"What?" Leon asked in disbelief.
"I assume I was not clear the first time. I'm Shidan's cardinal assassin, not exactly an assassin, but I'm into training to succeed in the current one. You, my dear friend, shall be given training to become an assassin in my squad." Natria explained.
"What do you mean by training?" Casious asked, his very first words after the Ceremony.
"Well, you'll be trained to become assassins for the Federation. You know, stealth, martial arts and all." Natria tried to explain.
"Not that. Aren't we already selected in the military for other purposes?" Casious asked.
"Oh, that." Natria said, trying to act surprised as he shifted his glance to the Colonel.
The Colonel nodded.
"That is a cover-up." he said with a smile.
"WHAT?" they are all screamed in unison.
"I believe Vod can explain it to you the better way." Natria said in a calm tone.
"What do you mean by a cover up?" Zia asked in a hesitant voice.
Natria looked at the Colonel.
"Over to you, Colonel Vod." he said with a sinister smile.
"I'll be leaving you guys then, gotta help my comrade." he said as he shouldered an exhausted Xander and helped him over to the infirmary.
The Colonel just stood there and watched.
"Speak up, Colonel Vod." Leon said in an irritated tone.
Vod narrowed his eyes; a chill went down the spine of the Elites.
"Elites!" he spoke in a loud voice.
"ATTENTION!" he commanded, so powerful was the command that even the reluctant bodies of Elites heeded.
"Now, before I tell you anything, you all need to learn some manner." the Colonel said.
"Especially you, Leon." he said with a stern voice, his tall stature peaking over the kid.
"Ye-Yes. I understand." Leon stammered. He felt intimidated.
"Now, where should I start from?" the Colonel said with a sigh.
The Elites held their breath in anticipation.
The Colonel took a deep breath and started, "You see the nation you call home, Avenriot; is on the verge of collapse."
Their hearts dropped.
"What?" Perkov exclaimed in confusion.
"Yes, Avenriot is at the risk of collapse. If we are to be optimistic, the least that could happen would be another partition. The twelve states are looking towards declaring independence. All thanks to the foolish Chancellor, Thorian. It's been 17 years since The Great Tragedy, but we haven't recovered from it yet. The economy continues to fall apart and with limited money comes a lack of resources. The new Federation was forced to get their hands dirty and thus ELITE Programme was created. The ELITE Programme was a cover up to select talented individuals from the Twelve Institutes and train them to become exceptional combatants. The League Of Nations might have opposed if they knew we were selecting individuals for on-field purposes rather than sparking the interest of the young generation in the army." the Colonel explained.
Zia raised her hand. The Colonel nodded.
"If what you say is true,does that mean that all our posts are fake?" Zia asked in a hesitant tone.
"Ah, no, your positions and work absolutely exist but not in the military but in your disguise." the Colonel said.
"So we've been selected to work as assassins for the country and to prevent the new from reaching The League, the Federation imprisoned all the human rights activists or had them disposed off under the Black Mask Serial Killings, right? People like Michael Thatchway, Norman Heins and Margarette Lock were killed by the still on free Black Mask, but it was just a hoax, right? It was the Federation knocking out potential dangers, right?" Bacquet said, his tone increasing linearly with his realisation.
The Colonel's eyes widened.
"I must say , I'm very impressed, Baquet. You'll be a great advisor to Natria." the Colonel complimented.
"YOOHOO!" a shout came. Natria had returned.
Looking at everyone, the Colonel asked, "Anymore questions, anyone?"
Leon looked at the Colonel, disbelief still on his face, and asked, "Who exactly is Natria?"
The Colonel let out a sigh.
"I guess, I'll tell you. First, let the man come here. If he thinks you're worthy of it, he'll tell you himself; the tale of the Seventh, the strategist."
"So you told them everything they need?" Natria asked casually.
Looking at the group, he asked, "Any of you have questions? Don't go by Vod's face, he is a real softy. You can ask me if you're scared."
Leon asked hesitantly, "Natria, I have one question."
"Sure, pal. What is it? You don't have to be so formal. Ask me anything you wanna know." Natria asked.
"Who are you?" Leon asked.
The liveliness in his eyes disappeared, the energetic aura vanished, what remained was a dull husk. Natria stepped back. He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowed and with a calm voice he said, "Does any of the members of Elite have any questions?"
It felt cold and emotionless. Leon had got his answer. Natria didn't deem him worthy, he didn't deem any of his classmates worthy to know the real him. It was a facade all this time.
"What if we refused to join the Elites?" Casious asked.
The cold aura disappeared and Natria returned to his normal self, or the side Leon was familiar with.
"Let's say that it's something which has caused none of the candidates to ever leave the Elites." Natria replied in a sassy voice.
"And what is it?" Casious persisted.
Natria's smile transformed to a pissed expression for a moment and then returned to normal.
"Bradscott Lane, L-24 , Crown Textiles, that's you father's firm right?" Natria asked in a sinister tone.
"Ye-Yes." Casious replied hesitantly.
"It'd be shame that if one day-" Natria said as he brought his fingers close, making U shape.
"Pwaah!" he said softly as he spread the fingers back.
"You couldn't possibly do that, right?" Casious asked in a doubtful tone.
"I may not, but the Federation certainly can. Don't forget the Black Mask Serial Killings." he whispered in his ear as he gently tapped on his shoulder.
"I believe that would clear everyone's doubt. Now then, let's get back inside, the Appointment is about to start." he said with a bright smile.
[20 minutes later]
"It is with immense joy I, Causious Sivilingheard, now announce the Elites of session of 1934-35. Give our country the best of your contributions." the Principal announced with a joy.
The Ceremony came to a close, at last the day was over. As Natria waited outside the building alone, he looked at the twilight sky. Others have left early with their parents, who would want to wait after what took place in the field today. Frohen couldn't make it in time. Natria understood the reasons for his delay but couldn't help himself from feeling a little sad. Just when he was about to leave for home, he saw the silhouette of a plump man. It was Frohen.
"Sorry, son. I couldn't make it." Frohen said apologetically.
"C'mon dad. The last thing I want would be for you to apologise to me. I understand." Natria said with a grin.
"My boy, you really talk like a man now. I'm proud of you." Frohen said.
Natria blushed. The once expressionless face showed unfiltered emotions for the first time that day.
"Let's go then." Natria said as he began to walk.
Frohen followed behind, knowing very well where he was going.
"So, you are going to inform her too." Frohen said with a sigh.
"Why not? I care as much about her as I care about you, if not more than you, that is." Natria said a monotonous voice.
"Heh? Hitting the right nails, are we?" Frohen said in a disheartened voice.
"You also know very well that she's the person I treasure the most in the world. After all, if not for her..." Natria said, but slowly drifted in to silence.
"We couldn't be alive today. I know, son. Your mother, indeed, was a brave woman. Not just her, your uncle and aunt, even your grandmother, were far braver than me. They sacrificed themselves for me, while I just ran and ran like a coward." Frohen continued in his disheartened voice as he looked down on the pavement, when he suddenly bumped into Natria.
"Why did you stop, son?" Frohen asked, confused.
"Don't be so harsh on yourself, father. I am to blame, too. If I hadn't been born, things would have never turned out this way." Natria said with a sigh.
"But I can't help myself with that, so I have stopped thinking about things I have no control over." Natria said, as he tried to smile.
"Heh. My boy is really becoming a man. How's your group, by the way? I'm sorry I didn't ask earlier." Frohen said.
"As it stands now, we are as distant as the poles. Even Leon has drifted away, but I guess that's normal. Soon, we would have to dirty our hands, just like you. But don't worry, father, I'll remain strong like you-" Natria said as he was interrupted by his father's finger on his lips.
"Shhh, my boy. I have told you many times not to say that in public." he whispered in Natria's ears.
"Oh, yes. I understand. I'll be quiet as an owl for the rest of the journey." Natria said as he walked.
"We have finally reached." Frohen said.
"I can very well see that, dad." Natria replied.
"Okay, let's give a visit to your uncle, aunt, grandmother and mom. I'm sure they will be thrilled." Frohen said with a sad smile.
Frohen and Natria walked to the top of a small hill. There on the top were four tombstones which read Nocus Hamil, Vahana Hamil, Natria de'Manor and Bakuzkha Avia.
"I'll leave you with them. You may have your time with them." Frohen said, as he walked away in the moonlight. After a few dozen steps, he turned around, only to find his son's face shining in the moonlight. Flashes of light appeared occasionally on his cheeks; on a closer inspection, he realised. Those were tears; he was crying.
'Life's a play, you just don't play a single character, dad.'