**Eighteen Years Later**
[Blackendo Academy]
At the end of a mini forest lay a large cinder block storeyed building which was designed as a dormitory with each room holding two students. It already dawned with the skies brightening and the peeping sun hiding behind the clouds. In one of the rooms, two bantered endlessly.
"Ares, hurry up or we'll be late for the morning class," shouted a brown-haired boy with a pair of glasses lingering on his nose bridge. He heard his hand pinching Ares's ear while the other tugged on the large duvet covering Ares.
Ares tightly held the duvet while he slept peacefully. His friend who seemed to be the early bird struggled to wake him up without success as Ares kept on turning from side to side. Finally, Ares gave up and sat upright on the bed.
"Alright, alright! I'm awake Mr. irritating alarm," grunted Ares, rubbing his eyes which had dark circles planted beneath. He sluggishly left his bed, heading to the shower room all looking like Zombie in the apocalypse. Last night he slept late due to racing and his continuous video game playing. His friend, Yohan Sergei whom he nickname Mr. irritating alarm, was a night owl, however, his appearance looked fresh as though he slept early.
Yohan Sergei was his only friend whom he grew up with and the one he cherished. Though his stubborn and bad temper, Yohan somehow managed to tame him. The first time he entered the gates of the Maltimore mansion where he lived under the care of his great-grandfather, he found Yohan there. Just like him at that time, he looked lonely and cold. He held this cold vibe of an introvert yet at the same time he was gentle.
He bore all the characteristics of an adult, a listener, an orator, a strict father at times as well as a gentle mother. Sharing almost the same hobbies as Ares, they became closer. He had become his second guardian more like a brother as his great-grandfather hardly had time for him. In the large mansion, he was left with Yohan and the servants who left at dusk. Within that time, Ares gradually forgot the pain of his parent's death until he was past the pain phase.
Presently, Ares stared at himself in the small mirror hung in the bathroom he shared with his friend. He had the perfect physique for a seventeen-year-old teenage racer. Dressed in a black jacket and a pair of black denim jeans, he left the room. He found his friend impatiently pacing to and fro waiting for him so they could leave for the morning classes.
Yohan cast a glance at his smart watch then at the bathroom door where Ares stood with his hands in his pocket all looking like the bad juvenile. His dark a bit messy hair covered his head perfectly. Yohan picked up his backpack and quickly slung it on his shoulder and then warned, "We're almost late. I swear if I miss my favourite history lesson, I'll confiscate your bike for the entire week."
Ares knew his friend was mad for being late and well it's not like it was his first being late for classes. He just couldn't understand why he was so engulfed in being a nerd when he already had all the necessary brains.
Hearing this, Ares strode behind and cursed, "Damn it! not my bike again."
Yohan halted briefly on the staircases and again threatened, "You choose, either your bike or I freeze your accounts for the entire month and no online games."
"Uggh! whatever but not my accounts," sighed Ares.
Unlike Yohan, Ares was the opposite, first, he broke the first rule, and he didn't or doesn't wear the uniform given to him at the academy. However, being the great-grandson of the Maltimores, who dares to talk? After all, money roars. A couple of minutes later, the duo finally reached the classroom block which was a ten minutes walk away from the dormitory wing. It seemed like this time Ares survived as he let out a sigh of relief.
As usual, Yohan didn't let Ares sit at the back. He threatened him continuously and Ares always knew that Yohan didn't give empty threats. Hence the two sat in the middle rows where Yohan forcefully placed a large history book in front of Ares. Ares boringly stared at the book with a deep frown on his face.
On the other hand, Yohan seriously followed the history professor while staring at the book. Within a few minutes he had come up with a large summary and occasionally he adjusted his glasses just like the history professor did. Ares turned his head and stared at Yohan and for a moment he felt like he had sat with the professor himself. Their actions were quite similar. Two hours later, the bell rang interrupting the professor who was too engulfed in teaching.
In reality, a few people understood while the rest didn't. The professor quickly closed his book and then left the classroom. While Ares sighed happily, Yohan frowned silently murmuring why the lesson ended quickly.
"The session is short. They should adjust the history lessons," he complained. Ares stared at his bookworm friend speechlessly. What could he do when he knew he was stuck with a nerd?
**Game Cafe**
Later that evening, the two friends headed to a gaming centre located at the end of the school streets and had a mini restaurant within. It had been their favourite place since they joined Blackendo. Entering the cafe, the duo sat at the cafe stools and had their share of the meal after which Yohan disappeared briefly. Later he appeared with a decent-sized box wrapped in golden gift paper.
Placing it in front of him he said, rubbing his nose bridge in embarrassment, "Happy birthday, Ares."
Ares stared at him speechlessly. He always remembered his birthday yet he had never asked about his. He was so touched and quickly hugged his friend almost sobbing.
"Thanks, buddy. You're the best. I'm not crying it's sand in the eyes," he blabbered making Yohan chuckle a bit but patted his shoulder.
Breaking the hug as composing himself, Yohan said, "Now quickly turn on your bad boy mode 'cause I'm taking you somewhere."
Yohan removed his glasses and turned his back, summoning Ares to follow. Yohan led Ares towards a secluded corner of the cafe. Yohan finally halted in front of a golden-coloured wall. Yohan traced the corner and pressed it. A spark of neon blue light flashed, illuminating the entire wall. The wall interchanged revealing a hidden aluminium glass door. Yohan twisted the doorknob at the end of the end.
Meanwhile, Ares stared at the entire scene with awe. He didn't know which tech or magic was used but he gasped one word, "Awesome!"
Entering the door, they were welcomed by the blue disco light on the other side. The heavenly atmosphere of the large animating screens neatly arranged here and there, the spacious lounge designed in neon blue and white, the combination was perfect. In the middle of the lounge rested two large blue twin sofas and a white mahogany coffee table with a couple of drawers beneath it. Four large motorbikes rested on one side of the lounge. It was quite populated but that intensely. Everyone was immersed in their work.
While some played 3D video games, some watched movies and the rest were racing. The place where the bikes rested was big enough to occupy around 10+ bikes. The four remaining meant that either some had finished racing or they hadn't been used. At one end of the lounge, was a large floor-to-ceiling glass window. One could see the city from afar and the racing track was in view from close.
Ares stared at the view as if he was dreaming. It was not until Yohan nudged him in the ribs and said, "Yo! I never knew you could drool this much. Anyway, welcome to the Tech Haven!"