CHAPTER 151: UNDERCURRENTS.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don’t hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

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Morning sunlight scattered across the academy pathways, thin and pale, the kind that made everything look sharper than usual. Students were already moving in groups—some rushing, some strolling, some still half-asleep.

Orion and Caelum walked side by side, the girls a few steps behind them. The floating clocks lining the walkways all read the same thing:

8:20 a.m.

They weren’t in a hurry, but there was a comfortable briskness in their steps. After all, Instructor Doran had made it very clear the previous day:

8:30 to 8:58 — Attendance. Presence mandatory.

Orion exhaled softly, rubbing his temple. He hadn’t slept poorly. But he also hadn’t slept peacefully, not with the memory of the previous night replaying behind his eyes.

Not the arena.

Not the fights.

Not even the threat.

But the moment everything shifted.

His mind slipped back.

Flashback – Last Night

The boy who stepped forward through the gathered crowd moved like he had all the time in the world—no rush, no interest in proving anything to anyone. Just an ease that somehow made everyone else tense.

Third-year.

A1.

You could tell before he even opened his mouth.

Bright silver hair that almost glowed under the arena lights.

Ice-blue eyes that didn’t waver once.

A posture so relaxed it felt like an insult to the tension around him.

The girl who had come to provoke them stiffened immediately. Even her backup shifted back half a step.

He stopped between the two groups, gaze gliding across the gathered students before settling on her.

"This," he said quietly, "is highly disappointing."

Not loud.

Not threatening.

But the kind of voice that carried weight naturally.

The girl forced a smile. "Senior, I was just—"

"Lying," he cut in, calm as drifting snow. "And unfortunately for you, I don’t appreciate having to step in for something this pathetic."

Her expression cracked.

Behind her, one of the older boys swallowed nervously.

She opened her mouth again. "It was Magnus’s request—"

"And Magnus," the senior said lightly, "must be losing brain cells quicker than expected if he thought provoking first-year A1s on their first day was a smart move."

A few students snickered.

She flushed bright red.

His head tilted just slightly.

"Listen carefully," he continued. "If you— or Magnus— pull something like this again... you won’t be able to walk around this place comfortably for the rest of the term."

No mana flared.

No killing intent.

Just... certainty.

Pure, simple certainty.

The girl took a shaky step back.

The senior ignored her completely and finally turned to Orion’s group.

And almost instantly, his sharp expression softened into something far more casual.

"First-years," he greeted with a small smile. "Didn’t expect to see you here."

Erevan blinked. "You know who we are?"

"Of course," he said. "All A1s keep tabs on each other. Especially the newest batch."

He glanced around at the dim red lights, the roaring pit, the betting booths, the monsters in cages, the smell of sweat and mana scorch lingering in the air.

"This," he continued with a sigh, "isn’t a place you all should be in yet. Not on your first day. The outer magnums love trouble, and trouble loves new A1s even more."

Thaddeus blinked. "You saying that because you’re worried or because you’re responsible for us ?"

"Both," the senior replied smoothly.

Orion’s lips twitched despite himself.

The boy clasped his hands behind his back. "Go back for tonight. Rest. Tomorrow’s your second day of classes. You’ll want to be sharp."

His gaze softened, but remained firm.

"It’s not a warning," he added. "Just advice. Take it."

Orion didn’t like listening to strangers.

But this wasn’t arrogance or manipulation.

It was... guidance.

A quiet understanding passed between them.

"We’ll leave," Orion said.

The senior nodded once, satisfied. "Good. Then I’ll pretend I didn’t see Magnus attempt something this stupid."

He turned away, hands sliding back into his pockets as he walked off as effortlessly as he’d arrived. The crowd parted before him like water.

And with that...

...the night effectively ended.

Present – Morning

Orion blinked as the memory dimmed, replaced by the bright morning ahead of him.

He didn’t regret going.

But he also wasn’t naïve.

There was far more occurring beneath the academy’s polished surface than they had been shown.

Caelum glanced sideways at him. "You spaced out again."

"So did you two minutes ago," Orion replied.

Caelum grunted. He couldn’t deny it.

Behind them, Seris called out, "Are you two okay?"

Orion and Caelum slowed slightly, turning to look at the girls. Seris and Selene both wore mildly suspicious expressions.

"You’ve both been staring into nothing for the last minute," Seris said. "Did something happen in the dorms?"

Caelum opened his mouth.

Orion gave him a look.

A simple one.

But clear.

Not now. Not them. Not yet.

Caelum shut his mouth.

"We’re fine," Orion said. "Just thinking."

Seris narrowed her eyes a bit, unconvinced. Selene watched quietly, almost as if she wanted to pry deeper but restrained herself.

"Thinking about class?" Seris asked.

"Something like that," Caelum answered.

Seris raised a brow but let it go. "Well, make sure your heads are clear before we reach Instructor Doran. He doesn’t play around."

"Noted," Orion replied.

They resumed walking.

The halls grew busier the closer they got to the main building. First-year uniforms filled the walkways, conversations buzzing around them like static.

The floating clock by the entrance of the corridor chimed softly.

8:26 a.m.

They turned the corner.

8:27.

They passed two groups of students gossiping about yesterday’s lectures.

8:28.

They stepped inside the classroom.

Almost full, aside from a few empty chairs.

Orion inhaled deeply, the cool air of the room settling around him. Caelum stretched lightly, Seris greeted the few students already present.

Orion glanced at his bracelet clock.

Two minutes before attendance began.

Plenty of time.