Although things had kicked off within the Ark Academies, progress was slow and steady as both students and faculty found their bearings.
To help the students socialize better, Arias had his tech experts create a social networking app exclusive to students and faculty members, existing within what was being called the **Leviathan Network**, Arias's private online portal.
Students and faculty simply needed their student or faculty IDs to register. This would help them socialize, communicate freely, and stay informed about what was going on.
Arias could only focus on improving the foundation of the schools since his true plans couldn't start until the government stopped snooping and the students got comfortable.
Classes lasted half a day for now, with students being encouraged to join clubs in the afternoon. The clubs that existed so far were simple and basic, with those involving superpowers being only theory-based for the moment.
Arias knew the observers placed in his academies weren't just there to find evidence they could use against him but also to scout children with potential.
Because of this, Arias announced on the private app to all students that using their powers for now was not allowed, and that it was only temporary while the school arranged adequate gear, programs, and teachers. Breaking this rule would lead to expulsion.
It wasn't a solid plan since children were bound to use their powers in secret at some point, but better some than all. After all, no matter how rebellious, only a fool would risk giving up what the Ark Academies provided for no reason.
With the academies in a static state progress-wise, Arias turned his focus to Slade's campaign.
The following morning, while in his office at Markovic Tower, Arias finally received a call from the president himself, passed on to him via Mercy.
He lounged in his chair and picked up the phone casually.
"Good morning, Mr. President. To what do I owe the pleasure?" he greeted, his tone lacking any hint of sincerity.
**[I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work, Arias Markovic. The cabinet is already planning some very undesirable decisions in response to what you've done, so do the smart thing and just call off this silly campaign you want to start.]**
Without hesitation, Arias broke into laughter, genuinely amused by the president's words.
**[I assure you I'm not joking. The last thing you'd want is to become an enemy of the state.]**
Arias's laughter trailed off, and he sighed while shaking his head.
"And I assure you, the last thing you'd want is to have me as an enemy, Mr. President."
**[Is that supposed to be a threat? You think we have no counter to that little display you put on? If you think wealth and some tricks are enough to let you do what you want, you're very wrong, Mr. Markovic. I called you in good faith to provide you this warning; it'll be too late to change your mind later, I assure you.]**
Arias simply smiled and kept his reply short, "Do your worst, and I'll do mine."
Without waiting for a reply, Arias cut the call and stood up from his seat, lifting his blazer off it and carrying it over his shoulder.
As he walked out of his office, he turned to Mercy, who was seemingly busy at work. She looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"I'm guessing it didn't go well?"
Arias smiled and nodded.
"It didn't. You'll have to run things in my place for a little bit," he revealed.
Mercy showed a confused look and had a bad feeling. Before she could say anything, a foreign sound caught her attention, and her office phone began to buzz.
**[Bzzt, Miss Graves, there are government vehicles here demanding entry into the premises... uh, what do I do?]**
Along with the sudden reveal came the sound of helicopters hovering around the tower. Arias remained calm and just smiled.
"Wow, I must've really shaken some nerves with my move," he smiled and muttered.
Mercy, though, looked worried and pulled out an assortment of guns from under her desk.
"What the fuck is going on? What did you tell the president?"
Arias stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Put those away. I simply told him to fuck off, and now he's hurt. It's just a minor inconvenience," he revealed.
Mercy listened and stopped, recognizing that Arias likely had a plan, similar to Lex.
"So what? They're just gonna arrest you for supporting Slade?"
The entire situation seemed a bit baffling, but Arias didn't have time to explain.
**[Miss Graves! They've forced their way in; they're coming into the parking lot. What do I do?]**
Mercy looked more concerned, but Arias just spoke into the device with a calm demeanor. "As you were, they're invited."
Without explaining much, Arias turned away from Mercy and repeated, "Like I said, just make sure things run smoothly while I'm away. Slade will brief you on the rest; you and he are in charge."
Saying nothing more, Arias began to walk away. Mercy, still very much confused, asked one final thing.
"Then transfer your assets. Whatever you did, they're just going to freeze them like they did for Lex."
Arias paused by the elevator door and cracked a smile while shaking his head.
"If they could, they would've already done so. All my assets have been under Terra's name since the day I adopted her and are overseen by 14 different international law firms. I'll see you soon."
He simply waved at Mercy and stepped into the elevator, his demeanor still relaxed as the elevator began to descend.
Out of nowhere, though, his phone buzzed, and he quickly checked the caller ID, only to see it was Terra. He smiled and muttered, "Another unexpected occurrence. Today is just full of surprises."
He then picked up the call and answered casually.
"Yes? Everything okay, Terra?"
**[What—? I don't know. The news is buzzing right now, saying that you're wanted in connection with the murder of Amanda Waller and others. What's going on? Are you going to be okay?]**
Arias couldn't stop himself from chuckling at her, her mild concern a welcome surprise.
"I'll be fine. This will blow over before you know it. For now, just focus on adjusting to this new life. I have big expectations of you."
**[...Alright, well... just be careful... please.]**
Even in such an abrupt situation, Terra found it hard and awkward to express her genuine feelings of concern for Arias.
Soon, Arias cut the call just as he reached the bottom of the elevator. As soon as the doors opened, he was met with numerous federal agents and teams pointing firearms at him.
"Freeze! Arias Markovic, you're under arrest for—"
Arias didn't even allow the man in the lead to finish his sentence as he interrupted and spoke.
"Your president must be pretty desperate to resort to an unlawful arrest just to keep me at bay. Or is it something else you're planning?" he asked casually, but the man remained firm and began to approach.
"Put your hands up, or we will be forced to use force," he warned, making no sudden movements after looking at a camera present in the hall.
Arias noticed this small gesture, but he just smiled.
"When you wake up, tell your president he's made a grave mistake."
Before the man could understand the words spoken, he and everyone else in the lobby suddenly clutched their throats in pain, feeling like they could no longer breathe.
Some tried to resist and were ready to shoot a few bullets at Arias, but each one just stopped inches away from him.
Arias's smile faded as he looked around before walking casually past the suffocating agents. By the time he reached the door, many had lost consciousness and were nearing death. Luckily for them, he stopped once he reached the door.
But as a precaution— "Ahh!!"
Numerous screams filled the lobby as all of the agents had their hands and legs broken by an unseen force.
Arias looked at them coldly and just shook his head before walking out and turning his attention to the helicopters above.