Ajal, Jean, and Arc made their way through the dense forest, carefully stepping around thick roots and low-hanging branches. After navigating the twisting paths, they finally emerged at the edge of a vast, glimmering lake. In the center of the water, a faint shimmer marked a barrier, hazy but unmistakable, like a glass dome hovering just above the water’s surface. Floating within the dome, and well-guarded by the barrier, was their target: a shining, gold token.
Jean squinted, adjusting his glasses and scanning the surroundings. “That must be it—the token. But it’s just… sitting there in the middle of this lake?”
Ajal crossed his arms, slightly tilting his head as he took in the scene. “Yeah, but I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy. Look at the water.”
Arc followed his gaze, noting the dark, shifting shapes beneath the surface. Sleek, elongated shadows drifted through the water, glinting with scales that caught the occasional ray of light filtering through the forest canopy. The creatures were just vague enough to keep their true forms a mystery, but their presence was unmistakably hostile.
“Salarkistas,” Arc said quietly. “There are quite a few as well.”
Jean, unfazed, leaned forward and tapped his chin in thought. “Hmm. And look, there are two pressure plates right here on the shore.” He pointed to the two large stone circles embedded in the ground, one a few feet from Ajal and the other closer to Arc. “If I had to guess, these plates control the barrier.”
Ajal raised an eyebrow. “How can you tell?”
Jean sighed, a bit exasperated. “Because it’s obvious. What else would they be for? Seriously, I worry for your mental.”
He gestured for Ajal and Arc to step onto the plates. Arc moved first, her expression calm and unwavering. She stepped onto the pressure plate with a graceful, unhesitating stride, her posture dignified as always. Closing her eyes, she clasped her hands behind her back, standing tall as if she were in the presence of an honored guest rather than a booby-trapped mechanism. It was a silent display of her full trust in the plan, her body language projecting a quiet confidence that grounded the others.
Ajal, on the other hand, hopped onto his plate with a slight grin, regarding it like a curious toy rather than a potential threat. He gave the stone a playful nudge with his foot, as if testing its balance, his gaze dancing across its surface with the faintest hint of amusement. There was no hesitation in his movement, but his confidence came less from trust in Jean’s plan and more from his own belief in his abilities. He was ready to tackle whatever came next, almost daring the pressure plate to spring its worst on him.
As they each pressed down, a subtle rumble passed through the ground. The barrier over the lake shimmered, and for a split second, it thinned, becoming translucent. They could even see a faint outline of the token through the barrier, as though inviting them to come and take it.
But just as quickly, a grinding sound echoed from below the plates. Jean barely had time to shout, “Get off!” before metal spikes jutted up from beneath their feet, forcing them to leap off the plates to avoid being impaled.
“Well, that’s not exactly fair,” Ajal muttered, brushing dust off his pants. “We need to hold the plates down long enough to actually grab the token, but it seems like they’re booby-trapped to make that impossible.”
Jean crossed his arms, deep in thought. “Yeah. We’re gonna need speed, and probably some serious precision too. Whoever goes for that token will only have a split second to make it before the barrier snaps shut.”
Arc surveyed the lake, then the plates, her mind working through potential solutions. “We need someone who’s both fast enough to reach the center of the lake before the barrier re-forms and skilled enough to dodge those Salarkistas.”
The three of them sat down on a fallen log, puzzling over a solution. Jean tapped his foot impatiently, muttering about how he could’ve designed something “far more clever” than a booby-trapped pressure plate system. Ajal, meanwhile, looked around with a thoughtful frown, occasionally glancing back at the token as if willing it to come closer on its own.
“Maybe we could—” Ajal started, but his thought was cut short by an unexpected voice joining the conversation.
“I can do it.”
Startled, Ajal whipped his head to the side to see a petite girl crouched next to him on the log, looking as though she’d been sitting there the entire time. Her long, pink hair fell in loose waves down her back, and her expression was one of casual amusement. A bell attached to the collar around her neck gave a faint jingle as she tilted her head, smiling brightly at him.
She wore a crisp, white crop top, its simplicity a perfect balance to the more statement pieces of her outfit. Her pants were comfortably baggy, draping elegantly around her legs. The fabric, a soft grey with a subtle texture, moved with a fluid grace, combining the ease of casual wear with a touch of sophistication. Over her shoulders, she had slung a lightweight jacket, adding a layer of style without compromising the relaxed vibe of her outfit. The jacket's pastel hues softly complemented the bold pink of her hair and the muted colors of her clothing.
Jean and Arc jumped to their feet, Jean glaring down at the newcomer with distrust. “Who are you?”
“Oh, I’m Yumiko! Nice to meet you.” She flashed Ajal a grin, seemingly unconcerned by the two suspicious stares from Jean and Arc.
Ajal looked at Yumiko without a hint of distrust or concern. “Ohhh, so you were the one following us.”
Yumiko chuckled, her bell jingling again. “You got it! And you are the Inheritor that we were told about.” She leaned forward, examining him with an appraising look. “You’re not as intimidating as they made you sound. You’re kinda… what’s the word? Plain?”
The both of them laughed as if they were old friends.
Arc, however, wasn’t amused. “What do you want, Yumiko? And why did you follow us for so long without showing yourself?”
Jean snapped his head toward Arc, his expression caught somewhere between surprise and forced nonchalance. “Of course I knew she was following us! A genius always has a keen sense for these things.”
Arc turned her head to Jean, unimpressed. “Master Jean, honesty is a virtue.”
Jean coughed, crossing his arms in an attempt to look dignified. “I’m not lying! I was just… allowing her to reveal herself on her own time. Strategy, you know?”
Yumiko stretched, leaning back on her hands as if they were having a casual chat rather than planning a heist. “I wasn’t trying to seem suspicious. It’s just the less work I have to do to pass this thing the better.”
Jean scowled, clearly irritated by her nonchalance. “And how do we know you’re not just here to mess with us?”
She sighed, then held up her inner forearm for the three of them to see. A bold, glowing "Z" was etched into her skin, faintly pulsing with a soft green light. “Because I’m on Team Z too. Lucky, huh?” she said, flashing them a mischievous grin as the mark shimmered against her skin.
Arc and Jean exchanged wary glances, clearly not fully convinced but recognizing they didn’t have much choice. Ajal, meanwhile, seemed unfazed, flashing her a thumbs-up. “Welcome to the team!”
Jean sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But don’t get in our way.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Yumiko replied, her grin widening as she examined the lake. “So, here’s what I’m thinking… if two of you can hold down the pressure plates just long enough, I can get in there, grab the token, and be out before the barrier snaps shut.”
Jean raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Easier said that done. You do realize the speed you’d have to reach to do that, right?”
Yumiko puffed out her cheeks in mock offense. “I know that, okay? Jeez, are you this rude to everyone you meet?” she huffed, crossing her arms with an exaggerated pout.
Ajal, still lounging on the log with a smirk, chimed in, “Oh, he absolutely is.”
Jean whipped around, jabbing a finger at Ajal with an indignant glare. “You stay out of this!”
Ajal just shrugged, unfazed. “I’m just saying. It’s kind of your thing.”
Arc let out a small sigh, her expression resigned but focused. “Ms. Yumiko, I assume your confidence means you have the speed necessary to obtain the token?”
“Absolutely!” Yumiko grinned, tapping the little silver bell on her collar, which gave a soft jingle. “This adorable collar lets me transform into a cat-human hybrid. When I do, I get crazy fast.”
Ajal leaned in, inspecting the collar with a mischievous glint in his eye. “A cat, huh? So… do you, like, use a litter box? Or snack on kibble in your free time?”
“Only on weekends,” she replied smoothly, as if it were the most normal question in the world.
“Can we please focus?!” Jean yelled, throwing his hands up in frustration. “In case you two forgot, we’re not a comedy club!”
He shot them both a glare, his eyes practically pleading for some level of seriousness. But Ajal and Yumiko just exchanged amused looks, clearly unfazed by his outburst.
“Master Jean,” Arc chimed in calmly, “too much stress can be quite detrimental to your health.”
Jean closed his eyes and took a deep, defeated breath. “Fine. Whatever. Let’s just get this over with,” he muttered, clearly resigning himself to their antics. “Ajal and Arc, you’re on the pressure plates. Step off immediately if they start spiking again. Yumiko, be ready to grab that token the moment it’s open.”
The three nodded, and with a shared sense of purpose, they moved into position. As they prepared for their plan to unfold, Ajal shot Yumiko a sideways grin. “You better be as fast as you say.”
Yumiko laughed, dropping into a ready stance. “Blink and you’ll miss me.”
Yumiko crouched low, her playful grin never fading, the small bell around her neck gave a soft, musical jingle. The sound seemed to resonate in the air, almost hypnotic, and with each chime, her appearance began to shift. Silvery-white fur rippled up her arms and legs, covering her skin in a sleek, velvety coat. Pointed cat ears morphed onto the top of her head, flicked forward with anticipation. A long, slender tail sprouted behind her, twitching in rhythm with her excitement. Her pupils narrowed into slits, gleaming with an intense focus, and a predatory smile curved across her face. In seconds, she had transformed into something between girl and cat—an agile, otherworldly hybrid ready to pounce.
The moment the barrier shimmered and dropped, she launched forward, her legs propelling her with incredible speed. Her feet barely touched the ground as she hurtled towards the token, her agility on full display.
Everyone has had an impressed look on their face as Yumiko dashed across the water itself. Her steps were so light and rapid that she seemed to skim the lake’s surface, leaving only ripples behind. Her collar’s tiny bell jingled in sync with her movement, a soft, rapid chime that added a surreal melody to the scene.
Beneath her, the lake's surface stirred ominously. Fish-like Salarkistas, each one a grotesque twist on familiar marine creatures, sensed the vibrations above. Their pale, slimy bodies and elongated jaws broke through the water, lined with rows of needle-like teeth that glinted under the faint light. Bulging, vacant eyes rolled toward their prey as they leapt out of the water, snapping at Yumiko with hunger and rage.
Yumiko twisted and spun, avoiding the lunging Salarkistas with effortless grace. She sidestepped one, then leapt onto the back of another, using its slippery body as a springboard. She pushed off, vaulting over a cluster of snapping jaws and barely losing any momentum as she dashed forward.
For a moment, it looked like she would reach the token without a hitch. It hovered just ahead, suspended above the center of the lake, within reach. Yumiko's hand shot out, fingers stretched, ready to snatch it.
But suddenly, the token jerked away, zipping to the opposite side of the lake as if it had a mind of its own. Yumiko’s fingers closed on empty air, and her eyes widened in surprise. “What the—?!” she muttered, her voice laced with frustration.
Before she could react further, the barrier flickered back to life with a blinding flash, reestablishing itself around her. Ajal and Arc, who had been standing on the pressure plates, were forced to step off to avoid the trap that had triggered underfoot. The shimmering wall of energy sealed around Yumiko, trapping her in the center of the lake with the monstrous fish Salarkistas lurking all around.
She dropped straight down, plunging into the dark, frigid water. The icy shock jolted her senses, but she quickly regained her composure, kicking her legs to keep herself afloat. Yumiko floated in the murky depths of the lake, her fur drifting around her like tiny wisps of smoke. She was fully aware of the Salarkistas circling her—white, skeletal creatures with jaws that stretched too wide, filled with jagged, needle-like teeth. Their blank eyes stared up at her hungrily, reflecting the faint light filtering through the lake's surface.
They began circling her with eerie coordination. Yumiko gritted her teeth, her cat-like instincts kicking in. She took a deep breath and let herself sink slightly, treading water with a controlled grace. As the first Salarkista lunged upward, she twisted to the side, dodging with a fluid motion. Another one darted at her from the left, jaws open wide, but she pushed off the water with powerful strokes, leaping away just in time. The bell on her collar chimed with each swift movement, adding a strangely melodic backdrop to the otherwise tense scene.
One of the Salarkistas suddenly shot past her, a blur of movement just above her shoulder. Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed hold of its bony fin, digging her claws in to keep her grip as it propelled her upward.
The Salarkista surged through the water, its powerful body cutting through the lake with ease. Yumiko held tight, using its momentum to launch herself upward. Just as it broke the surface, she adjusted her position, using the momentum to flip herself over the Salarkista’s back. In one smooth, fluid motion, she brought her leg around and delivered a powerful kick straight to its side, sending the creature hurtling through the air.
The Salarkista’s body collided with the inside of the barrier, the impact creating a visible ripple across the energy field. Cracks spider-webbed out from the point of contact, and then, with a sharp, resonating shatter, the barrier broke apart. The fragments of energy scattered like glass, dissolving into the air. The Salarkistas dispersed from the area as Yumiko dropped back into the lake, now free from the cage.
On the shore, everyone watched with an impressed look in their faces.
Ajal let out a low chuckle, clearly impressed. “That was actually kinda cool.”
Jean, who had been watching with wide eyes, quickly snapped out of it and adjusted his goggles, as though trying to recompose himself. “Of course! The interior of the barrier must’ve been weaker—allowing her to break it from the inside.” His voice carried a hint of pride, as if the discovery itself was a victory. He folded his arms, nodding in satisfaction. “I knew it would work.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Yumiko waded out of the lake, back in her original form, her soaked clothing clinging to her as she trudged onto the shore. She wrung out her hair, muttering to herself in annoyance. “Ugh… my clothes are ruined.”
Ajal offered her a sympathetic smile. “It doesn’t look too bad...”
She shot him a glare, flicking some water his way. “I don’t wanna hear that from the tackily dressed Reaper, seriously where the hell did you even get that get up?” But there was a glint of humor in her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Arc turned her head toward Jean, who was still impressed with himself over his ‘deduction’, “Master Jean, your hubris is showing.” her tone as composed as ever.
Jean’s cheeks tinted a faint pink, and he cleared his throat, pretending to brush something off his jacket. “Listen, confidence in oneself is important. Anyways, that was impressive Yumiko, you have a lot of experience, huh?”
Yumiko gave him a confused look, her bell jingling as she tilted her head. “Experience? Nah, that was my first time using my Gift for anything combat related.”
Jean blinked, caught off guard, “That’s some serious talent....”
Yumiko was silent for a moment, processing the words. Her face lost all of its joy and sat expressionless, staring at the floor.
"Yumiko?" Jean said, concern creeping into his voice.
"I'm fine!" Yumiko said, snapping out of her daze. "C'mon, let's go!"
"Uh..Sure?" Jean replied, still unsure about what had just happened.
"Master Jean," Arc interjected, her voice calm.
Jean turned his attention to her. "What's up, Arc?"
"I believe it is best to cease speaking," Arc advised, her tone firm.
"Why? What are you jealous that I'm complementing her? Don't worry you did great as usual," Jean joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Arc simply stared at Jean, her expression blank, as if to convey a silent message.
"Ok. Quiet. Got it," Jean conceded, understanding the hint.
Ajal broke the awkward silence with a grin. “Well, we should probably go grab that token, wouldn’t want all that work go to waste.”
Yumiko, back to her usual cheerful self, flicked some water off her clothes. “Agreed! If my outfit’s gonna get soaked, we better get something out of it.”
The four of them made their way around the lake to where the token had landed. It lay on the ground, glowing faintly and unmoving, with the letter ‘E’ engraved in the middle of it.
They gathered around it, staring down at the token.
“Think it’ll run away again?” Yumiko asked, tilting her head.
“Only one way to find out!” Ajal declared, reaching out confidently.
“Wai—” Jean tried to stop him, but it was too late. Ajal’s hand closed around the token, lifting it off the ground with a triumphant grin.
“Well, we got it,” Ajal said, clearly pleased with himself.
“Indeed,” Arc confirmed with a nod.
Jean let out a sigh, somewhere between relief and exasperation. “Alright, next step is finding Team E.”
“How are we supposed to do that?” Yumiko asked, squeezing more water from her hair.
“Hold on.” Ajal interrupted. “What about our last member? Since Arc doesn’t count, there are only three of us.”
“Huh, totally forgot about that,” Yumiko admitted.
Jean waved it off. “We don’t have time to worry about them right now. There’s an undisclosed time limit. For all we know, this test could be ending soon. We need to find Team E and get to the exit gate A.S.A.P. Our last member’s on their own for now.”
Arc nodded, her expression firm and resolute. Ajal and Yumiko shared a look, then nodded as well.
With their mission clear, the four of them turned and set off into the forest, determined to track down Team E and complete the test.
⁂
"Oi, Ethan, do you know where we are going?" The question came from a girl who stood out with her distinctive style that blended whimsy with sophistication. Her hair, a deep shade of auburn, was cut in a playful bob that framed her face, highlighting her bright emerald eyes. These eyes, always alight with curiosity, scanned her surroundings with an astute, yet playful, gaze.
She wore a sky-blue blouse with subtle floral patterns, neatly tucked into a high-waisted, dark navy skirt that fell just above her knees. This combination accentuated her slender figure while allowing for ease of movement.
Around her neck, the magnifying glass - her Gift - was a constant presence. It dangled from a sturdy, silver chain, its brass frame intricately crafted, displaying an array of geometric patterns that caught the light with her every move.
Completing her outfit were her practical yet stylish footwear: a pair of black leather ankle boots with a modest heel, giving her a slight lift without sacrificing comfort.
The girl's only piece of jewelry was a silver bracelet on her right wrist, simple and unadorned, in stark contrast to the ornate magnifying glass. Her nails were neatly manicured, usually painted in a soft pastel shade that matched her blouse.
"I heard a fight in this direction, so I walked towards. If you don't trust my judgment, you're free to turn around and join the other two losers," Ethan replied, his tone nonchalant.
"Don't be like that, Ethan. You know I'm with you no matter what. Besides, I've got your back, and you've got mine, remember? Evelyn and Ethan together on Team E!" Evelyn grinned as she playfully nudged Ethan's side with her elbow. He gave her a blank face in response.
"Yeah, whatever. You're annoying," Ethan said, trying to hide the smile that threatened to appear on his face. Evelyn was his best friend, and the only person he felt comfortable showing his emotions around.
Ethan and Evelyn had known each other since they were kids, their paths intertwined from grade school onward. It wasn’t that they’d chosen each other—rather, it seemed fate had decided they belonged side by side. They were an odd pair by anyone's standards. Evelyn was all warmth and enthusiasm, quick to laugh and always the first to strike up a conversation, while Ethan was... well, the opposite. Quiet, sharp-eyed, and often mistaken for cold, he preferred to watch from the sidelines, his gaze guarded and his words sparse.
And yet, despite their differences, there was an unspoken understanding between them, a steady balance that others couldn’t quite see. Evelyn had this way of making him laugh at things he’d never admit were funny, and somehow, Ethan’s steady, grounding presence kept her from drifting too far into her own daydreams. She’d once called him her “anchor,” to which he’d just rolled his eyes—but he hadn’t disagreed.
"That camera thing has been floating around following you for a while now, huh?" Evelyn said, noticing the orb following Ethan.
"Guess the teachers want to keep a close eye on me," Ethan replied, his tone indifferent.
"You did take down an entire four-man team by yourself, so they probably are recording you for an awesome highlight reel," Evelyn teased.
"I doubt it. The only reason I won is because those idiots couldn't work together and had no idea how to use their Gifts," Ethan said, his tone matter-of-fact.
As they continued through the forest, Evelyn noticed Ethan's tense demeanor. "Come on, let's pick up the pace a little. We need to find team Z," he said in a determined voice whiel holding up a gold token with the letter Z engraved in the middle of it.
Ethan and Evelyn began to run, their movements synchronized. "Think the other two can hold their own if they find them first?" Evelyn asked, trying to keep up with Ethan's pace.
"Doesn't matter. They aren't of any use either way," Ethan replied bluntly.
"Ethan, you're too harsh. Maybe give them a chance, you know?" Evelyn suggested, her voice gentle.
"And if they can't handle themselves, they're dead weight," Ethan said, his tone unforgiving.
"Ethan, you can't-" Evelyn started, but was interrupted by an unnatural silence that fell over the forest.
"What the hell?" Evelyn exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion.
Ethan scanned the area, trying to find the source of the disturbance. His gaze fell upon a large shadowy figure. The creature, a grotesque combination of human and snake, slowly crept towards them. Its eyes and skin were a milky white, and its mouth was full of jagged, sharp teeth. It had no legs, instead dragging itself across the ground with its powerful tail.
"Looks like we found a Salarkista," Ethan said, his voice steady despite the danger.
"Yeah, but that thing doesn't look like any Salarkista I've ever seen," Evelyn replied, her voice tinged with fear.
"No shit. Looks like an experiment gone wrong. Either way, it's going down," Ethan said, his tone resolute.
Ethan reached into his cloak's pocket and brought out a lighter, flicking open the lid. He snapped his fingers, and a small flame emerged. The Salarkista let out a shriek and lunged at him, but he easily dodged its attack, ready to defend himself and Evelyn against the monstrous creature.
"Nice try, ugly. But I'm not as slow as I look." Ethan taunted, flicking the lighter again, this time producing a larger flame. He hurled the fireball at the Salarkista, causing it to recoil in pain. The beast lashed out, its tail almost smashing into Ethan's body. He nimbly leapt out of the way and retaliated with a barrage of flaming punches.
The Salarkista was unfazed, its thick, oily skin protecting it from the flames. It let out another ear-splitting shriek and charged at Ethan, knocking him to the ground. It towered over him, its claws mere inches away from his throat.
Ethan laughed defiantly at the Salarkista as he raised his hand, a flaming blade erupting from his palm. "You're telling me this is a test?" He drove the blade into the creature's stomach, sending it stumbling backward. Ethan quickly got to his feet and rushed at the Salarkista, thrusting the blade into its chest, causing the fire to spread all across its body, burning it to ashes.
As the creature crumbled to the ground, Ethan turned to Evelyn, a smirk on his face. "Easy."
"Show-off," Evelyn said, shaking her head.
"Whatever. Let's go." Ethan was ready to take off again until he heard footsteps approaching from behind. He whipped his head around to see four figures emerging from the trees.
"Who are you?" Evelyn asked, her voice firm.
The figures stepped forward, and their identities became clear.
"Using fire in a forest doesn't seem like a good idea," Ajal remarked.
"And the Salarkista seemed pretty easy to beat. Was it really necessary to gloat about it?" Yumiko questioned.
"Shut it," Ethan replied, annoyance clear in his voice. "You wouldn't last two seconds against me. Don't get ahead of yourselves."
"Ethan, be nice. You don't want to be on everyone's bad side," Evelyn scolded him.
"There are two of you?" Arc asked.
"That's right," Evelyn replied.
Ethan pulled down his sleeve on his right arm and revealed a glowing green E on it. “What team are you?”
"Aw, man," Ajal replied. "I was hoping to at leat find our last member before running into these guys."
Ethan stared at Ajal for a moment. "Hold on, aren't you the Inheritor of Death?"
"Yeah, but I don't do autograph--" Ajal was cut off by sudden flames being launched at him. He dodged the attack and readied himself for a fight.
"Ethan! Wait!" Evelyn's cries fell on deaf ears as Ethan ignored her and charged at Ajal with a wide grin on his face and fists ablaze. "We just hit the jackpot, Evelyn!"
⁂
A black cat dashed across the halls of Arkphis academy, weaving in between students and staff alike. It wore a large pointed hat, barely bigger than the cat's own body, and around its neck was a broken chain. The cat was soon followed by a small girl, panting as she chased after it.
"Professor, wait!"
She had short, fluffy, chestnut-brown hair that reached her chin. Under her large, round glasses, her eyes were a brilliant turquoise and sparkled with excitement and wonder. She wore a long white lab coat and a red scarf, with fingerless gloves on her hands. From her belt hung a small badge gleamed with the distilled essence of the academy's emblem. Crafted with exquisite detail despite its modest size, it was a miniature testament to the grandeur of the school's symbol.
Central to the design was a phoenix, no larger than a thumbnail, yet rendered with such precision that each feather was discernible, its colors a vibrant blend of reds and golds. This mythical bird seemed to rise, albeit on a much smaller scale, from a bed of delicately etched flames.
Above the phoenix, the badge bore a simplified version of the night sky. A few carefully chosen stars, embossed on the dark background. The orbital rings, a key feature of the larger emblem, were suggested here with a single elegant curve encircling the phoenix.
Emblazoned along the curve in minute, yet legible script was the school's motto, "From the Ashes to the Stars: Become Limitless." The words were inscribed with such finesse that they seemed to be both a declaration and an invitation to the wearer.
"Slow down, you're going to trip someone!"
She stumbled as she narrowly avoided crashing into a student, but quickly recovered and continued her pursuit. The cat's pace slowed as it approached a set of double doors, and the woman was able to catch up.
She had her hands on her knees, gasping for air with every word. "Finally! What....was.... the rush, anyway?"
The cat turned to her and motioned her to open the doors.
"Fine... But I better get something for having to put up with this."
A voice came from behind her, "Hold on, Ms. Phassa. I need a word with Professor Lucius here."
"Oh! Fil, it's nice to see you, but aren't you with the other teachers watching the exam?" Phassa asked.
"Yes, but principal Culpa sent me to fetch him." He said, glaring at the cat. "I'm assuming she wants to discuss her conversation with Goldman with him."
A deep, soothing voice came from the cat. "Goldman, eh? That explains those vibrations earlier. Old man can never keep his ego in check."
"Yeah, it seems like he was up to something," Fil replied.
"I'll bet. He always has an ulterior motive for everything. Come on then, if the principal summons me, then I oblige."
With that, Professor Lucius dashed off, Phassa and Fil following closely behind.
"Professor Lucius, what did you need to go into the kitchen for?" Phassa asked, her curiosity evident in her tone.
"I was wondering the same." Fil added.
Lucius turned his head away from the two of them and remained silent.
"Professor?"
"Answer cat. You're hiding something."
Lucius meekly responded. "I.... Left my squeaky toy."
Fil groaned and Phassa giggled as they approached the monitoring room.
"Principal, Professor Lucius is here." An attendant at the door informed.
The door opened and the trio entered. Principal Culpa was still sat in her chair, watching the projections.
"Ah, thank you for your swift arrival. Now, Lucius, I will overlook you not coming to the monitoring room earlier despite my orders, because this is a serious matter."
"Right, my apologies, Principal." Lucius replied.
"I'm sorry too, ma'am." Phassa added. "I know I'm not a teacher, but I should have still come."
Culpa turned her head to Phassa and smiled. "Nonsense, deary, you are the world's top mind in Salarkista research. To be frank, your value to this school is greater than even mine."
Phassa blushed at the principal's comment. "You're too kind, but I'm only the world's best because you gave me the opportunity."
"Now, now, no need for formalities. Anyway, into business. Lucius, as you saw on the projection, the group known as Team Z has Ajal Ruoc."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"Goldman intends to steal him."
"Why would he? He already has an Inheritor over at Nytheris."
"Because that old man can't let go of his own beliefs for one second." Culpa replied. "But frankly, his Inheritor can't match the raw power Ajal has."
"By the way, which inheritor did Nytheris Academy get?" Phassa asked.
"The inheritor of War." Miki replied. "An interesting student, I haven’t been able to get too close of a look but from what I can tell his potential isn't as high as Ajal's, but he's still an incredible asset."
"Back to the matter at hand," Culpa stated. "I am assigning you to protect Ajal and his teammates, Lucius. If Goldman does try anything, I want you there to stop him."
"Understood, ma'am."
Garth casually pointed to the screen. "You guys might wanna pay attention to this."
The screen showed the meeting between Team Z and Team E, with Ajal and Ethan each in a battle stance.
"Oh, great." Fil groaned. "Here we go."
"Wait, Ethan and Ajal were assigned to the same zone?" Phassa asked. "I thought both of them were considered assets, so why are we eliminating one?"
"Because that’s how things shook out, Phassa." Culpa answered. “While it’s true that both of them getting enrolled would be a desired outcome, it appears fate has other plans for them.”
"And what about that scene?" Lucius pointed out.
On the projection, there were two more members of team E, surrounding a lone examinee.
he boy stood with a relaxed slouch, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of an oversized yellow jacket. The boy's skin was a warm, honeyed caramel that glowed softly under the ambient light. His complexion, a smooth fusion of amber and light bronze that contrasted with the jacket’s vibrant hue, making the color pop even more. The jacket had a laid-back, streetwear vibe, with sturdy fabric and a slightly raised collar that framed his neck.
Underneath, he wore a plain black t-shirt that peeked out just above the waistband of his dark, fitted jeans. The jeans, ripped at one knee, added a touch of rebellious edge to his outfit. Around his neck, a simple dog-tag pendant on a silver chain caught the light whenever he shifted.
His hair was styled in a clean undercut, with thick, textured curls on top and a sharp fade on the sides, accented by a pair of shaved lines that sliced cleanly through the cut. A pair of black-rimmed, square glasses rested on his nose, highlighting his sharp features and adding an intellectual air.
The boy's expression was one of complete disinterest—dark eyes gazing out with a bored, almost dismissive look, as if nothing around him could spark his curiosity. His posture and half-lidded gaze radiated an unbothered attitude, giving him an aura of someone who observed more than he let on, but found little worth his time. Despite the relaxed appearance, a hint of coiled energy lingered beneath his cool exterior, as if he could spring into action at a moment’s notice—but only if he decided it was worth the effort.
"Ah, that's our missing Team Z member." Culpa said. "This one is very promising."
"So, who is he?" Phassa asked. "His face seems familiar, but I can't put my finger on it."
"Have you ever heard of General June Garrison?"
"Yeah, he was one of our military's most impressive generals to ever live, but in the end, his legacy is tainted by his cowardly actions. I don’t know the full story but he’s pretty infamous for destroying a portion if our country. Are you telling me that kid is..."
"His son, Ezekial Garrison."