The ever-smiling Lusio and bold-faced Mattiaz passed through the chain link fence and onto the baseball field. Lusio took a moment to examine the horizon, noting the pinks and oranges that signalled the coming sunset.

"It's getting a little late, Mattiaz," he said.

"You don't have to go if you don't wanna," he answered. Lusio’s presence wasn’t bothering him anymore, but he didn’t want to waste any more of his time, either. Besides, he didn’t need the help, as all the pain from his wounds had long since vanished, likely thanks to the nurse’s healing ability.

"I'm saying it as a good thing," Lusio clarified, smiling so wide it was almost creepy. Mattiaz had thought he’d built up a tolerance for it, but he couldn’t help but shiver when he looked at Lusio’s expression. Trying to figure out what he was thinking was likely useless, and Mattiaz felt closer than ever to giving up on that entirely.

They closed in on the baseball diamond, noticing that a small game was in progress. Some people in the bleachers were watching, while others were embroiled in their own conversations.

"Do you see them anywhere?" Lusio asked.

Mattiaz squinted, checking every face and figure on the field. His eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting alone on the bleachers, far away from the rest of the crowd. Mattiaz could have sworn it was one of the attackers—his lanky figure, and hairstyle looked nearly identical to one of the hateful figures burned into Mattiaz’s mind.

"Maybe I do..." he answered.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's one of 'em over there." Mattiaz nodded his head in the teenager’s direction, resisting the urge to point. Lusio examined him, trying to look casual as he did it.

"Are you sure?" he asked, surprised that Mattiaz's plan had worked at all.

"Oh yeah, definitely," Mattiaz said. Wasting no time, he marched off toward the bleachers.

Discreetly, Lusio hid his palms inside of his hoodie pocket. "What is your plan if he attacks you again?"

"I'll deal with it when it happens," Mattiaz responded without granting his roommate a single glance.

Lusio nodded, silent, but planned to stay put in case another fight really did occur.

They walked past the baseball field. The boy sat alone on the bleachers, watching the amateur baseball game with a bored look on his face. Mattiaz recognized his shirt, but couldn’t tell if he’d changed his other clothes. His hair was messier than before, and dark circles ringed his brown eyes. Mattiaz’s memories were fuzzy, but he easily recalled the boy’s name.

"Hey. You're Johnny, right?"

The teen looked up at the mention of his name. His eyes widened when he recognized Mattiaz. "The fuck’re you doing here?" His fingers closed around the plastic beneath him, preparing for either attack or escape.

"Just passing by." Mattiaz shrugged, relishing in Johnny’s panic. Though his goal wasn’t revenge, it felt good to see his previous attacker quiver in fear.

Johnny looked him up and down, noting the bandages wrapped around his forehead before his gaze shifted to Lusio. "Found a new running buddy? Should I be worried?" he snickered, keeping a wary eye fixed on Lusio. "Cuz your new friend looks kinda freaky compared to the last one.”

"Nah.” Mattiaz agreed that Steve wasn’t nearly as intimidating as Lusio, but didn't think he would cause any harm. "Ignore him. He's been following me around like a puppy.” Despite what Mattiaz said, having Lusio with him did wonders for his confidence. With Johnny outnumbered, Mattiaz was the one calling the shots.

"What about the big guy?" Johnny asked. His eyes shifted suspiciously, as if expecting an ambush. By the fearful look on his face, Mattiaz knew who the ‘big guy’ was.

"Don't even know him—just that his name’s Roy," he said. So he’s big, huh?

"He sure fucked up Ralph and Dennis..." Johnny said, sweat beading on his forehead at the intense memory. Mere moments ago, he’d gotten the news that both his friends wound up in the ER.

"Listen, dude. I don't want no trouble,” Johnny said. “I get that you're angry over what those idiots did. I'm angry with them, too."

That earned a chuckle from Mattiaz. He took a seat, leaving a vacant spot between him and Johnny. "What they did? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the last guy I remember punching me before I passed out.” He smirked and rested one foot on his knee.

Johnny paused momentarily. "Heh. You remember that? Oops." He shrugged, chuckling. He slid down in his seat, neck propped on the backrest and legs spread wide as he turned his attention back to the game.

Mattiaz looked to the field, the tension in the air easing for just a moment. Now came the difficult part.

"Why do you hate spiriters so much?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Johnny countered.

Mattiaz swivelled to face Johnny and casually rested his elbow on the backrest of his chair. "I've always admired spiriters. I've always wanted to be one. They're badass heroes in my eyes." His words came from the heart. He hoped Johnny would understand that. "When I found out I awakened spirit, I was so fucking happy you can’t even imagine. That's why I don't get it… but I wanted to ask…"

Johnny tapped his foot, agitation building with each repetition. "Where're you from?" he asked, hoping the answer would help him decide whether or not Mattiaz’s deserved another beating for his ignorance.

Mattiaz didn’t understand the connection, but responded truthfully, "Ancio."

"Is that city in the North?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Mattiaz shook his head. "Nah, east."

The toe-tapping stopped. Mattiaz had been granted mercy and a pass from Johnny’s vengeful fist. "Well, there's your answer. It's a cultural issue that you wouldn’t understand. Spiriters aren't welcome here," Johnny said, the vein in his forehead throbbing as he spoke. "Even then, they act like they’re above us all. Always causing trouble." Johnny turned to Mattiaz. "And do we ever get anything in return for our damaged property? Or if we’re 'collateral damage'? No. We're second-class citizens compared to them."

Johnny’s words oozed pure hatred. Mattiaz had formed a few assumptions based on what he’d heard during the attack, but he hadn’t grasped the magnitude of the issue. The truth made him sick to his stomach.

"That's how you lost your brother? To a spiriter?" Mattiaz asked. Back in that alleyway, lying face-down and bleeding, he heard the others mention Johnny’s brother and his unfortunate death.

Johnny tensed, straightening in his seat before propping his elbows on his stickered-up knees. "Yeah, that's how I lost my older brother," he said, facing the floor. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time… Those scumbags were sparring off campus and they collapsed a whole building. Killed him and three others." His knuckles shook, taut and white as he held back a sob; he had cried enough already.

"Shit." Mattiaz gulped, wishing he could apologize on behalf of those spiriters. Even his worst predictions couldn’t hold a candle to reality.

"Bastards dipped, and the higher-ups fabricated a load of excuses for ‘em.” Having a spiriter listen for once felt better than Johnny would admit. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t stop now. "And you know what's worse? They weren’t just any regular spiriters. They were the Lings. So there was no chance we could collect damages."

“Lings? You mean the royals from the West?” Mattiaz was dumbstruck. When Johnny nodded, he cursed under his breath.

Just that morning, he had been ecstatic to join the Spirit Academy, but everything he knew about spiriters had turned out to be a mere fantasy. How was he supposed to enjoy attending NBSA when the people whose cheers he desired hated him for simply existing? Even worse, he couldn’t say those people were wrong. There was no changing what he now knew to be the truth.

"For real man, I'm sorry for earlier." Johnny broke the silence first. "You're not even from here. It was messed up that we assumed you'd be like them just cuz you're a spiriter."

Johnny didn’t need to apologize. Were he in Johnny’s shoes, Mattiaz would have beaten the shit out of any spiriter, even if they weren’t directly at fault. But to ease Johnny’s mind, he flashed a grin his way. "It's fine. It barely hurt."

If it’s possible to ignore a concussion, Lusio thought, the comment remaining unsaid in the depths of his mind.

Johnny chuckled, nodded, and turned back to the game, pointing out a player running haphazardly around the field in hopes of making a catch. "You see that lil' moron? He's my brother. Thinks he can be as good at baseball as me. Cheeky lil' moron"

Mattiaz caught sight of the kid just in time to see him trip and fall headfirst into the grass. Without complaint, he jumped back to his feet to continue playing. "C'mon, at least he tries,” he said in his defense.

Johnny chuckled. “He's too young to remember our older brother. He doesn't even understand how dangerous spiriters can be…” His hands balled into fists in his lap. “I come with him so he can play without me worrying."

Mattiaz grit his teeth, taming his emotions to ask, “This is a recent problem, right? The tension between the spiriters and the regular citizens?"

"No, it ain't," Johnny said, eyes glued to his brother's game. "Holy Bayers have always protested the academy being here since it's been built. My dad has been even running for mayor for years to try 'n fix this problem. The older folk hate them the most." He let out a quick breath, shaking his head. "Seriously, the state should just relocate the academy to the West. Most spiriters come from there, anyway."

Mattiaz nodded. If the Spirit Academy would relocate to the West, the citizens of Holy Bay would be happy. It was only logical, since the Spirit Tournament already took place in Ling's territory too. In fact, when he was younger, Mattiaz had once wondered why the academy was in the North of the country to begin with, considering that all the cool spirit-related occasions took place in the West. "Why don't they just relocate, then?"

"Beats me." Johnny shrugged. "The Francisthes hold on to the academy for whatever reason. Rich bastards... They’re supposed to help us as the ruling family in the north, yet they only care about themselves and their fat wallets."

"That's weird. They should listen if you all have a problem with it..." Mattiaz said, rubbing his chin.

“Perhaps we can ask them," Lusio said, breaking his silence. Mattiaz and Johnny looked at him doubtful.

"Yeah, genius. How d'you suggest we contact the Francisthe King? I have a better chance slapping that smile off your face than I do speaking to the king," he answered, laughing at his own joke.

As Mattiaz expected, his response didn't deter Lusio at all. "You haven't heard?” he asked with a tilt of his head. “The King's children awakened spirit and will be joining our class. The triplets might be on campus as we speak."

Mattiaz froze. The Francisthe triplets are joining our class? How am I only hearing about this now?

"Yeah, dude. How d'you not know that?" Johnny asked. "There's even a massive protest going on in a couple days. They want the Francisthes to see our frustration with the spiriters first-hand..." He scratched through his frizzy hair and added, "I’m still not sure if I wanna join the protest, though..."

Mattiaz felt like an absolute idiot. It was anyone's best guess how such big news flew over his head. Collecting himself, he grinned. "Sounds like a plan!"

"Huh?" Lusio and Johnny said in unison.

Mattiaz spread his hands before him. "If they're really joining our class, then we can persuade them." He faced Johnny. "You gotta join that protest! When d'you say it's happening?"

Johnny scrunched his face as he tried to recall. "In three days, I think...”

"Yeah. Go." Mattiaz nodded. "And make sure it’s a big protest." He raised his hands for emphasis. "Me and Lusio will do our best to push the Francisthes into action. If the students and citizens agree there’s a problem, they can’t ignore all of us.”

Doubt still lingered in Johnny’s eyes, but a sliver of hope shone through as he met Mattiaz’s gaze. "You'd actually help us? After what we did to you?"

"Idiot." Mattiaz laughed. "After you guys beat me unconscious, I should want to relocate the academy more than anyone! Maybe I can get Steve to vouch for us, too, since you scared him so much. And don't worry, I won’t snitch on you guys. If they ask, I’ll say we got jumped by some drunk old men or something.”

Johnny chuckled. Mattiaz’s enthusiasm made him regret punching him so hard. "What was your name again?"

Mattiaz scratched his nose. "You didn't ask before you hit me." He grinned and offered his hand. "I'm Mattiaz."

Johnny accepted it. "Thanks, man. I’d never expect help from a spiriter."

Lusio watched as Johnny and Mattiaz laughed together, dread and doubt building inside him. Do they not comprehend what a massive burden this is? he wondered. No, Johnny lives in Holy Bay. Surely, he understands what's at stake. Mattiaz, however...

Lusio had a bad feeling about this.