Hello, dear reader. This is a quick pre-reading guide to this story just to clear some things up about some of the world and the vocabulary used. Most of it is self-explanatory, but just to have an index for reference if need be, I made this for you just in case.

Creature:

Any person that is not human/fully human by blood/biology. Including but not exclusive to lycans, sirens, bulgae, gumiho, vampires, fae, werewolves, etc.

Species, subspecies:

Species: What kind of creature you are. Subspecies: applicable to biological differentiations/hierarchy placements within certain species such as werewolves, lycans, and fae, i.e Omega, Beta, Alpha, etc.

Square racing:

Arguably the most popular sport and most popular motorsport, the predominant sport among lycans that consist of an organized point system and teams. Its notoriety was gained by its significant monetary prices and the immense cultural/socio-economical significance within the species. A common core of income, career path, fame, permanent injury, and death.

Eval:

The annual, biennial, triennial, or quinquennial pack evaluation of all lycans within each pack that evaluates categories such as strength, endurance, competence, and racing in order to rank/classify all pack lycans accordingly.

Partial, Half, Full Shift:

The degree to which a lycan or werewolf can "shift" into their canine form, i.e transform into their canine form. Note: Shifting is far more common among werewolves and is considered a common, even coveted, habit of the species. Lycans regard it as far more taboo and outdated, and oftentimes disapprove of shifting. Note (2) : Lycan shifting has shown to be more painful due to their higher evolution.

Class I/II/III:

Lycan "Classes" are typically used to classify lycans into categories of low, middle, and high capability. Class rank entailment varies from pack to pack, but typically refers to the overall physical and intellectual capabilities of a lycan. Note: many negotiations and social protests have been made to abolish this system, to no avail.

Alpha:

A werewolf and lycan term. For lycans, a subspecies that typically entails a higher metabolism, growth rate, and healing rate than other beings. Alphas typically have increased dopamine, testosterone, amino acids, proteins, calcium, and white blood cells than other subspecies. They are typically taller or bigger than over subspecies, with stronger bones and faster neural messaging speed, as well as higher stamina. They typically have a resting heart rate between 50 to 80 BPM, and have an internal temperature between 99-101ºF (37-38.3ºC). A severe to deathly reaction to pure silver.

Beta:

A werewolf and lycan term. For lycans, a subspecies that typically entails a moderately higher metabolism and healing rate than other beings. Betas typically have increased amino acids, proteins, and white blood cells than Omegas and humans. They vary the most in size, weight, and behavior than the other two subspecies. They do have stronger bones and higher stamina than humans. They typically have a resting heart rate between 60 to 75 BPM, and have an internal temperature between 98-100ºF (37-37.7ºC). A moderate to severe reaction to pure silver.

Omega:

A werewolf and lycan term. For lycans, a subspecies that typically entails a normal metabolism but a lower healing rate than other beings except for humans. Omegas typically have the same blood work as many humans with no significant difference except for an occasionally increased number of white blood cells. They typically have weaker bones, are smaller than average, and do not grow as fast or as much as others. They are more prone to permanent injury/scarring than all other lycans. They typically have a resting heart rate between 40-60 BPM, and have an internal temperature between 98-100ºF (37-37.7ºC). A severe to deathly reaction to beryllium.

The 607:

The 607 surgery is a highly invasive surgery that can span anywhere from 12-25 hours of operation, and gained its name from a vital isotope that is used in the operation. It came into existence in the 1960s in order to cure silver poisoning, however, it has a survival rate of 12% and less due to its lengthy and dangerous procedures. Many who have received the 607 have suffered permanent paralysis, memory loss, physical disability, pain, bruising, and weakened immunity from the surgery. Only a small percentage of that percentage that survive make a full recovery within two years.

I.GHOST:

A private, encrypted, and untraceable messaging sight created by an unknown member of Janchi often used by its affiliated gangs or Drachmann gangs in general.

Ghostsearch:

A web browser that uses similar technology to the Dark Web that allows access into typically-unobtainable information and files on any given topic. Typically requires several walls of password and code breakage from its source.

The Birdhouse, The Talon, The Corvidae:

The Birdhouse refers to the main block of restaurants, shops, stores, and avenues that many Avaldi students frequent for nights/days out. The Talon is the living quarters of many Avaldi sports teams, including their square racing team. The Corvidae is the large capacity square racing stadium built specifically for square racing by Avaldi University.

The Diamond Prix Championships:

Often called the Grand Diamond Prix Championships, the Diamond, Championships, or the Diamond Prix, it is the annual, eight-month-long square racing Championships of all of the NCAA's D1 square racing teams consisting of twelve total rounds divided into Yellow, Green, and Red Diamond ranging from within one's state to throughout the country. No money is won up until the final round, Red Diamond.

Heat:

An lycan Omega term; refers to the body's immune response to certain Alpha blood contamination that can interfere with specific absorption processes by the blood and bones. Symptoms include severe fever (103ºF [39.4ºC] and above), body aches/pains, cold sweat, shakes, nausea, uncontrolled shifting in parts of the body such as the eyes, neuropathy, loss of taste/appetite, ringing in the ears, disorientation, loss of vision/peripheral vision, red/spotted skin, dry or bleeding lips, and if untreated, death.

Rut:

A lycan Alpha term; refers to a medical occurrence characterized by uncontrollable shifting and/or epileptic episodes that can occur during lycans' puberty, early or late, and is often addressed with a specific medication, Valatro, that in certain forms, can act as a type of steroid and is often abused long past the rut period.

[Square Racing]

Front port:

The front, leftmost wing of the team that acts as one of the two main point-grabbers. Oftentimes is one of the or the fastest of the team, has strong reflexes, quick coordination, and knows the track better than anyone else. Fronts are the most coveted and difficult positions.

Front starboard:

The front, rightmost wing of the team that acts as the other main point-grabber. Oftentimes is one of the or the fastest of the team, has strong reflexes, quick coordination, and knows the track well. Typically races defensive as well every now and then more than portside.

Centerback:

The centermost member of the team that is typically referred to as the "second leader". Responsible for corralling the fronts, keeping any defensive from getting too close, and locating the most ideal point combinations. Oftentimes has strong speed, reflexes, and coordination, but not strong enough to be a front. Typically goes between offensive and defensive interchangeably.

Port tail:

Leftmost tail wing of the group. Responsible for keeping offense behind and blocked. Responsible for blocking point combos and attempts at such. Requires fast reflexes and strength.

Starboard tail:

Rightmost wing of the group. Responsible for keeping offense behind and blocked. Responsible for blocking point combos and attempts at such. Requires fast reflexes and strength.

Center tail:

Center defense, in between tails. Responsible for being the last line of defense, and keeping eyes out for the tails' and fronts' blind spots. Requires keen eyes and patience.

Smokebox:

Rare term but still used; refers to the lower five rows of the stadium closes to the track and its action. Coveted fan seats. Can go from 100 to 12,000 USD a ticket.

Canopy & pit:

Canopies are designated areas at north and south or east and west ends of every square racing stadium in which teams return to during breaks and beginnings/ends of races and coaches/assistant coaches remain to watch the match and advise. The pit is the designated maintenance and emergency response area embedded in all racing stadiums that typically contains the pit crew, emergency responders, team nurses, and team engineers.

IPRA:

International Packs of Racing Association. Oversees all pro teams across the globe. Responsible for overseeing signing, trading, and terminating square racers on pro teams.

Victory:

A victory is the prize money bet and ultimately won in an official match. No matches outside of IPRA or authorized collegian teams can legally have victories.

Drag race:

Typical of street racing, pertains to a simple no-point race wherein two or more vehicles race a certain length and the winner is determined by who crosses the finish line first.

Lap foul:

All fouls result in the other team getting a 10-20 second head start either at the starting line or the place in which the foul was conducted.

Death round:

A round that occurs in the event of a match ending in a tie with less than a 0.5 lap/minute gap between the teams. Each team chooses one racer, and the two shall go head to head in an "endless race to the death" in which the first racer to widen the gap by 15 or more points, regardless of time, wins.

Hail Mary bet:

(Also called a net worth bet). A Hail Mary bet—a term that originated in street racing—is a bet made on any square racing match that places the entirety of an individual or an organization's available assets and available money on that match. Used at the end of a match in favor of the loser wherein the individual or organization would like one more round raced to "change the tide" of the match. A Hail Mary bet, in the event the loser does become the winner in the end of the round, elicits the other side to pay what they would have had to pay in the event of a loss, back to them. Requires both parties' agreement, on the betting and the racing side. Has only been used in an IPRA match twice, and an NCAA match thrice.

[Rules & Guidelines]

- No direct head shots are permitted, including throwing any equipment, fists, or bikes at the head

- No tampering with opponents' equipment on or off the track

- No "stop and block"; no blocking a racer off horizontally and stopping so they may crash into you

- No racer may race beyond the white lines or it is a foul/disqualification

- No drugs, alcohol, or any other unauthorized/prescription substances on the track or within a half mile radius of it

- No unauthorized equipment modifications (authorization may be requested by your coach to your school's board or the NCAA/IPRA)

- No unauthorized weapons or tools or bikes of any kind on the track

- No bikes may be thrown or used as projectiles. This can end in immediate disqualification

- No unauthorized mics or earpieces that are not connected to your teammates or your coach/assistant coach

- No unauthorized racers on the track at any time

- Checkered flag: minor foul, typically results in a lap foul

- Red flag: major foul, typically results in a benching/disqualification of a racer or their team

- Winner is determined by a fifteen points or more gap. If the gap is less than, the winner will be determined by a lap per minute speed. (There have only been a few occasions in which a team with more points loses by the lap/minute rule).

- 40% of victories are bet by the teams themselves in both IPRA and university teams, while the other 60% is typically bet by sponsors (private/public).

- A team may not bet more than 15% of their total budget/income by the 1902 Racing Bankruptcy code.

- All team members must have full physicals and bike checks done before either entering the team or entering a match depending on the school/team.

- A minimum of 5 racers must be on the track

- All racers must wear helmets, cleats, a jacket, and gloves. Other armor is strongly advised but optional.