The hall was dead silent and filled with unbearable pressure. Walang nagtangkang magsalita dahil sa tensyon na pumapalibot sa buong silid. Silver and red eyes are glaring at one another without any sign of yielding. The heavy atmosphere was too much for the others to handle.

"Oi.. isn't this bad? Should we call the student council's office?"

"The head office might handle this matter better."

Sa lakas ng bulong ng mga ito, everyone can hear it and that also includes the two. They're causing a huge fuss.

After glaring at each other for moments that seemed like an hour, they both suddenly clicked their tongues as they turn their gazes away like nothing happened. Lahat ay nanatiling tahimik sa biglaang pag-alis ng masamang mga tingin nito sa isa't isa. The gap between Claysen's eyes wrinkled as his jaw clench. Why do I always have to hold my fist back? Damn this captaincy shit. I've already had enough of it..!

Naglakad patungo sa pinto ang kapitan ng mga Kings pagkatapos nitong inayos ang suot na blazer. Bahagyang gumaan ang atmospera dahil dito. Ngunit bago pa makalayo sa isa't isa ay nagsalita ang kapitan ng Knights dormitory. Rui spoke with a formal tone as his eyes remain on the dark-haired's back, "You've been assigned in a mission with the general. Make sure you give him all the assistance he need," tumalim ang mga mata nito. "I trust that you can do that?"

Claysen clicked his tongue. Clearly annoyed with what he just heard. "Passing another goddamn task to me.. you're really getting full of yourself, aren't ya?" tinulak nito pabukas ang pinto at humakbang na ito palabas. Dinugtungan nito ang kaniyang mga salita. "There won't be any next time. Mark that in your rotten brain."

The door swiftly closed and it shut with a gentle click. Lahat ay tuluyan ng nakahinga ng maluwag at muli ng bumalik sa sari-sariling mga gawain habang nagpatuloy ang kanilang mga bulungan.

"Their interaction is not good for my heart."

Inalis ni Rui ang kaniyang tingin sa pinto at siya'y tumitig sa first-year na kasagutan lamang ng kapitan kanina. The boy is clenching his teeth and hands as his pissed-off eyes are stuck on the floor. Nabalik lamang ang atensyon nito sa kapitan noong kaniyang maramdaman ang kamay sa kaniyang balikat. Rui gently smiled, "It'll be alright. Clay did kick out some members from the dorm but don't worry yourself. It's only temporary." Rui tapped his shoulder twice as his eyes smile in reassurance. "Captains can't expel first-years without any reason at all. Your brother is still in the school registry."

Tila ba nawalan ng tensyon ang katawan ng lalaki at tuluyan ng kumalma ang kaniyang sistema. Bumagsak na ang mga tensyunadong balikat nito. Pagkatapos nitong bumuntong-hininga ay iniangat nito ang tingin noong maalala ang isang bagay. He looked apologetically at the smiling captain, "I'm very sorry for my words earlier, captain," umiwas ito ng tingin. "I got ahead of myself. Spouting such words in your presence..."

Narinig nito ang mahinang tawa ng kapitan at naramdaman ang paggusot nito sa kaniyang buhok. "It's fine. We're already used to such words." tumalikod na ito ngunit binigyan muna siya ulit ng isang ngiti. "Don't think too much about it. Then, I'm going on ahead, okay?"

"Y-Yes, sir.."

He waved once before he began to walk away. A bitter smile formed on his lips as he recall the boy's words. He chuckled as he temporarily close his eyes. A whisper slipped from his lips, "You're not wrong anyway."

--

"You want me to deal with some mongrel brats?" sarkastikong ulit ni Asta sa sinaad ng lalaking nasa kabilang side ng lamesa. She raised her brow as she shift her weight to her left leg, "I could still recall that I'm no daycare teacher to give some brats a scolding."

"And I also could recall that you are no commissioned officer with a higher ranking to decline the job that was assigned to you." sagot rito ng lalaki habang ang atensyon ay nasa mga papel na hawak. Asta sighed, indicating that she has no say in that.

Muling nagsalita ang lalaki habang kaniyang binabasa ang papel na hawak. "We've been receiving multiple complaints from the locals. They appear to be a gang full of mongrel orphans," Asta's face remained stoic as she listen to the annoyed click of the man's tongue and his underlying resentment. "Mongrels. The council should just put leashes on those animals."

Tumalim ang mga mata ng babae sa narinig. Bahagyang napatalon ang lalaki noong biglang ibinagsak ng babae ang kamay nito sa kaniyang lamesa. She slid her hand along with the paper underneath and stared at it with a stoic expression. Ignoring the aggravated yells of the startled higher ranked officer. Her eyes scanned the profiles of each target. Her eyes sharpened. They're all kids.

Biglang tumayo ang lalaki at malakas na ibinagsak ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng lamesa. "Such rudeness are not tolerated in this office, you woman!" umigting ang panga nito noong hindi man lang siya tinapunan ng tingin ng babae. "Oi! Listen! I'm talking to you, Asta Cortman!" the man gritted his teeth as his voice become deeper and low. "If only his highness didn't assign you here himself, you would have lost your occupation years ago! Don't go cocking around just because of the king, woman!"

Binitawan ng babae ang hawak na papel at hinayaan itong malaglag sa sahig. She raised her brow, "How could I cock around if I don't even have a cock to begin with, officer? Think about it."

Tumalikod na ito at naglakad patungo sa pinto. She completely ignored the calls and shouts of her boss that was more annoyed by her taunt. She shut his voice from her head after closing the door with a thud. Naglakad na siya sa pasilyo na diretso lamang ang tingin. Iniwas nito ang kaniyang mga mata mula sa ibang mga sundalong kaniyang nakakasalubong na binibigyan siya ng madalas na malamig na tingin.

She exited the headquarters and stood in front of it for a few seconds. She looked from side to side. Which direction?

Ang ibang mga mamamayan ay napapatingin dito dahil sa kaniyang tangkad at agaw-pansin na presensya. She fixed her tie before her hand dangled to her side. Unlike the other soldiers they're seeing everyday, she has no weaponry attached to her waist. Very unusual for someone who works in the country's department of defense.

"Mom, why is that lady not carrying a cool-looking sword? Knights have swords and guns, right?"

"Shh! Just ignore her."

Asta ignored their words and kept on deciding where she should head to. But after a few moments, her eyes gazed to the left when she heard a civilian yelling. Ang ibang mga tao ay napatingin din sa direksyong iyon. Some men are yelling out their complaints.

"Can't someone just lock those kids up already!? Nakakasagabal!"

She sighed as she brush her hand against the side of her head. "How bold of them to cause trouble near a headquarter." Ibinaba na niya ang kaniyang kamay and she began to take steps towards that direction. She hissed, "Brats."

"You damn kids!" a middle-aged salesman yelled. Akmang hahabulin na nito ang mga batang tumakbo na bitbit ang ilang mga tinapay ngunit nadapa ito noong isang buntot ang pumatid sa mga binti niya. He held on his stall but it gave out. Natumba ang pinapatungan ng kaniyang mga panindang tinapay kaya nahulog rin ang mga ito sa kalsada.

The boys laughed out loud and scrammed away after grabbing some few more breads. Ang isang batang lalaki ay tumapak pa sa likod ng tindero bago tumatawang tumakbo palayo. Iniangat ng tindero ang kaniyang mukha mula sa maalikabok na sahig at sumigaw. "Hoy! Bumalik kayo dito!" The other residents just remained at the side, not wanting to be involved.

The kids seemed to be having fun with their usual activity. They raided another stall on their way, doing as they please. Laughing at and mocking the salesman as they do so. Isang binata ang kumagat sa isang panindang mansanas habang nakaupo siya sa likod ng nakadapang tindero. The man could barely move because of the boy's weight.

The boy laughed out loud as he watch the residents flee from the scene. "Mga duwag!" lumingon ito sa mga kasamang inilalagay sa sako ang mga panindang prutas. "Hey, hey! Isunod natin yung tindahan ni Mang Victor! Ang sarap ng tindang mga candy niya do'n! Natikman niyo na ba yung bago?"

"Hindi pwede," sagot ng isang binata habang tinatali nito ang bunganga ng isang sako. "Baka dumating na ang mga kawal. Mahihirapan lang tayo."

The boy grinned, "Kaya naman natin sila eh!" he then showed off his huge gorilla arms. "Para sa'n pa 'tong mga 'to? Ha! Isang suntukan lang 'yan!"

But he paused when he heard footsteps caused by some booted feet from behind. The figure casted a shadow over him and he slowly turned his head to look at the stranger.

"You've got nice arms there, kid." nanlaki ang mga mata nito noong makita ang nakatayong babae na walang emosyong nakatingin pababa sa kaniya. The woman suddenly grabbed the back of his head and pushed him to the ground. Napadaing pa ito dahil sa pagtama ng kaniyang pisngi sa matigas na sahig. "What a waste."

Mabilis na tumayo ang salesman at bahagyang lumayo sa kanilang pwesto. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito habang galit na nakatitig sa nakaupong babae. "Ba't ang tagal niyo?! Nasira na ang tindahan ko o! Lintek!" he clicked his tongue. "Gawin niyo ng maayos ang trabaho niyo!"

Asta ignored the man's rants and just stared at the side of the boy's face. She scanned his unusual appearance. Ang itim na buhok ng lalaki ay gumapang sa pinakababa ng pisngi nito at ang mga makakapal na kilay ay magkadugtong. He looked like a boy with a beard already. He also has dark brown eyes framed by a dark ring around the iris. A gorilla huh..

The boy clenched his teeth and swung his fist back. The ground vibrated when his closed fist slammed against the woman's head with a huge impact. One hit would have been enough but they were all surprised when she remained unflinching. Her head didn't move an inch from its angle and her stoic expression remained. Ang ibang mga bata ay napaatras ng isang beses dahil sa nasaksihan.

Asta commented as her eyes squinted in squander. "Truly a waste of potential."

The boy yelled, "Wala akong maintindihan sa pinagsasasabi mo!" tumingin ito sa mga kasamang tila ba nanigas na sa kanilang mga pwesto. "Oi! Tulungan niyo ko dito!"

But the young ones flinched when Asta's sharp eyes darted to them. Her cold gaze gave them the orders that were obvious since the very beginning. Their hand shook and they pursed their lips in defeat. Binitawan ng mga ito ang mga ninakaw na mga bagay at ibinaba lamang ang kanilang mga tingin. Hindi naman makapaniwalang tumingin dito ang lalaking hawak ng babae.

Asta gazed back at the boy, "Brats are still brats after all. You can't expect any extraordinary actions from them if you give them a little intimidation." binigyan siya ng hostile na tingin ng batang lalaki. His eyes reflected the true glare of the genes that was mixed into him. Asta looked at him with sympathy. "Mongrels surely are interesting but I'm somewhat sorry too," her eyes softened. "It was our fault your genes got messed up after all."

Ilang saglit lamang ay may dumating pang ilang mga kawal at pinosasan ang mga ito. Nanatiling nakatayo sa gilid si Asta at kaniyang ni-krus ang mga braso sa kaniyang dibdib habang pinapanood ang pagrestrain sa mga ito ng mga kawal. Marahas ang mga ito kahit na mga bata ang kanilang hinahawakan. One girl even yelled in pain when her furry tail got stepped on by a booted foot.

Asta's eyes squinched up as she clench her jaw. She gripped her sleeve tighter as she watch the kids get shackled like some animals. Aggressively being forced to wear thick shackles on their neck even though it's unnecessary. Ang iba ay malakas pang idinadapa sa sahig. Pulling their arms to the back to restrain them but it was too harsh for the young ones. Ang iba ay napapasigaw pa dahil sa sakit.

She clenched her teeth and stepped forward, "Oi! Aren't you overdoing it--" ngunit siya'y tumigil noong muli niyang napagmasdan ang malalamig na mga mata nitong dumako sa kaniya. Their cold eyes brought pressure, as if they're saying a lot words without moving their lips. Isinara niya ang nanginginig niyang mga kamay. She clenched her teeth tighter and averted her gaze. She remained silent and just walked away from the scene.

"Why is that woman in our team anyway?" inalis ng sundalo ang kaniyang tingin mula sa likod ng babae at kaniyang ikinabit ang makapal na posas sa mga pulsuhan ng nakadapang binata. "They should just lock her up along with her other criminal friends."

Isang kawal ang mahinang tumawa, "If it weren't for the king, they would have probably been sentenced to death along with the Hevrions." hinila nito ang kadenang konektado sa posas ng isang babae at muling tumawa noong maalala ang isang memorya. "Do you remember what the Hevrions did? Surrendering themselves and even demanding a death penalty on their own heads. How stupid is that?"

Tumawa lamang ang ibang mga kawal habang kanilang iniiling ang kanilang mga ulo. Pinagpatuloy nila ang kanilang trabaho. "Oi! C'mon, stand!" hinila patayo ng isang kawal ang isang binata ngunit napasigaw ito noong bigla siyang kinagat nito sa braso. His fangs are digging into his flesh. Sinipa ito ng kawal at binigyan ng suntok na nagpatumba dito. "Bwisit!"

Tinawanan lamang ito ng kaniyang mga kasama. "That's what you get for putting your guard down, idiot!"

The man glared at the laughing men. "Shut up!"

Isang lalaking kawal ang umupo sa harap ng isang nakaluhod na babae. The girl flinched when the soldier suddenly touched her furry ear. The man amusedly laughed, "Wow! They're twitching! Ain't that cute?" the girl yelped when the soldier gripped her ear tight. A smirk displayed on the man's dark expression as his eyes go down from the girl's face to her bare neck. He grinned, "You might be useful in some way. Aren't you glad? Mongrel?" the girl's eyes widened in fear.

Isang nakadapang binata ang napasigaw noong isang mabigat na paa ang tumapak sa likod nito. The soldier chuckled as the heel of his boot dig into the boy's back. "It must suck to live your lives as mongrels, right? Your exceliums can't manifest in that body and you have to deal with many natural complications." a mocking smirk displayed itself. "But it doesn't really matter to us. It's all about luck after all," he chuckled as he mockingly stare down at the boy. "We were just lucky."

It could have been really about luck. The luck that they needed for a long time. Mongrels are the new specie that emerged eight years ago. After the war has settled down, some complications also materialized. Mostly because of the genome modifying substances that have spread into the air after the destruction of unknown machineries that contained them.

These substances broke down into submicroscopic agents and have been absorbed by a great number of individuals, either inhaled or consumed. The large number of infected citizens is built up of mostly children that have vulnerable and juvenile physicalities.

Their bodies undergone changes like the occurrence of non-humane body parts. Animal ears, tails, furs, snouts, scales, and bills. Their manifestations vary in different people.

Being a mongrel is not easy despite having body parts that are useful in their own ways. They come with burdens that you need to live with and that includes the disappearance of your chance of having any magical attributions. Unlike Axen Loman, the first ever mongrel who passed away in the previous war, they can't manifest an excelium. Because before their excelium could even appear, their genes— that are the functional unit of their inheritance of magical traits— were altered by non-mystical sequence of nucleotides from the wildlife's DNA.

The mongrel adults who has already manifested some exceliums before the incident also lost their abilities to use their magical attributions. Their situation was different from Axen who could use his excelium despite being a mongrel. Because the substance that was used on Axen Loman was not as effective and destructive like the substances they have absorbed.

Mayroon pang ibang mga disadvantages ang pagiging isang mongrel at kasama na roon ang mababang tingin sa kanila ng mga tao. They are continuously being discriminated because of their wild behaviors and uncommon appearance that was caused by the artificial changes. Some thought that they were cursed as well and it's best to stay away from them. A few more downsides exist and they came along with the genes that they have to live with.

"C'mon, move it!"

"Would you look at that?" Ezio chuckled as he stand on the parapet of one of the building's roof. Pinagmamasdan nito ang mga kabataan at sundalong nasa ibaba habang ang sigarilyo ay nanatili sa pagitan ng kaniyang mga labi. The smoke is wafting along with the gentle breeze. Hinawakan nito ang sigarilyo at marahan na bumuga ng usok. "How rotten this nation is." he then chuckled in amusement as he turn his body to look back to the presence that appeared out of nowhere. "Wanna trade?"

A childish laugh escaped his acquaintance's mouth as he put both hands on the back of his head. He grinned widely, "As if I still have a country to trade with, Ezio!" he crossed his one leg and dropped his rear on the floor. Sitting with his legs crossed. He leaned his cheek against his knuckles as his smile remains. "You should be glad, y'know. A rotten one is more entertaining than an uptight one. Take Northernium for example."

Mahina namang tumawa ang kausap nitong hari ng Centrio, "Escenier would probably go against your opinion," tumalas naman ang mga mata nito habang isang ngisi ang nagpakita sa mga labi nito. "Well, I can agree with you though. It's not very entertaining if you have no rotten goods."

Itinapon ni Ezio ang kaniyang hawak na sigarilyo. His red eyes glanced back at the man who's still sitting on the same spot. "So? What brought you all the way here," the side of his lips lifted, "... former chief Frēo Lodrian?"

Frēo tilted his head as his tight smile remains, eyes also smiling. "I need your assistance," his eyelids slowly opened; revealing his beast-like golden orbs. His eyes are sharp and almost eerie but his smile remains on his lips. His voice became firmer and low. "I want my country back."