As Axka stepped into Mr. Lawson's office, the scene before him resembled a still frame from a dramatic film. The guy from the fight sat there, along with his friends and the nerd he had saved, all covered in bandages. The nerd's eyes met his, flickering with a mix of gratitude and guilt.

Mr. Lawson, his expression stern and unyielding, began to explain the reason for calling Axka in.

“You’re here because of another reported incident, Axka,” he stated, his glare sharp. “Involving a fight outside school, with Eustace here.” His tone carried a weight of disappointment. For the first time, Axka heard the nerd’s name, Eustace.

Axka glanced at Eustace, who seemed to shrink under Mr. Lawson’s stare. Mr. Lawson’s next words were cold, laced with strict authority. He leaned forward slightly, his glare piercing. “We can’t have our school’s name tainted by such actions. I want to understand why you were fighting again, Axka.”

Silence enveloped the room as Axka stood, his mind racing but words failing him. Then, unexpectedly, Eustace spoke up. “Sir, it’s not what you think. Axka… he saved me. That’s why I mentioned him.”

Axka blinked in surprise. Eustace was covering for him. A wave of relief washed over him, mingled with a touch of confusion. Does he really not know? Or is he just pretending? Axka wondered, his thoughts racing. Either way, I’m safe... for now. They won't be dragging me off to The Federal, at least not today. Axka blinked, feeling a momentary sense of relief.

“WHAT ARE YOU RELIEVED ABOUT, AXKA? THIS MATTER IS FAR FROM RESOLVED.” Mr. Lawson’s voice thundered, snapping Axka back to reality.

“I’m considering expelling all of you for this misconduct,” Mr. Lawson continued, his eyes narrowing with disdain. The threat lingered in the air, but Axka didn’t flinch, his calm, almost bored expression holding steady

It wasn’t that he didn’t care—he was just tired of feeling cornered.

Just as the weight of Mr. Lawson's words began to settle, the door swung open, startling everyone. Mr. Arif, the principal, entered the room with measured stride, his presence instantly commanding attention. “Expulsion isn’t the solution,” he remarked calmly, his voice steady but firm. Axka could see a flicker of frustration on Mr. Lawson’s face, but the principal’s presence was enough to shift the atmosphere from one of punishment to one of possibility.

“But Sir…” Mr. Lawson began, but Mr. Arif was firm. “I’m setting up a camp for all the problematic students. It will last four days and three nights; the activities will be fun but also focus on moral and disciplinary education. That should help them get back on track.”

He added, “I will announce it at tomorrow morning’s assembly.” Mr. Lawson acknowledged the news and replied, “Noted, sir.”

As soon as the principal left the room, Mr. Lawson’s frustration was evident. "You’re lucky to have a principal who still sees potential in you," he muttered.

With a final warning glance, Mr. Lawson dismissed them. As they filed out, Axka caught the gang’s eyes.

“Remember what I told you.” Axka shot a steady stare. The guy scoffed and left with his friends.

Eustace approached Axka hesitantly, his shoulders hunched and his eyes darting nervously.

“Sorry, Axka. About the snitching too... I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in this…” Eustace’s voice wavered, his eyes darting away as if searching for the right words to say next.

Axka waved him off, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No worries, Eustace. I’m used to it,” he said, his tone light, almost teasing. He was in his element here—comfortable right on the edge of trouble. He’d been here too many times to count, always on the verge of expulsion, yet somehow still standing in these halls. He had been there before—many times.

In fact to him, Mr. Lawson’s threats were more like background noise, an old song on repeat. “I’ve been close to expulsion so many times, but nothing can keep me from coming to this school,” He glanced at the familiar bruises on his knuckles and shrugged.

Eustace nodded, realizing something new. “You’re really good in a fight,” he said, awe in his voice. “That technique… I’ve never seen anything like it. How’d you learn to move like that?”

Axka felt a final wave of relief. Eustace hadn’t noticed his Anomalies; he just thought it was a fighting technique, Axka mused. He must have seen cartoons from Ryuha a lot.

He chuckled, brushing off the compliment. “I’m used to the fight. Survival teaches you things, y’know?”

Axka paused for a moment, remembering his sworn brother worriedly waiting for him of the matter. “Hey, I gotta head back to class,” Axka said, his voice tinged with concern. “But seriously, take care of yourself. Next time, if you see anything suspicious, don’t go wandering alone, alright?” His eyes searched Eustace’s face for understanding, hoping his warning didn’t sound like a lecture.

With a final nod to Eustace, Axka headed back to class. The familiar corridors seemed to buzz with a new tension—a mix of relief from avoiding expulsion and the looming uncertainty of the upcoming camp.

Lost in thought, Axka turned a corner and bumped into Siyanda Goldwyn. The unexpected encounter jolted him. Siyanda, with her striking blend of Ifri and Eurisops heritage, always caught his eye—her unique features a constant fascination. The collision snapped him out of his reverie, a flush of heat rising to his head as he fumbled for words.

He greeted her with a shy smile, recovering from the surprise encounter. “Hey, Siyanda,” Axka managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel the heat rising to his neck, and his palms were sweating.

Fuck me, why do I sound like a squeaking rubber duck?

“Just... um, got back from the toilet hehe...” he added, cringing inwardly at how stupid he sounded. His heart pounded as Siyanda turned, her bright smile making the crowded hallway disappear for a moment.

“Did you see the chat I sent? This morning, I mean." He winced inwardly at the awkwardness of his words, wishing he could articulate the many thoughts racing through his mind instead of resorting to clumsy remarks.

Her pause felt like an eternity, a moment during which Axka’s heart raced and he dared to hope. When she finally spoke, her voice was a melody that calmed him a bit. Her expression showed curiosity as she shook her head, her long, gorgeous hair swaying around.

“Nope, didn’t see it yet. Got busy earlier. I’ll check the chat after school,” she replied. Her curious response left him a bit disappointed, yet he clung to the hope of further interaction.

Relieved and slightly flustered, he nodded. “Cool, thanks. I'll catch you later then.”

The bell rang, signaling the end of their brief conversation. Siyanda excused herself with a friendly smile and disappeared into her classroom. As she walked away, her smile lingered in his mind. Her response stung a bit, but at least she spoke to him.

Axka entered the classroom through the back door. Takoda was already at their usual spot, looking as though he had a million questions. Their eyes met, full of unspoken questions, as Axka signaled for him to follow to a secluded corner.

“Takoda, listen, it’s all good now,” Axka started, trying to sound more confident than he felt. He could see the worry lines etched deep on Takoda's face, and it tugged at something inside him.

“Mr. Lawson knows about the fight, but he’s clueless about… you know, the other stuff. And, uh, that kid? His name’s Eustace. Turns out, the principal sees potential in us or something, thinks we’re just misunderstood. Wants us to join some program to, like, show our real worth… or whatever.” He gave a slight smile to ease the tension. “I think this includes me. And you too,”

Takoda blinked, his eyes widening in disbelief before narrowing into a focused glare. “What?!” he burst out, startling Axka. “Oh, come on, man! I could find something better to do than this ‘program’…” His voice was filled with frustration, each word dripping with disdain for the idea of forced discipline.

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“Well, I guess we have to, brother,” Axka glanced, noticing the frustration on Takoda’s face.

“Never mind…” Takoda voice trailed off. “Anyway, Axka, what about the gang fight after school?”

Axka looked up, as if deep in thought, and pushed his mouth to the side. “I’ll think about it later; it ain’t a big problem for me.”

As the day went on, the usual routine of classes faded into the background. Axka tried to avoid thinking about the confrontation after school; it wasn’t like it was something new.

***

When the final bell rang, it wasn’t just the end of the day—it was also a call to face what awaited Axka beyond the school gates while Smitty and Aime were asked to stay for an extra class.

As Axka stepped out of the school's main entrance, he immediately noticed Takoda at his side, his eyes darting around, sharp and vigilant. Every muscle in Takoda's body was tense, braced for whatever might come next.

“Takoda, relax, brother. I’ve got this. This one’s on me,” Axka insisted, making a sudden change to their plan. “I still need you to pick up my little brother from school. Make sure he gets home early and doesn’t worry about me. You and Mika shouldn’t get caught up in this. If I need backup, I’ll call you.”

Takoda hesitated, then nodded, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by rare seriousness. He knew better than anyone what Axka was capable of. “I’ll be ready if anything goes bad.” Axka assured him with a nod.

With Takoda off to safeguard his brother, Axka took a deep breath and turned toward the setup place, the shadowed alley behind the building. Graffiti-covered walls closed in, each step heavy with the weight of his decision. It was his fight now, and he felt the familiar adrenaline surge as he prepared for what lay ahead.

“I thought you never came,” a voice called out from afar as they approached. Fewer than seven and unarmed, Axka took off the bandana from his hand. There must be the first round before the rest come in.

Axka slicked his hair back, the cool fabric of the bandana pressing against his scalp, grounding him. His eyes narrowed as he was scanning the darkened alley. Every shadow loomed as a potential threat; every flicker of movement set his instincts on high alert.

Axka’s hand slid into his pocket, fingers closing around the broken handles. The rough plastic bit into his palms, a familiar sensation that steadied his nerves. Muscles coiled, Axka was ready to strike at the first sign of danger.

The standoff teetered on the brink of chaos, the cold air clinging to their skin with every breath a silent threat. Graffiti-covered walls seemed to close in, pulsing with tension.

Axka stood steady, his senses sharp, every muscle in his body poised for action. He gripped his handles tighter, his knuckles whitening with the strain, and his feet shifted instinctively, ready for action. The tension hung in the air, like a tightrope stretched to its breaking point.

Suddenly, from the shadows, a figure emerged, moving with a deliberate, almost predatory grace that sent a ripple through the gathered crowd.

“Hello,” a nonchalant voice from behind cut through the tension like a knife.

For a split second, Axka's heart skipped—Someone’s behind me!? His muscles tensed for a moment, but the voice was familiar, calming. One of their members?

But as the voice settled in, familiar and calming, he recognized it and the tension began to dissipate. Axka glanced on his back, a familiar face came into his view, someone that he admired as he learned a lot of lessons from him.

“Caden!” Axka started, “how are you, big brother?” He greeted Caden casually, as if the situation were nothing at all. “I’m fine, I’m on my way to the school but saw you back here,” Caden said with a calming voice and a smirk, patting him on the shoulder.

Caden Stoddard—more than just a teacher, a mentor and more importantly, he was like a big brother to Axka. Caden had taken Axka under his wing, seeing a bit of his younger self in the troubled student. He appeared with a demeanor that hinted at untold of his unglorious past. Caden had seen more than his share of violence and he wouldn’t stand idly by if things turned ugly.

As Axka and Caden exchanged greetings, the gang’s reaction began to shift, hinting at Caden’s presence. They sensed he wasn’t an ordinary teacher. A teardrop tattoo near his left eye, another filled-in one on his right, and a small '0.1%' tattoo at the nape of his neck—feared by those who knew its meaning—become visible.

Hearing his name and seeing him, the gang leader furrowed his brow and muttered to his cohorts, “Hold on… isn’t that the Legendary Caden?”

The gang members exchanged glances, starting to recognize him.

“You mean Caden the Raging Bull from ‘Apocalypse Riders’?”

“‘Apocalypse Riders’?! Isn’t that the most infamous outlaw biker gang from Libertica?!”

“Shit, I didn’t know we were messing with someone like him.”

The scars from Caden’s past were hidden beneath a calm exterior, But the rumors about his days as the ‘Raging Bull’ in the infamous ‘Apocalypse Riders’ still circulated among those who knew.

The gang members, now recognizing Caden, glanced at each other, their faces reflecting a mix of confusion and realization. Their assumption suggested they were seeking a resolution without resorting to violence, emphasizing the need for discretion about the encounter.

“Hey bro,” the big guy approached Axka, and he clenched his fists, thinking the man was about to attack. But then, the big guy spoke with sudden politeness; “Can we settle this right here? Sorry, man, we were just messing with you. We don’t want any trouble,” he said, shaking Axka’s hand as a way out.

As they stood in the dark alley, the oppressive tension began to lift, replaced by the approaching of the cold evening air. Axka turned to Caden, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What was that all about?”

Caden chuckled, "I even confused myself, Axka. Maybe they were scared of you,” he teased, making Axka laugh and softly push him, though he sensed that Caden was the one who made them scatter.

As they left the alley, Axka unwound his bandana and wrapped it around his left wrist, tightening it with a quick twist of his right hand and teeth. He tucked the broken handles back into his pocket and glanced over at Caden.

“How was it, the news about your health?” Axka asked with a mix of hope and concern. “I’m alright, Axka. The doctor said I was fine. So, it was going to be fine,” Caden replied to ease Axka’s worry.

“Everyone kept talking about where you were now. Your sudden absence these few days and Ms. Lyra saying it was about your health worried us. We saw less of you each day now,” Axka expressed with concern. Caden been his mentor and like a big brother, and not knowing why Caden been in the hospital worried him.

Caden chuckled with a slight cough, “Does Ms. Lyra miss me?”

“We all missed you,” Axka replied. Caden breathed out softly, a smile spreading across his face. Then he reassured, “Don’t worry about that, okay?” Afterward, he asked with genuine concern, “How’s Mika? Is he doing okay?”

It was Caden who took Mika to the hospital after Axka got the call about his brother’s injury at school when they were both at their home. Without Caden’s help, Axka could have been caught driving—a high school student behind the wheel, no less.

“He’s doing great and recovering well,” Axka answered.

“That’s good news,” Caden said, relieved.

“Well, I’ll be back at Amethyst High soon ‘cause the principal called me. I might see you all again for something he needed,” Caden replied to Axka’s earlier concerns. “It might not be for teaching, though. I wasn’t sure. That’s why I needed to meet him now,” he added, filling Axka with curiosity.

“So, what did he say?” Axka probed, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“Can’t spill the beans just yet,” Caden replied with a sly grin, giving Axka’s shoulder a reassuring pat. “It’s important, but you’ll find out soon enough.”

Trusting Caden, Axka accepted it with a nod. As long as Caden’s okay.

“Well, I gotta go,” Caden began, his tone softening. “Please, avoid fighting a gang again, Axka.” Concern laced his voice, knowing all too well how his notorious student often stirred chaos, both in and outside of school.

Axka chuckled, trying to shrug it off and ease Caden’s concerns, though he could feel Caden's concern pressing on him like a weight he wasn’t ready to carry. “Okay Caden, I’m off,” Axka waved a goodbye to him and his mentor mirroring him.

As they left the alley, the tension slowly faded, replaced by the comfortable silence of brotherhood. Axka glanced at Caden, sensing the weight of the day still hanging on him. Their conversation been light but filled with unspoken understanding.

Caden walked back to the school, his thoughts were not only on the tense encounter but also on the day’s events—his recent return from the hospital weighing heavily on his mind.

As soon Caden reached the principal's office, he paused for a moment before stepping inside. The door closed behind him with a soft click, his silhouette framed against the dim, flickering light of the room.

“Mr. Arif,” Caden began, his voice filled with respect. “So, what’s the urgent matter?”

The principal, leaning back in his chair, regarded Caden with a measured stare. “We have much to discuss, Mr. Caden. I want you—”