The classroom buzzed faintly with murmurs, pens scratching against paper, and the occasional stifled yawn. The sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting golden streaks on the tiled floor. At the back of the room, Valerius Delindor sat slouched in his chair, his long frame barely fitting into the cramped school desk. At 6'5", he was far too tall for a 15-year-old, his height making him stand out wherever he went. His sharp features and perfectly symmetrical face were complemented by his striking green eyes, which glimmered faintly under the sunlight. His jet-black hair fell neatly over his forehead, giving him an effortlessly composed appearance. Despite his remarkable looks and towering stature, Valerius seemed detached from his surroundings, his gaze locked on the window. Beyond it, the sky stretched endlessly, a calming blue he often lost himself in.
"Valerius Delindor," the sharp voice of his chemistry teacher cut through his haze.
He blinked, sitting up straight. "Uh, yes?"
The teacher folded her arms, a smug smile tugging at her lips. "Perhaps you'd like to explain the reaction we just discussed."
A ripple of laughter ran through the room, but Valerius only smirked, leaning back in his chair with an air of confidence. "Sure," he began, his voice calm but commanding attention. "The reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide is a classic acid-base neutralization."
The room grew quieter as some of the students leaned in, curious despite themselves.
"When hydrochloric acid, or HCl, reacts with sodium hydroxide, NaOH, the hydrogen ion from the acid, H⁺, combines with the hydroxide ion from the base, OH⁻, to form water, H₂O. The leftover ions—sodium, Na⁺, and chloride, Cl⁻—combine to form sodium chloride, or table salt."
He leaned forward slightly, his smirk growing. "On a molecular level, this is essentially the transfer of a proton. The acid donates an H⁺ ion, and the base accepts it. The result is the neutralization of their charges, forming a stable compound—water."
The teacher's smile faltered as Valerius continued, his tone becoming even more animated. "The reaction is also exothermic, meaning it releases energy in the form of heat. That's why you'd feel the beaker get slightly warmer if you were to mix the two substances in a lab. It's not just simple chemistry—it's an elegant balance of forces."
A few students stared at him, wide-eyed. One whispered, "Wait, how does he know all that?"
Valerius wasn't done yet. "This reaction also showcases the concept of stoichiometry. For every one molecule of HCl, you need exactly one molecule of NaOH to achieve complete neutralization. The molar ratio is one-to-one. If you have excess acid or base, the solution won't be neutral—it'll either be acidic or basic, depending on what's left."
The room was silent now, the teacher included. Valerius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Neutralization. Simple stuff."
The teacher's expression faltered, her smug smile vanishing as her lips parted slightly in shock. She blinked at Valerius, clearly caught off guard by his detailed explanation.
"That's…" she began, hesitating. "Correct." Her gaze lingered on him, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "But that level of understanding—stoichiometry, proton transfer, molar ratios—none of that is in the curriculum for this grade. You're only in tenth grade, Delindor. How… how do you even know this?"
Valerius shrugged nonchalantly, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "What can I say? I like to read ahead. Chemistry's not exactly rocket science."
A ripple of murmurs swept through the room, students exchanging glances. Some looked impressed; others seemed annoyed.
The teacher cleared her throat, her tone sharpening as she turned back to the board. "Well, as impressive as that was, let's try to keep the discussion grounded in what's actually on your syllabus. Shall we?" She muttered something under her breath, shaking her head. "That explanation is far beyond what you should know at this level…"
Valerius leaned back, satisfied, as Ryan, his best friend, nudged him. "Show-off," he whispered.
"What can I say?" Valerius replied, smirking. "Genius can't be hidden."
---
The bell rang, and students poured into the courtyard like water bursting from a dam. Valerius and Ryan strolled toward the gates, their conversation light and aimless until a commotion ahead caught their attention.
"What's going on?" Ryan asked, craning his neck to see over the crowd.
Valerius's gut tightened. "Let's find out."
As they pushed through the throng, Valerius spotted the source instantly. Towering over the sea of students was Eryndor Delindor, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. At 8'4", Eryndor's height alone drew attention, but his tailored black jacket, perfect posture, and piercing green eyes sealed the deal. He was otherworldly.
Valerius groaned. "Of course, it's him."
The whispers started immediately.
"Who is that?"
"Is he famous?"
"Look at him. He's gorgeous!"
Eryndor's gaze landed on Valerius, and he raised his hand in an unmistakable gesture: Come here.
"Valerius, is that your brother?" a girl asked, wide-eyed.
"You look just like him!" another chimed in.
Before Valerius could respond, Ryan yanked him out of the circle. "Let's go, you ridiculously photogenic bastard."
Valerius laughed. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Ryan."
"Just go home with your perfect brother already."
---
The ride home on Eryndor's sleek black motorcycle was silent, save for the purr of the engine. Valerius clung to his brother's back as they wove through traffic, drawing stares from pedestrians.
"Do they always have to stare?" Valerius muttered.
"They are marveling," Eryndor replied smoothly. "Let them. It is all they can do."
"You could at least pretend to be normal."
Eryndor smirked. "Would you have me lower myself to mediocrity? Perish the thought."
Valerius rolled his eyes. "You're insufferable."
---
The Delindor estate was a sleek, modern marvel of architecture. The house was a sprawling structure of glass, steel, and sharp angles, exuding wealth and sophistication. Large floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the sunlight, while a seamless blend of concrete and wood gave it a warm yet contemporary feel. A wide driveway led to a pristine entrance framed by subtle, recessed lighting, and the surrounding grounds featured a crystal-clear infinity pool, manicured lawns, and minimalist landscaping. The clean lines and open design made the house a symbol of understated luxury.
As they stepped into the house, chaos erupted.
"Val!" Ziraiah's voice was a war cry as she stormed into the hallway. At 5'9", her long black hair and emerald-green eyes made her stand out, but it was her expression—pure fury—that demanded attention. She held a hairbrush in one hand like a weapon.
"You used my brush to clean your shoes, didn't you?"
Valerius's eyes widened. "What? No!"
"Don't lie to me! Eryndor wouldn't do something so gross, so it had to be you!"
Before he could defend himself, she launched herself at him. Her flying kick caught him off guard, sending him stumbling back.
"Ziraiah!" Valerius yelled, clutching his nose. "Are you insane?!"
Eryndor stepped in, catching her mid-charge. Lifting her effortlessly, he sighed. "Control yourself, Ziraiah. This outburst is unbecoming."
"Put me down!" she shrieked, struggling in his grasp. "He deserves it!"
Lyriana's voice rang out from upstairs, cutting through the chaos like a blade. "All three of you. My room. Now."
---
Lyriana, a woman with otherworldly beauty, stood by the window, her silhouette framed by the setting sun. At 9'4", her presence was as regal as it was commanding. Her dark hair fell in waves down her back, with her piercing green eyes, her gaze swept over her children as they entered.
"You three are utterly insufferable," she began, her tone sharp. "But this gives me the perfect reason to share what I've been keeping from you."
Before she could continue, Valerius crossed his arms, a frustrated look on his face. "Then can we start with why I have to go to school?" he asked. "I already know everything they're teaching. By rights, I should be a professor."
Ziraiah smirked, but Lyriana raised an eyebrow, silencing her with a glance. "Education isn't just about acquiring knowledge, Val. It's about learning to interact with people."
"I can interact just fine," Valerius countered, his tone defensive.
"Is that so?" Lyriana asked, her voice calm but pointed. "Because from what I hear, your interactions mostly consist of sarcasm and showing off."
Ziraiah snickered, earning a glare from Valerius. "I'm just saying," she said innocently.
Lyriana turned her attention to Ziraiah. "Speaking of which, Ziraiah, did you finish the books I gave you two days ago?"
Ziraiah straightened, a hint of pride in her voice. "Yes, all of them."
Valerius frowned, looking between his mother and sister. "Why do we have to learn so much anyway? Half the stuff we read has nothing to do with real life."
Lyriana stepped forward, her expression softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Because knowledge, Val, is the key to power. Strength alone won't carry you far. It's understanding, strategy, and wisdom that make the difference between those who lead and those who follow."
Her words hung in the air, their weight undeniable. Valerius sighed, his frustration easing as he nodded. "Fine. I get it."
Satisfied, Lyriana's gaze swept over her children once more, her tone shifting. "Now, there's something more important I need to tell you."
Eryndor straightened, his sharp features unreadable. "Is it time for us to learn Bravo?"
Valerius perked up, his curiosity rekindled. "Bravo? What's that?"
Lyriana shook her head. "Not yet, Eryndor. First, you must understand who you are."
She stepped closer, her gaze softening. "You are Delindors. Our family carries a legacy unlike any other. Bravo is a power fueled by will and forged through discipline. It strengthens the body and sharpens the mind. But it is more than that—it is a responsibility."
Ziraiah tilted her head, her emerald eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So… we can use it too?"
"In time," Lyriana replied. "But for now, you must understand the weight of your legacy. That knowledge will shape the strength you gain. Tomorrow, we'll discuss it further. "
---
That night, as the house fell silent, Valerius crept into Ziraiah's room. She lay sound asleep, her breathing soft and even.
A mischievous grin spread across his face as he uncapped a marker and began to draw on her face. He stepped back to admire his handiwork—a masterpiece of ridiculous doodles—before sneaking back to his room.
"Revenge is sweet," he whispered, chuckling to himself as he crawled into bed.
Valerius couldn't sleep. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with everything his mother had said. He didn't feel powerful. He felt normal. Too normal.
The ground trembled beneath him, and he bolted upright. A faint red glow seeped through the windows, painting the room in a sinister hue.
"What the hell?" he muttered, rushing to the hallway.
Eryndor and Ziraiah were already there, their expressions tense. Together, they ran to their mother's room. Lyriana stood by the window, her face grim as she watched the chaos unfold outside.
"It's happening," she said, her voice low. "Sooner than I expected."
"What's happening?" Ziraiah asked, her voice trembling as she clung to her mother's arm.
Lyriana turned to them, her eyes fierce. "You must leave. Now."
"What do you mean, leave?" Valerius demanded. "We're not leaving you!"
Lyriana pulled them into a tight embrace. "You are Delindors. You must survive. Together."
The house shook violently, and the ground beneath them cracked. A blinding red light filled the room, and the siblings felt a strange sensation surge through their bodies. Their mother's voice was the last thing they heard as their vision blurred.
"Live."
To Be Continued...