“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”

― Heraclitus

Alaric stifled a yawn as he zoned out of the lesson. It had been a week since he had been discharged and his third day in the new soldier class they had been assigned to.

“Can anyone name the event that caused our kind to retreat back and build the 4 great cities to protect us? How about you Alaric?”

Alaric stared at the teacher in surprise before he stood up calmly and answered.

“The event known as the Sky’s collapse is what caused us to retreat. Hundreds of years ago, the sky was suddenly ripped open which led to the arrival of monsters and the creatures that followed them, mortems. Ever since then Humanity has retreated under the protection of the 4 great cities known as Vanbu, Piylas, Caso, and Klore. The 4 cities were meant to protect us against the attacks while we push and retake our land little by little.”

“That is….Correct, you may sit down.”

The professor was somewhat shocked as his plan of humiliating and using Alaric as an example failed. He continued his less anyways as Alaric went back to daydreaming.

As the bell rung Alaric yawned once again as he stood up along with the rest of the class. He began making his way to the door when the professor called out to the whole class.

“I forgot to mention, but in the upcoming days you will all be assigned to platoons and will be responsible for completing missions, which will award your team with points and a grade, which you need to become a solider. Now you are dismissed.”

The professor waved them off as he went back to packing his things up. Alaric, not wanting to be caught up in any other announcements, ran out the door as he sighed, checking the time on a nearby clock.

“Got a couple minutes I guess.”

He turn around as he headed back to his room and walked inside. Setting his stuff down, he grabbed his phone and tucked it away as he headed out to the front of the academy, which was placed in the middle of one of the great cities, Vanbu.

“Alaric, over here!”

He turned to the familiar voice and figure as he waved while making his way over.

“Hey Lein, so what did you want to show me again?”

“That’s a secret!” Lein smiled as he then began to walk off. “Just follow me!”

Alaric looked at him blankly before simply compiling. Curiosity built up in him as he wondered where they were going.

Soon enough he found out as he looked up at the giant tower-like structure that made Vanbu unique from the other cities.

“You seemed interested in research and knowledge I guess, so I thought it would be cool to take you here.” Lein smiled as he scratched his cheek.

“No I appreciate it….but how did you get access here? Isn’t this place off limits?”

“Well, my family has some connections high up, so they managed to call in some favors.”

Lein said as he dragged Alaric into the tower. They went through the standard security procedure before they got to look around.

“This place, The Tower of Vanbu is one of the most important places throughout the 4 great cities. This is where all our data is stored and where advancements and new information is found for the most part. Do to the importance, its heavily guarded as you saw before on our way here.”

Alaric was silent as Lein showed him around, pointing out the more interesting parts of the tower like a tour guide.

“Do you have any questions Alaric?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind me asking, but where did you get this information from?”

He raised an eyebrow at Lein as he stared at what seemed to be a pillar housing a bunch of wires and cords which was surrounded by guards.

“I got it from the some of the scientists who work here along with my parents.”

Alaric sighed as he dragged Lein out of earshot of the guards as he asked him.

“Have you ever questioned that they might have lied to you? That they might be telling you something so you won’t find the so-called truth?”

“No, why would my own parents lie to me? Aren’t you just being skeptical?”

Alaric leaned against a wall as he closed his eyes and opened them as he looked to Lein.

“Maybe, but what if i’m right then Lein? What if the people you trust so much lied to you about everything, then what would you do?”

Lein stayed silent as he pondered the question. He raised a finger after some time as he gave his answer.

“I would probably be mad at them, and I guess spread the truth so everyone would know.”

“Good enough answer.”

Alaric smirked as he pat his back as he walked past him before stopping, and looked over his shoulders.

“You still going to show me around or are you just gonna stay there like an idiot?”

Lein shook his head as he ran after Alaric. “Of course!”

He showed Alaric some more interesting parts points of the tower and their functions before stopping and leaving with him. They made their way back to the academy as they stopped at the gates once again.

“So Alaric, how did you like it?”

“It wasn’t bad, saw some interesting things, especially a couple which interest me greatly.”

Alaric smiled as he waved to Lein as he walked away.

“Well, thanks for the invite, i’ll see you later.”

“Y-yeah, see ya later Alaric.” Lein said as he waved back before heading back to his respective dorm.

He opened the door as he noticed Ajax wasn’t there as he shrugged. He took off some of his clothes as he went to the mirror to wash his face. He stopped as he looked at himself. His dark black hair along with his brown eyes, gave for quite the normal look, but not like it really mattered. He laughed, mostly at the course of events that happened over the last couple weeks, but mostly at himself. He was smart, he had some friends, and he survived. He even got promoted and learned some new things, but even with all that. He still felt weak.