10th September, Space Era Years 103.
The news of the Centory Kingdom's national closure spread across the galaxy like wildfire.That morning, the voice of an Earth-based newscaster echoed through every hall of Evening Academy, casting a pall of dread over the students gathered before the screens.
"The Centory government has announced a complete and indefinite suspension of all transport and communication with Earth. All citizens abroad are ordered to return within seven days…"
In the corner of the classroom sat Aerys Vilozyver, listening in silence.His cold gray eyes gazed out the window, where the twin golden suns of Evening glimmered beyond the sky's veil — their light reflecting faintly in his irises.He betrayed no emotion.
Beside him, James Stark, his only true friend, lowered his communicator with a long sigh.
"Aerys… you heard the broadcast, didn't you? Earth and Centory… they might actually go to war."
"Yes. I heard." Aerys' voice was flat, unshaken. "It isn't surprising. My mother's world and yours have never understood each other — not since the beginning."
James looked at him — that unnervingly calm face, too still for a boy his age.
"You're not worried? If war breaks out… your family might—"
"My mother won't lose." Aerys interrupted, his tone sharp yet composed. "She is Aelyzabeth Thors — the woman the entire world fears."
Before James could reply, laughter burst from the far side of the room.
Ben Karlstanley swaggered in with four others, their uniforms modified like those of industrial delinquents. He slammed his bag onto the table and shouted, loud enough for the class to hear.
"Well, look who it is — the spawn of Centory's demon and the mad dog of Vilozyver!"
The classroom erupted in murmurs — curiosity from some, discomfort from others.
"What's wrong, Aerys?" Ben sneered. "Heard the news? Your folks are about to wage war on my father's planet! Guess your mother's finally gone insane, huh? Just like the reports said — a schizophrenic warlord!"
Silence fell instantly.James shot up from his seat.
"Ben! Shut your mouth — that's his mother you're talking about!"
"Oh really? Did I lie?" Ben snorted. "Every channel says the same thing! The woman's insane — and the son of a lunatic can't be much different, can he?"
Aerys did not move.He merely turned his face toward Ben with hollow eyes — and spoke in a tone that could freeze fire itself.
"Are you finished?"
"Not yet!" Ben roared, slamming Aerys' desk. "I want to see how the demon's son reacts when I do this!—"
His fist struck Aerys squarely across the face — a hard, echoing crack that resounded through the room.
Aerys did not flinch.Slowly, he turned his head back, a faint line of blood trailing from his lip.No rage. No pain. Only an emptiness — cold, weary, and terrifying.
"Are you done now?" he murmured. "You look… tired."
The silence that followed was suffocating.Ben flushed red with anger, raising his fist again — but James rushed forward, shoving him back.
"Enough, Ben! Have you lost your mind?!"
Ben shoved James aside, but two of his friends restrained him as the supervising teacher stormed into the room, shouting orders.
James turned toward Aerys, who still sat unmoving, face pale and bruised, eyes distant as though detached from the moment itself.
"Aerys! Are you hurt?"
"No, James." His voice was soft, almost serene. "I'm just… tired of this world."
James bit his lip and led him out toward the infirmary, the whispers of their classmates following like venomous shadows.
"See? The lunatic's son doesn't even feel pain…"
They walked along the academy's glass bridge, wind from the Evening Desert sighing beneath.Aerys walked as though nothing had happened, his posture unbroken.
"You're really not angry, Aerys?"
"Anger is useless," he said quietly. "The world loves to judge us by what we inherit — not by what we are."
James was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Then I'll be the first to judge you… for who you truly are."
Aerys glanced at him — just once — and replied with a single word:
"Suit yourself."
They walked on in silence until they reached the infirmary.The golden light streaming through the windows scattered across the floor like embers of an unseen war drawing near —and within that light, the bond between two boys from different worlds began to form, quietly yet unbreakably.
Thus ends Chapter B-IX.