"The end of hope."
No one spoke after that.
The words felt heavier than any order, heavier than any sentence of death.
Jake slowly stood again, his chair scraping against the metal floor.
"So what are you saying?" he asked, his voice tight but controlled. "That he should die because he shows what happens when people are pushed too far? Because he reflects the worst side of survival?"
Yoshi Todaki did not raise his voice.
"I am saying," Yoshi replied calmly, "is that Kael represents a path which humanity should never have to walk. A power that only appears when everything else has already failed, defeated."
Rubin crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing.
"Which means," Rubin said coldly, "he is the proof that, one day Aerin will fail somewhere."
The words cut through the room.
Director Flint closed his eyes slowly, as if he was carrying years of regret in that single breath. No one argued with Rubin's words, because deep down they all knew he was not wrong.
Major Vance finally spoke, carefully choosing his words.
"Then what do we do with him?"
Yoshi remained silent for a long time that everyone began to feel uneasy.
The entire council waited for Yoshi
And finally, Yoshi spoke.
"Observe him," he said. "Train him if possible. Contain him if needed. But do not destroy him… yet."
Jake's breath caught.
"Yet?" he repeated.
"Because," Yoshi continued, "if hope ever truly dies in this world… then Kael will not be the only one."
A chill spread through the chamber.
Colonel Harrick tightened his jaw. "You're saying that this condition can spread?"
"I am saying," Yoshi replied, "that despair creates its own weapons."
Rubin leaned forward, his voice was sharp and unforgiving. "Then keeping him alive is like a gambling with extinction."
Jake snapped back immediately. "Or killing him is admitting that we have e already given up."
Flint raised his hand, stopping them before it could turn into another argument.
"The council must conduct a vote on the containment protocol," Flint said.
Yoshi interrupted calmly.
"No."
Every head turned to the screen.
"This is not a decision for politics," Yoshi said. "This is a test for humanity, for mine, for Aerin."
Silence followed.
Then Yoshi added, "The meeting is over. But Jake… you have found a really rare academy student."
Jake froze. "Sir?"
The screen went dark.
The connection was cut.
The doors of the chamber slowly unsealed.
But the fear did not leave with the meeting.
Outside, Kael was still sitting on his wheelchair, alone in the corridor, his wheelchair was facing the wall. He was staring at nothing, just waiting. He had no idea that, some of the people in power, in Aerin had just labeled him a future disaster.
While inside the chamber, Director Flint stood up slowly.
"Upon Mr Yoshi's last words, Kael will be enrolled in the Aerin Academy," he said. "Effective immediately."
Rubin looked at him sharply. "You're serious?"
Flint met his gaze. "Yes."
"And who's responsible for him?" Major Vance asked.
Flint turned to Jake."You are, Lieutenant Jake Clinton. You will be his assigned guardian."
Jake's eyes widened slightly. Then he nodded without hesitation."Yes, sir."
Flint looked around the room. "This meeting is over."
And one by one, the council members stood and walked toward the exit. As they passed through the doorway, every single one of them glanced at Kael sitting outside in the corridor with anger.
Rubin was the last to leave. He stopped at the door, looked at Kael for a long moment, then turned away without saying a word.
Jake walked out and went straight to Kael.
He placed his hands on the wheelchair handles.
"Kael," he said gently. "We're leaving."
Kael looked up at him, nervous.
"What… what did they say?"
Jake started pushing the wheelchair toward the elevator.
"They said," Jake replied, "you're going to the academy."
Kael blinked."…Academy? Why? What is academy? I don't even have Rin. How can I—"
Jake pressed the elevator button.
"You don't need to understand everything right now," he said quietly.
The elevator doors opened, they went inside and Jake scanned his palm.
Kael stared at the metal walls as the doors closed.
"…Am I in danger?" he asked softly.
Jake didn't answer right away.
Then he said only one line.
"You're not alone anymore."
The elevator stopped at the ground level and the exit doors opened. They moved through the quiet halls.
The night was silent.
Then as they got out of the headquarters, a black car was waiting outside.
Jake helped Kael into the back seat and folded the wheelchair.
As the car started moving, Kael finally asked something that had been on his mind.
"Jake… where is your staff? The metal one you always carry?"
Jake paused, then reached into his pocket and pulled out something small, no longer than a pen.
"This?" he said.
Kael looked confused. "That's not—"
Jake pressed a small button, and with a sharp metallic sound, the object expanded, unfolding and extending until the full-length metal staff appeared in his hand.
Kael's eyes widened.
"…That's cool," he whispered.
Jake allowed himself a small smile.
The car drove through the city, past tall buildings and glowing lights, and then farther out, where the roads became quieter and wider.
After some time, a massive structure appeared ahead.
It had tall walls with bright lights, wide closed gates and a name on top of the gate.
The Aerin Academy.
The car stopped.
Jake opened the door and helped Kael out, placing him back in the wheelchair.
Kael stared at the building, his heart pounding.
"This… this is where I'm supposed to live?"
Jake nodded.
"And train," he added. "And figure out who you are… and what you can become."
Kael swallowed.
Jake placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"This place won't be easy," he said. "But you won't face it alone. I promise you that."
Kael looked up at the academy, scared… but also curious.
"Then… I'll try," he said quietly.
Jake pushed the wheelchair forward toward the gates.
"This is the academy," Jake said. "And from today on… this is your new beginning."