School bus

Year 2047, twenty years after the emergence of the mysterious island that reshaped the world's geopolitics.

The morning sun bathed the outskirts of Aratsun's capital in a golden glow, reflecting off the glass skyscrapers and the river that split the city in two. In the midst of a vast and meticulously maintained garden stood a luxurious mansion less of a home, more of a fortress of power.

Inside, a young man who had nearly become a living myth: Navies. A genius. A prodigy. A riddle wrapped in privilege. Despite being only fifteen, he wielded wealth and influence surpassing that of national leaders, even global ones. Yet, behind the iron gates and lavish halls of his residence, lay secrets known only to a select few chief among them, Balqis.

Balqis was no mere servant. At twenty-five, she looked exactly the same as she had a decade ago, showing no signs of aging. She was the shadow behind the light—a flawless warrior, deadly and efficient. Master of every weapon, every disguise, capable of killing with the same precision she used to brew a cup of tea. Love was an alien concept to her, but devotion was absolute. Her sole purpose: to serve and protect Navies. The last hope of the Eastern Movement.

Before dawn fully broke, Balqis was already at work. In the grand kitchen, she prepared breakfast with the precision of a professional chef. The knife danced across the cutting board, the scent of roasted meat filled the air, and freshly brewed coffee steamed in perfect warmth. She knew Navies would scrutinize every bite, calculating the nutrition with the meticulousness of a dietitian. Each dish was crafted to meet his impossibly high standards.

With breakfast complete, Balqis moved on to the next preparation: clothing. Today was important. For the first time, Navies would step out of his fortress and face the world directly. Until now, he had been raised within an exclusive learning stronghold, tutored by the best private educators with a curriculum designed just for him. But today, he would attend high school.

"Master Navies, what theme of clothing would you like today?" Balqis asked in her usual calm and measured tone.

Navies smirked as he sipped his coffee. "Something inconspicuous. I'd rather not draw attention."

Balqis selected a subtle yet elegant ensemble a fitted shirt, perfectly pressed trousers, and a watch that spoke in silence Berluti, John Lobb, Salvatore Ferragamo. His shoes gleamed without flaw.

During breakfast, Navies scrolled through his tablet, absorbing stock reports, global economic movements, and geopolitical shifts with the composure of a seasoned business strategist. Anyone unfamiliar with him would be stunned to see a teenager about to start high school possessing intelligence that outmatched corporate executives. But Navies had been designed to be extraordinary.

"Balqis, are we ready?" he asked, eyes never leaving the screen.

Balqis placed a fresh glass of juice before him. "Yes, Master Navies. But drink this first. I will finalize the preparations."

Satisfied, Navies nodded. "Good. Let's begin. I wonder if the outside world is as fascinating as they claim. And this school—the ruling party's children study there, don't they? Is that true?"

Balqis nodded. "Yes, Master. All the weaknesses of the Western Party reside in that school."

Navies only nodded.

After finishing his juice, he stepped into his grand bathroom gleaming white marble, gold-plated fixtures, and every comfort imaginable. As the warm water cascaded over his body, his mind wandered. For the first time, he felt curiosity. What lay beyond the world he had always known, confined within a perfectly regulated mansion?

Dressed immaculately, he met Balqis in the main hall. His garage housed a fleet of luxury vehicles Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini. But today, he chose none of them.

"We'll walk to the bus stop," he said casually. "I want to see the world from an ordinary perspective."

Balqis showed no reaction, only nodded obediently. "As you wish, Master."

Navies' residence was on the outskirts of the city, making the bus stop relatively quiet. Only a handful of people stood under the faded schedule board, waiting with forced patience. The morning breeze carried the lingering scent of asphalt still damp from last night's rain.

As they stepped onto the bus and it began to move, the world that had always been confined to the view behind his mansion's windows finally unfolded before him. The morning rush greeted him workers hurrying by with weary faces, the chaotic symphony of honking horns filling the air, and a city that moved like an unstoppable machine.

Navies glanced out the window, observing the towering buildings, the sidewalks bustling with passersby, and the restless energy of a life so far removed from his own a life that, until now, had been sealed within luxury and absolute security.

The bus ride to the capital was long. As he quietly observed the scenery outside, something caught his attention.

Through the reflection in the window, he noticed a man sitting several rows behind him, slightly to the side.

The man was dressed in black, wearing a sleek leather jacket. His face was shrouded in shadows, but his eyes sharp, calculating, hungry were fixated on one thing: the custom luxury watch wrapped around Navies' wrist. A rare timepiece from Jacob & Co.

His movements were too careful. Too deliberate.

Navies didn't react. He let the seconds tick by, allowing his opponent to grow confident.

The man was getting ready, shifting subtly in his seat. But just as he was about to make his move 

Pst!

Something shot through the air, almost invisible, blending seamlessly with the gentle vibrations of the bus rolling over uneven pavement. No sound, no sudden movements. To an untrained eye, all that could be seen was the faint twitch of Balqis' fingers before they returned to rest in her lap.

The man froze. His eyes widened, breath hitching.

Within seconds, his body slumped forward, his head tilting slightly to the side, looking for all the world like a weary traveler who had simply dozed off.

No one suspected a thing.

The other passengers remained engrossed in their own worlds staring at their phones, whispering in hushed conversations, or gazing absently out the window.

Navies kept his gaze forward, unfazed. Beside him, Balqis leaned back, half-lidded eyes calm and unbothered. If one looked closely, a faint trace of a needle's residue remained between her fingers, a silent testament to what had just transpired.

As if it had all been nothing but coincidence.

With a smooth, practiced motion, Balqis retracted the tiny needle concealed within her sleeve, tucking it away without the slightest shift in expression. No satisfaction, no emotion. As if what she had just done was nothing more than a routine task, no more significant than breathing.

Navies turned his head slightly, glancing at her. She met his gaze and, without missing a beat, spoke in a voice so flat, so mechanical, it was as if the words had been pre-programmed into her.

"Your safety is the top priority, Mr. Navies. He'll wake up in ten hours. No need to worry."

Navies glanced at the now-limp man, his lips curling into a small smirk not of shock, not of fear, but amusement. He leaned back against his seat, suddenly finding this journey far more interesting than he had anticipated.

"The world is getting entertaining," he murmured, voice tinged with intrigue, almost as if anticipating a new game. "I wonder what surprises await at the high school. All this time, I've only lived a life that was preordained surrounded by luxury, handed every convenience imaginable. But they say, school has its own kind of fun… along with assignments from the committee."

Balqis merely nodded, the faintest trace of a smile ghosting her lips. To anyone else, it might have seemed like a sign of deference. But to Navies, it was proof that no matter how loud, chaotic, or unpredictable the outside world became 

Nothing could ever truly touch him.

The bus continued its steady journey toward its next stop: the prestigious No. 1 High School in the country.

As if nothing had happened.

As if this morning was just another ordinary morning.