☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Seventeen

Nick leaned down as his mother kissed him on the cheek.

“Be sure to call more this time, I don’t want to always be the one contacting you!”

Olivia said to him with a lovely smile on her face.

Today Nick was going back to the academy, his break was over. As much as she wanted him to stay home, she knew he would have to leave eventually. She just hoped he wouldn’t grow up so fast.

“I’ll be sure to remember. Just make sure you get enough rest, won’t be too long before you are walking again.”

Nick replied back to Olivia.

He just wished he could fast forward time so that he could see his mother stand on her own two feet again. Time was not moving as fast as he hoped but there was nothing he could do about it.

“I’ll be sure to look after her master Nick.”

Charles told Nick.

Nick saw what Charles was capable of so there was no need to worry. Although Charles would put Celia before his own mother, it would still be nice to have that extra protection around.

Not to mention Vance was here, he would be watching over them both.

Olivia may have only met Vance once or twice when Nick was younger, but Vance thought of her like a second mother. Nick felt that these two would be in safe hands while he was away.

Celia gave Nick a peck on the cheek. Nick was caught off guard by her sudden kiss.

“Be safe.”

Those were the only words she spoke to him.

Nick nodded his head and went out of the door. He hopped on his archwing and sped off.

There were still a few more months left until the end of his first year.

Two big events were happening this year as well. The freshman competition as well as the twelve god competition.

With the freshman preparing for the freshman competition that was coming up, it gave the seniors more motivation to work hard. They could not be surpassed by the new students. Although they don’t know who is going to participate in the twelve god competition, they can still prepare in hopes that they will stand on the stage.

?????

Nick arrived at the school gate and stretched his arms. He has not seen Freya in two weeks, he wondered what she was up to during their break. Nick had already connected with Matthew a few times over the break. Freya was out of town but she should be back.

Someone bumped into Nick causing him to stumble forward a few steps. He glared at the person who did it. It was a middle-aged man with light blue hair wearing a white lab coat. The man turned around and his azure blue eyes looked at Nick.

“Sorry.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

He said in a flat tone before he continued walking forward.

Nick never saw him before but he figured that he was another professor or some worker on campus. The campus was huge so it was impossible to know every single person that worked on it.

Not wasting anymore time, Nick walked to his class.

He was not the first one to arrive as there were already students in their seats. Some hanging around their peer's desk talking about their break and what they did during it.

Four minutes after Nick walked in Matthew came into the classroom. He stood in front of Nick's seat.

“Wonder what is in store for us this week.”

Seeing the questioning look on Nick’s face Matthew continued to talk.

“Well, Freya always has something up her sleeve. Either getting us into someone else's drama or getting us into our own drama. Surprised that witch isn’t here yet.”

Matthew did not want to admit it, but he sort of missed Freya. Even if she was a thorn in his side.

“What’s this? Sound worried but you are actually missing her.”

Nick joked with Matthew.

Matthew laughed it off and shook his head.

“Who else am I going to bicker with all day long? Although it is a pain it makes the day go by a lot faster.”

As Matthew and Nick continued to chat, the students steadily flowed in until all the seats were filled except for one. Matthew and Nick couldn’t help but question where Freya was.

It was past the time for class to start yet she still has yet to show up. It was not like her to miss or show up late for class.

The classroom doors opened up as Darius walked in. Nick could swear some of the girls fixed their hair and adjusted themselves in their seats when he walked into the room. With his ash colored hair that reached his neck and his light brown eyes, he continued to capture the eyes of the young female students.

“I hope all of you enjoyed your break, but that does not mean we will have a period were you re-adjust yourselves. We shall continue at full speed as there is a lot of work to be done on each and everyone of your EXO development. I don’t want to see any of you slacking off.”

Darius looked at the empty seat in the front row.

“I’m sure many of you are wondering why there is an empty desk. Fear not, your classmate encountered a little problem so she will be absent for a few days. I assure you there is nothing to worry about, a few days rest should clear up her cold.”

Darius took this time to look at Nick.

“The few of you who saw me before the break, I hope you each came to a conclusion on what path you wanted to develop in. There is no right or wrong option, but what I recommended you is what I feel suits each of your charming personalities.”

A student in the back raised their hand. Darius nodded his head allowing them to speak.

“Darius I spoke with my father about the path you suggested and he agreed with what you said. At first, he was against it but after examining the pros and cons of what benefits would come along with it he couldn’t help but agree. I’ve been dabbling a little into the path hoping to break through but so far no luck. However, the little insight that I managed to gain helped me get an edge over my siblings. I just want to thank you for your recommendation without it I’d still be getting bullied by my siblings. Now I’m the one doing the bullying.”

The student ended it off with a laugh at how the situation was now reversed.

After that student, a couple others said generally the same thing and wanted to thank Darius for his recommendation. All of them basically wanted to go down one path but after meeting with Darius and talking it over with their parents did they decide to follow his instructions.

Nick, on the other hand, continued to develop his own path. It was not that he did not find Darius’ path interesting or powerful, it was that the path was a bit too mysterious. Nick would not be the test subject for Darius.

A knocking sound was heard.

Darius smiled as he told the person to come in.

Nick was shocked that it was the man he bumped into earlier at the gate.

“Before we continue, I would like to introduce you to someone. He will be working with us until the end of the year. He will be like a second pair hands that will help guide you all. Although his main focus is scientific studies of EXO abilities and not at all combat related, I find what he has to say quite interesting.

When I say scientific studies, I mean the research of how EXO abilities came to be and what was their main purpose. I may know a bit of history of what happened but he can give you a more in-depth look.

You may call him Mr. Edon or E for short.”

E smiled at the students and did a slight head bow greeting them.

“I hope we all have a joyful time together.”