Today, Chloe and I woke up later than usual, still feeling a bit sore from the previous day's intense training. As I groggily rubbed my eyes, I noticed a small package on my bedside table. Curious, I opened it and found a bottle of shampoo with a note attached.

"Hello, I got a little something for you :) -L"

I raised an eyebrow, studying the packaging. The writing was completely incomprehensible and was definitely not in French. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try. After all, my hair had always been my least favorite feature, and any improvement would be welcome.

Carrying the shampoo with me, I headed to the shared bathroom that Chloe and I used in the training facility. I turned on the water and stepped under the shower, applying the shampoo to my hair, and wondering what to expect.

To my surprise, as I lathered the shampoo through my hair, it seemed to come alive with newfound vitality. The fragrance of fresh flowers filled the air, and I felt a tingling sensation on my scalp.

As I rinsed off the shampoo and let my hair down, I couldn't believe my eyes. My previously limp, black hair now cascaded down my shoulders in glossy waves, shimmering with a new radiance.

I ran my fingers through my transformed locks, marveling at the difference. The change was subtle yet significant, and I grinned at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Exiting the bathroom, I found Chloe already awake. She glanced up at me, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Marinette, your hair! What did you do to it?" Chloe asked, clearly impressed by the change.

"I used the shampoo that was left for me," I replied with a smile. "It's incredible, right?"

Chloe crossed her arms and looked away. "Yeah, well. It looks better than usual, I'll give you that."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a warmth in my cheeks. It wasn't often that Chloe complimented anyone.

We practically dragged ourselves to breakfast, still aching from yesterday. Unfortunately, Luka didn't greet us this time, so I made a mental note that thank him the next time I saw him.

Adrien actually saw us while exiting his own room and joined us, his usual confident demeanor still intact, "Good morning, ladies. How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Chloe replied with a yawn, while I nodded in agreement.

Adrien laughed. "Same. The training can be tough, but it's all part of becoming a hero, right?"

I felt a jab of jealousy at how effortlessly he seemed to handle the training. "Yeah, I suppose so," I replied, trying not to sound too bitter.

"Hey, don't worry," Adrien said reassuringly. "You'll get the hang of it. The key is to keep pushing yourself and never give up."

Chloe rolled her eyes at his encouragement, but I appreciated the sentiment behind his words.

"So, Chloe," Adrien began, "Are you going to be sending your mother a letter informing her of The Selection results? She deserves to know why her daughter is currently missing."

Chloe's blonde curtain bangs hid her face as she looked down to stare at a cup of coffee she poured for herself, "She didn't notice; I'm sure of it. I've sent her letters before and she never responded. Forget it, it's a waste of time."

"Zoe?"

"We're not really close. My father has his work cut out of him, but I assume someone will let him know sooner or later. I am a Royal, after all."

"So, you two seem to know each other pretty well," I remarked, trying to sound casual.

Adrien and Chloe exchanged glances before Chloe spoke up. "Yeah, we used to be friends when we were kids."

Adrien nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "We were practically inseparable back then. My mother and father were great friends with Chloe's mother, so we spent a lot of time together."

I was genuinely surprised. "Wow, I had no idea. What happened?"

Chloe shrugged, "Life happened, I guess. Our families grew apart, and we ended up pursuing different studies. We just drifted apart over the years."

Adrien chimed in, "Chloe became more involved with her royal duties, and I had duties of my own. But being here together now, it's like a chance to reconnect, you know?"

Chloe got up. "I'll head to Strength and Conditioning to join the others."

Adrien looked confused, "Why don't you stay longer? Breakfast still hasn't ended."

"Most people go to class early anyways. Don't want to miss the latest gossip all the contestants are talking about. Buh-bye, Adrien. And you too, I suppose, peasant girl."

I frowned. "We're literal roommates. When will you stop calling me that and start calling me by my actual name?"

But Chloe had already headed outside, and the door clicked softly behind her. Breakfast had nearly ended since I woke up late. Only Adrien and remained inside.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling a mix of irritation and awkwardness. Adrien glanced at me with a sympathetic expression.

"Sorry about that," he said, breaking the silence. "Chloe can be a handful sometimes."

"It's fine," I replied, trying to brush off her comment. "I'm used to it, I guess."

Adrien frowned. "You shouldn't have to be. She's just... Chloe."

"Yeah, well, it's not like we were ever friends," I mumbled, feeling a bit self-conscious about our recent bonding moments. "I doubt she's going to change her attitude towards me now."

Adrien's eyes softened, and he leaned back in his chair. "Don't take it personally. She's like that with everyone, not just you. But she's not all bad, I promise."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, not entirely convinced. Chloe's abrasive attitude had left a lasting impression on me, and it was hard to believe that she had a softer side, even after she complimented me earlier.

As we sat in an uncomfortable silence, I couldn't help but wonder why Adrien was being so friendly to me. We barely knew each other, and yet he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me better. It was both flattering and perplexing.

"So, uh, what do you think about becoming a hero?" Adrien asked, breaking the silence yet again.

I looked up, caught off guard by his question. "I guess, now that I've been chosen…I just want to make a difference. To protect the people I care about and help those in need. I would still do anything for my old life back."

Adrien looked surprised. "Really? Even with the luxuries of the palace? Weren't you a servant before?"

I glared at him slightly, "Commoner. Not servant. And recently, I was doing significantly better financially than I was before. The Selection ripped away everything I was working towards, in a way. Not to mention my friends and family."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, it's just, I mean, the conditions here must be a lot better than…" Adrien struggled to choose the right words, "…your life before."

I sighed, picking absentmindedly at my salad. "They brought us into one palace then took us into another. They're all the same. They look all fancy and nice to distract us from the fact that we'll soon be nothing but corpses for monsters to feast on. Everybody thinks being a Hero is basically a death sentence."

Adrien furrowed his brow, looking concerned. "Everybody? Who exactly told you that becoming a Hero is like a death sentence?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Chloe mentioned it, but it's also just common knowledge amongst all folk. We've all heard stories and rumors about the dangers that lie ahead."

"I can understand why people might think that way, but I can't let myself believe it's all for nothing. The Dark One is a threat, yes, but that's precisely why we're here—to train, to prepare, and to stand together."

"I guess we have to hold on to hope. Otherwise, what's the point of even trying?"

"Exactly," Adrien said, a determined glint in his eyes. Adrien's hand now rested atop mine, and I felt a jolt of surprise at the unexpected gesture. My cheeks flushed slightly, and I shifted in my seat, not entirely sure how to react to the sudden closeness.

"I believe in everyone that was selected. We're different." He looked around, then whispered, "I overheard Felix mentioning that the old Damocles guy that runs this place plans on changing some of the training techniques. We're going to be different, we won't die like those dumb tales people tell each other in town as scary stories. I believe in us, Marinette. I believe in you."

His words warmed my heart, and for a moment, I felt a sense of reassurance that I hadn't experienced since arriving at the training facility. Did I believe in what Adrien said? Nope. Was it definitely a stretch? Yup. Was I still suspicious of him? A little. But most of that suspicion had melted away by…what? What was it that suddenly made me trust him so much?

Just then, Luka walked into the dining hall, scanning the room until his gaze landed on us. He walked over with a smile, joining our table. "How's breakfast going?"

Adrien and I exchanged quick glances, and I felt a bit flustered as I pulled my hand away discreetly. "Uh, it's going well, thank you." Adrien said a bit too late.

Luka raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Did I interrupt something?"

Adrien and I both shook our heads, a little too hastily. "No, not at all."

Luka sat down diagonal to me, right next to Adrien. "Well, I guess waking up late wasn't too bad seeing as I get to talk with you two. It's good to see everyone getting along. You both seem to be settling in nicely."

"Yeah, we're trying," Adrien replied with a friendly smile.

I nodded in agreement, still feeling a bit awkward from the brief moment of hand-holding.

Luka's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, any exciting plans for the rest of the day?"

"We have more training ahead," I answered, grateful for the change of topic. "It's quite intense, but I guess that's what it takes to become a Hero."

Luka nodded knowingly. "It's hard to train to become a Hero and it's even harder to actually be one. Lean on each other, support one another."

"So, Luka, were you selected here last year? You seem to really know the ropes around here." Adrien asked.

Luka's mouth twitched in amusement and he let out a small laugh. "Last year? I've been here 6 years; I'd sure hope I'd know the ropes around here."

My jaw dropped, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "WHAT?! How old are you?!" I immediately covered my mouth in shame, but Luka didn't seem offended.

"I'm 20, just two years older than you. I was chosen for the selection when I was only 14."

"Don't they only allow people who are 18 to be chosen?" Adrien questioned.

"Correct. I volunteered instead of someone. I'm an exceptionally rare case." Adrien and I intentionally paused to listen for more, but Luka didn't elaborate.

"You're…a Hero?" Adrien asked incredulously.

Luka's expression grew uncomfortable, and he turned slightly pale. His eyes darted around the room, avoiding direct eye contact as if trying to hide something behind their depths. "I wouldn't really call myself a Hero," he admitted,"I do help out around the training campus, assisting with various tasks and providing guidance to the new trainees."

Adrien and I exchanged surprised glances. It was hard to believe that someone as skilled and knowledgeable as Luka hadn't become a Hero.

"But why?" Adrien must have been insanely blind not to notice Luka's obvious discomfort. "You seem more than capable."

Luka's eyes held a hint of sadness as he looked away, his fingers fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth. "There are reasons," he said evasively. "I'm not a Hero, I'm a medic. I help Heroes coming back from fights, as well as cleaning up around the palace grounds or sewing clothes. I'm happier this way. I like to help people."

Adrien and I exchanged another glance, sensing that Luka didn't want to delve further into the topic. It was clear that there was more to his story, but we respected his privacy and decided not to press any further.

Much to my shock, I didn't retain the same awkwardness I had while speaking to Adrien when I spoke the Luka. The words glided out of my mouth in ease. It made me feel better about myself. Someone who'd been here for so long, helping me out. Another commoner like me. He wasn't unnervingly confident like Adrien, and his calm personality clashed with Adrien's giddy, talkative personality. I didn't mind that at all. In fact, it sorta made me relieved.

"Thanks for talking with me, both of you," I said as we reached the door. "It was... nice. Oh! And Luka, before I forget, I wanted to thank you for that shampoo you left in my room. It made my hair a lot better."

"Anytime, Marinette. I'm here if either of you ever need someone to talk to. I have my own little room, right next to the cafeteria, down the hallway to the left. The only room with a blue door. The infirmary. No penalty for any time spent with me either, after all, it's medic's orders."

I grinned, "Who knows, maybe you can even bust you out of class sometime. Medic's orders, after all."

Luka shook his head, "No, I didn't mean that you can just use me as a get-out-of-jail-free card— plus, that would be lying. Not to mention Lady Mendeleev and any of the other trainers would skin me alive if they found out. You can probably take a mental health day off sometime."

Adrien bumped him playfully, "It's not lying if you don't specify why we're skipping class. I could be inside the infirmary eating cake and they would think I'm having a heart attack or something."

We all laughed after that, but I was more focused on Adrien than anything. The way his tousled dirty blond hair slid sightly to the right when he laughed, the way his teeth were so insanely white they made my teeth look bright yellow in comparison. I couldn't spot a single blemish on his face.

Of course he was flawless. He was the King's son, after all. I have no idea what surprised me so much.

I reached for the door but Luka held it open for me. "I'll hold it open. I insist."

"Is that also one of your orders?" Adrien teased.

Luka had long since assumed his usual half-lidded expression and no longer looked like a walking ghost like when Adrien had brought up the whole Hero fiasco. "Right on."

I liked the little friend group we had assembled, and I wished Luka had also been in the same Selection as us so we could talk while training. I had Adrien to talk to and maybe Chloe if she was in a good mood, but I felt bad, not being able to do anything for Luka, especially after he'd done so much to help around.

Speaking of Luka, I'd noticed nobody really treated him with much respect. Master Fu gave a simple nod of approval as he polished and sharpened some weaponry. Captain Bustier didn't notice him at all, and Lady Mandeleev was now grilling him for helping another contestant distinguish Deadly Nightshade from another plant.

I'm sure you can imagine how fed up everyone is. We're all sweaty and drained from Master Fu's class, our brains are fried after the various, seemingly impossible logic questions Captain Bustier makes us solve, and now we were baking in the hot sun in the forest just near the Heroes' Palace with bare feet on the weed-infested ground, mosquitos dancing around us.

I have no idea how the seasons suddenly changed, either. It was winter back home in my small town. We couldn't have possibly travelled that far, but I had heard of The Dark One's monsters messing up weather conditions just about everywhere, so big thanks to whatever monster did this. Truly spectacular. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

A crazed scream interrupted my thoughts.

"This is my class, punk! Stop helping him, he should've listened to me earlier! I described what every plant here looked like and their lookalikes. Is it that hard to remember 227 plant names?!" Lady Mendeleev screamed. "Nino would be dead from now if you all were really stuck in the forest!"

I recognized Nino from earlier as Adrien's roommate. He looked embarrassed, glistening with sweat and squinting at the sun, "Sorry."

Lady Mendeleev huffed, "You should be!"

From her name I expected a calm, sweet lady, maybe in her mid 20's, with hair open or in a small braid. Instead got a woman in her 50's with a chin that is likely longer than my lifespan, crazed frizzy hair, and a poofy, bedraggled-looking dress. She also called everyone by their last name, which no other trainer had done in prior classes.

Chloe was lying on the forest floor, her chest heaving up and down as she breathed heavily. Her face was red and swollen, her lips bright red with the blood vessels in her eyes showing. The fancy braided hairstyle from this morning had since fallen out, and now instead of small gemstones, twigs and leaves adorned her hair.

"Uuuuuuggh! I'm done! I quit! I don't want to be a Hero! I have more blisters and sunburns than I've ever had in my life! Every single thing in my body aches!"

Lady Mendeleev poked her with a long stick, "Get up, Bougeois, quit rolling around in poison ivy."

Chloe jumped to her feet with a scream, brushing leaves off her training attire.

Lady Mendeleev's mouth has curled into a smile, "Foolish girl. That wasn't poison ivy. Looks like it, but it's not. You'd know that if you paid attention in class. Perhaps you can join Nino in detention."

Chloe was having none of Lady Mendeleev's smug behavior, her already red face turning even redder with rage. Dirt had collected inside her long, well-manicured nails, and she looked just about ready to sink her nails into Lady Mendeleev's flesh to claw her skin off.

Luka stepped between the two. "I don't think Damoclès would approve of such rigorous training this early. He wanted a training reform put in place."

Lady Mendeleev scoffed. "Did you ask Nathaniel or Mark? Or any other current Hero?"

Luka gave a small bow, "I got this information from Kagami Tsurugi, ma'am."

Lady Mendeleev's expression softened. "Ah, Kagami! This class was her favorite during her training days. Do you have word of how she is?"

"She's doing good, ma'am. Ranked #1 Hero in the world. She told me she might stop here after returning from a mission."

The formerly cranky woman was now practically squealing in excitement, "Splendid! Tell her Master Fu, Captain Bustier, General Damoclès, and I will be very excited for her return." She turned around to face us, her attitude changing instantly. "You brats better learn a thing or two from her."

We all nodded numbly like sheep. Great, a mini Lady Mendeleev would also be arriving here, as if we already didn't have enough going on. Anyone who liked Lady Mendeleev's class must've be sick in the head— Kagami was no exception. Even Mylene, who had almost as much knowledge about plants and other wildlife aspects as Ms. Mendeleev, was exasperatedly fanning herself with a hat.

In my mind, I pictured Kagami as the perfect Hero—skilled, fearless, and undoubtedly more talented than me. I assumed she must come from a prestigious background, probably from a long line of Heroes or powerful families, just like Adrien. She probably had a natural talent for combat and was the epitome of elegance and grace.

As much as I wanted to be excited about her potential visit, a part of me couldn't help but resent her. I felt like an imposter compared to someone like Kagami, who was undoubtedly destined for greatness from the very beginning.