High General Donnell Stark was easily the third scariest person I'd known. Being in a family of Promethean nobles that are very close to each other is pretty good on most occasions, yet there were some definite drawbacks. Being personally trained in combat by my Uncle made many soldiers in the Promethean and Neo-Arcadian militaries very jealous, yet I've always wanted to give that privilege away. A lot of his fans don't know what it means to get on his bad side. It was almost like the guy enjoyed inflicting suffering on others and the worst part he called it "training." As he paced around the hall looking at each student he carefully studied them. When he got to Butch I could hear him scoff at the sight of him.

"Cadet Ikari Buncho. I'd like an explanation as to why there is a small crater in the school's wall?" I could see Butch take a quick peek over the General's shoulder to see me but it was only for a few seconds.

"We were just having a slight disagreement sir. Cadet Xenthos and I have never exactly been friends." Though the response was a colossal understatement, there wasn't anything to argue about. It was well known in the entire school that Butch and I didn't get along. I even heard something about underground betting taking place for our fights.

"Well of course Cadet," the General continued, "But that doesn't warrant school property being damaged." He gazed over Minerva's way, who by this point looked so scared she could keep from shaking. "Cadet Galatea. Which of these fools started this fight?" Without a moment's hesitation, she pointed her finger right at Butch. The General then looked to Butch's cronies yet didn't ask the same question. He hadn't needed to since they'd already been pointing him out as well. It was funny given under different circumstances they would've easily made me out to be the bad guy. Under General Stark's watchful eye, however, they easily betrayed their ringleader.

"I see..." The General beckoned the two Peacekeepers to his side. They quickly cuffed him and as the Promethean held his massive arm the Fafnar aimed her phaser at him. "Cade Ikari, you will be detained until the mock battles begin. You and Cadet Xenthos will settle this there." Though it did seem like he was punishing Butch for being an overall pain in the ass there was some part of me that thought I drew the short straw as well. "As for the rest of you. All but Cadet Xenthos are dismissed." Butch's followers scurried down the hall as fast as they could while Minerva seemed a bit reluctant to leave. The Peacekeepers began to haul Butch away and as they left I could see him look back directly at me. "See you later, Xenthos..."

I wanted to retort but the ice-cold General in front of me prevented such things. As we both stared at each other I could feel he was going to unload a mountain of curse words and demoralizing rhetoric. Instead, he sighed and backed against the opposite wall. "At ease Soran," he ordered. I finally allowed my legs to give out even though the pain was fading a bit. Uncle Donnell allowed me some time to recover which I didn't mind. As he leaned against the wall he seemed to ponder something. I guess whatever he was thinking about didn't take so long since when I was finally able to catch my breath, he was looking at me again with those cold blue eyes.

"It's your first day back and you're getting into fights. It's almost like you didn't understand anything about your suspension. We had to fight very hard for you not to get expelled and even then the amount of red tape that was drawn up was overkill."

I hazily remembered most of the politics of that day. There was lots of yelling and even threats of a prison sentence. All from a fight that went badly. "It wasn't my intention to hurt that girl. I was just trying to help her." I'm sure Uncle knew this and it was even clear in the footage I was forced to watch. But the fact I used my power and it went out of control was still used against me. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Uncle Donnell sighed once more. He then slid down the wall taking a seat on the ground.

"Your intentions were noble enough my dear nephew. But that doesn't excuse what happened. Your Father's position could've taken a massive blow had the Shiranui family decided to press charges against you. But this isn't the first time Soran." Something else I knew but I wanted to forget. Every word he spoke sounded like a loud bell ringing in my ears. Not being able to control my powers caused my family so much trouble time and time again. I guess I must've looked pitiful because Uncle looked like he wanted to continue but he stopped himself. He dropped his gaze and for a brief moment, there was silence.

"You're still enrolled in Albion Academy because your friends as well as the Shiranui girl defended you. Even I didn't wish to see you expelled from this school. You're one of the top students in the academy and you even have the potential to be a great leader. But you seem to be holding yourself back. Your fear of losing control is shackling you from your true potential, and your rage is unfocused."

These were things I knew, but I didn't want to admit them. Unlike everyone else, I never asked for my power. It's just kinda been a part of me. The worst part about this was that I wanted my Uncle to believe that I wanted to change. But ever since that day I just couldn't see it.

"How can I change then?" The question took my Uncle by surprise As he seem to shift from a relaxed position. During these little talks we had, I'd never really been the talkative type. He stood to his feet, whipping dust from his pants and fixing his uniform.

"I think that's an answer only you can come up with my boy. Now get to class and don't forget to report to the field this afternoon for your punishment. I'd hate for your Mother or Warden Serebreyakov to know of what transpired today." Hearing about those two made me jump up so high I almost flew. "R-Right," I stammered before scurrying away down the hall. I did glance back only once to see my Uncle examining the wall I'd been slammed into. It was weird but I decided not to pay attention to it so much.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Come to think of it, the weirdest part had been the voice I'd heard during the fight. It almost sounded like Solomon's. That'd be crazy though. An imaginary person from a recurring nightmare of mine can't possibly be talking to me.

When I arrived at my classroom door I kinda hesitated to open it. Being late for a class wasn't good, especially since this was my first day back from suspension. Before I could open the door myself the door slid open and before I stood a mono-eyed robot wearing a pair of black slacks with a matching white shirt and tie. Wait, I forgot the term "robot" was politically incorrect, he was synthetic. The Optima was always a bit bizarre to me. Even though Mr. Six was an individual he was networked with every Optima in the Prime System. A race of A.I. synthetics that basically could talk to each other whenever they wanted to make most feel as though millions of eyes were watching them.

"Xenthos Cadet, you are approximately four minutes and forty-seven seconds late for the lesson. Please take your assigned seat to avoid being marked as tardy."

"Of course Mr. Six. I'll get to that." Allowing me to pass him I slipped through two rows of desks to the seat in the middle of the classroom. I could hear the other students murmuring about me returning as well as some urging their friends to not look at me. It was nothing to pay attention to.

Mr. Six returned to his desk at the front of the class and a screen displaying a still image of soldiers in battle. "Returning to the topic of today's class. The Promethean Civil War is an integral part of Neo Arcadia's creation. Even though the war was primarily a Promethean conflict, the ideals of the insurrectionists that were responsible for assassinating the 141st Grand Arbiter incited many other rogue organizations on other planets. The insurrectionists believed the Grand Arbiter had been monopolizing the use and power of the Ark, the supermassive space station responsible for the transportation of Planetary bodies and their satellites."

History class was as boring as I remembered it, especially with Mr. Six teaching. I'd honestly rather hear butch talking than this crud. But it was pretty important stuff. It'd been eighteen years since the end of that conflict. I only know this because I'd been found by my parents near the end of the war. Thinking about how weird the circumstances were almost made me miss the fact that Mr. Six stopped his lecture.

"Mr. Six, you said you'd teach us about the Exalted ones," said a Promethean girl. Most of this class had been filled with Prometheans. There were others like Optima and Fafnar but mainly Prometheans chose this course. Mr. Six appeared frozen for a moment as if processing the girl's request like a slow terminal.

"That is correct Zethia Cadet. However, there is not much data regarding the Arcadians that can be accessed by the public." The other Promethean students began to protest his statement. Their eagerness to hear about the Arcadians could nearly be called zealotry. Ether was more interesting to talk about than a race of extinct aliens. But we weren't in a science class so my wish wasn't coming true. Mr. Six was outnumbered by too many students, so he seemed to relent. The image on the screen changed to a still of one of the floating rocks around the city. This one depicted a man holding a planet that looked much too similar to Neo Arcadia. Out of all of them, this one bothered me the most. It seemed like the guy was too much of an egomaniac to be some symbol of a long-dead race.

"The race known as the Arcadians are believed to be the first inhabitants of this planet. Traces of their civilization were found in the Megaliths that float above the surface as well as the underground structures beneath the city. It is also believed they were the first users of Ether and passed it on to lesser races."

Most of the class was enamored by the discussion about the Arcadians. But what must often forget was that it's also said they drove themselves to extinction. A stupid war that cost them all their lives. I should've guessed my fellow Prometheans would neglect this fact since they were in a war just like them. If it weren't for Dad they'd have suffered the same fate.

"Xenthos Cadet, is there anything you wish to contribute to the conversation." Catching me off guard with such a tiresome question was always something Mr. Six liked doing. As my attention snapped back to the class I noticed everyone's gazes falling upon me. I thought it best to give them my most mundane answer yet.

"The Exalted ones are pretty cool. It would've been nice to know what kind of technology they used in the past." Making sure to refer to the Arcadians as "Exalted ones" won me some points with some of the Promethean students. Plus my answer seemed enough for Mr. Six not to probe any further.

"Yes, many Optima and Promethean scholars are still studying the Megaliths and older ruins to discern this very thing."

Before Mr. Six could continue a chime played over the intercom. All of the other students began to ready themselves for their next class while Mr. Six closed the presentation they had. "Be sure to review the notes for tomorrow's examination. This will be the most important one yet." Getting up from my desk I started to leave like the other students. But Mr. Six halted any of that progress.

"Something you wanna talk about teach?"

"Xenthos Cadet, I have concluded that you did not give the answer you wished to give today. Is there something you wish to talk about?"

I guess in my time during suspension I forgot that the Optima can monitor vital signs from any organic. I guess he could tell I was lying about what I wanted to say. "I just think that it's sad the Arcadians eradicated themselves. We probably would've found out more about Ether."

Mr. Six tapped his metal digit against his head casing, "I presumed you'd think so as well. The other students are more focused on more illogical aspects of the Arcadians than you are. I wonder if that has something to do with your supposed Human DNA."

"That again? I am half human Mr. Six. You think your optics need maintenance again?"

"My optical sensor has no need for maintenance. All systems are normal."

Giving him a shrug I turned toward the door again. "Well trust me. Even though I don't know what I am. I do know I have Promethean and Human traits."

There was a momentary pause before I left, but hearing two beeps meant that there was no more to say. Being logical is the core of many Optima and Mr. Six was no different. Though he did have a point sometimes. I did often wonder what in the world am I.