**Chapter 11** Settling In

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Exalibar's room, casting a warm glow over the space. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind still reeling from the revelation the day before. James Maxford—his father. The words felt foreign, yet somehow comforting. For the first time in his life, Exalibar felt like he belonged somewhere. But with that sense of belonging came a new weight of responsibility. He wasn't just a weapon or an experiment anymore. He was a son, a student, and, whether he liked it or not, a part of a legacy.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Exalibar? You awake?" Aisha's voice called from the other side.

"Yeah, come in," he replied, sitting up as the door creaked open.

Aisha stepped inside, her orange hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She was already dressed in her school uniform, her green eyes scanning the room before landing on him. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."

Exalibar shrugged, running a hand through his grey hair. "Couldn't. Too much on my mind."

Aisha sat on the edge of his bed, her expression softening. "I heard about what happened with the principal. My Dad told me everything. Are you okay?"

Exalibar hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I think so. It's just… a lot to process. I've spent my whole life thinking I didn't have a family, and now…" He trailed off, unsure how to put his feelings into words.

Aisha reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I get it. But you're not alone anymore, Exalibar. You've got us. Me, Dylan, Chloe, James…

Exalibar smiled faintly, the weight in his chest easing slightly. "Thanks, Aisha. That means a lot."

The school day began like any other, but Exalibar couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching him. News of his fight with Gauntlets had spread like wildfire, and while the principal had allowed him to stay, the other students were clearly wary. Whispers followed him through the halls, and more than a few people gave him a wide berth.

"Ignore them," Chloe said, falling into step beside him as they walked to their first class. "They're just jealous."

Exalibar raised an eyebrow. "Jealous? Of what?"

Chloe smirked, her purple eyes glinting with mischief. "Of how freaking powerful you are, obviously. Not everyone can take down a guy in a high-tech exosuit and live to tell the tale."

Exalibar chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "To be fair I died once during that fight."

As they entered the classroom, Exalibar noticed Jack sitting at his usual desk. The muscular boy glanced up, his expression unreadable, but he gave Exalibar a nod of acknowledgment. It wasn't exactly a warm welcome, but it was a start.

The teacher, Ms. Smith, began the lesson, but Exalibar found it hard to focus. His mind kept drifting back to the DNA test and the implications of being James Maxford's son. What did it mean for him? For his future? He had always been defined by his abilities, but now he had a name, a legacy. It was both empowering and terrifying.

At lunch, the group gathered at their usual table. Dylan was already there, his fiery red hair standing out against the sea of students. He waved them over, a grin spreading across his face as they approached.

"So," Dylan said, leaning back in his chair, "how's it feel to be the most talked-about person in school?"

Exalibar groaned, dropping into a seat. "Don't remind me. I just want things to go back to normal."

Aisha sat beside him, her tray piled high with food. "Normal's overrated. Besides, you've got us. We'll make sure you don't get too big of a head."

Chloe laughed, her purple eyes sparkling. "Yeah, like that's even possible. Exalibar's ego is already the size of a small planet."

Exalibar shot her a mock glare. "Hey, I'm not that bad."

Dylan smirked. "Debatable."

The group fell into easy banter, the tension of the morning melting away. For the first time in weeks, Exalibar felt like he could breathe. These people—his friends—were his anchor in a world that still felt unfamiliar.

After school, Exalibar and Aisha headed to the facility for their usual training session. James had insisted on keeping up their routine, despite the events of the past few days. As they entered the training room, Exalibar couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The room was filled with state-of-the-art equipment, but it was the sparring mat in the centre that caught his attention.

"Ready to get your ass kicked?" Aisha asked, her tone teasing as she stretched.

Exalibar smirked, rolling his shoulders. "In your dreams."

The two squared off, their movements fluid and precise. Aisha's alchemy allowed her to manipulate the environment, creating barriers and weapons out of thin air. Exalibar, relying on his speed and combat skills, dodged and countered with ease. The sparring session was intense, but it was also cathartic. For a while, Exalibar could forget about the weight of his newfound identity and just focus on the fight.

As they finished, both breathing heavily, Aisha grinned. "Not bad, Maxford. You're getting better."

Exalibar raised an eyebrow. "Maxford, huh? I could get used to that."

Aisha's grin widened. "Don't let it go to your head."

That night, as Exalibar lay in bed, he couldn't help but reflect on the day. The whispers, the stares, the banter with his friends—it was all part of a life he was still getting used to. But for the first time, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

**To Be Continued…**