“If this isn’t about school rivalries… then what’s the real reason behind this violence?”

  “Area codes,” Headmaster Rebeun says quietly.

  “Huh?!” Judah snapped. “That still exists?! I thought that died with the Year Tens and Elevens — ever since Gad and Asher stepped in to lead them,” Levi adds

  “That’s true,” Gad, Head of Year Ten, said.

  “We put an end to the vicious area-code wars back then. It got so bad we were constantly calling parents to tell them their child had passed away.”

  “However,” Asher, Head of Year Eleven, added casually, rocking back in his chair as he ate his snacks,

  “you can’t put a stop to inspiration.”

  “Inspiration?” Judah repeats.

  “Exactly,” Rebeun said.

  “It’s mostly our male students — but we can’t ignore the females either. They’re involved as well.”

  “I see,” Issachar said slowly.

  “But I don’t understand why that would inspire them. Shouldn’t it scare them? What happened to our Year Tens and Elevens back then was either prison… or death.”

  “It’s the power,” Alfred said calmly.

  “The respect. The approval of the opposite sex.”

  He paused.

  “And trust me — it feels even sweeter when you dominate someone who can’t fight back.”

  “The individuals who can’t use their Chi-Lungs,” Simeon clarified. “That’s who you’re referring to?”

  “Yes.”

  Judah frowned.

  “So let me get this straight. Are our students fighting people from other areas… or are they bullying those who can’t use their Chi-Lungs?”

  “The students who can’t use their Chi-Lungs end up living together in the same areas — places where people like them gather. Those areas are where the territory marking usually happens,” Alfred says.

  “So you’re telling me it just so happens that the areas they’re fighting over are places where the majority of students who can use Chi-Lungs or Flexing live?” Levi says. “Wait… has it always been like that?”

  “Sounds too coincidental, doesn’t it? Anyway, I don’t want to get political—”

  Alfred digs through his pockets, going through the contraband he confiscated from the students earlier. One item stands out — a small packet of powder. He’s just about to throw it away when it immediately catches Headmaster Rebeun’s eye.

  “Where the hell did you get that?!”

  The voice is sharp and commanding. Despite there being no water inside the room, the currents outside suddenly shift, spiralling violently. A typhoon forms beyond the dojo walls, and students throughout the building panic — rushing into classrooms or scrambling for cover.

  “Headmaster,” Simeon says firmly, snapping him back to his senses.

  “What happened?” Alfred breaks into a sweat. Looking around the table, he notices the shift — Judah, once loud and aggressive, now sits completely still, eyes cold. Simeon, Levi, and Issachar mirror the same tension.

  “Why wasn’t that the first thing you mentioned to us?” Judah says calmly, though his glare feels like a blade pressed to Alfred’s throat.

  “Depending on your answer,” Levi adds, “will dictate whether you still have a job, Ephraim Alfred.”

  Her pupils are barely visible behind her glasses — just cold, reflective glass.

  “We’re waiting for your response, Alfred,” Issachar says.

  What? I thought the packet was some sugary sweet. Is it dangerous?

  Alfred keeps a straight face, though his nerves are screaming.

  “Calm down, all three of you,” Simeon says. “From the way he handled it, he clearly has no idea what it is.”

  “What you’re carrying is a drug, Alfred.” Reuben mentions.

  “A drug?” Alfred blurts out. “Why does one of my ten-year-olds have drugs on them?!”

  “Tell us who the student is,” Levi says sharply. “We’ll arrange an expulsion letter and a meeting with their parents immediately.” She rises from her seat, already moving toward the door.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Wait — hold on!” Alfred says urgently. “What is this drug? We don’t know how they got it. They might not even know it’s a drug — they could’ve thought it was a sweet!”

  Levi doesn’t slow.

  “Slow your sea horses, Granny,” Judah mutters.

  Levi pauses.

  “We’re not expelling anyone. Come take a seat, and leave expulsions to the Behaviour and Safeguarding Head — which is me,” Judah says.

  “You’re too soft. And call me Granny again and you’ll find out what happens to you,” Levi snaps.

  “It was the only thing I knew would stop you in your tracks,” Judah replies calmly.

  Alfred looks around the table and notices that, aside from Mr Dan — Head of Year Eight — all the remaining Heads of Years wore expressions of confusion, as if they have no idea what’s going on.

  Is this something only the elders know about? And how dangerous is this drug? Alfred wonders.

  “Haven’t our assemblies introduced the concept of drugs and warned students to stay away from them?” Headmaster Reuben asks.

  “Only for Years Nine to Eleven,” Levi replies. “I felt Years Six to Eight were too young to be exposed to drugs. I feared the curiosity alone might push them toward it — their brains are barely developed.”

  “Alright,” Rebeun says. “Now that it’s reached them, I want them properly educated. Show them everything about drugs. Heads of Year — you’ll learn exactly what that substance Mr Alfred was carrying can do.”

  At that moment, Gaedric enters the meeting, with his mask hung around his neck, wet as water drops on his robe to the ground.

  “Erm… hehe… sorry I’m late, everyone.”

  He’s met with nothing but serious, disappointed scowls.

  “Ah… yes. Sorry for being late,” Gaedric adds awkwardly. “You know — family business.”

  Gaedric chuckles nervously as the scowls don’t let up. However, a few people react with small chuckles and smiles — Headmaster Reuben, Levi, Naphtali (Head of Year Nine), as well as Gad and Asher.

  “So… why does everyone look so tense?” Gaedric asks.

  They fill him in on everything that has occurred that morning, along with the discussions that have already taken place.

  Gaedric’s expression hardens almost immediately.

  “I bet the student found with the drug is someone who can’t use their Chi-Lungs.”

  “Wait — you know what the drug is?” Alfred asks. “And why only individuals who can’t use their Chi-Lungs?”

  “That isn’t important right now,” Gaedric says sternly.

  Why is it that the moment drugs are involved, everyone tenses up? Even Gaedric knows something.

  “This is exactly why I’ve been pushing for years to establish a mental health facility club,” Gaedric continues,

  “a safe space for young students who can’t use Chi-Lungs — or even those who struggle with Flexing. They’re mistreated by society, passively suppressed. Trust me, if nothing is done by responsible adults, an irrational and angry person will eventually try to ‘fix’ the problem themselves.”

  “I understand your frustrations, Gaedric,” Headmaster Reuben says.

  “However, we’ve contacted the government multiple times. They keep dismissing it — claiming that due to our water nature, we’re meant to be adaptive and versatile. Catering specifically to those without Chi-Lungs or Flexing is seen as ‘playing favourites.’”

  “What? Favourites?” Gaedric snaps.

  “That’s the government’s stance — not mine,” Reuben replies calmly.

  “This is ridiculous! I have a son who can’t use his Chi-Lungs yet! If I ever found him with one of those drugs, I swear to you I’d—”

  “You’d do what?” Simeon cuts in sharply.

  Gaedric clamps his mouth shut.

  “As much as we’re responsible for students within dojo facilities,” Simeon continues,

  “once they’re outside — in their homes — responsibility falls to the parents. If you want to educate your son about drugs and life, that’s on you. But don’t release immature anger on us now. We’re trying to find a solution.”

  Gaedric goes quiet, embarrassment creeping in.

  “You’re right, Deputy Simeon,” he finally says.

  “I know we’ve been discussing safeguarding and protection,” Simeon continues,

  “but first, we need to contact The Current Keepers and inform them of what we’ve discovered.”

  “Yes,” Reuben adds, fingers slowly tightening together, faint veins emerging along his temple.

  “We need to find out who’s distributing these drugs to our children. They don’t simply appear out of nowhere. Our students are being groomed — and we, as educators, will open our own investigation to support The Current Keepers.”

  “Then I want to be part of that investigation,” Gaedric says firmly.

  “With due respect,” Alfred adds, “I would like to be as well.”

  “Alfred, yes. Gaedric, no.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Alfred replies.

  “What?!” Gaedric snaps his head toward Alfred, then back to the Headmaster.

  “From now on, we will be increasing security within the dojo grounds,” the Headmaster says, extending an arm as he issues the order.

  “Parents or guardians are now required to pick up and drop off their children.”

  “Huh?” Gaedric stiffens, clearly spooked.

  “What’s wrong?” Simeon asks, a slight grin forming — as if she’d been expecting this exact reaction.

  “Erm… am I included in that requirement?” Gaedric stammers, sweat forming.

  “As in… me? Head of Pastoral? Busy man. On school grounds?”

  “Yes. And this meeting is now dismissed,” the Headmaster says flatly.

  “Wait, wait — what about my wife? Can she do it instead?” Gaedric blurts out.

  Alfred places a hand on Gaedric’s shoulder as he walks past.

  “You know that’s impossible, Gaedric.”

  “Use this as an opportunity to bond with your son,” the Headmaster adds.

  The rest of the SLT members chime in, offering mock encouragement and joking remarks about improving his relationship with his child.

  “How do you all know I’m not close with my son?!” Gaedric exclaims, shocked.

  “Is this what they call workplace gossip?!”

  “YOU ALWAYS TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR SON,” the SLT members think in unison, their expressions tired.

  The room slowly empties until only Headmaster Reuben and Deputy Simeon remain — along with Gaedric.

  “Gaedric,” Headmaster Rebeun says calmly,

  “could you stay behind for a moment? We’d like to have a word with you.”