The next day, the schoolyard was abuzz with students from all grades, assembled for the police visit. I stood among my classmates, the morning sun beating down on my face.
"Hey, Xian!" Marcel shouted in my ear, his voice cutting through the chatter.
"Like I said, don't yell in my ear," I grumbled, rubbing my temple.
"Sorry, sorry… But hey, do you think they're going to arrest someone from our school?"
"Arrest someone? What for?" I asked, confused.
"Fighting, maybe? You know, those seniors from last year? They act like they own the school, always bullying everyone. Not physically, but... mentally." Marcel replied, his eyes scanning the crowd.
I followed his gaze to a group of older students sitting on the other side of the yard. My eyes landed on a particularly large boy, his body spilling over the edges of the bench.
Wow, he's huge, I bet he couldn't even run a lap around the field.
I thought, suppressing a chuckle.
"Also, did you hear?" Marcel whispered in my ear, his voice barely audible above the chatter of the crowd. "Last week, they got caught by a ride-share driver while street fighting with kids from another school."
"Really?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah," Marcel continued, his voice laced with a hint of worry. "They got off with just a warning, but they're messing with our school's reputation. It could make it harder for us to get into university."
"Is it really that serious?" I asked, skeptical.
"Totally!" Marcel exclaimed. "If our school gets a bad reputation, we're doomed!"
I nodded, not entirely convinced but understanding his concern.
Vroom! Vroom!
The distant sound of car engines grew louder, drawing everyone's attention towards the school gate. Two sleek police cars, their sirens silent, glided through the open gates and came to a stop in front of the assembled students.
Is that them?
I wondered, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. The sight of the police cars triggered a surge of adrenaline, my senses sharpening as I scanned the faces of the officers stepping out of the vehicles.
The first officer was a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression and a no-nonsense demeanor. The second officer, however, caught my attention. He was younger, with a clean-shaven face and a confident swagger. His eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze briefly lingering on me before moving on.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. It was my other uncle, from my father's side.
"Uncle Tony?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
We all fell silent as the police officers took the stage. The older officer, whose name tag read "Officer Budiman," addressed the assembly.
"Good morning, everyone," he greeted us, his voice booming across the schoolyard.
"Good morning," the students replied in unison, their voices a bit more subdued than usual.
"Do you know why we're here today?" Officer Budiman asked, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Nooo~" a few students mumbled halfheartedly.
"We're here to educate you about the dangers of violence and fighting," Officer Budiman explained. "We've received reports of some of your fellow students engaging in brawls with students from other schools. We want to make sure everyone understands the consequences of such actions and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully."
The younger officer stepped forward, his face familiar yet oddly distant. "I'm Officer Tony, And I'm here to tell you that violence is never the answer. It only leads to more pain and suffering, both for the victim and the perpetrator."
He went on to share statistics about the dangers of brawls and gang violence, his words punctuated by anecdotes and personal experiences. The students listened attentively, some nodding in agreement, others shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
I, however, was distracted. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of Asmar, the corrupt police officer. But he was nowhere to be found. Relief washed over me, mingled with a sense of disappointment. I had been hoping to confront him, to expose his crimes and bring justice to Hana.
But perhaps it was for the best. I wasn't ready to face him yet. I needed to train, to hone my powers, to become strong enough to defeat him and the forces of darkness that he represented.
The assembly continued, but my mind was elsewhere. I thought about the Unveiled, about my family's legacy, about the challenges and dangers that lay ahead. I knew that my life would never be the same again. But I was determined to embrace my destiny, to become the hero that Hana and the others believed I could be.
The police officers continued their talk for the next hour, emphasizing the importance of nonviolence and conflict resolution. Officer Tony's words resonated with many of the students, his charisma and personal anecdotes captivating their attention.
Finally, Officer Tony stepped forward again, his gaze sweeping across the sea of faces. "Remember, students," he said, his voice ringing with sincerity, "violence is never the answer. Choose peace, choose understanding, choose a brighter future for yourselves and your community. With that being said, dismissed."
The students erupted in applause, and the officers stepped aside to mingle and chat with the teachers.
"Xian, let's go back to class," Marcel said, nudging me.
I shook my head. "I'm going to say hello to my uncle," I replied, my eyes fixed on Officer Tony.
"Your uncle?" Marcel asked, surprised.
"Yeah, Officer Tony is my uncle," I confirmed.
Marcel nodded and walked away, following the other students back to their classrooms.
I approached the group of officers and teachers, my heart pounding slightly. Officer Tony noticed me and his face lit up.
"Oh, there's my nephew, Xian!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a hug and playfully ruffling my hair.
"How was your day, Uncle?" I asked, returning his embrace.
"It's been great!" he replied enthusiastically. "I didn't see you earlier in the crowd!"
"Really? I'm this tall, Uncle. How could you miss me?" I chuckled, gesturing to my height.
Just then, Officer Budiman, the senior sergeant, rose from his seat and approached us.
< Chapter 027 > Fin.