Xavier stared at his uncle, shock and disbelief coursing through him. "What do you mean, gone? How could that happen?"
Eamon took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and regret. "Let me start from the beginning, Xavier. It all began 45 years ago when I was just 15 years old. I came to Astraeus City to take care of all the accounts and financial matters related to our ancestors' investment. We called it Lumina."
He paused, his gaze distant as he recalled the past. "As per our tradition, if a prophet had two sons, one would become the next prophet, and the other would become the CEO of Lumina. No matter what, to follow the tradition, a prophet must have more than one son. Some would even marry multiple women to increase the chance of having more than one son. And it was the first time in centuries that a prophet only had one son… you, Xavier."
Eamon continued, his voice steady but tinged with bitterness. "I was taught everything by my uncle. By the time I turned 18, I had learned everything there was to know about managing Lumina. After that, I alone managed everything, overseeing thousands of thousands of employees. Lumina had its reach in everything—software, hardware, gaming, internet, media, food, drinks, automotive, aviation, real estate, healthcare, and even space exploration. We were a conglomerate that touched every aspect of life in Astraeus City and beyond."
Xavier listened intently, his eyes wide with awe and curiosity.
"Everything was going well," Eamon said, his voice softening. "We were doing good, making the city and the world a better place. But then, something happened. Everything changed. A civil war broke out. Although it ended in just two years, many things had changed, including the control of the city and its leaders."
He shook his head, his expression turning grim. "But nothing affected Lumina. We were independent, untouched by the chaos. Then, when I turned 40, I began to feel lonely. I couldn't trust anyone, but I couldn't leave anyone behind either. I missed my family. I wanted to go back to the village. I wanted to rest. But that was not possible. I was all alone. I had no friends. No one to talk to."
Eamon's voice trembled as he continued. "Then one day, I met a kind woman, a homeless woman on the street. One thing led to another, and I ended up falling in love with her. We got married shortly after, and a year later, we had kids—twin girls. Everything was going well for me. Although I never revealed my true identity, disguising myself as a normal corporate slave, I felt guilty about it. But the truth was not something I could share with anyone, not even with my wife and twin daughters."
Xavier's heart ached as he listened to his uncle's story, the weight of his words settling heavily on him.
"Then one day, I lost everything," Eamon said, his voice breaking. "My wife turned out to be a fake, a plant sent by a rival corporation to infiltrate Lumina. She had been meticulously planned, her every move calculated. She had uncovered every secret, every vulnerability. She was the closest to me, and I never suspected a thing."
Eamon's eyes filled with tears as he recalled the betrayal. "She transferred the entirety of Lumina to her own company and vanished without a trace. I found her and sued her, but I lost the case. Money was everything, and she had more than enough to buy her way out of any legal trouble."
"How is that possible? Didn't you have all the evidence and everything?"
Eamon looked at Xavier with a solemn look on his face and asserted, "In this new capitalism, money is everything. It could buy anything and everything. Morals have no value against money. A father would sell his son for money, and a mother would kill her daughter for it. As long as you have money, you have everything. It's heaven for the rich and hell for the poor."
"..." Xavier couldn't believe a world like that.
Eamon took a deep breath, his voice filled with pain. "When we filed for divorce, she got custody of one of the twin daughters. Ever since then, I've been living in this tiny apartment with my remaining daughter. I work as a janitor at a metro station, working 20 hours a day just to make ends meet."
Xavier's eyes widened in horror. "But how? How could she steal everything if you were always cautious and didn't trust anyone?"
Eamon's expression darkened. "She was a master of deception, Xavier. She had been trained for years to infiltrate and manipulate. She gained my trust slowly, over time, making me believe she was genuine. She had access to everything— even my most private thoughts. She used that trust to betray me, to steal everything I had built."
Xavier's heart ached for his uncle, the weight of his story settling heavily on him. "I'm so sorry, Eamon. I can't imagine how hard this must have been for you."
Eamon wiped his tears, his voice trembling. "It's been a living nightmare, Xavier. But I can't give up. I have to keep fighting, for my daughter, for you, and for everything our family has built. I won't let them win."
Xavier looked around the tiny, barren room, his heart filled with determination. "We'll find a way, Eamon. We'll reclaim what's rightfully ours and bring those who betrayed us to justice. I will save our ancestors' legacy."
Eamon's voice trembled as he begged Xavier, "Please, Xavier, don't say anything to your father. I couldn't bear the shame if he knew the truth."
Xavier looked at his uncle, a mix of confusion and suspicion swirling in his mind. One might think Eamon was lying, scheming something, and tricking Xavier. That Eamon had betrayed the tribe and the family. Of course, such thoughts crossed Xavier's mind too.
But Xavier quickly pushed those doubts aside. He remembered his father's words, his unwavering trust in Eamon. His father had a sense… a sight… a prophetic ability, and he was always right, no matter the time. Whatever he said would happen, if he did something, it was for the good. Just like how he asked Xavier to give the exam and how Xavier managed to pass and even score a scholarship. The prophet could sense people, know their true intentions, and even their future intentions. So if the prophet thought so highly of Eamon, Xavier trusted him without any second thoughts.
Xavier looked at his uncle, his voice steady and reassuring. "I promise, Eamon. I won't say anything to Father."
'Though, I think father already knows about this and this is why he sent me here.'
Eamon breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Xavier. I couldn't bear to disappoint him."
Xavier then turned his attention to the suit Eamon was wearing and the luxury car he had arrived in. "Eamon, about the suit and the car... how did you afford them?"
Eamon's expression turned somber. "The car was a rental, and the suit too. I sold the family heirloom, the watch, for some money. I rented the car and the suit, thinking that your father might also come to the city border to drop you off. I didn't want him to find out!"
Xavier's heart ached for his uncle. The lengths Eamon had gone to, the sacrifices he had made, all to maintain a facade of success and stability. It was a stark reminder of the desperation and loneliness Eamon had endured.
Eamon glanced at his watch, a look of urgency in his eyes. "Xavier, it's time for me to go to work. I have to leave now." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp 100$ bill, handing it to Xavier. "This is all I have now. I'll try my best to take care of you from now on."
It was the Academy's orientation day, and Xavier had only an hour to make it to the academy. He quickly changed his clothes and prepared to leave for the academy. But he didn't know the way, nor did he have a map or a phone that could help him. All he could do was hail a taxi to the academy.
Xavier didn't know the fare but tried his best to bargain. He handed over 80$ to the driver, who agreed to take him to the academy, a 45-minute ride from the Nexus Tower.
As the taxi pulled up to the academy gate, Xavier was stopped by security. He showed them the letter from the academy, and after a quick scan, he was permitted to enter. The sight that greeted him was awe-inspiring. Thousands of students milled about, and the academy itself was a towering, futuristic structure that seemed to stretch towards the sky. It was said that the academy had the capacity to hold nearly a million students at once.
Xavier followed the other students to the conference hall where the orientation was taking place. The hall was enormous, capable of seating up to 50,000 students. He had arrived just in time; the orientation had just begun.
The conference hall was a marvel of modern architecture, with holographic displays floating above the stage and advanced audio systems ensuring that every word was crystal clear. The walls were adorned with interactive screens showcasing the academy's achievements and notable alumni.
As time passed, more and more students filled the hall, the hum of excited chatter growing louder. The orientation began with a welcome speech from the Dean, a distinguished figure with a commanding presence.
"Welcome, esteemed students, to Astraeus Academy," the Dean began, his voice booming through the hall. "You are now part of an institution that has shaped the future of this world and beyond. Here, you will learn, grow, and become the leaders of tomorrow."
The Dean's speech was followed by presentations from various department heads, each showcasing the cutting-edge technologies and innovative programs offered by the academy. Holographic demonstrations of advanced cybernetics, genetic engineering, and interstellar exploration captivated the audience.
Finally, the ending ceremony began. The names of the students who scored the highest on the entrance exam were announced, and the topper had to give a speech. The anticipation in the hall was palpable as the countdown began.
"In tenth place, Eleanor Von Stein," the announcer declared, and a round of applause filled the hall.
"In ninth place, Leonardo Kane."
"In eighth place, Isabella Rothschild."
"In seventh place, Alexander Blackwood."
"In sixth place, Victoria Sterling."
"In fifth place, Benjamin Hart."
"In fourth place, Sophia Montgomery."
"In third place, Oliver Thorne."
The hall buzzed with excitement as the second name was announced.
"In second place, Lucas Blackwood."
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. The announcer's voice rang out, clear and strong.
"And in first place, with the highest score in the entrance exam, Xavier."