On a certain day, within a certain classroom, while everyone was enjoying their break period, two girls were chattering away.
"Have you heard the rumor?" said the first girl, her short blonde hair accentuating her lightly dark skin and bright amber eyes.
"You really love your gossip, don't you, Mira? So, what is it about this time?" the second girl, a beautiful 14-year-old with dark shoulder-length hair and beautiful blue eyes, responded while still reading her book with quite the reserved yet warm expression.
"C'mon, Emi~! Just put down your book for a sec and listen to what I have to say, okay?" said Mira who seemed to be pouting at her classmate's total indifference.
With a sigh followed by a little chuckle and an expression of someone trying to comfort a pouting child, "Okay, okay. I get it. So, what's this about?" the blue-eyed girl put down her book and started to pat Mira's head, listening intently to her pleased friend.
"Apparently, there's a new student that'll be transferring into the Academy in the Second Term."
"And so? What's so surprising about it?"
"Hehehe…!" grinned Mira. "Emilia, Emilia, you're not ready for what's coming for you."
"Sure, sure. If that's all you have to say, then…" started Emilia before being interrupted by Mira who revealed another piece of information.
"Rumor has it that he's a Special Admission student."
Emilia was completely frozen. 'A Special Admission student? Only a handpicked few chosen by the Dean himself get the honor of enrolling as Special Admission students.'
"Hehehe!" giggled Mira. "I knew that one would pick your interest."
"Fine, you win. I'm completely beaten," Emilia had a smile tugged at her lips as she raised her hands in defeat.
"Nice. But still, I wonder what that transfer student is like. Aren't you also curious?" asked Mira, as the bell signaling the end of break period rang throughout the corridors and hallways of the academy, Emilia simply shrugging off the statement while still patting the head in front of her.
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On another site, a rumble shook the earth, sending shockwaves through the ground that echoed through the serene yet busy buildings and facilities that surrounded the training ground. Beneath the rising dust, were two distinct silhouettes, one adorned in blazing red aura while the other exuded a shimmering serene bluish-silver aura.
Their clash was nothing short but spectacular, their movements were blurs, mere trails of their auras to be seen. The sheer force of their blows sent tremors that rattled the very ground beneath them.
In but one moment, as the dust cleared, it was Ace and Chris, sparring as part of their training.
"That's enough for today. It's almost time for lunch," said Chris, his voice steady as both of them, only inches from landing a blow on the other, immediately halted their assault.
"Wow! So that's the rumored adopted son of the Chief. Talk about a monster," said one of the Realizers, who was resting with his partner after their own spar.
"I know, right? You gotta wonder what they do to get that strong," his partner with awe etched on his face.
"Oh shoot!" the Realizer exclaimed. "I've gotta run or else my girlfriend is gonna squash me! See ya!"
"Sure."
After the Realizer went on his way, "I'd also better get going."
He stood up from the corner they were watching from and also headed on his way.
Meanwhile, Ace and Chris continued to exchange pleasantries, "You always end things right when the fight starts getting more intense. I just don't get it," said Ace, a wondering gaze being aimed at Chris while they wiped off their sweat with their towels.
"Unlike Deker, I prefer to conserve my energy rather than use it whenever I feel like it," replied Chris as he remembered his fight against Deker.
With a small chuckle from Chris, "Well, maybe one of these days we'll be able to go at it for real," he muttered, Ace only slightly hearing what was said. After cleaning up and eating up at the Association's dining hall, the two of them went back home together, where Ellie and Shaw were waiting for them.
As hours passed and night fell, the aroma of a hearty meal wafted through the air, teasing the senses of the father-sons trio as their stomachs grumbled. She had prepared a hot meal of stewed meat and vegetables, which they eagerly devoured.
Ace had studied more about the history and other social norms of the world he was living in from Chris's tutoring and the books in the house's study which were all accumulated by Chris himself. Ace had now fully acclimated himself to this new world.
In the middle of the night, while Shaw and his parents slept in their respective rooms, Ace went for a late-night stroll around the neighborhood. As he walked through it and the familiar chatter and laughter of people enjoying the night, a voice aborded him.
"Hello there," It was Hugo, who seemed to also be out on a late-night walk. "I do wonder, what are you doing out here at this hour?"
'Damn it. This person is that old man Chris talked about,' he cursed internally as he bowed his head. "What a coincidence. Life certainly does surprise you when you least expect it."
"Hehe," Hugo chuckled. "I suppose young Blakelord is unaware of your little escapade," he said, hitting the nail right on the head.
Ace, though with a relaxed and deadpan expression, remained completely silent.
"Do not fret," Hugo reassured as he gestured towards the nearby park. "I simply want to have a chat with you."
Arriving in the park, and sitting on a nearby bench, "So," Ace started, curious about what Hugo's intentions were. "What did you want to talk about with me?"
"Simple curiosity really," replied Hugo before continuing. "Logically speaking, in the eyes of anyone, you are just any ordinary 13-year-old young lad. But remove that mask and you're actually a person capable of keeping up with the one known as the Swordmaster. Though it is not as if he was using his full capabilities either."
'Now he's just talking in riddles,' Ace thought, still not getting why the old man was here.
"Another question. Why do you want me to attend your academy? You even went through all the trouble of helping me establish an identity here. So what's in it for you?"
Hugo's lips shifted to a knowing smile as he acknowledged the question he was asked. "I told you, remember? Simple curiosity. You were discovered in the same manner monsters appear from Vanishing Points, so isn't it more curious not to want to know more about who or what you really are?"
Ace processed the old man's words. "Guess I ain't getting anything more out of him. I'll just have to be content with his answer of simply being curious."
"Well, if you'll excuse me. It would seem that it's getting pretty late. It was a nice talk," said Hugo as he checked a pocket watch in his coat.
'Talk, huh? He simply evaded all my questions. He really is one shrewd old man. Well, not that I can force him to talk anyway. After all, he's way stronger than me,' thought Ace, resigning himself to his situation.
Before they could even exchange goodbyes, "Ace!" their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Chris, who waved at Ace from a distance.
"Seems like time is out. Let's talk more once you enter the academy," said Hugo as Ace turned to face him, only to find he had already vanished.
'Weird old man. Now then…'
"Ace," Chris began, his voice carrying a blend of concern and undeniable rage, "Follow me, young man."
'How do I get out of this one?' he thought as he immediately answered with a simple…
"Yes sir."