Charlies room was a mess of food wrappers, tossed haphazardly across the floor like fallen leaves. The smell clung to the walls—greasy, stale, and sharp enough that Edwin scrunched his nose whenever he walked in.

He loves food.

Charlie was scribbling in his notebook. Jo told him that he does that to keep up with current events and his plans.

Charlie gave her a look before sighing.

"Hey don't look too mad, remember who keeps saving your ass whenever you're in trouble." She said with a pointed glare. "Are you still hurt?"

"Nah, I told you already. I'm fully healed." Charlie said while placing his book down and picking out a packet of crisps and slowly opening them as if he were trying to see how silent he could do so.

He then spun his chair to Edwin.

"So, I got a job for you."

Edwin was surprised, his eyes widened. For the last few days all he was thinking about was Oscar, he was supposed to keep him close to his side and he lost him. Lost him to paladin, with all the powers they have at their disposal they could be probing his brain for information about them.

There would be nothing on Charlie, he had barely interacted with Oscar. He never shown him where he was staying. Edwin just found out the day of the attack.

He felt bad, he felt like he should have done more, he can't believe he was truly being held back by some second rate paladin. Edwin just wants to see Oscar.

"You're new job is to sneak into the institute and gain intel, on anything that you can. The students live there and teachers will probably be staying there a lot more often so you'll get enough."

Edwin immediately wanted to say no, sneaking into a paladin institute was practically impossible. But then he thought of Oscar, Oscar was probably there.

"That's a big ask..."

"Shut up." Charlie burped out. "Don't forget, it was you who lost Oscar. So in due time it will be you who reclaims him. But for now we need intel."

Charlie was brash, he was rude and didn't seem to care who he was offending. Edwin didn't notice it back when he was being freed, probably because of how desperately he wanted out of there. But Charlie was a dick who didn't see him as an equal, just a tool to be exploited until it grows dim an unusable, like the doctors at Grid.

But he couldn't hate him, he is still his saviour and Edwin wanted to see the outcome of his goal. He hates the paladin, and the society they uphold even more.

"Find out how they plan on suppressing Oscar's power," Jo took over, "Maybe medicine, cool tech, someone's paranormal power. But you should also figure out the powers of as many students as you can, and explore the place."

"Don't you think they'll figure me out after a while?"

"Yeah, but Jo will keep a hand on you and will be close by," Jo didn't know that and gave him a look of horror, she didn't get close to the fighting a week ago either. "You only need to spend a few hours a day in there and then you'll be teleported to a safehouse near."

Edwin took a minute to think on it, he really didn't know if it was good or bad. He would do it either way but he still knew there were too many unknown variables. Like something he had just picked up on about OD the other day.

"Wouldn't their be a barrier around the school?"

Charlie looked disappointed, more at the question. Like he was hoping he wouldn't ask. He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze drifting toward the broken ceiling fan above.

"Well yeah, there is. I'm going to teach you how to get past it with a technique called [Drifting]. But you'll need to understand some basic information about barriers and stuff then I'll have you test it out."

Edwin nodded, he was told by Charlie that he was decent enough at moulding and keeping his OD in good circulation. And since his power was fairly simple it wasn't hard to eventually strip down the amount of OD he would use when exerting it.

He cracked his knuckles then moulded his OD into the shape of a ball, "Think of this as a barrier." Edwin looked toward the navy sphere that looked like it was bouncing in place, Jo looked a little intrigued as well.

"Think of the barrier like a heartbeat. It has a unique frequency, a rhythm it pulses with that you have to put in a great effort to feel. Even if your right beside it with your hand touching it's hard, like hearing a whisper during a music festival."

Edwin wasn't getting his hopes up after hearing that.

The sphere of OD in Charlie's hand got bigger. It wasn't a barrier or anything, just a wad of OD.

"The hard part is matching the heartbeat." Edwin already thought the initial was the hard part. "You have to adjust the flow of your OD to the frequency of the barrier. Once your in sync, the barrier will start to see you as part of it, allowing you to blend right in."

The theory behind it sounded simple, but Edwin couldn't imagine getting it down for days, maybe even longer.

"How long do you think I should take before leaving?"

Charlie scratched his chin, "Well I don't know how to cast barriers, you need knowledge on Runes which I also don't have. But I plan on getting someone to help you with that, Jo will bring them. Then it should probably take a couple days if you're good enough. A week if you're shit."

A nice way of telling Edwin to get his shit together.

Well that was fine with him, he planned on putting his mind to focus. He would get it done in one day at his best, two days most. No time to waste. He want's to get Oscar back.

___

"I wasn't out during all the fighting..." Robin started. The familiar scent of tangerines growing among the trees flooded his nose as he was up closer to her as they walked close to the school gym.

"I wouldn't have noticed since my team was stationed quite far from the the chaos in the middle." Theon brushed it off,

He knew that some people were set to stay back during the mission, Juno had to stay back because she was a valuable healer, he also noticed Damien staying back but he didn't think he was also a healer.

But now that he thought on it, he couldn't think of much reason why Robin would have stayed back, unless she asked.

"You know, you don't talk a lot." she said with a sincere tone that was bordered on concerned for his well-being. "Not to be offensive."

"Yeah, it's fine. I've been this way since I was a kid." But other people in class didn't talk much either.

Theon was alone with her but he suddenly felt as if he was being picked on by her. It was a little embarrassing but Robin wasn't looking as worried as she did before.

The two of them were leaned against a short brick wall until Robin felt like jumping up to sit atop it. Theon stayed below, they could still hear each other well enough and her next sentence left him confused.

"You know that prison that Charlie Liber and Renata Kalim destroyed the other day?"

"The pacific bay correctional facility?" It was all over the news and even resurfaced because of the attack so yes Theon knew.

"Well, a ton of prisoners also got their chance to escape, some of them were awakened as well. And one of them was... Eli."

!

Theon looked up to her, she couldn't hide her face from him the same way she would if she were stood beside him, so she just stared straight ahead leaving him to mostly only stare at her chin.

Eli Sazaki was free now, because of Charlie Liber.

Theon thought of Jon. He wasn't really worried about Jon, he was strong, maybe even stronger than Theon. But with Eli being out, he may hold a grudge...

"So that's why you weren't out is it?"

"Yeah, Ms. Fay thought it might be better for me to stay inside. And..." A strange sound came out of her throat that seemed like a mix between a cough and a laugh. "I even almost had another panic attack, I'm really not used to them, and it makes me feel... pathetic. Like even just hearing his name is enough to send me into a state of shock."

Theon shook his head and looked up to see if she would stare down at him as he spoke.

"Isn't that normal?" Her body locked in place, the minute sway that she followed with the wind stopped as she heard his words. "He gave you a traumatic experience and removed your autonomy, I think simply being shocked would be a normal response."

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

She was shaking now, not violently, just enough to make Theon notice from her brief stutter in motion. Was she holding back tears?

"I almost thought of stopping here. And then falling into protective custody until they confirmed he was caught and locked up again. Would that be the right answer?"

He didn't know whether the question was rhetorical or not but he decided to answer it anyway.

"That would be one right answer," She finally turned her head downward slightly and could see the top of his head, the blonde locs that crowned his head.

"There are many right answers, as long as they put your heart at ease then it shouldn't really matter which one you pick."

He didn't know if he was putting out the right words in the moment, would that make her feel better? Would she then choose to leave? That would be fine and all... right? 'Would I do that?'

"But I wanted to be here to get stronger, and better. And I don't like the thought of constantly running away, I want to beat him, have him pinned down and acknowledge that he has lost to me, someone he toyed with like a puppet on loose string. That's my answer."

That was her answer, that was an answer that Theon would have picked to. Robin hopped down the wall and stood back on ground next to Theon. She dusted the dirt away from her clothing.

"But what would happen if I were to lose again..."

"You get back up." Theon instantly fired back. "You keep getting up until you win, you continue to endure."

She laughed at that, maybe it was the seriousness in his tone that she found funny. But eventually she stretched her arms out with the sun shining on them.

"Yeah, I'll just have to be ready by then."

Theon nodded, happy that she seemed better now. With Eli Sazaki out that was just another dangerous person out there that they would have to lock away. He didn't seem to be the type to go out and take revenge, he was obsessed with some idea of a paradise with the seven pillars.

But the possibility was still there. And as long as it was an issue, Eli had to be taken care of.

"I'm off to the gym now, our teacher says we should gain more muscle since you can't enhance what you don't have with your OD."

Theon watched her jog off and thought that he would go back to the dorms, or find his team.

___

Corbin knows he did good during the battle, but when Noa Godwin came in he was just as shocked as anyone else.

He wasn't an idol really, but he was known in the world of paladin as the strongest man in the world. Corbin wanted that, he wanted to be unrestricted in every way possible and be at the absolute top.

So when he seen someone he admires congratulating someone like Arte or the daughter of that coward he feels a little strange. He can understand that they did a good job, they got the boy out of the grips of the guys destroying the city.

And to make it worse he let one of them get away, at his own detriment unfortunately, but he was still alive so that was good at least.

But he believes the only reason he wasn't the one receiving that praise was because he wasn't in the right place. And he was being held back, 'That dumbass mentor isn't letting me show everything I've got.'

Zara Bennet was a strange one, he didn't really know what to say about her other than she acted like a clown a lot of the time and was fine making him the butt of the joke.

He was at least happy that his team weren't complete good for nothings, even though he wouldn't tell them that. Juno Darby was an excellent healer, her power was great for a healer, better than any he's seen anyway. 'Even that hag.'

And Aaliyah, she was alright, quiet and didn't really laugh at the dumb jokes which put their mentor in her feelings.

She could pull her weight, but in the end of the day, they were nothing compared to him. If he was being honest he would prefer to be separated from them and work on his own but he knows that isn't a possibility for him, 'Cause of that crybaby.'

He thought on some of his other classmates and then remembered how the monarch's eyes gazed a little too long on one of them... Theon Abara.

Corbin didn't know why but he didn't really like him, his quiet stare that analysed everyone in class like he only viewed them as a meter to gauge his strength. The way he didn't even flinch whenever Corbin gave him a wicked stare of intimidation, 'Everyone does, even Ava.' Well she was another issue in his eyes.

But Theon was one that just sent his danger signals flaring. Corbin still believes that Theon has some relation to Charlie Liber, so he told his mentor about it, but she just sat there all flustered and gave a bullshit excuse about how it's not possible.

When Corbin confronted him, Theon said that he was just some orphan, 'Bullshit.'

There was no way he learned some of the habits from some orphanage, his perfect posture in every action he performs, his speech—even though he sometimes talks slow when on big topics, it's refined and lacks any impediment, his gait steady, silent and composed.

Even the clothes he wears, most orphans wouldn't go for the simplistic and subtle designer that he's seen Theon wear, he knows his stuff cause of mother and from past interactions with people coming from a lower class, as soon as they get money they splurge it on the most out there brands or they save it and just buy whatever is similar to those in their environment.

'Something's not right about that dragon prick.'

Corbin stashed his water bottle back in his bag after taking a swig as he was coming out of the gym. He noticed that he had just walked past Robin, and off in the distance, 'It's him!'

Theon was walking away from their area. Heading in the direction of the dorms. Corbin wanted to follow, but he was interrupted by a soft punch to his shoulder and an arm wrapped around him.

In that moment everything came to a frozen stop as he felt as if he was seeing and feeling everything happening in that moment, the red chested birds singing at the nearest tree to him, a second year couple picking at each others cups of ice-cream that they had bought in this cold autumn breeze.

Someone passed and into the gym's entrance and their shoes screeched off the floors letting out a sound that rips through Corbin's head making him wish he had brought his headphones instead of the crappy ear pieces that did not last his whole session.

His skin feels like it's buzzing, every small hair on the arm that had wrapped itself around him felt like individual needles painting his skin like a paintbrush.

Corbin feels exposed and suffocated, and he hates how bad he knows he is feeling in the moment and the fact that he cannot stop his incoming reaction.

"Birthday bashes for the birthday boy—!" The stupid voice was Cole's

"GET YOUR HAND OFF!"

Corbin swung his left arm back, fully enhanced failing to hold back, he felt the crack of bone as it his arm hit it's target.

Cole was now slumped out after his head had hit a brick wall he was flung at.

And Corbin, he was left shaking...

—

Twenty minutes later, Corbin is sitting in one of the private rooms in the schools medical wings, gritting his teeth and clenching his hands shut then open again and still slightly shaking, trying his best to look unfazed by the disturbed look on his mentors face.

Zara sighs, and walks over to Corbin with a slow and steady gait. Her dark brown eyes that pierced one's soul were not angry, they were soft and concerned.

"I thought you were working on your anger with Marc," She mentioned the weird counsellor, Corbin doesn't answer her though. His time with her and figuring out the full extent of her powers made it hard to come up with answers for her.

He can't just dismiss everything in front of her, cause she see's through it. Literally.

"Corbin."

Corbin kept his eyes down, he didn't like looking into her eyes. He only now started to feel his shoulders inching themselves inwards, he felt like a disgraced child and it disgusted him. He closed his eyes and tried working on his breathing. Counting down from ten.

There's a deep sigh, and when he opens his eyes again, Zara is crouched down in his field of vision, she's got her hands clasped between her knees clearly for Corbin to see and her gaze is locked on to his face.

"You know, you can skip out on the next training session—"

Corbin cuts her off with a low growl, his rough voice came out next. "Fuck that. Just tell me is it a suspension or another weird tag or both?"

God his throat feels like it has been swelling down thumbtacks. And his head is starting to hurt, he is thankful for it in this moment though. His body feel's like it would drop right now without those sensations.

He stares Zara in the eyes, trying to look challenging. "I don't care how long it will be, I'll still end up a paladin, then I'll be a monarch." He sometimes felt stupid for mentioning that last part but Zara had already heard him say it and had said it was admirable.

"There's no punishment Corbin." She reassured with a soft smile on her face, "It's just that since you started your therapy sessions you haven't acted out in frustration besides the shouting. And even that has slowed down over the weeks."

Her voice is so soft and playful, it jumbles everything in Corbin's head. He isn't used to the tenderness.

After the visit from his mom, Corbin started freaking out every morning before school. He would look in the mirror and see himself shattering with nothing he could do.

It was like, his ears blocked and his throat was being clogged by stuffing from a bean bag, and then the rest of his body would just collapse.

He's always been an emotional kid. His mom said he was like a flame that burns twice as bright and burns half as long. And physically, he knows he's in top form. Still burning, amazing power with potential to be the best. Same perfectionist attitude and a crazy ambition that he knows no one in his class can match.

But now it felt like he was a wild animal trying to fit into a suit and get a task done.

He wanted to be like Noa Godwin, strong! Those who are strong do not lose, they didn't struggle in the way he is right now. So he needed to continue to build himself to stack higher into the perfect and refined, into something no one can beat.

That's what he had been doing for so long. Having power means you have a way to win. Being perfect in every way meant no one could question him, not even his mother who may try. But as long as his performance was stellar, no one could truly stop him.

But coming to this institute, everything changed. To Corbin, one in three of his classmates are gutless fools who shouldn't even be gazing at his shadow. Yet there are some that are able to step in line with him and even eclipse him.

Lugh O'Hara, weak, snivelling and the most cowardly. That was how Corbin remembered him, an antithesis to everything he was and stood for, but now he's in his same class, putting on a big brave act and even though Corbin doesn't want to admit it, he is getting stronger. He is improving, and Corbin doesn't even feel he's stagnated, being in this hospital room and having to run to therapy tells him that he's being left behind.

Fuck!

"Corbin," Zara called out again, "I need you to start taking care of yourself and know when you should step away and rely on someone else."

His eyes gained a sharp glint, meeting eyes that felt like a freight train was oncoming. In the corner of his eye he could see Elara Morgan walk in, she quickly whispered out that Cole was all better now and will take some time to rest.

Corbin felt a sting hearing the news. But Zara's face reminded him to stay focused.

"You think this shit will happen again!" It wasn't a question, it felt more like he was challenging himself. "If I have to do the damn therapy with the close-eyed therapist I'll do it. But after that, it's full focus on becoming the strongest."

"Jesus, kid. You certainly know how to push yourself. Don't burn out." She was now stood on her feet again. "Stars only experience a supernova once."

Corbin's breathing was calming down now. The frustration would rise, the anger of losing control of his body was unbearable, but he would push it down and continue on.

He gets up and zips up his jumper and follows her out.

"Take your time with your session. We'll be outside waiting. And after that you'll have to find time to apologize to that boy you hurt."

He thought of Cole, he didn't mean to hurt him, but he also felt like he was in the right. Cole didn't need to put his hands all over him, they hadn't even spoken before, not that Corbin remembers anytime.

That also reminds him, how the hell did he know his birthday was today.

When they reach the junction of the halls, Corbin turns right as she goes on outside to the left.

"And Corbin," Corbin turns his head to her to see her smiling coyly with her phone out and pointed at him.

"Happy birthday!"