The Beginning (3)

[The Following Day]

Ssshhh~

I turn off the shower, the water ceasing its cascade over my body. I grab the towel hanging on the metal rack, quickly drying off. Once done, I wrap it around my waist.

I officially live in the organization's headquarters now. My room is one floor below the central control room—what they call Floor 2. The headquarters has three underground levels, hidden beneath Silver City. Though simple, it's far more livable than the cramped apartment I used to have.

Exiting the bathroom, I survey the room. It's not large, but spacious enough for its square footage. Steel walls surround the room; neon lights in the ceiling cast a cold, white glow. A small spring bed sits in the corner, with a desk and chair beside it. A closet stands near the door, a mirror neatly attached to its surface. Thankfully, there's a private bathroom—a small luxury I never thought possible. Maybe joining this organization wasn't as bad as I feared.

"Ahem! Test, test."

"Nova, you're requested at central control,"

Lissa's voice comes from a small speaker in the corner.

"They'll probably give you your first mission," the Rubik's Cube speaks from my inner pocket, still hidden under my jacket.

"Then we should hurry."

I open the closet, my eyes scanning the prepared clothes. I choose a white shirt, dark blue jacket, and black trousers—a simple style. I'm not good at picking outfits; functionality is my priority.

Dressed, I leave the room. As I close the door, my eyes fix on a number:

No. 198.

This room belonged to a fallen member. Initially, I just hoped their spirit wouldn't haunt me.

But now I wonder…

No. 198… how many members are there?

I walk down the silent corridor, lined with other room doors. Maybe they're upstairs. Everyone here seems busy; eventually, I'll be the same.

After a few turns—and getting slightly lost—I finally reach the elevator. A small victory. Floor 2 is a maze, and I'm not familiar with the layout yet.

.

.

.

[A Few Minutes Earlier]

My steps halt. I stare around in frustration. Confusion and despair wash over me.

"Which way should I go...?"

Every turn brings me back to the same spot. This corridor is more of a labyrinth than a secret headquarters. If I remembered the room numbers, navigation would be easier.

I walk again, choosing the right path at the next intersection. But…

"No. 198?!"

I grunt in annoyance. "Seriously? I'm back where I started?! Damn it!"

I collapse onto the steel floor.

"Giving up?" the Rubik's Cube asks.

I remain silent.

"I figured as much."

A dimensional rift opens, and the Rubik's Cube emerges from my pocket, hovering beside me.

I glance at it. "Huh?"

"What do you think I am?"

I stare at it for a long time. "A Rubik's Cube?"

"Yes… that's not wrong. But what am I to you?"

I ponder. "Ah! A guide!"

The Rubik's Cube makes a satisfied humming sound. "Finally. If you're having trouble, you can ask me for help."

"Then… can you show me the way to the elevator?"

"No."

"W-What?!"

"I'm a guide, an informant. Not a compass or radar," it says. "To detect directions, you need to enhance your power. Then I'll improve, gaining new abilities like detection and hacking."

"Then why did it sound like you could help me?!" Damn. I had hoped for assistance from this annoying metal.

"Because I'm a guide, and guides guide those who struggle. Just like you."

I inhale, exhale, trying to calm myself. "So tell me, you must know something useful?"

The Rubik's Cube spins again. "Of course." It pauses. "Use your power."

"My power?"

"Do you think your power is just for show? Use it, sense your surroundings with 'Extra Sight.' It's a basic Guardian ability."

"W-Wait! If there's a basic ability like that, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Because you didn't ask."

"…." I'm silent. This is infuriating, but it's true; I rarely communicate with this metal thing.

"And don't call me metal."

…It seems to be reading my expression.

"Alright, how do I use this 'Extra Sight'?" I ask.

The Rubik's Cube floats closer, stopping before me. A faint blue light emanates, indicating crucial information. "Extra Sight," it says in a tone like a strict teacher enjoying their job, "is an instinct-energy ability passed down to all Guardians. But it won't activate unless you're synchronized with your body."

"Synchronized?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yes," it replies, "synchronization between your physical body and your inner energy. You activated your powers on the first day but weren't fully aware of how to combine them. Extra Sight requires full attention, quiet, and… patience."

I take a deep breath, leaning against the steel wall. The corridor is quiet. The sound of ventilation is like a whisper.

"What's the first step?" I ask.

The Rubik's Cube answers flatly, "Close your eyes."

I close my eyes. "Take slow breaths. Relax your body, focusing on the flow within. Feel the subtle vibrations you've been ignoring—the energy pulsing beneath your skin."

I try. At first, it's just my heartbeat and blood flow. But slowly, something else appears. A wave… warm, moving slowly from my chest to my fingertips, like ripples on water.

"Maintain that," the Rubik's Cube whispers. "Now imagine your surroundings, not with your eyes, but with feeling. Envision a three-dimensional space around you. Let your inner energy reflect the shapes of objects."

I don't know how, but I follow my instincts. Slowly, I sense things. Faint silhouettes… a corner, walls to my left and right… and a branching corridor ahead.

But my energy is draining. My breath is ragged, my heart pounds, sweat drips from my forehead.

I open my eyes, clutching my chest, trying to breathe normally. "W-What happened?" I stare at my other palm.

The Rubik's Cube scans me. "Hmm… yes. I think I know."

"Really? Tell me."

"I said it before. Your power is immense but limited, as if sealed," it says. "Because you're in human form, your power recognizes your structure and adapts to prevent you from exploding from the immense energy. Humans are fragile; their bodies are merely organ systems, vital organs, bones, muscles, tissues, blood vessels, and lymphatics."

The Rubik's Cube continues in a flat tone, as if reading a manual. "Human bodies are too weak to contain a Planet Guardian's cosmic energy. That's why your power is 'sealed' to prevent your body from shattering under immense energy pressure. 'Extra Sight' forces your body to flow energy into your nervous system and brain unnaturally, causing a shock-like reaction. You've used it to change your body and fire lasers. You need rest to calm the energy surge."

I nod slowly, processing the information. "So… I have to be careful when using my powers?"

"Exactly. Overexertion can be fatal. Excess energy can burn your internal organs or even explode your cells."

"…That sounds terrifying."

"Yes. But don't worry, as long as you're not reckless, you'll be fine."

I sigh. "So, what about 'Extra Sight'? I can't use it?"

"You can, but not for long. Try again, but don't push yourself. Use it for a few seconds."

I close my eyes again, feeling the energy flow. This time, I don't try to map the entire corridor—only a few meters in front.

Bzzzt!

A flash of an image appears—a simple map of the corridor. I see blurry images of walls, doors, and…

"Is there an arrow on the floor?" I open my eyes, confused.

The Rubik's Cube spins slowly. "Oh, that? That's The Umbra's secret directional system. But it's only visible with infrared sensors or…"

"—or Extra Sight," I interrupt, feeling slightly foolish. "So, there were instructions on the floor, but I didn't see them because I lacked the tools?"

"Yes, and you foolishly didn't notice this when you initially used Extra Sight."

"…Why didn't you say that from the start?!"

"You didn't ask." The Rubik's Cube returns to my inner pocket.

Damn it.

My patience is wearing thin. I almost throw the Rubik's Cube against the wall.

.

.

.

[Present]

The elevator hisses open, and I step out into The Umbra's central control room. A giant holographic screen dominates the wall, displaying Silver City's map, intelligence documents, and even government troop movements. Members discuss matters in corners, Draven and Lissa standing before the central desk. Lissa turns when she hears my steps.

"Ah, Nova. Just in time."

"You called me 50 minutes ago," I retort flatly.

"Yes, but our predictions said you'd be lost for two hours," Draven grins, chewing gum. "So, this is quick."

I frown. They deliberately didn't help me?

Lissa ignores my expression and holds up an "identity card."

"Take this."

- Name: Nova Arlen

- Age: 18

- Place of Birth: Sylvania Village, Exsoma State

- Status: Citizen of Exsoma State.

- Occupation: None.

- Special Notes: Orphan, no close family, but has an adoptive father.

I take the card. "Sylvania Village?" I frown. "I've never been there."

"That's intentional," Lissa replies. "The village was destroyed in a civil war five years ago. No witnesses to question your past."

…Clever.

"Also," she continues, "we've given you a digital identity." She taps a button on her tablet, and a hologram appears—a digital ID with my photo (my younger face) and access codes. "This will help you bypass government checks. But remember, don't get into big trouble. This identity lasts as long as you don't attract unnecessary attention."

I nod. "I understand."

Draven smiles. "Congratulations, Nova. You're officially one of us."

But something's bothering me. "Is… something wrong?" I point to the card—the special notes: orphan, no close family, but has an adoptive father.

Lissa smiles faintly. "Ah, that. Look at your family name."

"Family name?" My eyes glance at the name. "Arlen? Whose family name is this?"

The blonde woman chuckles. "Of course, it's the family name of 'that man.'" Lissa points to Draven.

I stare at Draven, eyes wide.

"Adoptive father?" My voice is choked.

Draven smiles broadly. "Surprise, kid."

Lissa laughs at my expression. "Franken Arlen—his real name. He's one of The Umbra's founders and has long used 'Draven' as a pseudonym. But for your identity, we needed a strong family name. And who's better than the 'father' of one of our top members?"

I still can't believe it. "So… you decided this without telling me?"

"You needed a 'family' to avoid suspicion," Draven says, suddenly serious. "An orphan with no relatives is too conspicuous. But an orphan adopted by a former soldier? That's believable."

The Rubik's Cube suddenly appears from my dimensional pocket, spinning with blue light. "Logically, this is the right decision. If anyone checks your background, they'll find Franken's digital trace as a respectable citizen—a former soldier who lost his family in the war and adopted a street child."

I sigh. They've thought of everything.

"Fine," I finally concede. "But don't expect me to call you 'Dad' anytime soon."

Draven laughs. "Relax, I don't want a rebellious kid like you either."

Lissa shakes her head, then shifts the holographic screen. "Focus. There's another reason we called you here today."

A blurry image of a grand building surrounded by massive walls appears—a structure like a secret military base combined with futuristic technology. "Nethera Academy."

"Tomorrow, you start school here," Lissa says.

I almost choke. "What?!"

"Relax, Nova," Draven says. "This is your mission."

"Have you heard of Nethera Academy?" Lissa asks.

I shake my head. "No."

Nethera Academy… I didn't know such an academy existed.

Lissa sighs, as if beginning a long explanation. "Nethera Academy was created by a former five-star general, combining military and technological training. Its purpose is to eliminate crime and rebellion in the Federation. It has incredibly tight security; no one can hack its data. Its students are 'ghosts'—those who died but are revived as warriors to defend their homeland. No one knows anything about Nethera Academy. Any intruders are eliminated within ten minutes. Fortunately, the intruder we sent got a blurry image before dying."

She takes a breath, continuing, "Nethera Academy is independent, standing on its own, opposing anything that threatens justice, ignoring elite complaints. Some noble families send their children there because some nobles still care about the suffering of the common people due to the corrupt government. But because they're closely 'watched', they have limited choices. They contact the academy through connections and send their children. But the children agree willingly, raised by their parents with ideals of justice."

Wow, that's a long explanation...

"What do you mean by 'ghosts'?" I interrupt.

Lissa touches her tablet, the holographic screen changing to a news report—"Second child of the Aria Von Arius family dies in a driving accident."

Wasn't that the woman in the car earlier?

"Ah, that's right. I understand! They fake their deaths!"

"Correct, but it's not that simple. There are qualifications for entry. But for a noble family like the Arius, their principle of justice is unquestionable; they're the purest form of justice among greedy nobles."

"So, you want me to enter that academy?"

Lissa nods, silent for a moment. Draven waits. Lissa then says, "The Umbra and Nethera Academy's goals aren't entirely different. We both aim for peace and stopping rebellion. But Nethera Academy's goals are more complex… They want to destroy the corrupt government and rebuild it with a better system, ensuring equality and security for all citizens. We only deliver justice to those who haven't received it. Both places have the same qualification requirement—selecting useful candidates with resilience and humanity. That's why we chose you. Protect Mutants, protect humans, protect justice eroded by greed. Your Mutant abilities are good enough to survive."

I look into her eyes. I sense hope, despair, and exhaustion.

I look at my ID card, then at Lissa and Draven. "So… you want me to become a student at Nethera Academy to… what, exactly?"

Draven chews their gum before replying. "We need someone inside—someone to be a bridge between The Umbra and Nethera Academy."

"A bridge?"

Lissa nods. "We believe we'll eventually have to cooperate with them. But for now, they see underground organizations like ours as rebels threatening stability. Yet, we share the same goals."

The Rubik's Cube suddenly speaks from my pocket. "Logically, this makes sense. Nethera Academy likely has far greater resources and influence than The Umbra. If you two unite, the combined force could change the Federation."

I sigh. "So, I have to be a model student there?"

"More or less," Draven replies.

"And if I'm found out?"

Lissa answers, "You'll be considered a traitor, and they'll eliminate you in minutes."

"…Great. No pressure at all."

Draven laughs and pats my back—hard. "Relax, kid. You have a talent for survival."

Draven, behind their cold mask, sounds like a humorous old man…

I stare at them in disbelief. "You… you've really planned everything, haven't you?"

"Of course," Draven nods proudly. "We're professionals."

The Rubik's Cube suddenly speaks again. "Or you could consider this the strangest infiltration mission in history."

"Fine. I'll do it."