Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

The return to the academy was made in silence. · The three of them walked a few steps ahead of Brock. The air between Eli, Yana and Lygar was no longer as sharp as before, but it wasn’t light either. The words exchanged in the forest still lingered. · When they reached the gates, Brock simply said: · “Go rest. The report stays with me.” · He left no room for questions. Yana headed toward the girls’ dormitories. Lygar disappeared quickly into the corridors. Eli stood still in the courtyard for a few seconds before walking away as well. · On the way to his room, the sentences came back with force. · “Why do you assume you’re a Vindicari when you have Aquila human blood?” · “You know that even to the Vindicari you’re just another one.” · And above them, Brock’s calmer, more serious voice: · “Strength without identity is just noise. Until you figure out who you really are, you’ll keep falling behind.” · Eli stopped by a window and looked at his reflection in the glass. The Light in his hands still responded, but it felt more fragile than ever. For the first time, the idea of “being like his father” no longer sounded only like a goal… it also sounded like an escape. · He clenched his fists and kept walking. · Later, in a private room in the main building, three men gathered. · Joseph Ville Light stood by the window, hands behind his back. Brock Rocket leaned against a table, wearing his usual tired expression. Professor Lito remained rigid, his face marked by contained irritation. · Joseph was the first to speak, his voice low and controlled: · “The terrorists are getting more and more bold. To the point of already being inside the school’s controlled areas. How did they get past the guards?” · Brock shrugged slightly. · “I don’t know, Joseph. But yes… it’s a bit strange that they managed to get so far so stealthily.” · Lito clenched his jaw. · “These vandals are growing and they’re threatening society. And worse: if this invasion reaches the newspaper covers, it will ruin Solaris’ reputation. We are the best… and terrorists just walk in like that?” · Brock raised a hand, trying to calm the tone. · “Come on, come on. That news won’t reach the papers. No one will say anything.” · Joseph slowly turned to the two of them. · “This could really show weakness in our academy. But this year’s Captations were truly poor in potential…” · Lito looked at him with clear contempt. · “It’s what we’ve been accepting lately, isn’t it, Joseph?” · Brock intervened again, his voice firmer: · “Let’s take it easy, okay? These are the first days. All the students will learn.” · Lito didn’t give up. His voice came out heavy with bitterness: · “This subject only makes me sad. How many Noxians were in the terrorist group?” · Brock held his gaze without changing. · “That’s the problem, Lito. It’s not only Noxians among the terrorists. I checked… and there are Vindicari and humans.” · Joseph closed his eyes for a brief moment. · “That’s tragic. They’re growing.” · The silence that followed was heavy. Lito looked away, still visibly irritated. Brock kept his relaxed posture, but his eyes were more attentive than usual. Joseph turned back to the window, staring toward the training forest. · While looking outside, a quiet thought crossed his mind: · Could there be an infiltrator inside the school? I’ll have to be careful about who I trust. · Outside, the academy continued its normal rhythm. But inside that room, the shadow of the infiltration had already begun to settle.