Chapter 21: Captain Stones

Aaron and his father sat opposite each other in comfortable silence as the old, rusted train rattled along the railway tracks. Aaron enjoyed talking whenever he felt like it, but he wasn’t much of a conversationalist. His father, on the other hand, was extremely introverted.

In fact, the only times Mr. Goldilock ever made an effort to talk to or spend time with his children were when he was training them or offering them advice.

Several hours had passed since they boarded the train. In a few minutes, it would make another brief stop at a station in a different town. Aaron rested his elbow on the armrest of the deteriorating wooden chair, propping his head against his palm. He let out a loud sigh before asking for what felt like the umpteenth time.

"Are we there yet?"

Mr. Goldilock flipped a page of the oversized newspaper he was reading.

"We’ll get there when we get there," he replied impatiently.

Without the slightest warning, the train came to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing Aaron out of his seat.

"Who the hell is driving this shit?!"

Without sparing him a glance, Mr. Goldilock replied in a bored tone.

"No cussing, Aaron."

Aaron shot his father a displeased look before readjusting himself on the uncomfortable wooden seat.

A few seconds later, a new batch of passengers poured into the train, filling the carriage with a chorus of conversations.

As they filed in, Mr. Goldilock slowly lowered his newspaper to observe them.

Then, quite suddenly, he sat upright.

Aaron’s eyes narrowed.

He turned to see what had caught his father’s attention, only to find himself face-to-face with a very tall man standing directly behind him.

The man had short auburn hair, a scruffy beard, and a broad smile.

Aaron tilted his head back slightly to get a better look at him. The man’s smile widened. He lowered his large, heavy palm onto Aaron’s small shoulder.

"This is the last one?"

Mr. Goldilock immediately sprang to his feet and saluted.

"Yes, Captain. He’s my second son."

Aaron glanced curiously at the man.

Captain? My dad is a commander. That makes this guy one rank above him.

Without hesitation, Aaron gave the man a brief bow of acknowledgment. The captain chuckled loudly in amusement.

"There’s no need for that, my boy."

He nodded toward Mr. Goldilock, permitting him to sit.

"I didn’t expect to see you here," he said, turning his attention to Aaron’s father.

The two men exchanged a few words before the captain walked past Aaron and took the vacant seat directly opposite him, beside Mr. Goldilock.

They sat in silence for a while.

Eventually, the captain glanced over Aaron’s head at the cluster of passengers still standing in the aisle, apparently searching for somewhere to sit.

"Come on, Natasha! There’s a vacant seat here."

Aaron raised his head again.

A tall girl with long, dark brown hair emerged from the crowd. She had ivory skin, bore a striking resemblance to the man who had called her, and carried a long spear on her back, its sharp tip jutting above her head.

She wore transparent glasses, had a stern expression on her face. And... looked about his age.

Without sparing Aaron a glance, she walked past him and settled into the empty wooden seat beside him, facing her father and Mr. Goldilock.

Aaron’s father gave her a brief look.

"She’s grown taller than I remember."

The captain chuckled.

"She took after me. Can’t blame her for that."

As though he had noticed the confusion on Aaron’s face, the captain cleared his throat.

"Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Captain Stones."

He pointed his thumb toward the girl sitting beside Aaron.

"And the young lady beside you is Natasha Stones. She’s also applying to the academy this year."

Aaron nodded slowly in understanding.

"I’m Aaron Goldilock."

The captain smiled and rested his arms on his knees.

"Ohhh... I know who you are."

Aaron shot his father a quick, questioning glance before looking back at the captain.

"It’s an honour to be recognized by a captain."

The man slowly shook his head.

"No, no. You misunderstand. I know of you, but I don’t actually recognize you."

He paused briefly.

"The one I recognize is your brother."

Aaron let out a short, uncomfortable laugh.

"Well... it’s... it’s an honour for a Goldilock to be recognized by a captain."

The captain studied him with an amused expression.

"A quick thinker, huh?"

He then turned his attention to Mr. Goldilock.

"He’s strong, but not nearly as monstrous as his brother."

Mr. Goldilock folded his arms.

"He might not be as monstrous as Damien, but he’s strong in his own way. They have different kinds of strength."

Captain Stones scoffed.

"I highly doubt that. The talent I sensed from Damien was far beyond anything I’m sensing from Aaron."

He narrowed his eyes playfully.

"Don’t be greedy, Commander Goldilock. Having one genius child is more than enough."

Mr. Goldilock let out a short laugh.

"All my children are geniuses..."

"Even the girl?"

The unfamiliar voice came from Aaron’s side.

He turned his head. It was the brown-haired girl in glasses sitting beside him.

Natasha.

She gave him a sidelong glance before continuing.

"Everyone knows that no teenager or young adult in Ravstas State is stronger than Damien Goldilock. I’ve watched his matches, and I’ve sensed his aura. He’s a monster."

She paused, adjusting her glasses.

"This boy sitting beside me is nowhere near his level. Even my aura far surpasses his."

Her eyes shifted toward Mr. Goldilock.

"But the girl... I haven’t heard anything about her. Is she ordinary, just like... this Aaron?"

Captain Stones nodded with a smile.

"She makes a fair point."

Aaron sighed quietly to himself.

Isn’t the Awakening Ceremony starting anytime soon?

Mr. Goldilock scratched his blonde hair, wearing an obviously forced, polite smile.

"Natasha and Aaron are both starting at the academy. She’ll have plenty of time to test his strength and confirm her suspicions."

Captain Stones glanced at Aaron.

"Your attention doesn’t seem to be here. What are you thinking about, boy?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Important stuff."

The captain narrowed his eyes.

"And what we’re discussing is of little importance to you?"

Aaron held his gaze.

For a moment, he remained silent, seemingly considering whether the question even deserved an answer.

Then he replied plainly.

"Yes."

Captain Stones drew in a sharp breath.

Slowly, he raised his head, his expression hardening into something far more intimidating.