CHAPTER 80: [80] 34% DIVINE

Xavier leaned against the kitchen counter, studying the translucent pink display hovering in front of him. Elaine moved around him, packing the last of her things into a small overnight bag.

"You’re staring at nothing again," she said, folding a blouse. "One of these days, I’m going to have a doctor check your eyes."

"Just thinking."

===== ESSENTIA STATUS: XAVIER VALENTINE =====

HP: [■■■■■■■■■■■■■] 800/800 IB: [□□□□□□□□□□] 0/250

BUFFER LEVEL: 1

METER BUILDING TECHNIQUES:

Basic Combo [+5 METER ON SUCCESS]

Counter Strike [+15 METER ON SUCCESS]

Perfect Dodge [+10 METER ON SUCCESS]

[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 2]

[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 3]

METER CONSUMING TECHNIQUES:

[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 2]

[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 2]

[LOCKED] [REQUIRES BUFFER LVL 3]

FEVER MODE: [LOCKED] [AVAILABLE AT FULL METER]

When activated: +15% to all stats for 30 seconds

Consumes entire meter when activated

COMBAT METRICS:

Perfect Executions: 5 • Combo Efficiency: 83%

Current Combo: 0 Hits • Max Combo: 18 Hits

SOUL BONDS:

[Calypso] [▓▓▓░░░░░░░] 34%

[Luka] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 8%

[Sayuri] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 6%

[Aurora] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%

[Beppo] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%

[Naomi] [▓░░░░░░░░░] 5%

NOTIFICATIONS:

Execute combat techniques with precision to build meter

Meter resets when sufficient damage is done

The numbers told an interesting story. Calypso at 34%—a significant jump since they’d arrived at the academy. But the others surprised him.

Luka at 8% stood out. The boisterous Russian had somehow wormed his way into Xavier’s life more than expected. His enthusiastic greetings and endless stories about his homeland should have been annoying, but Xavier found it endearing.

Sayuri at 6% made sense—the quiet artist had a gentleness that put him at ease, rare in his previous life. Aurora and Beppo tied at 5%, just enough to register on the system. And Naomi, despite her obvious interest, also sat at the minimum threshold.

What caught his attention were the absences. His mother wasn’t listed, likely because she lacked Essentia. But neither Thalia nor Ashley had reached the minimum 5% yet. Thalia’s absence wasn’t surprising—they’d only had one conversation. But Ashley? After the shopping trip and her gift of sunglasses, he’d expected some connection to have formed.

"Xavier," Elaine called, breaking his reverie. "Did you hear me? I asked if you’ve seen my phone charger."

"Check the outlet by the couch," he said, turning toward her. "You plugged it in last night while we were watching that nature documentary."

Elaine crossed the living room, finding the charger exactly where he’d said. "What would I do without you?" She smiled, tucking it into her bag.

"Probably buy a new charger every week," Xavier replied. Despite knowing their relationship was built on manufactured memories, he’d grown comfortable with Elaine over the weekend. She felt like a mother—his mother—in ways that transcended the artificial nature of their connection.

Calypso emerged from the bedroom, her silver hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She wore one of Xavier’s t-shirts over leggings.

"All packed?" she asked Elaine.

"Just about." Elaine zipped her bag closed. "I’ve got a six o’clock shift tonight, so I need to catch the three-thirty train."

Xavier checked the clock—two-fifteen. "We should leave in about twenty minutes to make sure you get there on time."

Elaine nodded, then turned to Calypso with an expression Xavier couldn’t quite read. "Can I have a moment with you, dear? Girl talk."

Calypso’s pink eyes widened slightly. "Oh. Sure."

When they returned, Elaine looked pleased with herself while Calypso avoided eye contact with Xavier, her cheeks still tinged pink.

"Ready to go?" Xavier asked.

They took a cab to the train station, the three of them squeezed into the back seat. Elaine sat between them, her hand occasionally patting Xavier’s knee in that maternal way she had.

The station bustled with Sunday afternoon travelers—students returning to the academy, workers heading back to jobs in neighboring cities, families ending weekend visits. Xavier carried Elaine’s bag as they navigated through the crowd toward her platform.

"Train 437 to Los Angeles, departing from Platform 3 in fifteen minutes," announced the overhead speaker.

They stopped near the boarding area. Elaine turned to face them both.

"Well," she said, "this has been an interesting visit."

"That’s one word for it," Xavier replied.

Elaine laughed, then grew serious. "I want you both to promise me something."

"What’s that?" Xavier asked.

"Take care of each other." She looked between them. "Whatever is going on with you two—and don’t try to tell me there’s nothing, because I wasn’t born yesterday—just make sure you’re looking out for one another."

Xavier nodded, unsure how to respond.

"We will," Calypso said, her voice soft. "I promise."

Elaine smiled at her. "Good." She turned to Xavier. "And you, young man, promise me you’ll call. Not just text. I want to hear your voice at least once a week."

"I promise," Xavier said. "And I’ll answer when you call, too."

"You better." Elaine opened her arms. "Now come here."

Xavier stepped into his mother’s embrace, feeling the warmth of her arms around him.

When they separated, Elaine turned to Calypso. "You too, come on."

Calypso hesitated for just a moment before stepping forward. Elaine hugged her tightly, whispering something in her ear that made Calypso’s eyes widen before she nodded.

"Remember what I said," Elaine told her. "White. Not black."

Calypso’s cheeks flushed again. "I will."

Elaine picked up her bag. "Don’t forget, Xavier—call me. No more disappearing acts."

"I won’t leave you in the dark again," he promised.

"Good." She straightened her jacket. "I’d better board. They’re particular about departure times."

Xavier watched as Elaine joined the line of passengers. She turned back once, waving at them both before disappearing into the train car.

They stood there until the train pulled away, its sleek form accelerating out of the station. Xavier felt a strange emptiness as it vanished from sight, carrying away the woman who, in this reality, had raised him.

"She’s nice," Calypso said beside him.

Xavier nodded. "Yeah. She is."

They turned to leave, making their way back through the station. Calypso walked close to him, their shoulders occasionally brushing.

"So," Calypso said, clearly changing the subject. "Your Soul Bond list is growing."

Xavier glanced at her. "You saw that?"

"I might have peeked while you were studying it this morning." She shrugged. "Interesting that Luka’s your second highest connection."

"Yeah, that surprised me too."

"It shouldn’t. He’s genuine. You respond to that, whether you admit it or not."

Xavier considered this. "Maybe. Or maybe it’s just that he won’t stop talking to me."

"Quantity of interaction matters," Calypso agreed. "But quality matters more. Our bond didn’t jump to 34% just because we live together."

They walked in silence for a moment, both considering the implications.

"Ashley isn’t on there yet," Xavier noted. "After all that time shopping yesterday."

"Shopping isn’t exactly deep connection," Calypso pointed out. "Besides, Ashley keeps everyone at arm’s length. Haven’t you noticed? Even when she’s being friendly, there’s a wall there."

Xavier nodded. He had noticed. "She reminds me of someone."

"Who?"

"Me. In my previous life."

They reached their apartment building, riding the elevator in comfortable silence. Inside their unit, Xavier moved to the window, looking out at the city spread below them.

"It’s weird," he said finally.

"What is?" Calypso joined him at the window.

"All of it. Having a mother who loves me. Friends who actually want to spend time with me. A..." He gestured between them. "Whatever this is."

"A partnership," Calypso supplied.

"Yeah."

Calypso’s hand found his. "That’s what being human is, Xavier. Connections. Bonds. The messy, complicated, wonderful disaster of caring about other people. You’re the one who taught me that."

Touché.