Chapter 3 3

Chapter 3: The Group

We were currently walking. Both of my hands were handcuffed behind my back. On my sides were two men, one named Ethan with brown hair, and the other was Cain. In front of me were the woman Victoria, along with the Team Captain Ethan referred to as Gin.

"Why did they have to assign us this task? The palace guards could have handled it just fine," Victoria said, sounding irritated as we walked.

I heard Cain snort beside me. "Come on, extra training," he replied.

"As if I need it," Victoria retorted. "It's so muddy here." She complained while trying to rid her shoes of the clinging mud as we walked.

We reached the edge of the woods that separated the hill and the town. I tried to move my wrists, but the handcuffs tightened when I tried to force them. The Team Captain remained silent at the front. It seemed he wasn't fond of speaking. But I saw how angry he got earlier when Cain and Victoria were arguing; he was quite terrifying. Very serious.

"Aren't you really cold?" Ethan asked me as we entered the woods. The surroundings grew darker here, and Victoria was still complaining about the bugs.

"I'm fine," I answered shortly and avoided his gaze. As if he really cared whether I froze to death here. I looked at their fancy coats; they seemed comfortable. I wonder how many months I'd have to go without food to afford those.

"Is Corrine still not getting better?" Victoria suddenly asked. I noticed the Team Captain briefly stop. It was only for a moment, but I knew there was something about what Victoria said that affected him.

"I'm not sure," Ethan answered this time. "All I know is she won't be able to return."

Victoria scoffed. "So what do we do now? It was said-"

Victoria stopped when she noticed Gin turn to us.

"Just let me know if you plan on gossiping," he said in a cold tone that even Victoria seemed frightened. "I'll give you a chance to talk."

I felt the wind grow darker and stronger within the forest. Cain made a tsk sound, as if he was used to scenes like this. Who are they? What can they do? Especially Gin. Why are they afraid here?

"Can you calm down?" Victoria suddenly shrieked. "I'm just wondering!"

"Chill, bro," Ethan said to me. He looked at me. "We have someone else here."

Gin suddenly looked at me. I didn't know why, but I was suddenly scared. I took a step back. His eyes were too penetrating, too intense for my comfort. He turned away from us and continued walking. My companions followed suit.

"Be careful this time," Cain warned Victoria. "You're putting us in danger."

After almost an hour of walking through the forest, we reached a massive gate. The gate was made of thick wood and black iron. The walls were high and looked too heavy for my liking. It felt more like a prison than a school entrance. Well, I didn't have to wonder. This school covered almost an entire town. I even heard they had their own dungeon where I'd be imprisoned.

While Gin was talking to some guards scattered outside, I couldn't help but think of Lucas as I stared at the gate. I remembered how he longed to enter this place. The joy on his face when he gazed at the Titan Academy gate from a distance. You can see it. I'm the one who will enter ahead of the two of us. Me, with no intentions.

Gin returned to the group. The guards immediately exchanged glances. They weren't wearing fancy black cloaks like Gin. But in some way, they looked tidier than us town folks. The gate slowly opened, and we entered the Academy.

The first thing I noticed upon stepping inside was the dimly lit corridor. It was wide but dark, like a highway with no lights. But when one of the guards led the way, the lights illuminated from where we stood to the end of the path in front of us.

Whoa. Movement activated.

That's when I realized the look of the entrance. There were woods on either side of the path, blocked by tall and thin metal fences. There were small gates every few meters with signs like BEWARE. DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION, and others. I also heard some strange noises that weren't in the ordinary forest we passed earlier.

As we walked, now with our numbers doubled due to the guards, I couldn't help but feel anxious for the first time. This is not a school for me. This looks like a huge torture chamber. Maybe I will die. Maybe they don't care if I'm of legal age or not. Maybe everyone who has committed a crime here gets killed. I will surely die.

Ethan looked at me as we walked. He noticed how I stiffened and couldn't breathe properly.

"Are you okay?" he asked with concern. Is he really asking me that? I'm probably fine. There's a huge chance I'll die in this place. Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

I didn't respond. Goosebumps ran down my arms and spine as we got closer to our destination. The path slowly widened as we walked. It was like opening up for something huge and significant. And minutes later, I saw it.

The castle of Titan Academy. The actual school. A lump formed in my throat as I stared at it. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. It's huge. And it's looming in front of us. It covers the dark sky in front of us. And it stretches for miles on both sides. I can tell we're on our way to the main chamber. But the palace itself is so vast that the main chamber in front of us looks like a mere lobby.

I heard the guards bid us farewell and head to the right side of the palace. Maybe that's where their quarters are. Only a few lights were on in the palace. The path we walked earlier had returned to its dark state. There were a couple of warm golden lights from some windows and towers. But other than that, it was dark around us.

The door opened when one of them approached it. The lights lit up, just like when we passed by. My mouth hung open the moment I saw the inside of Titan Academy. HOLY SHIT. Is this a school or a palace for the noble? Who studies in a place with carpeted hallways and chandeliers every few meters of ceiling?

"Finally," Victoria muttered with a sigh. I couldn't help but notice how well they blended in with their surroundings. How they belonged here. Their faces, how they stood, their clothes, even though they were wet and muddy, still looked elegant and sparkling in the chandelier light. This can't be the real world. This is a stupid made-up world where false people live.

We walked through the carpeted hallway. My shoes felt ashamed against the expensive carpet. I wonder if it's self-cleaned. There's never any dirt left here. The place was very bright. I was enveloped in warm golden light. It was far from the yellowish, flickering light bulbs at home. I felt like even if all the lights in town were turned on, it wouldn't be as bright and beautiful as this place.

"We're going to the Headmaster's Office," Gin's deep voice said.

"Fine," Victoria replied. She looked at me for the first time since we left my house. "Tough luck, isn't it? People should learn to be content with what they have."

I gritted my teeth but didn't say anything. Ethan just gave her a warning look. "Quit it, Victoria," he warned.

Victoria just rolled her eyes. We reached a hall with a high ceiling and large windows. At the end of it was another corridor narrower than the one we passed through earlier. It was darker and quieter. We saw a few people, mostly in service. Some of them looked like they had just woken up or had recently and were starting their duties. I checked the clock. It was three in the morning. We reached the end of the corridor, now standing in front of a large double door.

"Wait here," Gin instructed the others. He looked at me and I suddenly felt nervous. "Come with me," he added.

I took a step towards him. I noticed Cain was trying to force a smile, as if bidding farewell. Ethan heaved a sigh. "Good luck," he whispered as I passed by them.

Gin showed no expression as he looked at me. He simply opened the door and entered. But before he could take two steps, he stopped. I furrowed my brow and peered inside. That's when I saw a beautiful woman.

She's beautiful, almost surreal looking. She looked like an angel in a cream-colored nightdress. Her face was so gentle, and her skin so smooth. Her hair was brownish, long, and wavy. Her eyes were stunning.

"Corrine, what are you doing here?" Cain spoke up. They both approached the entrance of the office.

Corrine? Where have I heard that name before?

"I just talked to Principal Bins," she answered in a sweet and gentle voice. Why are these people so damn perfect? Corrine looked at Gin. "Hey, Gin," she greeted.

I could feel Gin tense up. "You shouldn't be out at this hour," he said in a monotone voice. But this time, I sensed something in his tone other than coldness. Worry?

"I'm worried about you too," Corrine replied with a soft smile. "That's why I'm here."

An awkward silence fell over the place. Even Victoria couldn't speak. Then it hit me. She's the girl Victoria mentioned in the forest earlier. Corrine looked at me and I was taken aback. It was like an angel looking down at filthy-looking people. I suddenly became self-conscious. She raised an eyebrow slightly, as if curious. I could immediately tell what she was thinking. Did she take the crest?

I felt Gin sigh next to me. He then took my arm and gently pulled me. "We need to go inside," he told me. Everyone looked at us because of his sudden change in mood. He suddenly turned cold again. I glanced back at Ethan's group, who were left behind. I saw Corrine looking at Gin's hand on my arm.

When we entered, there was a common room. There were sofas, a mahogany table, carpeted floors, a beautiful chandelier above, and a fireplace. It was warm and bright inside. There was another door open, and I could see the inside of a room that looked like a study. After a while, I heard the door we entered through close. Right on cue, two people came out from the door in front of us. An elderly woman and a man in his mid-fifties.

"Good evening, Gin," the elderly woman greeted as she sat on the opposite sofa. The man beside her didn't speak. "Please, have a seat," the elderly woman said.

Gin sat down and I remained standing. Is this some kind of meeting? Aren't they going to take me straight to the dungeon?

The elderly woman had a kind face, but I could still feel the authority in her aura. The man seemed strict and didn't speak much. He looked like an older version of the guy sitting beside me. Gin pulled me to sit down.

"Where is the crest?" the man asked.

Gin took the circular object from his pocket and placed it on the table. It gleamed under the lighting of the room.

"How old are you?" the elderly woman asked me.

"Seventeen," I choked out. I suddenly lost my voice.

The woman looked at the man beside her, as if passing on the information. "And what special ability do you have? How did you get the crest?"

"I didn't take it," I replied. "It was just given to me."

The old woman raised an eyebrow. "But your companions said you were with them when they entered here. They said you took it."

Damn Karl and Flin. If I see them in prison, I'll kill them.

"I can't do that. I have enhanced senses and control. Those can't be used for theft." I almost yelled. Damn. These people.

The two elderly people in front of me were taken aback. "Enhanced senses and control?" the woman asked with interest. "I thought you had special speed. That's what your companions said."

I cursed softly. She was referring to Lucas. "They are lying," I answered. "That's not my special ability. And even if it were, you can't prove that I entered this place."

I stood my ground firmly. They have no evidence that someone with special speed entered this place. Because no one did. Lucas wasn't with the group that came in here.

"Very well said," the woman said with a smile. Why is she even smiling? Didn't she hear what I just said? They have no proof.

"And you are Tyler?" she asked again. "Let's see, what's your whole name?"

"I'm Shia Sheridan," I replied, my face resolute. "I'm not a Tyler. I just live there, so Karl and Flin thought I was one."

The old lady seemed entertained. "Really?" she said, seemingly amused. "Well then, who is Lucas? He is a Tyler, yes, and he has the super speed."

I suddenly felt a chill. SHIT. Do they know I'm lying? I tried to calm myself. So what if they know? They can't catch Lucas. I'm the one with the crest. They have no evidence against him unless I confess.

"Are you planning to apprehend him too?" I challenged. "Are you going to waste your time arresting someone who has nothing to do with this when the real culprit is right in front of you?"

The room fell silent, filled with apprehension. After a while, the woman let out a soft laugh.

"Why would we do that?" she asked, seemingly amused. "As you said, you're already here. And I'm going to take your word, Miss Sheridan. This time, I'll believe you more than your two companions. After all, it has been proven that they were the ones who entered the palace."

I clenched my fists. So they knew all along? Why did they bother asking me all those questions if they already knew? Are they playing with me? Fuck.

"Miss Sheridan, I have a proposition to make."

I turned to the older man. It was the first time he spoke. He looked at me with a watchful expression. Even Gin, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly seemed interested in the conversation.

"I'm interested in your ability," he said bluntly. No beating around the bush or introductions. "We need someone like you."

I furrowed my brow. Need? For what? What is he even talking about?

"I'm willing to set you free. Go back to your old life." He looked at me as if he was challenging me. "But of course, all of this comes with a price."

I mentally scoffed and rolled my eyes. What did I expect? That's the motto of the wealthy, isn't it?

"I want you to be part of a group. A group that will be joining the Linus Cup."

My jaw dropped at what he said. WAIT, WHAT?!

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