“Say Nicholas, how are you feeling? How is everything at home?” Mr. A asked gently, his voice tingled with concern, his expression more paternal, than professional.

  “I guess, everything is going well Mr A…” Nick replied back, slightly uncomfortable “I mean my mom is busy as always. We are just managing by.”

  Mr. A placed a firm but reassuring hand on Nick’s shoulder. A strange calm washed over Nick–as if, just for a moment, the weight on his chest had lifted.

  “You know Nick, I am here for you. I want to make sure you are doing okay.” Mr A said warmly.

  Nick gave a side glance, somewhat annoyed–but deep down, he appreciated the gesture. It was rare for someone to care.

  Mr. A, checked the clock above the board. “You better get to class before you’re marked absent.”

  Nick nodded and made his way to the door. Just as he was about to step out, Mr. A added, “Oh, and Nick–if you want to talk about the financial side of the trip, stop by my office during lunch. I really want you to go.”

  “T-thank you, Mr. A.” Nick stammered.

  As Nick began to walk through the hall, he thought to himself, “Weird teacher. Why does he act like this?” Still something about him made Nick feel safe.

  As Nick reached his next class, a voice called out.

  “Nicholas, Hey how are you doing!” the girl replied as it seemed like they were friends.

  “O-ohhh hey Ava. I'm fine. It's been a while.” Nick replied, as he smiled to see Ava. “How was the trip to the Republic of Rivona?”

  “It was amazing! I saw The Conqueror’s Coliseum, the statue’s of the Great Roman emperors, and even Lituvia’s hole.” Ava said enthusiastically, practically jumping at joy.

  Ava and Nick, walked inside their math classroom and chatted while they were waiting for their teacher.

  “How did you even manage to visit those structures? Isn’t it incredibly expensive???” Nick asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

  Before she could answer, the teacher entered, clapping his hands together.

  “Class, quiet now, I am here. Put away the phones, and let's begin to learn!” The teacher replied enthusiastically.

  The scene shifts towards at a pizza restaurant, in the corner of the Rockbird District.

  Rionel, devoured slice after slice with childlike delight.

  “Delicious Pizza!” Rionel grinned.

  Across from him, sat Finn, visibly annoyed. He pointed his concealed naginata under the table.

  “Quiet Mongrel!” he growled.

  “Finn…Relax…remember what our job is…” Drex interjected, calm and composed, his robotic suit whirring faintly. “Rionel, you know why we are here…”

  Finn and Drex’s eyes locked in on Rionel’s ornate staff, as RIonel continues to eat.

  “The staff… We want it…hand it over to us” Finn said menace dripping from every word.

  Rionel smirked, his grin almost radiant, replied, “Unfortunately, it’s not for sale”

  “You know what happens to dogs that don’t listen…” Finn hissed, with a grin that is the exact opposite of Rionel’s bright grin.

  “You want to try?” Rionel’s tone darkened. He gestured at Drex’s suit and Finn’s damaged eye. “You remember last time.”

  “You bast–” Finn shot up, drawing his blade.

  “Finn…NO!” Drex grabbed him. “He wants this. Don’t let him bait you. The mission comes first. We cannot afford any failure”

  “You two are both full of shit.” Rionel said, sipping from his drink. “You guys are all bark, yet when the opportunity appears in front of you, you hide behind your legs.”

  Rionel thought to himself, “How do I get out of this situation without acquiring unwanted attention to myself?”

  Finn's hands trembled. He held his naginata tightly enough, it almost cracked, and replied “You Coot… Drex…forget the mission we end this NOW!.” Finn stood on the table, about to unsheath his Naginata from his sleeve.

  “You want to do this? Fine, let's do this!” Rionel replied concernedly, but serious.

  “Shit…I have to put a sleep spell on everyone else around us” Rionel muttered, as he remained vigilant. The customers were all looking at the trio, confused, and concerned.

  Just as the trio had a Mexican standoff, suddenly the door flung open, and out came a familiar voice with a cloak.

  “Oh Master…Master where art thou?” Raptor replied eagerly and excitedly. Everyone froze, and looked at the front door.

  “RAPTOR?!?!?!” Rionel shouted. “WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?! YOU COULDN’T AFFORD TO ANSWER ME AT LEAST ONCE?”

  Drex and Finn are confused as a dog when it's dealing with an inconsistent routine.

  “MASTER FORGIVE ME!!! I AM SORRY…” Cried Raptor as he dropped to his knees.

  “Whatever…at least you are okay now…” Rionel said as he was at ease and calm now.

  Finn yelled out, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?”

  Drex squinted towards Raptor, “Hello Raptor…Nice to see you again…”

  “Oh no….Not you two…” Raptor hissed, and his claws extending.

  “2 on 2…can’t say it's unfair now HUH RIONEL…” Finn laughed as he launched himself towards Raptor.

  Rionel shouted, “Factio soporis: Potens somnus!” unleashing a wave of green light throughout the entire restaurant. The room fell into slumber.

  Finn jumped back, covering his mouth and said,“Sleep spell huh…You really think you c-can g-get me….”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “What’s going on…why am I sleepy…I am trained to not sleep so easily…” Finn thought to himself confused.

  “Confused huh….You may be trained for this…but remember…” Rionel said as he then appeared beside Finn, and looked menacingly to him, “You are not strong enough to face the likes against me…” He then slammed his staff into Finn’s guts.

  “Finn….NO!” Drex yelled as he caught him. He checked his pulse, he was okay. Drex said “Rionel…”

  “It’s over Drex…Go run back to your leaders tell them a war they want, a war they get.” Rionel said as he got his staff ready to fire towards Drex.

  “You won't get away with this…” Drex muttered, backing away as he picked up Finn.

  Drex thought to himself, “Just you wait…When the time comes right, you won't expect it one bit.”

  Raptor looked flabbergasted as they started to walk away, “WHAT…RIONEL YOU ARE JUST LETTING THEM GO??”

  ‘Raptor…We have more important business than to deal with the likes of them…I was very tempted to start attacking them, but I cannot reveal myself to the normal people yet.” Rionel said confidently as he looked at Raptor. “Now…Did you find it?”

  Raptor hesitated, and stared down the floor…”Not exactly…”

  “What do you mean NOT EXACTLY?!?!” Rionel said as he shouted confusedly.

  “Well…” Raptor said as he opened up his sleeve to reveal a wound.

  Rionel then came up to touch his arm, and Raptor screamed out in pain.

  “You foolish Reptile…” Rionel said as he then took his staff and brought it near Raptor’s injured arm, then did a healing spell. “Don’t scare me like that next time…”

  “I got it…” Raptor whispered.

  The scene shifted back to Nick at the cafeteria, on the first floor and extends outside where people can sit and play ball. It was the middle of the day.

  Nick sat near the bleachers, scrolling through his phone.

  “This Tom here, and welcome back to NNB News channel, the best in the west, " Tom said in a stern voice.“Breaking news, A masked serial KIller going by ‘Crazy H,’ has struck again the Rockbird District. His most recent victim was a 15 year old girl, Ashley Mansya. The police are on the hunt for him. If you come across him do not approach him, I repeat do NOT approach him. Stay back and call the police” Tom said in a serious tone.

  Nicholas shuddered, “A serial killer, in this city? How have they not caught him yet?”

  Nick turned off the phone, so he does not witness anymore fear.

  As soon as Nick turned off his Phone, the High school Football team burst in.

  “Playoffs, baby!” shouted Jamal Hunter. The school roared.

  “Ugh Jamal…Crazy enough as he is the school’s favorite, but also James Hunter's son…” Nick thought to himself, as he rolled his eyes “Anything bad he does? The school ignores it like nothing has ever happened. They all eat the shit he walks on.”

  One of Jamal’s friends cheered on him, said, “YOO I can’t believe we made man.”

  “All thanks to Jamal” Another friend says as he cheered on patting Jamal’s back. “You literally carried us through that game last night.”

  “What can I say, I guess I’m just built differently” Jamal says as he laughs arrogantly.

  Suddenly as Nick was watching them, He felt the same energy, the presence as someone was watching him twice. He turned and the energy was gone, but it was just the girl, shy and reserved.

  “Oh thank God…” Nick thought to himself as he was relieved. “Just a regular girl. But where did the presence go then? Are they in the room?” As Nick looked around the room to see if anyone was watching him.

  “I can’t find it anymore…” Nick disappointedly said. He looked back at the girl, and thought “She’s kinda cute, but…”

  “Yeah they can be a bit noisy. I always wondered what's with the big celebration for a game like this?” Nick said to the girl.

  The girl looked directly at Nick, and quickly looked away and replied, “Ye-yeah… I just wish they weren’t that loud, so I can just focus on my work…” as she had her notebook on her lap.

  “What class are you studying for?” Nick said curiously?

  “I-I’m a freshman…Just practicing math…” The girl said.

  Nick got a closer look at her notebook, and noticed advanced math, far beyond even senior level.

  “Jesus…This girl is smart…Wait a second she's a freshman??? And learning such math, that even I haven’t done before? Who is she?” Nick thought to himself as she was focusing on the equations on her work.

  “I haven’t gotten your name… I’m Nicholas, you can call me Nick. O-oh I’m also a Junior.” Nick said as he fluttered out the words.

  “Tatya…N-name’s Tatya” She said as she stopped writing.

  “Tatya…huh what a beautiful name…” Nick thought as he eyed her down.

  “You know…I never seen a freshman do such advanced math before, I don’t even know what half of those equations mean.” Nick said as he pointed towards her notebook..

  “Y-yeah…I just had a head start on math when I was younger…My father wanted me to learn math…Always told me math is the universe's way of talking to us.” Tatya said as she stared back at Nick.

  “Woah full down stare…” Nick thought as he slightly blushed at her.

  “Your father sounds like a smart man.” Nick said as he was intrigued by her intelligence. “What math class are you currently taking?”

  “I’m only in Geometry right now, even though I don’t want to be in it…The school really had no choice, they want me to acquire all the credits…you know to maintain the school’s name…” Tatya said in such an eloquent voice, and tone that she was really toned in to the conversation. “What math are you taking now?”

  “Well I skipped Pre-calculus this year, so now I'm taking Ap Calculus.” Nick said in an impressive tone.

  “Oh wow.! That’s good not a lot of people can do that.” Tatya said as she was staring down on Nick.

  Nicholas thought to himself, “Should I ask for her number? She's really chill to hangout with.”

  “Hey Tatya…You mind if I get your number, you know just to talk about these topics later on?” Nick said in a weak concerned tone, as if he is afraid of getting rejected.

  “Yeah Sure…Here’s my number” Tatya said enthusiastically.

  As they both gave each other’s numbers, the bell rang and lunch was over.

  “Well…Bye Nicholas…I have to go to my English class now…Nice talking to you…I’ll see you later” Tatya said in a heartwarming smile.

  Nick’s chest skipped a beat, but Nick regained his composure. He thought to himself as he slowly walked away, “Dam…What was that ... .why did my heart just skip a beat…Oh well she's a nice girl…Hope to see her again soon.”

  Just as Nick was about to walk out the cafeteria doors, he remembered he had to meet with Mr. A.

  “AH shit I forgot my meeting with Mr. A, I hope I'm not too late” Nick said as he rushed towards his office real quick.

  Nicholas arrived at the office, and he knocked on his door. No answer. He peeked inside the room slightly, only to find no one inside.

  “Ah, maybe I’m too late…” Nick thought to himself, slightly disappointed. Just before he closed the door, he noticed an emblem on the wall, on top of his computer.

  “Huh, what is that emblem?” Nick thought to himself as he opened the door again, “Why does this emblem look so familiar? Where is it even from?” As Nick slowly went inside to get a better look?

  “This emblem…It's not from any country?” As Nick examined it closer, continuing to think to himself? “Wait…This looks vaguely like The Republic of Muscovites Emblem, but at the same time it's not? Why does Mr. A, have this?”

  “I don’t like this…I have to get out of here before anyone realizes i'm in here.” Nick thought to himself, suddenly spooked and scared.

  As he began to walk out, on the right he noticed a map of the world, but with red pins on certain countries, and blue pins on other certain countries.

  “What is this? Are these places he’s been to, and places he wants to go?” Nick thought to himself, as he was curious to what these pins meant.

  Suddenly he heard Mr. A walk through the halls, on the phone.

  “So at last, Zhe is doing fine right? No problems?” Mr. A said with an odd english accent. He noticed the door was open, and said to the phone, “I’ll call you back.” and quickly cut off the phone.

  Mr. A as he had his hand on the handle and replied, “Nicholas is that you?” in a slight disappointed tone, as if he was expecting Nick not to be here.

  Mr. A opened the door and noticed Nick was here. He began to smile.