The Veilwalker

"…" Brad had no response to that.

He had lost one of his buddies in the cosmic mana wave displacement. While he was not close friends with that friend in particular, it still affected him. After all, it was only this morning that they were all excited about visiting the Hunter Academy.

"But don't you find it weird that Alex was the only one who survived?" One of the students raised a question everyone wanted an answer to. The students from the other schools also present in the common room were now focusing on what the students at Newhaven School were discussing.

"Yeah, but shouldn't we be glad he did? Maybe his experience could help us overcome the cosmic mana wave." A girl gave her take on the issue.

"Tch. I doubt that. For all we know, he wasn't even displaced and was only transported to the same spot as every else. Or maybe he was shielded by the others." Another raised a valid point but had to add a stupid comment at the end. When the students heard this take, they began thinking of the feasibility of it happening.

While their knowledge of the cosmic mana wave was minimal, they knew enough to understand that no one, not even hero hunters could survive.

"And what if he was?" Ross chipped in with an annoyed look. He cast a glance at the person who belittled his friend's experience. "Just as Serali said, it could be a chance for us to know how to overcome the cosmic mana wave. And instead of being glad that he did, you are here trying to make him out to be the bad guy."

The class momentarily went quiet as everyone digested the words of Ross. Ross shook his head disappointedly. He understood that most of the boys did not like him because of the influence of Brad while the other half did not care at all.

One male student in glasses raised another point. "What if he could still end up dying?"

Ross nearly got up to beat the person who said that. "Relax bro, I'm just saying. What if him surviving this long is just that, surviving? He could even end up dying a day, a week or a month later, no one knows as this is unchartered territory."

Again, a valid point, but the point was that no one had lived longer than a few minutes of displacement through the veiled spaces.

"Well, that remains to be seen… Right now, all I want to do is go home." Brad said, sighing. He folded his hands and closed his eyes. If he was being honest, he didn't really care about Alex, he never did. Maybe it was because of how he always acted as if he was better than everyone else or because he never responded to his antics.

"Yeah…But I don't think I'd go back on a spaceship. What if the cosmic mana wave comes back?" Of course, an experience like that would traumatize them.

"It's unlikely. What happened to us is not something that occurs regularly, especially so close to a habited planet. That was a thing of the past. Besides, they could simply put us to sleep, and we wouldn't know how we got back home."

The students became quiet once again. At this point, there was really nothing else to say. And due to this event, their trip had been suspended indefinitely. As most of the students present already having plans of attending the Hunters Academy once they graduated middle school, there was no need to worry about the missed experience.

While the talks continued among the students, one of the teachers walked in.

"Attention everyone. We'd be returning to Earth in a few hours. In the meantime, you'd be guided back to your rooms where your smartwatches would be waiting. And don't worry, you'd be using the teleportation hubs this time."

As soon as he finished, sighs of relieve were heard from the students. They began getting up to move to their allotted rooms. The AI bots waiting by the entrance guided them to their destination.

Ross moved to the teacher and asked, "Sir, would it be possible to see Alexander Gray?"

The teacher looked at the boy who was taller than him and nodded, "Of course. Follow me."

While the teacher didn't know the boy as he was a student at a different school, he had no reason to deny his request, and there was no rule that said Alex could not see anyone.

Ross displaced a bright smile and followed behind the teacher.

...

"Don't worry mom, I'm perfectly fine. I am not being mistreated or anything of the sorts. If anything, I am being treated well.

"It's just that I'd have to spend a few days as they wish to make sure nothing happens." Alex was currently in front of a holographic display talking to his parents. His mom was especially worried about him, and he had spent a good portion of the call reassuring her of his wellbeing.

[Okay… if you say so.]

His mom's reply came. He felt warm inside seeing how much his family was worried about him, and rightly so.

'I think I am taking this too lightly. It's really a miracle I am even alive.'

[Son, do what must be done and return quickly. And don't worry about your brother and sister, I'll inform them of your wellbeing.]

"Thanks, dad."

Alex heard a knock at the door. He was currently in a room only for him. The room was spacious and had furniture, a centre table, a bed and an adjoining washroom. It also had a killer view of the planet below.

"I have to go. There's someone at the door. I'll call you guys again soon. Take care." Alex quickly ended the call and responded to the knock.

"The door's opened."

Entering the room was his best friend, Ross Bongu.

"Hey, what's up?" Ross greeted with a smile. Seeing his friend brought a smile to his face. He got up and moved closer to him, giving him a bro hug.