Hidden Academy: The Potentials

By N.M. Shell

Forced into joining a mysterious academy, seven completely different boys struggle to find their footing in both friendship and the academy's established hierarchies. With superhuman changes releasing the abilities within their DNA, explosive missions to prove their worth, and a possible evil organisation behind it all, the boys are pushed to figure out how to navigate their new lives as valuable assets.

Follow Jae (runaway with anger issues) and his (not so) self-proclaimed best friend Kallias as they learn to trust others, explore new friendships, and overcome the animalistic changes their genes go through. All while trying to figure out whether a cult has kidnapped them or if the secretive organisation backing the academy is as sweet as their promises of justice and power make them out to be.

Friendship and talent bloom together as each boy learns to trust and sharpen the blade that is their new capabilities. Who knew sharing problems and facing off against jealous potentials could lead to a bond stronger than any of them could have imagined?

Their journey of friendship and mystery begins now.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.M. Shell
• Release date: Dec 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224051052

Book preview

Chapter 1

◆◆◆

June 16th 19:40 21XX

... and finished. Kallias huffed a sigh of relief. His ballet instructor signed the digital album and finally let him go. He really appreciated her teaching him for so long, but he couldn’t stay in such a competitive programme. Taking the album, he said his goodbyes and slipped out of the office. Unfortunately, her life lecture had dragged on longer than he thought it would. While he had expected it to take ages, he still underestimated her. He was now late. He knew that because the thirty-seventh time he checked the clock on the wall; it had read way past seven o’clock.

Nimbly making his way down the narrow stairs, he quickly reached his locker. He had stuffed his father’s ‘prized’ baseball memorabilia inside his bag earlier and, with how often his father switched hobbies, he doubted he would mind (or notice) that Kallias had ‘borrowed’ them. Now his own prized memories of his one and only passion were nestled in the bag, too.

Looking inside his backpack made his mind flash to the fact his parents hadn’t batted an eyelid that he was suddenly quitting ballet. He had been single-mindedly devoting every day to ballet for over ten years. Now his thoughts turned to the scene of his parents giving him brief hugs before flying off to Italy without a word of support. His stomach churned. Looking down at his scuffed shoes he began counting each criss-cross in his laces to focus on something else. If he thought too long about his parents’ lack of interest in what he did, he’d be more of a mess than he was already.

‘It’s okay... I’m okay. I haven’t done anything that they’d be proud of yet... that’s all.’

Releasing a shaky breath, he slipped his backpack on and swiftly made his way through the polished empty corridors and out the large double doors of the entrance. As he reached the bottom of the tiled staircase, he turned back to the building. The sandy bricks of the ballet academy and arched windows hiding the various studios were washed in hazy orange light. His chest shook as he released a breath, his feet not quite ready to leave yet.

Taking his time to drink in the building, Kallias sighed. He had made his decision, as gruelling as it was for him. He had finally realised his love for ballet could only stay if he gave up on becoming a professional; the pressure to maintain ‘perfection’ slowly draining his passion away.

All that was left was fear. But, he had only ever known ballet, could he succeed in anything else?

He shook his head, if he wanted to impress his parents he couldn’t stop here. While his new long-term goal was unclear, he knew good grades would open up his options. For now, he’d aim for Valedictorian. By then, he’d know what he really wanted (well, he hoped so, at least).

Pushing down his turmoil, and instead pulling out his phone, Kallias adjusted the camera angle. Smiling as happily as he could, his dimples popped out, giving his face a sweet look. Scanning the picture, he saw his face, and the building covered in the glow of golden hour, his final day as a ballet student.

Large beads of tears fell across the screen and blurred his vision. He must have looked a mess. If Jae was here, he’d tease him without mercy. But he wasn’t here, so Kallias ignored the busy pedestrians, glancing at him every so often... and spent the next few minutes bawling his eyes out before he made his feet move.

Shuffling along the busy streets of New Jade City, Kallias slightly regretted turning Jae’s offer to come along down. He knew he’d be sluggish after all the crying, but Jae had a shift at the restaurant. He wasn’t about to change Jae’s schedule when he only had himself (and occasionally Kallias) to support himself. As he waited for the foot traffic to lighten up near the crossing, he looked at the gigantic newsflash that spread across a holographic billboard between the sleek glass skyscrapers.

‘High tech enforcers preventing tornado disaster in Southern New Jade!’ Flashed in bright red letters before a clip played.

A team of five in light green and white combat suits were unaffected by the high winds and random objects whipping past them. The quality of the video was low, but Kallias could vaguely see them disappear into the tornado. He could only guess they had anti-gravity boots like the ones he’d seen in one of his uncle’s old comics.

A few decades ago, a team appeared and began to prevent the disasters that plagued the world. By now, it was a proven fact that they were the ones to call in any emergency. Initially, people were wary, but as disasters became more frequent, similar teams appeared around the world. The endless videos to prove the lives they saved and the disasters they’d prevented cemented their existence in modern society.

Right now, though, the only thing relevant to him was that nobody was moving! He had wanted to wait out the rush, but half the people were standing watching the news instead of getting to the nearest bunkers like they were supposed to. They weren’t near the south of New Jade, but they had taught everyone to take shelter if an alert came out. You never knew what could happen after all. It was only after a new green alert flashed to signify people could return to their daily schedule Kallias realised he hadn’t moved at all; the complacency was annoying, but then again, this was New Jade. Rolling his eyes, he started using his smaller size to his advantage, squeezing between strangers to reach the crossing. While Kallias didn’t worry about the news all too much, it had reminded him to cross life-threatening jobs off his list of options.

Patting down his loose blond waves, he frowned. It felt as though they were getting fuzzy. Rolling his eyes again, he followed the crowd across the busy streets toward June town. His feet began moving faster and faster as the streets became less crowded. Glancing at his phone, he saw the time again... he barely quit ballet for ten minutes and he’d already gotten stuck in a crowd during a disaster. He shouldn’t be surprised he somehow lost all sense of time as well.

‘It can’t get worse than this.’

◆◆◆

20:12

KIDNAPPER!

Get in the van, kid.

STRANGER DANGER!

This was terrible, the worst, absolutely most inconvenient thing to happen to Kallias that he could recall in his barely sixteen years of living. Although right now he wasn’t really in the position to have coherent enough thoughts to remember each experience as he was currently being dragged towards a creepy black van.

Around 5 minutes ago

I got this! I totally got this!

Kallias was sprinting through the alleys as fast as he could, ballet now pushed to the furthest corner of his brain.

‘I’m the literal definition of speed right now. I can probably half my usual time.’

Ever the optimist, Kallias was quick to cheer himself up and ignore the intense burning in his throat and lungs by focusing on his apparent talent for whizzing between New Jade City’s maze-like streets like an alley cat. On the other hand, attempting to sprint in stone wash skinny jeans on a breeze-less summer day was certainly not on his to-do list. But as his shoes were thumping on the concrete, Kallias was getting more excited. Thinking of the possibility that Jae had got into another argument today, he could imagine how excited the baseball equipment would make him.

‘Though he probably won’t admit it.’

Just as he was turning a corner while laughing to himself, he seemed to crash into a wall. Woah! This kind of slapstick fall was a lot more painful than he imagined it’d be and just when he thought it couldn’t get any worse (again), he seemed to hear a faint beeping from whatever had fallen onto his chest.

Bee bi bee beep beeeeep

‘Oh God! Oh God! Am I unlucky enough to run into a bomb?!’

As faint panic-induced tears were building at the corners of his eyes, Kallias peered down and saw an old-fashioned black phone. Oh, thank you sweet baby Jesus! As he grabbed the flashing device that was still beeping, a gloved hand quickly snatched it.

I was gonna teach you a lesson, but it’s rare that you’re alone, so let’s cut to the chase.

The raspy voice came from what Kallias assumed was the wall he crashed into earlier, and honestly wall was an understatement. The man was built like a house and looked as though he could snap him in half with two fingers.

Realising he might have offended a guy who’s definitely earned a place on his ‘avoid at all costs’ list, he was quick to jump up to high tail it out of there, only to wince in pain as his ankle folded strangely. Realising he had missed his chance, Kallias was even quicker to apologise. So sorry, sir! I wasn’t looking where I was going! I’ll be out of your way right now! Already limping out of this sticky situation, he was hoping the big guy was feeling forgiving. But before he was even three steps away, Kallias was tugged harshly by his backpack and slightly lifted off the pavement.

Of course, it gets worse.

Look kid, you’re coming with me.

Yeah, yeah, just avoid the face- wait, what do you mean?! Aren’t we g-gonna punch and make up? Kallias stuttered shakily.

Look. The house-like man dangled the device in front of Kallias’ face. This thing beeps, you come with me. Apparently satisfied with his explanation, if you could call it that, he continued to drag Kallias to a black van.

‘Wait... am I being kidnapped? Is this how I go? No, no, no!’

The Present

What kinda low-quality kidnapper doesn’t offer a bribe?! If you think a cliché line from henchman #3 is enough, you- ummph!

House-like man who was now dubbed kidnapper (although unprofessional the job was being done) had stuffed the device in his pocket and locked Kallias in a vice-like grip; one hand over his mouth. Constantly grumbling as he took a struggling Kallias towards his van.

Just my luck to get a troublesome one.

◆◆◆

20:00

Jae was sitting hunched on the rickety bench in the cool staff room, the waves of his raven hair covering his usually sharp green eyes. They were currently drooped in defeat, as he had just been peeled away from another scuffle with a rude customer. Just recalling his smug face as he belittled Mrs. Kim made the flames of anger he had controlled flare at his chest again. It was only when Mrs. Kim gently closed the door that he returned from his mess of thoughts. Lifting his head, he ignored the large leaves of the monstera plant that was in the corner as they tickled his cheek, instead focusing on his elderly employer.

He watched quietly as she took off his name badge and put it through the slot in his locker. Jae knew she was giving him time to calm down before she began a lecture that he’d probably heard twice a month since working here. Before that could happen, he blurted out his thoughts. Mrs. Kim, I tried to talk to him politely, I swear! I know you’ve told me not to fight, but he deserved to be roughed up at least a little! He was holding up the others from getting to the bunker! I-

Jae-ya, I know you care. You have such a good heart and people can’t see that often. She interrupted; her voice was still as calm as ever. She turned to him with a gentle smile. The world isn’t as easy as it could be, but fighting as soon as something makes you angry is only going to make things harder for you. Not for whoever is truly in the wrong.

Lowering his head, Jae felt his stomach drop. He never meant to make things more difficult. He even did a good job of holding his anger in until Mrs. Kim had left the room. Evidently, he hadn’t been able to rein in his emotions. It was a regular occurrence that Jae just couldn’t shake. Sighing in defeat, he nodded to show he understood where he went wrong. As Mrs. Kim spread her arms out, Jae’s lip curled into a small smile. Ambling over, he accepted the hug (not so) reluctantly.

Thank you again for looking out for me Jae-ya. I truly appreciate it. Remember to grab dinner on the way out dear. Mrs. Kim said as she pulled away and left the locker room.

As the door shut, Jae sighed in relief. As long as he didn’t overstep others’ boundaries, he’d keep protecting them in his own way. There weren’t many people he valued since arriving at New Jade City over a year ago, but he was secretly happy he found a few that were worth caring for. Pulling open his locker, Jae grabbed his silver lighter; the cool metal settling the churning thoughts in his mind.

‘I better hurry and change. Kal will probably need to cry a ton today.’

◆◆◆

Two minutes later Jae was brushing back his unruly waves, the fan outside the quaint restaurant humming loudly behind him. Pulling his collar as a wave of heat crawled over his neck, he huffed impatiently. He glanced at his phone, realising his ever punctual self-proclaimed (though they both knew it was true) best friend was late. His patience lasted about ten seconds before he was tapping his boot-clad foot on the cracked concrete; Jae thought he’d waited long enough. Kallias was his ride or die and if the sinking feeling in his gut was anything to go by, something was wrong.

Once he made up his mind, he sprinted through the familiar route he’d usually take with Kal, only today he flipped over the small fences of an emergency bunker to save some time. If they were together, he’d undoubtedly gloat that this was the real definition of speed personified.

Just as he came out of a side alley, he saw something that made his blood run cold and his head cloud with rage. His tiny friend was struggling in a stranger’s arms whilst being dragged towards a seedy-looking van. Without wasting another second, Jae moved with unprecedented speed, pulling his lighter out of his pocket before smashing his fist in the man’s face. Luckily, his attack came as a surprise and Kallias was dropped onto the floor, coughing his lungs out. Before the large man recollected himself, Jae made a quick decision to kick his foot between the man’s legs with all the force he could muster.

Aargh! The man dropped to the floor like a sack of bricks.

Using this opportunity, Jae grabbed Kallias’ wrist and dragged him away, weaving through the alleys once again.

Huff huff Jae! Slow down, I can’t breathe!

Forget breathing and move your damn legs, Kal!

Only the sound of footsteps was heard until they reached Jae’s shed. SLAM Jae locked the door of the shed, switched on the lights and turned to look at Kallias who had already collapsed on the air mattress in the room’s corner. After passing him a bottle of water, Jae spoke the only question his shocked mind could muster. Kal, what the hell is going on?

Recovering from the sprint and chugging down more than half the water, Kallias finally caught his breath enough to narrate what happened.

A guy I bumped into went psycho and tried to stuff me in his van! He obviously failed kidnapping 101. Dude didn’t even offer me candy. On the bright side, I finally got to see you use those Muay Thai moves you’re always bragging about!

Looking at his friend trying to cover the situation with a joke and faking positivity, Jae clicked his tongue and sat next to Kallias. Turning to face him, he saw the corners of his eyes were red, his tears shining in the glow of the fairy lights strung up on his ceiling. He was definitely holding back the floodgates.

Kallias.

Uh oh, you used my full name.

Although he was trying to be strong, Jae could not only see Kal’s mask breaking away, but hear his voice quiver. Sensing Kallias’ reluctance to be honest, Jae decided to share his feelings before they ended up needing therapy for this.

Y’know, I was freaking terrified when I saw you being dragged like that, right? As Jae felt his voice crack, he saw the signs of Kallias breaking down. His lip wobbled, his nose and cheeks went pink as he sniffled, and finally, all the tears gathered in his eyes fell. Scratching his head, Jae mirrored Mrs. Kim’s earlier actions.

"But hic you hate hugs. Somehow, Kallias could form a coherent sentence past his sobs, making Jae smile. Don’t hic laugh at me!"

I’m not, and you’re my best friend, so after being half traumatised, I admit I kinda need something to ground me, too. So... you gonna get over here or what? Reaching out his arms, Jae collected Kallias into a bone-crushing hug.

Hey! Ease up, I just survived a kidnapping! If I die ten minutes later ‘cause you hugged me to death, I’ll honestly haunt you forever!

Now that’s something from my worst nightmares.

Jae chuckled as he loosened his arms. As they broke apart the hug and calmed down, Jae frowned in thought. Hey Kal?

Yeah?

What really happened, like think back and tell me everything without missing anything if you can.

They turned to each other as Kallias carefully recounted what he had experienced.

... and that’s when you got there. The thing I thought was a phone seems most suspicious, right?

Exactly. He probably would have ignored you if it didn’t start beeping... the question is what the beeping means and why he needs you.

I have a feeling he would’ve crushed me rather than ignored me, but yeah... wait if he needs me, does that mean he’s gonna be after me?!

Seeing the panic in his eyes, Jae reassured him as best he could. Look, Kal, we’ll stick together and watch each other’s backs. There’s two of us, so we’ll at least be able to handle one of him, right?

Right. After breathing a sigh of relief, Kallias crawled across the rug Jae had saved weeks of his salary for. To rummage inside the box, Jae kept the delicious (fact, not opinion) food he received from the restaurant.

What did Mrs. Kim give you today? Ooh, Bibimbap total score! While I’ve improved my chopstick skills, I needed to use a spoon today. My hands are way too shaky right now.

Watching Kal take his meal, Jae shouted. Hey! That’s mine. What’re you doing stealing the only leftovers your homeless friend has? They both knew he wasn’t really mad if the lifeless kick he gave Kallias was anything to go by.

Rolling his eyes, Kallias bickered with him. We both know Mrs. Kim makes these ‘specially for you. What leftovers you talking about?

Watching Kal argue with his mouth stuffed with food, Jae made a disgusted face - though he was secretly relieved Kallias was back to his usual outgoing self.

While the Kim’s have my endless respect for being upright humans, I gotta say, your morals seem pretty questionable. I mean, you willingly became friends with a runaway who lives in a shed... I could be a literal murderer and you’d be like meh whatever.

Swallowing another mouthful of food, Kallias passed it over to Jae and scoffed. You already told me about that weekend you were stuck in juvie and all your family drama. I’m pretty sure you’d tell me if you murdered someone... right?

Wow, this is so good. Enjoying a few bites, Jae tuned back in. What’d you say?

Oh, y’know, just wondering if you’d help bury the body.

Totally tell me the time and place I’ve got the perfect bag for the job... wow that was lame. Almost being kidnapped must have short-circuited my funny bone. After jokingly shaking his arm around, Jae focused on his food again.

Rummaging in his backpack, Kallias went back to the problem at hand. Seriously though, Jae Jae, I think that guy is still gonna be lurking around; stupid ass kidnapper totally ruined my plans for today. Mom finally went to Italy for a friend’s ballet since it’s off season for her and dad tagged along for some gallery opening, which was perfect for us!

Hearing this, Jae looked up to see Kallias pull out some mitts from his backpack. After seeing the signed baseball, he couldn’t help but let out a whistle. Damn! No way you convinced your dad to let you use those!

It’s called borrowing Jae Jae. Look it up.

Again, with the sass. Seriously, though, you still down to play Kal?

Hmm, not today, maybe tomorrow?

Cleaning up after eating, Jae pulled Kallias up towards the door. Let’s report that creep to the cops. C’mon to the station we go.

Never thought I’d hear you want to see the police.

I know, right?

The sun was setting and by the time they finish reporting, it will almost be time for Kallias’ curfew; if they wanted to hang out tomorrow (without Jae breaking and entering), they needed to get going.

Hesitating by the door, Kal twisted the straps of his backpack. Jae what if he’s out th-?

Before he could finish his sentence, a large black hoodie was already pulled over his head.

Don’t worry, Kal, we’ll be careful.

◆◆◆

As Kallias was riding on the back of the moped Jae used for deliveries, he kept getting a chill down his spine. After feeling it again, he gave up and twisted around to look behind them; seeing a familiar black van made him regret looking. Whipping back around he felt himself panic. What horror movie BS is this?!

Likely feeling the hands clutching his hoodie tighten, Jae sounded worried. Kal you good?

NO! Somehow, he found us! He’s following in the van Jae!

He saw Jae look in the side mirror, his jaw clenching. This was bad. They needed a plan. Kal, I’m gonna have to speed up, okay?

Kallias’ eyes lit up. Okay, but take the most roads you can. Maybe we can lose him? That’s what they do in chase scenes!

Making a hard right Jae couldn’t help but scold him, I thought I told you not to watch those crime shows at 2 am?

Murder and tire tracks is great! Don’t bash- woah!

Kal couldn’t carry on bickering after their moped swerved to the left, narrowly missing the van that had come straight behind them. Two seconds later and they would’ve been a heap on the road.

That little shit! I’ll- Jae was cursing non-stop as he not only needed to avoid the normal traffic (which was luckily sparse on the side roads) but also being turned into roadkill. The moped was going as fast as possible, but it was like the van was toying with them, sticking close behind them and then backing off before making them swerve into side roads to avoid being hit. They had come quite far from the bright neon glow of the city by now; entering the quiet lanes leading to the suburbs. Speeding in from a side road, the wind whipping harshly through their hair, they turned to check on the van. Luckily, they had gained a little distance between them.

Jae! The right!

Too worried about the van,