Still in thought, Damien got into the government hovercar absentmindedly.
He couldn't suppress the nervousness and excitement he felt.
Finally, he was now going to the awakened academy.
He would be able to train freely without having to worry about any kidnapping attempt.
He would soon have sufficient strength to protect himself and his family.
Damien made a mental promise to himself to see to it that his parents moved into a far big and better home than their current one.
They had been and still were very supportive of him.
Damien couldn't have hoped for better parents.
It didn't take long for the hovercar to finally arrive at the school.
Damien felt a sense of nostalgia.
No longer would he be here studying and imagining about the awakened.
He was going to experience it firsthand.
As Damien entered the premises, he could see his mates also in different uniforms mulling about.
They too were excited and it showed on their faces.
They had been already able to get past the trauma of the Dusk Organization's attack and were eagerly anticipating what the future held for them in the awakened schools.
Damien stood to the side, away from his mates, observing them.
Already, he could spot those in similar uniforms like him.
A tall and lanky guy with a white mohawk.
A normal looking guy with brown hair like him.
A tall girl with pink hair tied into pigtails.
A petite and chubby girl with long brown hair and big eyes.
They were standing together, talking in low undertones and also looking around.
White mohawk guy then spotted Damien and said something to his friends.
They all turned to look at him.
Damien also stared back.
They turned around to continue with whatever conversation they were having.
"Isn't that the guy who had nineteen?" Zane asked looking at another guy who stood a little isolated from everyone.
Austin, Mindy and Brianna turned to look and spotted Damien.
The guy looked at them almost at the same time and unnervingly stared at them too.
Feeling uncomfortable, they turned away.
"Yep that's him. I guess he also chose the awakened school we chose," Mindy said.
"He's creepy… why did he stare at us like that?" Brianna shuddered.
"We stared at him first Bri," Mindy said.
"I heard he awoke like five powers or something," Austin chipped in.
"That's a lie! How could someone awake so many powers?" Brianna blurted in shock.
"It's not a lie, Bri and it is possible to awaken multiple powers. It's just that its really rare. Neo was part of those who went to Penning. According to him, that guy awoke like five powers; two in the Spirit path, one in the Soul path and another in the Body path," Mindy explained.
"But that's only four powers," Brianna pointed out.
"Oh? Then I guess he awoke four powers then," Mindy corrected herself.
"I still don't believe it. I'll ask him personally," Brianna said with a huff.
Mindy just shrugged.
"Did Neo tell what kind of powers he awakened?" Zane asked.
"Mm yeah. Space and Psychic element, a soul rune and a peak body physique," Mindy replied.
"That's overpowered!" Austin exclaimed, stealing a glance at Damien who was now talking with the principal.
"Yeah it is. He's a certified genius," Mindy said as she also took a quick glance at Damien.
"Too bad he's kinda snobbish. He barely talks to anyone," Brianna said.
"I don't really think he's snobbish… probably he just prefers to be quiet," Mindy defended.
"Ugh whatever," Brianna replied, rolling her eyes.
"The hovercrafts of the schools have already started arriving," Zane said, pointing to the sky.
They all looked up and spotted humongous hovercraft, each with a color design and school crest on it.
Amongst the many hovercraft, a black and burgundy colored one with a gold trim also hovered above.
They felt a tug from their school bracelets as it lit up with a burgundy glow.
"That's our school's hovercraft, I guess," Austin commented.
"We better get going," Mindy chimed in.
She took a quick glance at where Damien stood and noticed that he had also seen the hovercraft.
"Come on, Mindy. We have to go!" Brianna said as she tugged Mindy.
Mindy let out a sigh and allowed herself to be pulled away by Brianna.
"Damien. Finally leaving huh?" came a voice behind Damien.
Damien abruptly turned.
He hadn't noticed someone had gotten so close to him without him knowing!
The calm smile of principal Jeremiah Gray greeted him.
"Hi principal Gray," Damien said.
The principal nodded and looked at Damien's uniform.
"I see you've made your choice," he said with a smile.
"Yes principal. I decided to choose the Imperial Institute," Damien replied.
The principal nodded.
"That is a splendid choice. I believe you will do great exploits there," Principal Gray commended.
"I hope so, Principal," Damien replied.
"Can this old man give you some advice?" Principal Gray asked.
"Sure, Principal. I'm all ears," Damien said.
"The journey ahead of you is a tough one. While it is good to be a lone wolf and face everything on your own, you must also build solid connections and relationships.
Make friends.
Form bonds.
It will be a great help to you someday.
There's only so much individual strength can do for you.
By having friends, your power will be doubled or even tripled.
There are places and milestones which cannot be reached individually.
You will need help from others.
You shouldn't always keep your distance like you're doing now.
Someday, you will truly understand what I'm telling you.
For now, try to make some friends.
You can take this as the ramblings of an old man," Principal Gray smiled and patted Damien on the back.
"Alright principal. I will do my best," Damien replied as he contemplated on the principal's advice.
At that moment, his school bracelet let out a burgundy glow.
Damien looked up and spotted a black and burgundy hovercraft amongst the numerous other school hovercraft which were letting down ladders for their students to enter.
"Your school's finally here. Good luck Damien. Train hard," the Principal said and he left.
Damien nodded.
With light steps, he walked towards the hovercraft of the Imperial Institute.
The imposing figure of the hovercraft loomed above Damien as he climbed one of the ladders which had been let down from the hovercraft.
When he finally reached the apex, strong hands pulled him into the hovercraft.
Damien quickly got to his feet and noticed a man in a uniform like his but with reversed colors. A great sword was on his back.
"Thanks," Damien said.
The man nodded and said,
"The sitting compartment is straight ahead kid. Move along."
Damien nodded and walked onwards as directed by the man.
It didn't take him long to finally arrive at the sitting compartment.
One would wonder why Damien chose to go to the Imperial Institute at the end.
First of all, it was in Damien's sector which meant it was the closest of the six schools despite its distance from his home.
Damien's paranoia had caused him to choose the closest school.
He feared that if the distance was too long, the Dusk organization could hit again and this time, he wouldn't be able to evade capture.
As unrealistic as it was, Damien decided it was better to play it safe.
The hovercraft of various awakened schools had never been attacked by the Dusk organization before.
Same applied to the convoy of newly awakened students until it was attacked a month ago.
What stopped the Dusk Organization from being unconventional and hitting an even larger target again?
Nothing did except the Organization themselves.
They always moved unpredictably.
At least by going to Imperial Institute, the journey was guaranteed to be shorter and safer.
Once he was inside the Imperial Institute, that would be when he would finally feel much safer. The Dusk Organization won't be able to harm him there.
Damien swept his gaze around the siting compartment.
Rows of other kids in the same uniform as he sat in groups or alone as they chattered excitedly.
Upon his entry, many turned to look at him, sizing him up.
Most of them didn't look familiar to Damien.
After all, they were from different schools in the sector and the chances of them meeting were very low.
Damien spied the familiar faces of those who had previously stared at him sitting together in one corner.
There was an empty seat where they sat.
"Make friends, huh? I might as well start now," Damien thought to himself.
Already, the four of them had noticed Damien, watching him.
With an internal sigh, Damien steeled himself and walked over to them.
"Hello. Can I sit here?" Damien asked with a light smile.
The four looked at him in shock.