In a room where there were several monitors recording in real time the development of the second stage of the ARET entrance exam, there were some men and women dressed in white coats gathered in the place who watched with certain expectations.
- It's been almost three hours and only 36 applicants have woken up ... on the other hand, there have already been four meetings in such a short time! - said one of the men.
- The sleeping gas has a minimum effect of six hours ... in itself all those who have been able to wake up before have already shown a certain resistance superior to the average human. - said a woman.
- So far we have been able to see four different types of abilities, the most common being basic communication with small animals. Although this varies between commanding or negotiating ...
- It's not very strange to see this; on the other hand, the second skill deals with telekinesis ... applicant 8642 has demonstrated a medium range of control by being able to throw three small stones from different angles against applicant 1445 using it as a distraction to escape.
- That girl looks promising ... but not quite comparable with the third and fourth skills ... ignition and fusion ... applicant 2477 has the ability to generate small explosions in anything she touches with a charge time of 10 seconds ... on the other hand, participant 425 has been able to freeze objects she touches with a delay of 25 seconds ... they really are promising ...
- We already have four pre-approved, they just need to get the two codes from other applicants. - said another woman.
Suddenly, a man entered the room; it was a middle-aged man along with a younger one.
- Instructor Gregorio ...
- Focus on applicant 4537. - said the old man suddenly.
One of the screens showed a young man with an eyepatch who was walking around the grounds with apparent tranquility.
- Sir, is there something strange about this participant? - asked a male.
- ...
Without answering his question, old Gregorio gave only a few last words before leaving.
- Don't take your eyes off that boy.
Everyone was a bit worried about this.
It had been almost two hours since he had started walking, but Liam had not found any other person, only small animals and birds passing by.
- Are there really other participants here? I couldn't find anyone ... I don't even know what time it is ... but, by the height of the sun, it must be close to twelve o'clock or one o'clock in the afternoon ...
While he was still mumbling, the boy heard a sudden explosion.
- What is that? - Liam exclaimed before falling silent again.
Having immediately hidden himself in the bushes and trees nearby, the young man became alert, observing all the surroundings. In a moment, he could notice the presence of three silhouettes almost four meters away from him.
- Those are ...
A young man with a girl was in front of another male who had a somber look on his face, it was that boy who had not been alarmed by the penalty explained by the Duchess of Saragossa.
- Hey ... give us your token and bottle of water at once. - commented the proud young man next to the girl who had a shrewd expression.
- ...
The other indifferent man did not respond.
Having provoked them perhaps without hidden intentions in not responding he made the couple run straight towards him to attack him.
Liam was fully aware of what was about to happen.
Out of nowhere, a projectile was launched straight at the gloomy young man who remained indifferent. The sound of the impact seemed to be that of an explosion, but the incredible thing was that, when the dust cleared, the man remained unmoved.
Immediately, the girl who had positioned herself behind the young man exclaimed - Go!
A sudden lizard that had emerged from the bushes rushed towards the victim. A crocodile was beginning to open its mouth revealing numbers of teeth ready to tear apart.
"A crocodile! ... Where did that come from!" thought Liam at the sight of it.
But what was more worrying was what was going to happen to the attacked boy.
However, without moving, or being surprised; the grim, scrawny looking young man grabbed with both his hands the mouth of the lizard which had been rendered incredibly immobile by the young man's gripping force.
"What!"
Everyone thought the same as they saw the boy's extraordinary strength and endurance.
- Latina ... get away from him ... - exclaimed the attacker to his companion, because, without delay, he noticed something strange.
That boy, without letting go of the crocodile, did something terrible without any variation in his expression. As if he were going to skin the bones of the flesh of a chicken, the boy opened the lizard's mouth until it showed a crack that then spread throughout its body until it split it in half. A painful death.
Blood spilled all over the boy's clothes and fell to the floor; however, the boy did not let go of every half of the corpse in his hands.
- I'll give it back to you.
Before he could think, the young man threw each piece of the animal in the directions of his attackers as if they were projectiles.
The speed was impressive; however, the accuracy was faulty. Neither of the two young men was hurt, but they were totally terrified.
Having finished the futile ambush, the grim young man walked first towards the superb male.
- Give it to me. - said the boy.
The subdued man trembling took out of one of his pockets a token with the number 8,002, showing nothing but fear.
- It seems that you also possess superhuman strength ... besides being intelligent in throwing stone with the speed of a projectile ... from now on I will use it too. - commented the young man totally indifferent.
Then he turned to the woman who had not moved; instead, the grass had become damp around her.
- Did you pee yourself? ... Maybe I was too hard ... give it to me ...
The girl shakily handed him her token.
- Well ... 42 and 753 ... I guess that's it ...
Throwing the chips to a distant place where they were lost from sight, the young man gave his last words.
- They are so lucky that murders are not allowed ...
Having said these words, which explained the error of accuracy of the young man's previous throw, he proceeded to withdraw; however, as he walked a few steps, the boy stood still in silence.
- ... There seems to be another one ...
These words made Liam instantly startle.
Incredibly, the young man's expressionless face revealed a faint smile.
- ... You are lucky ... I no longer need to know other codes ... although maybe ...
The atmosphere changed drastically, the feeling in the air was filled with a murderous intent.
Liam was struck down by this terrifying sensation.
The slender boy began to approach towards where he was hiding. It was clear that he had discovered him.
Before he could make a move, a hand covered Liam's mouth. As he turned to see who it was he could tell it was someone he knew.
Renato made a sign for him to be silent. Liam understood immediately.
Out of nowhere, out of the bushes came a squirrel who upon seeing the boy approaching ran the other way.
- A ... squirrel ... maybe ... hahh ....
Sighing, the shadowy male turned and walked away.
It was almost five minutes before they both dared to say anything.
- You... What are you doing here?
- This is how you thank me.
- Anyway, we have to get out of here.
- ... Yeah, but first ... how about we look for the chips on those two guys ... they can't have fallen far.
- What are you talking about?! Didn't you see that guy headed exactly where he threw the chips?! It's sure to be there!
This statement made the young man rethink his improvised idea.
- Yeah... you have a point... so, shall we force that pair to tell us their code?
Liam's face seemed to express that he disagreed.
- Well ... let's go ... - said Renato.
After almost three hours, inside a space surrounded by trees and stones, there were two young people who seemed to have met recently.
The atmosphere was somewhat colder than usual; however, that only made the young albino more alert.
- Do you think having that blade will make a difference? - said a beautiful young woman with black, straight hair who was wearing a sort of blue dress with a light jacket.
- It doesn't hurt to try. - Daniel replied.
The young woman with the expressionless face smiled.
- I see.
The two immediately ran in each other's direction, but the young woman noticed Daniel's hesitation in using the black blade.
She wasted no time, and took the hand that held the blade and with the other she tenderly caressed the young man's face.
A sudden memory flooded Daniel's mind, a scene when his sister caressed him when he was a child, then the scene changed to that view he had at the hotel.
All this made him close his eyes and become confused; the young woman noticed all these openings and suddenly from her hands seemed to come out like a white smoke that began to freeze the young man's face as well as her hand with the blade.
Daniel fell to the floor.
- W-What a cold... it's... what is this?
Keeping his head down watching the shadow of that young woman, a token was thrown to the ground. It was Daniel's token.
- ... When?! ... When?!
- I just need to know your code... now that I know it, I have nothing more to do with you! - said the woman as she walked away.
As if she had lost all interest in the fallen young man, the woman disappeared from the scene.
- T-This is no good... I-I must... get up....
Without being able to finish speaking, because of the constant cold, Daniel fainted.
It was about 4 pm.
The hours passed and, being almost 10 pm, a young man who was watching news on TV in his room got up having turned off the equipment and went to another room.
Walking down the corridors, the young man wore a thoughtful expression.
"This is strange ... having heard that some acquaintances of Emily's had come, I thought she might get to improve her condition a little; but on the contrary, it seems her behavior has been somewhat strange ... it's as if ... she started to distrust everyone ... Hahh ... well, for this last time, I'll help her ... I don't like seeing her like this ... I also don't think she will last long the title as her sworn brother or whatever they call him ... I also have to go to one last place before seeing Russel."
While Aren was still immersed in his thoughts, another young woman seemed to be in the same thing in the darkness of her room, but with greater intensity.
"Hahh ... hahh ... not again ... those memories ... I don't want to see them again ... I don't want to hear from them ... I thought ... I was over it ... I was, but ... why again ... also, I know I'm being looked for ... Where will they be now? What if they find out I'm here... Noria and Riza... they showed up having been tipped off by Melissa... but wouldn't they have been in cahoots with Marcelo... I can't trust anyone ... they're all just after my father's riches ... someone ... please ..."
It seemed that the thoughts consumed the young woman and drove her to utter despair, but a glimmer of hope freed her mind. The door to her room was knocked and within seconds, although she had not been told to enter, a young man entered with an answer.
- Listen ... after thinking about it, I'll accept your request ... that of becoming your sworn brother or something ... but first ... what?! - Aren spoke automatically, but, seeing Emily's expression, a shiver ran through his body.
A slight smile accompanied by eyes that expressed relief, but certain hidden intentions of obsession was what Aren could notice.
- Emily?
Turning on the lights, Aren confirmed what he could notice in the darkness.
"That look...I've seen it somewhere before...this isn't right at all...what happened?"
The young woman who was starting to tear up wiped herself and calmed down.
- ... Thank you for answering me ... I am happy that you are helping me again ... then, tomorrow we will go with my uncles to the notary's office.
- Wait... before that, I was going to tell you that I will be busy tomorrow. I'll be leaving early.
- Huh? ... What do you need to do? ... Can't you do it here? ... If it's something you need to buy or do outside, you can tell me and I'll tell my uncle to take care of it.
- No... this is a personal thing I have to do... so, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon... rest well.
- B-But ...
Emily did not insist any further, for she had noticed the way he was behaving. That being so, Aren left the room and closed the door, but his day was not over yet, someone was waiting for him outside the young woman's room.
A young woman with light brown hair was leaning against the wall near the door.
- ...
- I need to talk to you about something... let's go to my room.
The coldness in his body vanished and was now embraced by a warm fire; all this made Daniel wake up.
When he opened his eyes, he noticed a starry sky and a bonfire rising its smoke towards that sky.
- W-Where am I... ? - he asked out of inertia as the young man got up.
- Looks like you had a bad time, huh? ... We found you all stiff ... we thought you were already 'cold'. - Daniel heard that familiar voice.
- Don't worry ... looks like you won't catch a cold ... you're really lucky we found you, Daniel. - said another familiar voice.
When I saw who they were, they were sitting around the campfire Liam and Renato.
- Oh ... it's you ...
- Is that the thanks we get? - commented Renato sarcastically.
Liam sighed.
- Continuing with the subject ... What happened to you? - Liam asked.
A silence was heard.
- ... I was attacked ... by a ... girl ...
Renato's exaggerated laughter was heard all around.
- Can't you shut up?! - exclaimed Liam.
- B-But ... a girl, really, man? ...
Daniel looked embarrassed.
-What does it matter? We're all applicants, aren't we? We're all supposed to have the skills to take this test. - said Liam.
- Yeah... I guess...
- People... don't you think the smoke attracts other people?
- Yes, but there are three of us... besides, if we didn't do it you would freeze. - replied Renato nonchalantly.
Suddenly, a sound of rustling branches was heard. Several footsteps seemed to be heard near them.
- The three of us can do it, can't we, Renato? - commented Daniel sarcastically.
- You know... I am human, I can make mistakes...
It passed that first day of the second stage of the entrance exam, the news to the outside public gave false information in that the concept of this test was only to perform physical fitness tests, just some exercises that would test his special performances and abilities.
Although mankind had certainly been able to evolve as much talked about, it was not something very surprising. The skills these individuals developed were abilities that traditional and modern science could not yet explain, but they were not considered a military force to be feared; not at the moment.
- Is it true that they survived? - asked Lois who was standing next to Alicia and her bodyguards in a room watching the news.
- Yes ... Eric, he himself called us to let us know that they have all come to the capital. - replied Hayato.
- All of them?
- Yes ... including two more people ... the hooded suspect and a woman who seems to be part of the group that planned the attack. - Thomas replied.
The young Valdelomar remained thoughtful.
- Is it convenient for us to meet them? - asked Lois.
- No ... they may be being chased; that is why Eric has not come to our place. - said Hayato.
- What about Hanzo?
- As far as we know, there have been no attacks on his group ... but we have already warned him.
That event had shaken Lois and Alicia knew it, but, trying to take courage, she wanted to come up with a counterattack plan.
- Lois ... I think they should retreat ... you know it's not good to fight against enemies you don't even know. - Alice spoke fearfully.
The two bodyguards were somewhat impressed by such advice that seemed more like a warning.
- Young Alicia is right ... we have no genuine information about where their bases are, we don't even know who they are ... we are at a disadvantage, besides, according to Eric's report, this issue doesn't only involve a small city like Luesia, this is branching out to the whole country. That organization called Le Front may already be investigating us. - Thomas spoke.
- ... So ... What's the idea? - questioned Lois somewhat frustrated.
- We must leave Spain ... it would be fatal if they find us in the capital. - declared Hayato.
Everyone was silent.
Leaving very early in the morning from the Beltran mansion, a young man was walking to the nearest bus station; having taken one of the buses, he sat by the window and watched the view as he traveled, meanwhile the young man remembered the brief conversation he had had yesterday with the count's daughter.
Inside a room clearly decorated in the youthful style, but with elegance were two young men inside.
- It seems you have already noticed the state of my cousin ... it seems as if she has serious traumas that have increased when those two maids arrived. - said Melissa.
- ...
- Therefore, I would like you to answer me something honestly ... What happened to Emily?
Aren did not answer the question, but, it was not because he did not know, since, at the moment of Emily's healing, when he put his hand on her forehead, just like with Alicia, he could see some traces of her memories; for all that, he tried to be discreet.
- ... She will say that herself when she is ready. - replied the young man monotonously.
- Yes ... if it were only her, I would let it happen; but I have some doubts ... my father let her come here easily, but we don't know what or who kidnapped her ... and, even worse ... what will happen when they find out she is here?
The woman's deduction was somewhat formidable; she had already understood that the young woman had been kidnapped and she analyzed the possible scenarios that would happen as a consequence of her arrival.
- What are you planning? - Aren asked.
- I'd like to take her to psychologists so they can find out what happened, but she doesn't want to go out or see anyone.
- How about taking her to a church?
Melissa was a little shocked to hear that.
- A ... church?
Soon she began to reveal little giggles. Aren was silent.
- Wow ... I didn't expect to hear something like that from a guy like you.
- ...
- You can see that you can't judge by appearance ... Changing the subject, do you think it will be useful? aren't they all hypocrites in those places?
- ... Be careful ... don't judge by appearances. - Aren commented seriously.
- What, are you a believer or something?
Aren was silent.
- Leaving that aside ... there's something I want to ask you. - Aren commented.
- ¿?
- What does it mean to be the sworn brother of an aristocratic family?
Hearing this, Melissa was a little dismayed, but immediately remained calm.
- Oh, that's...
"So it wasn't a lie what I heard ... does Emily really want to give him that title? Hadn't they met not long ago?"
- If I tell you, you will answer me what I asked.
Aren remained silent, mentioning that he was not willing to do so. A few seconds later, the young man left the room.
Leaving that memory in the past, the man continued to look out the window of the bus in thought.
Soon seeing his right hand, Aren sighed.
"Not anymore... I have no power at all... the last time was with Emily..."
Turning his gaze back to the window, the young man continued to think.
"What I saw in that child ... Marcellus ... the feelings of worry as if he wanted to eliminate all traces of the existence of that ... flower ... ... I remember the address, it is in this place ... but I saw other things ... they looked like people, but ... they were not ..."
Still immersed in his thoughts, the bus continued on its way. Behind it, however, was a car that had been following it.
At about 9 a.m. on the second day of the test, three young men were asleep in a kind of small cave covered with trees, bushes and other vegetation.
Here the group had been hiding since the night before and in front of them were some wild animals surrounding what had been their campfire.
- Seriously ... Why are those animals here? - asked Renato.
- I don't know... Wasn't this a camping area? Besides ... if killings are not allowed, then why are those tigers here ... Where are the instructors? - Daniel commented depressed.
- ... How much longer will we be here? - questioned Liam.
While they were waiting for those beasts to lose interest and leave by some miracle, a pertinent conversation took place.
- Now that we are like this ... I have wondered ... we all hid the fact that we have special abilities, even in the train accident. - Daniel said.
Both Liam and Renato were silent.
- Well, in my case I have developed the ability to control and manipulate iron. - commented the young man.
- Hey... you're really going to tell what should be a secret... Why don't you tell us your code as well? - asked Renato sarcastically.
Daniel sighed.
- Listen ... we have been through a lot before, we are almost like brothers ... besides, we are again in another situation similar to the one before.
After a few seconds of thinking about it, Renato nodded.
- Yes ... well ... you could say ... ... ... seeing how we are there is no use hiding it, in my case I can generate a flaming weapon ...
- What's that? - Daniel asked.
- Anything that can withstand the boiling temperature of water I can ignite with fire... How do you think the bonfire was made?
- I mean a flaming sword.
- Yeah... something like that. Right now I have a steel withdrawable rod, but it will require about five minutes to light it.
- So ... with the fire we might scare the tigers away. - Daniel commented.
Renato, however, was silent.
- I guess doing that will incite the beasts to attack us sooner, won't it? - said Liam.
- Yes ... but if we succeed, not only will I be able to scare it away, even if I can't generate fire projectiles or things like that, the flames that permeate the weapon don't require oxygen, nor are they extinguished by water.
The young people were somewhat surprised.
- What I mean is that they will not go out until they consume the target. But the charging time is at least 5 minutes and will depend on the size of the material.
"Five minutes ... I won't be able to stand it that long ... there must be some way." thought Liam.
- But ... if the flames you make don't go out, then the ignited material wouldn't be consumed over time as well. - Daniel asked.
- True, but just as I have the ability to ignite it I also have the ability to extinguish it.
Liam sighed.
- At least we all have useful abilities ... although we kept it a secret ... I guess Glen is a user too, isn't he?
Both Renato and Daniel were exposed for having tried to keep secret what had happened in the basement of that hospital in Zaragoza.
Suddenly, those animals began to roar. This caused the hidden young men to become disconcerted.
"They found us!"
As they were left in total silence, they saw how a flock flew off to the south and, at the same time, how the tigers followed the same path. No one understood what was happening.
Suddenly a young girl of beautiful appearance appeared where the campfire was; that girl who seemed to be about 16 years old walked with difficulty and in her right leg seemed to have an open wound caused by stab wounds.
- Well ... it's our time to escape. - said Renato.
- Wait. - Daniel said.
- What now?
- We can't leave her like this... she's hurt. Didn't this test allow for murder?
- What does it matter... we don't even know her. What if those beasts come back?
As they spoke to each other, they were interrupted by Liam.
- You two... be quiet.
The two young men soon heard the sound of footsteps coming from where that young woman had come from.
- Come on... aren't you going to keep running away? - said a young man's voice who seemed to be having fun.
The exhausted girl did not respond to the provocations of the approaching male.
- It seems that ... that guy is not here to see that woman's file ... Are there really instructors nearby? - said Renato.
- That doesn't matter ... we can't let that guy kill her.
- ... What's your plan then, Daniel? - Liam asked somewhat defiantly.
- ... I will go and take care of this ... I will try to distract him, I only ask you to take that girl away. - said the albino.
As if the conscience of both seemed to blame them for doing nothing, they both nodded.
- Thank you. - Daniel said as he came out of hiding.
Both the victim and the victimizer saw a young man with white hair and red eyes appear with a dagger in hand coming out of the bushes.
- You... who are you? - the girl asked worriedly.
- I'm just here to help.
The woman was incredulous.
- Oh ... looks like we have a hero, even if this is a test to see who is fit and who is not. - replied the victimizer.
Without wasting time, with a speed that was not human, that arrogant boy ran towards Daniel taking him by surprise.
"Speed... that's his ability!"
Unsheathing his dagger, Daniel tried to predict where he would attack him and formulate his counterattack. But all trace of that young man disappeared from his sight.
- Behind you! - the woman was heard to exclaim.
Behind him a silhouette appeared, but the surprising thing was not that, but that the dagger the albino was carrying was no longer in his hand.
- What a nice knife? - said the man who had subdued Daniel, taking his hand and placing the blade of the dagger in his neck, making a cut where he spilled a trickle of blood.
- W-Why are you doing this? Didn't you hear that murder is not allowed? - said Daniel.
- Oh, of course I know.
Only a smile accompanied those words as the dagger slowly buried itself in Daniel's neck.
Suddenly, a voice was heard.
- I think I've had enough... seeing you like this breaks my heart, if I still have one.
That subdued young man noticed a voice coming from where he had been hiding before. A young man with green hair and green eyes came out with a steel staff with great tranquility.
- Renato! What are you doing?! - exclaimed Daniel.
- Don't shout... we're just here to help, aren't we, Liam?
That arrogant young man could see that behind him was a young man who was taking care of the injured girl. A male wearing an eyepatch had come out along with the other from his hiding place.
- You guys... look like you're a team, huh?
- Sort of. - Renato said as he walked.
Suddenly that steel rod began to spark until out of nowhere it burst into tile-colored flames.
This made everyone surprised by such an event.
- What are you waiting for, Daniel? Get out of there. - said Renato.
- What are you talking about... can't you see that I am...?
Yes, Daniel noticed that the one who subdued him had opened his arms freeing him in this way.
Neither Daniel nor the other young man understood what was happening.
- Hurry up! I won't be able to hold him much longer! - Liam exclaimed.
Daniel broke free.
Without wasting any time, Renato ran towards the attacker, but he did not hit him with his staff, but gave him a big punch in the stomach and then in the face. The motionless young man could do nothing but receive these blows which made him spit towards the ground and fall on him.
Soon, Rento searched through the pockets of the fallen young man until he pulled out a token.
- 6401 ... it seems that this is your code. - said Renato.
The proud boy began to laugh.
- Let's go! - exclaimed Liam.
The young men did not waste any second and withdrew leaving that strange young man who was about 17 years old and who was still laughing.
Inside an apartment where those who escaped the attack on the residence of the mayoress of Luesia were gathered, they were talking about the formulation of a plan in the living room.
- So ... tomorrow I will send a statement to the Supreme Court, from there I will coordinate an audience with the Royal House announcing what we found in Luesia, as well as the written evidence, meanwhile, you communicate with Lois Valdelomar about what we will do and keep an eye out for any suspicious person ... Especially if the friends of that girl come ... Let's hope they can attend us soon. - commented Victoria.
All the others nodded.
They all got ready, Eric being the first to go out to make a call, and soon the apartment doorbell rang.
Everyone reacted to this and tried to be diligent in seeing who it was. Through the camera next to the door, they could see that it was a man who was wearing a facility security guard uniform.
- Yes, tell me, what is it? - Lorenz answered through the transmitter.
- Uh, excuse me. We have received notice from the management that there will be an unforeseen power outage in some apartments ... we have received complaints from the other tenants, so we would like to give you this signature form to present to the management and see how to solve this problem.
- ... Okay ... leave it under the door, I will pick it up soon.
- Okay, I'll pick it up soon. - Leaving the sheet on the floor, the officer left.
After a couple of minutes, Lorenz opened the door cautiously and picked up the heavy envelope without any problem.
- Who was it? - asked Victoria.
- A security guard ... says there have been unplanned power outages in some apartments.
- And that sheet?
- Yes ... he said it was a form that ...
As Lorenz read that sheet, he understood that it was not a signature form; the written message read.
You didn't have to open the door.
Inside the envelope was a small device that gave a beep that signaled the release of a gas that spread throughout the room.
- What is that? - Victoria exclaimed.
- Nobody breathe that! - ordered Alexander; however, it was too late.
Everyone was left passed out in that room.
Soon, two people entered the room wearing gas masks. A stocky man with no hair and a woman with straight black hair.
- Take them away. - ordered the man and immediately a group of men entered the scene.
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