Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

Silas's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "What are you?"

Vic's brow furrowed slightly, a puzzled expression flickering across his face as he processed Silas's words.

"What do you mean?" Vic asked, raising both hands above his head in a gesture of confusion and innocence.

"You were acting like a lunatic last night. Then, suddenly, you wake up, and everything's fine? I know you're pretending. So tell me, Vic—what are you?" Silas demanded. His scythe hovered mere inches from Vic's neck, a threat as sharp as the weapon itself.

"Look, man, I'm fine. I don't know what you did to me while I was out, but whatever it was, it worked. I feel normal... like my old self again," Vic replied, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty.

"What are you talking about?" Silas blurted, the tension in his voice evident.

"I'm saying I told you to help me last night, and you did, Silas. Now I'm better. The injury is gone, the infection too. I don't have to worry about the staff finding out or my parents. I owe you one, Silas." Vic's tone turned lighter as he stepped back and turned away, brushing off the confrontation.

He glanced over his shoulder. "You heard Angelica earlier. We're going to be called in for a big announcement soon, so you might want to get ready."

Vic strode off, leaving Silas standing frozen, his face shadowed by a mix of confusion and unease.

Silas's thoughts churned. He hadn't done anything to help Vic the previous night. He'd only knocked him out with a tornado kick to keep him from causing more trouble. Yet somehow, Vic seemed completely fine. Normal, even.

"Could it mean the scratch didn't affect him?" Silas muttered under his breath.

The idea didn't sit right. The system had clearly indicated Vic was in transition. And yet…

Silas had tried scanning Vic earlier with the system, but nothing worked. The notification from last night—the one that had been so clear—was gone. The system had gone silent, leaving Silas in an agonizing state of uncertainty.

"What the hell is going on?" he mused, finally dismissing his scythe. With a heavy sigh, he turned and trudged back to his room.

Once there, Silas freshened up, pulling on the academy's standard uniform before heading to the cafeteria. His thoughts swirled with unanswered questions.

When he arrived, the cafeteria was eerily quiet. Most students had finished their breakfast and left. Only a small group remained, seated a few meters away, deep in conversation. The faint clatter of cutlery against plates filled the air.

Silas approached the group, forcing a neutral expression onto his face.

"What's up, guys?" he greeted casually, giving David's shoulder a soft tap before sliding into a seat across from Vic.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Vic was hunched over his tray, shoveling food into his mouth with both hands like he hadn't eaten in days. His jaw worked furiously, and he paid no attention to the others around him.

"Hey, slow down," Angelica chided, her brows knitting together in a frown. Her gaze remained fixed on Vic, who was too absorbed in devouring his meal to respond. "You're going to choke if you keep that up."

Sebastian cleared his throat, drawing the group's attention. "I've got something to say," he announced, his tone grave.

Angelica tilted her head slightly. "What's the matter?"

"When I went to Vic's room earlier, looking for him... I saw something." Sebastian hesitated, his eyes darting toward Vic. "There was blood on the bathroom floor. Black blood."

The words hung in the air, heavy and chilling. Everyone turned to Vic, who had frozen mid-bite. Slowly, almost theatrically, he lowered his fork and turned to meet Sebastian's gaze.

"What are you trying to say?" Vic asked, his tone calm but with an edge of defensiveness.

Sebastian crossed his arms. "I'm asking if you'd care to explain. What was it?"

Vic remained silent for a moment, chewing slowly, his expression unreadable. Then, with a nonchalant shrug, he replied, "It wasn't blood. It wasn't even anything serious. Some idiot spilled black paint on me during practice. I went to the bathroom to clean it up. That's all."

"Black paint, huh?" Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Alright, then. No problem."

Vic smirked and returned to his food, resuming his rapid, almost animalistic consumption.

The group exchanged uneasy glances, but before anyone could speak further, a loud chime echoed through the cafeteria. The sound reverberated across the walls, signaling an official announcement.

"That's our cue," Angelica said, standing up.

One by one, the group followed her lead and exited the cafeteria. They made their way to the announcement hall, joining a crowd of students that had already gathered. The air was thick with anticipation, the hum of hushed conversations filling the expansive space.

Silas positioned himself near the back of the group, his eyes never leaving Vic. Something about him felt… off. His calm demeanor, his casual responses—it all seemed too convenient.

"I know you're staring at me, Silas," Vic said suddenly, his voice cutting through the background noise. He didn't bother turning to look.

"What aren't you telling me?" Silas hissed in a low tone, careful not to draw attention.

Vic finally turned his head, his expression unreadable. "Can we not do this right now? I already told you—I'm fine. If I felt different, don't you think I'd know? Last night, I came to you because I could tell something was wrong. And now? Nothing. I feel perfectly normal."

Silas's eyes narrowed. "Or maybe you're just saying that to keep me from reporting you to the higher-ups."

Vic smirked. "If you wanted to report me, you'd have done it while I was unconscious. But here I am." He placed a hand on Silas's shoulder, his grip firm but not aggressive. "Relax, man. I'm okay. Trust me."

Before Silas could respond, Angelica leaned in, her voice curious. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing important," Silas replied quickly, his tone flat.

The group fell silent as the crowd shifted, making way for Sir Dominic. He strode into the hall, clad in an expensive silver suit that gleamed under the artificial lights. His presence commanded attention, and the room fell into an almost reverent hush. Two staff members flanked him, their stern expressions mirroring his own.

Sir Dominic strode forward with deliberate steps, halting at the center of the grand hall where the students had gathered. His imposing presence demanded attention, and the buzz of idle chatter dissipated as if swallowed by the silence itself. The air grew tense, and the weight of his expression sent unease rippling through the crowd.

For a moment, he stood still, his sharp gaze scanning the faces before him. Then, clearing his throat, he finally broke the oppressive silence.

"There has been a tragedy," Sir Dominic announced, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "We lost one of our own during a mission on the Agogjie planet."

The revelation sent murmurs cascading through the assembly. Whispers filled the hall, and the students exchanged bewildered glances. The disbelief was palpable, etched into their expressions as shock mingled with confusion.

"What do you mean someone died on Agogjie?" a bold voice piped up from the crowd, the student's tone laced with incredulity. "Isn't that planet supposed to be one of the safest out there?"

Sir Dominic's steely eyes locked onto the student who had spoken. His voice rose, commanding respect. "Indeed, it is considered one of the safest. But let me remind you all—'safe' does not mean invulnerable. While the Agogjie planet is inhabited by low-grade mutants and lacks significant dangers, that does not mean other creatures cannot infiltrate it."

The students listened intently, their earlier murmurs dying down.

"The Sycrax species," Sir Dominic continued, his tone deep and grave, "possess a unique portal device that allows them to travel across mutant planets as they please. They care not whether the planet is a haven or a death trap. They go where they will. And this time, one of them chose Agogjie."

The tension in the room thickened like a storm cloud. A student named Moses gasped audibly, his voice breaking the stillness. "Wait… are you saying a Sycrax was on Agogjie?"

"That is correct," Sir Dominic affirmed, his gaze unwavering. "A Sycrax infiltrated the Agogjie planet and—" he paused, his voice growing heavier, "—it is responsible for the death of our staff member."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall. Though most of the students had never encountered a Sycrax, they were no strangers to the creature's reputation. Descriptions in guild reports and sketches in ancient texts had painted a chilling picture of the Sycrax's monstrous form and ferocity. To them, these creatures were nightmares come to life, their existence a distant terror confined to stories.

"It's said Sycraxes only dwell on the Planet of Doom!" a student whispered to a peer. "How could one end up on Agogjie?"

But Sir Dominic wasn't done. He raised a hand to silence the murmurs and continued, "I didn't call you here just to inform you of the tragedy. There is a matter of utmost importance that demands your attention. The staff member who fell during the mission was Barry Cobrafang."

His words dropped like a thunderclap. The mention of the Cobrafang name sent a fresh wave of unease through the room.

"Cobrafang?" a female student asked hesitantly, her voice trembling. "As in… the Cobrafang family?"

Sir Dominic nodded solemnly. "That is correct. Barry was a direct member of the Cobrafang family, a name you all know well. I have informed their leader of his son's death, and as you can imagine, this news has not been received lightly."

The hall descended into chaos. Fear gripped the students as they broke into panicked whispers. The Cobrafang family was a name synonymous with power, vengeance, and ruthlessness. None doubted the gravity of the situation.

"If the Cobrafangs decide to retaliate, none of us will be spared," one student muttered anxiously to another.

Sir Dominic raised his voice to cut through the din. "The leader of the Cobrafang family is arriving at the academy today. To ensure your safety, I am issuing a strict directive: all students are to return to their rooms immediately and remain there until the following day. Do not, under any circumstances, leave your quarters. Meals will be delivered by staff. Anyone caught outside their room will face severe punishment. Is that understood?"

A resounding chorus of "Yes, sir!" echoed through the hall, though the fear in their voices betrayed their unease.

As the students began to disperse, Silas lingered near the entrance of the hall. He stood apart from the others, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. A frown crept onto his face, and his gaze darted around with growing urgency.

"What's the matter?" Angelica, standing beside him, noticed his unease.

Silas didn't respond immediately. His jaw tightened as his eyes continued their frantic search. Finally, he spoke, his tone edged with tension. "Have you seen Vic? He was right here a moment ago… and now he's gone."