"I don't understand you," Kilos said, simply asking for him to come out plainly.
Lantern Monroo smirked. He shrugged.
"You have always been the weak one, and you're stupid too. Your question should be 'what's up,'" Monroo mocked.
Monroo turned to see Fred, who stood confused and disturbed about what was going on. Fred was gripped with a guilty conscience, for he was responsible for how this place was known and he had exposed the residence of Kilos to Monroo.
Monroo shot Fred a look which suggested something he had to do, but he was fear-stricken. This signal was the sign of intruders, which, if acted on, Fred was to attack Kilos.
Allegiance had been taken and reversal was deadly. Panicking, Fred staggered forward to do as he was told, but his eyes caught Kilos who watched like a novice.
With the look of things, Kilos knew that Lantern Monroo was raising more disciples for himself than what the academy would have at the end of the session. In a short while, he had made them swear allegiance to the point that his roommate had involved himself.
By his calculation, every student under Lantern would soon be turned around against the academy, and ultimately against Kilos Barber.
"Do it or...," Monroo's order came like fire, and he felt fulfilled as he saw it coming to pass.
But he was shocked when he watched Fred flown past him from the kick of Kilos. Lantern Monroo's fast eyes followed the kick and then to where Fred finally ended. But then he looked at Kilos to see that the foot he used to kick was still in the air.
"Where did you get that?" Monroo's words dropped like a humble lamb.
There was no way he could respond. A word was enough for the wise.
"I have a message for you," Monroo finally decided to say why he had come. "All of the Stubborns, Specials have decided to have a competition," he hurriedly said and then walked out of the place.
Clearly, he was leaving with shame and his high shoulders were lowered by his sides.
---
A few minutes later, the lecturer arrived and started with a topic—Eyes.
Suddenly, she diverted to pass on some information.
"This divisional group would soon come to an end and you would have tasks in line with what you'd learnt. Your class captain would be instrumental to this because he had to present you in respect to what he taught you," McDonald casually said as a way of introduction.
Though this was not his lesson, it was useful information to Kilos. Throughout the lesson, he was lost because his group hadn't anything to show for his leadership style. Not informed about this before, he didn't know what exactly he had to teach them. He knew that the students would come to him after the class, and he wouldn't disappoint.
"Your eyes are your focal point, and that's power for you," McDonald's fluent delivery was captivating to everyone.
Before her class ended, questions were waiting for answers.
The students' point of discussion was the incident between Ria and Martin, the man who became blind while finding the culprit who broke into the laboratory. Then, his mere eyeball-to-eyeball contact made him lose his sight.
Arguments stirred and the class was thrown into confusion, some pointing accusing fingers at Ria for the misfortune, and others placing the blame on Martin who overstepped his limits.
When the class calmed, McDonald said: "You should wait until you get to magical-summoners class, everything shall be disclosed. But then, any method could be used to have victory. You should be ready." McDonald left with this word hanging in the spaces of their minds.
The class was almost empty for break. Kilos Barber wanted to go out too, but he noticed that Ria was sitting at the same spot where she sat for the recent lesson. It was like everyone had deserted her and classified her as dangerous. This new shift had been noticed for some time, and she was losing confidence in herself.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened to him," Kilos spoke in a quiet tone. "I know you have uncommon eyes, but you're good with them."
The fact that Kilos made her know that he was aware of her gift and the preference he gave made her bubble with happiness. But then, something indelible had happened—even if he forgot about the group members and tried to carry on.
"Kilos, I appreciate you, but Martin would always bring this memory to the academy. They'll call me names," Ria helplessly gave out her feelings.
"We're here to fight and to learn to use it to defend our state. That's what really matters. You have made a mark that would stand you out, don't be shy. You're a great girl," Kilos' encouragement sounded as if he had been through this before.
She found solace and a strong backbone in Kilos' words. Kilos, who had planned to speak with his group, was surprised that none of them called up to ask him something about what he had to present when the group terminated.
"Maybe they're famished. I'm famished too," he beckoned on Ria to follow.
Soon, they were at the cafeteria, which was the same place for both male and female. Boys were the common faces around here, but a few girls did show up. Kilos took it upon himself to serve Ria.
"Thank you," Ria said, appreciative of the gesture from Kilos.
"Don't mention," Kilos replied, sitting beside her. But he ate his food in a hurry, not really caring if anyone was watching.
"Like you have somewhere to go to," Ria's words caused him to stop his bread halfway.
Checking on his band, "Yeah," he responded to show he was minding the time.
"It's about the new class, right? I think we're lucky to have you lead," Ria said codedly without looking at him.
"Huh," Kilos chuckled.
He hadn't heard that statement before and he didn't see it coming. Before the age of five, both parents were gone without a trace. Poor Kilos didn't bother to look or make findings about them—findings could bring up something he wouldn't like to know about.
Life had been in the street and had always been about how to survive and live. There was no point in anything called ambition, as he believed that was good for the rich and influential. But his own plan was to deal with each day as it showed up.
When Lucas came up for him, he didn't feel comfortable at all. He knew he shouldn't be the right guy for the military service and state defense. He had declined by running as fast as he could, but then the hunter of young talents, gifts, and special abilities would not let sleeping dogs lie.
No words of affection from anywhere, so the statement of Ria was a huge compliment.
"I'd like to be your friend," Ria added softly but quickly.
Kilos was pleased with her, but he didn't know what reply to give.
---
Somewhere else, Lantern Monroo stood before his group.
"You'll have me to contend with if that bastard roommate of yours doesn't show up," Monroo spoke harshly to Fred, who was kneeling before him with a pleading look.
Obviously, Fred had faced molestation and accusations. From the look of things, his allegiance had caused trouble beyond his thought. Instead of gain, he had lost friendship—one who was dear—yet the battle was far from being over.
At nightfall, Kilos was with Le-an in the middle of the road leading back to the warehouse. She must have done something to get through gate but Kilos was didn't bother about that. The most important thing was to reach the warehouse.
But then at home, Fred was waiting to pressure him to meet Monroo.