“There’s no way that he would do that! That’s just so out of character. He missed his punches?”

Sebastian shook his head, showing a holovid on his POD to Lawrence.

“But that’s what happened! Look at this. Why would he swing that corner at all?”

“What the hell?” Lawrence suddenly grabbed the POD. “Give me that!”

As Sebastian let go of his POD, he noticed a familiar face walk into class.

As Mara came into class, she gave Sebastian this disappointed look, huffing as she sat down at the front of the class. Sighing in relief, Sebastian At least they didn’t sit close to each other. Not long after, Professor Baoxue Li came into the classroom. His buzz cut always made him look grizzled and distinguished. Fitting for a professor of Philosophy and Aether Control.

Sebastian quickly grabbed his POD back, as it shrunk back onto his wrist. As the class quickly quieted down, Li silently took out his POD and started writing. “Good morning, class,” he began, his eyes still focused on his POD. “Today’s lesson will be… off curriculum, so to speak. As per the announcement, we will be headed to the main auditorium shortly. I believe the topic will be about the anniversary of the founding of the Republic, with a special guest appearance. While this would usually be conducted in the plaza, renovations have forced the event to take place in the auditorium. Due to size constraints, only the first-year students will be attending in person.” Sebastian internally groaned. “We will be going over the appearance of Aetherites in the Republic, and how their existence proves the herald to the success of the Republic.” Usually, the first class was a warmup for the day, from taking a short stretch in the central courtyard, to having a discussion about improving the Republic. Sebastian knew he shouldn’t have expected anything.

“As such, let us begin with the basics, to get our minds running. Miss Aberford, may you please explain why the separation between a normal human from an Aetherite is special?”

Mara stood up. “Of course, Professor Li. Aetherites, with their human physique but with the ability to push the limits of humanity through their cultivation of the Aether, provide a conundrum when it comes to the question of superiority. For example, Fatebreaker, the first recorded user…”

Sebastian was already tuning her out. Everyone knew what an Aetherite could do. It was ingrained in the hearts of every single citizen of the Republic. After all, how could Sebastian forget the countless times a city or something of value was “saved” by Aetherites.

Before he could zone out even further, Sebastian’s POD vibrated, with a small message from Lawrence.

When we get out of this classroom, there’s something I need to show you.

Sebastian shot Lawrence a look, but quickly refocused to prevent Li from calling him out.

“Well done, Miss Aberford. Mr. Thorne, can you continue to elaborate on the philosophical question that Aetherites present in the nature of equality?”

The short kid across the classroom stood up, adjusting his uniform. “Only one in ten humans are Aetherites. This makes their abilities a scarce resource. They are able to protect us as well as improve our lives more efficiently. They-”

Sebastian glanced down as another notification appeared on his POD.

It's really important. Please.

Sebastian couldn’t believe what he was seeing. While Lawrence loved to pull pranks, he never begged for anything. Sebastian glanced at Lawrence, who kept his face in the expression they were expected to have in class.

“Focus, Mr. Rutherson,” scolded Li, as Sebastian internally groaned. He really was unlucky today. Maybe Li would be lenient this time around, with the assembly coming up.

Li began to walk towards him, his sleek black suit’s robe almost dragging on the ground. Stopping at his desk, the only emotion Sebastian could see was disappointment. “I expect better from you, as I am sure you are aware,” he began, pulling out his POD. “As such, when we go to the assembly, I expect you to be on your best behavior. You are to sit within the front section of the auditorium, with Professor Charron and Professor Phillips.”

“Yes, Professor Li,” Sebastian instinctively answered, almost sighing in relief. As long as he didn’t have to deal with Li again for his… remedial training, he could deal with it.

Li slowly turned towards the class again, glancing at his POD once more, before putting his POD away. “That is all the time we have. Mr. Kane, please lead the class to the auditorium. I have other matters to attend to.”

A lanky young man stood up, brushing off his pristine uniform with a smug look on his face as looked upon the rest of the class. Sebastian saw a few disgruntled faces, him included, but everyone else smiled.

“Of course! I would do anything to make sure my fellow classmates are able to learn,” the young man said, his voice laced with sarcasm as he eyed Sebastian.

Sebastian shot him a look, but he didn’t say anything.

Jaiden Kane was probably the most arrogant person Sebastian had ever met. He was the worst offender, coming from a line of Aetherites leading back to the beginning of the Republic. Sebastian grit his teeth. His ancestor, Arthur Kane, helped end the revolution in his liberation of Triumph and was one of the founders of Triumph. A fabled “believer” in noblesse oblige as well as living with honor. Unfortunately, like many other “noble” families, they certainly didn’t do that anymore. Jaiden and his group of “nobles'' always look to assert their dominance, whether it was monetarily or physically. Worse yet, normal people can’t even do anything about it. Their access to Aether made them stronger and faster, making them almost untouchable.

Jaiden half-bowed towards Li. “I am-”

“Enough with the talk, Mr. Kane. Go.”

Jaiden’s eyebrow twitched, but he didn’t say anything as he pivoted, stepping out of the classroom as his classmate’s followed. Shaking his head, Sebastian barely kept a smile from creeping onto his face. It didn’t matter who you were, Li always acted like they were useless to him. It still didn’t explain why he told Mara about him, though.

Chalking it up to Li’s eccentricity, Sebastian walked out of class, glancing out the nearby windows. The school grounds were still bustling with workers, while the streets were almost empty, with only the occasional bus, train, or biker. That was unusual. There should’ve been a lot more cars and buses out there. Maybe there was some event?

“Sebastian.” He looked away from the window, looking back at Lawrence, who was walking towards him with an unusual expression on his face, one that Sebastian hadn’t seen in a long time.

Worry.

“I saw your message, Lawrence. What’s going on?” Sebastian asked.

Lawrence shook his head as he braced his palm on his head. “I heard some things while you were in the bathroom. Something big is about to happen,” he said, wincing as he slowly sighed. “I… don’t know what it is, but someone or something important is coming.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“What’s that have to do with anything?” asked Sebastian. “The anniversary is tomorrow, of course there’s going to be some big spectacle. I’m surprised they didn’t even cancel school for the days leading up to it.”

Lawrence suddenly grabbed him by the shoulder, looking him in the eyes. “Look, you need to-”

“Mr. Rutherson. Mr. Alfonso. Why am I not surprised? Lawrence, go to the auditorium. Sebastian will be coming with me.” For a man built like a mountain, Jean Charron always found a way to sneak up on everyone. Despite being one of the youngest professors at the Academy, he had quickly proven himself under the tutelage of the Body Improvement professor and Academy’s sweetheart professor, Anthony Philips.

“I just- ” Lawrence tried to start.

“I do not believe it is wise for you to question me,” calmly stated Charron, not even bothering to look at Lawrence. Everyone knew what he meant by that, even Lawrence. He frowned, but instantly his face switched to his character smile before anyone else could notice.

“Of course, Professor! I’ll go right ahead.” Turning to leave, Lawrence quickly scribbled something on his POD as he ran off, towards where the rest of the class was heading.

“Come with me, Sebastian,” ordered Charron, as he gestured for Sebastian to follow. “We must take our seats.” Professors weren’t supposed to refer to students by their first names. What was going on?

As they entered the massive auditorium, it was already filled with students and professors, with some more trickling in. On stage, the Principal of Halcyon Academy, Madam Kira Antonov, was seated with some official-looking people Sebastian didn’t recognize. It was easy to tell, with her bright, blonde hair always turning into a mirror when she was under a spotlight, with an equally bright presence, always quick with a smile.

Taking a seat in one of the soft seats in one of the central areas, between Philips and Charron, Philips patted him on the back. “Hey there, kid. How’ve you been?” Philips asked, his smooth voice and eyes as warm as ever.

“I’m fine, it's just…”

“Li, am I right?” Philips interrupted, a smirk on his face.

Sebastian nodded. “Yeah. He’s always got a stick up his-”

“Now, now, Sebastian,” Philips cut him off again, wagging a finger at him. “You know the rules about bad mouthing professors.”

Nodding once more, Sebastian looked away, back towards the main stage. However, as he looked, he noticed that in front of the stage, stood multiple Academy Guards, surveying the crowd, their uniforms making them almost impossible to see.

But why were there so many? Madam Antonov could easily suppress the entire crowd if she wanted. Why were more guards necessary?

Before Sebastian could ask Professor Philips, the lights faded out and he was forced to keep his question unanswered.

Antonov stood up, walking towards the lectern in the center, with her pristine gold-lined white suit and crimson cape settling perfectly around her. Her eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses, despite being inside. She wore her characteristic smile on her face. “Welcome, Halcyonian students!” Some cheers went up, mostly from the front of the auditorium. “Today… we will be starting the week-long celebration of the founding of the Republic!” She paused, allowing her words to sink in as more cheers and applause rang throughout the hall.

“Today, we have a special guest.” Antonov continued, taking a step away from the podium. “From the shining seat of the Republic, New Haven. A leader, a protector, a role model for us all.” She paused one last time, letting her words ring throughout the hall.

“Without further ado… please welcome to the stage,” Antonov said, her appearance appearing on the hologram above the stage, “The 81st President of the Republic and highest ranked Aetherite in the Republic! President Aaron Murray!”

In front of all of their eyes, right behind the podium, a spark of light appeared, shimmering as it grew, slowly at first, before forming into the form of a human.

As the light faded, a single man stood there.

Everyone in the audience froze in disbelief, Sebastian included. This was the most important person in the Republic. The Grand Protector of the Republic. And there he was, walking on-stage, with a warm smile, waving at the students. All the images showed him wearing armor or “battle-casual”, but here he was, wearing a matching white suit. Yet, he still dominated the stage with his presence.

Applause and cheers roared out from the audience. As the President waited for them to settle down, he adjusted the lectern with a wave of his hand and made his way over to the various officials and the principal, shaking their hands. As the audience quieted down and the officials walked offstage, he went back to the lectern, smiling as he took a deep breath.

“Greetings, Halcyon Academy!” Roars and applause rang out once more as he continued. “I’m very excited to talk with you all today. I’m proud of how this Academy is nurturing the thinkers, the fighters, and the leaders of tomorrow. My visit here today is-”

A small tremor passed through the hall, as if a small earthquake had just occurred. Sebastian frowned as he looked around, trying to see if anyone else had felt it. Professor Philips, who was uncharacteristically quiet, only shot Charron a look.

Something wasn’t right. Charron’s eyes widened, and so did many of the professors. As the President continued, he heard Philips whisper something to another professor.

A high-pitched buzz suddenly squealed across the entire auditorium. Sebastian clapped his hands around his ears as a disorienting feeling washed over him. Around him, students and other professors began to murmur and groan.

As Sebastian was trying to recover, the ceilings and doors shook once more, before exploding with a loud bang, adding more noise to the chaos. Armored soldiers crashed through, pouring into the auditorium, training their rifles on the students and the President.

The soldiers were covered in a different armor, one that resembled the Crimson Guard but wasn’t. The Academy Guards, to their credit, quickly drew their weapons, but before they could fight back, they were cut down by plasmafire.

Before anyone could react, the Aetherite professors quickly stood in front of the students nearest the attackers, ready to defend their students. Philips moved right in front of Sebastian as three soldiers moved towards him, guns raised.

“No sudden moves and nobody gets hurt. Everyone, on the ground,” a voice called out. One of the more armored soldiers stepped forward. This soldier was more armored in the rest, with full plate armor. “We’re here for one reason, and one reason only.”

The soldiers began to move towards the stage, keeping their guns trained on the President. “The President has long failed the ideals of the Republic. He has forsaken us! He fights this imaginary war against the slavers. No more! We refuse to waste our resources anymore!” Every soldier near the President pointed their rifles at the President. “Turn yourself in for the crimes, and we will let everyone else who follows our instructions live. Otherwise, you and everyone else dies here!” Everyone gasped in horror, except for the President on stage.

One of the Professors near Sebastian dove towards one of the soldiers, punching them across the face and reaching for the gun. It was Professor Philips.

The soldier fired a bolt, missing before hitting the ground, looking knocked out. As Philips turned to blast his Aether at the next soldier, nothing happened. No Aether, nothing. He was promptly shot. To Sebastian’s horror, he watched as the professor hit the ground with a thud. He had no idea what was going on, only that an Aetherite went down to a simple plasma bolt. That never happened, unless there was some sort of anti-Aetherite technique being used.

“A hero. Curious,” The soldier scoffed. “You better choose quickly, President. Time is not on your side. We’re willing to keep going down the line.”

President Murray glared at the dozens of attackers. He turned away from the front of the stage, shaking his head as he looked at his wristband. His skin began to glimmer once more as he finally spoke. “You’ll pay for this,” he whispered, the sound carrying across the hall. “No injustice goes unpunished.”

In another shimmer of light, the President was gone.

No one moved, confusion spreading throughout the audience.

“NO! FIRE!” The leader screamed.

Sebastian ducked, but it was already too late.

“GET THEM!” The soldiers turned on the auditorium and started to fire. “SEND THE WORD TO THE BOMB SQUADS!”

The auditorium exploded in chaos, Charron jumped on the closest soldier, bashing him to the ground. Plasma started to fly, and Sebastian dove for cover. But it was too late. A bolt struck him in his chest, and he started to lose consciousness.

Right before he passed out, he heard a familiar voice speak out, clear, over all the fighting.

“Enough.”

Time skidded to a halt, and the world froze.