Pathetic Ethan & an Incoming Call

Aether descended the staircase slowly, making his way to the center of the courtyard, where he found Ethan standing alone, seemingly in a state of punishment.

"Ethan!" Aether tapped him on the shoulder, causing Ethan to startle.

He jerked forward, turned to face Aether, and let out a relieved sigh.

"Man, you scared me half to death," Ethan muttered, his hand on his chest.

Initially, he had assumed it was some mischievous academy student trying to startle him, but upon seeing it was Aether, he refrained from uttering harsh words.

Amused by Ethan's comical reaction, Aether grinned and directed a curious gaze at him.

"Why are you standing alone in the middle of the field like this, Ethan? He asked, surveying the deserted academy grounds.

In response, Ethan lowered his head and emitted a resigned sigh.

"Hey, do you think I'd willingly stand in the middle of the field like a madman?" Ethan retorted with a wry smile.

He massaged his sore knees, evidence of his prolonged punishment.

Aether, somewhat surprised, regarded him with an odd expression, finally comprehending that Ethan's seemingly bizarre behavior stemmed from a punishment he had received.

"Alright, let's head home then, especially since Ms. Nathania isn't at the academy anymore," Aether suggested, giving Ethan's shoulder a friendly pat as he started to lead him away.

However, Ethan's brow furrowed, and he cast wary glances around.

"Are you sure about that? Has the 'deadly demon' already left the academy?" His voice quivered with a mix of fear and skepticism, causing Aether to halt and regard him with an amused look.

"Why, are you genuinely terrified of Ms. Nathania?" Aether asked, her tone laced with mockery.

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he regarded Aether as if he had grown an extra head.

But, recalling that this individual held the highest grades in the class and had achieved top national rankings, Ethan swallowed his initial retort and could only sigh, tinged with a hint of envy.

Aether, known for consistently ranking at the top of the class, had never been on the receiving end of Mrs. Nathania's scoldings or anger, a stark contrast to many of his fellow students.

Among the students who received special treatment were Arshley, Frederic, and Helena, while Neil and Ethan, due to their occasionally troublesome behavior, had grown accustomed to facing Mrs. Nathania's ire.

Noticing Ethan's silence, Aether reached out and grasped his fat hand, reassuring him, "You don't need to worry. Mrs. Nathania bid me farewell earlier and won't be returning."

Turning his gaze back to Ethan, Aether inquired, "Would you like to stick around until the afternoon or evening?"

Ethan, upon hearing the question, swallowed nervously and promptly shook his head.

"No way! How could I possibly want to do that? Alright, let's head home!" Ethan stood up straight, projecting an air of bold determination that was rather endearing.

Aether nodded with a small chuckle, then, remembering something, he posed a question to Ethan.

"By the way, did Neil and Arshley leave a message for me?" Aether rested his chin on his hand, casting a curious gaze at Ethan.

In response, Ethan nodded vigorously and smacked his forehead in realization.

"That's right! I completely forgot to mention it. Neil mentioned that he's returning to his father's house this time and won't be able to meet up with you anytime soon. Arshley, on the other hand, left this morning in a limousine with a sizable contingent of Guardian troops escorting her. She asked me to pass along her message: she'll give you a call this evening to apologize for not being able to accompany you home," Ethan explained with meticulous detail and clarity.

Aether, having absorbed the information, fell into contemplation.

"It appears that her father is quite concerned for her safety tomorrow, so it might be some time before we can meet again," Aether mused inwardly, offering a small nod.

This was hardly surprising, given that tomorrow marked the pivotal agreement between Earth and Mars.

Naturally, Arshley's father harbored a deep reluctance to have his only daughter involved, considering the sensitivity and importance of the day.

As for Neil, it was most likely the general who had summoned him back home, a fact that Aether comprehended.

With a nod of acknowledgment, he turned to Ethan and remarked, "Thank you for delivering the messages. Let's head home."

Ethan responded with an enthusiastic nod, retrieving a bag of chips from his pocket and munching on them as he walked alongside Aether.

Under the bright noon sun, the two figures gradually faded away from the academy grounds.

...

In the evening, Flora was preparing dinner in the kitchen while Aether relaxed on the couch, engrossed in his smartphone.

News outlets, social media platforms, and various media sources were abuzz with discussions about the impending peace treaty between Mars and Earth.

Aether meticulously read through each article and news report, thoroughly absorbed in the topic.

Aether was keen on gauging the public's sentiments regarding this issue.

As he expected, the responses were divided.

Many expressed gratitude and joy, while others vehemently opposed the treaty.

It was entirely natural for those on the jubilant side to remember the overwhelming power of the Martians, courtesy of their unbeatable Genesis technology.

Conversely, those against the treaty were often individuals whose families had been victimized by the Genesis robot armies.

Just as Aether was engrossed in reading a particularly detailed article, his smartphone unexpectedly vibrated, signaling an incoming call.

"Dad?"