"So, kid," Mr. rabbit asked, , "what were you even doing under that tree
The Yuki didn't even look at him. "What were you doing in it?"
"I asked you first."
"I'm a rabbit. Trees are tall. Tall equals view. View equals safety. Safety equals survival. Basic math."
"…that made no sense," Yuki muttered, rubbing his temples.
"Well, excuse me for not being an academy scholar."
Yuki chuckled, then sighed. "…I'm sixteen now. Which means today I have to take the Aether Trials."
The rabbit perked up, ears twitching. "Aether Trials? What's that?"
"It's… basically the thing that decides your future." Yuki trailed off, his voice quieting. "Many don't usually pass. Not past the first round."
The rabbit tilted his head. "So… you're doomed?"
"Thanks for the encouragement."
"You're welcome."
"…The truth is, I'm basically clueless about it. I only know what I read in a book years ago."
"Wait, wait—hold on." The rabbit sat up. "You're telling me the life-determining soul crushing exam
you're about to take in—" he glanced at the moon, "oh, say, a few hours—you only studied for once, five years ago?"
Yuki groaned. "I wasn't allowed in my family's library, alright? I had to sneak into town for books. And I didn't even get to go to school like the other nobles."
"…Yikes. That's depressing."
"Yeah. I guess it was."
They sat in silence for a moment before Yuki forced a grin. "Well, enough of that. LOOK!" He pointed randomly at the night sky. "Stars!"
The rabbit blinked. "…You're deflecting."
"I'm coping."
The rabbit snorted. "Fair enough."
A little while later, the rabbit stretched. "Well, kid, I think it's about time I take my leave."
"What? Why?"
"I heard your story. Now it's time I figure out mine. I don't know who I am. I don't know where I came from. All I have is this fuzzy tail and an unshakeable craving for carrots. I need… answers."
"Oh." Yuki's chest tightened. "I… I guess I understand."
The rabbit hopped forward. "…Goodbye, my two-hour friend."
"…Wait," Yuki frowned. "I didn't even catch your name."
"It's Mr. Rabbit. Obviously."
"…Wow. So original."
"Shut up." mines Yuki I will remember that
But as Mr. Rabbit tried to leave, something strange happened. An ethereal force yanked him back, like invisible chains tied him to Yuki's chest.
"What the—HEY! Why can't I move?!" Mr. Rabbit flailed, hopping with all his strength. For one glorious second, he broke past the barrier—
—and was immediately slingshotted into Yuki's pendant.
"AAAAAAAAAAGH! LET ME OUT! IT'S WHITE! EVERYTHING IS WHITE! HELP ME!"
Yuki blinked, looking down at the necklace. "Uh… you, okay?"
"I'm in some kind of void! There's no walls, no floor, no nothing!" The rabbit's voice echoed like it came from a cave. "Wait… ohhh. Food. I wish there was food in here."
A loud poof.
"FOOD! THERE'S FOOD!"
"…You're joking."
"I'm eating roast carrots and pie, baby! This void is amazing! Actually—no! I want freedom! Get me out!"
Yuki studied the pendant. The heart-shaped gem was slightly popped out. He pressed it back in. With a loud pop, Mr. Rabbit tumbled out, covered in crumbs.
"…What did you do?!"
"I poked the heart back in."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"…This is humiliating."
Before Yuki could laugh, the distant sound of wheels on gravel grew closer. A carriage rolled into sight.
"Guess that's my ride," Yuki whispered.
Mr. Rabbit sighed, hopping on his shoulder. "…For some reason, I'm kind of glad I can't leave. Looks like I'm stuck with you."
"Guess that means you're coming with me to the Trials."
Hours later, in the capital Veloria…
199 participants beneath the towering gates of the Trial Grounds. A massive golden clock loomed above them, ticking closer to midnight.
"All participants present?" boomed the examiner. "Once the clock strikes twelve, the gates will open. If you are late—you're out."
The hands of the clock clicked forward 11 59
Yuki sprinted, Mr. Rabbit bouncing on his shoulder. His sister stood at the edge of the crowd, waving frantically. "Yuki! Hurry!"
"I'm trying!" he shouted, chest burning.
But the crowd parted, whispers spreading.
"He won't make it." "Too late…" "Poor kid."
The clock's hand trembled, ready to strike.
"No…" Yuki gasped. "This can't be it after I finally got to leave that awful horrible house. No, I won't let it!"
Yuki's eyes burned, determination surging through him. "I said—WAIT!"
The second hand descended-
But ever so slowly
murmurs rippled through the participants. The golden clock ticked in stuttering, unnatural beats, its hands grinding as if caught in tar.
Many thought this occurrence to be some glitch with the clock but to those higher up or those who have dealt with these same experiences in the past new this was just a Streak of luck for the boy oh no all those people new that
This was the awakening of a new WILL