'What is this?' Lux thought as he glanced at the screen. He looked at it thoroughly, thinking it might be some kind of sorcery. But mana didn't exist in this world, so he dismissed the thought of it being magic.
'Could it be Dark energy?'
During his three years, Lux gathered prior knowledge that may help him familiarize to the society. He discovered that there is an alternate power source that is similar to mana, Dark energy
Centuries ago, humanity was driving towards to an advance society at a terrifying pace.
Dwelling to the mysteries of the universe. A scientist later discovered the properties of what the nature holds. That scientist called it, Dark energy, an unknown phenomenal force that sustains all life forms and flows the universe.
Years later, the power of Dark energy help the society to be an eco-friendly environment. The Dark energy became the main fuels for technologies which use by the people in everyday life.
Constant exposure of Dark energy also led people perform miraculous phenomenons when they reach the age of 18. People can conjure elemental power, using other forms of manifestations and physics like power.
Since the emergence of dark energy, offspring are more physically enhanced and mentally capable.
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It would make sense if the floating screen in front of him is a type of illusion by Dark energy or an technology that can manipulate person's minds. An illusion is an high grade skill. Only rich can afford to buy an illusion skill scripture much less an complex technology.
Who would use an illusion to fool a toddler like him?
'What really is this thing?'
"Yush! We're here!" Arion said while parking at the side.
Setting aside the screen, Lux did not bother about it anymore.
They got out of the car, and Arion put Lux down. Seeing many parents and children entering the gate, they followed the crowd. At the entrance, Lux looked at the massive building.
A city would have only one daycare, considered an important place. To accommodate many toddlers was unsafe, so they built a massive educational facility specializing in the safety of children between the ages of 3-5.
Most governments deployed soldiers to guard such daycares.
"My husband, don't you think the soldiers seem more than usual?" Charlotte asked, looking worriedly at the military vehicles.
"My husband, don't you think the soldiers seem more than usual?" Charlotte asked, looking worriedly at the military vehicles.
"I noticed it too just now," Arion said seriously. He held Lux's hand tighter and said, "Let's keep an eye on the situation first."
Lux listened to his parent's words. Even him, with the intuition of a Cult Leader, felt something was odd.
"Hey mate! Do you know what's happening around?" Arion asked, patting another parent's shoulder.
The person turned around, revealing a big middle-aged man in formal blue clothes. Though his features were grumpy, he spoke like a gentle giant.
"About the military, right?" the middle-aged man guessed. "I also don't know. I've asked others, but they don't know either. I concluded it might have something to do with the border."
"The border? That must be it," Arion whispered.
"..." Charlotte was quiet and didn't say anything.
'Border?' Lux wondered. It was the first time he had heard of this!
Arion sign, and then said "Thank you for telling us! My name is Arion, and this is wife and son, Charlotte and Lux."
"I'm Max, and this is my angel, Calliope," Max said, introducing his daughter.
This pink-haired child was extraordinarily pretty, looking like a baby doll Lux had seen on television. She was the same age as Lux but slightly shorter in height.
Calliope heard her name and hid behind Max's legs.
"My wife died and left us early. I'm usually busy with work, so I entrust her to our relatives. Because of that, she grew up as a quiet and shy child. Today I want to make up for it on her first day at daycare!" Max said, embarrassedly scratching his head.
After that, Max got acquainted with Arion, and they started talking about parenthood.
From time to time, Lux would feel Calliope's gaze on him, and sometimes when he looked back, he would see her hiding her face.
Did he look ugly?
They entered a massive hall and waited like the other families.
Lux noticed two soldiers in white jumpsuits. He looked closely and found a professional woman with purple hair engaging in a conversation with the two soldiers. They seemed to be discussing something important.
Couple of minutes later, an announcement rang inside the hall.
"Good morning to all parents, guardians, and children. Today, we will have a parent's conference with the mayor. We encourage all parents to attend. Please proceed to Hall 25, where Miss Lucy will guide you. The children will be led to another room by the soldiers. Thank you!"
The sudden announcement caught the parents off-guard and started whispering.
"Why would the Mayor be here?"
"Right, it never happened before."
"The Mayor never appears to the public unless it's very important!"
Hearing the clamor of the parents, Arion and the others look at each other. They became more conflicted at the announcement.
They now felt something was strange.
The Mayor would only make appearances on rare occasions. Typically, the Mayor's aide or assistant would represent him in his stead. Unless it is really urgent, the Mayor would not appear by usual means.
The purple haired woman that Lux seen earlier went in front of the parents and said" Hello dear parents, I am Lucy who will guide you to the hall 25. The soldiers will tend your children before you go to the parent conference. Please kindly leave your children with us."
After Lucy spoke, soldier in white jumpsuit appeared and lined up straight inside the Hall.
A parent suddenly raised their hand and ask "My child is quite special, could I bring my child to the parent conference?"
"I believe that is not possible." Lucy smiled, continued "Rest assure, your children is safe with us."
Before Arion and Charlotte left, they gave Lux a star-shaped pendant, and whispered "Sweetie, always wear this pendant. Don't lose it until we get back, ok?"
"I will. "
"That's our champ, that's good!" Arion said while he rub Lux's head one last time.
The room was filled with clamors of crying children. Some cried while others whimpered. Besides Lux was a silent crying girl, Calliope.
"Calliope don't worry! Papa will be back shortly!!!" Max said as he also cried back to his daughter.
Oh my pitiful Angel!
"Dear parents, please follow me. " Lucy said while heading to the other side.
Seeing that most parents had left, the soldiers led the children to another room. It was a big and colorful room filled with toys and playground.
"Um..."
Lux felt his shirt being pulled. He look at the side to see the teary Calliope pulling a tiny bit of cloth of his shirt.
Hopeless, Lux ask "You, what do you want?
"I-I... can I follow you?"
"I don't care. Either you follow or unfollow me is not my decision." Lux sternly said, walking towards the corner of the room.
"Then can you be my f-friend?" Calliope said while fidgeting her hands nervously.
"..." Lux stop and thought of something. "Sure, as long as you don't bother me. I don't mind."
Calliope nodded and did not say anything. She followed closely behind Lux.
Lux still thought of his bet with his mom. Maybe he can use Calliope to have more books? The idea of having a friend did'tn felt that bad as Lux imagine!
Lux took a storybook from one of the shelves and sat in a corner. He pretended to read while observing the soldiers in white jumpsuits guarding the doors and examining the room. There were no windows; the only way out was the door behind the guards.
An orange-haired toddler started fighting other children who were now on the verge of crying, yet the soldiers didn't seem to mind.
'Weird.'
1 hour and 20 mins later
Lux look at the clock and look at the other children are now crying again, begging to see their parents. A parents conference shouldn't take this long right?
"I miss papa." Calliope said while also crying.
The soldier nodded to the other soldier after receiving a call from the handheld transceiver and said, "Understood."
Unexpectedly, the soldiers suddenly wore masks as purple smoke flowed out of the ventilation system. One by one, the children started fainting.
"This?!" Alerted, Lux hastily covered his nose and turned to Calliope, saying "You cover your—"
Calliope already fainted before Lux could warn her.
'Ugh! Not good!'
"What a interesting child!"
"!!" Lux heard a voice of a woman and turned around. It was the purple-haired woman again called Lucy. But currently, she wore a white mask.
Before Lux could react, an abrupt force hit his neck from behind. He fell and felt his vision blurring.
Funnily, this scene was quite familiar to Lux.
"Tell them to add a note to this child."
"Yes!" the two soldiers responded.
....
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