A Timekeeper’s Awakening

"Please open your textbooks to pages 117 and 118," Professor Dura said.

The classroom was simple. Long tables stretched across the room, and the tables were set in a row of two. The room was made out of polished dark wood, which gave an earthy feeling to the room. Then, there was a teacher's desk made of the same wood with a chalkboard with wheels.

Cron had the same last class as Lia and Omar. Since there were no assigned spots, they sat together. Cron eagerly opened up his textbook. Omar casually opened up to the pages. Lia groaned and opened it slowly.

Once the class opened their textbook, Professor Dura spoke. "Okay, who here can tell me the beginning of New Onyx Province?"

A student raised her hand. "After a long war, we started a new."

"That is correct," Professor Dura said in her singsong voice. "After the tragedy, we committed ourselves and brought a new future. One without bloodshed. Who here can tell me what the war was for?"

Another student raised his hand. "It was because of us, right? Some people didn't want to use abilities anymore, and others did."

"Close, but not quite. Yes, it is true some of us didn't like our abilities. So, they tried to force that rule upon everyone. No one liked that, of course. But there were too many sacrifices on both sides. Eventually, the people who wanted to use their abilities freely won. Which leaves us with today. New Onyx Province is a place of wonder and joy. Now, with that, we will be studying how it all began. Because it wasn't called New Onyx at first. We had one more reset to go through. Thankfully, it was more about paperwork and no battles. Now, please get in a group of three, and I will tell you what you need to work on."

The class started partnering with nearby students, but Cron, Lia, and Omar stayed where they were. Lia groaned, "Oh, this is soooo boring."

"I think it's okay," Omar said.

"This is exciting," Cron said with glee. "I wonder what they used to do back then? Oh, what techniques do they use?"

"Ah, that's all boring! I don't wanna deal with that. Aren't you excited after classes?" Lia asked.

Cron considered this. He was excited to meet Lia's cousin, but there was always something about learning old things. What if there was an easier way of transport, or maybe jobs they used to have?

"Of course I am, but like you said, I am a bookworm," Cron smiled.

"Be less of that," Lia said. "History is one of the most boringest classes ever!"

"I don't think boringest is a word," Omar said.

"Oh no, he's a bookworm too," Lia said, burying her face in the textbook.

"History can be interesting," Cron tried.

Lia raised her face. "Yeah, the only interesting parts are the war parts. And the only one we have is the one before New Onyx Province. We never go in-depth with those battles or anything. Has there there been another war since then? No, because it has been peaceful after that."

Cron gave some thought to that. However, it was true in the many history classes Cron had taken. The teachers never go in depth about the war or what led up to the war. It was briefly covered, as it is now.

"Huh, I never thought about that before," Cron said.

"Right! Isn't that messed up?" Lia asked.

"Why would it matter?" Omar asked. "If the battle is over, why talk about it? I mean, it seems pointless."

"Yeah, but wouldn't it be cool to find out what battles occurred?" Lia asked.

Cron gave more thought to this. "I don't think it's pointless. I think there could be some kind of lesson from the past. But true, it would be cool to find out what battles took place."

Lia clapped her hands. "Thank you!"

"Alright, class, settle down," Professor Dura said. "Now you are all on the team. Please read over these two pages and write a short summary about them. You will present it today in front of the class."

After class, Cron, Lia, and Omar left the room. They didn't wait to drop off their bags in their dorm room; they left the academy. Many students were already doing their after-class activities.

Cron was excited to meet Lia's cousin. He wondered who they were and what kind of Orgone they had. Either way, Cron was looking forward to learning something new.

When they left the academy, Cron was confused about it. "Why are we leaving?"

"If I know my cousin, and I do, he would rather be at his house," Lia answered.

"Will we be back before curfew?" Omar asked.

"I'm pretty sure. Unless Cron impresses him so much that he stays talking his ear off all night."

They continued to walk the stone streets, waving to people working or taking a stroll. Soon enough, they were in a neighborhood. Each house was built with bright red bricks, and a lovely tree grew in the lush green front yard.

However, one house stood out. It was two stories tall and surrounded by a large black fence. The tree was different, too. Just as tall as the house, its leaves were reddish-white. Cron had never seen a tree as beautiful as this before.

Lia simply opened the front gate. Cron was shocked at her entry. "What are you doing? Arent' we suppose to knock?"

"Pfft, knock? It's my cousin, so there's no need for that."

But as Lia walked to the front door, she suddenly stopped. Cron was confused. "Uh, Lia?" Cron asked.

She didn't reply. Omar then looked at Lia and asked, "Uh, hello?" He tried putting a hand before her but suddenly stopped.

Lia and Omar were stuck in the same position as a fly on a spider's web. Cron didn't realize it at first, but he now understands. Lia's cousin was using a Stop Orgone, but the real question was, where is he?