After devising a simple but risky plan, Levi and Kael went into action.
Their first step was to meet their homeroom teacher-Mu Mitha, a teacher who had been known to be close to the students. However, their hopes were soon dashed.
"I understand how you feel," Ms. Mitha said in a quiet tone, but her face clearly showed fear. "But... the situation is not that simple. You have to understand, there is pressure from various parties. We have to think about the safety of all the students."
Although disappointed, they did not give up.
Step two, they went to the only adult who had ever shown favoritism to Liam: The Vice Principal, Mr. Harto. He was the one who had intervened directly when Liam was interrogated at the police station - and from the look on his face, Levi knew that he did not believe Liam was guilty.
When they expressed their intention to fight for Liam's rights, Mr. Harto was silent for a few seconds, before letting out a long sigh.
"I've been waiting for someone to do this," he said. "You're doing the right thing. I'll help you meet with the principal."
The third step began. The meeting with the Headmaster, Mr. Ezra, was not easy. The middle-aged man initially rejected the idea that Liam could return to school.
"You're asking me to take too much risk," he said coldly. "What if he loses control? What if there are other victims?"
But Kael didn't back down. And Levi, calmly, relayed everything they knew-about how Liam had helped them, how he tried to restrain himself, how he never hurt anyone on purpose.
Supported by Mr. Harto, the debate was heated until Mr. Ezra finally relented.
"Okay. I'll call a meeting with the trustees. But you must know-if this decision is rejected, there is nothing I can do."
The trustee meeting was held two days after Levi, Kael, and Mr. Harto's meeting with the Principal.
That afternoon, the school hall was filled with neatly arranged chairs, but the atmosphere was far from peaceful. The student guardians sat in tense rows, some crossing their arms over their chests, some busy whispering with worried faces. In front of them stood the principal, Mr. Ezra, accompanied by Ms. Lin, Mr. Harto, and two other staff members.
Levi and Kael sat in the back row, silently waiting for their turn to speak. The room's aura was like a mine ready to explode at any moment.
"Thank you for your presence, ladies and gentlemen. Today we will discuss a situation involving one of our students, William Louren," Mr. Ezra said in a neutral tone. "We understand that this situation is very sensitive. Therefore, we will open the floor for discussion."
A mother with her hair in a high ponytail immediately raised her hand and spoke without waiting for permission.
"I don't want my child in a class with monsters!" she exclaimed. "I saw the video. His eyes... that's not a normal human being!"
Several people nodded, and the whispers grew louder.
A middle-aged man on the right side chimed in, "If he loses control again? Who can guarantee that our children are safe? We're a school, not an experimental lab!"
Ms. Lin looked agitated. "We'll install surveillance and security systems, and involve NEXARIS in direct supervision..."
"But NEXARIS is also the one who arrested that kid like a criminal!" a father in the front row argued. "How can we trust them? It's like they have something to hide!"
Tension rose.
Mr. Ezra tried to calm things down, "We are looking for the best solution. Please give all parties a chance to speak."
Mr. Harto, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "I know this is difficult. But I ask you to remember... Liam is not an abuser. He never attacked anyone intentionally. The boy was trying to save others. We can't ignore that."
A young mother with teary eyes stood up slowly. "My daughter, Rani... she once told me that Liam helped her when she was almost hit. She's not a violent child. I believe that."
"Believing is one thing, ma'am, but our responsibilities as parents are different," replied a sardonic voice from behind.
Levi finally stood up.
"Excuse me... may I have a word?"
Mr. Ezra nodded.
Levi stepped forward, his voice calm but clear.
"Liam is not a threat. He's our best friend. He helps people, even when he's scared himself. Do you know why he holds back? Because he's more afraid of hurting others than being hurt. He didn't ask to be born like this."
She took a breath.
"All she asked for was one-live like any other normal child. To be able to go to school. To learn. To have friends. Isn't that what all children deserve?"
Silence.
Some eyes began to soften. But loud voices continued to emerge.
"If one person can endanger many, then the safety of all is more important!" a guardian said loudly. "We can't take any chances!"
That's when Mr. Ezra nodded slowly, realizing that a unanimous decision was impossible.
"There is one middle ground," he said finally. "We'll allow Liam to return... under special conditions."
All eyes were on him.
Three conditions were set:
Liam must wear an eye patch and gloves, or appropriate protective gear, to prevent physical risk to his surroundings.He would be directly supervised by NEXARIS officers on school premises. They will not interfere with learning, but will ensure safety.He/she is only allowed to participate in classroom activities. No extracurricular activities, student organizations, or other additional activities.And if any of the three points were violated, then Liam would be expelled from school immediately.
There was no applause. There were no cheers. But the silence that ensued was no longer from fear-it was because a compromise had been reached. A path, albeit a narrow one, had finally been opened for a child who had been standing on the brink.
On the television screens, news of last night's trustee meeting made headlines.
LIVE: SCHOOL HOLDS MEETING TO DECIDE LIAM LOUREN'S FATE
"We have been informed that the school has completed an intensive meeting with the guardians regarding the continued status of the student known as Wiliam Louren, who has recently become the center of national attention. As we know, Liam is a teenager suspected of having biological anomalies and is now under the watchful eye of the NEXARIS organization."
The broadcast moved to another journalist on site.
"We have also received information that this decision has been welcomed positively by most students, but has also caused unrest in others. There are many comments from the general public debating this decision on various social media. Here we show the opinions of some people..."
The screen switched to showing footage of civilian voices-some supporting, some berating, and some seemingly undecided.
On the roof of the school, Kael and Levi stared at their phone screens in silence once again. The morning breeze blew softly, bringing with it a sense of anxiety that hadn't completely dissipated.
"The media got the wind," Kael muttered.
Levi just nodded slowly. "Just waiting for one more thing..."
Kael turned his head. "What?"
Levi answered with a seirus tone. "What is NEXARIS' response to this?"
A few days after the school's decision was announced, the world seemed unable to stand still.
The hashtags #FreeLiamLouren and #JusticeForLiam flooded social media. Old videos of Liam - of him rescuing his friend from an accident, or of him restraining himself in a dangerous situation - went viral and rekindled public sympathy. Celebrities, human rights activists, and independent scientists began to speak out.
"This teenager is not a monster. He's a victim," wrote a prominent writer in his editorial column.
"If Liam has to wear an eye patch and live under close surveillance just because he's different, then we've failed as a society," said a bioethics professor on a national talk show.
The anger that had been hidden began to grow into embers. The embers coalesce, becoming waves. And the wave turned into an explosion.
On the first day, dozens of people gathered in front of the main gate of the Southeast Asian branch of NEXARIS. They carried banners, megaphones, and voices that could no longer be silenced. Police were deployed to guard, but the atmosphere was still under control.
On the second day, the crowd grew. Thousands of people took to the streets, filling the downtown area. Along the way, there were protest chants and loud shouts:
"LIAM IS A CHILD, NOT A WEAPON!"
"STOP HUNTING THE DIFFERENT!"
"JUSTICE NOT POWER!"
Televisions broadcast live, while media drones captured the sea of people filling the city's main street. Community leaders began to arrive, delivering speeches on command cars. A huge banner stretched between two tall buildings reading:
"EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE."
On the third day, the situation began to heat up. Some of the protesters tried to enter the NEXARIS gate, but were repelled by the authorities. Tear gas was released. Shouts turned into coughs and cries. However, none of them left.
In the media, the world watched with eyes wide open. From Tokyo, Berlin, to São Paulo, solidarity emerged in the form of similar actions in front of NEXARIS embassies or representative offices.
Meanwhile, at school, Liam could only stare at the television screen from the isolation room where he was temporarily quarantined - closely guarded by two NEXARIS agents. Neither of them spoke. But from the look in his eyes, it was clear that something was moving.
Liam is no longer alone.