They walked side by side toward a retro elevator shaped like a metal cylinder, its door engraved with geometric patterns characteristic of futuristic design. The door opened with an automatic click, and they stepped inside.
The elevator ascended, the machinery humming softly in the background, letting the conversation hang in the air.
Zaid pressed the button for the 45th floor, then leaned back casually, arms crossed across his chest.
Zaid:
"We deliberately placed my office on the top floor. Not to seem important, but... well, to avoid stray grenades from student riots."
Kaito chuckled softly.
Kaito:
"So that's the architectural reasoning? Intriguing. Practical—and pretty honest."
Kaito (thinking):
"Grenades. In a school. This really isn't an ordinary city."
Zaid laughed quietly, then looked at Kaito more intently.
Zaid:
"Mr. Kaito, I know you might not like small talk. But let me say this: I don't see you as just a 'replacement teacher.' Here, the Flying Teacher's role... is very special."
Kaito leaned forward a little, narrowing his eyes.
Kaito:
"Special, huh? I heard the previous teacher got shot. At point-blank range. A dramatic first impression."
Zaid nodded faintly.
Zaid:
"Alke was a good teacher. Stubborn, a bit eccentric, and... yes, seemingly indifferent. But he cared for those kids. In his own strange way."
Kaito nodded gently.
Kaito:
"And now I'm expected to take his place. But I don't walk in the same shoes."
Zaid smiled wisely.
Zaid:
"You don't have to. Just walk your own path, Mr. Kaito."
The elevator continued its ascent. Though outside remained cold and dangerous, inside it felt like... a peace accord before the storm.
Zaid:
"Oh—almost forgot. How was your ride up here? A military helicopter doesn't come with five-star reviews."
Kaito (smirking):
"Comfortable enough. I just... miss leather seats and bitter coffee. And maybe... a base devoid of screaming kids."
Zaid (laughing softly):
"We'll brew decent coffee in the office. I promise no trauma. And the kids' screams here... are more like 'warning shots.'"
Kaito:
"As long as there's no poison in the coffee, we're good."
Kaito (thinking):
"But... somehow your face seems familiar, Zaid. Snowfield? Or collapsed buildings...?"
Zaid continued to stare forward without looking his way.
Zaid:
"Maybe we've met before. But that's not important now. I hope we can be good colleagues. I'll need your resolve... and you'll need my system."
Kaito (flatly, yet sincerely):
"I didn't come here to be a hero. I came because... there was no other choice. But if this city still holds hope, maybe I can keep its embers alive."
Zaid (deep nod):
"That... is more than enough."
---
DING! The elevator signaled its arrival.
The doors opened slowly, revealing a grand hallway with glossy black marble floors, lit by the blue glow of digital wall panels. The city emblem of Akarius was etched prominently: a pair of wings, broken chain, merged with a pen and rifle symbol.
Kaito stepped out first, paused. He scanned the room. One breath. One second of silence.
Kaito (thinking):
"The first step into a year's worth of hell. But... this might be a better kind of hell. At least there's coffee."
---
FLOOR 45 – AMIRATUL HUKM TOWER – GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AKARIUS
The room was opulent, blending classic and futuristic design. The high ceiling featured softly glowing geometric carvings. A large window offered a breathtaking view of the city below; its height twisting your stomach. Though the room was comfortably climate-controlled, the vibe felt scorching—like gunpowder ready to ignite.
Behind a grand wooden desk carved with the city emblem sat a weary-looking 17-year-old girl. Natasya, the governor's assistant, rubbed her temples and sighed. She looked far older than her years—her stress stemming not from age but from four heavily armed students arguing like street vendors.
Natasya (thinking):
"I negotiated with a fuel mafia just last week... but four students? This is... more terrifying."
Two voices suddenly overlapped in shouting:
Mag (Glaxina student, wearing a black-white robe and black peci cap, with a Komodo D5 slung casually on his back, shark tail motif trailing behind):
Mag:
"Hey kid... calm down. But... patience does have its limits, you know?"
Mag (thinking):
"They look ordinary... but their hearts? Full of conflict. Anwar stressed, Max confused, Appolo... icy but intriguing."
Beside him, Max (Ixirus student, clad in dark green jacket with a wolf emblem, black cap, sniper SPR-3 resting on his shoulder like a sleeping lion):
Max (thinking):
"Damn... Mag is too vocal again. But he's not wrong. We've waited for this peace deal like waiting for a forever delayed game update."
"And that Elizabeth student... her stare is suspicious. Could she know… that?"
Max (for the first time serious):
"We've been waiting forever!"
Mag (calm but cutting tone):
"If not now, when?"
On the other side, Anwar (Oxoford student, librarian-like in appearance, pristine uniform and tie, Thompson rifle propped academically):
Anwar (thinking in academic tone):
"Seriously... they're fighting over peace, yet not a single clause has been read."
"But I'm also not wrong... our Oxoford territory keeps getting chipped away by Primanoel. This is more than politics... it's about freedom."
Anwar (orating):
"What about our school territory!? There hasn't been a clear boundary for months!"
To the right, Appolo (Elizabeth school detective), silent and intense: neat black hair, gold-yellow tie contrasting his black robe; a mini-gun rotating slowly in his hand:
Appolo (coldly):
"And what about the missing students? It's been three days. None returned. We... need answers, not debates."
Appolo (thinking):
"Missing? Or... deliberately taken?"
"Those ten fugitives... Not a coincidence. They're part of something bigger."
Natasya (snapping):
"SILENCE! Speak one at a time!"
Natasya (thinking, like a teacher at the end of her rope):
"Help me, God. If one more speaks, I'll send them all to the cemetery myself!"
Unsurprisingly, the yelling only grew.
Mag (friendly):
"Hey, me and Max have been asking for peace for ages! Don't act dumb!"
Anwar (waving a file):
"Our territories clash weekly!"
Appolo (urgent, sharp):
"The sun's rising. Time's running out. More students are vanishing. We need action... not rhetoric."
DOOR! A gunshot echoed. Everyone froze. Natasya raised her Desert Eagle—momentarily office secretary, turned assassin.
Natasya (hissing, fatigued steel):
"One at a time, please."
Then...
Click... The door opened slowly. Cold air swept in—calm, yet dangerous.
Zaid entered first, his warm smile intact. Kaito followed behind.
His dark eyes were calm as a deep lake. Posture upright, steps steady, navy suit pristine, brown tie swaying gently. At first glance a civil servant—but his gaze...
A gaze that had lost far too much.
Kaito (thinking):
"Three types of people in this room: the panicked, the cold... and those who already know their enemy."
"And... that sniper kid. He reminds me of..."
---
Flashback...
Training ground. Shouts. Smoke. Blood.
Thirteen-year-old Kaito stood behind a barricade.
Small Soldier: "Commander! Target neutralized!"
Kaito: "Keep moving. Leave no opening."
---
Back to the room
Zaid (softly authoritative):
"What is all this commotion... inside the governor's office?"
Natasya snapped upright and bowed.
Natasya:
"Sorry, Governor... I tried my best..."
Zaid offered a patient smile.
Zaid:
"You've done very well, Natasya. I'll take it from here."
He turned to Kaito with a small nod.
Zaid:
"Please—introduce yourself."
Kaito stepped forward. No need for posture or volume; his calm voice echoed throughout:
Kaito:
"My name is Kaito. Starting today, I will be replacing Alke as the Flying Teacher for the next year. I hope we can work together... or at least not end up in a firefight before lunch."
Appolo (eyeing him):
"Well, that tone... like a war vet."
Mag (quietly):
"He... has killed before."
Max (nodding subtly):
"Too calm for a newcomer... I don't think he's just a teacher."
Anwar (adjusting glasses):
"Kaito… that name popped up in secret government files five years ago… could it be him?"
Calm as ever, Zaid cleared the silence:
Zaid:
"Instead of more arguing, how about heading to the kitchen? Today's menu: beef soup. Eat first, think more clearly."
Appolo:
"Good offer."
Max (zany salute):
"Ready, Boss!"
Anwar (polite bow):
"Thank you for understanding."
Mag (smiling):
"Let's take a break. We'll talk later."
The four students exited, and a tense stillness settled.
Zaid leaned in his chair, glancing at Kaito.
Zaid:
"See? This isn't a normal city."
Kaito gazed out the window; his dark eyes momentarily empty.
Kaito:
"It's true. But... I'm not a normal teacher either."
Gentle airflow drifted between white curtains. The scent of hot coffee and wood filled the air—designed to soothe... but the governor's office was anything but peaceful.
Kaito stood behind the large desk, his cold yet not frozen gaze sweeping the room. Opposite him, Governor Zaid smiled serenely as always. To his left, Natasya.
Zaid:
"Let me introduce her—Natasya, my assistant. Seventeen years old, from Academic Elizabeth. Among the youngest to graduate from the law and math academy."
Natasya nodded politely.
Natasya:
"Nice to meet you, Flying Teacher."
Natasya (thinking):
"So that's... the one replacing Alke? Doesn't look friendly... but not someone who'd randomly shoot."
Kaito offered a brief nod.
Kaito:
"Why did you choose her?"
Zaid remained unruffled.
Zaid:
"Because she's smart... and honest. Two traits scarce these days—especially in Akarius."
Kaito scoffed softly.
Kaito:
"Smart, huh... could be an asset... or a disaster."
Kaito:
"Then... where's your deputy?"
Zaid paused, his smile dimming into seriousness.
Zaid:
"She's investigating..."—a brief pause—"...Alke's death."
At that, Kaito's expression stiffened.
Kaito (softly):
"Alke..."
Kaito (thinking):
"That name... still haunts me. We barely knew each other... But I sensed he wasn't ordinary. If he's dead... then it's worse than they say."
Suddenly, Natasya stepped forward with a syringe.
Natasya:
"Governor, may I administer the immunity serum to the Flying Teacher? It's standard for newcomers—protection protocol."
Before she could approach, Zaid raised his hand.
Zaid:
"No need." He motioned toward the metallic-gray card pinned to Kaito's chest.
Natasya's eyes widened.
Natasya:
"That... is the absolute protection card?"
Kaito regarded it expressionlessly.
Kaito:
"They still issue this card? I thought they stopped after... that incident two years ago."
Natasya backed away.
Natasya:
"I'm sorry… I didn't know you had that level of protection."
Zaid chuckled gently.
Zaid:
"That's no ordinary card, Nat. And neither is he."
Kaito blinked.
Kaito:
"You haven't told me my primary duties yet."
Zaid:
"Oh right!" Zaid slapped his forehead as if just remembering. "You know, you're still the same as before... always straight to the point."
Kaito squinted.
Kaito:
"Since when do you know my past? We've never met, have we?"
Zaid settled into his seat.
Zaid:
"Alright. Listen closely—the Flying Teacher has three key duties." He held up three fingers.
Zaid:
"First: act as a normal teacher in the schools. Teach, motivate, talk to students—regular duties."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
Kaito:
"'Normal'... a normal teacher?"
Natasya barely suppressed laughter.
Natasya:
"Hehe... that sounds so out of place here."
Zaid:
"Second: settle inter-school conflicts—territory disputes, peace treaties, kidnappings... serve as mediator."
Kaito straightened suddenly.
Kaito:
"What?! All that's on me?"
Zaid (casually):
"Yep. But that's... just the surface."
Kaito:
"...The surface?"
Zaid met his gaze.
Zaid:
"The third—and most important—duty: resolve all student-related problems in this city."
Kaito froze.
Kaito:
"Wait... all student problems?!"
Zaid nodded calmly.
Natasya added, trying not to laugh.
Natasya:
"That includes homework help... breakups... and weird stuff like... teaching how... to make a baby."
Kaito (eyes wide):
"WHAT?!"
Zaid laughed.
Zaid:
"Don't take it too seriously! But yes, it's happened."
Kaito (thinking):
"My god... I have to save the city... and manage teenage drama?"
Zaid's tone turned slightly more serious.
Zaid:
"One more thing. While you serve as Flying Teacher... you're forbidden from using firearms."
Kaito:
"Huh!?" He turned sharply.
Kaito (thinking):
"Not allowed… to use firearms? So nothing explosive? Is this... punishment or a job?"
He inhaled deeply, narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.
---
FLASHBACK
Heavy rain. Open training ground filled with water and sparks.
Young Kaito—13 years old—stood soaked, battle-worn yet sharp-eyed.
Kaito (commanding):
"Unit Zero attack from the left. Alpha, hold the rear. Don't give them an opening."
A soldier yelled:
"Commander! They're flanking us!"
Kaito studied a holographic map.
Kaito (whispering):
"If I fall, who will stand? If I hesitate... who will believe?"
---
BACK TO PRESENT
Kaito shut his eyes for a second, then opened them with resolve.
Kaito (softly):
"...The world never gives easy choices... does it?"
Zaid opened a drawer and handed him a black phone.
Zaid:
"This is your work device. It contains old files, reports from previous Flying Teachers, Alke's final message... everything you need. Guard it well. Don't let it leak—especially not to the ten fugitives."
Zaid offered a small smile.
Zaid:
"Welcome to Akarius."
Kaito stared at the phone like it was alien.
Kaito:
"Why does it feel... like my life just entered danger?"
Zaid (casually):
"Because it has."
Natasya seemed worried.
Natasya:
"Maybe... your fate will mirror Alke's..."
Zaid turned away.
Zaid:
"If he followed Alke's path, it's possible."
Kaito tucked the phone into his pocket, his gaze sharpening.
Kaito:
"If that's the case, I'll carve my own path."
Zaid stood and gently patted Kaito's shoulder.
Zaid:
"Flying Teacher's quarters are on the 6th floor. Rest... before the student world begins to batter you."
Kaito nodded and walked toward the door. As it opened, his phone vibrated.
A message appeared:
[Anwar – Oxoford]
"Please define the border between our school and Primanoel soon. Things are escalating."
Kaito murmured while staring at the screen.
Kaito (thinking):
"...Maybe this... is what I need to settle first."
The door closed quietly behind him, leaving a faint hush in the majestic hallway.