Kilos knew that voice never lied. He looked at the door as the best option, but then the handle of the door turned. Surprisingly, the door didn't open. Kilos was ootimiy that he could have escaped if only he had known this in time.
The handle was turned several times, yet they still couldn't gain access.
Then Wallace opened.
"Why would you lock yourself in?" Lucas questioned the awestruck students, who were all staring, trying to figure out what this was about.
The students' eyes shifted to Dr. Le-an and the men behind her, and to Lucas, who didn't even glance at Wallace. Lucas said nothing, but with his hand under his chin, he appeared deep in thought, perhaps wondering if the students were playing some sort of prank.
Not seeing the person he had expected, he walked toward them. As he moved closer, the students saw that the doctor had actually been arrested—there were handcuffs on her wrists.
"If I find out that any of you is hiding something—or rather, someone—you will face the authority," Lucas said, dropping what was clearly intended as a threat before walking away.
At that moment, when Lucas had come in, Kilos had crouched low and picked up Ria's spectacles, using them as a disguise.
"I think there's a criminal in our midst. You can see what I'm talking about," Wallace directed his words to Kilos, though he couldn't bring himself to look at him directly.
---
Kilos had missed a night away from home. He decided to return after the class, but first, he was worried about Le-an. Knowing fully well that this could have a negative effect on her job, his mind was filled with thoughts of what to do.
According to his reasoning, visiting the school authority on his own seemed the most reasonable thing to do. He felt that if he had been invited, he would have obliged, and that would have carried some honor—rather than a public arrest. Kilos knew she must have gone through a lot for him. He concluded that the best course of action was to look for Lucas before Lucas came for him.
On his way, he heard footsteps running in his direction, but he didn't want to look back. He didn't want to engage with anyone at the moment—his heart was heavy. But then, the follower reached his side.
"We can go together, right?" Fred tapped him on the shoulder with a broad smile. "I waited all night for you."
"Thanks, Fred," Kilos replied.
Fred took that as an opening for more conversation. He was one of the students under Lantern Monroo's leadership and had some stories to share.
"Do you know Monroo? I'm in his class," he asked excitedly but didn't wait for a reply before continuing to chatter. He was only letting out what had been on his mind.
Fred recounted their tough training sessions with various professors. Some of the names he mentioned had also visited Kilos's class. But there was a difference—Lantern Monroo had selected a few students, given them a name, and told them that the name had been approved by the academy.
"What's the name and the operation?" Kilos Barba interjected, his eyebrows raised.
"No," Fred shrugged. "We swore allegiance," he said casually, as if he didn't quite grasp what that truly meant.
How on earth could Lantern Monroo be so callous? Every chance he had, he made people submit to his lordship.
"If you don't want to tell me, I suggest we drop this topic," Kilos said, subtly pressing for more. But Fred truly shut his mouth this time.
So Fred wasn't as foolish as Kilos had thought.
Two boys ahead of them were chatting as they walked slowly. In no time, Kilos and Fred caught up and passed them, but then Kilos felt something was off. He stopped abruptly and looked back.
When he turned around, there it was—the monster. Clothed in fur, with bulging eyes and sharp claws, it was charging toward them. In an instant, Kilos leapt to the side.
"So, it's you," Kilos said, surprised to see Manny in his monster form. "And you're careless during the day?"
"I challenge you to a fight tonight!" Manny declared as he shifted back into human form.
While this was happening, Tiffany remained silent, though his face was filled with wonder. He couldn't understand how Kilos had changed so drastically in less than a week—especially given the information they'd had before going to the cafeteria. They'd learned that Kilos couldn't even punch a bag.
As Kilos left them, Tiffany finally spoke his mind: "Let Kilos Barba be."
That was sharp and unexpected.
"Are you talking to me, huh?" Manny's voice was filled with bitterness and rage. He stormed off.
Tiffany couldn't fathom how his friend had reached that conclusion about Kilos.
Both friends entered the room. Kilos lay on his back on the bed. Manny's challenge was heavy on his mind. He realized the advantage one might have if they could truly connect with a monstrous form—or perhaps even some other kind of creature.
Every student should have a backup.
"Do you think you can face Manny with that thing?" Fred, who had noticed the shift in Kilos's expression, broke into his thoughts.
Of course, he was right. Besides the heavy mood he had been carrying earlier, the challenge from Manny had added to his list of worries. He'd never had a fight like that before.
"I don't know yet," he said, rising and checking his watch. "Oh, my wrist..." He was amazed he hadn't treated it in a while—and had nearly forgotten he'd been injured. It wasn't that he felt any pain, but the sudden awareness that he hadn't felt anything wrong seemed worth celebrating.
There was no need for treatment anymore. He was already healed.
Three things now begged for correlation: the young fighters he had seen in his trace, the footsteps of the naked boy, and the voice that had guided and saved him from many problems.
For now, though, he needed to focus on how to handle Manny.
The time for the fight was close, and it wouldn't bring much shame if he were defeated—especially if things played out as he anticipated. Only Tiffany would be present, which would help minimize how widely the news could spread. As for Kilos, he planned to drop Fred. That way, the roommate wouldn't know what might have happened.
He checked his band. The expected hour was approaching—fast. And true to form, Fred was ready to accompany him to see Manny again. To get rid of him, Kilos Barba pretended to have fallen asleep—his eyes shut tightly, his breathing suddenly deep and heavy.
"Kilos, I need to know why you were chosen to lead your group. I thought you had a weak wrist," Fred asked innocently, though his curiosity was strong.
But as far as Kilos was concerned, Fred had crossed a line. Still, he remembered that the act must continue. After all, there would be another time to silence him over that insult.
Fred observed the silence. Realizing Kilos wasn't far—just resting—he decided to let him be. He chose to rest as well.
The day had been full of one issue after another for all the students. By this time, the other roommates still hadn't returned. While thinking about them, Fred adjusted his pillow, and that was all it took—he soon drifted into sleep.
Now, the road was clear for Kilos to go out. But as he opened the door, he met Efron—moving somewhere between walking and crawling, like a crawly fish. He stopped, unable to continue in the direction he'd intended.
"Efron, who did this to you?" Kilos cried out, his voice full of emotion, rushing forward to catch him from falling. "Is this from our mates?"
Helping him inside, he discovered Efron had suffered internal injuries. There was an urgent need to get him to the hospital. Efron couldn't speak—he just left everything in Kilos's hands.
Fred woke up to the shock.
The two of them headed out at once.