Seiya held the gun firmly against his head, his eyes weary and lifeless. The elite before him mouthed something, his gaze cold and unyielding.
"Don't move!" The elite's glare froze Seiya in place, leaving him breathless, unable to even draw a breath.
At first, Seiya thought the command was because he intended to end himself, but as he strained to listen, distant murmurs and footsteps reached his ears—people were entering the mansion.
Without a sound, the elite seized Seiya, hoisting him over his shoulder. They leapt out of the room and back onto the roof from which they had come.
Silent and swift, the elite ran across the rooftops with Seiya in tow. The other elite joined them, and they did not stop until they were far from the mansion's grounds.
Seiya couldn't make sense of their actions—why the child was spared, or why they avoided confronting the intruders as they had with the guards. Yet, he felt a wave of relief knowing the child had survived.
Sensing Seiya's bewilderment, the elite carrying him began to explain as they moved down an empty, bushy road, the evening sky already darkened.
"Those weren't ordinary civilians, but Awakeners. High-ranking ones" the elite started, his voice calm and composed.
"Had we lingered even a second longer, they would have caught us.That goes for any movement we make as well. Any continued use of our abilities would have given away our position instantly. That's why we retreated." The other elite nodded in agreement.
They boarded a waiting black bus, which sped off as soon as they got in. The drive was shrouded in silence.
Upon arrival at the facility, Seiya was the only one dropped off, the elites already communicating with his father through the devices in their ears. Seiya was led to his father's office.
His father greeted him with a stern expression, his eyes cold as Seiya stood before him, head bowed.
"Another mission failed" his father intoned, making Seiya's breath hitch, his eyes widening.
"Don't worry.." his father continued, "this time, it wasn't entirely your fault, so the children will be spared." Seiya exhaled in relief.
"However, I had high hopes for this mission. What a shame." His father remarked, his face hard with barely suppressed anger.
"Get changed into your uniform. We have a session." He dismissed Seiya with a wave.
Despite knowing a training session should've been next, Seiya did not protest. He wouldn't have dared even if he wanted to.
"You're just in time; the kids are having dinner. You should join them" Miss Onoya said as she escorted Seiya to his room.
"I'm not hungry" Seiya replied even though he hadn't eaten all day.
"Still, you might want to check out the dining hall. The other kids are there" Miss Onoya suggested, prompting Seiya to pause.
"You remember how I mentioned this facility has three stories, each occupied by children grouped by rank? The first floor here is for the weakest, the second for those stronger, and the third for the strongest. The dining hall on the second floor is being renovated, so those kids are having dinner here on the first floor. I thought you might be interested."
"I'll go see them then" Seiya smiled faintly and made his way to the dining hall.
At the door, he hesitated, his heart pounding, before sliding it open and sticking in just his head to peek inside.
All eyes turned to him as he stood at the threshold, scanning the room. There were new faces—older, taller, more imposing figures with an air of intimidation.
A boy from the second floor, looking about sixteen, with peach apricot hair, froze as he caught sight of Seiya. His eyes twinkled as he gazed at Seiya, as if he was a piece of art on display. The boy stood there, tray of food in hand, unable to look away.
Seemingly having enough gawking and feeling overwhelmed, Seiya withdrew and left.
Whispers of mockery followed his departure.
"How shameless! He didn't come for lunch so I thought he wouldn't be eating with us anymore".
"He just showed up to remind us he's different."
"Disgusting. After so many kids died, how can he live so carefree?"
"He's so thick-skinned. Even after being beaten—"
Their conversation was cut short by a looming figure behind them. It was the boy with peach apricot hair, his expression menacing, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Hah?!" he growled, his rage palpable, silencing the dining hall. Everyone turned to watch.
"What did you say about him?" He asked sternly with eyes spread in rage.
"Speak up!" He demanded harshly, his tone seething with anger.
"Suhei, what's wrong?" a boy from his group seated nearby, asked.
The kids, intimidated by Suhei, trembled under his furious gaze.
Everyone in the dining hall remained silent as they were confused and could only watch what was about to go down.
"What's it to you what we say?" Eiro, one of Seiya's tormentors, approached Suhei nonchalantly. "He's scum! A killer! That bastard doesn't deserve to be ali—"
Before he could finish, a powerful punch sent him flying across the tables. Gasps echoed through the hall, the second-floor kids also shocked as everyone else.
The shock etched on their faces was crystal clear because it was the first time they'd seen Suhei act like that—that too for a reason unknown.
"A scum? A killer? He doesn't deserve to live?" Suhei repeated through clenched teeth, advancing toward the fallen boy. "If anyone doesn't deserve to live, it's you lot who judge him so harshly!" He landed another punch before his friends restrained him.
"Calm down, Suhei! What's wrong?" they urged, pulling him back.
Even Suhei, despite his years, knew better than to lay a hand on a young child. Yet, the fury coursing through his veins, ignited by their vile actions, drove him to the brink. His blood boiled beyond reason, and it took the restraint of his friends to keep him from losing control.
"You dare call him shameless?! Disgusting?! The only ones deserving of such words are all of you!" he bellowed, tearing himself free from his friends' grasps.
His voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow. "To think this is how you've seen him all along. How you've looked down on him with such disdain. Tsk!" Suhei closed his eyes, his heart aching under the weight of betrayal.
"From the moment he set foot here, I've watched him. I've anticipated the day I'd finally meet him—a hero in my eyes. And yet, this is how you've treated him? By tormenting and bullying him?" Suhei's voice rose, each word sharper than the last.
"You call him a killer? Fine! But I'll show you everything he's endured. I'll make you see just how easy your lives have been in comparison!" His eyes reddened with unshed tears as he stepped toward the center of the dining hall.
With a commanding gesture, Suhei extended his right hand, his palm open. Slowly, a large white screen materialized before them, filling the hall with an ominous glow.