what?"
"I've heard that the leader of the Elite Class is known for fairness because he comes from the Elite Court. I want him to help this class gain justice from the man you're protecting," Rain said, pointing at Billy.
The soldier who had aimed his rifle at Rain froze in confusion. How could she possibly know their leader was from the Elite Court, when information about the Elite Class was so tightly guarded?
***