“Grandma, Grandma.”
“What is it, Wil?”
“That girl’s a fairy, isn’t she? He eyes and hair are so s.h.i.+ny. She must be a fairy.”
“Oh my. How romantic of you, Wil. You should tell her yourself. I’m sure she’ll be very happy to hear that.”
“No. I’m scared.”
“Oh? Why might that be?”
“If she really is a fairy, she’ll take me away to Fairy Land. Don’t pretty fairies steal kids away?”
“Dear me, that does sound very scary, Wil. I don’t want to have you stolen away. Then why don’t you tell her once you’ve grown up?”
“Well… okay. But—”
“But?”
“What if she still wants to steal me away then?”
“Since you’ll be an adult, you’ll be able to decide for yourself, Wil.”
“Okay.”
“Now, I’m going to introduce her to everyone, so go wait in the auditorium. Sit at the very front, like you always do.”
“Okay, Grandma.”
“Allison.”
“Yes, Madam Mut?”
“Please, call me ‘Grandma’. That’s what everyone calls me here.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
“I need to tell you something very important. When I introduce you to everyone today, there’s going to be a brown-haired boy in a green s.h.i.+rt sitting in the front row.”
“Mhm.”
“Remember, that boy will definitely be your friend. You should go and talk to him—there’s no need to be shy.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
Allison Whittington: 17 years old. A staff sergeant in the Roxcheanuk Confederation Air Force. She is part of an aircraft transportation unit. Allison has blond hair and blue eyes, and is extremely athletic. However, she is not a morning person. Allison often acts without thinking. She lost her father in battle when she was eight years old, at which point she was brought to the orphanage where she met Wil.
Wilhelm Schultz: 17 years old. A sixth-year student at Lowe Sneum Memorial Secondary School in the Republic of Raputoa on the east side of the river. Wil is a laid-back student with an excellent academic record, who was abandoned at an orphanage at the age of three. Since the age of eight, he has been Allison’s friend, underling, trustworthy subordinate, and maybe even her—
Carr Benedict: 24 years old. The youngest major in the history of the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel-Iltoa. He is known as a hero who made a historic discovery. Benedict is extremely popular with women, but he is less than pleased with his newfound stardom. ‘Carr’ is his family name.
Fiona(Francesca): 20 years old. A princess of the Kingdom of Iks, which is a part of the Roxcheanuk Confederation on the east side of the river. She is the only surviving member of the Royal Family of Iks, and is set to become the queen. She revealed her survival to the people of her country with the help of Wil, Allison, and Benedict.