Chapter 6.1

A little over two weeks passed without any other major incident occurring in the Academy. Jason had his teaching position solidified after he had given a 'demonstration' to the Board of Directors and he finally got his own office. He started teaching the Combat Class to all grades, giving the senior students a taste of what the first-years suffered. Even though he tortured them, Jason exempted Emily and other support-type ESPers from combat and forced them to instead practice their abilities on unconscious classmates.

Eventually, he became bored and decided to group all the grades into one class. Even against hundreds of students, Jason was able to soundly defeat them all, frustrating them to no ends. Soon, the students started to create their own squads, each one cooperating with one another to attack Jason from all sides. Jason endearingly allowed them to think that they had cornered him, before gleefully crushing them.

***

"Ungh, that was terrible. I know your brother is hot but he is one cruel drill sergeant." Asami was collapsed on a lunch table complaining while the other three tried eating. Due to several students regurgitating their meals, Practical Combat class was rescheduled to before lunch break.

"Il est ... bon," replied Michelle. "His training helped us work efficacement as a unit."

"Not only that," chipped in Emily. "Notice that the participants have had their reflexes improved? Some could even dodge a bullet now."

"Argh, fine he's good. Whatever, let's talk about something more interesting! Did you know Elizabeth Hyde will be performing a concert here in sanctuary?!" Asami changed the subject to improve her mood.

"Wow, the Elizabeth Hyde? The famous rock-singer?" Emily asked in confirmation.

"Well she doesn't only do rock, she has a few soft songs too," Alina added while Asami and Emily looked at her in surprise. "What?"

"Nothing. You just never struck me as a Hyde fan." Emily explained.

"I'm not," Alina sighed. "It's actually Jason who's her fan. He listens to her recent songs every now and then."

"Huh. You think he's into that kind? You know, the gorgeous redhead kind?" Asami asked Alina with a silly grin on her face.

"As long as the girl is beautiful, it's his type. Trust me," replied Alina while Michelle had her head cocked the entire time.

"Who is this Hyde?" she asked making all three freeze.

"Uh.. you wanna have the honors?" asked Alina to Asami and Emily.

"Sure," Emily said, turning to Michelle and explaining. "You see, she's a popular singer worldwide and she has amazing songs and covers. She's also inspirational because she's blind but still pushes on and became a renowned singer. And to top it all, she's gorgeous."

"Incroyable," muttered Michelle. "Amazing willpower."

"Yeah. Hey, maybe we should get tickets to see the concert!" Asami suggested bubbly. "We could even surprise Jason by inviting him!"

"Yeah… I dunno, it depends on him," Alina hesitated, knowing Jason might not be available if the Council called on him.

"H-hi Alina," a voice said from beside Alina.

The boy who interrupted them, Ken, had plain brown hair that matched his hazel eyes and a friendly face that couldn't hide a speck of his emotions which was currently flushed.

"Ken! Um, hi! How are you doing?" Alina looked at the newcomer and embarrassingly replied while the other girls grinned, sheepishly watching the two with knowing smirks.

For the past few weeks, several boys from multiple classes approached Alina but ended up suffering from the extra attention Jason gave them. Most quit immediately but Ken, who seemed to be soft-hearted, did not. That was because of his willpower, which allowed him to survive longer than most, about eighteen seconds, in a one-on-one fight against Jason.

"Should we leave you two alone, 'Barbie'?" Emily teasingly asked. The nickname for Alina, Barbie, was also because of Ken. In fact, it was Jason who laughingly named her that after hearing Ken's name for the first time.

"No, I don't want to intrude. I just wanted to say hi. So, uh, I'll be going now. Take care, Alina." Ken refused and left as quickly as he arrived.

"You too, Ken. What?" Alina asked as silence descended on the table, everyone looking at her with silly grins.

"He likes you," Asami teased, stretching the word 'like'.

"Maybe," Alina replied.

"So … you thinking of going out with him?" Asked Emily.

"Maybe."

"Non, that won't work, we will détenir you until you répondre." Michelle declared while grabbing Alina's shoulders.

"Excellent idea! Ooh, let's 'detain' her and go to karaoke. Make her sing till she confesses!" Asami suggested with a gleam in her eyes.

"That sounds like a great idea," Emily agreed. "Don't complain, it'll be like a girls night out, Alina."

"I - oh alright," Alina surrendered. "Just lemme text Jason. Let him know I'm not coming home soon."

As the group discussed their plans, Jason was outside walking aimlessly when he received Alina's message. He left the academy to take a breather but ended up not returning, which was not concerning since he had finished his classes.

For a while now, Jason had been feeling uneasy despite the peaceful days. To him, it felt like the calm before the storm, and his instincts had never been wrong. Yet, despite having A.V.A monitor the entire city, he found nothing amiss.

As he continued walking, a soft singing soared through the air. Her ethereal voice beckoned him towards her, like a siren's song.

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

He once was a true love of mine

Tell him to make me a cambric shirt

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme

Without no seams nor needle work

And then he'll be a true love of mine" [1]

Jason pushed through a small crowd and froze when he caught sight of the singer. She was sitting down on a bench, leaning forward while slowly playing the violin. Her vivid red hair partially covered her face while the black sunglasses enhanced her porcelain skin.

As she finished singing, the crowd began cheering while she put the violin down. Then, as if sensing him, she paused and turned to look at Jason, a small smile on her red lips.

"Laddie," she whispered in a voice only he heard. "It's been a while."