Escorted by two men, Kilos was taken back to the cell room, unsure of what could become of him. His room was simple, featuring a narrow bed surrounded by iron bars that allowed him to see the environment around him. This particular cell had a mobile design, suspended above the ground in such a way that, by looking below, he could see a far distance. Occasionally, students passed through the open spaces underneath, their voices and footsteps echoing faintly up to where he was held.
Silence reigned within him. Kilos had only one thing in mind—to return to where he had stopped and finish what he had started. Thoughts of the warehouse, the strange boy, and the footsteps still filled his mind. There was something there, something important that he could not explain. It drew him more powerfully than fear or rules ever could.
The sudden alarm from the band on his wrist pulled his attention away from his meditation. He realized he could have checked it earlier; after all, he still had unfinished assignments to attend to. There were students who were waiting for his direction regarding another class scheduled for the next day. He pulled the band down from his wrist and removed it completely. Immediately after doing so, the screen went blank.
"Disconnection!"
Kilos felt a deep sense of being cut off—not just from the academy's system, but from something deeper, something central to who he was becoming.
---
The following morning, in another part of the academy, Dr. Le-an was moving from class to class. Her reason was simple—she was looking for Kilos. They had unfinished discussions, and he had not shown up for his required treatment, which was practically impossible to avoid. Worried, she had decided to find him herself, even if it meant humbling her esteemed position.
"Hello," she greeted some level one students. "Have you seen Kilos?"
She approached a group of four boys, hoping they might be cooperative. But the boys, as if suspicious of her, didn't offer the answer she hoped for.
"Who's that?" the tallest one asked, pretending not to know who Kilos was. He turned to the other three, who gave no answer and quickly dispersed into a larger group of students, disappearing into the crowd.
Unfazed by their reaction, Dr. Le-an moved forward and repeated her question to others nearby. But the look on the faces of those who bothered to listen was eerie—as if they knew something she didn't, or thought she already knew what she was asking about.
Unknown to Dr. Le-an, those same boys were actually waiting for Kilos. They were his assigned group and were deeply attached to him. However, filtered rumors had been circulating. With a stranger asking questions, it was no surprise they were suspicious. They were only waiting for someone they trusted to clarify the truth.
"I know what to do," Dr. Le-an muttered to herself, walking purposefully toward a building located at the other side of the academy road. It was the Information Centre of the academy.
There were soldiers stationed at the entrance. One of them waved at her in recognition. She smiled, nodded, and entered. Just beyond the door stood a burly man behind a strange-looking machine, which emitted a narrow beam of light that scanned everyone who entered, particularly focusing on the skull. Dr. Le-an noted this peculiarity but said nothing.
Advancing to another door within the centre, she prepared to enter the office she needed. But as she stepped through, a soldier inside pointed a pistol at her.
"What's going on here? I'm no criminal!" she protested, alarmed and trying to resist the apparent arrest.
But before she could say more, other men entered, flanking the burly man from earlier.
"Dr. Le-an," the man began, his tone stern, "you have something to explain regarding the recent break-in at the academy's laboratory. Our scans show you're a match."
Her jaw dropped in disbelief.
---
Meanwhile, Kilos Barber sat in his suspended cell, watching the band blink without producing a message.
"Why?" he muttered. He picked it up and strapped it back onto his arm. Suddenly, messages flooded in. He quickly skimmed through them, searching for the most pressing ones. Two stood out: one was a summons to attend a class, and the other simply read, "I'm waiting for you right now."
He had been invited to a class that would begin in just five minutes.
"You belittle yourself, and I don't know what you're doing here," the usual voice inside his head challenged him.
Angered by the scolding, Kilos snapped back, "Easier said than done, boy. Come out and show me!"
"How did you escape from the laboratory?" the voice asked again, goading his memory.
"How? How?" Kilos repeated. He wasn't sure, but he recalled making a leap out of the building, saving Dr. Le-an at a critical moment. Had he really done that in his right mind?
That memory sparked a fresh surge of determination. If he could do that, then surely he could help himself out of this cell. Trying couldn't hurt.
"Whoosh—whoosh!" he inserted his hands into the narrow gap between the iron rods and pushed with all his strength. He felt a slight give. Encouraged, he went further. Testing the space, he found that his head could pass through. Gathering his strength, he forced his entire body out.
---
The Summoners class was ancient and primitive, yet the academy had preserved it as an elective for those bold enough to choose it. The class was led by a strange, ugly man who served as its anchor.
"Which of you would prefer this as your main course? First to say it out loud gets it!" he barked at the assembled students.
Perhaps he was eager to mold someone in his image, or perhaps he was looking for a true successor.
"I heard this course is extremely delicate. It could involve things beyond the ordinary," Kilos remarked cautiously from the back seat. But he was stunned by the cold and judgmental looks aimed at him by his classmates. They still hadn't forgiven him for nearly missing the class.
"You haven't answered my question," Professor Bash replied, standing with crossed arms and an expression that resembled frustration or challenge. He wasn't ready to proceed until he got what he wanted.
"Suppose I decide to be that one," Ria said, speaking from the middle row.
Professor Bash immediately invited her to the front, clearly pleased. He suspected that the other students might abandon the class eventually, but Ria showed promise.
"You're about to embark on a journey that will change your mind and blow you away," Bash said dramatically, speaking of the Summoners art with reverence.
To Kilos, Bash's character was off-putting, even suspicious, but the subject was too important to ignore.
The class wasn't long, but it was an eye-opener. According to Bash, whenever a student felt a deep emotional or spiritual connection to a place, that location could serve as a portal or channel for summoning. But he warned them not to bring in evil forces from the earth or the skies.
He didn't give specific techniques yet, leaving the students both mystified and eager for the next lesson.
"Captain," Bash called, gesturing to Kilos.
Kilos rushed forward, unsure of what to expect.
"You annoyed me today—but your question was good," Bash said, then disappeared out of the class without another word.
Kilos was unsure how to feel—complimented or insulted. As he turned around, he was met with angry looks from his classmates. He had almost caused them to miss the class.
"We've looked everywhere for you. Would you care to explain to the class what happened?" asked Prys, the tall boy who had spoken with Dr. Le-an earlier.
Before Kilos could respond, the other three boys from Prys' group stepped forward.
"How can a wanted boy lead us?" Wallace said, pointing an accusing finger.
"How could you accuse me of something like that?" Kilos retorted. He was unaware of any new accusations.
Even Ria joined in, speaking harshly, "Why would you speak to our class rep like that?"
"I am not a wanted man!" Kilos shouted, frustrated.
But inside, he was shaken. He wasn't sure what Prys knew or what rumors had been confirmed in his absence. He decided not to argue further until there was evidence.
"I'll defend myself because—" his voice trailed off.
A voice whispered in his ear again.
"What did you say?" Kilos asked, trying to catch the missed message.
"Leave this place—or you'll be caught," the voice warned.
He had just been informed—and he had no time to waste.