Only a month and a half had passed since the beginning of class, but it could be seen as if it were a coup d'état the student marches inside ARET parading with banners and banners.
- We want justice!
- The authorities and deans don't care what happens to the students!
- Punish the guilty!
They were one of the many voices that could be heard amidst the din. That day classes were suspended and only the protests of the students could be heard raising their voices for the victims of abuse within the facilities of the distinguished academy.
Inside an office where a man with a medium-long beard and an older appearance was watching the parade from his office window, several worried men entered.
- R-Rector, this has gotten out of hand! We must convene all the deans to discuss a solution before the news reports find out what is going on! - said one of the men.
The response was a laugh like that of a tender grandfather.
- R-Rector!
- I heard you ... Take care of this little matter with Vice Rector Almenara and the deans. In case you don't find a suitable solution, let me know.
- I- Understood.
Again the old man was heard laughing.
- It looks like this year is going to be very interesting to watch.
Those words would be some of the ones he would regret having uttered.
Among the comments and rumors, the latent opinion of eliminating the R class was heard; however, this was absolutely impossible, since ARET had been founded and transformed with the objective of studying, qualifying and training people who had those special abilities.
Therefore, everything was concentrated in a hatred for those two students found last night.
Driving down the road, Aren and Glen were talking inside a brand new black minivan.
- ... Shouldn't we have arrived yesterday?
- Sorry, but I had to run an errand ... that's why I suggested sleeping in a hotel on the way. I think we'll be in Zaragoza in about three hours. - Glen replied.
- I see... on the other hand, I still can't believe you got this vehicle. - Aren said looking out the window.
- Neither can I ... Princess Lisbeth and Duchess Sofia bought two minivans; one was to replace the one I had rented and the other was given to me as a thank you.
- ... Good for you. - Aren said without any bad intentions.
- ... By the way, is that really what you were looking for?
- Yes, no doubt about it.
- ... Well, I'll just take you there, then it's up to you...
Aren was silent.
- Oh, who am I kidding? I'm excited about what's going to happen, since things always seem to happen wherever you go.
Aren smiled slightly.
- But, don't forget what you promised me.
- Yes ...
That carriage continued on its way; however, neither of them noticed that they were being followed behind.
Inside an ARET auditorium, a sudden assembly was taking place where the different authorities had gathered to discuss what had happened.
Resembling a courtroom, the two young uniformed freshmen found themselves set up as criminals.
- What do they demand? - asked an older woman in formal dress.
- The expulsion of students Enrique Castro and Jorge Contreras. - said one of the student representatives.
- We can avoid expulsion through a reformation period where the two students undergo psychological evaluation. - said the woman.
- ... We will accept, only if the security personnel is sufficient to be able to protect the safety of the students; in addition to the formation of a team to investigate who else is complicit in the abuses that have been occurring to innocent students.
- ... On the issue of security we will do what we can, but we assure them of the other thing they are asking for.
Once a consensus was reached, both students were taken to a reformatory center for a period of two months and, as stated, a call was quickly issued to form a team of instructors to investigate what was happening within ARET because of the abuse cases.
All of this resulted in the infamy of the freshman R class increasing.
A bang on the table was heard reverberating throughout the room where Liam, Alexia, Remus, Carlo and Leandro were.
- It's no use getting angry and even less when we don't have proof. - said Remus.
- I know that...
- Don't try to meet him either. It will only end in a fight and remember that it is strictly forbidden to use our abilities even more in this situation. - commented Alexia.
- ... What do you think, Liam? - asked Leandro.
- ... Now that Anna's group is being especially watched, I don't think they will be able to continue the investigation ... If we go along with this, we may be set up just like them ... I propose to keep a low profile for a while and see what results the instructors bring back ...
- ... I think they all think the same. - said Leandro.
They all nodded.
- Well ... we will do nothing for the moment.
As if they had lost the battle, the young men withdrew from their search. However, before they left the room, another student appeared before them.
- Hello, Leo... Everything all right? - the teasing voice of the young man was heard.
The sudden surprise that everyone expressed on his face contrasted with the cool and haughty look of the one who was in front of them.
- You?! What do you want?! - exclaimed Leandro.
- Come on, is that any way to greet an old acquaintance?
Trying to calm Leandro down, Remus took the floor.
- Stop pretending... we already know you're to blame for all this, Richard.
That repeating student who from the first day of classes showed that haughty expression spoke up.
- Oh, really, what's your basis? What's your evidence? Did you confuse me with those two guys who were found guilty? - replied the young man sarcastically as he slowly approached.
- Don't be hypocritical, who else but us knows that twisted personality of yours. - said Remus.
- Oh, are you sure, aren't there two new entrants who are worse than me?
At first no one understood what he meant; however, within seconds, Liam remembered those grim-looking young men who entered with him.
The boy's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the shadow that appeared at the sight of that superb student standing just inches away from him and Leandro.
Having come close enough to Leandro's face, Richard confessed.
- But you know... Yes, it was me... the groups of bullies from the other specialties, the places where we beat them, even the trap we set for those two brats, everything was directed by me and what? - said that young man with a smile on his face as if he was genuinely proud of his actions.
Liam knew immediately that it was a simple provocation; however, he did not contemplate the fact of how everyone would react.
Incredibly they all controlled themselves with the exception of one.
A big punch landed on Richard's face and he fell to the ground.
- Leandro! Calm down!
- Can't you see that he is provoking you?!
Those were the words that could be heard while Carlo and Remus held the angry man.
A laughter that echoed in the room began to be heard from that unpleasant young man.
- Same as always ... few words and more action ... I'm glad you haven't changed, Leo.
- Don't call me that!
Rising from the floor and retreating with a smile on his face, Richard spoke.
- You know, even though I'm the one behind the abuses ... I have a lot of people backing me up, people that even I wouldn't dare to go against and they are already aware of you ... I give you a piece of advice: just have fun and leave things as they are. - were the last words of that guy who was leaving.
At that hour, the feeling of defeat was the only thing they all shared.
During his trip, a call was received on Aren's phone.
- Who is it?
- ...
The caller said Emily.
- ... Hello? - Aren answered.
- Where are you? - was what was heard from the phone.
- ... I'm in ...
- I want the truth.
- ... I'm with Glen, I'll put him on.
- What? - Glen reacted.
Receiving the call, the young man spoke.
- Hello?
- You're Aren's friend, Glen, aren't you?
- Yes... you are?
- This is Emily, his sworn sister.
Hearing this, Glen turned to look at Aren.
- ...I understand... How are you?
- Where are they? - asked Emily again.
- ...
Glen immediately tried to hand the phone back to Aren, but Aren wouldn't take it and handed it back to him.
- Are they there?
In the back and forth, Glen finally kept the phone.
- Yes ... we're on the Mudéjar highway ...
- What?! ... What are they doing over there? - Emily asked trying to stay calm.
- Running an errand ... just coming and going, nothing to worry about.
- Then why did Aren say the pathetic excuse that he was going to buy cigarettes when he doesn't smoke? Who taught him that?
Glen's poker face answered the young woman's question.
- Your turn..." said Glen passing the phone to Aren.
- Emily, you don't have to worry ... I'll be back early tomorrow morning.
- ...
Without answering, only a sigh was heard.
- Don't lie to me again...
- ¿?
- I think I told you, if you're going to do something even if I don't like it, don't lie to me...
- ... Okay.
- Take care of yourself.
- Yeah, I will.
The call ended.
- That was close... but why don't you want to tell him we're going to his old house? - Glen asked.
- ... it looks like he's not in good shape right now where we're going ...
- What do you mean?
- ...
Before he could answer, Aren received another call.
The contact said Russel.
- ... Hello?
- Master, how are you?
- I'm fine.
- Good to hear from you. On the other hand, about what you told me about your powers being gone, I would like to ask you not to go out carelessly ... if possible, wouldn't you like to move into my house?
- No, I'm fine...
Soon, the sound of the horn of a bus that passed close to where Glen was began to sound; obviously the speed of that transport was higher than allowed.
- Master, what was that?
- Nothing...
- Hey, you bastard! Learn to drive! - Glen exclaimed.
- M-Master?
- It's nothing. - Aren said.
After the call ended, the two spoke again.
- So, well... What's going on over there?
- It seems that ... Emily is fighting with her family. - Aren answered.
- Fighting? ... Ah! Surely she ran away from home ... she is the young heiress of the Gutierrez family, isn't she?
- Yes...
- I had heard some news... about her disappearing... But didn't her father die some time ago?
- Yes...
- Touchy subject... by the way, how did you get to know each other? Last time I couldn't ask you, but Daniel and Liam were also curious...
- That... was when...
For the third time, Aren received a call that interrupted him. This time the contact said Melissa.
- Orale! The song again?
Even without realizing it, as they drove along the highway, a car followed them from behind.
The supervision put on the students of the first year class R was put in place because of being the possible responsible for the abuses towards innocent students. The reason: overestimation of self and lack of empathy leading to rebellious and abusive behavior towards the weaker ones making it merit restrictions.
In the history of ARET, only this case had happened, but in a worse way 16 years ago; however, on this occasion in which the same story was repeated, there was something strange: the other victims did not confess nor dared to speak out against that class, even though two of them had been charged.
This left one to wonder about two possibilities: Were the attackers only from the R class or were they also students from other faculties?
Not many wanted to consider the second possibility, which already had rumors and all the resentment fell on those students in uniform. For this, a video circulated on campus networks showing representatives of second and third year students commenting that they were not involved in any criminal act and that they were categorically against the abuses mentioned; soon, the other faculties rose up against the famous bullying.
Interestingly, no official news of these cases was spread outside ARET and it was dealt with internally.
The routine was to be the same for everyone back in class R from their dorms to their classes and from their classes to the dorms. All basic necessities such as food were given in the dorms and they were not allowed to leave without permission.
While not everyone was implicated and even there was no evidence against them, even up to the daughter of monarchs and relatives of the aristocracy or billionaire heirs were to be subject to the restrictions.
No one objected to this.
A few hours having passed, Glen and Aren had finally arrived in Zaragoza.
- Wow ... I didn't think I'd be back here so soon ...
- Well, let's go to...
Interrupting Aren's words, Glen smilingly pulled out a camera.
- First things first...
Aren sighed.
Driving through the streets and avenues, the acclaimed ftown song began to be heard inside the vehicle. Glen wasted no time and began strolling through the city while Aren took pictures.
- Couldn't you do this the time we came here? - Aren asked.
- Well, I didn't. Stop asking questions and just take pictures ...
Going around the tourist areas such as the Zaragoza Cathedral, the Aljaferia, the Church of San Pablo and the Water Park, Glen seemed to be like a child because of the happiness he was expressing. On the other hand, Aren kept taking pictures of these places.
Two, three to four hours were spent sightseeing.
- Hey... Seriously, why are we doing this now? What are you hiding? - Aren asked frustrated.
- Hey... I already told you...
- Yes, now tell me the truth.
- ... But I already told you that...
Speaking, Glen could notice the incredulous look on his friend's face who kept looking at him.
- W-Well ... my parents ...
- What about your parents?
- You know ... it's been a while since I haven't talked to my parents and they think I'm currently in high school.
- What?
- Well ... when I left home, I had a condition that I had to enter a certain academy ... actually my grandparents were the ones who imposed this on me.
- Academy?
- Yes... it's a famous one that has some famous students.
- What are you talking about? - Aren was asking more and more confused.
- I'm talking about ARET...
- ...
- I was supposed to go there this year, but I didn't want to waste my life in a high school.
- ... What does that have to do with what we're doing here?
- Well, over a month ago, my parents called me and asked me how I had done... I told them that I had passed and that I was on a trip to celebrate two with some friends...
- ... What else did they tell you?
- To send them some pictures...
- ...did they give you money to take the exam?
- Yes...
- And that money?
- I spent it on parties...
- ...I must ask... Are your parents coming here to visit you?
- Yes...
- When are they coming?
- In three months...
Aren sighed and, seeing the slumped figure of his friend, sat down next to him and spoke.
- Let's keep taking pictures.
- Thank you ... for keeping your promise.
- Don't worry ... at least you can have the money back.
- How?
- Sell your car.
- ...I can't...
- Why not? It's nice...
- It's nice... and it's new...
Aren sighed.
Eating a hamburger inside his black car, a man was silently observing the pair sitting on the sidewalk benches near the minivan.
- ... What are they, a gay couple? ... Where are they planning to go? - was the sarcastic muttering of the man in semi-formal clothes.
Getting into the car, they headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch again without realizing that they were being followed.
Inside the restaurant, they both tasted the typical food of the area.
- Here is your cod and rice with borage. - said the waitress who was serving them.
While Glen began to eat, Aren kept looking at the plate in front of him.
- What, you're not going to eat? And I'm buying?
- ... It's not that...
- Then what?
- ... I ordered rice, but why did you bring me soup? - Aren said without taking his eyes off his food.
- ... Well, you should have asked the waitress before ordering.
- ... Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger ... or so they say ... - answered the young man as he picked up his cutlery.
Inside that restaurant, there was that unknown man who was also about to start eating.
- Are you on a date or something? ... Come on, tell me where are you going?
- Here are your chickpeas..." said a waitress who had brought a dish to their table.
- Ah, yes... Thank you.
The man began to eat.
Leaving the restaurant, Aren and Glen got into the minivan and drove on.
- Now can we go? - Aren asked.
- Yes... Where did you say the place was?
- I sent you the address by WhatsApp.
- Ok, I'll check it now... Movera 173... Oh, it's close... We'll be there in 10 minutes.
Being behind them, a call rang inside a car.
- Hello.
- Renaud, how's it going? - he was heard saying over the phone.
- I'm still following ... but I don't know exactly where they want to go.
- ... Have they noticed you?
- No, I'm absolutely sure of it.
- Well, let us know when you catch up with them.
- Roger that.
The call ended.
Near their destination, the pair were still talking.
- You know... Do you have any news about what's going on in Luesia? - Aren asked.
- Luesia? ... Ah! You're talking about that little town or village, I think it was ... I only know that they have closed their doors.
- How?
- Yes ... I don't know if you heard, but there were several kidnappings a while ago, but they still operated travel agencies ... However, since the disappearance of one of their authorities and the mayoress, they have closed the entrance to people from outside. They are in a state of emergency, I think.
- ... I see ...
- Why do you ask?
- ... I was planning to pass by there, but I don't think it will be possible.
- Yes, my friend. With what we already have on our hands, it's more than enough.
Before we could continue our conversation, the car suddenly stopped.
The two young men said nothing until they read the sign on the side of the road.
Notice: Private Residence. Entry prohibited to unauthorized personnel.
- ... You know, when I read this, it makes me want to fight him.
- Me too. - Aren added.
A few minutes before the end of their afternoon classes, Liam, who was sitting in the back rows, unlike Daniel and Renato who were in the front row listening attentively to everything the professor was explaining, spoke.
- Are you still upset?
- ... No, not anymore. - replied Leandro who was sitting next to him.
Liam who watched him seemed not to believe the answer, but was sympathetic.
- Was their relationship always like this?
- ... No, not always.
- ...
- Before he was a little better ... but it seems that something happened last year when he took the test to change course.
- ... I understand ... you seem to know about that.
- More or less ... Richard and I took the same entrance exam last year ... the test was different from this year's; actually, it was like it had generally been during the past years ...
- What do you mean?
- The entrance exam was simply an aptitude test behind closed doors where each applicant demonstrated the skills that each one had awakened ... I don't know if you know this, but ARET implemented the entrance exam only ten years ago; previously only people who were referred by graduates were accepted ... having that recognition was as if they had already passed the exam ...
- ...
- Then, when the exam was implemented, the instructors and professors of ARET decided to see which test was the most optimal to be able to define that a person has the capacity to develop their abilities ...
- Develop their skills? Wasn't the goal to find people who had already awakened? - Liam asked.
- No, that's not quite true ... it is said that in the early days of ARET, over 15 years ago ... the entrants were more like guinea pigs; not everyone could develop their skills ... most just got stuck with what little they got and others were handicapped by not knowing how to control their skills ... it was all trial and error. Year after year, ARET became more polished and the number of graduates slowly increased to what we now know ...
- ... In this exam, were you the ones who attacked us on that night? - Liam asked.
Leandro smiled.
- Did you notice?
- Only me ...
- I wasn't wrong then ... Yes, in this last exam, ARET's objective changed ... those of us who failed the previous exam were summoned to be part of the first generation prepared for the entrance exam, although not all of us could make it.
- Do you know why they did it this way? To put wild animals like tigers and make us fight each other ... it seems absurd to me.
Leandro laughed lightly.
- About that, even I don't know the reason ... our high school teacher only told us that several changes were coming ... and about the exam he told us that in order for you to pass it at least, it was not necessary to fight, but it was mostly a test of mental dexterity ...
Hearing such a statement, Liam looked a little surprised at Leandro.
- None of us understood what he was referring to, but we did get a surprise when the Duchess of Saragossa announced the results of the test.
Liam sighed and closed his eyes.
- That among all the participants, there was a group that shared their token codes among them without having the need to fight to get them ... ... Their move seemed to be illegal, but it did not violate any of the rules of the exam ... I remember that day all my people and I were resentful for the opportunity they had given you guys.
- ... Well, I don't waste opportunities. - Liam replied.
- How humble of you ... Anyway, getting back to Richard, he was already pretty much like that ... I'm just warning you that if you meet him, watch out for his performance.
- What do you mean? - Liam asked.
At that instant, the class term bell rang.
- He ... acts like a sheep with his insides being worse than a wolf. Don't get carried away by his words.
- ...I understand, thanks for the advice...I'll try to fall...just like you did. - Liam replied amicably.
- What? - Recognizing the boy's intention, Leandro smiled letting see how the friendship between them was growing.
That day, neither Richard nor some other repeating students attended classes.
Leaving the minivan parked hidden among some bushes, a few meters away, two young men were hiding and could see the entrance gates to the villa in Zaragoza in the distance.
- So... How do we get in? - said Glen as he inspected the area.
- ... First let's see if there are security cameras and then see if there are any guards nearby.
- Got it, boss. - Glen replied as a soldier.
Walking discreetly around the area, the pair looked around trying to figure out what the layout of the place looked like.
Half an hour had passed, but it was more than enough time for the pair.
- Two guards at the gate and one at every meter ... security cameras on every post ... there are surely more inside the residence. - Aren muttered.
- Also only three non-guards have been shown approaching the gates ... in fact, there may be more inside ...
- ...
- The question is ... do we use that irrigation channel we found to get in?
- ... I don't know, it seems very narrow.
Among the ideas they were both thinking about how to enter that place, a voice came to Aren's mind.
- Beware of the one who follows in your footsteps. - was the voice that only the young man heard.
- Athenas?
- Athenas? Who are you talking about? - asked Glen.
- No... nothing... I thought I heard something.
The voice was not heard again.
Aren's gaze darted to his rear, but he saw no one. Still the warning echoed in his mind.
- Let's try the water channel ... it's better than waiting here. - Aren commented.
- ... Okay, let's go.
Both young men went towards the place they were talking about, trying not to make any noise; however, behind them a silhouette appeared and watched them walking away.
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