As K and Lee entered the academy, they were met with a buzz of voices filling the air. Students gathered in small groups, exchanging whispers and excited chatter. The usual hum of activity was now charged with a sense of urgency, as rumors spread like wildfire about what had happened the night before.
K could hear snippets of conversations around him talk about strange occurrences, flashes of light in the sky, and the mysterious meteor that had crashed near the academy. Some even spoke of odd sightings in the nearby woods, where the meteor had landed. The air was thick with uncertainty.
"Did you hear? They say the crash was some sort of warning," one student murmured to another, her voice barely audible above the chatter.
"I heard the council's looking into it. Something's definitely off," another replied, her eyes wide with fear.
K kept his head down, trying to avoid drawing attention. He could feel the weight of the rumors pressing down on him. His mind raced. Was it possible that the meteor was connected to him? The strange glove, the voices, the sudden ability to understand the robots it couldn't just be a coincidence.
Lee noticed the change in K's demeanor and nudged him with a smirk. "Don't let it get to you. It's all just speculation. People like to talk, especially when things get weird."
K nodded but wasn't convinced. He couldn't shake the feeling that everything happening around him—the crash, the meteor, and the strange powers he was experiencing—was all part of something much larger than he could understand. And it terrified him.
"Come on, we're late for class," Lee urged, pulling him toward the entrance. "Let's go before the teachers start getting on our backs."
K took one last look at the gathering crowd, his thoughts swirling with questions. Something was happening, and he could feel that his role in it was far from over.
As K and Lee entered the classroom, the atmosphere felt different. The usual chatter and lighthearted banter were replaced by tense murmurs. Students were sitting in their seats, some nervously fidgeting, while others exchanged knowing glances. It was clear that something was on everyone's mind.
K sat down at his usual spot, near the back of the room, while Lee took a seat next to him. The sound of footsteps echoed as the door slid open, and Professor Nikki walked in, her expression serious.
"Good morning, class," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of concern. "I know many of you have heard the rumors about last night. I want to make one thing clear: the academy is not in danger. However, the incident with the meteor crash is being investigated. Until we have more information, I expect all of you to remain focused on your studies."
The room fell silent, everyone hanging on to her every word. K felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The meteor, the strange events—it all felt connected, and he wasn't sure he was ready to face whatever was coming.
Professor Nikki continued, "Now, let's get back to our lesson. Today we will be discussing the role of the Galaxy Keepers in maintaining balance and peace across different realms. It's vital that you understand their role, especially given the recent events."
K's mind wandered as she spoke. Galaxy Keepers… were they somehow involved in what was happening? He couldn't shake the feeling that his own connection to the meteor and the strange powers he had begun to experience was more than just coincidence.
Lee leaned over and whispered, "You good, man? You've been quiet since we got in here."
K nodded but didn't reply. He was lost in thought, trying to piece together the fragments of what he had learned. He had to figure out what was happening to him—and why. Something told him that the truth was much closer than he thought.
Lucy entered the classroom in a hurry, her footsteps quick and light. She glanced around the room, her eyes locking onto K as soon as she spotted him. A small, teasing smile appeared on her face as she made her way toward him.
"You're early today, love," Lucy said, her voice playful as she took the seat beside him, still catching her breath from rushing to class.
K looked at her, a slight smile tugging at his lips despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. "Yeah, I decided to be on time for once," he replied, though his words didn't quite match the unease that lingered in his expression.
Lucy leaned in a little, her eyes softening. "Good," she said quietly, but there was something more in her gaze a flicker of concern that K couldn't ignore. "I'm glad you're here."
Before K could ask what was on her mind, Professor Nikki's voice rang out, drawing their attention. The class had begun, and the usual chatter quieted as everyone settled in.
K, however, couldn't shake the feeling that Lucy's words held more weight than usual. There was something about her expression—something she wasn't saying, but that he could sense. For a moment, they exchanged a brief, silent understanding before turning their attention to the front of the room, but K's thoughts kept drifting back to the unease that had settled in his chest.
As the first class ended, K gathered his things, a casual smile forming on his face as he turned to Lucy. "Hey, want to grab something to eat at the café?" he asked, his tone light and inviting.
Lucy, however, hesitated. She glanced at him, a small frown forming on her brow as she shook her head. "I can't today, K. I have some things to take care of," she said, her voice a little quieter than usual.
K raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to her answer than she was letting on. "Are you sure? It's not like you to turn down a meal."
Lucy gave him a soft smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm sure," she replied, her gaze avoiding his for a moment. "I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
K paused, studying her face, but decided not to press her further. Something about her demeanor had changed, and he wasn't sure what it was. "Alright, if you're sure… I'll see you later then," he said, his voice slightly unsure but masking it with a smile.
With that, Lucy quickly gathered her things and left the room, leaving K standing there, feeling a nagging sense of unease. Something wasn't right, but for now, he couldn't put his finger on it.
As K stood there, still processing Lucy's sudden change in mood, he felt a hand clap on his shoulder from behind. He turned around to see Lee, grinning as usual. "Oi, K! You up for lunch? Come join us!" Lee said with a playful tone, motioning to his girlfriend, who was walking just a few steps behind him.
K blinked, a little surprised. "Uh, sure," he replied, forcing a smile as he adjusted to the sudden change in plans. "I guess I could eat."
Lee's girlfriend, a tall girl with dark hair, smiled at K before linking her arm with Lee's. "We were thinking of trying that new café down the street," she said. "You should come too. It'll be fun!"
Without waiting for K's answer, Lee and his girlfriend started walking ahead, hand in hand, already chatting and laughing. K, feeling a bit out of place, followed them, but his mind kept drifting back to Lucy's odd behavior earlier. Why had she acted so distant?
As they walked toward the café, K couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease, though he tried to ignore it.K stumbled backward after colliding with a woman. She had long blonde hair, a face partially covered with a mask, and wore a long-sleeved shirt with boots. K, confused by the strange turn of events, quickly regained his balance and stood up.
The woman, looking directly at him, spoke in a calm but knowing tone. "I know what happened yesterday."
K froze for a moment, his mind racing with questions. "What do you mean?" he asked, trying to steady his breath and gather his thoughts.
The woman simply stared at him, a mysterious aura around her. Without offering an explanation, she turned and walked away, leaving K to wonder how she knew about the events of the previous day.
K stood there for a moment, his mind swirling with confusion. Who was that woman, and how did she know about what happened yesterday? His thoughts raced, but he shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. There were more pressing matters to deal with.
With a deep breath, he refocused on his destination. He had to move forward there was no time to waste.