The sky over Akarius that morning looked far too peaceful—more peaceful than what a city known as "the exile ground for armed children" deserved.
Wild birds darted through dark green leaves, forming stark silhouettes against golden light streaks. A thin mist still clung above the forest canopy surrounding the city from all sides, like a silent guardian hiding many secrets.
And then, the sound came.
WUUUNG—
A light combat helicopter flew low, slicing through the air with steady but spine-rattling rotor blades.
Not the kind of helicopter used for morning tours or pizza delivery, clearly.
This was the kind of chopper that made people think war was coming.
Inside its metal cabin sat a young man—
No, not just any man.
Kaito.
Eighteen years old, dressed in a spotless navy-blue suit, brown tie neatly flowing over his chest.
He leaned back casually, as if he weren't heading into one of the most chaotic zones in the Eastern Continent.
His fingers played with an ID card hanging from a metal chain. On the card was a bold insignia:
The "Flying Teacher" emblem.
Mechanical wings spread wide, framing the metallic-textured letters "F" and "T" in the center of a softly glowing circuit pattern.
Electric blue and metallic gold made it look like the symbol of an elite unit… or an overpriced toy line.
Kaito (thinking, flat tone):
"A symbol of freedom and protection… but it feels more like a walking target."
His eyes were half-closed—not out of fatigue, but because he genuinely didn't seem to care where this flight was headed.
At least, he didn't look like he did.
Kaito (thinking):
"Eighteen years old. I once led a liberation operation in the freezing north, shivering in my ceremonial uniform.
Now… I'm a teacher."
Suddenly, a soft indicator light blinked above him.
A short BEEP, and a blue hologram slowly materialized before him—forming the figure of an older man in a major general's uniform.
Tired face. Sharp eyes. Cheek lines carved like military sculpture.
Ken.
Old commander. Mentor. The only person who still called him for no real reason.
[Hologram Connected]
Ken (half-tired tone):
"Well… good morning, Mr. Flying Teacher. Or… not quite used to being called that yet?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow. His lips curled into a lazy smirk—almost mocking.
Kaito:
"To be honest, I preferred being called the 'child commander'... more dramatic.
But hey, who even cares, right?"
Ken sighed, chuckling briefly.
"Knew it. Still the same. Cold, sarcastic… annoying. You only talk a lot when you're mocking someone."
Kaito leaned back, twirling the ID card in his fingers. His gaze remained uninterested, but there was a flicker of something beneath it—
a memory not quite dead.
Kaito (thinking):
"You're right, Commander. I stopped talking much after I saw an entire platoon of kids buried in one hole… when I was thirteen."
Kaito (speaking):
"So, is this just a small talk call… or are you bringing virtual coffee too?"
Ken:
"If I could, I'd send two flasks right now.
But sadly, hologram tech's not there yet. Still stuck at 'talking with no coffee smell.'"
Kaito (pretending to be disappointed):
"Tragic. Morning military coffee was the only reason I ever woke up in the past.
Now I only get up because this helicopter's too loud."
Ken:
"No wonder the kids at HQ used to fear you.
You'd wake up at 4 AM and order them to run 20 laps—for no reason."
Kaito (grinning slightly):
"Discipline is love in its roughest form, or so they say."
Ken (chuckling):
"Love, huh… well, you're about to fall in love with your new home too. Akarius."
Kaito (sighs):
"Tell me. Let me know just how bad this place is."
Ken leaned forward, expression slightly more serious—
But his tone stayed casual, like an old teacher discussing war history while snacking on biscuits.
Ken:
"Akarius. The experimental city.
Picture this: we gather thousands of troubled kids from around the world—
from reckless racers, to killers, to school skippers.
Then we build a… different kind of education system."
Kaito:
"Different… or terrifying?"
Ken:
"Both.
No military. No police. No regular hospitals.
All needs are handled by the students themselves.
There are schools, yes—but each one has its own laws, military, and medical systems.
As if each school is its own tiny country."
Kaito (thinking):
"A nation of armed kids. I should be laughing… but I feel like throwing up instead."
Ken:
"There's Ixirus, with an elite unit called the Munadhi' Team. Disciplined, brutal, highly effective.
Then there's Glaxina, full of hidden idealism. And many more.
Oh—and guns are legalized.
But don't worry… there's a wound-absorbing serum."
Kaito (frowning):
"Serum?"
Ken:
"If they get shot, the body shuts down before vital organs are damaged.
Still hurts though.
This isn't a game, Kai. They won't die easily—but they can be traumatized for life."
Kaito:
"Sounds like… a psychotic playground."
Ken (nodding seriously):
"You're not wrong.
But we didn't just let it run wild.
The Flying Teacher is our monitoring system.
One teacher moves from school to school. Observing. Listening. Deciding if the experiment still has hope."
Kaito (softly):
"And I'm… replacing Alke."
Ken:
"Correct.
Alke… the previous Flying Teacher.
Killed.
Shot point-blank.
The killer is likely one of our 10 S-Class escaped prisoners—who broke out five months ago and are now hiding somewhere in the city.
Could be from outside… or from within."
Silence.
Kaito looked up through the glass, closing his eyes briefly.
(thinking):
"I once saw 40 teens fight in the snow over a blanket. This won't be worse… or maybe it will."
Kaito (flatly):
"So I infiltrate. Become a teacher. Teach, monitor… and survive until next year. Then I leave."
Ken (tapping the desk):
"Exactly. And don't forget… smile.
Kids like friendly teachers."
Kaito (smirks):
"Kids with grenades in their backpacks?
Sure. I'll invite them to play hide and seek."
Ken (laughing):
"You're insane. But the useful kind.
The governor will meet you personally.
He's a good man… but watch his young assistant. Knows too much. Says too little."
Kaito (closing his eyes):
"Perfect match. I hear too much. Talk too little."
[Hologram Ends]
Ken (final voice):
"See you, Kaito. And… good luck.
This world still needs you—whether as a teacher, or a shadow."
Kaito slowly opened his eyes. The helicopter began descending.
In the distance, massive buildings rose like sleeping monsters—
fortified schools, military zones disguised as playgrounds, tall fences patrolled by hovering drones.
Kaito (whispering, with a wry smile):
"Welcome to Akarius. An amusement park with rubber bullets and sinful children."
(thinking):
"And I… am the most dangerous substitute teacher they've ever sent."
---
The helicopter finally landed with a gust of wind atop a towering brutalist structure.
Massive gray concrete formed harsh lines and squares—like a military building with delusions of art.
On the rooftop, bold letters gleamed:
"AMIRATUL HUKM TOWER – GOVERNOR'S CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE"
Kaito stepped out of the cabin slowly, his steps calm but firm.
His navy-blue coat fluttered in the wind, and he paused briefly to straighten his collar with his left hand.
Kaito (thinking softly):
"Tower of Law, huh? A bit too grand for a city ruled by armed kids."
As his feet touched the rooftop, a cold wind greeted him like a soft slap.
The helicopter noise faded, leaving only the clink of metal and the breeze of a breathing futuristic city.
Across the helipad, someone was already waiting.
The figure stood tall in a green-and-white cloak that billowed gently.
His body was broad and muscular, yet his posture was calm—almost too calm for someone who could knock out two men with the back of his hand.
Thin silver-framed glasses rested neatly on his nose.
His face was clean, orderly, with a well-groomed beard that merged with an elegant jawline.
He looked to be in his thirties, but his eyes held an ageless wisdom—eyes that had seen too much.
Kaito (thinking):
"Wait… that face… I've seen it before.
Behind smoke, rubble, and—... A battlefield?
Or just post-op hallucinations?"
The man smiled warmly.
Zaid:
"Welcome to Akarius, Mr. Kaito.
I'm Zaid. Governor of this city.
It's an honor to greet you in person."
Kaito returned a faint smile, shaking Zaid's hand.
Warm. Solid. A handshake with no pretense.
Kaito:
"Kaito.
Sent as the replacement for the last… Flying Teacher.
By order of General Ken."
Zaid nodded slowly. Unhurried. Undramatic.
His movements flowed like still water—making everyone around him want to speak more slowly.
Zaid (friendly):
"Come. Let's talk inside.
The wind up here… isn't great for long conversations.
Unless you enjoy yelling during meetings."
Kaito (hands on hips, smirking):
"Well, it's still more humane than a five-minute hologram briefing.
But sure, why not."