INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

The days didn’t pass like a blur, like what everyone wanted it to be. After the conclusion of the tournament, everyone except Skhy went to the dormitory. Skhy wanted to help bring Tessa to the girls’ apartment but he decided to head to the Premier’s office instead. He asked Nate and Storm to assist Tessa because she had difficulty walking. They gladly accepted because Nate also needed to make sure that Hanne is fine. Clyne insisted to accompany an angry Aria so Skhy let him. He called Denise, the girls’ dormitory’s manager, to ask permission to let the boys enter the other side of the dormitory and she didn’t hesitate to give permission. However, she couldn’t let the boys stay for long. Faz left immediately after his fight. Skhy didn’t expect him to be in his room but he hoped he won’t wander anywhere.

Minutes after he watched the rest of the team enter the dormitory, he turned toward the Academy’s main building. The sunset turned the sky and surroundings reddish-orange. His steps were fast and heavy as he passed a few students either going to their dormitories or organizations. Some students eyed him warily but he didn’t mind because he was busy staring at the white building that majestically stood in the middle of the Academy. He entered the familiar hallway and took the elevator to the third floor, which was already empty. Sunset light hit the glass windows. When he came face-to-face with the 20 feet ivory two doors, he didn’t hesitate to knock. The right door opened immediately as if someone inside was already expecting him to come. Four bodyguards and two secretaries were inside but didn’t welcome. I didn’t expect them to. After two more doors, he stood inside the Premier’s luxurious modernized office. It was only his second time to enter the office. The first one wasn’t a good memory. And I hope this one isn’t either.

Mr. Leon Knightwood emerged from the adjoining room in all-white suit and orange tie. He was never a simple guy. He smiled at Skhy then took a seat on one of the long sofas where he usually welcomes his guests. He gestured for Skhy to sit.

“You looked like you wanted this to be done with,” Mr. Knightwood said once Skhy took a seat.

“Yes. You’re correct,” Skhy replied. This is because he wanted to check with his team. But he planned to tell them the news tomorrow afternoon to let them rest today.

Mr. Knightwood laughed at his answer. Skhy smiled a bit. He respects him as a Premier and his parents’ friends. Despite the danger inside the Academy, there was no doubt that he can trust Mr. Knightwood’s decisions, in some instances, of course. Mr. Knightwood advised Skhy before to be careful because the Consortium is always at his tail.

“I didn’t get to ask how you were when you arrived,” Mr. Knightwood said with a sigh.

“No worries. Everything was happening so fast,” Skhy told him. One of his secretaries entered with a tray of tea and cookies. She left them alone immediately.

“Since you are in a hurry,” Mr. Knightwood started, “and a deal is a deal, we welcome everyone in your team in the Academy.” He opened his arms as he said this with a smile then clasped his hands together. He looked like he was relieved but Skhy hesitance in his dark eyes.

“You are having some doubt,” Skhy guessed. Mr. Knightwood took a sip of his tea before answering.

“The Consortium isn’t welcome, you know that,” Mr. Knightwood informed him. “But they wanted to monitor your team up close. They wanted to know what makes you the… hmm… ‘pawns.’” Skhy frowned at the choice of the word. We’re not being played by anyone.

“It’s their words, not mine,” the Premier defended with his palms up.

“But I also think you have some reservation,” Skhy pointed out. The Premier nodded.

“I… We didn’t expect that Faz Hunter will come here,” he said after minutes of silence. Of course. No one expects him to be here after everything. “But we’re taking a gamble here.”

“I see.” Skhy didn’t know what to say. It was also a hard decision for him to accept Faz in the team but he still believed that there’s good in him. He needed to know something from the Academy. He promised to not hurt anyone and to leave quietly after he gets the information. His conversation with Faz and Tessa was still vivid in his memory…

“Skhy?” His daydreaming was interrupted.

“Yes?”

“I trust you. If you think that Faz Hunter won’t endanger anyone.” Mr. Knightwood was no longer smiling nor cheerful. He had this serious expression that Skhy only saw a few times.

“Thank you. Don’t worry. He only wants information. He thinks that someone or something here will help him. He won’t stay long,” Skhy informed him. His statement surprised Mr. Knightwood.

“What kind of information?”

“He said it’s about his parents and the missing students. It seems that he wants to uncover those mysteries just like me.” Faz was among the students who went missing but it was his choice. He must have felt miserable when the news of his close friends’ disappearance got to him.

Mr. Knightwood nodded in understanding. He took another sip of tea as he stared at the air.

“Don’t trust everything he says,” the Premier said without looking directly at Skhy, who nodded without answering. Maybe one of the reasons he accepted Faz in his team was because he wanted to know what’s on his mind all these years. Also, no matter how small the possibility is, Skhy wanted to get his old friend back. He wished that Faz’s darkness isn’t evil like everyone said. He’s still my friend…

“He killed Concordians,” Mr. Knightwood said, still staring at the air. Maybe for a good cause?

After a minute, Mr. Knightwood blinked several times as if blinking all the nightmares away then turned to Skhy with a smile.

“Your team’s uniforms and schedules will be forwarded to you tomorrow. Do you think they are well enough to start classes after three days?” Skhy thought for a moment.

“I think it’s fine but I will ask them tomorrow,” Skhy replied. The Premier clapped once.

“Alright. I won’t keep you from resting.” He stood up. Skhy followed.

“One more thing. Do you know who the members of the Consortium are?” Mr. Knightwood touched his chin.

“No really. There are sly,” he replied, “Why do you want to know?”

“So we can avoid them.” Mr. Knightwood laughed at his answer.

“Even if we know, they can use other people.” Ahh yes…

“Don’t worry about the Consortium. If you have enough people on your side,” Mr. Knightwood pointed out. Skhy thought for a moment. His parents didn’t tell him everything. Whether there are many people on their side inside the Academy or not, he didn’t know. However, he knew the names of some.

“Yes. But unfortunately, my parents didn’t tell me about the ‘others’,” he answered instead. Mr. Knightwood studied him. He was smiling.

“I see.” Skhy nodded once then left the office. As he walked away from the large ivory door, he thought about what he said earlier about Faz. He didn’t tell the Premier everything. That’s not his story to tell, whether it’s Faz, or Tessa, or anyone in his team. But now that the Consortium might know that one of Faz’s reasons for entering the Academy is the same as Skhy’s, what will they do? They were also in the middle of finding the truth so there’s no reason to hinder them. But what about the Regalis? Until when are they not going to believe?

His mind was a mess. He had to think about the rest later. But today is still a good day. They were now students of the largest Concordian school in the country.

When he arrived in the apartment, Nate and Storm were cooking dinner. Clyne was watching television. Skhy told them the news. Nate sighed of relief. Storm just nodded in approval. Clyne fist bumped in the air. According to Clyne, Faz was in his room. After showering, he ate with everyone except Faz.

“Is he ill?” Skhy asked Clyne.

“No. I caught him washing his underwe-“

“It wasn’t.” Everyone turned toward his voice. Faz was glaring at Clyne who just shrugged. He ate silently and fast after. Skhy texted the girls to rest until late afternoon tomorrow. The boys had gone to their rooms but Skhy stayed on the sofa. He was tired but there are a lot of things in his mind. His thoughts were again interrupted when a room door opened.

Faz walked toward him and dropped a white cloth on the living room table.

“Give it to her,” he said then went inside his room. Skhy was clueless at first. He held the handkerchief and turned it. A golden ‘M’ was sewn on the side. Were they always this close? He didn’t like it one bit.