The three of us made our way to the main building of Albion where students would be roaming the central atrium either finding their way to class or meeting up with their friends. Albion itself always reminded me of the castles from Earth video games. Even though it was the largest school in the Prime System. There were four main corridors, each leading to different classrooms and sections of the entire school. It often reminded me of the many pictures I'd seen on the U-Net regarding old architecture from Prometheus and Earth. Though many designs were old the place was sufficiently advanced as well. Its defenses were better than most military bases and the Department of R&D conducts experiments and research here on school grounds. I was a frequent "volunteer" in most cases.

The most wonderful thing about this school wasn't all the obvious money and political power being placed here but the student body. Neo Arcadia was the Prime system's beacon of unity and this school was the best example of that. The best and brightest students gathered here from every planet. For most of my life I'd only seen Prometheans and Humans, but when we finally moved to Neo Arcadia it was like a wonderland of culture was discovered.

As my thoughts wandered through that wonderland I was interrupted by a sudden and large pat on my back. It was Clarke who was seemingly talking to me, but my ears never caught a single word. "As scatterbrained as always," Andrew said. "You gotta pay attention."

"Sorry man, I guess I just missed the atmosphere a little bit."

"It's to be expected," said Clarke. "Anyways, I was just bidding you two farewell until the fourth period. Take care not to get in any more trouble Soran."

"I'll make sure he stays out of it Clarke. Besides I do believe we have to meet up with someone."

Another one of Andrew's surprises. At this point, it was to be expected. Between showing up at my doorstep early in the morning and his sudden burst of prowess in our fight I thought he'd cook up someone else. Clarke took his leave, heading down the western corridor. It was amusing seeing the other students including some Fafnar back away as he made his way along. He was as big as the draconian humanoids, sometimes even bigger. I never understood how humans could build such a physique without augmentations.

My amusement would be short-lived as my sight blackened. A pair of slender and delicate hands clasped over my eyes. "Guess who?"

The softness in her voice felt rather soothing though it carried an air of haughtiness behind it. It was almost like she thought I wouldn't be able to guess her voice. "You know, you've never been able to fool me with this kind of game dear cousin." The girl removed her hands from my eyes and I turned to face her.

It was my Cousin Minerva who seemed pretty happy to see me. She was about Andrew's height with long blonde hair styled in coils that hung over her left shoulder. Her pointed ears poked out from underneath her hair and seemingly twitched in delight. As her aquamarine eyes gazed upon me I could see her delight as she saw my face. She bent down and started hugging me so tightly that I thought I was gonna get suplexed or something.

"Dear Cousin, it is truly wonderful to see you again. You don't know how worried I was when I found out my Dear Aunt was forced to suspend you." Before I could respond she let go of me and reached into her pockets to fish something out. Despite the frilly design of her school uniform, which somewhat looked a bit too much like her usual noblewoman garb she always allowed herself to be fashionable but also practical. Pulling out a bag of sour worms she handed them to me. In only a moment when someone hands me sour worms would I admit to being a tiny goblin. I quickly snatched them from her and ripped a small hole at the top to fish the delectable treats out.

The candy distracted me from the stares of other students around us as well as the sudden change in mood. When I finally stopped being a little candy goblin I noticed my best friend on one knee holding Minerva's hand. It was a scene out of one of those old romance stories.

"Dearest Minerva, won't you honor me with a date this weekend? I know the perfect spot in Neo Arcadia that has only the finest food with the best sight." To be fair, Andrew did know a spot. But the death glare he was getting from Minerva forced me to continue eating and let this play out. Snatching her hand away she pulled a small bottle containing hand cleaner and wiped her hand vigorously.

"I will never fall for the attempts to woo me by a lecher such as yourself. Not when you just last week asked the same of my dear friend Veronica."

"Well... Yes, I did set my eyes for a moment on your companion. But you should know at this point that my heart only belongs to you. Just give me a chance and I swear no other will come between us."

Minerva wasn't buying it. She grabbed my arm and began pulling me along with her up a flight of stairs towards the north corridor. Turning back to look at Andrew who at this point was still on one knee she stuck her tongue out at him. At this point, I kinda felt bad. Other students began laughing at him while others were giving him the stink eye.

"Hey Minerva," I called out, saying it loud enough for at least everyone else to hear. "Give Andrew a break. He did get me out of my depressive state a little bit. I'm pretty sure without him I probably would've ended up a no-show today." Saying all this didn't mean anything to some of the other students. I was the guy who burned a girl so badly she won't be able to walk again. Not everyone knew the full story. But I did at least clear the rotten looks Andrew was getting. I did however manage to affect my main target.

Minerva faced Andrew once more and her pale face turned a bright red. "You have my thanks for bringing my dear cousin to school. I suppose I could at least be nicer to you today lecher." I could've sworn Andrew was going to jump and sing about how he got Minerva to praise him. Though he did rise to his feet just as quickly he contained his excitement and politely bowed to her.

"Your kind words are like sweet nectar for my soul Lady Galatea. I'll see you later." He nearly pranced down the east corridor when he left. As the commotion was over the other students dispersed just as quickly.

Stolen story; please report.

Minerva and I journeyed down the north corridor, though she was a bit annoyed most of the way. "I despise how much of a playboy he is sometimes. I just wish he would act nobler just like his parents."

"Yeah but you gotta remember how much of a landmine that is. I accidentally stepped on it this morning."

Minerva stopped in her tracks. "You two didn't get into a fight, did you? I know how he's sensitive on the topic of his mother"

"Eh, we almost got into a fight. But Clarke was there to stop us."

She placed a hand on her chest and sighed. Though she didn't like the guy cause of the playboy he was, Minerva was a lady of honor. Deep down I also like to think that she cared about Andrew to some degree as well.

As we continued down the corridor I told her about what I did for most of my suspension. It mainly consisted of watching various programs, playing video games, and doing some light training. I got scolded for not studying at all since I was still required to learn the material even in suspension. Conversely, she along with my other friends had been advocating for me not to be expelled during the first week. The second was spent maintaining her position as the top student in school. Before she could grill me about not studying at all our conversation would be stopped by a horrendous cackle.

Behind us, a group of students showed up. Two humans, A Promethean, and one Fafnar. He was huge, and his horn could almost reach the top of the ceiling. His shirt could barely contain the muscle and scale his chest was made of and his thick tail swung from side to side like a pendulum. Spike-like bones lined his chin and his devilish grin revealed a row of sharp teeth. "You know I thought I wouldn't have to see your ugly mug today. But here you are Butch, in all of your smelly glory."

"Soran Xenthos," he scoffed. "I thought you would've never shown yourself again after what you did to that poor girl. I can't imagine what mommy had to do to keep you here."

I slid the bag of sour worms into my pockets and motioned for Minerva to get behind me. "You know if you want your horns to match you could keep talking." I did understand it would be a bad idea to get into another fight with this guy but I was too much of a hothead for my own good. At least I could remind myself not to make a move until he does.

I thought he'd fly into a rage when I mentioned the horn. Something I did when we first met in our freshman year. It was technically a sign of great dishonor when a fafnar loses their horn unnaturally. There was even an entire diplomatic incident behind it. Ever since then he's never let me live it down.

He stood there for a moment stroking his chin while his gang of goonies began egging him on.

"Plaster his guts all over the walls!" One said

"Beat the rabbit bloody!" Shouted another.

Instead, he kept his wicked grin and in the moments of waiting for him to respond, he stroked his chin. "You know what little rabbit? I'm glad you came back today of all days. I wonder what you recall what today might be."

I wanted to guess. Maybe it was the day I cut his horn off. Or maybe it was someday he beat me up and just remembers it. Minerva leaned in close to my ear, "Today is the day General Stark comes for the evaluation." Suddenly my blood ran cold. Today was Combat Evaluation Day for seniors meaning that at some point I'd have to fight today.

I opened my mouth to speak but all that came out was a strained cough. The next thing I knew I felt an intense pain in my stomach as the moment I was about to answer, Butch caved his fist into my stomach. I dropped to my knees, hugging myself tightly. Minerva knelt at my side but before she could get caught up in it I held my hand out to her. "S-Stay b-back."

Minerva backed away slowly but kept a watchful eye on Butch. "I have no quarrel with you today Promethean. There's no need to involve anyone else this time." Recovering from the punch, I could feel my confusion turn into rage. In response to such rage, flames sparked at my feet encircling me as I stood.

"Oh ho, the little rabbit wants a fight. Too bad for you I'm just giving you a taste of our bout for later." This was honestly the worst place to fight this guy. The conditions were even worse too. If I tried to escape behind him his cronies would catch me. But if I were to take Minerva and run they'd probably catch up to us. So there was only one thing to do. The encircling flames swirled upward into my left palm fusing into it. I lunged forward with the hand extended forward aiming for Butch's snout. I manage to catch him as well as the rest of his loser brigade off guard allowing me to seize him. I guess I used a lot more force than I thought because the two of us toppled to the ground.

"Choke on this!" The light grew so bright from the impending attack it nearly blinded me. I hadn't expected what would happen next. Butch hammered his fist into my side sending me flying to the wall. I could've sworn I felt a few things snap and pop along with the warping of the wall. I started coughing up a little blood, and the blue liquid splattered all over the ground under me. I wouldn't get any time to recover as Butch had already done so. Picking me up by my throat he reared his arm back and slammed me into the wall once more. His grip on my throat was so tight I could feel the very air in my throat struggle to escape.

So at this point, my option to take Minerva and run would've been significantly less painful. From where I could see, Butch's goons were holding Minerva back from interfering and I was getting the life choked out of me. Out of all of this, the strangest thought occurred to me. Butch has never been this violent when we fight. Normally it's a few punches and maybe the occasional exchange of blows and witty banter. But this time there was something foul oozing from him. Something I only saw once before.

"I'd use it if you don't want to die."

I heard somewhere that one would hear things or even see things just before they died. I didn't think any of that stuff was serious though. There was no time to think about that now. I had to get out before I fell unconscious. Raising my right hand the flames crawled from the opposite hand to reach it. Out of it, something began to form, molding into the shape of something long. In great desperation, I swung it as hard as I could into Butch's face. His head turned so quickly I was worried his neck might've snapped. But this was Butch I was thinking of. There's no way a Fafnar like him would go down that easy. He did drop me and stepped back. From my left, the sound of boots echoed through the hallway. A pair of Peacekeepers arrived armed to the teeth with phasers.

"Hands up now! Any funny business and you'll be detained!"

A Promethean male and a Fafnar female. The latter was a bit unusual to see but it was good to see them. I tried holding my hands up high and as I did the Fafnar pointed her phaser at me. "Drop the weapon now!" I almost blurted out the obvious question until I noticed I was still holding that makeshift weapon I made. It was weird it almost took the form of a curved blade. As I dropped it, the blade disappeared. The officer took her phaser off of me then the two of them stood at attention as if awaiting someone.

The heavy clanking of those boots made felt like old bells tolling at just the right time. As the owner of that chilling sound approached us I could see the others freeze up as I did. A Promethean man stopped between the two peacekeepers wearing an obsidian-colored uniform. It was plastered with all sorts of ribbons and medals but none were more distinct than the rank on his shoulders. A dragon wielding a blade in one hand and an olive branch in the other is the eternal symbol of Neo Arcadia. There was only one man on the planet who could wear rank like that.

"The schadenfreude I will attain from watching you two run this afternoon will be exquisite."

My legs nearly gave up at the sound of that sentence. It was either that or the back pain I'd experienced. But either way, anything was better than being under the watchful eye of my dear Uncle.