The Law of the Strongest

Amidst the screams of terrible shock, as well as the doubts and unanswered questions about what had happened. Among the fire generated by the explosion, several men could be seen trying to enter and rescue those who had been caught in the attack.

Smoke and dust covered the area clouding the view of a young man who was in command of one of the vehicles. The scene was desperate and slowly everything was passing through his eyes.

Immediately, the young man reacted and got out of the minivan in order to help his people; however, he was abruptly restrained by two men.

- Let go of me! - Eric exclaimed.

- Get back! - ordered the two men holding him.

- Damn it! Get off of...!

Before he could finish his sentence, the young man received a big punch in the stomach that knocked him out of the scene.

- ¡¿?!

The young man did not understand what had happened. An enemy attack? No, it was not that.

Before he passed out he could see the silhouette of an old man who had been his attacker talking to the rest.

- Bonifacio! Alberto! Search the area! ... The priority of the rest will be the rescue of the B team! - Walter exclaimed.

Eric was knocked unconscious. Result of the operation: Complete failure.

 It was morning and as usual the first year students of ARET were on their way to their classes in the different wards. However, that day was somewhat different, as all the students from the various faculties could notice certain people heading to the R pavilion.

All the incoming freshmen wore uniforms as did the upperclassmen who belonged to the R major.

- Hey, look at them... they think we're still in school?

- What a shame ... it's a good thing only they are forced to do it.

- It's probably advertising... when they go on international visits, students are required to wear that uniform all the time.

- I think it's great ... they look like knights and princesses from a fairy tale.

 Most of the comments were mean-spirited with sarcasm and mockery expressed in mumbles and it had only been a week since the start of classes.

- To foolish words, deaf ears! - was the motto one of the new uniformed men was heard to mutter.

- If you're going to say it, say it loud enough for everyone to hear you. - commented Liam who seemed embarrassed to be wearing such a uniform.

- No ... no more ... just so that you know it, that's enough. - replied Renato.

- Come on, don't you think these outfits are cool ... it's like we are some kind of secret order or something. - said Daniel who was the only one happy to be wearing that uniform.

 As they walked along, the mutterings did not stop against them and seemed to last until the bell rang; however, sounds of astonishment coming from the mockers themselves puzzled the young men as they walked by.

- What is it now? - said one of the students as he looked behind him.

The unpleasant comments ceased as the presence of a young girl with long black hair entered; the beautiful appearance of that cool expression and gallant walk had enchanted all the other students, especially the boys. It was as if that white uniform with golden embroidery accompanied by the ARET insignia enhanced her appearance, giving her an air of dignity and elegance; that young woman was already known as the unattainable one among the freshmen thanks to her beauty.

However, she was not the only one. Near her, there were other beauties who had appeared.

A teenage girl with light purple hair was almost as enchanting as the black-haired girl. That was the youngest daughter of the royal family, Maria Teresa, and next to her were two beautiful ladies, Ophelia and Anna, who were equally outstanding.

On the other hand, the entrance of those who passed through the high school was notable for the change of uniforms having left that dark uniform for the radiant new suit.

 Finally, the entrance of that pair of heirs who seemed to have become close in the short time they were together with other students from the science and engineering faculties left many impressed, for, despite their status, they both showed themselves to be humble and unassuming so far.

Until then, none of the incoming freshmen had made a fame of their degrees or prestige allowing a harmonious atmosphere to develop, but, as the saying goes, good things don't last long.

With a thump on the face the afternoon fell.

Near the energy laboratories near the mechanical faculty, a young student was lying with several blows on his face and with shoe marks on his clothes.

The 16-year-old student looked like he wanted to cry.

- W-Why are you doing this to me? - the boy stammered.

That place was not usually busy at that hour, but a group of five students had cornered this frightened boy.

As they emptied the victim's suitcase, one of them spoke up.

- Shit! Is that all you've got?

Seeing that the terrified young man did not respond, he kicked him in the stomach, leaving him gasping for air and drooling on the floor.

- Cut it out...we were unlucky today. - said another student who was wearing a light polo shirt and casual clothes just like the rest.

- Fuck! Fuck me! ... Why the fuck don't they bring anything good?

Among that group there was a woman who disinterestedly watched the scene enjoying a piece of candy. Her appearance was practically the same as the others: delinquents.

Approaching the injured young man, the violent man took out a cigarette and inexplicably lit it, making a snap with his fingers that formed an instantaneous spark.

Inhaling and blowing all the smoke in the victim's face, the young man spoke.

- Hey, if anyone asks tell them you fell down the stairs or some shit like that ... if we find out you said anything, we'll come after you, understand?

- Y-Yes...

- ...show me your hand.

Extinguishing the cigarette butt on the young man's palm producing pain and a burn on the innocent young man, they all withdrew.

- Take ... and do not delay ... - said one of the group who was handing out some kind of white uniforms to the others before leaving.

- Yes, yes ... thank you. - replied the most violent of them all as if he was teasing them in a friendly manner.

As they put on their clothes and left the place, it could be seen that it was the special uniform for the R class students.

- What's for dinner today? - said one of the boys.

- No idea, man ... I hope it's hamburger or pizza ... I'm sick and tired of shitty vegetables. 

An insignia accompanied both the shoulder and chest insignia on those uniforms; it was in the form of a gold embroidered medal with a black background containing a single gold star.

It was already evening and a large, moderately full dining room that received all types of personnel was serving dinner; although each apartment had a kitchen and the refrigerator was stocked weekly, anyone could make use of this service as long as there were free seats or sufficient stock.

- Wow... Today is baked chicken day! - exclaimed Renato happily as he sat at one of the tables along with Liam and Daniel.

- ...

- What's up people, why aren't you cheerful or did you want to keep on eating menestra?

The silence of Daniel and Liam could be noticed as they, dressed in that flashy uniform, were isolated by the rest of the students; however, strangely, those who belonged to higher years of the same specialty as them were getting along well with the rest.

- ... Well ... We should be the ones to talk to them when studying the same thing, but I feel that they avoid us just like the rest. - Renato commented as he looked around.

- ... No, you are wrong about two things, the first one is that the uniformed senior students are not surrounded by common people ... don't you see how they are ... - answered Liam.

- Aren't they the same as the others? What do you mean...?

- The ones next to them are... sons of businessmen, managers and more I think... - said Liam.

- How do you know that?

- I have dealt with people like that before ... I remember some faces ...

- It seems it's always the same, those with money and power always get together with each other, eh? - commented Daniel.

- Exactly ... I don't think they miss the opportunity to become 'friends' with the next generation of Reformed.

- ...

- But what does it have to do with them behaving this way with them and ignoring us? - Renato asked.

- That's your second mistake... haven't you heard the rumors? - said Liam.

- What?

- It seems that there are some of our class that are ... disobeying the rules. - commented Daniel.

- Today to date there are six students interned in the infirmary ... the cause is unknown, since none of them have wanted to confess, but it seems that everyone already knows who it is. However, the worst thing is that the professors, instructors or academic authorities have shown no interest in this matter ... it has only been classified as 'accidents'. - explained Liam.

- ... I see ... - replied Renato without taking much interest.

- Hey, aren't you interested to know the reason? - asked Daniel.

- Not really... I guess it's just some guys fighting; the best one won and the loser already knows where he is... Things like that usually happened where he was before... it's the law of the strongest. - Renato replied as he ate quietly.

Before even speaking, Daniel and Liam sighed giving up on the conversation and just continued eating.

It was the next morning and a young woman was talking in front of a monitor inside the royal palace facilities.

- The departure of Lois Valdelomar, Victoria D. Hans and their people is totally restricted. - were the words spoken by Princess Lisbeth from her office.

- We understand ... until their recovery, we will stay out of it. - replied Lorenz through the video call seen from Lisbeth's laptop.

The video call ended.

- So ... we will be caged like dogs for some time? - Lirio asked sarcastically as she entered the room where Lorenz was.

- Hahh ... we are no dogs; this is for security ... so far we don't know if it was them or not ...

- Oh yeah? ...

- Leaving that issue aside, will the princess really take care of the rest? - commented Alexander who entered.

- ... Temporarily ... Five days ago she told me that, for the moment, she will not conduct any search until she has found out what a dead person with a bomb was doing in that place ... ... although how come they saw her walking towards that place earlier ...

- It seems that what Victoria saw wasn't entirely a lie, was it? - Alexander commented.

- ... So, do you believe me, little one? - said Lirio provocatively.

The young man looked away somewhat frustrated.

- So, what's the plan? - Alexander asked.

For a few seconds, everyone was silent.

- The surprised doctors mentioned that the burns from the explosion were not as severe as they thought ... there were only two fatalities; however, counting Thomas, the others received first- or second-degree burns.

- ... Really? The most serious was only second-degree?

- Yes, since they were in uniform, they were somehow able to reduce the impact ... supposedly, if all goes well, they will be released in two months.

- We can't wait two months... - commented Lirio.

- I know... 

Someone's footsteps entered the room silently without anyone noticing.

- Speak your mind, Lorenz. - said Eric.

Although no one saw him enter, they were not surprised that he was here either.

The young man took a breath and exhaled.

- One month ... we'll wait a month. If there are no answers from Princess Lisbeth's team, we will act ourselves.

- Why wait a month and not now? - Lirio asked.

- We don't know if they will attack us again and we can't lose more people. Within this month we will wait to see what happens; we must all be united. - answered Lorenz.

Everyone nodded in agreement with that idea.

Inside the Beltran residence, one of the windows showed two men talking in a room alone.

- I'm sorry, Aren, but it looks like your order will take at best a couple of months to arrive. - Roger said.

- What?

- It's just that right now, the place you said, Loarre, is one of the waypoints to go to Luesia and, I don't know if you know, now that place is not having a good time since the disappearance of both the DIS chief as well as the mayoress.

- ...

- Also, you mentioned that there is a castle in Loarre, right? ... It seems that historically it is true, but there have been no authorities that are going to confirm it currently ... supposedly it was believed that there was nothing but fields and forests ...

- ... I understand.

Withdrawing from the count's office, the young man retired to his room.

"Two months ... What do I do? ... I haven't gone to talk to Russell again either, I guess he's pretty busy, though I haven't told him about this either ... If I told him he surely wouldn't have let me go, but I think it's better if I go alone ..."

Lying on his bed, the young man kept looking at the ceiling.

"But how would I get there ... I have no job, no income ... the only thing I have is this smartphone and new name ... Gutierrez Arias Elrod D. Aren ... so now that's my name, huh?"

- Why do you think so much? What do you want to do? - said a familiar voice.

- You again?! ... You again?

- Is this how you thank the one who saved you? - said a female voice inside Aren's mind.

- ... I'm sorry.

- Forgiven ... now, changing the subject, what will you do?

- ...

- ...don't you want to talk?

- ... Name.

- What's your name?

- You still haven't told me your name ... I don't know how to refer to you.

- Oh... I see... Well, you can call me Athenas," answered that voice.

Outside the room, there was a person who seemed to be silently listening to everything that was said inside.