1. Storm-brewing

[[Felix]]

"...the guns scream as mothers hum for their babes. Power to power, dominoes falling. One by one they fall, they bury the life that there once was."

As I am trailing the lyrics of the song, a shove of soft fur tickled my leg. My finger automatically fell on the keyboard's space bar and looked down on this cute four-legged little monster. Petting her head, she responded by closing her eyes and enjoyed the company of my hand, like she always does. "If only the people in the continent are as sweet and as simple as you, peace would've never been a problem."

That's right. It would have.

Through the small window I reserved, I could still see the rubbles and the forgotten marks of formerly glorious infrastructures that once symbolized the continent's prosperity and tranquility. I was young back then, but no matter how many years have passed since the fifth world war broke out, those times when everyone lives in harmony will forever be missed. Just imagine waking up and going out anytime you want without the thoughts of getting harmed and being suspected as a spy. Think of a city where you won't see a single militant for every twenty meters and several tanks observing the railways the public use every day. I can't help but drizzle myself with things that will never happen again outside the range of daydreams.

This was a different time now, I told myself. Everything changed. And when there's change, you can't force yourself out of it; you have to be with it. It's a phenomenon that not even time could toss.

I was still savoring my time with Nea when the bell rang, signaling the end of my break time. "Back to reality again..." I sighed. Nea looked up to me with confusion as I've stopped caressing her gorgeous gray skin. To make her understand the message, I gave her one last rub on her head and smiled at her before I stood up to shut down the computer.

It's the usual routine. I have to hide everything I store in here in this tiny abandoned warehouse so that no one could find the most introverted and most shameful of the Claveria children. They would probably ask why would someone with a business tycoon and a famous surgeon as parents prefer to lock himself alone in the most isolated place in the school. Answering was easy. Justifying it is the problem.

When you're a Claveria, your life is being watched by thousands. Not only those who support our family but also the families from the opposing faction in court. There was no resting ground. You have to endure a life that violates your privacy and harasses your will.

Finally stepping out of the warehouse with my bag on my shoulder, I could notice the scattered clouds in the morning slowly gathers like they were called for another storm-brewing. I could swear it's like the second and third time unfortunate weather is here to visit us and drop its crops.

I know it's not the first time the forecast deviated. Even so, aren't they being careless these days on publishing inaccurate reports? Damn, I didn't even bring my umbrella because the sun was high and Cinderella's birds are singing as if the atmosphere is a dream come true when I left home.

When I reached the third floor of the building for law students, the stares I've got from the first and second floors multiplied, and I have to strengthen my grip on my bag's strap to keep myself from shouting and sucking their eyes out. Attention might be one of the finest income sources of my clan's pockets, but I don't want any part of it. My existence alone in the royal academy almost made me want to jump from the rooftop and end this awful university life. I could've studied on a school far away from the capital and lived my life in serenity, but no. The queen mother herself expects to check my and siblings' names on the dean's list every semester.

It's a royal pain in the ass if you'll ask me. Just when did the monarchs get the right to decide where to study and what course to explore? But what could I do? The queen mother favors our family as much as the faction that gave their thrones back. They might no longer hold absolute powers like the old times but their influence could waver the minds of equally superior aristocrats.

"Hi there, Claveria! Are you done with the research—"

"I'm almost done. Don't worry. It will be sent to you tonight." I didn't bother looking at him. What I bothered was to secure the last seat on the last row near the window and seclude myself for the last period.

Once I tucked myself in, I pulled my books out in a hurry to take my attention away from Ivan, who is currently venting to the class representative, Dmitri. "Who does he think he is?! Why can't he have a normal conversation with us? Am I ugly, D? Do I look like someone who just got released from an asylum? Am I annoying?"

Dmitri patted his childhood friend's shoulder. "Yes, you're annoyingly loud."

I almost wanted to smirk to how cheeky he could get with Ivan even though Ivan Alistair Enochtrian is the son of the chief scholar, the closest adviser of the king. If I wasn't like this... you know, shy and afraid to embarrass myself in front of everyone... could I earn a friendship that isn't bordered by strings of politics and social advantages?

"Alright, class. Good afternoon. Blessings upon the sun of the Decathonian Continent. Let's get down to business. Turn your book on page 236. We're going to discuss how a negotiable instrument is discharged," Ms. Vega, our professor, instructed as soon as she entered the room with piles of papers and a laptop on her other hand.

Resting my elbow on the desk, I dispassionately browse the pages and asked my brain to bear with me for the remaining two hours of the penitentiary. I mean, the law is nice to study and all, but whenever I dedicate myself to it, my chest tightens. It's strange. One could assume it's my uninterested side declining the jargon and memorization. For me, it's something else.

"Hey."

"It's page 236."

"It's not the page."

I picked up my orange highlighter and handed it to the classmate from my right. If he needs something, just say it, no need to trouble me with more than five words. Seconds passed and I noticed that no one's taking the highlighter from my hand, making me glance at the idiot smiling at me with his porcelain teeth.

I can feel my brows creased and my face wrinkled with how he looks at me.

"Hello!" and he waved both his hands aggressively as if there's no teacher in front that could slam our grades with one tap on her laptop.

Feared from the trouble he could involve me, I decided to ignore him and pretended to write what Ms. Vega is writing on the whiteboard. I thought it's the end of it since he neither pats my back nor pokes my arm. On the contrary, this guy came in worse.

All of a sudden, he screamed so loud I think he could wake up the dead. Everyone was utterly alarmed and turned their heads to us. "Ma'am! My stomach! It hurts!"

What? He doesn't look hurt a while ago. Could he be... acting?

"Oh please, take me to the infirmary! It hurts so much! I—"

I immediately stood from my seat when he spat blood in my direction, staining my book and desk. The entitled little bastards easily bolted out of panic to what's happening while Dmitri persuades the professor to let him go to not disturb the class and the sanity of the sons of politicians and businessmen.

Oh god. Isn't this setting too much?

"Mr. Claveria, may I ask you to accompany him?"

Due to panic and well, surprise in spite of being aware of this act, I assisted him as he tries to further scare the class with coughing and whimpering. We left the room with him staggering until we arrived at the elevator control. This idiot began to laugh ecstatically while holding his belly. Meanwhile, I dropped our bags to the floor and scanned the corridor if someone's watching us.

Setting his craziness aside, who is he to feel totally liberated in the most prestigious university in the whole continent? The college of law, most of all. I can't believe him.

"Have you seen their faces?" he managed to say. After that, he continues to laugh like there's no tomorrow, even slapping the floor to his amusement. Shaking my head about the idea of taking him to the infirmary, it dawned to me that I have to better come up with an excuse since I can only claim that the matter with him is only about the loosened nails in his head.

"Hey, classmate. Why are you even pushing the button? We can ditch now."

"Come again?" I asked, trying to confirm what I heard from his mouth. Is he really telling me to go now and leave the school premises? And what, put my parents in an awkward situation once my face is imprinted on the school newspaper with a headline of me in a stage of rebellion? No, thanks.

Finally ending his optimistic session, he took our bags and handed mine. "Let's start again, shall we? I'm Zed from the province of New Vendham. Nice to meet you. Ah! Thank you for helping me out!" and he grabbed my hand and shook it excitedly.

"Hi, I'm Felix and you're not welcome," and I took my hand away before he could break it.

"Ehhh, you're no fun! You should do a bit more naughty tricks. The university won't give you that. You have to do it on your own, but of course, it's way merrier if you'll come with me!"

I stared at him exhaustingly. I may be in a bit curious about friendship, but if it's with him, I better not. Without replying, I turned my back and started walking off.

"We'll see each other again soon!"

Well, I hope we won't.

Before going back to class, I tried to breathe some fresh air first on the rooftop until a message was delivered to my tab. Pulling it from its container form, the glass screen flashed Dmitri Feldport's name and an image along with the message: "No need to go back, go have some rest. You seem to not in the mood as always anyway."

Perceptive as always. Though, I might really look like I'm not. Either way, I guess I have no choice but save myself from hours of lecture and cases, huh? Then I have to move now or else I might get caught by personnel or a faculty member.

On my way to the gate, I bumped into a man not so taller than me. His expression is stern that it sent chills to my spine. My feet stepped aside on its own, letting him have his way. When my eyes followed him, that's when I saw the shiny metal weapon in his pocket and the word 'police' embroidered on his shirt. Police? What's police doing in here? Aren't they prohibited from entering academic facilities, the royal one at foremost?

The wind blew past me, making me realize I've been gawking at the police stationed outside my college's building for too long. I wonder why they're here? Do the monarchs and the parliament know this? Shouldn't they have permission especially when they're out here flaunting their careers? It's weird. I can't take it off my mind. I'm sure they won't be here without a reason of necessity.

I was on the shed just outside the gate when the face of that police keeps on rushing to my head. His weapon... his shirt... his look... There's something wrong I can't exactly point out. Facing the sky, I convinced myself to not care about it anymore or else I'm only going to add more distress to myself. That Zed's more than enough today.

"Young master, please get in."

My eyes opened when I heard our driver's voice nearby. Then, a drop of liquid touched my face. It wasn't cold like rain. It was warm as if it burns subtly. Using my handkerchief, I wiped it out only to see a scarlet stain. "What the..."

Before I could comprehend what the hell is happening lately, several loud shots have been heard from my college's building.