"And where exactly are we going? That planet is enormous," remarked the taller and more robust of the two figures, looking at the scientist with some impatience.
The scientist responded without flinching:
"That doesn't matter. You'll go to one of the active portals. Then, with this device, you'll be able to locate another."
Without further explanation, both vanished from the lab in a flash of light.
Moments later, they reappeared in what seemed to be an enormous ancient tomb, shrouded in mystery and shadows. Without wasting time, they began searching for an exit. As they moved forward, they encountered someone who addressed them with authority:
"What are you doing here?"
Both figures reacted swiftly, drawing futuristic pistols from their belts and firing without hesitation. The person who had confronted them turned out to be a guard of the site, who managed to call for reinforcements before being taken down. His colleagues arrived shortly after, but they were neutralized just as easily by the advanced weapons of the mysterious silver-armored visitors.
Alarms began blaring loudly, flooding the area with blinking red lights. A familiar voice emerged from a watch-like device worn by one of the nearby agents. It was Marie.
"The person wearing the watch is none other than Agent B-12," she said calmly. "Though this should really be handled by Eduard's team, you know… paranormal stuff." She paused briefly, as if joking. "But oh well, I'll take care of it."
Agent B-12, who looked notably younger (as if he were twenty-six instead of his actual age), nodded and prepared to act.
At that moment, Nick arrived on the scene in his jeep, speeding toward the commotion. Suddenly, a massive beam shot out from one of the nearby pyramids—it was the two silver-armored figures. Without hesitation, Nick engaged in combat, firing his weapon at them. However, he soon noticed something unsettling: the bullets had no effect on them. Worse still, they ricocheted upon impact.
"This makes no sense," Nick muttered, frowning as he watched the bullets bounce off the armored figures ineffectively.
He decided to change tactics and attempted to ram them with the vehicle, accelerating full speed toward them. Just before the jeep collided with the enemies, Nick agilely leaped from the driver's seat, rolling across the ground to cushion his fall.
"Hey! Nick, don't destroy monuments!" Marie's voice rang out from the watch, laced with frustration. "Besides, we need those subjects alive for questioning."
Nick quickly apologized, getting up from the ground with a somewhat embarrassed expression. To his surprise, not only were the figures unharmed, but they also demonstrated superhuman strength. The taller one lifted the jeep effortlessly, as if it were a mere toy, and tossed it aside with a fluid motion. The vehicle crashed a few meters away from Nick with a metallic clang that echoed throughout the area.
The shorter figure began shooting directly at Nick, who managed to dodge the beams with agility. However, he failed to notice that the larger one had lunged toward him with brutal force, like a rugby player mid-tackle. The impact was devastating: Nick was sent flying through the air, spinning several times before beginning his descent toward the ground.
But just before he hit the ground, bandages surged up from beneath the surface, wrapping around him and cushioning his fall. Nick looked up, visibly relieved.
"Ah! It's you! Thanks," he said, recognizing Isis, who had arrived to assist him.
Isis wasn't alone. By her side, Eduard, her leader, observed the scene with a serious expression. Like Nick, he looked much younger, as if time had rewound decades. Instead of sixty, he appeared to be about thirty years old.
Marie, from the watch, couldn't help but think aloud:
"Why does everyone look so young? This is very strange…"
Nick and other members of the team silently shared the same question as they watched the two silver-armored figures prepare for their next move.
"We'll discuss this later," Eduard said firmly as he lunged toward the larger enemy, delivering a massive punch directly to his face.
A thunderous boom echoed through the area upon impact, but to his astonishment, the blow seemed to have no effect.
"But… how…?" Eduard murmured, incredulous. However, he had no time to react when the enemy responded with a powerful right hook that sent him flying through the air like a leaf in the wind.
Simultaneously, Isis used her bandages to try to disarm the other figure, who continued firing relentlessly. When the bandages touched the weapon, it emitted some kind of electric defense, triggering an intense shock. Isis writhed in pain, falling to her knees as the bandages returned to their original form.
From within the silver armor, a cold and authoritative voice rang out:
"Stop playing around and find what you're here for."
Both figures exchanged a quick glance before pressing something on their arms. In an instant, they unleashed a blinding explosion that illuminated the entire battlefield. The agents shielded their eyes, disoriented, and when they finally managed to open them again, the enemies were gone.
Agency personnel arrived shortly after to establish a perimeter and search for any trace of the intruders. However, they found nothing. It was clear that the figures possessed highly advanced technology, completely unknown to Earth. Nick and Eduard, still recovering from the confrontation, wondered who these strangers were and what they could be searching for here.
In the sky, invisible thanks to their suits, both figures flew silently using small integrated rockets that emitted no sound.
"So this is Earth," the shorter one remarked disdainfully, observing from above. "They're useless and have ridiculous technology. It would be easy to take over this planet."
"Yes, but that's not our mission," the taller one replied coldly. "Our mission is to bring someone who has the power to open portals."
"Fine, let's go get him."
The scientist's voice emerged again from one of the suits, instructing them:
"Adopt human forms and use this device to locate what you're looking for."
A device emerged from one of their arms, projecting a holographic map. In it, an anomaly was highlighted over the United States.
"Alright, let's head there," said the taller one. Both maximized the thrusters in their suits, disappearing from the scene like shooting stars in the night sky.
Meanwhile, at Blue Hills School, Lidia and Rino were guiding the new students through the facilities. During the tour, they encountered Benny again, who looked much better now that he had cleaned off the soot covering his body. Beside him stood a girl with long blonde hair, wearing glasses and covering one of her eyes with a strand of hair.
"Yes, you're Benny, from what you told me," Lidia said, pointing to the elastic boy with a kind smile. She then turned her attention to the girl. "And you are…?"
"She's Abigail," Rino quickly responded, gesturing toward the girl.
Abigail nodded politely, though her expression remained reserved. Her single visible eye sparkled with curiosity behind her glasses, assessing the newcomers.
Something about the girl caught Riota's attention. There was something unusual about her, but Abigail simply covered herself with her blonde hair, avoiding direct eye contact with the new arrivals.
"Show-off," Lita muttered as she watched Abigail turn away without paying attention to anyone.
Amaya, always observant, smiled at Lita's comment. She glanced at the girl for a moment and then smiled to herself, as if she knew something the others hadn't yet noticed.
Once everyone was gathered, Lita and Rino began guiding the students on a detailed tour of the school complex, showing them each of the buildings. Most of the students were fascinated by the imposing and modern structures, though others, like Cain, seemed bored and indifferent.
"This place has three main buildings," Lita explained clearly as they walked. "The first is for regular classes, like history, math, and other basic subjects. The second is for training your powers and skills; it's made with durable materials. And the third… well, that one's for teachers, staff, and advanced programs. In other words: restricted zone. So stay away from there, got it?"
Her words lingered in everyone's minds, but especially in Cain, Lania, and Sonia, who exchanged knowing glances. It was clear they intended to visit it anyway, regardless of the warnings.
Finally, they explained that there were also outdoor activities, similar to those of any traditional school. Among them, soccer stood out, catching Dante's attention, and athletics, which piqued Piti's interest.
After completing the tour, the students received their uniforms, identical to the ones Maria and Billy wore. They were also informed that they would be separated by knowledge levels and ages. Additionally, they were told that behind the main building, there was another designated for the dormitories where they would live during their stay.
"Get ready," Lidia announced firmly. "We've already decided who will stay with whom. Five per room, of course: boys separated from girls."
Floud raised his hand, concerned.
"And what about Podbe?"
Rino smiled before responding:
"Of course, he'll stay with Aiden. So he doesn't count as part of the five."
Without further delay, the students collected their uniforms and some additional clothing before heading to their respective rooms.
Aiden and Podbe received the key to their accommodation and headed toward the corresponding door. With some curiosity, Aiden turned the key and slowly opened the door. To their surprise, a voice greeted them from inside.
"Ah! It's you," the voice said, freezing both Aiden and Podbe in place.