Stargazers: World stage

While William and Whyte were busy fending off their aggressive roommate, Vahn methodically scanned the room.

Among the compromises the world made for their younger generations to attend the force alliance for two years. The first was the location to be largely unknown, and the second was,

Not monitoring the movements and dealings of their younger generation. Meaning no means of monitoring students in certain places, especially in the dormitories.

His instincts urged him to check for any hidden abnormalities. But before he could complete his sweep, the fight had already ended in defeat for William and Dhyte.

'Metal?' Vahn assessed the situation swiftly. Physically, he was still human, and logically, his fists should shatter against a metallic opponent. However, his last battle had been against a D-rank adversary who had nearly crippled him, yet he had managed to survive, barely.

Though he wasn't one to complain about the methods of winning, it was clear he would have won. However, what of this huge roommate,

With calculated precision, Vahn dashed toward the hulking roommate. The giant sneered, expecting Vahn to aim directly for his reinforced head.

"Foolish," the brute mocked.

But Vahn was anything but. At the last second, he diverted his punch, driving his fist deep into the roommate's unprotected stomach.

Thwack!

"Guh!" The massive boy doubled over; the wind knocked out of him. Instinctively, he lowered his guard, exposing his face.

"Now you're the fool," Vahn murmured, his fist colliding squarely with the brute's jaw.

Smack!

The force sent the giant staggering backward. Vahn didn't let up. He grabbed the brute's head, yanked it down, and slammed his knee into the already bleeding nose.

The boy crumpled to the floor.

Without hesitation, Vahn straddled him, his fist rising and falling in ruthless succession.

Twack. Twack. Twack.

"You know what, you take orders from me now," Vahn hissed between blows.

Blood pooled beneath them; the giant's face was nearly unrecognizable.

Still, Vahn didn't stop.

"H-Hey, V-Vahn, I think that's enough," Dhyte's trembling voice finally broke through the haze of violence. He reached out hesitantly from his bunk.

Just as Vahn prepared to strike again—

DOOM!

A sound like a distant war drum reverberated through the room.

Vahn froze mid-punch, his body paralyzed. His eyes widened in confusion.

"What?" he whispered, glancing down. The brute was unconscious, clearly not the source.

'Gahhh!' A searing pain exploded within him, a cascade of agony that spread from his skull to his very bones. It felt like his organs were being twisted, crushed, and torn apart all at once.

Through the haze, he managed to glance at Dhyte, whose hand was still outstretched.

"No, no, no! It's not me!" Dhyte frantically waved his hands, panic etched across his face.

But Vahn couldn't process the words. The pain was all-consuming.

"Gahhhh!" He collapsed, convulsing violently.

"W-What's happening to him?!" William shouted, dropping from his bed.

"I don't know! I swear, I didn't do anything!" Dhyte stammered, scrambling for his phone. "I-I think there's an emergency contact on here!"

Vahn's body trembled uncontrollably, sweat pouring from his pale face.

"Then call it!" William barked, hovering nervously.

Beep... beep... beep.

Dhyte's fingers fumbled over the screen, drenched in sweat.

"Found it!" he exclaimed, just as William cried out,

"Wait… he stopped moving."

Dhyte turned, his heart sinking. Now, Vahn lay motionless, his chest eerily still.

"I-Is he dead?" Whyte whispered, his voice shaking.

William didn't answer. Instead, he conjured a small circular device and pressed it against Vahn's chest. And a compact monitor materialized in his palm.

Beep... beep... beep.

"He's alive," William sighed, collapsing to the floor. "Stable… for now."

Suddenly, a groan echoed through the room.

"Urgh..."

The brute stirred.

Without exchanging a word, Dhyte released his mist, ensnaring the boy, while William created a taser.

Bzzzt!

The brute collapsed again, unconscious. Who knew what he would do once he woke up, they couldn't even match him. If Vahn was awake, maybe they would have left him, however, he too was out.

"For fuck's sake, it's just the first day," William muttered, dragging his hands down his face.

"Let's move Vahn to his bed," Dhyte suggested. They both agreed and carried him gently, leaving the heart monitor device in place.

"Should we take him to the clinic?" Dhyte asked, glancing between Vahn and the brute.

"No. It'll cause unnecessary trouble. Barion's an ability user. He'll wake up soon, but Vahn…" William trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

And unfortunately, at that moment, Vahn's phone received a notification.

Bleep…

[Student Vahn Clay, report to the location sent to you for your designated punishment. You are to report within the next 30 minutes.]

…

Five hours later,

"Urghh..." Vahn groaned, his eyes fluttering open.