Chapter 14

October 29, 11 AF – Signal Tower – 0900 hours

-

JUST LEAVE THE CAR IN A PUBLIC CARPARK. THANKS. I OWE YOU.

That was the message Allen got from Ethan an hour after he bolted off last night. They had followed them up to the crash site but neither Ethan or Moon was there. So he replied, I LEFT IT AT THE CARPARK NEAR THE SCHOOL. ARE YOU OKAY? ANNE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE TWO OF YOU. To which he did not receive a reply back. From the school they had taken the last bus of the night. By that time, the rain had considerably weakened and thunder only rumbled in the clouds. After they got home, they immediately went to their rooms and fell fast asleep exhausted by the events of their night.

It was the weekend and their classes were in the afternoon, so they decided to visit Ethan. However, Allen had no idea where he lived. It was Anne that had visited Ethan's place once to deliver some paperwork that their homeroom teacher had to give him. Anne volunteered to pass it over to him and made it an excuse to go to Ethan's place. But this time, they had a heavier excuse. They wanted to know what happened. They were worried. Especially after seeing the crash site. News of the crash took the morning news like a storm, but details concerning it were vague and further developments of the story itself was quickly shut down as if by a higher power.

At the front gate, they were stopped by the guards and were asked what their business there was. "We're here to visit a friend, he lives in 3018." said Anne.

The guards checked whether the person in question was home and no one responded. "Seems like there's no one home. But all their vehicles are in the garage though."

"All their vehicles?" Allen wondered. Even the SUV? Already? "Can we at least enter?"

"No, I'm sorry. Building rules, non-tenants cannot enter unless we have confirmation from the tenant to allow you in." the guard said.

"Okay then." Allen said as he turned around. "Stingy-ass…" He tried calling Ethan through his pocket terminal again but still no answer.

"So, what now?" Anne said. As they thought of their options, a truck proceeded to the gate and entered. They could hear murmurs from the guards saying something about another dangerous bigshot moving in and the Tower employing more guards.

"What are the two of you doing here?" said a voice behind them. When they looked to see who had talked to them, it was Kei. As far as they knew, Kei was the guy that had always been challenging Ethan to title fights and lost. Although his academic accomplishments were within acceptable ranges, his reputation was sour due to his inclination of trying to hit on every woman he encounters. So, they were strangers at best. "You're Ethan's classmates, right? Visiting him too?"

"Yeah… though it seems there's no one at his place." Allen said as Anne got closer to him. "What about you? Why would you be visiting him?"

"Did you see the news? I don't know why but I got a nagging feeling that was Ethan. I'm his rival so I want to know for sure." Kei said. "This wasn't the first time too. There were a lot of other smaller events like that for the past years, The Phantom Hero."

"You mean the mystery hero?" Anne asked. "You think Ethan's the Phantom Hero?"

As far as anyone was concerned the Phantom Hero was deemed as a top story among young audiences for the past few years. A mage that seemingly has the ability to prevent himself from being "recognized" by recording devices or any type of vision. All that could be seen was a hazy black shape of a human person.

"I have absolutely no idea. He's never shown more than a small fraction of his powers so I can't know for sure." Kei then looked up at the tower. "He feels that big compared to me."

Anne looked at the tower as well. Yeah, I guess I know how he feels…

"Anyway, if his bike or any of his cars are all in the garage and he's not in his unit then that means he's at that girl's place." Kei then laughed.

"That girl?" Allen and Anne asked at the same time.

"You guys didn't know? That silver-haired chick lives here too." Kei said with a wide smile.

Signal Tower – Unit 2817

-

"This was the first time we've ever had any reaction." Moon said.

John was making breakfast at the kitchen. Moon was holding the book and observing it. The symbol last night was inscribed on the lock. It was familiar, she thought. She saw that symbol somewhere in the Scholar's notes once before. However, she lost it while they were in Russia.

"Phenomenon Manipulation, Matter Reformation, Physics Rewrite… even an Overload and he's still alive." John remarked.

Overload. Each human being has a certain limit to how much amion they can take in and use. The level of that limit dictates a mage's power level. Going through that limit, however, was dangerous. In an overload state, the mage can use all of the amions in his surroundings however he wishes in a short amount of time but at a price. Majority of those who did, sunk into comatose. While some, died. A mage in overload state will have the cells in their brain that regulate magic burned by the excess amions and deplete their magical capacity. Even if they survived, they would no longer be able to use magic anymore and lose their minds entirely.

But Ethan made a miracle. Other than just surviving, he had retained his innate ability as a mage despite being in a "broken" state. Which was why Lily, his guardian, was acting as a regulator. She was acting as the bridge to fuel Ethan's body with amions until it was able to recuperate naturally.

"You guys came here for Ethan, didn't you?" Lily telepathically asked.

"Now that's another nifty ability." John said in his mind.

"If you can telepathically communicate, then that means you've known from our thoughts already." Moon said.

"Unfortunately, no. My telepathy isn't so convenient. Now please tell me who you are.

"…we're sorry, but we can't give that information yet." John said out loud.

"I see. That is a shame then." Lily remarked.

Moon's terminal rang. It was Anne calling her. She immediately answered.

"Eliza? Moon? Is Ethan with you?" Anne asked.

Moon thought hard. In a situation like this, innocent civilians must never be involved in their cause. Those who do end up being in harm's way. But if left alone, they could cause exposure.

"Let them in. They're already too involved with us." Lily telepathically said to Moon.

"Yes, he's here." Moon replied to Anne. "I'll tell the guards to let you up."

Saint's Grace Elementary, First Day – 15 years ago

-

"...as a new day for you, this is our job. This is our duty in this new world. To nurture and develop the talents of each and every one of you children as much as we can. Do not falter, we are here for you."

Thus, the speech of the Youth Initiation program's head ended with an applause from faculty, parents, and students present.

The Youth Initiation program was started as means of identifying the potential and categorizing into the New World Index the inherent ability a child has. This program had become a requirement for each student going into first grade and has become more of a tradition rather than strict law by the Monarchy. A child's abilities are more or less pronounced at an earlier age. Both children and parents always looked forward to this program, as it would show more detail regarding their gifts. Other than Ethan Blake.

Mia Blake held Ethan's hand when they came out of the black sedan with an attendant carrying Lisa following them. It was a rare event for his mother to be present at such a time. The reason for that was simple, but also heart-breaking. Ethan's father, Jameson Blake, had died a few weeks earlier and they had just come from the first hearing against the suspect, a high-profile public leader with alleged ties to the triads and mafia.

The hearing merely went back-and-forth to no avail. At the time, Ethan had no idea what to feel other than emptiness. He saw his father as a paragon of justice and good morals as well as smart and wise. He was kind, but not to the point it became foolish. Without the father he looked up to, he was confused.

-

"I'm gonna be a brother?" asked 5-year old Ethan.

"That's right champ, you're going to be a big brother to a little sister" Jameson Blake replied with Mia Blake at his side.

"Wow. Can I be a good brother?" Ethan asked.

The two parents chuckled and Mia said, "Hmmm… I don't know. You might turn out like my older brother when we were kids."

"Ehhh? I'm gonna be a bad brother?" Ethan remarked.

"That's up to you, Ethan." Jameson knelt down and patted Ethan's head. "Be a good brother and protect both your mom and sister especially when I'm not here, okay?"

"Mmmm. I'll be a good brother and protect everyone," Ethan replied with joy.

-

"Ethan..." Sensing her son's feelings, Mia Blake got lower and looked him in the eye. "Daddy would have wanted you to finish the initiation with a smile, okay?"

Ethan nodded and they proceeded to the gymnasium where the program was being held. Due to the hearing they already arrived late. Thus, there were less people in the vicinity.

The Youth Initiation has two different versions. One for supers, and another for mages. Both versions make use of another same type of Initiated person to "awaken" the child's power but the mage's version uses a machine that reads their power and transcribes them as figures and numbers. Usually the parent of the child acts as the Initiator while a supervisor from the program observes and will operate the machine if the child is a mage.

The gymnasium, despite the time, still had quite the number of parents and children. Eager children were playing using their abilities under supervision. Upon entering, the program head came up and spoke with Mia.

"Mrs. Blake, I'm very sorry for your loss." The program head said as he bowed. "I know it is a difficult time indeed and we apologize for having to insist your son's participation regardless."

"No, it's understandable. The program has a strict time table after all."

They walked towards one of the vacant stations and took a seat. The supervisor at the station gave a slightly surprised look and seemed as if she wanted to leave. She sat down, looked at Ethan's information sheet, and explained the process.

"Little Mr. Blake then." She then gave a wry smile. "Please hold your mother's hand so we can begin."

Mia then interjected, "I'm sorry but I can't be the Initiator. I'm neither a mage nor a super."

"Oh. Is that so? No worries then, I'll be the Initiator if that's okay with you."

"Sure, it's not a problem." Mia replied.

The woman then took Ethan's hands. "Next up is you have to think of something or someone that makes you feel good. Emotion is important here; you need a strong one. Keep those thoughts while I give you some of my energy, okay?"

Ethan replied with a short "okay". Despite Ethan thinking of his best memories, it wasn't working. It went on for a few more times before the supervisor interjected.

"I'm really sorry but are you sure your son has an aptitude?" she asked Mia with her annoyance showing through.

"Yes, his father had a very high aptitude in three types." Mia replied quickly. "Our son has been using magitools as well so we know."

"Okay then. We'll be trying one last time." The supervisor then held Ethan's hands again, this time tight enough to the point that it started to hurt. "If this still doesn't work, it would be best for you to try again at a later date." This time, her annoyance was clear.

Ethan had been going through his thoughts looking for anything to feel a strong emotion. Then he heard it. At first, he thought it was his thoughts, but it was a female voice. The supervisor's.

Seems like minimizing my effort to awaken this kid's power wasn't needed. After all, what can you expect from the son of a worthless Blank and a corrupt cop?

Then and there, in a sudden burst of emotion, Ethan was swallowed up. For a child, the strongest emotion they had to awaken was of joy and love. But for Ethan, it was anger towards this woman who had insulted both parents that he completely loved.

Due to the sudden burst of energy, the attention in the gymnasium quickly shifted to them. The woman, who was more surprised by anyone present, jolted away from Ethan and crashed to the ground screaming without stop. "IT BURNS. IT BURNS. HELP ME!"

Then Ethan stood up and shouted, "My mom isn't worthless and my dad isn't corrupt!"

Signal Tower - Unit 2817 - Present Day

-

Ethan rose up from the bed as quickly as he woke up. That time in his childhood was the first time he had felt intense emotion. The first time he stood up to protect his parent's honor and the moment that he had decided on the path he is in.

As he looked around, he immediately noticed that he wasn't in his room. The bedsheets were bland and the room was smaller. It smelled slightly of tobacco and pizza.

"Have a bad dream?" Lily asked as she appeared.

"No. I don't think that counts as a bad dream." Ethan replied.

"Is that so?" Lily spoke while hovering towards the door. "Well, you're fine now so I guess it's time we address the elephant in the other room."

"What elephant?" Ethan asked with a confused look.

As he got up, he felt weak and wobbly. "What the-"

"Hold it. This time, the recoil is much worse." Lily then cast magic to help Ethan. A faint yellow glow enveloped his body. "I'll explain in detail later. For now, you need to know something else."

He got up again and was able to stand, although the experience felt like what it would be if he had mechanical supports on his entire body. Upon opening the door, five people directed their gaze towards him. Kei, Allen, Anne, John, and Eliza.

A few seconds of awkward tension came and was broken as Lily nudged Ethan to move.

"What are you gawking at them for? Move! Channeling magic is hard!" Lily exclaimed.

"Geez, take it easy." Ethan replied as he walked towards an empty single couch. "Okay, why is everyone here?"

To which Lily quickly replied, "I asked for them. Eliza, the book please."

This prompted a look of surprise on John and Eliza.

"Why do you know about the book?" John asked.

"I don't know," Lily then took quick glances at everyone. "I just feel like it's important. For everyone in this room right now."

"Okay." Moon took out the book from its satchel. "It's what we're here for anyway."

"Ethan, take it." Lily said

The moment Moon walked towards Ethan gave him a feeling of déjà vu. Holding the book gave him a stronger sense of it. It was like remembering the taste of your favorite childhood snack. Upon opening the book however, it was blank. All of its pages were the same devoid of any writing or marks.

"All blank?" Kei asked. He was hovering behind Ethan while he was flipping through its pages.

"I have no idea." He was confused. He already knew the pages would be blank and yet he kept going through the pages. "What is this book?"

"We're not completely sure either," John replied. "But one thing we know now is that you're the only one to have been able to open that besides the Scholar."

"The Scholar?" Ethan asked.

"My father." Moon interjected. "Your turn to explain, fairy. Why ask for the book? Especially in front of everyone here."

"Like I said, I don't know. It just felt like something I should do." Lily said.