On the training fields the students, each in their own way, were trying to improve, heeding the things that one by one Brand had told them, who saw the students with a smile on their faces. It seemed that they were certainly willing to improve.
But there was one thing that was bothering Brand, and that was Arlen. He more or less could give advice on the different skills and how to improve, for that he gets paid money every month, but he had no idea what advice he could give him to make him improve since he didn't know that skill well.
However, he didn't know that Arlen had a thing in his head that he could tell him something, but he didn't talk too much since he wanted Arlen to be the one to learn by himself. At the moment Arlen was focusing on lifting objects, he was trying to lift a small stone, a pen, maybe two and getting better and better. He lifts it higher, longer, but had not yet dared with larger objects. But he was happy, without pause, but without haste he kept improving.
Olivia was in a place in the training field where there was more shade, that made her make better use of her ability. She was focusing on making portals of darkness bigger and farther away. Although she had in mind to learn a couple of tricks she had been taught at home but hadn't managed to do, and that was to create shadows with shapes, that was where she wanted to get to and where the real strength of shadows lay, being able to manipulate them.
Caleb could generate ice, but at high temperatures he couldn't get it, and the amount he could create was relatively small compared to his family. Caleb had a problem though, every time he created ice it was impossible to undo, so Brand provided him with carts and when they were full he would empty them. But as hard as Caleb was trying, he also wondered if it would do any good.
Kevin took Brand's advice and was in the lake trying to move large amounts of water, and realized that it was a rather more complicated thing than it looked, but that motivated him more. After yesterday's defeat and humiliation he felt he had to do better. He wanted to be strong, he wanted to be free.
Laia was in a training field trying to move the wind around her. At the moment she couldn't use it as freely as she would like, but she had seen her mother lift such great things with wind that she had faith in being like her, and in getting the attention of the person she had secretly always loved and admired. If she wanted to achieve all that she knew she must strive.
And while they struggled elsewhere in the Academy, inside the central building was Charles Foix in a room with only a chair to sit on which was nailed to the floor. He had no idea where he was, but ever since he woke up he had been in that room.
—Where am I! What are you doing to me?! My family is under the protection of the King's! YOU WANT TO START A WAR?!
—You talk too much for a nobody.
A man with sunken eyes, a poorly kept beard and a poorly kept suit appeared through a doorway.
—Who's here? The street sweeper? What is this, a joke?
The man just looked at him, but in his gaze there was nothing, no anger, no sorrow, no joy, he showed nothing, well, maybe tiredness.
—What was the pill you took during the official battle against Kevin?
Then Charles knew why he had been taken there.
—I don't know what you're talking about.
At her answer the man could only sigh as he lowered both arms.
—Don't make this any harder for me. Just answer the question.
Charles knew he had screwed up, but he couldn't say anything openly either, his family had just achieved a great accomplishment, he couldn't screw up even more now.
—It was an anti-fatigue pill.
—So it was an anti-fatigue pill. Who gave it to you?
—Why? Do you need them?
—Just answer the question.
—I took them from someone's backpack, but I don't remember who.
—When and where?
—The first night, in the rooms.
The man seemed to write down what Charles said, and that was enough for him for the moment.
—Does anyone else know about the stock of these pills?
—Not that I know of, well, I guess the owner of the backpack.
—Any ideas?
Then Charles saw the perfect opportunity to pin the dead on someone else.
—I think it belonged to Caleb White.
Hearing that name was the first time the man looked up from the paper to see Charles.
—The heir to the White family?
—Yes.
—I see.
And the man turned his eyes back to the paper.
—Okay, it looks like I have a conclusion, I'll walk you to your class.
—No need, I can do it myself.
—Oh, don't worry, I'd be honored.
And the man opened the door and let Charles go through first. When he came out he was in a dimly lit gray hallway. The man directed Charles to an elevator and when the two were alone the man turned to Charles again.
—One last question, just so I'm clear.
—Yes, of course.
—Was it your parents or the Kings?
That question caught Charles by surprise.
—What do you say?
—Who was it that taught you to lie?
—I don't know what you're saying.
And when Charles tried to pull away he noticed how his body was locked in threads that held him still.
—Just answer the question.
—I've told the truth. It was the White heir---
Charles had to keep quiet to endure the pain that the threads were tightening around his body.
—By the witnesses after grafting the drug your speed and power increased, by the tests we did on you we proved it was true and those drugs are forbidden in IOH, so answer the question, who gave you the drug?
Charles then had a feeling he had only had with his father, or when he met the King's heir. A feeling that made his whole body tremble, he was afraid. But he had to choose fast, what was he most afraid of? Then something inside him broke, the little sanity he had burst not to betray his family.
In the elevator he began to laugh out loud and looked wide-eyed at the man who asked him.
—I already answered your question, sir.
And he kept laughing, sticking out his tongue and shaking his head from side to side like a madman.
The man looked at him without changing his face, without making a grimace, if it were not for breathing he could be given like a stuffed doll, looking without any feeling at the person in front of him.
When at last the elevator door opened they were both on the first floor. The man released Charles who stepped out while putting a psychotic smile on his face and seeing him leave for the first time the man sighed.
—Some people have no hope.
And he followed the boy's footsteps out of the building, when he came out he saw how the boy was still walking towards the Academy's combat department district. But he didn't care much, he had another destination.
When he arrived at the central building of the Academy he went up to the principal's office, who was patiently sitting there waiting for him.
—Good morning Joshua, how have you been?
The tired-eyed man sat down in an office chair and lit a cigarette.
—Nothing, he said he took it from Caleb White's backpack and didn't know the effect of the drug. Then he started laughing like a madman.
—What did you do to him?
—Me? Nothing.
Luka sighed at his desk as he thought about what to do next.
—Joshua, keep an eye on the freshmen for now, I don't want the drug to spread. The second year teachers are trying to control the King's heir as much as possible.
When Joshua heard that, he put out the cigarette he had just lit in an ashtray and got up from his chair.
—I will send you a report if there is anything new.
—And change your clothes!
—Yes sir.
And Joshua left the office, but Luca was still thinking.
How had the King's gotten the drug into the Academy? Was someone helping them? Was he supposed to doubt any IOH teacher or guard? Or had he had it from the beginning and just started using it now?
Then Luca called someone who could help him come up with a plan of action, a first-year teacher and an expert of the strategist, Kei.