Hiruzen had barely taken three steps away from the arena when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

  Logan: Hiruzen—wait.

  Hiruzen stopped and turned.

  Hiruzen: Logan? What’s going on?

  Logan slowed to a halt, adjusting the sleeve of his white suit. Up close, Hiruzen could see it now—the stiffness in his posture, the way his eyes kept flicking upward toward the floating thrones.

  Logan: My father wants to speak with you.

  (beat)

  He was… impressed by your performance.

  Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.

  Hiruzen: Your dad? The head of A&M?

  Logan hesitated—just for a fraction of a second.

  Logan: Yes. Please. He doesn’t like being kept waiting.

  Hiruzen exhaled slowly.

  Hiruzen: Figures. Lead the way.

  They stepped onto a circular platform of crystal. The moment Logan placed his foot down, glowing runes ignited along its edge. With a low hum, the platform lifted into the air, rising steadily toward the hovering thrones above the arena.

  Below them, the cheers of the students faded into distant noise.

  Above them, power waited.

  The platform came to a smooth stop before the central throne.

  Franklin Sagewell sat with his hands folded neatly in his lap, posture relaxed, expression warm. Sera stood beside him, tall and radiant, her golden eyes studying Hiruzen like a specimen under glass.

  Logan stepped forward.

  Logan: Father. Mother. This is Hiruzen Yuki.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Franklin rose from his throne.

  Franklin: Hiruzen. My boy.

  (smiles)

  It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.

  Hiruzen bowed slightly, instinctively.

  Hiruzen: The pleasure’s mine, sir. Though I’m not sure why you wanted to see me.

  Franklin chuckled softly, as if amused by the question.

  Franklin: Straight to the point. I like that.

  You see, my son has spoken very highly of you. Says your potential is… exceptional.

  Hiruzen glanced sideways at Logan.

  Hiruzen: Didn’t realize I’d made that much of an impression.

  Sera stepped closer, her presence immediately oppressive.

  Sera: Oh, Logan notices things others don’t. We raised him that way.

  (smiles gently)

  He has an eye for greatness.

  Something about her tone made Hiruzen’s skin crawl.

  Franklin tilted his head.

  Franklin: Tell me, Hiruzen… have you ever heard the name Skyzen?

  The name hit like a blade to the chest.

  For a split second, the temperature around Hiruzen dropped.

  His fist clenched.

  Inside his mind, Iskarth’s voice echoed faintly.

  Steer clear.

  Hiruzen forced his breathing to steady.

  Hiruzen: Yes.

  (measured)

  Skyzen was a renowned scientist. Helped found A&M alongside you when you were younger.

  Franklin’s smile widened.

  Franklin: Correct. Very well-informed.

  (paces slowly)

  But did you know he was the first man to truly understand why people like you exist?

  Hiruzen’s eyes sharpened.

  Hiruzen: What do you mean?

  Franklin gestured toward Logan.

  Franklin: Go on, son. Explain.

  Logan swallowed, glancing briefly at his father before speaking.

  Logan: Long ago… people born with abilities were feared.

  Hunted. Executed. Entire families erased.

  (voice tightens)

  Skyzen lost his parents to that fear.

  Hiruzen’s jaw tightened.

  Logan: So he devoted his life to understanding the phenomenon. Not magic. Not curses. Biology. Physics. Reality itself.

  Logan raised a finger.

  Logan: He classified empowered individuals into five categories.

  Logan: One—Enhancement. Those who amplify their physical capabilities.

  Two—Elemental. Control over natural forces.

  Three—Materializers. Those who create matter or constructs.

  Four—Cerebral. Mental amplification—intellect, perception, cognition.

  (hesitates)

  Five—Abstract. Powers that interact with the foundations of reality itself.

  Hiruzen felt a chill crawl up his spine.

  Hiruzen: So what stuff like Time. Space. Gravity…?

  Logan nodded.

  Logan: Exactly.

  Franklin resumed speaking, seamlessly.

  Franklin: Skyzen believed understanding would lead to protection.

  (pause)

  So he gathered people like us. Gave them shelter. Purpose. Safety.

  Hiruzen frowned.

  Hiruzen: In exchange for experiments.

  Franklin’s eyes gleamed.

  Franklin: In exchange for progress.

  Silence.

  Franklin: That’s how I met Skyzen. And Reito.

  Together, we founded A&M.

  Hiruzen shook his head slightly.

  Hiruzen: Then why did Reito leave?

  Franklin’s smile thinned.

  Franklin: Ah. Reito believed we’d lost our way.

  (shrugs)

  Said we were no longer protecting our kind—only preparing them.

  Sera’s voice cut in, smooth as silk.

  Sera: He was afraid of what true understanding would require.

  Hiruzen’s heart sank.

  Hiruzen: Then he disappeared.

  Franklin nodded.

  Franklin: Precisely. For five years without a trace and at some point he met Frederick and together they founded this school to teach and guide the next generation of our kind.

  Hiruzen opened his mouth to speak—

  —and the air exploded into frozen mist.

  A wave of frost swept across the platform.

  Reito stepped forward from the fog, eyes sharp, voice cold.

  Reito: That’s enough.

  Franklin laughed quietly.

  Franklin: Reito. My old friend. Still dramatic, I see.

  Reito placed a hand on Hiruzen’s shoulder.

  Reito: We’re leaving. Now.

  As they turned, Franklin’s voice stopped them both.

  Franklin: Oh—one more thing.

  Reito froze.

  Franklin: Tell Iskarth I said hello.

  The temperature dropped instantly.

  Reito turned slowly, his eyes burning with frost.

  Reito: Stay away from him.

  Franklin only smiled.

  Mist surged outward.

  When it cleared, Reito and Hiruzen were gone.

  Far above the arena, Franklin sat back down.

  Franklin: Interesting boy.

  (to Logan)

  Very interesting.

  Logan said nothing.

  He couldn’t.

  End Chapter