10 The escape from the window
Somewhere in Cloud City existed a high-end neighbourhood. Even though it was late afternoon, the neighbourhood was quiet and tranquil.
In that sceneric neighbourhood, there was a beautiful one-story house. The house was designed with a white theme, consisting of a living room, a kitchen, a guest room, two bedrooms, an office and a gym.
The second bedroom was on the left side of the house. It was very tidy, and the books were arranged perfectly according to their topics. Quantum physics, virology, optics, electromagnetism, each field of study had at least three books dedicated to it. On the uppermost left were novels of all genres.
The blue and white bed sheets were without creases, the duvet folded neatly, every cloth was placed in its position, there was no dirt under the bed, and no dirty socks or underwear littered around.
To be honest, if one could start from the beginning to reread, only one impression would be left for the occupant of this room. Self-disciplined and well-mannered, however, his current actions were nothing to write home about.
A healthy tanned hand with beautiful long slender fingers pulled the window up, his head looking down.
It should not be too hard to jump'.
His caution however fastened him to the spot. He shook his head, it does not hurt to be more careful. He went to the wardrobe and opened a black bag. The bag was filled with gadgets, it was Zane's emergency survival kit.
Every item ensured that he could survive anywhere from a dungeon to a zombie apocalypse. There was two bottles of mineral water, a packet of high-calorie chocolates, a dozen nutrient solution, a compass, a brand new high lumen seven in one tactical pen, it included, a flashlight, ball pen, glass breaker, screwdriver, lighter, batteries, ink refills. In another section of the bag were his medicines and his weapons, a knife, a hammer and lastly a grip rope.
Zane held the grip robe and returned to the window, he gripped the heavy end of the rope to the chair and threw the rest down. After making sure that the rope was strong by pulling it harshly three times, he began his descent.
He quickly entered his car. 'I jumped down safely' he thought, smiling.
[If you cannot even jump down a one-story building with a rope then wouldn't leading this planet's Gnosis organisation be nothing but a dream]
"Shouldn't the first member of the Gnosis organisation on a planet be the Aeon?" thinking of something, he continued, "The leader just has to be good at giving orders."
System 01 was angry, it had clearly told Zane about the selection criteria for official positions and their responsibilities. He was worried that this kind of cautious partner would not make the higher-ups reassured enough to make him Earth's Aeon.
System 340901 did not have any desire to become any other system's subordinate, it could only make do and continue to train Zane even though his words made electric sparks run through its body.
[Zane. Why did you sneak out? Surely telling your friends in person can't be so important that you would readily destroy the image you have been cultivating in front of members of the Valois family]
Zane chuckled, "It is precisely because of that image that I had to leave in this manner."
He leaned back and watched the other cars from the window. He had intended to meet up with his friends after his father's family came for him. He couldn't allow them to hear it from the news or else all his hard work in these four years would be wasted.
He had even made sure to call some friends or at least sent a text message asking if he could talk with them before making sure his Atlas was not reachable. He had also made sure that those he had sent messages to had no mutual friends, being thorough was one of the things he had learnt to excel in.
However, he called Ren, Kalli and Cassandra to Fred's ice cream palace to talk. He could imagine how their faces would be if they heard the news tomorrow, they would probably rush to call.
After scolding him, Cassandra would probably be very excited and more flirtatious now their status is closer, Kalli would probably feel more insecure in their friendship and Ren, he would not berate him but he would be disappointed. Imagine his silently enduring face, a little smile subconsciously appeared on his face.
Zane was still a teenager, he was not some cold trained agent that would discard his feelings after his mission. He knew that this was a problem.
if he wanted to lead the Gnosis organization branch on Earth, one that specialized in information collection and espionage, he had to be more ruthless and indifferent, able to swiftly cut away any emotion or person. Since he couldn't do that now, he would leave the problem for another day. He admired the Sleek Typhoon 35 that zoomed past his car, perhaps he should ask for this model when he gets back to the Valois family.
___
Less than 3 miles away from him, on the roof of his home, Edward Tuffin was making a call to his master.
"Hahaha!" An elderly voice rang through Butler Edward Tuffin's ears. "He seems to resemble his father then"
"Master." Edward said worriedly.
"Edward. The boy just jumped off the window to run off with his friends. Are you worried about little Xavier? Are you doubting that Xavier would win against a child raised outside?"
Edward shook his head. Of course, he knew Xavier's capabilities, but the young heir was detached and always alone. He knew in such battles, strength was not the only weapon. What was he thinking? A good butler never questions his master. "Of course not, Master."
The master then hung up.
Edward remembered that young man's bearing and temperament. Banishing the thoughts, he sighed, he hoped he was overthinking.
Aziel Valois sipped his tea and read the document in front of him. ZANE BLACK was boldly printed on the cover page. He quickly flipped through the page about his school life.
'One of the central figures in the school. He was voted School Council President in his second year. He does well in athletics and other physical exercises, however, his intelligence and communication skills are extremely high. He has friends among students of every class, year and sex. Cheerful, forthright and honest, he is respected by both students and teachers wielding tremendous influence in the school. He has no strike against him in school, he has never been tardy, late to any class, there has never been any report of any abuse of his power either.'
Such a child jumped through the window and left without informing anyone. Was the news he received today simulating or had he suppressed such behaviour? It did not matter, he should obediently serve his purpose in the Valois family.
A dark light flashed through Aziel's eyes and he leisurely sipped the clear, aromatic green liquid inside the cup. He inhaled the aroma deep into his lungs willing for maximum diffusion into every cell his body contained.
"Grandfather" An apathetic voice sounded out in the room. Aziel raised his head and seeing his grandson, a faint smile danced on his lips.
"Come in, come in. What are you standing there for? Come and sit down." He gestured to the seat in front of him.
This was a scene that would leave many members of the Valois family in shock but the young teenager was unfettered. He took a seat opposite his grandfather and looked at him silently. His black eyes bored into the old man in front of him.
The old man smiled, this boy. Doesn't he know that it is rude to stare unabashedly at someone, especially an elderly person like him? It was like all the previous lessons on etiquette had completely escaped from his mind.
"Little Xavier, why did you visit Grandfather today?" He pushed the teapot lightly to Xavier, who tipped it into a cup. He took a sip and savoured it slowly, the da-hong pao tea was really good.
After appreciating the tea he drank, he spoke, his voice was unhurried and steady, and no fluctuation of mood could be found present.
"I came to ask about my new brother."
Charles smiled, "Little Xavier is not an only child anymore, aren't you happy?"
He waited for some reaction but it became evident that he would not get one when Xavier still hadn't spoken up after a minute. He awkwardly cleared his throat.
It was no wonder people thought badly of Xavier with this kind of temperament. Couldn't he at least try to make some conversation? It was as if he was averse to the term, 'social protocol'.
"Well.....you know that in the Valois family, illegitimate children should prove their worth to be legitimized. Your older brother, although he has lived a good life in Cloud City, however, he has strived hard, ranking 2nd in the recent CAT. What reason is there to deny him his fervent desire?"
"His fervent desire?"
Charles barely suppressed a satisfied smile. He stared at the face of his grandson who always had a look that even if blood rain should fall, it would not change and sighed, "Grandfather has indeed wronged you. However, it couldn't be helped, every child longs for the attention and affection of his father. He is still your brother, you have to show your face at his welcome party. Little Xavier, don't worry, no matter what Grandfather would always have your back."
