Meet teenagers Jim Lake and Y/N L/N. Two great kids here in his small town called Arcadia.
Although every day might be the same, go to school, do homework, and hang out with friends, nothing troubling ever happens here in Arcadia.
But when fate giv...
The classroom was dimly lit, a projector screen glowing brightly with a map showing various military movements flickered in the front of the room.
Strickler's voice echoed, his face serious and his gestures precise as he lectured about war and strategy.
"War is constant chaos," Strickler declared, his fist raised for emphasis. "The winner controls not just his own chaos, but his enemy's as well."
Y/N sat in the back, observing with a keen eye. He couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu, recalling the night he had witnessed Strickler with Bular. It was the same strategic mindset, the same focus on control and chaos that had caught Y/N's attention that night.
Strickler's voice continued, discussing Napoleon's downfall and the role of seemingly insignificant factors. The classroom's energy was low, with most students struggling to stay awake.
"Napoleon's armies were defeated by an insignificant insect – the mosquito," Strickler explained. "War is full of unexpected twists, where even the smallest things can make a difference."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and the students began to leave. As Y/N got up, he exchanged a knowing look with Jim and Toby. Strickler's words held a deeper meaning for Y/N, given what he had seen.
Jim, however, was less subtle. "Look at that. He's got the whole class eating out of his hand," he remarked, his frustration evident. Toby chimed in with a hint of sarcasm, "His creepy troll hand."
Jim's annoyance was palpable as he expressed his feelings about Strickler's betrayal. Y/N couldn't help but interject, his tone dripping with subtle irony, "Funny how some people can appear trustworthy when they're anything but."
As the conversation turned to Bular's words, Y/N listened intently. "Bular called us 'Young Atlases,'" Jim mused. "Only Strickler calls us that."
Y/N's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. He had noticed that detail, too, the specific term Strickler used to address both him and Jim. It was a small yet significant clue that suggested Strickler's deeper involvement.
As the class dispersed, including Toby, Y/N watched Strickler as he approached him and Jim. Y/N's gaze sharpened, and he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine. Strickler's words held a dual meaning for both of them.
Tardily, as Claire and Darci discussed a situation at the classroom door, Y/N was keenly aware of their conversation due to his ability to read lips.
However, he couldn't grasp the full context of their conversation.
He saw Claire's smile fade when his name was mentioned, and their eyes locked briefly.
"Looks like someone has eyes for Jim," Darci teased, her tone playful yet observant. "Or could it be Y/N?"
Claire's expression shifted, her gaze moving to Y/N this time. His eyes met hers, a silent exchange of unspoken thoughts passing between them.
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