One by one, the classes began to fill the main field. A cloudy sky hung overhead, adding to the gloomy and tense atmosphere of that morning. The teachers stood in a line on the side of the field, most of them looking anxious, as if they themselves didn't really know what was happening.
In the center of the field, a portable podium had been set up. Behind it stood several people dressed in neat black suits, Nexaris badges clearly pinned to their chests. Their faces were cold. Flat. Showing no emotion whatsoever.
The school speaker came back on. This time the voice sounded clearer—heavy and firm.
"Good morning, students. We ask for your attention and cooperation.
At this time, in coordination with the school and international agencies, a global preventive measure will be taken against a potential biological anomaly.
We urge all students to remain calm, stay in the area, and follow the instructions of the staff. This procedure is preventive and poses no danger. Please do not cause any commotion."
The voice stopped. All that remained were whispers of anxiety among the students.
"Biological anomaly? What does that even mean?" murmured one student, furrowing her brow.
"Are you serious? The language is so scary…" whispered another, her eyes nervously glancing at the row of Nexaris vehicles parked in the lot and some on the field.
Liam stood between Levi and Kael, but his mind was elsewhere. His gaze darted around wildly, like a hunted animal searching for an escape route.
"Lii… hey… Liam," Levi whispered softly from behind. His face tensed.
Liam turned cautiously, making sure no one was watching. "Why?"
Levi took a deep breath. "Come here, swap hoodies."
Liam's eyes widened. "Are you crazy, Vi? You'll be in trouble if the teacher finds out. I don't want to get you involved again."
But without saying much, Levi forced him to hand over his hoodie. "When the situation starts to ease… try to escape."
They crouched alternately behind the crowd. Within seconds, their hoodies and positions were swapped. Levi also gave him a mask. Fortunately, the crowd was dense and moving slowly. It was hard to distinguish them among the other students.
Liam put on the hoodie nervously, his eyes scanning the area. His left hand slowly clenched, as if his body was preparing for something uncertain.
Kael gently nudged his arm. "You okay, bro?"
Liam only nodded, though deep inside… something dark and unfamiliar began to stir. Fear and guilt crept in, slowly embedding themselves like thorns.
A few minutes later, a Nexaris officer stepped onto the podium. He was different from the others—wearing a white lab coat over a black uniform, a digital tablet in his hand. His face was calm, his voice firm.
"Attention all students.
I am Rhea Erlic, and today I will be leading the examination process."
His eyes swept across the field before refocusing on the tablet screen in his hand.
"As part of a global prevention protocol against potential biological anomalies, we will carry out the established procedures simultaneously in various regions.
This step is an effort to maintain the stability and health of the productive youth population.
We hope all students will cooperate and follow the instructions in an orderly manner."
Some students began to show worried expressions. Rhea continued.
"The examination will be conducted in three stages:
First, an initial blood test.
Each student will have their blood sample taken, which will then be mixed with biological reagents—special fluids designed to respond to non-standard components in human blood.
If your blood reacts normally, the examination is considered complete. However, if the blood shows abnormal signs—such as darkening, thickening, or producing other visual effects—the student will be directed to the second stage."
The officers began distributing small boxes containing rapid blood collection kits.
"The second stage is a systemic examination.
We have devices that can scan and analyze key biological parameters—including extreme emotional levels, immune system function, and the body's regenerative capabilities. Our goal is to detect deviations from human biological standards."
Liam bowed his head. His heart began to race irregularly. The words "regeneration" and "extreme emotions" felt like a hammer blow to his mind.
Rhea spoke again, this time in a more serious tone.
"If both stages indicate a tendency toward anomalies, the student will be taken to the nearest facility for further evaluation.
We emphasize again—this is not a form of punishment. It is a form of protection. For you, and for the surrounding environment."
She paused for a moment, giving the information time to sink in.
"To avoid panic and maintain order, the examination will not be conducted in the field."
The students began to exchange glances. Tension spread silently.
"Instead, our team will visit each class in turn.
We hope all students will return to their classrooms and wait for direct instructions from the officers."
The teachers immediately began guiding the students to their classrooms. Nexaris officers stood guard along the hallway. Some carried large metal suitcases and diagnostic equipment.
The atmosphere changed. There was no more laughter. Only anxious silence.
Liam walked slowly alongside Levi and Kael. But inside him, chaos was already unstoppable.
And perhaps… time was running out.
Upon returning to the classroom, some students began causing a commotion. Some parents had arrived at the school—perhaps the information had already leaked, and the media had published it. Liam began observing the chaos unfolding at the school gate. Levi started signaling to flee as some guards began watching him.
The crowd grew chaotic. Voices of fear, students' complaints, and even faint shouts from some teachers trying to calm the situation blended into a symphony of chaos.
Not far from the classroom line, Levi stepped out of the student formation deliberately. He took a deep breath, then shouted loudly.
"Hey! Someone's fainted over there! Quick, call the medical staff!"
The voice immediately caught everyone's attention—including several Nexaris officers who immediately moved toward the direction Levi had pointed. In the chaos, some panicked students followed suit, creating a small crowd that disrupted the formation.
One of the Nexaris agents approached, observing Levi through his dark sunglasses.
"You! Stay where you are!"
But Levi slowly backed away, drawing even more attention.
"I have to help my friend—he just collapsed, I swear! Don't just stand there watching!"
Some teachers began blocking other students trying to see what was happening, but Nexaris's main focus was now on Levi.
And that's when Liam moved.
He slipped to the edge of the crowd, his head bowed, his face half-covered by Levi's gray hoodie. With a mask covering part of his face, he walked quickly yet deliberately, pushing through the gaps in the disorganized lines caused by mass panic. The media, who had arrived since morning, began spreading along the school fence, some even breaking through, pointing cameras and microphones in all directions.
"Is this really an anomaly check?"
"Why didn't the school inform us of the schedule?"
"Is it true that there are students suspected of biological anomalies here?"
The media spotlight exacerbated the situation. Parents began to arrive, some of them forcing their way through the gate. Meanwhile, teachers and school staff were overwhelmed by the uncontrollable situation.
However, as Liam passed through the corner of the hallway toward the side of the main building, one of the Nexaris officers holding a handheld scanner suddenly turned sharply. The red light from the device flashed once as Liam passed by.
"Wait—"
The officer's voice was barely audible amid the chaos. He stepped forward, but the body of a parent forcing their way in accidentally blocked his view.
The scanner returned to standby mode. No further reaction.
Liam held his breath, pausing briefly behind the wall, his heart pounding like a war drum.
"That was close…" he thought.
He touched his left chest, trying to calm the uncontrollable beat. But his eyes—hidden behind the shadow of his hoodie—now glowed faintly in a pale red hue.
"If they're really focused… I won't get away forever."
With his body still trembling slightly, he moved again. Quick steps. Calm. Without looking back.