{...Hey. I thought the fragment said...this was...supposed to be stronger than the Gods, but daddy and uncle are playing with it like it was a toy....

Was I tricked....?!}

Mysterious Fragment: “...It...appears I've been away for quite some time. For humans to begin walking down the Path of Origin like it's nothing...just how long have I been floating in space?! Aaah...the times have sure changed.”

{Hm?! Hey, is that you Fragment...? Ugh, seeing uncle Durandez steal my 'unstoppable energy' like it was nothing must've shocked me greater than I thought because my head is clearing up a lot. I-I can't believe I just...to Alianne...}

Mysterious Fragment: “Ignore it. It's their fault for surrounding you when you just woke up after your Origin baptism. When anybody first goes down the path of origin, even if they just glimpse a portion of the path without touching it yet, they will get 'drunk' on the feelings of relaxation, unstoppable power and euphoria. It's about 10 times stronger for Fragment bearers, since the fragments are actively leading them down a specific path...like how mine is guiding you down towards destruction, so you kinda felt like killing everybody in your transcendent state~ Good thing your family is so powerful compared to you! Heehee!”

{So...it's YOUR fault! You...why didn't you tell me while you were talking so much before!?}

Mysterious Fragment: “...I tried..It's not MY fault you're too weak to stay longer inside there...”

{Okay Noel...breathe. Relax...try to...try to...run away obviously! Uncle finally let me go, and everyone's staring at the energy flask! Now's my chance...!}

It was true. For just an instant, the family's sight, including Aeron's, was taken off of Noel and moved to the weird energy writhing inside of the flask. This was the perfect opportunity!

...Or so he thought.

His body flashed for an instant as he made a dash so fast it clearly bordered on him pushing past his limits. He was almost there!

10 meters to the entrance.

5 meters to the entrance.

1 meter to the entrance...!

{Hm? Why do I...feel like I'm suddenly flying...?}

As the clueless child turned his head, he came face to face...

With Boman.

Noel/Tyler: “Bo...Boman!...Hehe..he. You wouldn't mind letting me go, would you?”

Boman: “...”

Noel/Tyler: “...haaah, I thought as much.”

With the failed escape, everyone's attention was now focused on Boman...or rather Noel being brought back to the Family like a mischievous lion cub in Boman's grip.

Beatrice: “Ah! Hey, did you try to escape?? That was...actually pretty smart of you.”

Aeron: “Props for the attempt, little Ty. Even I didn't notice your escape. How careless of me.”

Naosuke: “Tyler! Come here.”

{Without any other choice, I obviously have to go to her. I'll get my revenge on you when I'm older, Boman!}

Naosuke: “Do you realize where your mistake lies?”

Noel/Tyler: “...Yes Mother. I shouldn't have tried to escape. I should have explained that I don't remember stabbing big sister Alianne until uncle Durandez Stole my energy.”

*Smack!*

Naosuke: “I don't care about such trivial matters. Your Father isn't blind, I'll have you know. What you SHOULD be worried over is that failed escape just now! Yes, you get 'points' for catching us off guard!

BUT THAT'S IT!

You didn't even TRY to look for Boman, did you?!

Did you even pay attention to the door?! Obviously there is somebody there based on their faint presence! Can you not detect such a thing yet?!

Besides! Did you ever stop to think-”

Aeron: “Now now~ Mother~ Look! Little bro appears to be incredibly ashamed about his failed escape attempt. Let's cut him some slack and ask him for those...details Father wanted! Yes!”

Father: “I agree, but first: What just happened? Why is your soul brand missing...AGAIN?!”

Noel/Tyler: “Well...ehehe. You know the mission you gave me? Um, mission accomplished! I assassinated the guy and even found out his secret without having to go in that broken down hut, but there were two setbacks.”

Father: “Oh~ two, huh? That doesn't sound promising. Go on: the details might affect your grade.”

Noel/Tyler: “First: You gave me misinformation!”

Father: “...”

Beatrice: “Hahahahaha~”

Kifah: “*Nods* I am serving as witness this time.”

Noel/Tyler: “You told me I could trust the family doctor but he completely sold me out! Mr. Watts even said he made modifications to my chip or something-”

Naosuke: “Modifications?!”

Aeron: “He tried to brainwash Noel. Naturally, I forced him to remove those modifications while Kifah 'oversaw' his work to the last detail. I already informed Mom, Narcisa about this. She sent reimbursement money to his family, I assume someone is already out to take his head by now. Sad though, since it seems he, himself might've been a victim of brainwashing.”

Naosuke: “Impossible. Our family's work couldn't be tampered with that easily, and we made certain to strengthen his chip against mental attacks such as brainwashing or mind reading! He and that Watts fellow must've struck a personal deal, that sleazy swine.”

Father: “I knew he wasn't trustworthy from the beginning.”

Naosuke: “...shameless.”

Father: “I-It's true! I wanted to test your intelligence gathering skills and you didn't let me down! You passed! I'm proud of you, son! Hahahaha!”

Naosuke: “Ignore your father and tell us the second 'setback' during your mission. I assume this is what we really want to hear.”

Noel/Tyler: “I discovered Mr. Watts was planning to feed somebody to the fragment of a really powerful being.

Mysterious Fragment: “I resent the term 'feed'! I can't even eat in this form!”

Noel/Tyler: “He was kidnapping people from left and right in order to have enough 'soul energy' or something, in order to make that thing's new host not explode into paste from the origin energy. It woke up because I disturbed its connection with the Professor by killing him, leading to that scene where everyone was forced to walk to their deaths...

Apparently that Xano guy from the Chaotic Alliance was the first candidate chosen to be its host, but they preferred me instead. So I...

I kinda fused with it...hehe...he..”

Father: “...Anything else?”

Noel/Tyler...“It said once I accepted it, I became something called a 'fragment bearer'. I don't remember anything after that.”

Beatrice: “I bet he's lying to cover up his failed attacks on sis Ali and pops, THEN for his failed escape attempt thanks to Boman!”

Kifah: “I abstain from commenting. Furthermore, I demand my reward for bringing the chip, plus Noel, back home safel...err...I mean, back home.”

Father: “Later. For now...I plan on consulting the Chaotic alliance about this 'fragment' thing. We need information desperately right now. I'm sure they won't refuse once I tempt them with Jraeden and Angelica's methods of attaining their 'first step' on the Origin path. What do you think honey~”

Mother Naosuke: “I am in agreement. Also, as I discussed with the others, we plan on making Noel shadow Angelica and the quintuplets for the next year or so, to learn from experience, how they handle out of expectation type of situations.”

Father: “Perfect”

Mysterious Fragment: “Pssst, Noel, Noel! Didn't you wanna get out of the house? Ask now that you completed your first mission!”

{Oh! Good idea!}

Noel/Tyler: “Excuse me, Father! Mother! I was wondering...now that I finished my very first mission...could I...um..possibly...!”

Aeron: “Not a chance in hell. You aren't ready to leave just yet.”

Noel/Tyler: “...You're not my father...”

Aeron: “Father! Let me decide this for him! Mother has him reserved for 1 year, then I would like to steal him for another! I will prepare him thoroughly for what to expect out in the real world.”

Naosuke: “Mm. Good idea, son. You have both your Father and my blessings. Teach him well, immediately once his shadowing is over!”

Aeron: “Yes, mother!”

Father: “...Doesn't my opinion matter?”

{...F-Fragment! This isn't what I wanted at all! They gave me another year of training!}

Mysterious Fragment: “...Don't blame me! Your family is weird. Tell them you wish to attend 'school' once their training is over and maybe they'll cave. Just don't blame me if they give you another year of training on 'how to attend school'.”

Noel/Tyler: “...If I have to attend your training for 2 years then...then I want to go to normal school afterward!”

Aeron: “I knew this was coming! Absolutely N-”

Father: “Okay.”

Noel: “YES!! Thank you Father!”

Aeron: “Father?!”

Father: “What? He's earned that right, just as all of you have. His is only coming a bit sooner, that's all. But Noel: Just make sure you completely meet your Sister Angelica's, Your 6 brothers' and your Mother Naosuke's expectations, or I'm changing my answer to no. Are we clear?”

Noel/Tyler: “Crystal!”

Aeron: “...I'll make sure to fail you.”

Mother Naosuke: “Okay that's enough. Noel, go meet our family researchers to have your chip examined. Then you'll start shadowing Angelica three days from now. Work hard, if you wish to attend school.”

...2 years later -

??: “Hello! Welcome to the noncombatants division in Hero High! You applied for miscellaneous jobs, such as nursing injured participants after matches, Refereeing when officials and substitutes are unavailable, cleaning the school and sidekick work. I will mention that Sidekick courses are separate and you must meet certain conditions before joining them. Since you're applying as a noncombatant school member, we'll hold off on those until the school deems you ready for them.

Is that okay with you...Noel?

Noel: “It sounds perfect! Thank you.”

Arc 1 'Back story' End~

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