"General, we have successfully stopped the advancement of the Illuminati, but there were no survivors at the base city."
"That's a shame," the general replied.
"Well, there was one," Finn said.
The man finally turned around to see Finn next to a young boy with long black hair and blue eyes. "So, he was the only one who survived?" he asked calmly. He looked like one of those people who were perfect at hiding their emotions. I guess it's true what they say about wisdom coming with age. "Also, why is he naked?" he continued, pointing at the boy's tiny, disfigured helper. "It looks like it's growing like a baby's own. I'm not sure if his wife will enjoy this."
"To be honest, I'm not even sure," Finn replied. "I found him like this and asked if he had other relatives. He said he didn't know and doesn't want to go to an orphanage. Then he—" Finn paused, then continued, "I think it's better if he explains it himself."
The boy walked forward, but his gait was unsteady, as though he might fall any second. Halfway there, he did fall but managed to stand up again and continue his slow approach. He was much slower than the average human; it took him almost eight seconds to cover a short distance.
"You brought a retarded kid to me?" the general asked.
"Sir! That was uncalled for," Finn said.
"What are you talking about? Look at the way he's walking."
The boy seemed unaffected by their conversation. He reached the general and said, "My n-n-name is—" He struggled to speak clearly.
The general's anger was barely concealed. "Finn, I understand you felt sorry for him, but you know there's a special place for people like him."
"Sir, do you want us to get cancelled?" Finn asked, his voice tinged with worry.
"My name is Logan. I want to take revenge on the killer of my mother," Logan finally said, speaking more clearly now.
"At least you have guts. I'm guessing the ones who killed your mother were the Illuminati. If you want to join the military force, you have your rights. Lucky for you, we accept anyone of any age as long as they volunteer. But it's rare to see someone volunteer," the general said. "Is this really what you want? Is this your answer?"
"Yes," Logan said firmly.
Finn knew the general was lying—not about the fact that anyone could volunteer, but about the latter. During this era, there were no such things as human rights. Finn just wanted to help, as he too had lost his family to the Illuminati.
"You start tomorrow," the general said, returning to tending the flowers.
"Where will he stay?" Finn asked.
The general looked at Finn with a confused expression, expecting him to know. After a few seconds, Finn still had no clue.
"He will stay with you, of course. You're the one who brought him to me. Even though you could have forced him to go to the orphanage, you expect a stubborn boy like him to stay there for even a day? And I won't take him with me unless I put him in the simulation. Do you really want that for him?"
Finn knew he was responsible for this boy, even if only for a day, and the thought of putting such a young child into the simulation made him even more determined to take him home.
Finn agreed, picked up his weapons, and left the school. They passed the screaming lady again, but this time, Logan didn't stop to look. The city was enormous, and they walked to the far end, where there was a small house. Upon entering, Finn saw alcohol bottles on the floor, various weapons on the walls, and one more thing on the floor that did not look child-friendly. There were adults engaged in some sort of strange fight scene. Finn quickly picked up the book before Logan could see it, then proceeded to clear the bottles away. He glanced at Logan, who seemed oblivious to the situation. "I guess there are still some innocent kids around," Finn thought. It wasn't unusual for a six-year-old to talk about things they shouldn't and for fifteen-year-olds to do things for adults. Unknown to him, Logan genuinely didn't know what it was. He was actually a child who could absorb knowledge and skills faster than most humans, but he still had to learn about things like regular humans.
Finn told Logan to stay in the spare room. Inside, Logan lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling with many questions.
"Is Illuminati the thing they said killed my mother?" Logan wondered. He didn't understand why he cared so much about his mother, but it was natural for a child to love their mother but what about his father who was he ?. "Why do I look so big?" he thought. He knew he was a baby but also felt he was no longer one. Questions kept popping into his head: Who was his father? The only memory he had as a baby was when his mother had forced an orb into his mouth. He could feel something in his brain that he could access if he concentrated. Just as he was about to do so, he dozed off.
He woke up the next day, ready to enter the Junior L.L.O.D Academy.