Atom clicked his tongue in disapproval as he stared at Layla.
“Language, language. You should watch your words when in public little follower.” His voice was playful, but his face said something utterly different to Layla’s mind.
With a pale face and eyes bloodshot from gods know what, she grew concerned. If someone had told Layla that he had been on a week-long bender of stims and alcohol, she would not have doubted the statement. Seeing the abnormally perfect man in such a state sent a spike of fear into Layla, but she suppressed it under the fire that was her rage toward the man.
Layla stood defiant and refused to bow to him while the others gave him proper courtesy due to a disciple and Master. She wasn’t his disciple and didn’t want to be his follower either. There wasn’t much Layla could do about it at the moment with the device stuck to her wrist. She felt the weight of it both in her mind and physically. Though, she found it odd that no one had commented on it being there.
Atom looked over the trio that had just returned from the slice with a nod of approval. “Good, Good. It looks like your training went well. I’ll be speaking with you all individually at some point but you understand what’s expected of you correct?”
“Yes Master,” the trio replied in unison.
Layla made a gagging face at the display. She would also need to talk with them about this difference. This dude was a douchebag through and through. Bowing and scraping while no one was around wouldn’t due at all.
Atom glared at Layla, and she glared right back. Tilting her chin up, she put the back of her fingertips under her chin and flicked outwards. She had no clue what it meant, but in the holo vids she had watched with Tess, everyone seemed offended by it.
Atom’s eyes bulged briefly at the gesture before he clicked his tongue again, “It seems you have been spending too much time with Tess. She’s a bad influence.”
“I’ll let her know you said that.” She quipped back.
Atom’s face paled slightly more, “Let us leave Tess out of it.”
Layla noticed the look and chuckled. She couldn’t help but twist the knife as she said, “It hasn’t even been a whole day and you’re already in the dog house, again.”
She put her hands behind her back and mimicked Atoms’ Master pose’ as she shook her head in mock disapproval.
Atom closed his eyes and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. He opened his eyes again, and his smile caused chills to run down Layla’s spine.
“I hope you all enjoy Physical conditioning today. I’m sure it will be an experience you won’t soon forget.”
Atom said nothing else as he flickered again, disappearing and reappearing where he was previously as if someone had edited a vid. Cutting him out of reality and pasting him back in twenty meters away. His chilling smile never left his face as he closed his eyes once more.
Layla cursed herself for provoking the bastard. The group all looked at each other as unease grew in their stomachs. Atom's presence here did not bode well for how physical conditioning would go.
Oliver looked at his wrist and frowned, “I could have sworn that the schedule said Master Brent was over PC. Why is our Master here?” Pausing, his fingers flickered through something only he could see. “Oh wait, it looks like it's just a temporary change.”
Layla sighed heavily before turning to the group, “Nothing we can do about it regardless. Let's just line up and wait for everyone to get here.”
She looked over at Atom’s smiling face, and the bad feeling in her gut did not improve. Listening to her own words, she ignored the man and lined up with the others as she took in the surroundings.
Layla fell into a mindless trance as she watched the wind brush playfully across the dew-covered blades of grass. The wind was restless but calm. Strong but gentle, the blades swayed this way momentarily, then the other the next. It was such a simple thing, but the beauty couldn’t be denied.
Lost in the emptiness of pure observation, ironically, she failed to perceive the arrival of the rest of the potentials until the bell signaling the hour rang out across the field. She saw that everyone had decided to line up behind her group.
She wondered how that happened when she noticed other adults in Master’s attire guiding everyone into organized groups. They weren’t the only grouping of people, of course. There were several hundred potentials. That was far too many to fit behind them to be reasonable.
As curious as she was, Layla didn’t let her gaze stray too long. The sounding of the bell meant that the class they would be attending almost every day for the next few weeks was about to start.
Suddenly, a feeling of danger overcame her, and she reflexively tightened her muscles. She caught someone moving in her peripheral vision and rotated her head on instinct. A silver-haired young man in a black robe and a red haori approached her from the side. Layla locked onto his feet and core out of habit. His movement was graceful, beautiful even.
Dangerous. Oh, this one is very dangerous.
“Layla Breezewalker, right? Wait…” Pausing for a moment, he let out a tired sigh as he continued under his breath, “Of course, it would be you.”
Layla looked up in confusion. Slightly indignant at the person's tone. When she saw his face, she realized she had recognized him and frowned.
“You’re the one from the common area last night.” She said, bewildered.
Wasn’t he one of the potentials? She guessed not, given that his attire was similar to the Masters but slightly different due to its color.
“And you’re the one who ignored my advice.” He said with a tired smile.
Layla gave a grunt.
The silver-haired man looked at Atom before returning his gaze to her, “Find me after Physical Conditioning.”
Looking at him in confusion, Layla asked, “Why?”
“I need you to come with me after this.”
Layla shook her head in denial, “Pass.”
The young man frowned, “Pass? What’s that supposed to mean? You will be coming with me after this class.” His tone changed to a more authoritative one halfway through.
Layla sighed before shaking her head again. “Yeah, look. I don’t know you and I’m not about to go off with you somewhere after this.”
She looked him up and down. He was what Jogen would call a specimen. His silver hair was perfectly groomed, and his face was symmetrical in all the right ways. Dreamy exotic draconic-like golden eyes and a powerfully built body that would make most girls weak in the knees. The air of danger around him made him even more dashing.
But so what.
Almost everyone on the field could fit into most of those categories one way or another. Atom was one of the most perfect humans she had ever seen, yet all she wanted to do was punch his face, like every time she saw him.
Looking back at the young man, she said, " You're attractive enough, but I’m not interested.”
“A-attractive enough… Wait what? And... N-not interested.”
The young man’s expression flickered from confusion to surprise to embarrassment and finally to a hint of annoyance.
And here we go. It’s like this guy walked out of a tacky novel or something. I'm so dashing. You must listen to me, etc., etc.
Seeing that he was building up steam to lash out at her, she realized she had to stop him from embarrassing them both. She had caused enough waves as it is.
She lowered her voice and glared at the annoyed young man, “Look specimen. It’s literally my first day. Could you not hit on me right now.”
“Sp-specimen, What is that supposed to mean? I’m not hit—,”
Layla was starting to get annoyed. Did this guy not get it. Just because you hit the genetic lottery did not mean you could do whatever you wanted.
She cut him off, “I get it. You’re some big hotshot here. That’s great, I’m really happy for you. I’m sure there are tons of other idiotic girls who go for dudes like you. So why don’t you go find them and leave me alone.”
The young man’s face went crimson. In embarrassment or rage, only he knew.
“You damn insufferable woman. You will be coming with me after this class.” He finally hissed after trying and failing to gain control of his emotions.
“Negative,” she shot back.
“Oh you will even if I have to tie you hand and foot like a pig.” He spat out.
“Could you please stop embarrassing my friend? She already told you she wasn’t interested.” Oliviana stated flatly. Her tone was frigid, like a lake of ice.
“Don’t worry, Layla,” Oliviana looked over at her. “I know his type. Drunk on their own power. We will probably need to report him after this for attempting to coerce you for trying to go with him against your will. Who knows what sort of deviant acts he would do to you if you went with him.”
Tia looked at the young man thoughtfully, “Hold on lets not be too hasty. H-how deviant are we talk here?”
Tia’s breath started to pick up slightly. “I-I might be interest—,”
Oliver chopped down on Tia’s head, cutting her off. Layla would really need to have a talk with this girl.
Looking at the young man, Oliver said darkly, “You should go away, deviant, before we report you to the higher-ups.”
“D-deviant,” he stuttered in incredulity.
The young man stood there momentarily, his mouth agape like a howling monkey. With his ears burning red and gnashing teeth, the young man reached out his opened hand and clinched it shut. An unseen force flowed over her body and then tightened. No matter what she did, her body would no longer obey her commands, and the more she attempted to move, the more the force hardened.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
More than a little fear gripped Layla’s heart at the display of power. Had she wholly forgotten where she was? Her fellow potentials might only be ordinary mortals at the moment, but those in the haori certainty were not. Gods, spending time around Atom must have rotted her brain. Just because he let her run off at the mouth did not mean everyone else with power would.
Stupid Layla, Stupid. You know better.
The young man gave a visible shake, and his breath evened out. He stared at Layla, and she assumed the rest of her group as his eyes drifted their way.
After a moment that felt like an eternity but was likely only a few seconds, he looked back at Layla and spoke through gritted teeth.
“I can see that there has been some misunderstanding in my words. This is likely my fault as I have not been around students for some time. So I will clarify myself. I have been commanded by Master Ash to retrieve you after this class so that you can receive your token. I am not a devi-.” He broke off his words as his cheeks burned red, and he looked away.
Taking control of himself once more, he looked at Layla’s companions again and, after a long pause, continued, “I do not have any ulterior motives other than to do as my Master has bid me do. But since you have some misgivings about my motive, your friends may accompany you to as-assure your honor stays intact.”
After hearing the man’s words, Layla’s felt a well of embarrassment grow inside her. It was also tinged with a bit of annoyance. Could he not have led with that?
Layla felt the force relax over her body as the young man dropped his hand. She instantly opened her mouth to berate the man before coming to her senses. She felt it was the young man’s fault for not being clear, but he could probably explode her body with a snap of his fingers. Didn’t Atom say something about not seeking death, or was it 'if you don’t want to die, you shouldn’t seek death.' At the time, he was playing a console game, so she wasn’t even sure if he was talking to her. Everything he said was filed away as stupid to Layla, so it was challenging to sift through anything that might be meaningful.
The young man caught her attempt to speak and interjected in her pause, “So as to not cause anymore misunderstandings. Please do not speak to me anymore. I’ll meet you all in the common area after you shower.”
Then he blurred away in a streak of red. Despite his quick movements, neither the wind nor a blade of dewy grass was disturbed. His swift departure left Layla both relieved that she hadn’t died and annoyed that the young man had caused such a misunderstanding. He could have at least started with his name and purpose.
Looking around, she saw all the potentials near them staring at her in wide-eyed disbelief. Layla didn’t know why, but they must know something she did not. Was he someone important or something? Surely someone that stupid would not have authority over anyone else.
Layla looked at Oliver, Oliviana, and Tia. She had not expected them to step forward. A warmth suffused her chest, and she could not restrain a smile from blooming on her face. These three random individuals continued to surprise her, and only one word would come to her mind. Friendship. That word and the warmth that it brought lessened the pain that Jogen’s death had caused. Filling a gaping hole that his absence brought.
If only a little, it was a start nonetheless.
Taking note that all the Masters making their way to the left and right of the silent sentinel, Atom. Layla trained her eyes forward, waiting to see what they had in store for them. She imagined it wasn’t anything good.
As if on cue, once the last Master fell into place, Atom opened his eyes, and a brilliant smile grew on his face as he stepped forward. Everything about him had transformed from a chilling hungover statue to a kind and inviting uncle. An uncle you could trust with anything. One that always brought presents and laughter. A person that seemingly exuded nothing but happiness and memorable, heartfelt family moments.
Layla instantly felt a nauseating fear overcome her body. She immediately regretted being in the front as there was no way that she could leave the area without someone noticing. Could she feign illness? No, that wouldn’t work, as she left the Hall of Healing less than an hour ago.
When she looked around, everyone else also had smiles on their faces. Were they stupid? Did they not remember what happened not even twenty-four hours ago when this malicious bastard had them fight till the last man standing. Having a single night’s rest caused their brains to go dumb.
Her friends beside her were also starting to smile, but there was confusion on their faces as they did. It was as if they knew they shouldn’t but couldn’t help but do it anyway. Tia was the closest to her, and she reached over and pinched the daft girl.
“Ouch,” she complained as she turned to look at Layla in confusion.
Layla hissed silently, “Don’t fall for it again. Get the others.”
As if coming out of a daze, Tia looked back at Atom again before her eyes narrowed in anger. She nodded her head and repeated what Layla had just done to her to Oliviana. She was even more surprised and twice as indignant by the look on her face as she outright punched her twin.
Seeing Oliver snap out of it, they all glared back at Atom. Layla sighed in relief. Whatever he had done to them was not appreciated by the trio in the slightest. She wasn’t sure if she was doing them a favor or not, but at least they weren’t docile lambs being led to the slaughter.
Atom began to speak and his voice seem to come from everywhere at once. It was not loud, but Layla was confident everyone on the field could hear him clearly.
“My wondrous new Potentials. Good morning to you all.”
He paused, and everyone roared back, “Good morning, Master!”
Atom’s face became excited at the booming response.
“Ah, now that is a welcomed response. It looks like everyone is motivated to start their first day of training. Well, let me tell you little Potentials. I, too, am excited to be here as well.” Atom reached out and clenched his fist as if to show how pumped he was to be a part of their training.
“Now, some of you may be confused about why I am here since Master Brent is normally over this course in your training.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Worry not. Master Brent will be back tomorrow. He was needed on-site for our AAC team. As some of you may know, they are competing today.” The other Masters struck their chests twice a the mention of the Academy’s AAC team. The AAC or Ascendant Academy Circuit team was the pinnacle achievement one could obtain while attending any Ascendant Academy. Even the Masters took great pride in being part of their training, it seemed.
“While they aren’t here that doesn’t mean we cannot show our Academy spirit. Potentials give me two stomps for our elites.”
The ground shook twice in unison as the Potentials struck the ground with their feet in support.
“Good! Good! Thats what I like to hear. I know for a lot of you the idea of making it onto the Nexus Academy Circuit team has probably been a life long dream. Am I right?”
The ground shook once more to answer Atom’s prompt.
“Well let me tell you that today that dream is no longer some ethereal unreachable thing. You are here now. You are here at Nexus and nothing is stopping you from rising up and seizing that star.”
Atom reached out to the dark morning sky, and a bright shining star popped into existence. He seized it, mimicking his words as he pulled it down. He looked down at his hands as starlight shinned through his closed fingers. He faced victorious, as if he had finally achieved something he thought impossible.
He looked out towards the crowd of Potentials as he tightened the little star in his hands. A mini implosion went off in his fist, and a wavy, almost scalding heat washed over the crowd. The display left the group of Potentials in shock and awe. While most may have come from great backgrounds, they were still awed by the show.
“Power.” Atom said in a quiet but dominant tone that resonated in Layla’s bones.
“Power, this is what you need to reach that dream. Power makes your words meaningful. Power can destroy. Power can protect. Power is the currency of the strong. Without it, you are nothing but fodder to the strong. Be it personal or given, Power is a universal truth that none can deny.”
Atom stared feverishly out at the crowd of potentials. Everyone stared back caught up in his every word. All of them were hungry for the world. Atom was spinning with his words. Even Layla, who knew he was full of bullshit, felt some modicum of truth in his words.
“And that truth starts here today. That dream of becoming an elite that stands on the stage representing our beloved Academy whilst trillions watch on cheering your name. That road starts right here and right now. Today, you are going to get a taste of what it takes to stand on that stage and even beyond. I’m going to show you what it takes to make your every step shake the world as you tred down your path.”
All the Potentials were foaming at the mouth as they shook the field with their stomping feet. Layla had found truth in Atom's speech but still looked around concerned. Even some of the younger-looking Master's eyes were shown with zealous light drunk on the man’s words.
Was he really this charismatic? If she didn’t really know him, she supposed she would have eaten those words like a dying man thirsting for water in the desert. The problem was these people had no idea what standards Atom had. Just how unrealistic they were.
Atom gave a manic but knowing smile, and Layla swore he aimed right at her. That smile felt like a physical blow to her stomach as memories of her time in the slice started to resurface. The beginning had started out with physical training as well. A brief flash of memory showed her body tumbling to the earth as her heart gave out, and just before her face could hit the ground, she was back, refreshed, and running again. The recollection reseeded before she could relive it entirely, something she was desperately thankful for. Her guts churned as she waited for what was to come.
With a wave of his hand, all the Potentials fell silent again, but the hungry fire in their eyes never stopped raging. Atom pulled out a black banner with the Nexus Academy insignia stylized in gold. Then looked directly at Layla. This time there was no mistaking it.
He called out to her, “Ms. Breezewalker, won’t you please join me up here. Come on now don’t be shy. Everyone is waiting on you.”
Layla went a little weak in the knees at his request. To stand in front of so many people was already a fear bordering on a phobia for her. Why did she have to run her damn mouth? Gods, this guy was a real dick. At that thought, her anger assuaged her burgeoning panic, and she plastered on a crooked smile as she broke ranks and trotted up beside the man.
As he looked back at the crowd, Atom put his arms around Layla like they were a close father and daughter pair.
“Ms. Breezewalker is our top dog, our rank number one Potential. The cream of the crop, top of the class. She is the model you all should be striving to achieve.” Atom's hand pointed outward to the Potentials on the field
Hundreds of blazing eyes fell on Layla. The glares were so hostile it felt like they were trying to sear her body and soul into oblivion at Atom's every word.
“That is why Layla has earned the right to carry our Academy’s banner. Our standard. This is no small thing. There is pride to be found in being a standard bearer. This is your Academy Potentials. If you aren’t striving to be the one carrying this standard, you might as well just leave now because to be honest, to be the standard bearer is to be the standard. If you aren’t reaching for that then you don’t belong here.”
“Am I right Masters.” Atom calls back over his shoulder.
The Masters behind the duo slammed their chest with their fist twice in recognition. This time their slams were a defining boom. Fist clapping, their chest backed my Anima-enforced strength. A display of power that almost made Layla jump in surprise.
Atom gave the wooden pole to Layla and showed her how to hold it properly.
Layla glared balefully at Atom before whispering hatefully, “You will pay for this.”
He chuckled with a malicious grin. The grin said one thing to her, payback. “Dream on kiddo. You did this to yourself. I didn’t tell you to be number one. Honestly did you even read my book. You four should be thankful that today is about getting a baseline on your physical conditioning. Tomorrow I have a surprise for you all.”
He moved to the side and patted her shoulder like a proud father. His every action cause the hundreds of eyes to become even more livid. Layla could tell they all wanted to be where she was, and they saw her as the reason they were not the ones holding the banner. If they only knew that she had no interest in holding the Academy standard, they would probably riot on the spot and tear her limb from limb.
“Prime Dyzen please join me up here.”
Layla looked around to see who Atom was talking about when a familiar Silver haired young man walked out from the ranks of the Masters. Layla felt like she was missing something. What was a prime again?
Prime Dyzen looked at Atom with admiration gleaming in his eyes. Layla was sure he was deep in the throws of whatever whacky drink Atom was shilling out to everyone.
Atom put his arm around Prime Dyzen, and the young man grinned. Clearly, loving the attention.
“Most of you should be familiar with the Academy’s internal rank structure. There are three ranks you need to achieve to graduate from Nexus. Neophyte, Initiate, and finally Adept. What some of you may not know is that there is another rank. A rank that carries the pride of the Academy with its bestowment. Every Master you see before you earned such a bestowment. The Prime rank is not a requirement for you to graduate, but it is the real goal Nexus has for all its students. One might even say to achieve the Prime rank is also the standard for Nexus.”
Atom put his other arm around Layla then he moved her together beside Prime Dyzen. The three of them stood in front of everyone like a father giving away his daughter in a picturesque pose.
“Ah, to be young. Sigh. Well, it only makes sense that your class's top rank should be paired with the Academy’s top rank.” A glee full smile plastered all over the idiot man's face. What was he trying to insinuate?
“Prime Dyzen I’ll be intrusting you with guiding young Layla. Now Layla will be setting the pace for our physical conditioning this morning. Setting the pace just like she sets the standard.” He gave Layla a pat on her head.
Layla gripped the banner pole tightly as she considered stabbing Atom in the throat with the pointed end.
Atom strayed away from the two and looked at the crowd wanting more.
“Are we ready to see what it takes Potentials!”
Vocal roars exploded from the hundreds of rabid Potentials.
“Outstanding!”
He turned around to the group of white haori-garbed individuals. “Fellow Masters, I’ll let you organize them while I prepare the way.”
They all nodded with a grin. Once again, Layla felt sick. What was wrong with these people here? Did they enjoy the suffering of their students?
Atom glanced back to the pair before fixing his gaze on the silver-haired young man, “Dyzen, match pace with our fledgling standard bearer and guide her through this mornings activity.”
“It would be my honor Master Atom!” Prime Dyzen said with a slight bow.
“I’ll leave it to you then. Follow once everyone is prepared.” And without another word, Atom shifted away.