Soon after, they left the building complex. Ms Brissett hailed for a cab, which took them to the police station. She was unusually quiet and red all the way, Luke even started to think the young woman was not feeling well. She was probably sick or something.
The ride was short and quiet, Luke had a lot to think about too. After they arrived at the police station, Ms Brissett hurriedly paid and dismissed the cab. Whatever that was about.
They walker towards the entrance, and Ms Brissett explained the situation to the police officer stationed outside. The officer threw a quick glance at Luke and led them inside. Luke had been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time, trying to figure out where he stood as a Commonality amongst these bunch of men.
After studying them for a few minutes, he realized that a few dozen officers were Commonalities, as well as a few Gentries among them. Those were probably high ranking government officials.
Even the guy that assisted them, Captain Ville, was a Gentry it seemed. It was not really hard to separate a Gentry from a bunch of Commonalities, it was kind of an innate ability all carriers of the Weave had.
And also a matter of presence.
"Luke Hart, is it?"
Luke was so deep in thought he did not realize the Captain addressing him. He cleared his throat and nodded slowly.
Captain Ville was probably the most good-looking person Luke had ever met. He had short raven black hair, and piercing blue eyes. He had sharp facial features, and a smooth, flawless tan skin. He had broad shoulders, but his build was not exactly masculine either. It was just perfect.
He looked young, probably too young to be a Captain. He probably attained the rank after becoming a Gentry. Luke wanted to ask but decided against it. He did not wish to come off as rude on their first encounter. No matter how not nice he was...
The Captain meanwhile, nodded back at him.
"Mhmm I see."
He continued paging through all the information they had about Luke on their database and looked at him with a smile.
"Happy birthday, and congratulations on awakening Luke."
Slowly, his smile disappeared from his face as he turned to look at Ms Brissett.
"You can leave now, Ms. I will take care of the rest."
Soon after she left, Captain Ville got up and left the room. A few moments passed in silence. Luke wondered what would happen if he just decided to leave right there and then, but then decided against it. He would be able to leave sure,but then what?
What happens next?
Just as he was shoving those thoughts away, Captain Ville came back holding a small box in his hands. He sat down and placed the small wooden box in front of Luke with a smile. He turned to the computer and frowned.
"It says here you do not have any family members or relatives?"
Luke considered his next words carefully, and then simply shrugged.
"My older brothers died when I was young. One did not survive the Nightmare, and the other died after becoming a Gentry. My mother went mad and succumbed to the Noise. I never really knew my father, so I have been basically alone since then. Ms Brissett has been my guardian till this day."
Of course, he did not really tell him that his father is the bastard that chose to abandon his family for the government and fame. He did not really need to know that.
Captain Ville looked at him for a few moments and chose not to say anything in the end. He picked up a small bronze key on the table and opened the wooden box. He took out another–more normal sized–key, a communicator, and a piece of paper with a number written on it.
[819]
Luke looked at the number and frowned. Meanwhile Captain Ville noticed and gave him a small reassuring smile. He took all the stuff on the table, leaving the empty box open, and gestured Luke to follow him out of the office. They headed to parking lot, were a luxurious car was isolated from the rest.
They soon hit the road in comfort, luxury and style. Luke had never sat on such comfortable seats–he barely even rode a car for that matter. So that was just a novel experience for him.
On the way, Captain gave him the three items and spoke without taking his eyes off the road.
"Keep this key safe. When we arrive at The Academy, a lady with blue hair will attend to you. Give her this key and this number, and listen to whatever she says. Trust me, you will need to be on her good books."
He remained quiet for a few moments, as if remembering something, and then just sighed.
"In The Academy, they will help you access the system and help you activate your abilities and attributes. Since you have just awakened from the Nightmare, you may find that you do not have a lot and that is okay. You will basically receive one Ability in contrast to your Potential, and two Attributes, one common and the other willl be innate."
Luke listened tentatively without even blinking. Captain Ville noticed and waved a hand dismissively.
"You do not have to be so serious Luke, just relax and go with the flow. Trust me, everything will happen naturally. The Weave will take care of everything. You do not have to listen to what I have to say either, it will all be explained in the academy in great detail. Speaking of the Weave, how much do you know about it anyways?"
Luke shook his head dejectedly and of course, lied.
"Not much. I was not really exposed to the world growing up. So I do not really know much of what i am supposed to do."
"Mhm I understand. It is okay, though. You will be informed about all you need to know during the briefing. Also, try to make as many friends as you can. If you do not like having friends, just think of them as companions. Trust me, you will need them during your training."
He nodded slowly, but he was not sure if the whole training thing was going to work for him. He had heard from rumors that training is the worst part of awakening, many do not even survive. The only good thing is that they at least give newly awakened Commonalities a chance to choose whether or not they wish to proceed, and Luke had already made his decision.
He looked at his petite body and frowned. If he was honest with himself, his body was not so bad after awakening. He was still small and frail, but he was not as unhealthy and thin as before. Even though he knew that he would be treated like trash upon arriving at The Academy, knowing that he was bit healthier gave him a small peace of mind.
The rest of the ride was silent, and there was nothing Luke wished to say either. Even though he did not show it, awakening had taken a huge toll on him. The Nightmare was incredibly taxing and strenuous, especially for a rat like him.
He often though about his brothers a lot. Maybe things would have been a lot different if both of them had survived the Nightmare. If both of them had become exceptional warriors and become renowned Gentries. If they did not lose themselves to the Weave and the Noise, fighting against Corruption and Desolation.
Then maybe their mother would still be alive. Maybe he would have been happy, and not as emotionally unavailable and unmotivated as he was now. Maybe even his father would have been proud of them and decide to come back. Maybe he would have the perfect family he had always wished for.
But apparently, that was too much to wish for.
After a short while, the car pulled up to tall metal gates that reached dozens of meters far into the sky. The building beyond those gates was even taller, with ancient intricate designs that make it look like a prison instead.
Luke did not like The Academy at all.
The yard was buzzing with dozens of middle-aged men and women, not exactly what Luke had expected to see. All these people were parents of newly awakened teenagers. The teenagers themselves were already inside. All the cars were luxurious and most looked even better that the one he was riding in.
There was something else he noticed as well.
Most of these parents were Dormant humans, which meant they probably could afford a lifetime supply of the Weave Suppression Pill, and yet they were completely fine with risking the lives of their children to appease the ruthless Nightmare.
Nothing really made sense with wealthy people.
There were some high ranking Commonalities and Gentries among them as well.
Captain Ville parked his car closer to the gates and headed inside. Luke followed. They were welcomed by a pretty young woman who seemed to be a Commonality as well. She led them inside and gestured them to a spacious room where the rest of newly awakened teens gathered.
Luke's heart was pounding relentlessly.
The moment they walked in, the talking and socializing ceases, and all eyes shot towards them. Towards him to be specific. He was met with different expressions he could not really explain. Pity, disgust.... maybe indifference? He looked at his clothes and sighed.
Captain Ville meanwhile, seemed completely unbothered, and walked towards the small group of women gathered in front of the spacious room. Luke reluctantly followed.
He looked at his oversized clothing, and looked at the matching tracksuits they all wore. They looked so comfortable and warm, which is something he has not felt in a very long time.
'Ahh, that makes sense.'
No wonder they all looked at him funny, it was the clothes he was wearing. He rolled his eyes so hard it hurt.
'Bunch of jerks.'
He made sure his face remained expressionless and unbothered, and walked towards the three women with measured steps. He stood behind and watched them all greet each other. Two of the women bowed to Captain Ville, and the other just simply nodded.
"Gentry Ville."
The woman voice was calm, but there was something else hidden deep inside her voice. Contempt? Maybe. Captain Ville nodded curtly and spoke, his voice strangely subdued.
"Master Rossa."
Luke realized later after feeling the familiar oppressive force descend upon him. He had no idea where he had felt it before, but it was undeniably the presence of a Gentry. He looked at the menacing woman and shuddered.
The two women who bowed were Commonalities, and the other one was a Gentry. She had ocean blue hair and eyes of the same color. She was extremely beautiful, but her beauty was just as frightening as her presence.
Come to think of it, why didn't Captain Ville have a similar presence? The more Luke thought about it, the more he realized that he felt no presence at all from the Captain, despite him being a Gentry.
'Argh must be a weird ability or something, who cares.'
At that moment, Master Rossa's gaze felt on him, making Luke shiver. He bowed involuntarily and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Uhm.. Gentry Rossa. My name is Luke Hart. I apologize for being late."
She remained quiet for a few long moments and then looked away.
"Say your goodbyes and follow me."
Her voice was cold and commanding.
Luke nodded silently and followed Captain Ville to the door. He turned and looked at Luke with a smile.
"That went better than I expected. A piece of advice little man, listen to whatever word that woman says. She is a nightmare you will just have to endure, just like i did. Remember, give her this key and she will take care of the rest. Take care young man, and good luck."
With that, he turned around and left.
He did not know how to feel about everything but he was certain of one thing.
He did not like being called a little man.
'I am not little!'