The door creaked open, its hinges groaning as the blindfolded man stepped inside alongside a tall man; their steps were firm, and the blindfolded man's presence was impossible to ignore. The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming denser, an unspoken authority gripping them all.
Jingo was already up, his restless energy barely contained. His eyes flitted between the man and the guard following him, his curiosity all too apparent. The exchanged glances among them spoke volumes, each filled with unvoiced concerns. Mark and Ewald quickly rose to their feet, their movements sharp, as if they were bracing for bad news.
Ghent sat with his legs stretched out before him, his hands folded loosely in his lap, his head bowed low. When he finally stood, it was sluggish, deliberate, almost daring someone to call him out for it. The guard's sharp eyes briefly rested on him, but Ghent met the unspoken challenge with a casual tilt of his head.
The guard proceeded methodically, unlocking their restraints with precise, practiced movements. The sound of chains clattering against the ground echoed in the silence. Once free, Jingo stretched his arms and legs with flair, rolling his shoulders as if releasing a great burden.
"Finally," he muttered, his voice low but not low enough to avoid Mark's disapproving glance. A subtle elbow to Jingo's side followed, producing a faint huff from him.
The blindfolded man's head tilted slightly, the gesture somehow unnerving despite his covered eyes. His voice was calm but carried the weight of finality. "Follow me."
No justification. No preamble. Just the blunt, undeniable command.
Ghent was the first to move. His eyes, dull and devoid of their usual fire, stared ahead as if nothing around him mattered. His steps were measured, almost robotic, as he followed the man out while the others fell in line behind him. Leaving the guard who had unlocked their restraints back trying to shut the door.
Jingo, on the other hand, hung back at the rear of the line, his head turning with an awe-filled grin. The faint glimmer of excitement in his eyes revealed his fascination with the unfolding situation. For him, this was an adventure—an enticing mystery waiting to be uncovered.
×××
In the training yard, the familiar hum of drills played on, masking the undercurrent of tension that wove through Kade's mind. He moved as though on autopilot, doing what was required of him.
No one would have suspected him capable of what he'd done earlier—reaching out, trying to free an offender. His demeanor betrayed nothing. To the other children, he was just like them: focused, compliant, unremarkable.
His partner, Melly, mirrored his silence. Their movements were synchronized yet lacked connection, both mute and acting as they normally did.
Across the yard, Yuri executed her exercises quietly. Although her small frame seemed fragile, the intensity in her expression revealed a keen focus. When her eyes briefly shifted to Kade and Melly at the far end of the yard, they lingered just long enough to show a hint of curiosity.
Then, it happened.
The man from the previous day strode into the yard—the same one who had teleported Haze and the others away. His smile, as disconcerting as ever, seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face. He moved with deliberate ease, each step measured, as if he owned every inch of the space around him.
One by one, the children froze, halting mid-motion as his presence rippled through the yard. Heads turned, eyes narrowing in silent observation. It was a rare occurrence—almost unheard of—for one of the higher-ranking mindbuggers to step into their midst without being summoned. The trainers stationed at the edges, who had been directing the drills moments before, stood still, their arms crossed in a posture of relaxed vigilance. They watched him, not with fear but with a detached curiosity, waiting to see what business had brought him here.
His posture upright, his footsteps barely making a sound against the dirt as he walked through their ranks. There was an inherent authority about him, an aura that effortlessly commanded attention. Then, without a moment's pause, he stopped.
Right in front of Kade.
The man leaned in slightly, bringing his face close enough for Kade to notice the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips. That ever-present smile widened, its edges sharp with mockery.
"You," the man said, his tone dripping with quiet derision. "Come with me."
Kade didn't flinch. His expression remained stoic, a well-rehearsed mask of indifference. He had seen the man enter the training yard, and his gaze unmistakably fixed on him. A flicker of unease stirred within his chest, but he expertly suppressed it. [What is this about?]
Kade's eyes subtly shifted to Melly. She stood frozen, her surprise barely hidden behind a facade of composure. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to speak, but no words emerged. Her eyes flickering between the man and Kade.
The man noticed the exchange. His grin sharpened. Slowly, he turned his head toward Melly, his eyes gleaming with something unspoken—mockery, perhaps.
Nearby, Yuri's sharp eyes tracked the man's approach. She had watched him enter the yard, the strange, unnerving presence of him drawing her full attention. Now, seeing him stop in front of Kade, her heart tightened with a quiet alarm.
Then, without a word, the man turned and began walking. Kade followed, his steps steady, measured. There was no hesitation, no sign of defiance, only quiet compliance.
The journey stretched on longer than Kade had anticipated. They left behind the rigid confines of the facility, venturing into a vast forest that seemed to go on forever. It was far deeper than the area where he and Melly had hidden to track Haze. The towering trees loomed overhead, their dense canopy allowing only sparse rays of sunlight to pierce through the shadows.
As they continued, Kade's eyes scanned the surroundings with sharp intent. His attention caught on several trees adorned with paper seals, their strange presence stirring a slight unease within him. He couldn't help but wonder what they were for, their cryptic markings nagging at his mind.
The memory of the previous night came rushing back—of the tree he had touched and examined. He recalled noticing a peculiar mark on its bark, as though it had been scraped clean. At the time, he'd dismissed it as something natural, just the wear and tear of the forest. But now, seeing these seals, a new possibility crept into his mind.