MATTHEW'S POV
My hands were wet with nervous sweating. Samuel went to get the door while we stayed seated at the central couch. Zed sat on my right side and Ashley on my left. Zed gave me an assuring smile while Ashley didn't even spare me a glance.
Footsteps filled the room. I looked over to the side where the front door was located. Samuel was walking with a man in a crisp, black suit. His hair faded from black to gray. His blue eyes demanded respect. He was principal Angelo Carter.
He stopped and took a seat in front of us. Samuel still stood by his side. Silence filled the atmosphere. The principal staring was at me. "I was right."
I blinked in confusion. "Pardon?"
"You're the son of Mandy Martinez, correct?" The principal clarified. I wonder how he knew my mom. "Yes, sir. I am."
"I had a hunch that you would be the son of a familiar face. Your last names are the same too."
I was beginning to question my mom. It was the worst feeling in the world. "How do you know my mother, sir? Does she know about this?" I motioned to the other people in the room.
The principal smiled. "Of course, she was one of them after all."
'W-What? Mom was...'
Was this the reason she freaked out when I enrolled in this school? The reason why she told me not to get involved with them? Why though? If she was one of them, why prohibit me from speaking to one?
"It's your destiny to become one of the elites like your parents!" The principal exclaimed.
My brain shut down. My heart stopped beating momentarily. My breath hitched. I knew it. I mean it all made sense on why she would forbid me from staying out too late, on why she made me promise to never go near people with a red button on their sleeve. It was because she's also an elite.
Why? Why didn't she tell me? I wouldn't have mind knowing that she was a member of a cool organization that fought with weird creatures.
"So, wait. What if only one of my parents is an elite? Does that make me one as well?"
The principal nodded. "Yes, as long as one of your parents is an elite, their offspring will be too. There's no avoiding it."
My mouth closed and opened like a fish on land. "A-And you wouldn't happen to be an elite, right?"
The principal chuckled. "If I wasn't, then I might as well not be the principal of this university."
"So... My mom really was an elite." I frowned and buried my head in my hands. My suspicions were confirmed.
'That's why my soul protector said I should have summoned him two years ago. Since my mom didn't tell me, I never had the chance to do it.'
"Hey, it's not that bad. Maybe a little." The principal coughed in the last part.
"How can you be so sure that both of my parents are elites? Were you also classmates with my dad?"
The principal nodded in reply. "Andre Coleman was the captain of the second batch while I lead the first."
'Andre Coleman. Mom mentioned him once before.'
Samuel made a face that showed realization. "No wonder your soul protector has gold eyes. Both of your parents were elites."
"What's up with that though? I saw the eyes of your soul protector Samuel. It had blue eyes. Why was mine gold?"
"It's like a level." This time, Ashley was the one who responded. I whipped my head in her direction, slightly surprised she even acknowledged my question.
"Level?"
"Green eyes indicate the lowest level, also as the weakest. This is caused by one parents' soul protector having green eyes and the other one normal-blooded. Next is violet-colored eyes. This is caused by two green level elite parents or if one of them is already at the level violet. The next one is blue. It's the same as violet. Either it's two violet level elite parents or one of them is already level blue. Then, the strongest of them all - Gold. The causation is still the same."
"Then you are..."
"I'm a gold level soul protector. After all... My dad is the owner of the university.".
"Dad... Owner... University." I looked back and forth at Ashley and the principal.
They. Looked. Exactly. Alike.
With black hair and blue eyes, you could already tell they were father and daughter. It was so obvious.
The principal laughed. "I'm a gold level soul protector while my wife is normal-blooded. But your parents Matthew..." His eyes pierced into mine. "... They're both elites. Your father had a gold level soul protector while your mother had blue. It's no doubt you're strong."
I bit my lip. All of them could summon their soul protector in one try. The first time I tried to summon mine, the button didn't even shift into one.
I didn't answer the principal. My silence caused everyone to look at me. I felt pressured so I just said, "Thank you."
Ashley huffed at my reply. The principal was more understanding. "Rest. You can join your batch tomorrow at the Night Fog Forest again. It's time for the second batch to take care of it today."
"Wait, tomorrow?"
"Yes. You summoned a soul protector. You're officially one of us."
"So, you're saying... I'll be joining you guys? With elite stuff?" I asked. My mouth and eyes were wide open.
"Correct. Your things will be moved into the mansion later. You will also be moved to the elite building."
At this point, I completely forgot all about my report on plants and gravity.
"Mister Angelo. Maybe it's a bit too early for Matthew to join? He looks like he's still processing all of this." Samuel looked at me worriedly.
"You're right, Captain. But we need all the members present so your powers can all benefit each other."
"What do you mean by 'our powers benefitting each other'?" I went all out with my questions. There were still too many things I didn't understand.
"The nearer you are to another elite, the stronger your fatigue resistance is." The principal explained.
I looked over to Samuel and spoke, "It's okay. I'm fine. I can join you guys." The truth was, I was still shaken up. Deep down, I wanted to rebel against my mom's request, but I kept denying the feeling. I assured myself that this was indeed my destiny.
The principal clapped his hands. "Great! I knew you were a capable boy."
The rest of the elites welcomed me, saying how great friends we were about to be. Ashley simply nodded at me before going back to pretending I didn't exist. I brushed a hand through my hair.
'Maybe this won't be so bad.'
I was currently in the shower. The hot water made me relaxed and I gathered my thoughts.
'Mister Angelo said to become an elite, your parents at least need to be one. Mom is an elite, as she was classmates with mister Angelo. So that meant... Grandma or Grandpa was also an elite?!'
I sighed and placed a hand on the cold, bathroom wall.
'It's kind of funny. Grandpa, who sits all day in front of the television, has the ability of an elite. Or Grandma, who sleeps in random places, can also summon a soul protector.'
I turned off the shower and grabbed the white towel that was just outside the door. I wrapped the towel around my waist, got out of the tub, and faced the large mirror above the sink. I didn't look any different from three days ago when I was still a normal student.
I snorted. 'Was I ever normal?'
I entered my bedroom. The one where I woke up earlier. Samuel said that it was now mine. Zed bought me another pair of clothes. I insisted that I pay him back, but he was too stubborn to accept the money. That guy must be rich or something.
I brought my uniform out and wore it. I was too busy fixing my tie, I almost didn't hear the knock on my door. "Come in!"
Samuel and Ashley showed up when the door opened. "I'll ask you this again, Matthew. Are you sure you're okay? We really won't mind you skipping another day of school." Samuel said. Ashley lightly slapped him at his shoulder. "He is an elite. Surely his recovery time is more than enough!"
I gave both of them a strained smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Good. The limousine is waiting for us outside."
I practically yelled out. "Limousine?! Are you guys serious?" I always walked to school, I didn't ride any vehicles. So the thought of riding a limousine seemed perplexing.
Samuel snickered at my reaction. "Yes. And Matthew, I suggest you keep in mind that the school has a big amount of money to even be able to purchase a mansion, much less a limousine. If you keep forgetting this information, then you'll give yourself a heart attack one day."
"A heart attack is not fit for an elite to die. If anything, it should be by fighting or old age." Ashley said. Was she always so serious?
I walked outside of the mansion with the two. As they said earlier, there was a limousine outside - a golden white colored one. On the driver's seat was the principal. And all 27 students were seated at the back. Needless to say, the limousine was a long one. This car must cause so much traffic.
Not only did the limousine astonished me, but the whole place in general. At the center was a pathway, and both sides of it were covered in grass - small flowers even bloomed. Then the tall white gates that surrounded the mansion. I had to crane my neck up to see the top of it.
"Huh, never knew the schedule of the elites were different from normal ones." I noticed the time difference. School should have started at 8:30 and yet it was already 9:45 a.m.
"It is to make sure that no one can spot us entering the building. Many elite artifacts are stored in that place, so a password was made."
"What's the password then?"
"You'll see when we get there." Samuel promised. He closed his eyes and leaned against the window.
The car ride was momentarily silent. Then someone spoke up, her voice soft and gentle. "Umm... M-Mister Matthew?"
I looked back and the one who called me was a girl with blonde hair tied into ponytails. Her gray eyes looked so shy. I laughed a little. "You don't have to call me mister you know. How old are you anyway?"
"I-I'm fifteen."
"See? I'm only two years older than you. What's your name?"
"Samantha Del R-Rosario."
"What? You're-"
"She's my sister." Samuel said, his eyes still closed.
"Of course. You look like each other's twin." I shook my head. Samuel burst into laughter while Samantha smiled shyly.
"So, Samantha. Do you need anything?"
"I-I just wanna know i-if you're okay?"
'Awww! She's so sweet!'
"Aren't you so sweet? I'm fine. Thanks for asking." I ruffled her hair. She pouted at first then started to giggle.
"Looks like you're getting along with everyone." Samuel commented. I raised an eyebrow at him before pointing at Ashley. The girl noticed who I was pointing at and glared. "Something wrong, Martinez?" She hissed.
My eyes widened and I apologized. Samuel laughed and Samantha looked confused. "Okay, I get it, Matthew." Samuel resumed laughing.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the school gates. The principal parked in a parking slot and from there, we walked towards the elite building.
It was slightly overwhelming, walking amongst people who looked so intimidating. I was one of them now.
When we arrived at our destination, the feeling of dread slightly decreased, but it was still there. The principal grabbed my wrist. "I think you will be needing this now. It's essential for the password."
I gasped at what he offered me - the red button. To people oblivious to what's going on, it was just a normal button. Nothing out of the ordinary. But I knew better.
"T-This is..." I was lost for words. It was the object I'd be needing for summoning. I finally had one of my own. The principal nodded. "Put your button on the scanner then say 'soul protector'. That's the password." I didn't know there was a scanner. Each of us took our turns at putting the button on the scanner and saying 'soul protector'. The doors of the elite building closed just as fast as it opened.
It was my turn. I placed the button on the scanner. A thin green light went up and down before disappearing. Was this the part where I say the password? "Soul protector." The door clicked.
I went inside the building, my excitement rising. When I saw how fancy and grand this place was, I almost believed this was a museum.
Things like jars, swords, stones, chalks, and arrows were stored inside a glass container beside the stairs. The white floor that almost turned yellow because of how bright this place was made me question why the exterior design of this building so dark?
"What are these?" I asked when I stood in front of a red jar with a circle lid on top. There were words inscribed on it. I knew I didn't study whatever language this was, yet I knew. "Akh Mao." I paused, slightly surprised with myself.
Samuel stared at me. "Should've known that you knew the languages of the elite. You got me for a second there."
'Yeah, it got me too.'
"This means soul protector."
"The first generation of elites used a jar to summon their soul protectors. Just take the lid off and a soul protector will surely pop out of the jar." Samuel informed.
"Why do I know what this translates to?"
"You could say it's already imprinted in our minds. It's passed on from generation to generation." I looked back at the jar again.
"As we evolve, so as our things, huh?" Samuel nodded at my question.
"And these arrows? Stones? Swords? Were they also weapons that the elites from years ago used?"
"Exactly. You're quick at catching up."
"Yes, bravo." Ashley came and said sarcastically. "When you're done making star eyes at the artifacts, can we go up now?"
'I wonder what's on the second floor.'
We climbed the stairs. At the end of the long hallway of the second floor, were big, bronze double-doors. 'Elite' languages were scribbled all over the door. I read one of them. "Nela." Home.
"This is a portal to another world, they say. The abode of the first-generation elites and the place where the goddess Selene used to reign. No one has been able to open these doors. Zed even almost used a hammer on these things." Samuel laughed. "Still, it doesn't open."
I was fascinated. All my life I lived a boring life.
Eat.
School.
Sleep.
Done.
That's all I did. Now, I felt like a new purpose had been bestowed upon me, a duty to protect the world. I may be getting ahead of myself, but could you blame me? A whole new life was in front of me. I was getting excited.
We climbed another set of stairs. The third floor looked like a training room with a wide fighting ring at the center and tin cans placed just above a table. There were also punching bags scattered around. No windows were present on this floor.
"What is this floor for?" I questioned. Samuel stood next to me and answered, "This is where we build up our strength and stamina."
'Joy.'
The fourth floor was just a normal classroom. With 30 chairs in total - five chairs per row. A huge blackboard stuck on the wall at the center. White walls, black and red ceramic tiles contrasted each other, adding a nice color to the place.
"Just because you're an elite doesn't mean you won't be learning normal education anymore. Don't worry though..." Samuel put a finger up to his lips. "There's always a twist when studying with elites."
"I look forward to that." I chuckled. Footsteps could be heard from behind us. It belonged to the principal. Mister Angelo smiled with his eyes closed.
"Now, Martinez. Since you're done with the tour of our beloved elite building..." He opened his eyes. Strictness, mysteriousness, and superiority clouded his blue orbs. "I suppose you know how to keep a secret?"