Walking in our training facility, I was surprised how big it was and that even had enough space to seat hundreds. Like a small sports arena.
By the time us two showed up, people were already flexing their abilities to those seated on the bleachers. Not gonna lie, it looked magical watching all these powers of so many at display. Classes A to C were all here, around 70 kids.
The bleachers mostly filled with students, chatting and pointing at their favourite displays.
" Hey for earlier, thanks for that. Getting suspended on my first day, my mom would've killed me, I owe you one. "
" Don't mention it, that Aviv guy .. what's his problem? I bet others came from money and none act so obnoxious, is it because of the headmaster? Is he just letting that muppet do what he like? " I asked.
" Sort of .. I mean in middle school no one dared to step up to him when he bullied others, I guess he just got used to it after a while, his pranks got more and more frequent but the headmaster never reprimanded him or his goons. "
I thought about that ass kissing little flame snake and could just imagine his arrogant smile behind closed doors.
" Aviv started targeting me specifically after my family refused his proposal of Kayla, they thought just because we don't have that much money that my sister is for sale. "
He got a mix of sadness and repressed hatred in his eyes.
I understood, my own sisters received marriage proposals from all around the world, closely tied to royalty and beautiful, they were haunted every other month with some gift or romantic gesture to win their hearts by cockroaches.
I long promised them if they accepted any of them, I will turn those fine gentlemen into a trillion billion pieces. How could they even think, they worthy of them? .. It was absurd.
Just then, I spotted Aviv in the background with two skeleton looking boys. I kind of pissed myself off with my own thoughts and also didn't like he was after Mikeyla, no .. that won't do at all.
Others enjoyed themselves, their abilities at full display, without restrictions, the atmosphere was light and I took better looks at the exhibition shown.
People who manipulated the air, fire and ice all other elements were gathered. Enthusiastic shouts from onlookers after they saw something they particularly enjoyed mixed with the laughter almost made me forget my irritation.
" It's off the chains huh? " asked Mugino.
" What?...ohh right chains, good one. Go show off too. I want to see it again. "
He looked incredibly serious all of a sudden, kind of a 180 from his previous demeanor.
His chains seem to form almost instantaneously and once again, I found the way they twist like snakes as if alive quite intriguing and could imagine how versatile it could be once developed.
He made a 4 ft long vertical chain and contorted it to form a circle then star then a cube, boy... he was into shapes.
He showed me he can throw it like some of those ancient movie cowboys grandfather likes so much. Tie people up with it, it was very entertaining.
He stopped after a few min out of breath .. Having abilities is great, but it will take years of training before people reach their full potential and some never gets to.
" Nice huh? Now .. you.. " he said bent over resting on his knees.
" Mine are not as flashy or entertaining, it's just destroy things, super one note. " I said.
I wasn't lying .. watching my siblings and now these kids make stone shields, ice sculptures of flowers, spears made out of fire and summoning wind strong enough to lift and throw a person and once again have to agree what I told Tetsuya now.
" Who cares, it's the single most destructive ability ever, others might be able to do these fancy looking things, but when it comes to the portals many of believes you're are our best chance. "
I felt bad how misguided and narrow minded he sounded.
I was a firm believer that those portals will never go away, that humanity's Evolved in advance of their arrival was to much of a coincidence. Like finding survival tools and getting lost the next day. They refused to disappear or staying grey. They're here to stay.
Besides, I knew that there are plenty of monsters in the world without having to wait for portal rips.
" Ye ok... I need targets though like your chains maybe. " I said giving in.
" Y-you can..destroy other abilities as well? " he asked with a stunned expression.
I let him interpret my silence however he wished.
It was true, I can use my eyes against anything that takes form, most elements with the exclusion of wind, my power relied on the very ability to see.
If I can't see what's coming, I can't destroy them. I can just evaporate everything in my eye sight but that could kill me if something big happens to be there that drains me.
"" Would you like us to help? ""
I heard someone behind me. They were pretty twin girls and I peck them as the ones Tetsuya mentioned me earlier.
" Luna and Mya you two look well." Tetsuya perked up.
" Stop with the babbling and introduce us. "
The one on the right urged him, while making eyes at me. I think they might be ice awakened.
" Yes my Lady. Stivanstin meet Luna and Mya Monroe and that girl behind them is their sister through marriage, Amie Prescott Monroe, girls I believe you know my friend Stivanstin. "
Yeah I suppose we are friends huh, I know I said it myself before but my mind was clouded by anger and some hot chick with occasional violent attendances.
I also just noted the little girl standing behind the twins. She can't possibly be 15, yet she was here. She meet my gaze and instead of averting hers, she stood her ground. What an amusing little girl.
" It's my pleasure ladies, please call me Stivanstin. " I asked politely.
"" The pleasure is ours. ""
Ohh shit...they spoke in unison and it gave me the chills.
Now that I look, white hair those porcelain white skin, red noses .. they reminded me of some of the clown paintings my mother recently bought. Their sister Amie just nodded at me. So small, so adorable.
" If you could make any ice structures that would a big help. "
"" Absolutely. ""
They ended making pure ice blocks, 6 of them in total about 6ft tall, 2 ft wide. They looked to me with sparkly eyes, they seemed very pleased with their work. Their speed and their formations were impressive.
I noted how the others stopped what they were doing and observed us. The bleachers were filled with older students and I noticed our home room teacher there also. It can't be helped.
" Those will do perfectly, thank you two. "
I walked away and stopped about 20ft from them, they lined up neatly and fit in my eyesight perfectly.
I fixed my eyes on the for second and the familiar heat behind it took care of the rest.
( POP,POP,POP .. )
All 6 disappeared with a loud sound the air filling their absence left in space. I felt my stamina drop a bit, nothing unmanageable. Heard the sounds of clapping these people are easy to please.
I did a little wave hoping the clapping would end, I saw Tetsuya and the girls coming towards me.
" Dude that was incredible, the eyes of destruction like .. it was incredible. I can't believe you're not participating in the games man .. it's a waste. "
Tetsuya was super amped up and the twins nodding along agreeing with all he said. Little Amie eyes were shining like lanterns.
Standing there praised by these people, the sounds of adoring crowds, for a second I could almost see myself standing in the stadium next anniversary games, but quickly perished the thought.
I rather fight against the Black Subtions or the Yellow Mimiks.
On the Japan as a hole there 52 anniversary gates home of the Lupin coming in the 1000s each year and mostly made sport of, 13 Black ones packed with slow moving but extremely hard kill and poisonous 20ft Subitons and 3 Yellow that holds the 100s of of the most unpredictable killing machines, Mimiks that only showed themselves maybe 60 times, world wide in the last 75 years.
The last one in Japan was more than 15 years ago that killed my biological parents and 10s of thousands of others.
" They not for me, but train hard and I might talk to my grandfather about sponsors and etc. Your ability is both unique and full of potential. " I said tapping his shoulder.
" Stivanstin if your serious .. I'll promise you .. I will give everything I have. "
Hopefully this will create opportunities to talk to his sister, but looking into those eyes full of passion and excitement ..
I couldn't help but root for the guy. We can never truly hate those who give their all can we?
Surrounded with smiles, shocked expressions and people still clapping, I wondered... aren't their hands killing them by now?
---
We finished the class chatting away, people had fun but zero restrictions meant they were exhausted, more time spent the twins became more relaxed and talked candidly, Amie just observed us all without a word. She was odd, even compared to the others.
2 hours designed for E.T passed quickly and Ms Inoue gathered class 1-A. Giving some more information about tomorrow.
We were gonna start our 3 class curriculum, she went on about student handbooks and how important it was to .. blah blah blah ..
Us 5 never really separated, finished up with the rest of them and started heading home.
I kept giving glances towards Amie hoping to hear her voice but gave up, what a stoic little girl .. or someone possibly even older than me, she was tiny but, 100% at least 15 years old.
I said my goodbyes and went on my way, considering the entire day lasted about 5 hours .. I felt popped.
Interacting with new people is sure a headache. But I did find some mundane enjoyment about it, I couldn't imagine having these kind of characters in the empire's capital academy.
Remy waited outside with most of the staff and some of our soldiers. What the hell is this?
" Young Lord congratulations on your first day, and your first friend. " he welcomed me with open arms.
" Ye thanks... why the.. you know this? " I said pointing at the entourage behind him.
" We simply wanted to welcome you home. "
" Hmm... no wait, how would you know if I made any friends today? "
" Intuition. " he answered.
Shameless.
Damn spying bastard. Probably report it all to my father to. Arguing was pointless, if ordered by my parents or grandparents nothing, I'll say will stop his surveillance.
" Good... I suppose you also know about the headmasters grandson then correct? " I asked getting around my annoyance.
" Max Isherwell's 2nd grandchild Aviv, his parents are both 3rd Grade fire manipulators. He also currently courting the young lady who caught My Lords attention. One Mikeyla Mugino granddaughter of Hoichy Mugino former honor guard of his Grace, your grandfather. "
My eyes were twitching yet couldn't help but envy his ability to remember people's name.
" I see..."
He dismissed the house staff and soldiers and came closer.
"Do you want him gone My Lord? " he asked in a low voice.
" No .. I can't have grandfather on my ass for something so asinine. Let's kill him with kindness instead. I'm going to take a shower get Sol on the phone. " I said walking past him.
" Sounds like you're about to go behind his Grace's back ..
am I wrong m'Lord? "
"Can you even remember the last time you happened to be wrong?.. Get my brother on the phone. "
Yes .. Sol can help.
After my shower I took the sandwich the maid was offering, my mother taste when came to people are impeccable.
I saw my brother Sol face on the big screen in the living room.
He seemed lost in something on his right and I could practically hear his brain even 100s of miles away.
He was awakened with Enhanced cognitive abilities allowing him to be a strategic asset, never participating in games or even killing a single monster himself he was more valuable than a hundred 1st grade Evolved and since Finton joined the military, one day after father died he will be, 3rd Duke of the Avesta.
" Sol..."
I missed my brother, after receiving his 1st Grade licence he moved to Japan so he can learn from grandfather and later advise our next emperor, and might as well learn in advance the duties of a Duke. I haven't seen him since my birthday almost 4 month ago.
He looked at me with surprise.
" Stivi... Sorry I kept you waiting, I'm super busy.. " he said with an apologetic smile.
" Yeah..no I'm the one who called you. You seem .. good? "
The guy is so busy, he seemed skinny and exhausted, I knew using his ability drains him like anyone but he needed to use it more than those combat oriented.
" We live in stressful times, but tell me how's your new school? Enjoy it? " he asked.
" Actually yes, I found some entertaining people and a few muppets. "
" Sounds like school alright, I hate to change the subject but did you happen to block both Sistine and Sicily's number? "
" No .. Why? " I lied seamlessly.
" Well they can't reach you, they cutting their trip short flying home tomorrow morning at least that's what mom told me. Also .. call mom. "
" Yes of course..tomorrow. I'm tired. "
" So why you called? " he asked leaning back on his chair.
I explained the situation about Aviv and the Mugino family.
" She must be something special to make you pull strings, having like JUST meet her. Now I get why'd you block the girls.." he said with a coy smile.
" Fool...it's nothing like that. Can you help? "
" I can but why not just dust him and be done with all of this? It's not like you to play it safe. "
"I obviously matured .. also I can't have people know I had a hand in this, Mikeyla looks like the type who wouldn't like people to meddle. She doesn't need saving, just a little help."
" Very well then, we offer some apprenticeship for a year or so in the capital and throw some money on him. " he said making gestures to someone I couldn't see.
" What apprenticeship? " I asked.
" I don't know...people always need coffee. " he answered receiving a cup.
Thinking of his face as he realizes the prestigious apprentice job is just getting coffee to a bunch office potatoes made me smile.
" Thanks Sol... you do look more tired than most. Black ones causes trouble? "
" Actually it's not portal related at all, it's Emperor Seth... he is close. "
His Majesty Seth Huang. The first emperor of the East Asian Empire and our great uncle through her sister, our grandmother Susana.
I only ever meet him one time, he asked me to destroy a chair, laughed, then we had cake with grandmother.
" Is that so? "
He blown on his hot cup and took a sip.
" He might recover, but the healers done what they could it's not some disease .. it's just his age. It's the first succession of our Empire and Viego is at the ready. "
" Then what's the issue? " I asked.
" Maliketh is gathering support, it might come down to our family to settle this. "
Envy between older and younger brother, it might plunging us into civil war ... killing our own people. Depending on the outcome other nations might smell weakness and before long we be using these abilities meant for the monsters, killing each other on mass, drowning our soldiers and Evolved in black flames.
Lines of succession are complicated things.
" It won't matter, if it comes down to a decision like that it already means inevitable war. "
" We cross that bridge when we get there, Stivi I got to go but,
I will take care of this by the weekend, also call Cily first it's the only way this won't end in a disaster .. also .. call mom "
" I will... thanks Sol. Hey ..we never talked about your love life big brother. "
" Goodbye. "
He was walking talking proof why the word genius only covers things outside the matters of the heart.
Got so flustered around girls he liked .. I was afraid he'd build himself one before long.
At least this one was done now ..