I am already injured. Can't you seal them in a desolate timeline?
veins protruded from Jeremiah's face. Yes, curses!!
Jeremiah, the female worker shivered. You can't call children that...
Yes, I can, Jeremiah smirked at the employee. I just did.
Prodigies are abnormalities, Jeremiah continued. They are the ones whose births are the polar opposite of the geniuses. They are different, like a stain on a mural. They are those who disrupt the natural balance with their talents and gifts, with people claiming they embody luck.
Do they? an employee asked.
No, Jeremiah's eyes glistened in the dark. They embody the concept of anomalies. Freedom, change, entropy - They are the ones that seek to destroy the fair construct of power.
Jeremiah turned back to the screen.
That boy, Caesar, is a prodigy, Jeremiah scowled. Prince Chalybe is a member, Lady Izobel is a member. Surprisingly, Fenrir is a member, and we have Jacques - the worst and best example. The epitome of pride.
The employees stared in awe.
That's brilliant, an employee broke the silence.
I never looked at it like that, another employee added. Why hasn't anybody thought of this
Jeremiah slightly grinned.
I'm not the only one, He said. Grandmaster Reginald saw this trend, and we only identified 11 prodigies out of the 300+ applicants. These 11 are now catalogued - THE PARAGON 11.
Jeremiah placed his hands together. Right now, we are seeing three kings together, and I'm just a ladybird - a humble creature... waiting to feast on them when they fall.
Caesar was sure he saw the face of death on that day.
His opponent was nothing short of a prodigy.
Perfectly balanced on his elevated bed stood a human with no tainted blood.
He was shorter and skinnier than Caesar, with short, spiky blue hair that covered both his eyes. His uniform was well-ironed and cleaned, with rolled-up sleeves and black leather gloves, with an emblem of an anchor fitted on the right side of his chest - the symbol of the Zion Navy.
His face looked innocent, but it gave Caesar flashbacks to the trials
Murmurs broke out in the faction as people began to question what would happen next: a fight, a truce, or an argument.
But thankfully for Caesar, Fenrir was present.
Yo, Jacuer, Fenrir said while bouncing on his bunk. How you doing?
N...nice... to see you, F...fenrir, Jacques slapped his lap with each syllable. A...and it's Jacques.
C'mon, Jaccy, you know how difficult your name is, Fenrir frowned. Your papa could have named you, I don't know, Peter, Beetleguese, or Aaron. See? They are alternatives.
Jacques gave a side smile. H...how c...c...can you per...fectly pron....ounce Beetleguese, but not Jacques?
Fenrir scratched his wild, spiky hair. Hmmmm, I dunno. Yours was harder.
Caesar was happy that Fenrir intervened, but he knew he had to talk sooner or later. He almost forgot his chronic stuttering condition.
Hello Jacques, Caesar stretched out his hands. Long time since...
Caesar caught a glimpse of Jacques bringing out an object from his pocket, which made a metallic click.
Bang.
The loud sound of a gun was heard, and the entire hall fell dead silent.
Caesar arched his back to dodge a gunshot delivered from Jacques Pen, in which he uncapped at rapid speed.
Amidst the fire, Fenrir was the first to react. He was on the other side of the hall, with a metal bullet in his palm, protecting it from hitting a flower vase.
Owwwwww, hot, hot, hot. Hey Jaccy, you were about to break this girl's vase. Fenrir directed his attention to the girl sitting right next to him, who was shocked and left speechless after what had just happened. Sorry about Jacyy, he wasn't meant to do that, please forgive him.
The girl was motionless before she was able to speak.
No worries, I understand the hassle, The girl smiled. The vase is already old, so don't worry about the trouble.
Megara Salomi Birdwhistle, daughter of Falco Pilvi Birdwhistle, an Admiral in the Zion Kingdom Navy Fleet.
She was taller than Fenrir but not as muscular, with long grey hair that was tied in a bun, grey eyes that were as fierce as storm clouds, but with a voice so sweet and gentle.
Name's Fenrir, the future number 1 of this class. He stretched out his hand for a handshake. What's yours?
I know your name is Fenrir, Megara chuckled. Everyone knows who you are. Mine's Megara.
Fenrir gave her a wild grin. I guess I am famous now, He said. Who knew a simple wolf like me would be a celebrity?
Megara laughed.
Caesar stood upright to face Jacques. Even though his eyes were covered, Caesar could see the pleasure and excitement dancing in them.
Wow, I..I w..w..was right, Jacques smiled. You l...learnt from your mist...ake from the trials, brother Cae...sar - Always expect the unexpected.'
What if I hadn't dodged, Caesar asked with annoyance in his voice. Would I have died?
The b...bullets are cryo plastos. Jacques inspected his pen. So it won't k...kill you based on your d...durability. But they h...heat up fast, Sorry Fenrir.
Fenrir was still talking to the girl, making sure she was alright, but he responded to Jacques's apologies.
No problem, Fenrir shouted. Just don't shoot inside the rooms, please.
Megara smiled at Jacques.
Jacques nodded and turned to Caesar.
But... even though it won't k...kill you, it was impr...essive that you were able to dodge it, as it could accelerate fast enough to break the sound b...barrier immediately it left the gun.
Caesar sighed and pulled his hair back.
Impressive? I know, Caesar smiled. But it's not as impressive as when you rained bullets on me during the Trials. It was terrifying.
Who won the fight again then? A random person called from the room
Caesar forgot that people were still listening to their conversation, so he was taken aback by the question.
Jacques gave his side smile, and Caesar knew it was over. Jacques knew that the fight was close, and any one of them could have died.
Rumors had it that the headmaster intentionally rigged the picking system, a student whispered to her friend. I heard it was done to set up the Paragon 11 to fight each other.
No way, her friend covered her mouth.
Jeremiah's eyes were filled with excitement.
What will he do? Jeremiah walked closer to the monitor. Bathe in shame or glory?
Caesar stared at the crowd and hesitated.
The fight, the battle, the struggle - Caesar wanted to forget about all of it. The battle wasn't too long, but it felt like an eternity for him.
Jacques' entire face was filled with the will to defeat, even if death was the answer. They both saw death's door, but no one chose to knock.
Fine, I will tell you the winner of the 5th Contestant battle, Caesar exhaled. Between me, Caesar Nova Percival, and my opponent, Jacques Louis Valeur IX.
Caesar's stomach did a front flip. His lips felt heavy, and Jacques stared down at his bed. Caesar couldn't handle the outcome of the battle, and Jacques couldn't accept it either.
Jeremiah's mad grin glinted in the dark.
The winner was....
Fenrir's smile disappeared, and Jacques covered his mouth.