At break time, some of the orphans who had previously been under Aiden's control during the battle against Zeus recognized him and greeted him enthusiastically. However, his responses were curt and distant, still overwhelmed by everything he had endured. Maria and Billy, noticing his emotional state, kindly intervened, explaining to those greeting him that he wasn't feeling well.
Meanwhile, the twins began spreading malicious rumors about Aiden. They claimed he had become arrogant after appearing on international television and being hailed as a "savior," now believing himself superior to everyone else. According to them, Aiden avoided "the riffraff" because he thought he was better than everyone. Some students fell for their lies, others doubted, but very few questioned these claims.
As if that weren't enough, the twins added another falsehood: they insisted that Aiden couldn't use his powers at will and was as weak as those without special abilities—like certain teachers from lesser units (X, Y, or Z) who taught self-defense and weapons handling. To prove it, they urged everyone to gather in the basketball court area.
"And how do you expect him to get there, boss?" the twins asked Leonard, curious about his plan.
Leonard smirked smugly before replying:
"It's simple. We'll send someone to bring him here. He's naive and always eager to help others, so he'll fall right into our trap."
With that, the three devised their scheme with precision.
Meanwhile, Aiden and his friends were enjoying their break when suddenly, a small boy appeared. Tears streamed down his face as he told Aiden that he had lost his teddy bear and needed help finding it. At first, Aiden hesitated, but seeing the boy's sad and desperate expression, he decided to accompany him, along with Maria, Billy, and Podbe. Little did he know what awaited him.
When they asked the boy where he had last seen the teddy bear, he nervously replied:
"In the indoor basketball court."
Unsuspecting, the four of them—along with Podbe and the boy clutching Aiden's hand—headed toward the location.
Simultaneously, the venue was already filling up with curious students eager to see what was happening. The twins, noticing that many weren't paying attention to them, came up with a new strategy. They announced they were giving out free candy samples but instructed everyone to hide behind the bleachers and remain silent for a "big surprise."
Gradually, the place filled with students concealed in the shadows. The lights were off, creating a tense and anticipatory atmosphere.
"Alright, hide yourselves," the twins said with a sly smile, signaling that the "surprise" was about to arrive.
When Aiden and the others entered the venue, the doors slammed shut abruptly behind them. Podbe began barking, alert to the situation, but then vanished before their eyes, leaving Aiden stunned. One by one, Maria, Billy, and even the boy disappeared without a trace.
Aiden tried to move to search for the child, but he too had vanished. Confused and frightened, he slowly walked toward the center of the court. Suddenly, a bright light illuminated him from above, casting him like an unwilling protagonist in a theatrical performance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, behold… the portal boy!" Leonard announced mockingly as he appeared beside Aiden, who stood frozen beneath the spotlight.
Leonard stepped even closer and whispered with disdain:
"So, why don't you show everyone your great portal-making power?"
Aiden responded firmly, though his voice betrayed his frustration:
"I can't."
"Can't or won't because we're beneath you, huh? Hero!" Leonard mocked sarcastically, locking eyes with him.
"I can't because I was told not to use them," Aiden replied, struggling to keep his composure.
Leonard smiled cruelly before continuing:
"So it was all lies while you were on TV, right? They said you were one of the ones who saved Earth. But wait—didn't that evil guy turn out to be your blood relative? Your great-uncle, no less. Or are you going to deny that too?"
Aiden clenched his fists, fighting back the anger swelling inside him.
"I have nothing to do with what happened or the destruction. In fact, I didn't even know Zeus until last year when we faced him."
Leonard feigned surprise, then shook his head as if disappointed.
"So… You and your great-uncle are responsible for everything. If that weren't true, you wouldn't be wearing a shackle like the bad guys."
Suddenly, an invisible force immobilized Aiden, leaving him completely paralyzed.
"What is this?" Aiden asked, trying to stay calm.
"Relax, it's the twins," Leonard responded indifferently, tapping something unseen in the air in front of him. "They've got you pinned down with their powers."
At that moment, murmurs among the students began to grow louder. Everyone anxiously awaited the "big surprise."
"Quiet! Here it comes," Leonard announced with a triumphant smile.
Suddenly, a giant screen slowly descended from the ceiling, capturing everyone's attention. On it, live footage zoomed in on what Aiden had attached to his leg: an enlarged image of the restrictive device clamped around his ankle. The camera focused on the artifact with precision, highlighting every detail of its metallic design and blinking lights, as if presenting irrefutable evidence of something sinister.
The crowd reacted instantly. Whispers of astonishment and disdain spread like waves, growing in intensity. The glances that had once been curious or indifferent now turned accusatory, filled with judgment and distrust. Some students exchanged hushed comments, while others simply stared at the screen with expressions of disbelief and rejection.
Aiden felt the weight of those gazes crash over him like an avalanche. His breathing quickened, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen. That device, which had always been both a physical and emotional burden, was now exposed to everyone as a mark of guilt.
"There you go," Leonard said, pointing at the screen. "A hero doesn't wear these things. Only villains use them."
"No, I'm not a villain!" Aiden exclaimed, visibly nervous and heartbroken.
But no one seemed to hear him. The gazes of the onlookers grew cold and distrustful. Leonard seized the moment to deliver the final blow:
"You see, folks. We're surrounded by people aspiring to become agents—or simply criminals—in this place."
Feeling betrayed and humiliated, Aiden tried to speak again:
"But why? What's wrong with you? What do you have against me?"
Leonard stared at him intently, his eyes burning with hatred as his jaw tightened. Each word that escaped his lips struck like a calculated blow, laden with resentment and contempt.
"What? What's wrong with me?" Leonard repeated in a low but venomous voice, taking another step closer to Aiden. "You took away everything that could have been a happy life for me. I won't stop until you leave this place… or I bury you completely in loneliness."
His tone was cold, almost inhuman, as if every syllable had been designed to pierce Aiden's soul. The threat resonated not only in his words but also in the intensity of his gaze, which seemed intent on penetrating through him.
With those words, Leonard vanished instantly through one of his dark portals, leaving Aiden alone under the weight of accusatory stares.
The lights came on fully, and the students began to slowly emerge from their hiding spots. However, none dared to speak to Aiden, merely casting distrustful glances at him before leaving the venue.
Outside, Podbe, Billy, and Maria waited anxiously, unable to enter due to the crowd blocking the doors. When the doors finally opened and the students began to file out, they saw the little boy who had led them there, now clutching his teddy bear in hand.
The boy timidly walked past them and said:
"I'm sorry…"
The three quickly entered the venue. Podbe was the first to notice Aiden kneeling in the center of the court, head bowed, tears silently streaming down his cheeks. Maria and Billy tried to approach him, worried about his state, but before they could say anything, Aiden abruptly stood up and ran out of the place, leaving even his loyal companion Podbe behind.
Billy and Maria exchanged bewildered looks, while Podbe tilted his head, confused by his master's sudden departure.
"What? What happened here?" they murmured in unison, unable to comprehend what had occurred.
They tried asking some of the students leaving the venue, but no one responded. The cold, disdainful looks they received made it clear that, as Aiden's friends, they too were being targeted.
"I don't understand anything…" Billy muttered, frustrated.
The next day, Aiden didn't show up to any of his classes. His friends, along with the agents accompanying him, began to grow seriously concerned. Not even his roommates knew where he was. Meanwhile, the other students started treating not only Maria and Billy poorly but also Floud, Riota, and other young people who usually spent time with Aiden.
"What's going on?" they all whispered quietly, noticing that no one spoke to them or looked at them kindly anymore.
Elena intercepted Leonard and the twins in one of the hallways, visibly upset.
"This time you've gone too far, Leonard," she said firmly.
Leonard simply smirked with disdain, crossing his arms.
"Pfft! He deserved it. Everything that happened was because of him. Because of him, I lost the place where I was comfortable, I lost a great opportunity. I hate him. And you should thank me, darling," he replied coldly before walking off with the twins, leaving Elena even more dismayed.
As she watched them leave, Elena couldn't help but wonder:
"What could Aiden have possibly done to make this boy feel so much resentment toward him?"
Meanwhile, Andre met with Billy, Maria, and the others to discuss what had happened.
"Something's off. We need to investigate," Andre proposed with determination.
"But where do we start? No one pays attention to us," Billy added, visibly frustrated.
Riota interjected:
"If Mr. Ezekiel were available, he'd surely help us with this."
Benny, who was nearby, retorted with annoyance:
"Yes, he's around, but you need to schedule a formal meeting. That's what Ray told me."
"Fine, then I'll go see him," Riota announced resolutely.
Josh interrupted:
"But don't you know you'll have to go to the restricted building? That place is off-limits to students."
Hela and Cain quickly stepped forward.
"If you're going, I'm going with you," Hela said firmly.
"Me too," Cain added, crossing his arms.
Akira, ever practical, suggested:
"Maybe I can find some security cameras there. They might help us figure out what happened."
Maria nodded with determination:
"Alright, then let's go find answers about what happened in that place."
Timmy, who seemed equally confused, remarked:
"It's strange how all the students at school suddenly changed… except for us."
Gat interjected seriously:
"Then it's a plan."
Josh, always sarcastic, shot back:
"Yeah, but you weren't included."
Gat ignored the comment and added:
"It doesn't matter what happened before. I'm sorry about what happened with Benjamin, but Aiden matters to me, and everything he's been through. Right, Podbe?"
Diego looked around and noticed something odd.
"But… Podbe isn't here. Where could he have gone?"
Amaya frowned, worried:
"Maybe he went to look for Aiden."
In another location, two figures clad in silver suits hovered above the Blue Hills sign. A voice echoed from the device embedded in their suits:
"Sir, I believe we've arrived. How do you know?"
One of the figures responded calmly:
"Because the device activated again, showing the anomaly."
A clear order came through from the other end:
"Good. Bring him. And don't fail."
Both figures responded in unison:
"Understood."
With a subtle roar of their thrusters, they vanished in the direction of the campus, ready to carry out their mission.