Kaiser Ysvelt Daymore. A name that strikes fear to the whole student body. Firstly, his persuasion. Politics, debates, and even contract negotiations. He has it playing carefully and uncontestably at his fingertips. Next, his martial prowess, he's held the position of student council president for 4 years now, and not once did he lose to a fight, whether in words or by fists.
And lastly, and the most dangerous, is his ability. While most of House Daymore had light-based abilities, like Lady Emma said, Kaiser deviated from his family line, and instead gained his ability to mimic abilities. With that ability, he became the most versatile ability user, and as such, the most dangerous opponent.
Now that dangerous person, was using Theo's ability to root me in place. What did I get into this time?
He sat down, and moved the untouched chocolate drink Theo ordered, he was smiling, but underneath that smile was unmistakble vehemence and revulsion. The signs of an elitist. And a sign that I was in so much trouble.
"So... Marc Callahan Noan. Adopted son of the Noan Orphanage. Not only do you belong to a family of bleeding hearts, but you're also an adopted stain." He began, even his voice was laced with vicious venom. "How is your brother Elios? His name is Elios right?"
"Don't bring him into this." I snapped angrily and received a fist in reply. My glasses flew across the room and Theodore flinched.
"Tut tut... Where are your manners Callahan. You're talking with your senior." Kaiser pulled my head, his fingers digging at my scalp. "No need to be so dismissive."
"What do you want?" I asked, but Kaiser tightens his grip. This guys has ridiculous strength for a 16 year old.
"Hush... You don't get to ask questions Callahan. And you are only required to answer MY questions." Kaiser smiled wickedly, his eyes were morphing from blue to a dangerous red hue, but what was surprising was it was becoming more and more like my eye color.
"Do you know what a calla lily is Callahan?" He asked but then retracts. "No don't answer that, I hate hearing your voice. Anyways, calla lilies, beautiful flowers, but are scentless, has no purpose but to beautify a room; Decorations, nothing more... And you, are nothing more but a trinket. So I suggest, no wait... I order you to stay a decoration. Your little bout with McKenna, while I commend you to root out a pathetic existence in the aristocracy, you are still, and never will, be part of the aristocracy."
"That's not even my goal!" I reasoned but Kaiser was now choking the air out of me, he was pressing his forearm right at my throat. The psychokinesis was preventing me from resisting him.
"You're exhausting my patience Callahan, so let me remind you one last time... DON'T. STAND. OUT. Or else... your little brother will be the receiving end of the stick. And I'm sure you don't want him to see your angered state again?" Kaiser whispered venomously. Even though I can't see his facial expression, his tone alone told me he wasn't playing around. "Remember Callahan... I have eyes everywhere. So don't fight back."
"President Daymore... Your appointment is nearing." Someone behind us spoke, a girl, but I couldn't see who it was, Kaiser was blocking my view. Kaiser sighs and releases his grip, I was gasping and coughing for air by the time he was finished. My vision was spinning and disoriented.
"You got lucky Callahan, you should be thankful for Phoebe. Now then, if you'll excuse me, I have other plans. And Scifios, no need to look scared. That threat about closing down St. Binah? That was just a joke. Escort your decoration back to your room." Kaiser howled in a laugh I can never forget. He was dangerous. I could feel my limbs again, the grip was and I was shaking. There was no way someone's power was that domineering.
'Remember Callahan... I have eyes everywhere.'
His reminder was chilling to the bone, it was the first time I feel sheer terror from someone's power. Kaiser was no joke.
"M-Marc... I'm sorry for doing this, President Kaiser gave me no choice and-" Theo gave me my glasses back, but it the right side len was cracked.
"Enough... I don't blame you Theo... Can you help me up?" I requested his help, Theo was surprisingly taller than me, which hurt my pride as an older brother yet again. Why do I have short genes again?
"Should I send you to Doctor Belforma?" Theo asked and I shuddered. If Doc sees me all injured again his veins will pop.
"C-can you just set me down? Preferably in a mirror?" I asked politely. He did so and I look at my reflection, my lips was bleeding and I could taste my blood. My glasses needs to be fixed too.
I took the lens and applied telekinetic energy, weaving the broken pieces together. The only problem was my focus. Kaiser's voice was playing on repeat. And who the heck was Phoebe? So many things were racking my head, and not just because of Kaiser's beatings.
"Marc, are you sure you're fine? You look like you'll keel over." Theodore complained and I smiled at him.
"Don't worry about me lad. Just focus on your studies and keep out of trouble. And uh... Don't get too involved with me. I don't want anyone to be under Kaiser's radar as well." I reassured him but he shakes his head.
"I'm already under his radar. Da recommended me as Kaiser's protoge." He said and my blood felt cold. How could he do that?
"Y-your da did? Is that what you wanted?" I asked, my voice sounding desperate and hesitant.
"Well... I did told him vaguely that I wanted to be a better son, but I never expected him to connect me with Senior Daymore." He smiled weakly. "When he and I first met, I thought I was going to be all right. But then, news of McKenna being wiped the floor by you circulated among the student body, an adopted son from the B-Class. He showed me his true colors. He found out you and I were classmates, so... He threathened me to report to my da about having insecurities."
Wait... Theo's having insecurities?! Why? He's having a good life with his family.
"Back up for a minute pal... Why are you having insecurities? You're the son of the most powerful psionic healers." I asked. "You're basically a silver spoon."
"That's the point! I... I don't want to be a burden to da! But I can't... No matter how much I tried... I can't do it." He said, tears streaming down his face.
"Do what exactly? Theo... What are you hiding from them?" I asked but he wouldn't answer. I sighed and I don't know why, but I peered through his head, I need to know. Even though we were never raised together, Theo is my little brother.
Memory Walk. I only used it a couple of times, but Theo's mind is unstable. Making it dangerous to perform even telepathically. But even if it's dangerous, I have to try to understand him. His memories of his childhood were great, spending their time together in the everwinter landscape of Lysensa, enjoying laughter by the dinner table. Making friends in his kindergarten, even his acceptance letter. So what was making him so uneasy? All of it were instances of happiness.
'I have to do better...' Theo's voice said, and I followed it. 'I need to be able to use the healing psionic.'
Then I saw the memory. I saw his psyche, inside a dimly litted room, hunched over a stack of medical books, Theo was scribbling from his notebook about theories on psionic healing. Why was he doing that, he's practically a prodigy. Then I saw it... He can't use his psionic power to heal, when he touched the plant he was suppose to mend, it withered. Psionic Deterioration... The absolute opposite of healing.
'Why? I'm their first born? Why do I have this?!' Theo sobbed. 'Da... Ma... What should I do?'
I broke myself out of the link. I can now understand Theo's pain and constant nervousness. He was led to believe that he was the first born son. Randolph and Ashe... What were you thinking?!
"Theo? Care to help me to Doctor Belforma?" I requested him to take his mind off from my question.
"S-sure. Come on then..." He helped me up. When we got to the clinic and Doc saw me, his smile became sadistic and he grabbed me by the ear.
"I see you still haven't learn from yesterday kid... I've got a new stock of medical supplies, should we test it out?" He said while pulling my cheeks.
"O-ow!!! DOC!!!" I said in a pained but laughing tone.
"What happened to you this time Noan?" Doc asked as he applied ointment on my cheek.
"Kaiser Daymore happened." I said and Doc sighed.
"I knew it was only a matter of time. And what's Scifios doing here?"
Theodore flinched like a squirrel, which made me snicker a bit.
"He was just passing by when he saw me." I lied, I don't want anyone else knowing that Theo was forced to help Kaiser. I don't want his image in school be broken because of me.
"I see... Well, thanks for that kid. Leave this troublemaker to me. Don't worry, he'll still suffer History Class with you all later."
I shuddered, from what I hear from the other students, the history teacher, Professor Melissa Ainsworth, was foreboding and will drone the lesson when she's in the zone.
When Theodore left and we were left alone, I looked away from Doc as much as possible. But I could feel his murderous aura already. I could only sweat coldly and smile nervously.
"Injured on your second day huh? You must be asking for my newly concocted medicines." He pats my shoulder and I could feel his gaze piercing my skull.
"P-please be gentle." I whimpered and he began prodding me with needles and bandages.
2 minutes of harsh medication later, my body was light. Like I was ready to ascend to heaven. My whole body ached and relevied at the same time.
"Is it just me... Or does that kid look a lot like you. I mean, minus the golden hair and blue eyes of course." Doc pondered after writing up a tardy slip for me.
"I... Can't say. Not because I trust you doc but -" I stammered but Doc raised his hand.
"Details of your drama do not interest me. I was just wondering out loud." Doc said non-chalantly. "Anyways kid, President Daymore is putting you under his radar huh? That's not a good sign."
"Doc, you've been here long. Can you tell me more about him?" I asked but Doc could only smile in a condescending way.
"Me? Know him? Of course I know that impertinent scumbag. Heck, he's the reason I'm overworked for the past few years. Now he's putting you in my patient's list and you're just the fourth!" Doc rambled and complained but I stopped listening to him when I heard there were three more people under his list.
"Wait wait wait... fourth? Who're the other three?" I inquired in curiousity and Doc just gave me a ludicurous look.
"Small talk's over kid, head back to class. Unless you want a de-merit that is." He said and I sighed, why did he let me hear that there are others who are under Kaiser's list?
When I got back the classroom, History Class was about to begin. The teacher, Professor Ainsworth was looking through her files, her ghastly white hair and slanted eyes were enough to be signs that the class will be the most dreadful time of the day. Her pale pink dress and amethyst brooch made it hard for me to look at her since it reminds me of a lavender patch back at home. When I got seated, she then began her lesson.
And the topic was about the Noble Houses. The 7 Notable houses that I know of are; Mathis, Maxwell, Daymore, Kresnik, Narukami, Scifios, and Alencon. According to the lesson, most of the noble lines are responsible in keeping the balance of power in Deus Alma, but the current holder of the title of President belongs to the Cairus Family. I never heard of their dealings, nor their children, but what I know is their ability is heavily classified. Or so I believed, honestly I think I fell asleep during that class.
By the time we reached the classification of the class system of the world throughout the years, the bell rang, and all of us took a collective sigh of relief. Professor Ainsworth drooly assigned us a five page long essay about the aristocratic system of Deus Alma and it is to be submitted next week Tuesday. By the time she left, most of the class left as well, leaving only the seven of us for Thaumaturgy, back at the room. While I gathered my thoughts, I noticed something was missing from my bag... My journal, the one thing I treasured sice it was a gift from Mom and Keith about what I feel about.
Why was it missing? I know I packed it and never leave home without it.
I took everything off my bag and it really wasn't there. Where was my journal?!
"Looking for something?"
I spun around and Blake Mathis was giving me a sympathetic look, his teal eyes blazed with compassion.
"My journal... it's missing from my bag." I said in a panicky voice. Blake sighs and pats my shoulder.
"It's going to be rough from here on out Marc. I'm sorry to say this but, you should've heed my warning before." He said and walks away. "Your journal will be sent to your mailbox later this night. Kaiser... will make sure of that."
Kaiser again? Why? I didn't do anything worth noting today! Then it him me...
'Remember Callahan... I have eyes everywhere.'
I now understand what he meant. And understand my position in this jungle.
I am now a prey.
That afternoon, when Blake warned me of Kaiser's threat, it really was happening in real time.The Class-A students were vicious, at one time at lunch, they trampled on my foot and didn't even apologized. They cut in line as if I was invisible to them. Worse of all... They ganged up on me.Three kids, (I didn't even want to name them) loaded on their Geokinesis on me, splattering me with sand, mud, and hard stones. Next, the daughter of the Bevel family threw knives at my direction, and she even told me I was getting in the way of her target practice.Then finally, at Physical Education, every single person either brushed their elbows, knees, and kicks my ribs, my thighs, my gut, and my shin.'This... god damn president.' I held it in. I can't let this get to me. Kaiser told me that if I step out of line... I'll be in something worse.I got home all sore and battered. But not before getting black tea. I needed the extra drink if I want to relax a bit. Under the night sky of Clandesca,
'Hey... it's your boy, Impulse. Are you sure attacking the student council is the best course of action?' You know it's bad when your own impulsivity is questioning your actions. But I said to myself; consequences be damned, I didn't do anything, yet why did Elios became like that? Anger flooded my senses, all I could think of was getting revenge. And those who hide Kaiser from me, will suffer my wrath. The student council members were gasping for air as I levitated them from their feet, sky blue energy enveloped their necks and mouths. "Where is he? Where is that Son of a Bitch?!" I shouted and sent a pulse of energy, their eyes were overtaken by the same energy as the ones that is strangling them. The voices from their heads are rushing towards me like a flood, all of them are saying the same thing: 'He's insane!' 'This guy's got a death wish.' "Maybe you need more persuasion." I said and released another pulse of energy, some of them were now having bloody nostrils, while ot
"So in other words you want me to make Elios hate me?"I tried my best not to shout but this is about Elios' future. Why is he handing me the future of my little brother to me? And Elios always dreamed to study in Lupus Alma, are they just telling me to make my brother quit his dream?!"Marc, I know this is a tall order. But think of it as a way to protect your brother." Doctor Belforma tried to convince me."I don't want to hurt my brother's feelings. This isn't fair. Not to me, and certainely not to him!" I said flatly."Marc...""Don't make me do this." I walked out towards the balcony, the setting sun was dreary and the clouds were moving slowly. So this is what it means to be sad. Time seems to slow down and the day just wouldn't end.Then I sensed someone approach from behind, it was Doctor Belforma. Looking all haggard and pensive with my mood.He didn't say a word but instead, he offered a stick of cigarette."I don't smoke Doc." I said pensievely."Don't worry, it doesn't hav
6:45 pm... I got to the gym 15 minutes too early. The Alley Ring, despite its crude name, it lives up to its reputation as a perfect training ground for underdogs. Still... Vann was making a weird face when I accepted the invite. Still I entered the building, and was immediately greeted by a blast of red lightning. Fortunately, it missed me by an inch, but it did frazzled my hair a bit. The person who shot that blast was wearing a black sleeveless training gear. His golden hair was cut in a pixie style, and his crimson eyes crackled with energy. He looked like he was in his mid-20's. "Woah, sorry about that! I guess the barrier was turned off!" He said with an apologetic grin. Why does he look familiar? "It's alright. I should be the one to say sorry, coming in 15 minutes early is a wee bit much ain't it?" I shook my head and he extends his hand for me to shake. "I'm er... Seth. Yeah, Seth. Nice to meet you." He said. 'Almost gave away my real name.' His mind said, he must be rea
Blake Anthony Mathis.I once read that he was a powerful pyromancer and practitioner of lost martial arts. Guess the resource material wasn't exaggerated.Blake's attacks were fluid, dangerous, and extremely precise. His flames were all burning azure, mesmerizing flames scattered like petals in a summer breeze; elegant, but deadly.I had a hard time fighting the guy, aside from his flames, he was a practitioner in close quarter combats. His fists connected with my face everytime I tried to levitate an object off the ground, or he would break my focus by blasting a wave of heat and fire."Get serious with me Noan." Blake shouted as I blocked his fist encased in flames with my ability. Eventhough I didn't make contact with it, it was still burning and damaging my hands. "Or is your resolve to avenge Elios that weak?"That hit a nerve..."Screw it." I snarled and tossed Blake aside with my psychokinesis, the sky blue energy wrapped around his body prevented him from being too hurt from t
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.That's the sound that woke me up from the darkness that shorud my eyes. The blurry gaze I made was so annoying, I instinctively tried to grab my glasses, only to feel that I couldn't move them. Then I see fog, then realized I was wearing an oxygen mask and realized I was in a hospital.'Holy shit is he awake?' Vann's thoughts was playing in my mind. Why is he here, and... Did I sleep that long?"Get Doc! Hurry Vann!!" This time it was Seth, he sounded so frantic. And it was actually his voice that spoke.A few minutes later, a forceful hand began to open my eye lids and flashed a light directly at my cornea."Hey, you alive yet or something?" The familiar sadistic tone of Doctor Belforma made my eye twitch."He's awake. Though he is still weak, given that the impact made him lose consciosness and the fact a blunt object struck his head." Doc said nonchalantly. And that made me annoyed."Is he going to be all right though?" Vann asked, and this is the first time I hea
4 weeks have passed since the Simulation Tests.The days in class were dull and completely... devoid of excitement, we weren't allowed to take on missions because Miss Emma found out about Eula helping Theo out in the final test. So, as a team, we were placed under probation.Our class today was with Mr. Icarus, our new topography and history professor. He had a droning voice, and half of the class will fall asleep in just 10 minutes. I was drifting away in memories because the class was dull. Brave and foolish considering I was in front of the teacher, but the topic... was all about the Land of Senzaku. So naturally, I zoned out. But not to a pleasing memory:'Remember, in this household, trust nothing but your strength.'The sound of wooden swords clashing against each other, the screams of pain. The agonizing pleas of mercy, and the ever distant yet ever present thunderstorm that shines above us. The shade of the violet gardens that made me fear the outside, and the tumultuous voic
"This has to be a prank, right?" I asked as we read the invitation. I mean, sure Kaiser is known to be ruthless, but I never anticipated him to do something so drastic."Sadly, Marc is not fond of pranks, in fact. He never makes one, sure he can tease, but not in this scale." Mrs. Noan said."That's true, Marc's too serious to make jokes like this. And remember something Diego. Marc and Kaiser aren't on the best of terms." Vann notes.True, but Marc not pranking? What kind of person is he?"So Kaiser is making his move." Sir Auron said gravely. "This is sooner than expected.""And who do we all blame for the delays?" I snapped and Vann shoots me a venomous look."Diego that's enough. Is there anything else I you would say?" Ms. Emma asked, trying to dissipate the incoming arguement."About that. I would ask for someone to watch Marc for us... But..." Mrs. Noan asked."No need. Marc's attending a special class. Free of charge of course." Mr. Auron said and me, Seth, and Vann looked sur