"Anyways, we're going to be late for class. We gotta go," Sky said, raising from his seat.
Exalibar nodded, pushing his chair back. "Yes, he's right. Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad."
"Goodbye, boys! Have a great day at school!" Diana called after them as they rushed out the door towards the garage.
Exalibar snapped his fingers as if just remembering. "Oh, by the way, I left my car at Aisha's. We're going to have to take yours."
Sky shrugged, unlocking a sleek, silver sports car. "That's not an issue. Although, I thought you were dying to show off your cruiser to everyone."
"Oh, it's still coming," Exalibar said with a grin, sliding into the passenger seat. "So don't worry, your little brother isn't being forced to be humble just yet."
Sky rolled his heterochromatic eyes but couldn't hide a smile as he started the engine.
During the drive to the academy, Exalibar quickly brought Sky up to speed on the plan set for later that night. They soon arrived at the gates of Inamorta Academy, a campus that was less a school and more a monument to power. They wandered through its vaulted, marble halls, which were lined with trophies, plaques, and holographic displays of the school's various achievements. Two massive, dominating murals boasted the attendance of the world's number one and two heroes: Ronin and Valery.
The boys split off to their respective engineering classes. Since Exalibar's class ended before Sky's, he decided to use the free period to find Jack. He crossed the campus to the Military Section, a part of the academy where even the air itself felt disciplined.
He hadn't taken ten steps into the sector before a familiar voice called out. "Heyyyyy!" Chloe sprinted towards him and launched herself into his arms. Exalibar caught her effortlessly, spinning her once without setting her down. "There's my future engineer!" she beamed.
"What's with all the enthusiasm?" he laughed, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
"Well, I can't say I've had a good day till I've seen you," she said, her purple eyes sparkling.
"Man, I wonder what I did in my past life to deserve you."
Chloe leaned in for a kiss. "I don't know, but you definitely must have saved the world."
A loud, fake cough echoed from behind them. "Ahem….."
Chloe sighed dramatically, pulling away. "Great. Now you ruined the moment, Jack."
"Sorry," Jack said, not sounding sorry at all. He crossed his muscular arms. "But how do you think the rest of us feel watching this display?"
"Oh, lighten up, General," Exalibar retorted. "You know I came here for you."
Jack was a tall, imposing figure with a jet-black buzz cut and dark, focused eyes. A strength-based mana user and the perfect son of a general, he carried himself with a soldier's bearing.
His expression shifted from amused to serious. "Oh. Is it about that?"
Exalibar gave a single, sharp nod. "Yes. We need to discuss it before we head out."
Chloe looked between them, her smile fading. "I'm sorry... that?"
Jack's tone was apologetic but firm. "Yes, that. It's highly classified. I'm sorry."
Chloe turned her questioning gaze to Exalibar, who offered a helpless shrug. "I'm sorry, but he's right…"
She pouted, her bottom lip jutting out in an exaggerated fashion.
Exalibar chuckled. "Oh, come on. It's not like you to pout."
Chloe broke the fake character and laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I thought it might work, though."
"Not a chance," he said, finally setting her down fully. "We really need to finish planning this. See you after school?"
"Yeah," she agreed. "And don't be late this time."
"I only promise to try," he said, earning a playful punch in the arm.
"I mean it," she insisted, standing on her toes to give him one last, quick kiss before heading off to her own class.
Jack watched her go. "Now that she's out of the way, let's go find Theo."
They found Aisha and Theo already deep in conversation in the computer lab, blueprints for the Lekratian Embassy glowing on a large central screen.
Exalibar grinned. "Well, that saves us another trip."
Aisha looked up, all business. "Yes. Now let's get down to business."
For the next hour, Aisha and Exalibar laid out the rest of the plan they had devised for Jack and Theo. They went over entry points, timings, communication protocols, and contingency plans. Time seemed to warp, and before they knew it, the final bell of the day was ringing through the halls.
"Okay," Aisha concluded, gathering her things. "So, at midnight, that's when you guys make your move."
Exalibar nodded, a focused intensity in his eyes. "Got it. One last thing… the gear?"
Aisha allowed herself a small, proud smile. "Don't worry. I already sent the suits you'll each be wearing to your respective houses."
"Yessss," Exalibar hissed, pumping a fist. "Wonderful. Now, bye! My girlfriend is waiting for me."
"Sure," Aisha said, stopping him as he turned to leave. "And, Exalibar?"
"Yeah?"
"Please don't be late."
Exalibar threw his hands up in mock exasperation. "Why does everyone always think I'm going to be late?!"
Time flowed quickly, and soon the appointed hour approached. In his room, Exalibar donned the suit Aisha had left for him. It was a masterpiece of tactical design. Heavy, matte-black fabric, a light-absorbing composite built for frontline survival, hugged his frame. The high-collared jacket zipped up to his chin, hiding segmented defensive plating. Thick, moulded guards covered his shins and knees, held rigid and edged with stark white indicator strips that hummed faintly with power. His boots were blocky and armoured, and his hands were encased in specialized, articulated gauntlets.
He looked at his reflection—a soldier, a shadow, a weapon. A wide, appreciative grin spread across his face as he put on a mask.
"Aisha, you beautiful nerd," he whispered to the empty room. "I am never returning this."