I returned back to school. By the time I arrived, the Night Watch patrol had already secured the grounds. A terrifying scenery of great madness was evident everywhere.
"This is madness…"
I searched for Luis and Mika.
"Nat!!" A girl called out my name. "Nat! Oh, thank goodness you're fine!" It was Mika, shouting as she ran towards me. She threw herself into my arms and hugged me tightly. I could feel her heartbeat racing fast. She was trembling as she cried. I couldn't blame her. For a child to endure such traumatic moments… this was far too much.
"I don't know what's happening," she said.
"It's fine, I'm glad you're okay." I rubbed her back while holding her close, trying to give comfort. "Let's go find Luis."
As we looked around, we saw some Night Watch patrols carrying Luis's unconscious body. To my surprise, he didn't have any wounds—not even a scratch. His heartbeat was steady and normal, as if he were simply asleep. His entire body was covered in a slimy substance, like saliva.
"What happened to him?" I asked. I knew I had seen him get stabbed multiple times by feathers.
"We found him lying on the ground, completely naked," they replied. "We also found this beside him."
"A snake skin… this big?" I responded, shocked. Judging by the size, this snake would have to be at least a hundred feet long. 'What the hell happened to him?' My head filled with confusion and questions, but I pushed them aside for the moment.
"You are the captain's son, right?" A man with a deep voice approached me. He looked familiar, his cold eyes piercing to meet mine. He wore a thin plate of armor beneath an old, dirty hood. The ground beneath him was freezing, and his very presence gave off an icy aura. A trimmed beard covered his face, a perfect match for his long, tied white hair.
"Yes," I responded.
"Come," he said, with a shadow of worry on his face.
He led me to my father—something I had no idea I would see here.
"Dad!!" I panicked when I saw his condition. "What happened?" I asked.
I found him surrounded by medics, desperately trying to save his life. His body was wrapped in bandages, a venturi mask pressed to his face to support his breathing.
"He fought Premo, but failed," the man replied.
"It's my fault. I couldn't stop Premo," I said, blaming myself.
"It's because you're weak," he responded bluntly.
I looked into the man's eyes with a provoked expression. "Who are you? You look so familiar… I just can't remember."
"We met four years ago, in your backyard. You were training with your father at the time. My name is Geralt. I am your father's acquaintance," he replied.
"I'm sorry. I was too late when I arrived. But no worries—your father will survive," he added.
Finally, the medical team stopped. "He's stable now, but we still need to monitor him. We'll bring him to the nearest medical center," they stated, carrying him away.
"Does my mother know about this?" I asked.
"A patrol unit was sent to inform your mother of the situation," Geralt replied. Then he turned back before leaving. "I will be back. For the meantime, take care of your father. I also need to speak with you, but now is not the time."
"Nathan, you need to come with us for a quick checkup," a medic said.
"No, I'll stay here for a whi—"
"You should come, Nathan…" Lieutenant Zack arrived, his expression serious. "I was too late when we came, but thankfully Geralt arrived before Premo could end your father's life. I will take care of everything from here… get some rest, your mother needs you."
"K…" I replied in disappointment.
When I arrived at the medical facility, countless parents were gathered, desperately looking for their children. Some were lucky to be reunited with the living. But for those less fortunate, all they received was a soulless body.
A heavy feeling weighed inside me, knowing I survived while others had lost their children. I couldn't even feel grateful for being alive, not while others drowned in grief. My heart cried as I felt their misery. I understood their sorrow, yet I couldn't do anything to ease it.
Was it my fault, or was it Premo's fault? It didn't matter whose fault it was. Lives had been taken. But who would bear responsibility for that? Maybe it was my fault… for being weak.
I was escorted to my room, my mind clouded. Speechless, I remembered hundreds of children screaming for help, dying in horrific ways, while I fought Premo thinking only of surviving. Yet even then, I couldn't defeat him. The burden of having power but being useless when it was needed weighed down on me. I was useless.
I sat on the bed, deep in thought, my eyes filling with tears. Feeling sorry for the souls I couldn't protect.
"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry… I'm really, really, really sorry…" I whispered, continuously wiping away my tears.
Lt. Zack POV
"583, sir!"
583 children survived. "How many died?" I asked.
"234, sir," he replied.
"How many are missing?"
"Fifteen, sir."
That was still too many. "Okay. Gather everything you can find as evidence! This will be a nightmare of reports."
Based on witness accounts, Premo was alone when he attacked the school. But how did he manage to destroy such a wide area on his own, killing so many children in just a few minutes?
According to survivors, countless explosive boxes were thrown into every room continuously. Yet Premo never used such attacks against William or his son Nathan.
The fact that Premo awakened his animal spirits at such a young age is another mystery. It must have a deeper connection. Furthermore, according to Geralt, his magical power is Delta level. Whoever is backing him is definitely not to be ignored.
Too many questions, and not enough answers. The world is changing day by day. We must also adapt.
// 4 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT //
"Those 15 children are still missing?" I was shocked when I heard the report. It had been over four days since the incident, yet fifteen children were still unaccounted for.
"Yes, sir. And not just them," my subordinate replied.
"What?" I asked.
"Several important items kept by the school are also missing," he answered.
"I don't care about items! We're talking about missing souls! Fifteen children are out there with no shadows or traces found. Make searching for these kids the top priority!"
I was furious, but even so, I felt powerless.
"Lt. Zack," a patrol unit entered the room. "Sir, you are asked to report to the central Night Watch patrol facility."
I wondered why the notice took so long. "Send a crow. Tell them I will arrive within two days. There are still many things I need to finish."
Before leaving, I visited Captain William at the medical facility. In his room, I saw his wife Aurelia asleep at his bedside. William sat on the bed, eyes heavy, gazing out the window in deep thought.
"Captain, I'm sorry to disturb you. I came to visit before leaving. I've been called to report."
He gave me a weak smile. His body was wrapped in bandages, his breathing shallow.
"How are you, William?" I asked.
For a moment, he didn't respond. Then finally, he spoke.
"He came for revenge. But as a father… as a father, Lieutenant, I understand his actions. What would you do if the daughter you swore to protect with your life died before your very eyes?" His tears fell as he spoke.
"I couldn't even protect my son…"
"It wasn't your fault, William," I replied.
"I heard the report—two hundred and thirty-four children died under my responsibility. If only I had known about Premo… If only I had caught him before he attacked the school… no one should have died." He clenched his fist tightly. I could feel his frustration.
"And yet, five hundred and eighty-three souls survived. Captain, if you hadn't been there, they would all be dead. You saved them. You risked your life for them. Do not blame yourself for things you couldn't control. No matter how bad things look, there is always some good hidden behind it."
After a few minutes, he finally calmed down.
"My son… do you know where he is? I heard he visited me a day ago before I woke up, but he never came back," he asked.
"I heard he's already in good condition," I replied. "One of my men reported they saw him with Geralt last night."
"You know, I couldn't believe it when you said your son awakened his animal spirits at the age of three. And now… he's this strong. Defeating a man with Delta-level power at only eight years old—even you couldn't handle that. This kid has a future, William." I walked away, leaving him with those words. "The only thing you can do for him is to never stop his growth. Get well, Captain."
After several days of travel, I finally arrived at the Night Watch Central Office, located in the southern part of Luziana, the capital of the Luzvimin Imperial Kingdom.
"Sir, your presence is expected in the head office," a patrol unit informed me.
Before entering, I took a moment to appreciate the grandeur of the place. A massive infrastructure, crowned with pointed roofs and intricate interior designs. Seven gigantic white Corinthian pillars stood proudly at the front, framing an enormous door guarded by four patrol units. The blend of green and white colors made the structure's aesthetic breathtaking.
"Wow… I've been here several times already, but every time I see this, I can't help but be amazed by its unending beauty."
I was escorted to the head office. Upon arriving, the Chief was already waiting.
"Lieutenant Colonel Zack Griger. Finally, I've been waiting for you," he said, pulling the cigarette from his mouth. His big stomach strained against the buttons of his polo. A thick mustache and beard covered half his face. Just by looking at him, I could tell this man spent most of his time drinking, smoking, and chasing women.
'What a waste.'