“Ahh we’ve been searching for hours! Where is she?!” Sam complained.

“It’s just been 30 minutes Sam.” Kiara replied.

“It’s okay Sam, you must be tired.” Anthony said before opening a class door to check whether Rebekah was inside.

“Does she do this often? The disappearing, I mean?” Sam asked as he opened another one of the door to check himself.

“Ahh… Yeaaah…” Anthony replied with hesitation.

“Why does she do it?” Kiara asked with a frown.

“She… let’s just say, don’t like people.” Anthony replied with a mentally exhausted tone.

(He’s lying. No, more like he’s hiding something.)

‘Hmm, maybe it’s about her “impulses”.’

“It’s a big building. I know I said this before but I think we should split up to cover more ground.” Sam suggested.

“Yeah I think so too.” Anthony nodded in agreement.

“Okay, Sam you take this floor. Me and Tony will take upstairs.” Kiara instantly jumped in.

‘You’re calling him ‘Tony’ huh?’ Sam remarked mentally.

“Sure…” He replied with a brief pause.

“Great!” Kiara replied in an almost happy tone before walking away with Anthony to upstairs._.

(I know I told you this before, but she’s not worthy of yo-)

“Shut up.”

(…)

Currently there were only the 40 students, belonging to the warrior class, present in the academy building and few 1st year teacher.

The 2nd and 3rd year students and staff assigned to them, were on vacation. It was semister break for them.

Classes other than warriors will still not be joining the academy starting next week. It won’t take a genius to figure out that Warrior class gets special treatment in the academy.

A special welcoming ceremony is held every year for them, they get to choose the dorms for themselves, and they get to experience the academy a week earlier before rest of the classes does. There are many more so called special treatments for them during their time at the Hero Academy.

(So, are you going to go check on her?) The voice in his head asked in curiosity.

“Are you stupid? Well you’re me so I guess you indeed are stupid, but to answer your question, no I won’t.” Sam rolled his eyes before a wide grin appeared on his face, “I’ve already sent her somewhere, somewhere safe.”

.

.

.

“So are you two close?” Anthony asked while opening another door on the second year’s floor.

“Sam and me? Yeah, were childhood friends. He is family.” Kiara replied, walking besides him.

“Aren’t you from Los Angeles? I heard about your family, I’m sorry. They call me the ‘Boy saviour’ but I wasn’t able to save anyone that day.” Anthony said, his voice filled with regret and apology.

It was clear from his tone that he was holding himself responsible for what happened in Los Angeles, the death of White Walker as well as the massacre of thousands of innocent families caught in the mess.

Kiara couldn’t help but widen her eyes. From the little age of 4, she was taught that kindness is weakness, if you have it, you’ll be exploited. But how can someone someone with so much power, be so kind.

Anthony was holding himself responsible for what happened in Los Angeles, when it was clearly not his fault. While Kiara and Sam were fighting White Walker, Starboy was being engaged by her father’s men. It wasn’t his fault that he arrived late, yet he was still suffering. Seeing this Kiara gently place her hand on his shoulder and spoke;

“It was not your fault. Stop beating yourself up about it and let’s find your sister.” She put on a warm smile.

“Haa… Thank you, I needed to hear that.” Sam replied with a bittersweet smile.

(Looks like someone is bonding.) The voice in Sam’s head remarked.

‘I don’t know what she sees in this guy.’ Sam replied mentally, his eyes turned cold and almost indifferent.

(Look at her, desperately trying so hard to grab his attention, to leave an impression.)

Sam was walking a few steps behind them. With his concealment ability on, he was observing Anthony closely. However the voice in his head couldn’t let him focus.

(Why do you fancy her anyway? She’s just a burden on you, without her you would’ve touched the Tree of Life years ago!)

‘But what’s the point if she’s not besides me?’

(The point in what? If you touch the Tree of Life, with your ability, you would be able to manipulate all life in existence. You would literally be a God! That’s the point! Who cares if she is or is not besides you?!)

‘I do! I care!’ Sam yelled in his mind.

(Why?! What has she ever done besides hurting you?! What has she ever done besides being a burden on you?! Even earlier today, she sided with this guy instead of you?! Did you forget? Don’t worry, even if you do, I’ll never let you! Because that’s what real family does!)

Sam’s breathing became ragged as he heard the voice in his mind, his heart beat fastened as the voice spoke again;

(Do it! Just kill her! After that just invade Los Angeles and get ahold of your destiny. Do it! Kill her Sam! Kill her!)

Sam started taking quick steps to close the distance between him and the pair walking in front. His hand structure changed and the nails at the top of his fingers started to grew. As it started resembling a claw, the voice spoke up again;

(Do it! Don’t think just do it! She’s Immortal but unlike you, she’ll die if you damage her brain. Aim for the head! Kill her!)

Sam’s heart starting to beat quicker, his breathing became more uneven as he pulled his hand back with intent to plant his claw in Kiara’s head. Before he could do so however, Anthony sensed something and quickly turned around.

Seeing this, Sam widened his eyes in shock and quickly jumped back a few meters. He reverted his hand back to normal and calmed his heart down.

“What is it?” Kiara asked in confusion.

“I… I don’t know, I sensed bloodlust. A lot of it too.” Anthony replied, clearly confused as there was no one in the corridor besides them.

“Are you sure? I don’t see anyone. And my senses are pretty sharp so I would know if there is bloodlust intended towards our direction.”

“Y-Yes there is indeed no one here but I did sen- Wait… Isn’t your ability water manipulation? How are your senses that sharp then? I don’t think you’ve been into life or death situation.” Anthony frowned his eyebrows and looked towards Kiara for answer.

“I’m- uhh I’m not-“

“She’s not lying. Her senses are pretty sharp. I trained her myself. Also before you start interrogating me too, I’ve been into several life and death situations. Why or how? That I can’t tell you, you should know the importance of secrets right?” Sam said as he walked up to them.

“S-Sam, are you done with the 1st year’s floor?” Kiara asked, clearly alarmed from Anthony’s question. Sam nodded before Anthony spoke up again;

“Sam, no I was not interrogating… I’m sorry, I’m always on edge, it’s a bad habit I’ve picked up.” Anthony replied in a apologetic tone while massaging his temples.

“It’s okay lol. No need to be so dramatic about it. By the way, did you found her?”

“No… we’ve searched the whole floor. It’s just 3rd year’s floor now.” Anthony looked up at the ceiling.

“So let’s go, why are we waiting for.” Sam shrugged and started walking before Kiara grabbed him by the collar from behind.

“Stop dummy. We can’t step foot into the 3rd year’s floor. It’s prohibited for 1st and 2nd years.” Kiara said. “Honestly just read the rulebook, it’s only 140 pages.”

“…Yeah no thank you.”

“What are you students doing here?” As the trio was pondering over what to do now, a feminine voice called out to them from behind.

They all turned around to see a woman in her late twenties with blue hair standing behind them.

“Miss Rose, ahh we were looking for a fellow student.” Sam replied almost immediately.

“Who? Which student?” Rose asked with an arched eyebrow.

“My sister, Rebekah. She hasn’t come back after the second break. Even now, the third class is underway but she’s not even reviving her phone or answering my texts.” Anthony replied.

“Maybe she’s skipping. It’s not rare for students to cut classes on the first few days and just explore around, or enjoy the college life.” Rose replied with a casual shrug, almost as if she was remembering her own academy days.

“Well even if… It’s the first time she’s not answering my calls. I’m worried, can you do something?” Anthony asked in a worried tone.

“Fine, wait I’ll ask the control room to go through the CCTV.” Rose said as she walked a few steps away and took out her comm device.

After a few minutes she nodded and thanked the control room. She walked back to the trio and said;

“Your sister was seen going out of the academy gates on her hover bike.”

“Wha… On her hover bike?” Anthony frowned in confusion, “But why would she not inform me.”

“Does she always have to inform you on what she does?” Sam asked with a curious tone.

“Well yeah, father doesn’t want me to leave her alone because of some reasons, so when we’re out, she has to stay by my side all the time.” Anthony replied earnestly.

“So maybe, she’s tired of that. Maybe she went out to take a break.” Sam shrugged, but seeing the worry on Anthony’s face still haven’t disappeared, he spoke again; “Just have a little faith in your sister.”

Anthony remembered what Rebekah said earlier, that she’s been tired of his shit. Maybe she really was frustrated being kept on under watch for 24 hours a day. Maybe she really does need a little private time. Realising this Anthony nodded his head and spoke;

“Thank you, you two. Even though we didn’t find her but you two helped me, especially you Sam, even after I suspected you, you still helped me. I’m sorry and thank you.” Anthony spoke in an honest grateful tone.

“As I said back then, friends don’t have to apologise, now don’t be a drama queen and let’s join the last class for the day, I’ve already missed my second class and it’s just the first day.”

“Yeah, what Sam said, friends don’t apologise and neither they say words like thank you and stuff. Now come on let’s go to the training field.” Kiara said and started walking towards the stairs.

The boys followed behind. Sam turned his head back and quickly glanced at Rose before nodding, to which Rose performed a bow, as if a maid bowing infront of her master.

___

Information available on:

[Water manipulation]

•Users can create, shape, and manipulate water, inorganic compound with liquid, gas (steam, water vapor), and solid (ice) states, including changing them from one state to others.

•Some users are able to completely control the temperature of the water at will.

•Variation of Liquid Manipulation and Elemental Manipulation.

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