The clock is showing 9:55 AM.

The students are now being seated in their chairs, facing nervously at the podium. Parents and siblings are sitting behind rows and rows of teenagers. 

"Children, after this Takdir placement is over, you will no longer be children. You are adults, destined to fulfill your duties to the King and to our nation." an MC with a maroon-colored kebaya and a black and gold sarong said.

As soon as the MC finished talking, the big screen behind her back begins to light up. The symbol of the nation, a Garuda, is shown in the middle with a blue background. Then the King's face is shown.

"Good morning, children of Indonesia. Good morning, parents. I am thrilled to meet everyone face to face on this rare occasion.We are gathered in here in this great hall to celebrate the moment that our children become adults." he paused.

"The moment you all have been waiting for is here. I wish you all the best of luck." 

The screen turns back to the nation's symbol. The King's speech has ended. The audience is still sitting in silence, staring at the screen motionlessly.

"Now, I will call out names. When I call your name, please step forward and obtain your new moniker. This moniker that is placed in the inside part of your arm will contain your new information, including occupation and where you are stationed."

Ara holds her breath. 'This is it. This is the moment that I have worked so hard for. Mom, are you seeing this?' 

"Guntur of Rama."

Guntur stands up and nervously walks towards the podium where a guard wearing all black and a batik tie is standing. He has a small injection equipment that looks more like a toy gun with him. It does not take long for everyone to understand that it is the thing of which the guard will use to inject the moniker.

"You are stationed as a janitor in the ship of Garuda. Should you accept your Takdir placement, please say your vows to the kingdom."

Guntur holds his right arm crossing his chest and says "I, Guntur of Rama, vow to remain loyal to the New Kingdom of Indonesia. I will fulfill my duty to serve the nation and to bring honor to my father's name."

With shaking hands, he holds out his arm for the guard to inject his moniker. The gun makes a vibrating sound for a second and the injection is done.

"Kirana of Rama, you are stationed as a cook in this ship of Rama. Should you accept your Takdir placement, please say your vows to the kingdom."

Kirana proceeds with the procedure that Guntur went through. Other than the vibrating sound of the moniker gun, nobody makes a single noise. Everybody is nervous as this placement is what they are going to do for the rest of their lives. A single mistake can make you placed in an undesirable position where you will have to stick to until the day you leave the ship.

"Mutiara of Rama, you have been an excellent student and therefore, you are placed in the ship of Garuda as the lady in waiting for Princess Intan. Should you accept your Takdir placement, please say your vows to the kingdom."

"I am sorry?" Ara can't help herself but answer in such a frugal manner.

"Please proceed to your vow or you will be placed as the fourth caste in Rama." The MC definitely does not get this every year. She is clearly taken aback by Ara that is talking back when her Takdir placement is given to her.

With shaking hands and pale face, Ara steps forward. Her eyes begin to water with tears. Not because of sadness. But because of anger. Anger and disappointment. 

"I, Mutiara of Rama, vow to remain loyal to the New Kingdom of Indonesia. I will fulfill my duty to serve the nation and to bring honor to my father's name."

The moniker is injected to Ara's arm, right below her palm and Ara does not even feel the pain. She barely even hears the vibrating sound that the gun makes.

All she can hear is a buzzing sound in her ears and the beats of her heart like a drum in her chest.

'I, Mutiara of Rama, vow to remain loyal to the New Kingdom of Indonesia. I will fulfill my duty to serve the nation and to bring honor to my father's name.' 

The vow is the only thing that Ara's head can think of. It keeps on being played over and over and over...again.

'I, Mutiara of Rama, vow to remain loyal..'

'I, Mutiara of Rama...'