The Children Of Thalia

Helder Academy

My back hurts. Achy, stiff, it feels like you want to lie down immediately. Spending nearly five hours in the car was more exhausting than I thought. Even more surprising, this trip was fast. The distance from Argon to Leanzea is about four hundred kilos. Fast if you take the train, but quite time-consuming if the car. Fortunately there is a toll road, but the road today is quite crowded considering that today many people are willing to take entrance exams at the schools of their dreams.

All this time, I only knew Helder from the news and information of the internet. Plus, I was never interested in finding out. From the beginning I did not have any interest in entering Helder, although indeed the homeroom teacher and several other teachers often persuaded me to apply there, considering I was a receiver with many achievements. When I finally told them that I was going to take the entrance exam, their faces emitted a bright joy. Polaris Junior High School is not a State Junior High School, but it is quite calculated as a favorite school. The existence of me who excels in the field of technology there really boost school fans, and now I also accept Helder's invitation to take a practice exam.

I never knew, or even glanced at Helder in the slightest all this time, but I am here now, standing before the great gate like a fortress of the past. It was built by receivers who yearned for a future where young receivers would abandon war and violence, to focus on building Thalia into a richer land. The thick walls became a guardrail that surrounded the school, completely surrounding Helder which was just as vast as one city itself. People more often call this school as the "Helder Fort", because it really looks like a fortress, unless the architecture looks more geometric and modern. 

"Accepted? You'll be here starting next week." Said Ansel coming at me from behind. He stretched out his hand, pointing at the tall tower with the symbol of the three comets that became Helder's icon. "What? Unity Tower. Stand right at the center of Helder. So high, from each side was visible. Just for info, the symbol of the three comets is-"

"Being the emblem for the receiver." I said cut Ansel off. That information has been heard too often to the extent that even in sekoah was taught about this. "Three comets with three colors: red, blue, yellow, are symbols for three types of receivers; aggressor, affector, and enhancer. Made circular as a symbol that the three receivers must support each other in order to advance."

Ansel looked at me, squinting with annoyance. "At least let me explain."

"What you're saying is that it was explained when I was in seventh grade."

"At least you can make me feel cool."

"Oh, sorry and thank you."

Looking at Ansel's face, it felt like we were exchanging roles. A month ago he was the one who bothered me for two weeks. Maybe the look on my face was the same as Ansel's is today. It turns out that it is fun to be a little devil of a bully, even if it is really annoying.

"Where's rolfe?" I asked while wailing. Rolfe dropped us off in front of the gate, but he left immediately again.

"Parking. Let's go first. It won't be long anyway, will it?" Ansel answered, start walking in Helder. I followed from behind.

"I should have asked. Registration confirmation won't be long, will it?"

"i reckon. It depends on the line as well. It should be empty now."  Ansel looked at the watch, while I looked at the clock from the cell phone. Half-five in the afternoon, half an hour away and all administrative services closed. Really at the end. Maybe the administration has begun to clean up while hoping there will be no more visitors.

"Where is the place?"

"Just straight. The administration building can't be far from the front gate." Ansel glanced to the right, staring at the large building with the shield emblem on its roof. "That's the main headquarters of the security division. Don't you wanna look around?"

"There, huh?" I murmured while staring at the building as well. It's curious, but it's not the right time. "Remind me to go there later."

"Don't want to see him?"

"Just go to school."

My gaze was straight forward again, walking with a mind that was trying to ignore the existence of the main headquarters on the right. To be honest, my chest was currently pounding fast, it felt like it was burning hot. I wanted to run there, do what I was supposed to do, but it was meaningless if I didn't get away with being a student. 

The administration building looks like a bank. Not too big, but it stands out because of its bright blue paint color. People walk out. Some with their parents, some with friends, some who look alone come. Not too much, maybe it has been through a solid session. When I stepped in, the cold air immediately hit, as well as the calm fragrant breeze of citron. 

I was so overwhelmed when I found out that only two more people were waiting in line. The building is completely empty. In fact, there are some employees who have begun to clean up after their shift runs out. The lighting of this building is bright, but the color is warm so it looks suitable with dark red wallpaper on all sides of the room. I want to get in line, just like everyone else. But Ansel pulled my shoulder from behind.

"In the meantime, you take the invitation line, right?"

"Yes, here's the letter."

Shortly after I showed Helder the invitation letter, Ansel grabbed it. "Come, your line's not here."

He walked towards the corridor, which was as quiet as a hotel hallway at night. I'm just following you, I don't know how the administrative process here is. Maybe it's better to just follow what Ansel said.

He walked through a rather long corridor, turned left, then walked another twenty meters. His feet stopped in front of a black door, so pitch-black that I wondered what kind of wood was used. The color is not like paint, like natural black wood. I didn't know who the important person was sitting behind that door, but I knew it wasn't a room that ordinary people could enter.

Even so, Ansel, this reckless young man unhesitatingly turned the door knob and pushed it rather strongly. He knew the person behind this door was an important person, but he really didn't care.

"Yahoo, I'm back!"

"TOW!!"

From inside came the voice of a surprised young man. I glanced curiously. The room inside was quite large, it seemed to be as big as my classroom in Polaris. Many cabinets are full of documents. Everything is neatly arranged. On top of the closet there are also cardboard boxes that accumulate. One central closet, probably right splitting the center line of the room, contains trophies and award certificates. In front of the closet is a black sofa and chairs, a sturdy table of shiny brown, as well as some snacks such as pocky and potato chips on it.

A person sits on the sofa, lifts his legs up on the chair, his hair is messy and wears slightly shifted glasses. He looked at us, stunned, surprised, but his hand did not stop pressing the game control button that appeared on the big television in front of him. Whoa, there's even a stereo set too? Plus, this room was definitely soundproof because not the slightest sound from outside was heard.

But, how yes. Looking at that scene, I was speechless. Obviously this is an important person's room, it's also clear that Ansel can't recklessly bring my invitation letter to any place, nor am I sure the person in front is not an ordinary student. But what I did completely shattered my expectations. I suddenly frowned, feeling a bit disappointed, but Ansel immediately patted me on the shoulder.

"After all, a face like that would make it even worse." Ansel said, understanding as if he was accustomed. He walked in, slowly with a mischievous smile. "Close that door."

"Hei-hey, what are you doing here, chief?"

The chairman?

"A-A-A-I SHOULD ASK!!!!! OH!!!!!!"

His screams sounded different when he realized his game character was dead because he was whining a little. The full face of disappointment was immediately visible. The shoulder that had looked so tense instantly squeezed. I glanced at the big television. The game I know is being shown with image quality that I never thought I would see in person.

"Midgard's Quest?"

Ansel giggled amusedly at the notification window that the young man had lost his mission. "He sucked, didn't he?"

I don't want to comment, I didn't understand why from the beginning, and I can't think of any other question than why? But looking at the results the young man had obtained, my mouth was constantly talking.

"Indeed...."

The short answer, which made Ansel laugh even louder.

"OH, AWESOME!!!!" His laughter blared breaking the silence that had been felt in the room. I glanced at the young man. Full of disappointment and burning anger. Understandably, pity is also seen.

"Some, anyways.... WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO COME HERE, HA???" The man got up, shouting while pointing at Ansel in annoyance. "YOU KNOW IT'S A WORKROOM, RIGHT? IT CAN'T BE ENTERED BY JUST ANYONE, AND YOU'RE HERE WITHOUT TAPPING DU—"

"Well, no noise." Cut Ansel while clogging both ears with both index fingers. "Who told you to play games in the workspace?"

"My work was done from three o'clock, I was free until six. And again, who is this kid? You're kidnapping people again?"

Any more?

"Why do you say as if I've done a crime?"

Oh, did he never?

"Indeed you never?"

The young man replied with the same word I thought at the same time. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's really the right choice to follow this guy.

"No.. No, of course not!" Reply Ansel, somewhat taking a pause in the middle which makes me a little suspicious.

"Suire, than that." The young man turned his eyes to me. His eyes were sharp glaring at me like a tiger locking onto a prey. For a moment, I could see a black shadow wrestling behind him like smoke, whether it was a gift or my illusion due to such a powerful aura of intimidation from him. "Sorry son, you've seen me. Removing a little of your memory won't hurt."

Ap—

"Wait, what?"

The wisp of black smoke swirled, flowing into his hands like water, then clumping like jelly. It was lining his hands like gloves. When he clenched his hands, the shape of the shadow turned into that of a serpent's head, with a squirm and tongue-like protrusion.

"FORGIVE THIS!!!!!!!!"

"WAIT!!!!!!!"

The young man jumped up, hurtling towards me quickly. I stretched out my right hand, hoping that whatever power I could reflect. However, before the attack landed, Ansel said calmly.

"Asera."

All I could feel afterwards was a light fist on my palm. I opened my eyes, looking at the surprised expression of the young man who was full of anger. The shadow disappeared as if it never existed. The young man had yet to pull his hand, but his face turned, turning to Ansel at the side.

"Asera?"

With pride and a wide grin, Ansel nodded strongly. "Theodore Radley Asera's. He's an invitee you signed the letter yourself."

The young man's expression immediately changed.

...* * * * *...