Chapter 1

Ethin's eyes snapped open, seared by a pain that felt like a branding iron. He gasped, his heart racing, and rubbed his temples to massage away the agony.

As he struggled to sit up, his phone buzzed on the nightstand, shrill and insistent. He groggily reached over to silence it, but his eyes widened as he saw the messages pouring in. Unknown numbers, cryptic messages - "It's started", "He's awake", "The prophecy unfolds".

A shiver ran down his spine as he realized that he wasn't alone in feeling this... this awakening. There were others out there, watching him, waiting for him.

With newfound determination, Ethin threw off the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stumbled to the mirror, gazing at his reflection. His eyes looked sunken, his skin pale, but as he watched, his pupils seemed to dilate, and his skin took on a warm, golden glow.

Shaking his head, he turned away from the mirror and made his way to the workout room. He had a routine to follow, one that would help him build strength, speed, and agility.

After his workout, he showered and changed into fresh clothes. His stomach growling, he headed downstairs to the kitchen. Jenkins, his butler, stood up from the table, a man with a rugged face, piercing blue eyes, and a distinctive scar above his left eyebrow.

"Good morning, young master," Jenkins said, his voice deep, resonant. "I trust you slept well?"

Ethin nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from his workout. "Morning, Jenkins. Yeah, I slept okay, I guess."

Jenkins nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see. Well, breakfast is ready. Shall I serve you?"

As Ethin ate, he couldn't help but notice the way Jenkins moved with a quiet confidence, a sense of strength and power that was hard to ignore. Jenkins had worked for his father for years, and now, he worked for him. He was more than just a butler; he was a guardian, a protector.

After breakfast, Ethin headed to school, driving his sleek, silver hovercar. As he walked through the school's security scanner, his heart skipped a beat. But the scanner remained silent, its readings well within the acceptable range.

Ethin breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his carefully constructed cover identity had held up once again. He spent the day attending classes, his mind absorbing the complex lessons with ease.

But as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Ethin's instincts began to twitch. He sensed that something was off, that he was being watched.

As he walked home through the bustling streets, he noticed a group of people trailing behind him. They were expertly blending in with the crowd, but Ethin's trained eyes picked up on the subtle cues.

His heart racing, Ethin quickened his pace, weaving through the crowded sidewalks with ease. But the followers kept pace with him, their movements fluid and practiced.

Just as Ethin was starting to feel a sense of unease, his comms device beeped softly in his ear. "Ethin, this is Jenkins. I've got eyes on you. You've got a tail. Can you make your way to the east alley on 5th Street?"

Ethin's eyes scanned the surrounding buildings, his mind racing with possibilities. He spotted a narrow alleyway between two towering skyscrapers and made a beeline for it.

As he entered the alley, Jenkins's voice came through the comms device once more. "Ethin, I've got your six. Just keep moving. I'll take care of the rest."

Suddenly, a sleek black hoverbike dropped down from the sky, its engines roaring as it settled beside Ethin. Jenkins's face appeared on the bike's holographic display, his eyes locked intently on Ethin's.

"Time to get out of here, Ethin. Now."

Ethin climbed onto the hoverbike, feeling a rush of adrenaline as Jenkins took control of the vehicle. They sped through the city streets, dodging traffic and pedestrians with ease.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ethin turned to Jenkins and said, "I think we lost them."

Jenkins's expression turned grim. "This place is no longer safe."

Ethin's eyes widened with concern. "So, are we going to another country again?"

Jenkins nodded. "We have to, Ethin. The Nexus won't stop until they find you."

Ethin's face set in determination. "I won't let them catch me, Jenkins."

"I think it's time to go," Jenkins said with a serious expression.

"Go where?" Ethin asked with a questioning look.

"Clover Academy," Jenkins replied.

Ethin's eyes narrowed. "What's