Ashton City

'Tracked, huh?'

Amara stared at Lucy from the corner of her eye.

The Golden Six currently sat in the cabin as Cain gave a nod of satisfaction upon hearing Lucy's confirmation.

"That's good. Now, if the Intruder really is in our class, we'll be able to track them. But since Lucy can only track and not identify the tracked individuals..." Cain trailed off, turning his head to Ava.

"I'll be responsible for keeping track of all the students, so when the intruder does appear, we'll know who's missing."

Ava finished Cain's sentence, though with a strained voice and difficult expression.

"I feel bad for going behind my friends' backs. Is there really no other way?" Ava questioned.

"I wish. But desperate times call for desperate measures. We don't know who the intruder is or what he's planning, which makes him dangerous." Cain replied.

"I agree with this, also." Lucy added, causing all the heads in the cabin to turn to her.

"The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. With Ashton being the most populated City in Spawn at this time, as well as the fact that it's no secret countless, if not all, of Inheritors in Ashton will be gathered in one location for Jett's final battle, it would be a perfect chance to enact any nefarious plots the Intruder has."

Lucy voiced her opinion, prompting Cain to nod in agreement.

"If this is all true and our class has a mole, that means the Academy is leading the intruder straight toward the Hale residence."

Jett commented as Ava glanced at him, only to notice a determined and even angered expression painted across Jett's face as he grit his teeth.

"Straight toward my family."

Everyone inside the cabin paused for a few seconds.

"You saw how strong the intruder was. Do you really think we can beat him…"

"Just shut up, would you?!"

Ava was cut off by a loud and irritated voice that caused her to jump a little in surprise.

Everyone else turned their heads as they all stared at Daniel, who still stared out of the window.

"You're acting like you're the one who'll be fighting. All you do is sit at the back and watch from where you're safe."

Ava dropped her head as her usual smile disappeared.

"Don't shout at her! She was only trying to help." Amara, coming to Ava's aid, snapped back at Daniel as she leaned forward.

"She can help by leaving this cabin. Her voice is pissing me off." Daniel replied while still staring out of the window.

"Leave? She's the only one who's trying to help. You still haven't added a single point that may prove useful!"

"Calm down, everyone. I think it's best if we all just take a deep breath." Cain laughed nervously, trying his best to diffuse the tension in the air, swinging his arms between Amara and Daniel.

"You. You're the worst one here." Daniel hissed, glaring at Cain from the corner of his eyes and looking away from the window for once.

Cain raised his eyebrows as he heard this, confused.

"You want my input? How do you know the Intruder isn't in this cabin right now? You're blindly following whatever wild theory comes into your mind and ignoring the six students amongst all of the first years most capable of something like this."

Cain stared blankly as Daniel's tone intensified with every word.

"Have you already forgotten? Every single one of us was present, fighting the Intruder while Ava was healing Katlynn. What are you trying to…"

Before Amara could finish, she was cut off once again.

"He can fly. He has flames that shoot out from his forehead. She can heal fatal wounds, and we just found this silent freak can track people. Is it so outrageous to say one of us has an ability similar to duplication? How sure are you really?"

Upon saying this, Amara paused as she couldn't think of anything to say back.

It seemed no one else could either as silence enveloped the cabin.

"I'm pretty sure. We're friends, after all. I know no one here is capable of that, so I didn't see the point." Cain broke the silence as Daniel stared with a dumbfounded expression upon hearing these words.

It wasn't long after until Daniel let out a, "Ha" soon falling into a fit of laughter, contrary to his previous irritated self.

All while Cain remained staring with a straight face.

"Friends?! This has got to be the most one-sided relationship I've ever seen. Tell me, Cain. How much do you really know about your 'Friends'?"

"Other than Jett and Ava, whose Character amongst us three can you name? No, scratch that. Amongst us all, what do you truly know about our personal lives?"

"The only reason any of us are in this Cabin isn't because we're friends. It's because we each know what we will soon become. Each of us is only here for their own benefit."

Daniel stated, his line of sight changing as he looked toward Amara.

"Even Amara, who you're closest to here. Did you know that she's practically disowned by her family…"

"Daniel!"

Amara roared as she leapt to her feet, her eyes burning with rage as she tightened her hand into a fist, ready to smack the smug look off Daniel's face.

"Trust."

A voice rang out from the thick and suffocating tension in the air, causing both Amara and Daniel to turn their heads.

"I know none of you are the intruder because I trust you."

The smirk on Daniel's face faded as he stared at Cain's straight face.

'Trust?'

Daniel thought as his face slowly contorted into his previous, irritated self.

Power and image could allow one to rule with both their fists and their face.

One with immense power and image could start wars with a single word.

Could separate large landmasses with a flick of their finger.

Could rule all and submit all to his reign, even earned respect and recognition by doing nothing.

Those were the two most valuable properties one could have.

With just one, anyone could be feared and envied.

But with both, one could rule the world.

That was what Daniel strived to gain, like his mother had taught him.

Trust was meaningless in the face of what truly mattered.

And it especially frustrated him to know Cain was the strongest individual here, yet lowered himself to worry about such things.

"Trust? Are you kidding me?"

"He's right."

A voice that had been quiet all this time spoke up as all eyes turned to Jett.

"It's the only reason I didn't suspect any of you. Despite knowing I'd do anything to protect my family."

Jett turned to Daniel with a straight face as he spoke, his last sentence seeming as though a hint of involuntary threat seeped into it.

"Tsk, whatever."

Daniel clicked his teeth as he rose to his feet, walking toward the door and swinging it open, slamming it closed as he left.

The cabin once again returned to its quiet.

"Hey."

Amara was the first to speak, lowering her head so she fell into Ava's line of sight as the now timid girl seemed deflated and saddened.

"Keep your chin up. Without you, Katlynn might have died, and we'd all be a lot worse off."

Despite Amara's usual uncaring nature, she did care for those close to her.

This was especially the case for Ava, who was her friend since childhood.

"Thanks." Ava replied, a lump in her throat as she put on a forced smile.

Though her demeanour expressed the emotion of sadness, underneath…

'That motherf*cker! Who the f*ck does he think he is?! One day…one day I'll kick his ass!'

Ava thought inwardly.

Meanwhile, Cain and Jett glanced at each other. Soon, the both of them gave a slight nod.

No words were needed.

Though they weren't as close as people thought, they shared the closest personality and morals.

And for that, they respected each other.

***

Ashton City.

It wasn't much different from Praxis City, where the Hearts Guild was located.

However, there was one glaring difference that set the two apart.

"The Hale Coliseum."

Isaac gawked upon seeing the magnificent arena from the distance. It looked as if it were a structure built by barbarians with the sole goal being to have somewhere to fight.

Its crude architecture, yet colossal structure, seemed as though it was built centuries ago. A monument from the past.

They were currently driving down a mountain, looking down upon Ashton, giving them the perfect few.

The coliseum was built beside the Hale estate, a large mansion that lay in an expansive garden at the edge of Ashton, nothing but a dense forest lay further.

As well as the dojo that was fairly close to the estate.

Additionally, it was hard to ignore the countless individuals around the Hale Coliseum and all around Ashton.

It was more people in one location Isaac had ever seen, looking as if they were ants from a distance.

Isaac could see it all as he was practically glued to the window, watching as they drove closer and closer.

"Hey, move. I wanna see, too." Oliver complained, shoving Isaac.

"First comes, first serve. Maybe you shouldn't have so much time signing autographs for your fan club." Isaac chuckled as he continued to watch.

Shortly after, he could practically hear Oliver grinding his teeth as Isaac felt his body jolt back, Oliver's arms wrapped around his waist.

-THUD

"Get off me!"

"I'm an Inheritor now, too."

"Yeah right, you don't even have a rank. Even my F-Rank is more impressive than no rank."

"They are still determining it."

The two wrestled on the ground, giving Zach the perfect chance to look out from the window and enjoy the view.

[Merlin, help me. He won't attack a cat.]

Isaac yelled inwardly, his hair being pulled as he glanced at the black cat sleeping on the chair.

There was no way Isaac could leave Merlin through all this. He needed her.

Therefore, he decided to have her come along, carrying her in his bag while in public, to which she didn't seem to mind.

[...]

However, Isaac was given no reply as Merlin kept her eyes closed.

[I know you aren't asleep!]

This continued for the remainder of the journey, as the two soon set their eyes on Zach, who was taking this chance to leisurely enjoy the view.

"There's no point, anymore. We've already arrived." Zach protested as the two complained.

Raising their eyebrows, they looked outside, noticing a luxurious and tall building before them.

The sheer size of the building was comparable to the first year building and second year building of Aurelius combined.

"This is our hotel?"

Isaac asked, to which the others nodded.

"Yep. Ember Hotel. Best in Spawn. We better get going before they forget about us."

***

Dozens of students stood outside Ember Hotel, a few adults standing between them and the building as they chatted amongst themselves.

Isaac, standing in the crowd of students with Zach and Oliver…well, only Zach as Oliver was once again swarmed by students.

Isaac looked around, noticing the Golden Six whispering to each other and surprisingly not that many individuals around where they were.

'I guess they're all in the coliseum.'

Isaac concluded.

Meanwhile, the Professors at the front, each of them responsible for their own class, huddled together and seemed as though they were reviewing notes.

"How long are we going to have to stand…"

-BANG

Before Zach could finish, a loud bang could be heard as the front twin door to the hotel before them swung open, almost flying off their hinges as it revealed a figure behind it.

A middle-aged man with dark hair, glasses, a black and white suit, and an unwelcoming scowl walked toward the Professors.

"Where is he?" He spoke in a rumbling and strict tone, seeming as though he detested being where he was.

All the students stared at him, their chatter halting as silence prevailed.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Orion asked with his usual uncaring tone.

"Tsk"

However, he was swiftly ignored as the middle aged man clicked his teeth, repeating himself.

"I ask once again, where is he? The boy."

The middle aged man paused, as if he were remembering something.

"Rank 769, Isaac of Aurelius Academy. Step out!"

'Huh?'

Isaac thought, witnessing all eyes turn to him as he simply stared.

'What the hell did I do?!'

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Next chapter title: A Chance [Single Chapter]

NNext chapter title: Buying an Art [1]

I just want everyone to know this is the last arc of this volume.

I've got some great stuff planned for volume 2.

I won't mind taking some opinions from everyone. I try to do as many Q&As on my patreon, so I'd appreciate it if you check it out.

patreon.com/JustMYSTERY

And as usual...

POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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