The Ancient Genes

Resting Quarters, Ishtar Academy

"Is he picking up the phone?" Mark asked as he looked at Axel.

"Nah.." Axel shook his head, "Must be busy with his girl…hmmn..he sent a message.."

"What is it?" Mark asked when he saw an amused look appear on Axel's face.

"He said to do whatever we want to. He won't object," Axel replied with a laugh, "Can't believe it's the same guy. Since when did he become so docile."

"Try getting a girl, you may change too." Mark smiled at Axel.

"No thanks, 2D characters are all I need.." Axel politely declined him.

"What about Erina?" Mark asked with a meaningful smile.

"Was it Eren who put that thought into your head?" Axel asked with a frown.

"Well, I would say it is you and Erina to be exact.." Mark replied, "I mean, come on, you guys look good together.."

"From where? Which angle? I think you should get your eyes treated.." Axel shook his head.

"There you go again, you won't find a girl at that rate.."

"I don't see any problem in that and it works perfectly for me." Axel shrugged.

"Isn't it fine, leave him be. Who knows, it might not be as simple as we think." August's voice sounded in the room as he entered.

"You are taking his side?" Mark asked him.

"Well, we don't know if he is just pretending to like these 2D things to hide some real life defects. So, let's not talk about it." August looked at Axel's lower body, and Mark broke out in laughter.

"I see…I never thought about that." Mark nodded.

"Is it funny?" Axel totally ignored them, not affected by their comments in the least.

"Where are the rest of the guys?" Axel frowned looking at the time.

"You are the only one who is so strict. It's our first day in Ishtar, and would you cut everyone some slack. They are obviously out there enjoying themselves." Mark gave him a helpless look and sighed.

"Why don't we do this tomorrow?" Riser asked. He was the earliest to have arrived, and was present in the room from way before.

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea to me. Wilson will be here as well…probably.." Mark was still unsure if one night was going to be enough for them.

"Well, then if you guys have any thoughts then just say it out and we will continue this tomorrow." Axel had no other choice.

"What thought? It was as obvious as it could have been.." August shook his head, "Arthur can control sand, and they chose a dessert. His ability is not something common. It will be extremely difficult to beat him there.."

"True, he might wipe everyone on his own." Mark nodded.

"But, mana consumption is a thing as well…" Axel pointed out, "If he wanted to overpower everyone like that with the use of terrain, he would run himself dry in a few minutes."

"So, as long as we avoid him, there isn't much to fear."

"But, it's not like they are only going to depend on him." August muttered under his breath. It would be a foolish thing to depend on a single person to pull the team.

"I think-" Before Axel could complete his sentence, he was interrupted.

"Knock!!"

"Knock!!"

They all looked at each other wondering who the person was. If it was any person from their group, they would have just come inside. After all, everyone knew that a meeting was supposed to take place. But, this person clearly wasn't aware of it.

Mark got up from his seat, and opened the door, only to be surprised by the visitor.

It was Erina.

"Someone is looking for you." Mark turned his head, and then looked at Axel with a smug look on his face.

Axel's face slowly turned dark.

He had no idea why Erina was here and on top of that specifically looking for him.

Still, he walked towards the door, and took over from Mark.

"What's wrong? If you are looking for Wilson he is not here.."

"Umn..I want to talk with you for a bit… alone.." Erina replied with a stressed look on her face.

Axel frowned, but a second later nodded.

"I will be back in a bit.." He ignored the looks on everyone's faces and walked out with Erina as they took to the streets of the campus.

"So, what is this about?" Axel asked helplessly when Erina didn't speak even after a few minutes of walking.

"M-My family asked me to return.." Erina finally spoke.

"Return? Now?" Axel asked in confusion, but he was quick to catch up on things, "Does it have something to do with what happened at the hospital in Trinity?"

He was referring to the incident where Axel had come across James and that Uncle of his and Erina's.

"I don't know.." Erina clenched her fist as she shook her head. "I have a feeling that I will lose my freedom if I go now..I don't wanna leave.."

She suddenly stopped. Her head lowered, shoulder's trembling. Her long red hair had covered her face, and no one knew what kind of expression she had. But, it wasn't hard to imagine honestly.

To be honest, Erina already knew why she was being called even though she hadn't been informed about the reason as of yet.

Axel stood there looking at her. He raised his hand to pat her, but hesitated and retracted in the end. He then closed his eyes and controlled himself before speaking, "Why don't you talk to Wilson? I am sure he will do something.."

Erina's trembling stopped, and she raised her head, and looked at Axel with glistening eyes.

"You are right, I will do that.." She nodded, and let out a smile which seemed to pierce Axel's heart for some reason.

"I won't take anymore of your time. You were planning your strategy, right?" With that she turned around to leave.

Axel stood there looking at her back. There was a bad taste in his mouth for some reason. He couldn't help, but look at his own palm.

"It's better if she talks with Wilson.." He shook his head, and then went back.

…

"You are ready to leave, Young Miss? I allowed you your last request before leaving."

Erina looked at the man who had opened the door of the car for her, and nodded.