The jet was flying low to the surface of the sea, the crests of the waves bouncing in the wind. The horizon was disrupted by the vast shape of the city-island hybrid with the reflections of buildings morphing on the water. It almost seemed that the city was floating closer as we flew.

All I could do was sit in awe, thinking how unique and different this place was. It was almost like a hidden utopia floating in the middle of the ocean.

“All crew, please be seated. Touching down in a few minutes…”

We shortly landed at the airport and everyone soon gathered their belongings and headed down towards the apron. The sound of aircraft and the sudden tropical breeze immediately hit me as my foot hit the pavement. I looked above, seeing that the sun was still up at its highest peak. Despite the island being on the tropical side of the earth, the climate was almost like being in California in the spring, despite it being summer.

“Ah! We’re finally back!” I looked over to Jasper stretching her arms out to the sky, embracing the sun. Yuma and Athos were right next to the jet, unloading cargo that we had brought with us. Just looking around the area felt a bit overwhelming.

Maybe it might be the fact I’m at a foreign place... Maybe it's the fact that we are in the middle of the ocean, miles away from home… Or maybe it was starting to sink in how I was taken against my will to go to this place…

Fuck.

I had completely forgotten the whole reason we were here in the first place. My excitement of getting out of the plane shortly fizzled into the stark reality that was headed my way. Heck, I still didn’t get a reason why I’m even here.

“Heads up!” I heard a duffle bag immediately tossed at my chest, gagged and grunted the sudden force. The bag felt like a soft pack of flour. Just how much stuff is in here?

I looked to where the bag was thrown, and Yuma was walking away, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He’s still mad at me… I am still appalled for why he is that way for god knows how long, at this point it doesn’t seem like it’s about today’s confrontation with each other.

“Don’t let it get into your head kid…” Athos comes up and adds a mysterious box on top of the bag I was carrying. The combined weight of the stuff I was carrying was starting to hurt my arms, dropping everything all together. The bag had snagged onto my dog tag that I was wearing and snapped the chain.. Everything got scattered on the pavement as Athos laughed in the process. He proceeded to help me gather all of the random stuff that fell out of the bag and the box.

“I still don’t get that guy, honestly.” Athos sighed in response to my statement.

“Yuma is a good guy. I don’t know what he has against you or why he is like this in the first place, but it’ll pass, take my word for it.”

I looked at him nervously. Despite him saying what should’ve been reassuring, it was hard to believe.

“I’ll take your word, it’s just nerve wracking that I don’t know what it is that he's thinking about… By the way, what is all of this stuff?” The objects that fell from the box didn’t belong to me or didn’t look like it belonged to anyone. From fresh new clothes still in plastic wrapping, electronics, food?

“Ah, that’s yours now. New uniform, tablet, standard issue stuff-”

“Wait, uniform?” I shuffled through the messy pile, pulling out the clear garment bag that was laying.

“Huh???” I immediately stood up taking the blazer-like top and stretching it right in front of me. The striking grey material with it's dark navy blue accents caught my eye in an instant. It felt surprisingly light despite it being a blazer. On the side of the sleeve, the Heiwa insignia was patched brightly with it’s blue and grey colors. The design on it almost has a middle ground between a military uniform and a typical school uniform.

“Looking at your new uniform?” Jasper stood behind the clear garment looking at me, smiling as if she was excited. She acts like a child despite her age. I sighed and folded up the bag back into the box. I stood up and patted down my body, to see if I got everything that I needed.

“Let’s see, phone, wallet… huh?” My neck felt naked... my tag was missing. I looked around to find it, right in front of Athos shoe. As I reached down, he immediately grabbed it before I even had the chance to reach down.

“Oh, I got it for ya.” He held the dog tag by the chain and dangled it right in front of me, twisting and slowly turning.

“Was about to say to make sure-” He abruptly stopped. His expression suddenly looked surprised. Jasper looked over as well, noticing Athos’ attitude. I took the tag from him, confused to what he was thinking about.

“Kemono?”

“Are you alright?” He blinked a few times and shook his head, clearing up his mind.

“Oh yeah, yeah… I’m alright. Just thought about something.” Weirded out by the situation, I looked over at Jasper, staring at Athos for a second, and looking away for the rest of the time we stood next to the jet. It took a few minutes until we collected everything we needed.

---------

We finally entered the main building of the airport, still lugging around our baggage. Looking around, it looked like a typical airport interior, nothing else, except the fact that it is not as busy as any other.

Athos and Yuma went ahead of us, leaving me and Jasper alone… God forbid that she does anything annoying.

She took me through the building, leading me to a small office labled “New Entry Arrivals.”

“What are we doing here?”

“You need to get a new ID for the island and entry for the Academy.” As we entered the room, there was a small front desk with a lady sitting in front of a computer, typing away. She stopped what she was doing and looked at us.

“How may I help you two?”

“New entry for this one!” Jasper smiled and smacked my shoulder. How many times am I going to get hit today?

“Ah I see, welcome then.” She faintly smiled and got out of her seat, leading us to a backroom of the office. We were shortly greeted by several devices and small machines around the room.

“I need to see your papers.” I looked dumbfounded.

“Papers?” Jasper immediately took out the folder earlier today, full of my information.

“Ah here you go, he’s here for the academy.” The lady took the folder from Jasper and opened it up.

“Ah I see, so you must be…” As she kept reading, her eyes started to open up.

“Mr. Kizuato?” She looked at me in shock.

“Uh... yes that's me?” She set aside the folder on a nearby table and quickly shook my hand.

“You must be the son of the Prime Director and the Legendary Kemono Zero!” I completely forgot that both my parents are well known in the world in different aspects. I mean what could you expect after letting someone know your full name, bearing both the names of the two most well known people on the planet.

“Haha… um yeah.” I nervously laughed. I didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Would you mind coming over here, I got to get you scanned and checked in our system. Would you mind placing your hand here?” In front of her was what to look like a scanner of some sort for my hand. It kind of looked complex for what it was worth, but I still put my hand on the scanner.

“So just letting you know, this might sting a little. It will also collect some blood samples from you”

“Wait what do you mean-” As the plate lit up, I felt a small sharp needle impale my wrist.

“AHHHH AH WHAT THE?!?!” I was caught off guard by the needle and tried to pull my hand out of the scanner.

“Just a few more seconds!” The lady held my hand down until it was done scanning. I lifted up my hand, showing a small dot of blood coming out of my wrist. I could hear Jasper trying to hold her laughter in, as well as the lady assisting me.

“You could’ve warned me!” I took deep breaths.

“Ah, but if I did, you would be very hesitant. Just like everyone else that went through here.” Jasper cleared out her tears that were developing in her eye.

“What are you a baby?”

“Shut it! Ugh...” I applied a small bandage that the lady gave me. I think my wrist is bruised up now.

“So, what’s next?”

“Well, we got to get your retina scanned and a photo of you.”

“This doesn’t involve needles right?” The lady laughed.

“No, no… it's just your normal eye scanner and camera, stand right in front of those cameras and face forward.” I stood right in front of the machine, standing still as the lady was preparing for my photo scan.

“HYAA!”

“AHHH-” Out of nowhere, this idiot decides to scare the crap out of me. I jumped and ended up hitting my head on the overhead device the machine had.

“AGH YOU FUCKING BITCH! WHY?” Both her and the lady burst out in laughter. Jasper fell to the ground crying in laughter, unable to stop.

“Ah you are just so fun to tease! I’m just trying to have fun.” Just take the damn picture already.

-----------

“Alright here’s your identification card.” She handed the light blue card that was printed on the spot. It was actually made of metal rather than plastic, so it felt kind of hefty.

The lady suddenly pressed a circle like shape on the card, showing a hologram of myself with extra information on the side.

“This card comes with a built-in Bio-Hologram to show your vitals, identification, and everything that is about you. It can also act as your credit card, train pass, and other important things for living here. So, try not to lose it.” Ah. I see.

As we were finishing up, the clerk went through my files again, making sure we had gotten everything that I needed.

“Leftanant, he hasn’t been evaluated on his skill, correct?”

“Yes ma’am. We’ll be testing him at the academy grounds.”

“Wait, wait. Evaluating for what?” Jasper grabbed her stuff and opened up the door to the main office.

“I’ll let the director talk to you about it. He can tell you more about it in depth than I can. Other than that, we really have to head to the academy if you want answers.” I sighed. Once again, I was denied any answers that I needed.

“Well, thank you for this!” I put on a smile and shook her hand.

“Hey, we don’t have all day!” My shirt was aggressively tugged by Jasper out the office as the lady waved bye at me. We walked outside the building to the open road, fully busy with cars and civilians alike. I’m surprised how this whole city is unknown to the rest of the world and how well it has been kept a secret. People are dressed as if they were normal people or tourists. It’s kind of funny now that Jasper is the odd one out, wearing military gear… well… maybe myself as well with the amount of shit I’m carrying.

We walked for a few minutes until we reached a monorail station, hopping on to head to the academy. Looking out the window, the city looked amazing. Skyscrapers and buildings with nature blending in with the environment. It was like a white city sprinkled with nature. The tallest building that the city had dwarfed everything else around it. Jasper immediately pointed to the tower.

“That right there is the Citadel, the main governing building and concealment shield for this island. Keeps us off the radar, off the maps, and off from sight. You could say thanks to the Falseans for this technology, otherwise this place wouldn’t exist- ah, well, maybe exist for the people serving it.” Ah yes the Falseans. The other human-like species that came down to earth. Couldn’t time it any better during the war. They were basically the same as humans, almost like it was coincidental. There are some weird attributes that could be different from them to humans, but other than that, humans and Falseans could easily create a baby to make a trans breed.

Take for me for example. My mother was Falsean as my dad was a regular human. Practically, I just look like any other human being but with Falsean blood. So it really isn’t anything special or good about anything.

“How long are you going to stand up? You are making me anxious by just standing in front of me.” I scoffed. She moved her bag and offered me a seat. I sat down and put my bag on the floor. The train was practically empty, just us two on here.

A few minutes passed and all that happened was silence. I felt awkward sitting next to her even though there were other seats around the car, but I felt that it could be kind of rude if I just moved.

“So Jasper…”

“Whats up?”

“What’s going to happen to me at this academy? I haven’t been told anything for the past few hours but just to wait.” Jasper leaned back looking out the train window.

“Well since it's going to be several minutes until we arrive, I guess I can give you some of the spill. I was actually told not to tell you anything until you talk to the director. It’s complicated but I think you could understand.” She took a deep breath and let out a small sigh.

“So, earlier I told you this was an elite school and how just a select few get chosen to join right?”

“Yes, I do remember you saying that…”

“Well, I really mean it that if you are selected, there is a reason why you are chosen. This academy boasts many people from Earth and Falsea with their own reason being chosen. From specialized talents to superior skill. Some join because it may be a second chance for them, an open opportunity that not many people in this universe can take.” She let out a sigh again.

“I’m sorry but the director can only talk to you about this. Usually I would be able to tell people why they are chosen but the director instructed me not to tell you anything.” Groaning, I leaned back looking up at the ceiling. I guess there’s more waiting.

“I just don’t understand. I’m not that special, I’m not that talented at anything.”

“What I can say is that it is probably this…” She held out my dog tag, showing the name of my father towards me.

“You’re the son of Batake Kizuato, seventh generation ace and leader of the first recker battalion. Everyone looked up to him and his enemies feared him. They called him the beast, The Kemono.” I took my tag back and looked at it.

“I get that I was his son… but what good is inside me? What does bearing a hero’s name have to do with anything-” The train started to slow down.

“Next station, Heiwa Academy and Research Center.” Jasper quickly gathered all her belongings and started to walk to the door.

Getting up from my seat and peaking my head out of the window, the complex of the school spiralled out immediately from the coast line, stone after stone making up the walkways for on-the-go students and faculty. From where the train was on the side of the hill, one could see just how vast and intricate the layout of the school was, The ocean’s waves lapped at the some of the supports that ran over the water, the compound that I would soon be stepping foot on lying right next to the coast line.

“Ah this view never gets boring!”

“I can see that… Whoa...” I think this island surprises me more than anything else in the world.

---------

“What are you waiting for?”

“Wait, hang on!” I scurried out of the train and followed Jasper to the exit of the station. We arrived near the entrance of the academy but already on campus grounds. Everywhere was bustling with activity. It looked like any other school with students doing their own business.

Me and Jasper continued to walk down the path to wherever the director’s office was. For some reason I felt a little unsettled, like stares were being thrown at my direction… people are staring at me. I looked down at myself, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone nearby. I could hear subtle whispers like “look at him” or “a new kid again?”.

I probably should’ve put on my uniform beforehand…

“Uagh!” I accidentally bumped into Jasper without looking. She stopped right in the middle of the place.

“Watch where you are going!” She looked back at me, staring down at me like it was a sin to bump into her.

“Sorry, I can’t focus much with the amount of crap I’m carrying.” She kept looking at me until she made a smirk on that face and softly laughed.

“What now?”

“Oh nothing, I just find you very amusing. Here let me help you.” She takes my duffle bag and hangs it on her shoulder. I’m starting to think that she has multiple personalities. one second she can be bubbly and annoying while the other can be very caring or serious… I don’t know. Is she always this complicated?

“Hey Akani.” I looked up to her. She was smiling, the corners of her mouth upturned but her lips pressed into a thin line that was uncharacteristic of her usual bubbly, bright grin.

“How do you feel about everything right now?”

“Um… What do you mean?”

“Just… like, what do you think about what about today?” I sighed.

“If you want my honest opinion, I’m just so misinformed about everything. And how everything is happening in just a single day, I’m quite overwhelmed! I… I’m confused and agitated. And you… I-I… agh! Nevermind.” I gushed, Jasper looking at me with that same sad smile

“Ah, I see… I’m sorry that you feel that way.” She laughed off the problem like it was some dust on her shoulder. I started to feel bad but, I’m not going to lie about anything that goes with my emotions.

“I know you were just doing your job. Just probably for future reference, maybe brief your plan before following through… I kinda knew something was off when I was being chased up to the rooftop… there was no plan in place.”

“Yeah ahah... “ She looked down, sighing in disappointment.

“Maybe I’m not fit for this…” She said under her breath. I almost pitied her. I didn’t know what to say. I could’ve just left off with that and disregard her feelings about everything, but even if I did, I wouldn't feel any better if I had it my way as well. Agh, I don’t know! I don’t know anything!

Maybe I should just say something… Even if I have to lie.

“You know, you shouldn’t beat yourself up too much over something like this.” She finally looked at me.

“I don’t know how long you’ve been in this scene but, not everything is going to be perfect or going to go your way, even if you had a plan…” I smiled at her, doing my best to cheer her gloomy state. She slowly began to break that sad expression of hers and grow out of that downhearted mindset.

“If I had to tell you something it would be-” As I was about to put my thoughts into words, a small figure in the distance caught my eye right behind Jasper. It was running towards us fast, way too fast… and it was holding a knife? A woman-like yell started to fade into the surrounding area, widening my eyes and realizing what that person was trying to achieve.

“Watch out!” Jasper looked confused.

“Wait, what-”

“WATCH OUT! BEHIND YOU!” She turned around and saw the attacker running at full force. The figure leaped and came at Jasper with a knife in its hand, ready to stab and slash. Jasper quickly unsheathes her knife of herself and blocks the attacker’s strike, holding and struggling to keep the blade off her skin.

“AGH! GET OFF ME!” She pushes off the attacker, both putting distance between each other. Looking closer, the attacker was a dark haired girl, wearing knee pads and elbow guards over her uniform. She was panting, sweating like a fountain, and stanced as if she was going to strike again.

“What the hell is your problem-” The girl swiftly took out a pistol and aimed it at Jasper. The commotion caught on with everyone in the surrounding area, talking and gossiping of what was to come.

“You bitch! Challenge me to a duel again! I’ll pay you back for what you did to me this week!” Frustrated, Jasper groaned and put her knife back into its sheath.

“Fucking hell. Why can’t you just leave me alone! Can’t you see I’m busy with something?!” As Jasper dusted herself off, I tapped on her shoulder to gain her attention.

“Who is that?”

“Aghhh… it’s this stupid girl, always wanting to battle me for my rank. Thinks that we’re quote on quote, “Rivals”.” The girl then looked at me and smirked.

“We are! And who did you have there? Are you hitting on him? What a joke!” Damn this girl is a bitch for no reason. She’s outright laughing.

Jasper’s fists started to clench up, almost to the point I could see her veins popping out. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

“I’m telling you right now, if you don’t walk away and mind your own business, I’m going to rip out your fucking throat and make you suffocate without it!” Whoa, this is scary. Another side of Jasper I haven’t seen yet.

“Let’s go Akani, the director’s office is this way.” She picked up the duffle bag she dropped earlier and led me in the other direction of the girl. She walked aggressively, but not like she was stomping her feet like a little kid being punished. I wish I could’ve done something, but I would just be practically useless against anyone in this school.

The girl, left there without any answer, let out an annoyed growl of anger, not wanting to accept the stalemate that Jasper made.

“I see, avoiding a duel again… what a fucking coward. It's like the seventh time already Jasper-” Before even finishing her sentence, Jasper took out her MP7 and unloaded her entire magazine worth of ammo. I covered my head and ears as the gun rattled the surroundings until it ceased. Commotion of the plaza started to grow as people were watching or running away. As the dust settled from the bullets, the girl was seen to be hiding behind a wall, untouched by the volley of lead.

“AGH!” She got out of the cover and started to fire at our direction. The bullets sporadically hit around us, none close to hitting their mark. I looked at her for a second… It was almost like an untrained child firing a gun. Who the hell thought it was okay for her to use a gun?

“Akani, could you hold on to this for a second?” She handed me the duffle bag and reached into one of her pouches. She pulled out what appeared to be a smoke grenade and pulled the pin on it.

“This should give us some time.” As she threw it right next to us, smoke started to pour out at an immense rate. She grabbed me and started to lead me to the office. I looked back and the girl was already chasing us down and slowly gaining on us.

“HEY GET BACK HERE! COME HERE AND FIGHT ME!” I’m starting to have some deja vu. Are people really this dumb?