"Have you seen the news?" A girl asked going up to her friend.
"No why?" The girl's friend answered.
"Yo bro! Come look at this!" A guy called out to his friend.
I looked at my phone with April, Nina, and Lily. The news of the prison break had broken out from a few days ago. We were watching the broadcast and noticed how much uproar this caused.
"The guards reported these criminals using codenames! Names like Lady Bloodshed and Lady Justice also their leader who is named Cipher. We have no idea who these criminals are, but we hope they are brought to justice." The detective said.
"This is kinda bad..." Nina said.
"Yeah. The truth is being manipulated...however we did commit a crime technically..." I said softly.
"Cipher huh..?" A voice said as they walked toward us.
I looked up and noticed it was Ms. Ray. I sat up and was about to speak, but she placed her hand on my head. I grunted softly as she gently ruffled my hair.
"Come with me you four. We have to discuss this." Ms. Ray said.
"You aren't mad are you?" I asked.
"Not at any of you in particular. Disappointed at the Professor if anything. I'll get more into it once we are in private." Ms. Ray said.
I nodded and watched her walk off then softly sighed. "Alright, let's go see what's up."
"Alright.." April nodded.
We got up and went inside the academy then went straight to our classroom. Once we entered, Ms. Ray told us to lock the door.
"After what happened a few nights ago, the police are looking heavily at the academies around our location. I don't know how much power you've shown, but they are looking into three suspects: A Wind User, An Angelic Being, and A Crest Wielder." Ms. Ray said.
"Shit..." Nina sighed and slouched down in her seat.
"How are we supposed to get out of this..? To be the Heroes we've gotta play the villainous roll." April said.
"I'm aware. The allies you all need are imprisoned or within enemy territory. If you all want this to succeed, you all need to plan more carefully. If Headmaster Vinson catches wind that you all are the ones behind this..." Ms. Ray said.
"He won't." I said then stood up. "Even if he does, who's gonna stop us?"
April looked at me then rose an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
I closed my eyes and thought of Darkness's words. "You all remember what Darkness said to me. I am the Prince of this land called Eyica. My last name proves it. My four seals...I am The Hero. Once I grow strong enough, by the time we fight Archer...I would already be strong enough to handle him myself."
"Don't let your pride misguide you, August. Vinson is no ordinary man. To say you can stand toe to toe with him—"
Leona yawned loudly and appeared beside me. "You sound like you doubt even your own foster son, Ms. Ray. If August is strong enough to fight against Darkness and live, he can take on Vinson with some training."
"Darkness was heavily holding back compared to his fight against Nagini." Harmony said.
"Exactly." Leona said and smiled. "Even with his held back strength he was showing zero mercy. The four of them survived to tell the story. With some good training and conditioning, they'll be ready for everything else."
Ms. Ray looked at Leona then looked at me who was enjoying Leona's affection. She smiled then closed her eyes. "If you want some good training, I suggest going to visit the home of my sister. It's on the northern side of Zodiac Square."
"But over there is St. Nova Territory. They also have Zodiacs there." Lily said.
"I know, and Amunet is one of them~ Also when you go there, there is an Infinity Council member at St. Nova. Make sure to tell them hello for us~" Ms. Ray said.
I tilted my head then crossed my arms. 'Nagini did say her allies were around. I wonder who it is...Guess there's only one way to find out.'
-------------------------------------------------------
I grabbed my travel bag off the ground then walked outside where the others were waiting for me. I looked up and noticed the sun was still shining brightly. I smiled and noticed Georgia walking toward us.
"Oh great. Just when I thought I've seen the last of you." April said.
"Hmph! I didn't come to visit you, so calm your tits. Where are you all going anyway? I heard you all requested time away from the academy." Georgia said.
"We're going to St. Nova." I answered, putting my bag in the trunk.
"Wha— Why?! That's one of our rival academies!" Georgia said.
"We aren't transferring. Ms. Ray has a sister up there we are going to be training with. Plus North Emerald is closer there anyway." I said then walked over to Georgia.
Georgia watched me walk over toward her and crossed her arms. She looked at me up and down then blushed when I stroked her chin. "Mmph...Since you're headed that way can I get a ride with you all."
"N—"
"Sure. Hop in." I said and walked toward the car.
Georgia smirked and looked at April then flipped her hair, walking past her. "Shotgun..~"
April softly growled and gave a slight glare at Georgia. She mocked Georgia then walked toward the back of the car.
"Ooo..~ I think we're gonna witness a classic cat fight..~" Nina giggled toward Lily.
"It is getting pretty feisty..." Lily said.
We all got in the car and I started it up then drove off. It was a pretty long drive from St. Meishi Academy to St. Nova Academy so I knew we were going to have to make a few stops while heading there.
"Have you heard anything new regarding North Emerald?" I asked Georgia.
Georgia was busy texting her friends on her phone, but she heard my question. "I heard they are celebrating having the Eco Aegis back. That invasion by those Vigilantes inspired many soldiers to fight back against the Citrine."
"I see." I said then glanced at Georgia then looked back at the road. "How is it living in the area?"
"It's fine. I mean, it could be better." Georgia said then looked at me. "Why?"
"I was just asking...just wanna make sure no one hurts your pretty face." I said with a soft chuckle.
Georgia blushed madly and looked away from me. She closed her legs more then bit her bottom lip.
'Oh brother...' April thought to herself.
"You're acting like you wouldn't fall to your knees at the sound of his breath." Rama chuckled softly.
April noticed her Zodiac Symbol shining on her chest then scoffed. 'That's different and you know it. I'm his girlfriend, obsessed I'll admit, but she's so fake...'
"While I agree, you gotta remember...it is August making advances on her. A King knows what he wants..~" Rama purred.
"Oh I'm so glad there's someone out there just as lustful as I am..~" Leona giggled.
"You two are beyond help...but I do enjoy occasional seduction~" Harmony said and giggled.
"I'm literally an Erogelic Angel so I can't really say any points are wrong~ However we all have to agree, August can flirt~" Imogen said.
April, Lily, and Nina nodded their heads, agreeing with Imogen.
"Oh yeah. When we get up to St. Nova, we've got to tell Mama Ray we made it. She can't unregister us from that academy until we've confirmed we've made it." I said.
"Mama Ray is so cute..~" Nina said.
I blushed a bit and smiled. "I mean the secret's out isn't it? She and Sephora took care of me during my time on Earth. It was Sephora up until I was 14 then Ms. Ray from that point going forward."
"I've got a huge question." Georgia said.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Your rivalry against Archer...who started it? If I remember, no one knew what happened prior to your battle against Archer." Georgia said.
I was a bit silent as it was a topic I didn't like talking about, but I was around people I trusted. "This happened when I first registered. I met no requirements. I was completely powerless at the time...Ms. Ray managed to pull a lot of strings to get me in. The day after I joined, Archer invited me over to his hideout with his friends..."
"The one behind our house?" Nina asked.
"Yeah." I answered.
"We were there Lily...that's when Archer and his friends proceeded to bully and jump you." Nina said.
April looked at Nina. "Wait what?"
My eyes slightly shined. "Yeah. After that, I challenged him to a real duel. After losing that day, I vowed to make him pay tenfold. That's why he's on my list. Revenge."
"That's another reason we don't like it when he talks about four years ago. It was two unfair fights. They jumped him for no reason...proceeded to humiliate him after in front of everyone. This is something that needs to be done." Nina said.
"It started with Archer...but it ends with the downfall of St. Meishi. The same pain I felt that day, I'll make him feel when I defeat the son of the Headmaster." I said.
Georgia stared at me, taking in the information. She looked away then looked at her phone. "I see...I heard some gossip about it earlier. That's why I brought it up. Apparently someone's planning to get Ms. Ray fired."
"What..?!" Lily asked in shock.
"Yeah...it's just a rumor though. Apparently someone overheard a conversation she had with Professor Noxius about helping the Vigilantes." Georgia said.
"Oh no... August.." April said and looked at me.
"There's no need to worry. As if anyone can catch Nagini slipping up that easily. If we were compromised, she would've called me by now. She's already got a plan. I can feel it." I said.
"I believe him. Dr. Noxius wouldn't let us go down...not after the deal she made to us as well." Nina said.
"True." April said.
After the brief conversation about the past, we continued our way to St. Nova Academy...
-----------------------------------------
We finally made it to St. Nova Academy then I parked my car in the parking lot. A few of the students noticed our car and it began to attract attention. I got out of the car then put on my shades and looked around.
"So this is St. Nova Academy..." I said.
"Yep.." Nina said as she got out fixing her jacket. "Our rival."
St. Nova was a massive academy, nearly as large as our academy. I began to notice a more diverse set of people and noticed a group of people walking toward us, one of them being Amunet.
"Well well well! What an amazing surprise! If it isn't three of the strongest members of St. Meishi and two fodders." The leader of the four said then smirked at us. He looked at April and winked at her.
"Ugh." April said in disgust, rolling her eyes.
"Who's this?" I asked.
"He is the current King of St. Nova Academy. His name is Blaze Crimson. He's the strongest student here." Nina said.
I looked at Blaze then crossed my arms then looked at his teammates, one girl particularly standing out to me. I walked over to her and stood in front of her. "What's your name?"
"M-Me?" She asked, pointing to herself.
"Who else would I be talking to when I'm staring right at you.." I asked in a soothing voice to calm her down.
The girl stared right at me, blushing then gulped a bit. "My name is Husha Mai...I am the third strongest in the academy serving as one of the Elite Students!"
Husha was more beautiful up close than she was from the distance I was at. She had long black hair that was tied into a low ponytail. Parts of her hair on the right was silver in color. She had beautiful sapphire colored eyes, and I could see a symbol in her left iris. As I scanned her body, I could see she had some nasty burns and scars along her body.
"You've been through some tough battles haven't you..?" I asked.
Husha watched me and slowly nodded. "Y-Yeah..."
Georgia grunted and pulled me away from Husha. "Your first day here and you're already hitting on women!"
"I can see your dog isn't trained." Blaze chuckled.
"He's not a dog and he can 100% beat your ass." April said.
Blaze laughed then crossed his arms. "Oh boy, The Pride gets some fame and think they can challenge anyone they way. Listen, handle whatever business you have here then leave. We've already got enough jokes running around here."
"I wouldn't underestimate them." Amunet said. "Besides, they wouldn't be here without reason. I heard Professor Ray talking about her taking in four students."
"What..? They're transferring?" Blaze asked.
"It's under official business. Allow me to take it from here please." Amunet said then walked forward then she grabbed my hand, leading me toward the academy building.
Blaze watched Amunet then crossed his arms. "Official business huh...Husha, Glenn. Keep an eye on The Pride. I've got my eyes on Amunet."
"Gotcha." Glenn said then walked off.
"Okay.." Husha nodded.