Chapter 16: Another Break In

Reminiscing about how he had escaped The Vortex’s interrogation room, Rayleigh only realized how downright stupid and borderline suicidal he had actually been.

’What if the Lonefield Barrier and Energy Shield weren’t strong enough to protect me from my Meteorite Summon? I’d be toast,’ Rayleigh thought. ’But I didn’t have any choice; that was the only way I could think of escaping. Besides, those Silvered agents got what they deserved. They were in my way, and I got them out.’

Rayleigh had made a dangerous bet on the capabilities of his defensive system, but fortunately, it had paid off in his favor.

Even though he was alive and well, Rayleigh still couldn’t get the fact that he had nearly perished out of his head.

’If I had died back there, if my plan didn’t actually work, Tris would be spending the next thirty-six years incarcerated. Perhaps I should start weighing my options more carefully. I can’t die just yet, not when I am this close.’

"We’re almost at Midpoint Skylark." A voice poured through one of the speakers hanging overhead.

Rayleigh stared out the window briefly. The city below blurred past, red and blue streaks interspersed with each other as the bullet train sped over the city, carrying him steadily toward his destination.

Rayleigh had boarded a train to Midpoint Skylark, where The Academy was situated.

The Skylark Ascension Academy was built for the purpose of training Skylark Rune citizens, increasing their strength and agility while helping them break through their physical barriers and reach exponentially greater ranks such as Ascendant, Titan, Ethereal, and perhaps, Transcendent.

Not many Runers made it past Awakened, and those who did not usually became low-ranking agents of the Silver Corp if they failed to improve themselves by the time they graduated from the Academy.

Once tested positive as a Rune gene carrier, people were required to sign up for an academy of their choosing.

Unfortunately, Rayleigh had failed that test long before he even took it. He had never shown any sign of being a part of the Genetic Ascension.

The location of Skylark Ascension Academy was a well-thought-out choice, as Skylark was the second-biggest City-Faction in the New World, with Runers spreading far and wide, reaching the very edges of the city.

The Midpoint was easily accessible and one of the most heavily guarded places in Skylark, with top-tier defense technology and advanced weaponry, coupled with the Silvered agents and their different Rune abilities.

One would think twice about breaking into The Academy, as the Silver Corp itself sought to train Runers; they basically controlled every activity of The Academy, and having worked there seven years ago, Rayleigh was well aware of this.

’This might even be harder than breaking into The Vortex,’ he admitted to himself. ’Nou said my identity was still anonymous, right? So not many people would have been informed about the fact that I am the so-called terrorist. Besides, I blew The Vortex to oblivion. Any record of me ever stepping foot in there might have been destroyed as well!’

Realizing this, Rayleigh deduced he could just stroll inside the Academy like it was just another Tuesday.

The likelihood of raising suspicions was low, as he had worked there before.

Still, it was risky, and he admitted it. ’What if I’m wrong? I’ll just get busted all over again.’

"We have successfully arrived at our destination."

Rayleigh stepped out of the train as the doors slid shut behind him, leaving the bullet train to continue along the elevated rail track that stretched across the city.

The rail track levitated high above—the design allowed trains to move through Skylark without having to deal with the endless traffic below.

Rayleigh proceeded toward one of the waiting transport pods stationed beneath the rail platform and stepped inside.

The pod was small, barely large enough to comfortably fit several passengers, but it was more than enough for him. Once he entered, the door sealed shut, and the pod began descending from the elevated station.

As the pod lowered, the enormous city of Skylark slowly opened up around him, reminding Rayleigh that he was taking yet another risk.

Here he was, relying on what Nou had told him about his identity not being broadcasted as wanted, just like how he had relied on his Lonefield Barrier and Energy Shield to survive the meteorite strike.

Rayleigh couldn’t help but wonder why Elias hadn’t simply sent one of his goons to do his dirty work for him.

Perhaps he could have sent Nou or even Ron Kol. That way, he could have gotten whatever he wanted without having to trade a spaceship for it.

Rayleigh thought about it and, perhaps, he had a slight idea of why.

Elias, in a way, was loyal to his goons, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

Elias had actually wanted Ron Kol broken out of The Vortex. He had taken the risk of sending Rayleigh. That was loyalty.

Rayleigh admitted that, unfortunately, he didn’t share such loyalty with anyone but himself and his sister.

If someone became an obstacle to what he wanted, he was ready to toss them aside, and he didn’t care who they were.

His own survival and his sister’s freedom came first.

The pod finally reached the ground, and the doors opened. Rayleigh stepped out and continued toward the Academy. A few minutes later, he arrived at the security post.

’Moment of truth.’

Rayleigh looked at the heavily guarded entrance ahead of him, taking in the Silvered guards stationed there.

’If by any chance I’ve been caught, I’ll just fight my way out,’ Rayleigh thought with assurance.

One of the security guards noticed him almost immediately. "ID."

Rayleigh paused for a second before forcing a nervous laugh. "About that. I actually lost my ID on the way here. I presume you could run my ID on the database instead? I should still be registered."

The guard didn’t respond to Rayleigh. Instead, he turned toward the holographic terminal beside him and began typing.

A transparent keyboard appeared above the terminal, and the guard’s fingers moved across it as he searched through the Academy’s database.

Rayleigh stood there silently, but his thoughts weren’t silent.

’Activate Weaponry System!’ Rayleigh screamed inwardly, preparing himself for the unlikely event of getting caught.

The system appeared before his field of vision.

►[ Weaponry System active ]

► [ Energy Weapons on standby ]

’If things go wrong, I’d simply select a weapon before this agent could even blink.’

The guard continued typing, completely oblivious to Rayleigh’s intent.

The security guard suddenly stopped, exchanging a glance with Rayleigh before looking back at the monitor.

"Why are you here?" he asked. "You’re not employed here anymore."

"I’m here for re-employment," Rayleigh answered, keeping his voice steady.

"Isn’t it a bit late for that? You could come back tomorrow." The officer studied him for a while longer, then finally waved him through. "Go on."

"Thank you." Rayleigh exhaled inwardly, deactivating the [Weaponry System] just as quietly as he’d summoned it.

He was in. Now all he had to do was find Cassandra Moon.