Honor of Kings-Chapter 3: The Military’s Arrival

"I have just received news from the Central Unity: they can no longer hold off the demonic beings that have invaded our soil. More support will be needed, as we have lost two-thirds of the United Armies to these monstrosities..."

The students in the classroom were shaken, including Sky. Everyone's eyes trembled, and some were already starting to panic. This was the same reaction that other viewers all over the State were experiencing... it wasn't a good time to break such bad news. But there was never such a time to break one in the first place.

The camera flashes increased, brightening up the Oval Room. The translator in the room started blinking, unable to bear the brightness; it was like a series of white lights thumping over one's eyesight.

'So, in other terms of word: We are doomed... great.' Sky thought, pulling his leg away from the table and placing his head on it instead. His heart had started to pound in his chest so hard that it felt like it would burst out anytime soon.

This was the first time his fear was visibly etched on his face.

A female teacher, Ms. Airi, stood outside, biting her nails as she tried to make a call, her eyes glued to the announcement on the television. Her hands trembled, and she could barely think straight.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This is bad; they're actually coming for the students soon... What about their upcoming major examinations and everything else?" she muttered, turning around and hastily walking down the hallway.

***

The announcement over the television continued:

"For the second part of this urgent call, a new serum has been discovered—one that will save us from these savages. This serum grants those injected with what we call 'Spectrums.' These are new body cells that will merge with the existing ones in the human body, pushing us to supernatural limits. And I will stop here..."

The reporters quickly intervened, eager to learn more about this mysterious discovery:

"Mr. President, can we know more about this serum?"

"Who developed it?"

"Will it truly give us hope against these aliens?"

"Please elaborate on this..."

Ignoring the barrage of questions, the President gave a slight bow, and then the Class President, Katie, switched off the television.

"Huh?" Sky stared at the blank screen, confused and trapped. His eyes blinked more than twice in a row.

Katie, on the other hand, calmly returned to her seat and began reading. She was well-known for this habit, and many students were often perturbed by her intransigent nature. With a major examination coming up in five months, she remained focused on her studies, undeterred by the chaos around her. This unwavering dedication was frustrating for her classmates; as Class President, they felt she should be more relatable and engaged with them.

Some speculated that her wealthy background contributed to her demeanor, leading them to perceive her as aloof and proud.

The voice over the PA system struck again, booming like thunder:

"Since you've all clearly heard it, that will be all for now. More information will be provided later... In the meantime, we will continue with classes today. Now, get back to studying. Dim-wits!"

"Studying...? What the hell!?" the blonde exclaimed, his jaw dropped as his eyes widened, pupils shrinking in shock.

***

As the hours passed, the school day came to a close. Students trickled out of the school grounds with somber expressions; some wore looks of fear, while others seemed lost in deep contemplation about their lives. They reflected on what they had achieved—nothing—and what lay ahead of them—countless possibilities.

Sky stood at the forefront of a haunted-looking house, isolated deep within a forest. The large structure resembled a rental home. This was where Sky had spent five years of his life, relying on the Welfare Program established by the government to provide for his food and other necessities.

Lost in a spiral of deep thought, his mind suddenly went blank.

Well, experiencing sudden blanking out of thoughts is a common occurrence for individuals with "ADHD" and is influenced by a range of cognitive and emotional factors.

Those with "ADHD" often struggle to manage cognitive load, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm when trying to think deeply or focus on complex tasks, resulting in temporary mental shutdowns. Sustaining attention is particularly challenging; distractions or sudden shifts in focus can cause thoughts to go blank.

Emotional factors, including heightened anxiety and difficulties in emotional regulation, further complicate cognitive processes, often making it harder to access thoughts during stressful moments. Neurobiologically, ADHD is associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are crucial for attention and focus, and structural differences in the brain can exacerbate these challenges.

"Men. I'm tired..."

Sky moved closer to the old wooden door, which was weathered and slightly rough to the touch, showcasing visible grain patterns. As he turned the rusty knob, a creaking sound escaped the door when he pulled it open. Once inside, Sky closed the door behind him, and the inner area enveloped him in darkness.

Meanwhile, outside, a strange figure tiptoed through the forest and quickly hid behind a tree, closer to the house Sky had just entered. The figure wore a black cap and a nose mask covering their face, with long black hair flowing down from beneath the cap.

"This dumbass," they muttered, voice full of annoyance. "He broke the phone I worked hard to chip. Damn it! Can't believe I'm stuck with an annoying being."

The figure slammed their hand against the tree, instantly recoiling in agony. Their strangely soft palm, reminiscent of a woman's, bore a bruise and a cut.

"Shit!"

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They turned away, walking off while cradling their injured hand in pain.

It was quite apparent who this stalker is; Sky's therapist.

***

Next Morning: Thursday, 8th of November.

Sky arrived at school early and settled into his usual spot, his leg propped up on the table. While students wandered about and engaged in conversation—no teacher had yet arrived to start the lesson—the atmosphere was chaotic.

Teachers moved anxiously, trying to make contact, their nerves frayed. A few obnoxious students began to suspect something was amiss and started to stalk the teachers.

Suddenly, two boys burst into the classroom, their faces flushed with excitement and their jerseys soaked with sweat. They stood at the front of the class, panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath. One boy was frail with curly brown hair, while the other was a bit overweight with short black hair.

The heavier boy looked up, meeting the eyes of the students in the classroom, while the class president continued reading. Sky cast a glance in their direction, and the other students paused their chatter, confused.

"Guys, we have breaking news! You know that announcement made yesterday by the President? I think something is going to happen. The teachers have been in a daze all morning, and—" The fat boy was abruptly interrupted by another student.

"Umm, why are the military here...?"

Eight other students peered out the window and spotted multiple military vehicles, painted in white camouflage—the United Army's colors—entering the school compound. About five vehicles rolled in.

They came to a stop, parking in pairs, with the last vehicle idling.

Armed officers swiftly disembarked, guns in hand. Another man emerged from the idle vehicle, wearing a white military cap—he appeared to be the troop commander. More armed officers followed from the back of the vehicle.

In total, there were about forty armed officers.

Sky stared out the window, and his gaze locked with the Commander's. The Commander had deep blue eyes, as pure as the ocean, and he looked too handsome and athletic to be simply labeled an Army officer with harsh experiences.

The Commander whispered to an unarmed officer behind him. After their brief conversation, the two walked inside, leaving the armed officers stationed outside in the school compound.