“So, what do you think?” Jacob asked.

Luis Albert stared at one of the most inconspicuous boys he had ever met. Since he was the principal, he knew who Jacob was; however, he never imagined the boy could be so resolute. If his memory served him well, Jacob suffered from some disease that made his life more challenging than any other. As a result, the boy never excelled in anything, barely passing every grade.

“So, let’s recap, Jacob,” Luis Albert was trying to make the best out of this weird situation, “you want to pool the people together in the biggest building, the school for the moment. Then, you want to build a wall around the town?”

“It’s going to be extremely hard since the geography is not on our side,” Jacob remarked. St. Peter was not on even ground, and that made it hard to plan for a straight wall.

“Also, the buildings are not well organized. We may need to demolish them in the future”, Jacob added.

Luis Albert sat on the bench near the table where they had been working up till now. He had many emotions in turmoil, but he knew he needed a clear head. If what Juliet said was true, they could die at any moment. Being a principal hadn’t exactly taught him how to be a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, but he would somehow make it work.

“We will not be able to rebuild those houses. We don’t have crews of builders. We do not have an architect either, Jacob. If you destroy those houses, people will freak out: those old buildings are the only semblance of normalcy right now.”

“We don’t need to do that now, principal. However, Juliet said that monsters are going to get stronger and stronger. At some point, these buildings might become deathtraps. If someone can manipulate the ground with magic and stuff like that, we will be able to build stronger – even if primitive – buildings.”

Luis Albert wanted to shout. He wanted to shout this kid’s ears off. In any other context, that was what he would have done. He had shouted a bit to him while the sick kid was in bed.

Now, the principal started piecing a few pieces together. He may not be the most courageous person, but he certainly wasn’t stupid.

Francis said that Jacob killed three massive wolves, and Jacob denied it. The next time I see him, he’s with an overpowered Juliet who took responsibility and leadership but delegates everything to him. Something’s up. Who the hell is this kid?

“Ok, let’s start rounding up people and slowly bringing them inside the school. I’m not sure we will be able to fit everyone inside, but we can start carrying mattresses and food here to ration it. Do you think Juliet is okay with me guiding everyone else?” Luis Albert asked.

“Sure, principal. However, I would first sit down and try to find those weird powers Juliet has talked about. She has shown me how to do it, and even my weak body now feels stronger than ever. So I bet you would probably become a strong warrior.”

Luis Albert liked when kids sucked up to him. His son was too haughty and never did that. Moreover, it sounded like a good idea. If they were now in a world populated by beasts, he needed to get stronger.

“Thanks, Jacob. Will you do it, then?”

“No, I’ll ask Juliet to come with me. I don’t really have much authority. I think that you should come out in an hour or two to speak with people and reassure them. They look up to you, now.”

Luis Albert suddenly felt both the weight of responsibility and the elation that came with it.

“I will. Thanks. Hopefully, if I can show them that you can become suddenly stronger by just finding these weird energies, they will calm down a bit”, the principal said.

“Hopefully,” Jacob muttered.

…

Juliet and his aunt Linda were looking at each other with curious gazes.

“So, Juliet is on our side. We can trust her”, Jacob said.

He saw his aunt slowly nod, probably wary of his new strong friend.

“Ok, Jackie, so what now?” his aunt asked.

“We have told the people to start bringing their mattresses and food toward the school. But, unfortunately, not everyone will listen, and we will not fit hundreds of people there altogether. We will need to place most of them in the school’s gym. People will probably die tonight – I’m sure.”

“Nothing we can do?” Juliet asked, only partially concerned.

“Get your parents in the school. But we cannot force everyone. I also don’t know which monsters will come next, exactly. They should be Demonic Wolves, the same that attacked today. However, there is a chance something else may come with them or replace them altogether.”

“Jackie, we can’t let people die!” his aunt screamed.

“Auntie, there are almost four hundred people in St. Peter. It would take all day to get them one by one to the school, and we might not even finish in time. If we don’t train and get ready for tonight’s attacks, we are dead. Few people here have good talent. The two of you are probably the only ones in the world with a Cultivation Technique. If you cultivate carefully, you should be able to learn the first Spells and Martial Techniques before sunset. However, I need both of you on it as quickly as possible.”

Jacob felt a movement behind his back and told them: “Go now and cultivate until you both feel like you have at least some control over your Qi or Mana. Auntie, you will only be cultivating Mana for now. Your Qi is too weak, and we need to enhance your body with some pills. However, the Hell Devouring Devil Cultivation Technique is focused almost exclusively on Mana. Later on, your Mana will bring out Demonic Qi, a very sturdy type of Qi. That will make your body stronger. However, you will be a glass cannon at the start, and you will not be able to tank any hits. Keep in mind. You will need to stay back in every fight.”

“Juliet,” Jacob turned toward the girl, “I have passed you the Phoenix’s Last Song Cultivation Technique. It’s the strongest Cultivation Technique I know for your Constitution; don’t be fooled by the name. It’s extremely powerful. Your Qi is already at the 3rd level of the first realm, the Cockroach realm – yeah, bad name, I know, I did not make them up myself – but you need to cultivate your Mana to the 3rd level too. So then, bring them both at the peak of the 3rd level, and I’ll teach you both Spells and Martial Techniques.”

“Now, if you will excuse me,” Jacob's ears picked up some rustling.

The other two did not know where Jacob was going, but they had received precise orders.

“Let’s get to work,” Juliet said.

Aunt Linda nodded toward her.

Jacob went to the kitchen and then stepped outside, in their backyard.

He closed the door and found a terrified Joseph behind the door.

“You were eavesdropping.”

“Me? No, I was just—”

“Shut it. Joseph, you have always behaved like a sh*thead. But now, we need men with the balls to do what it takes to protect the people. I’m going to teach you something called a Cultivation Technique so you can become stronger. If you ever think about fleeing, betraying me, or anything that endangers us, I will gut you like a pig. Understood?”

Jacob did not wait for a response. Instead, he punched the door on Joseph’s side so hard that he put his fist through it. It was just a little Qi trick to intimidate the kid.

Fuck, it hurts. I need to cultivate more, Jeez.

Joseph looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“Ok, I’ll see what your talent is first, and then I’ll give you an appropriate Cultivation Technique.”