The hallway grew tense as Skull stepped closer, his sharp silver eyes locked onto Max. Without warning, his fist shot forward, aiming straight for Max's face.
But before it could land—
BAM!
Rure's fist crashed into Skull's jaw, sending a shockwave through the air.
Students gasped, some stepping back, others leaning in with wide eyes. The sound of the impact echoed down the bio-engineered corridors of the academy, shaking the glowing green vines that lined the walls.
Skull barely staggered. He turned his head slowly, touching his jaw with mild surprise before smirking. "Hmph… not bad for a nerd."
Rure took a step back, breathing heavily. His fists trembled, not from fear—but from determination.
"If I want to become the Director of the Space Cops… I can't lose here!"
He charged again.
WHAM!
Skull dodged effortlessly and drove a knee into Rure's gut.
Rure coughed and stumbled, but before Skull could follow up, Rure gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. His mind screamed at him to stop, but his heart roared louder.
"I can't… back down…!"
Again, he rushed at Skull. Again, he was thrown to the floor.
Then again. And again.
Blood dripped from Rure's lip. His legs shook. Yet, he refused to stay down.
The students watching the fight grew silent, their amusement fading into awe.
Even Skull paused for a moment.
But the moment passed.
With a final, brutal kick, Skull sent Rure crashing against the corridor wall. This time, he did not get up.
Max stood frozen. His feet refused to move, his hands clenched into tight fists by his side. Rure was struggling, his breathing ragged, bruises forming along his arms. Warren had stepped in, his presence shifting the tide, but Skull still grinned—unshaken, unfazed.
Do something! Max's own voice screamed inside his head. He wanted to help. He wanted to stand beside Rure and Warren. But his body wouldn't listen.
His mind churned with memories—of past beatings, of being shoved into lockers, of Skull's voice laughing in his ears. Every time he had fought back, it had ended the same way: pain, humiliation, and failure. The last time he had tried, Skull had broken two of his fingers.
What if that happened again?
What if he got in the way?
What if he failed?
A sharp gasp snapped him back—Rure was down, gripping his stomach, coughing. Skull's foot pressed against his chest.
Max's heart pounded, each beat like a hammer against his ribs.
His arms trembled.
He could see the energy. It pulsed around them, flickering in waves, intertwining with the chaos. Rure's was dimming. Skull's burned with an unnatural glow. Warren's was sharp, controlled.
Max's own aura? Weak. Like a flickering ember in a storm.
They don't need me.
I'll just slow them down.
Yet, deep inside, another thought gnawed at him—What if they lose? What if Skull overpowered Warren next? What if no one else could stop him?
The air shifted. Warren moved. A blur of motion, a flash of impact. Skull staggered back, wiping his lip. A single drop of blood. Warren had landed a hit.
Max should have felt relieved. Instead, he felt small.
They're fighting.And I'm just standing here.
His fingers twitched.
Somewhere, deep within, something stirred.
A whisper. A presence. A power yet untouched.
But before he could grasp it, the moment passed.
The fight continued—without him
Jimmy clenched his fists, but he knew he wasn't strong enough to intervene.
Skull cracked his knuckles and turned back to Max. "Now, where were we?"
He pulled his fist back for the finishing blow—
"That's enough."
A deep, commanding voice cut through the tension.
Warren.
He stepped forward, his green Verdalian skin glowing faintly under the academy's artificial sunlight. His golden eyes burned with intensity as he placed a hand on Rure's shoulder.
"You're brave," Warren said softly, his voice filled with respect. "I'm sure you'll become the greatest Space Cop one day."
Rure, still barely conscious, gave a weak but determined nod.
Then, Warren turned to Skull.
The air shifted.
The energy between the two Verdalians became electric, their presence overwhelming.
They awakened their first chakra—Chakra 1.
A deep rumble shook the academy as the walls cracked, the glowing vines curling away as if afraid. Even the advanced trees, bio-engineered to withstand anything, shuddered at the force building between the two warriors.
Chakra 1 was the foundation—the first step of a warrior's awakening. It was common among Verdalians, but the way it erupted between Warren and Skull was anything but ordinary.
BOOM!
Both Warren and Skull moved at the same time. Their fists collided in a clash so powerful that it sent a shockwave rippling through the hallway.
A sharp gasp snapped max back—Rure was down, gripping his stomach, coughing.
Max's heart pounded, each beat like a hammer against his ribs.
His arms trembled.
He could see the energy. It pulsed around them, flickering in waves, intertwining with the chaos. Rure's was dimming. Skull's burned with an unnatural glow. Warren's was sharp, controlled.
Max's own aura? Weak. Like a flickering ember in a storm.
They don't need me.
I'll just slow them down.
Yet, deep inside, another thought gnawed at him—What if they lose? What if Skull overpowered Warren next? What if no one else could stop him?
The air shifted. Warren moved. A blur of motion, a flash of impact. Skull staggered back, wiping his lip. A single drop of blood. Warren had landed a hit.
Max should have felt relieved. Instead, he felt small.
They're fighting.And I'm just standing here.
His fingers twitched.
Somewhere, deep within, something stirred.
A whisper. A presence. A power yet untouched.
But before he could grasp it, the moment passed.
The fight continued—without him
Dust and debris scattered as they exchanged a rapid series of blows, each strike powerful enough to shatter stone.
Skull grinned. "Finally… someone worth fighting!"
Warren smirked. "I was about to say the same thing."
Fists met fists. Kicks sent shockwaves through the air. The bio-engineered academy felt their battle, reacting to their raw energy.
Blood trickled down Skull's forehead. Warren's arm ached from the sheer force of the clash. Neither backed down.
"Enough!"
A loud crack echoed through the air as a teacher appeared between them, radiating an overwhelming force that instantly stopped both fighters.
Both Warren and Skull staggered back, breathing heavily, but neither broke eye contact.
"You two could have destroyed the properties of academy," the teacher scolded, his deep voice laced with disappointment. "This ends now."
He turned to the stunned onlookers. "Everyone, back to your classes!"
The students hesitated, some whispering excitedly, but one glare from the teacher sent them all scurrying away.
Then, he faced the troublemakers.
"Warren, Skull, Rure, Max, Jimmy—Principal's office. Now."
The five boys sat in a row, facing the Academy Principal, a towering Verdalian with dark green skin, deep golden eyes, and long flowing white hair. His aura alone was enough to command silence.
His gaze swept over the five students, lingering on Warren and Skull.
"You two," he said, his voice calm yet filled with authority, "do you have any idea how much damage you caused?"
Neither spoke.
He sighed. "Rure, I commend your bravery. But throwing yourself into a battle you cannot win is reckless."
Rure, despite his injuries, sat up straight. "I refuse to let injustice go unchallenged, sir."
The Principal's expression softened slightly before he turned to Max.
"You're at the center of this, yet you didn't fight back."
Max lowered his gaze. "I… I can't fight."
The Principal studied him for a moment before nodding.
Then, his voice hardened. "Your parents will be called immediately."
Skull tensed. Warren exhaled.
Jones, who had been standing outside, paled.
The Principal leaned forward. "I don't care if you are sons of warriors, traders, or politicians. This academy does not tolerate chaos. You will all face the consequences of your actions."
The room fell into silence.
Wishey Household
In the grand Wishey Household, the morning sun bathed the elegant yet functional home in a golden glow. The estate was nestled within the bio-engineered outskirts of Alag City, surrounded by massive trees that whispered with the wind, their leaves absorbing and redirecting sunlight to optimize natural energy collection.
A sleek holo-screen flashed, illuminating the pristine white walls with a soft blue light. The call from the academy had come.
Rure's mother, Serena Wishey, a strong yet graceful Verdalian woman with emerald skin and piercing silver eyes, answered. She listened carefully, her expression shifting from calm to concern.
"I understand. I will be there by 3 PM," she said before ending the call.
She turned to her assistant, a floating AI drone that managed her household affairs.
"Prepare the transport. And notify Rure's father—he must be aware of this."
Amburdenk Farm
Meanwhile, across the vast Amburdenk Farm, a call was being redirected.
The farm, managed by Tina Amburdenk, was one of Verdalia's most advanced agricultural zones. Stretching across thousands of acres, it was a masterpiece of bio-integrated farming technology, blending nature and engineering seamlessly.
The land pulsed with life—rows of bioluminescent crops glowed softly under the daylight, absorbing special solar-enhanced nutrients. Towering oxygen-producing trees swayed gently, their roots intertwined with underground irrigation systems that intelligently adjusted water distribution based on the plants' needs.
Throughout the fields, massive auto-farming mechs roamed, their sleek, plant-covered exteriors making them look almost like living creatures. These machines performed multiple tasks—planting, monitoring soil conditions, and harvesting with robotic precision.
Drones hovered in the sky, scanning the fields with infrared and bio-radiation sensors, ensuring no crop was left untreated. Tiny pollination bots flitted between flowers, mimicking the behavior of extinct insects from ancient Earth.
At the farm's control hub, Tina stood, issuing commands to her workers. Her sharp mind processed multiple reports at once when a soft chime rang from the assistant's holo-com.
"Madam, a call from the academy. It seems urgent."
Tina wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed. "Patch it through."
The teacher's voice came through, detailing the fight involving Max, Rure, Warren, Skull, and Jimmy.
Tina's face darkened. "Not again…"
She ended the call and immediately turned toward her personal communicator.
"Get me Jason at the Alag Headquarters. Now."
Alag Headquarters
Deep within Alag City's central administration building, Jason sat in his high-tech office, reviewing star-maps and logistics data.
His office was a marvel of modern Verdalian design—holographic displays floated in the air, shifting between intergalactic trade routes, military patrol schedules, and classified political reports. The room was lined with data-crystals, storing centuries of intelligence.
A large observatory window overlooked the city, where flying transports glided between sky bridges, and floating platforms carried workers across massive vertical gardens.
Yet, Jason's mind was elsewhere.
He had spent the last few hours analyzing the Liliput Star System, where he was ordered to lead a massive humanitarian mission to deliver food supplies. The ten planets were 30 times smaller than Earth but home to billions of starving beings.
His concern, however, wasn't just the delivery—it was the Vir Empire. Their warships had been sighted near the system.
Just as he was about to finalize his strategy, his communicator rang.
Tina.
Jason frowned and answered. "Tina? What's wrong?"
Tina's voice was sharp. "Jason. It's Max. He got into a fight—again."
Jason's brows furrowed. "What happened this time?"
She explained everything. The bullying. The awakening of Chakra 1. The Principal summoning them immediately.
Jason sighed, rubbing his temple. He was already dealing with intergalactic threats, and now this?
"Alright. I'll be there."
But before leaving, he had one last stop—Tom's Office.
Tom's Office
Jason stepped into Tom's chamber, where the 160-year-old leader sat surrounded by an endless sea of data-scrolls and diplomatic reports. Despite his age, Tom worked tirelessly, his mind sharper than ever.
Jason exhaled. "Old man, you should take a break."
Tom chuckled, not looking up. "A leader rests only when his people are safe. And right now, they aren't."
Jason placed a holo-tablet on the desk, displaying Vir Empire activity reports.
" Sir We have done analysis about the political status of mission field and we came to know that the Vir Empire has been making movements there. Their ships were spotted in the sector. If they interfere, this mission could turn into something… worse."
Tom studied the reports. His expression remained unreadable. "That's why we must act fast. This isn't just about one planet, Jason. We are delivering aid to ten planets. If we fail, billions will suffer."
Jason crossed his arms. "Are you sure King Jim will support this? Giving away this much food to an outer system?"
Tom smirked. "I convinced him. Besides, we aren't alone in this."
Jason sighed. "You're talking about the Rebellions, aren't you?"
Tom nodded.
The Vir Empire, ruling over 25 galaxies, was led by the powerful Adam Clan—a lineage of humans known for their intelligence and cruelty. Emperor Joseph, though holding the throne, was weak. His empire survived only because of Bright Adam—the strongest swordsman and Astra user, a 222-year-old warrior whose presence alone kept the universe in check.
But not everyone feared the empire.
"The Rebellions," Tom continued, "are scattered into 5000 different groups, each under a Chief. And all of them serve one man—the Rebellion King."
Jason clenched his fists. "If we fail this mission, the Vir Empire might see it as a chance to expand its influence into Liliput. And if that happens, the rebellions won't be able to hold them off."
Tom leaned forward. "That's why I chose you, Jason. We have 30 Verdalian space ships prepared for this mission. You will lead this fleet. You are not just delivering food—you are ensuring that these worlds remain free."
Jason took a deep breath. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but he nodded.
"I'll need four days to prepare."
Tom stood up, placing a firm hand on Jason's shoulder. "Make sure you do not delay, son, before leaving you need to report to king . The universe is waiting for your actions."
Jason met his mentor's gaze. "I won't fail."
With that, he turned and left—ready to face both his intergalactic mission and the family issues waiting for him at the academy
Outside the Principal's Office – Tension in the Air
The grand halls of Alag Academy were unusually quiet, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Outside the principal's office, six sets of parents stood waiting, their faces a mixture of concern, anger, and frustration.
Jason and Tina Amburdenk – Max's adoptive parents, standing strong and firm, though Jason's frustration was evident as he rubbed his temples.Serena and Ragnor Wishey – Rure's parents, both respected scientists, their expressions calm but disapproving of the situation.Henry and Moira Greenfield – Jimmy's parents, both farmers like Tina, wearing worried expressions.Tarek and Liza Skullbane – Skull and Jones' parents, powerful figures in Verdalian politics, both with sharp, judgmental gazes.
The moment Jason arrived, Tarek Skullbane scoffed, crossing his arms.
"So, even the great Jason Amburdenk, right-hand of Old Tom, is wasting his time on this nonsense?"
Jason's eyes flickered to him, his face impassive. He had no patience for political games today.
Liza Skullbane, Skull's mother, sneered as she folded her arms. "We've had enough of this issue. The problem isn't Skull—it's that boy, Max. He should not be here."
Tina clenched her fists, her anger barely contained. "Excuse me? My son deserves to be here just as much as anyone."
Moira Greenfield, Jimmy's mother, sighed. "Can we stop with this nonsense? They are just kids. This is an academy, not a battlefield."
Tarek, ignoring her, stepped forward. "You people are blind. This is a school for Verdalians. Why should a—" He glanced at Jason and smirked. "—human even be here? Especially when his kind are the reason for current state of the universe ?"
Serena Wishey, Rure's mother, shook her head in disappointment. "How can you judge a child based on the past? If that's your logic, should we punish all Verdalians for the wars their ancestors waged?"
Jason finally spoke, his voice dangerously calm.
"You forget, Tarek, that this school was built to teach unity. Not to divide. I suggest you tread carefully before I remind you who I am."
Tarek glared but said nothing. He may have been a political figure, but Jason was a war hero and one of the most powerful figures in Verdalia.
Just then, the principal's assistant opened the door. "The principal will see you now."
Inside the Principal's Office
The Principal of Alag Academy, Headmaster Varex, was a wise, aged Verdalian, his greenish skin marked with deep lines of experience. He sat behind a massive holo-desk, watching the parents enter.
Behind him, holographic screens played footage of the fight—Rure standing up for Max, Skull's brutal attacks, and finally, Warren and Skull's chakra awakening that cracked the academy walls.
As the parents settled into their seats, Varex folded his hands and sighed.
"Let me make this clear. This is not about your political opinions. This is about your children." He turned to Tarek and Liza. "Your son, Skull, has a long record of aggression. This time, it wasn't just a fight—he deliberately instigated an attack."
Tarek scoffed. "He was defending himself from a weakling."
Varex's eyes narrowed. "From an eleven-year-old? Skull is fifteen. He fought Rure Wishey, an eleven-year-old, without remorse. If Warren had not intervened, it could have been much worse."
Liza shook her head, waving a hand dismissively. "And yet, you're ignoring the real problem—why is Max even here?"
Tina slammed her hand on the desk.
"You dare say that in front of me? In front of my husband? Max is my son."
Jason leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "And you're questioning King Jim's decision? It was his law that made this academy open to all, regardless of species. Are you suggesting you know better than your own king?"
Tarek went silent, his jaw clenching. Even he couldn't openly challenge King Jim's decree.
Varex turned to Jason and Tina. "I understand your frustration. And I commend Max's resilience, but it's clear that he is being targeted. We must ensure that this academy remains a place of education, not division."
Henry Greenfield, Jimmy's father, finally spoke. "So what's the solution? We can't ignore this."
Varex leaned back. "For now, all students involved in the fight will receive disciplinary action. Skull and Jones will be placed on behavioural probation, and if they attack another student, they will face suspension."
Tina raised an eyebrow. "And Max?"
Varex sighed. "Max… will need protection. He is a good kid, but the discrimination against him won't disappear overnight. I am assigning a special mentor to him."
Jason's expression hardened. "Who?"
The principal's holo-screen flickered, showing a mysterious figure.
"A retired Space Cop. A man who understands discrimination better than anyone else. He will be Max's personal instructor from now on."
Tina placed a hand on Max's shoulder. "Max… are you okay with this?"
Max looked up, his eyes still carrying the pain of being bullied. But then, he nodded. "If it will make me stronger… then I accept."
Varex nodded. "Then this meeting is concluded. I hope this will be the last of these conflicts."
As the parents began to leave, Tarek Skullbane glared at Jason one last time.
"This isn't over."
Jason smirked. "For you? It never is."
And with that, the meeting ended, but the battle for Max's place in Verdalia was just beginning