CHAPTER 30: CH 30: NIGHTWALKER’S RETURN.

"Maybe. Just maybe... The first Paragon from Aether Studies."

---

The Novus awakened proceeded back to their dorms, bruised and battered.

Aegon stood before his dorm hall, lifted his eyes to the sky— sparkling stars, Opalescent moon and the tranquil breeze that whisked his face.

It gave him the single piece of calm he’d felt all night.

He pushed through the doors and then to his dorm room. Opening the door to see Eli and Quinn already fast asleep.

He shut the door behind him—softly. The air inside was still, the faint hum of Eli’s breathing blending with Quinn’s occasional restless twitch.

Aegon stood there, drenched, mud still clinging to his boots, hair dripping over his face like rain on glass.

He didn’t move. Just... stood.

His mind was replaying every second of that field.

Cara collapsing.

Collins’ eyes when he said "Every limitation you think exists isn’t there."

The weight of her body, lifeless under that metal shell.

He could still feel her Aether. Faint. Like a dying heart or a phantom limb.

’Aether is sentient,’ Collins said.

Then what did that make him—someone who could steal from it?

He stripped his jacket, slumped into his chair, and pressed his face into his palms.

Everything hurt. Not just physically. His body felt hollow, drained to its core.

For a moment, he wished the mud had swallowed him whole.

He sunk his back into the wooden chair and stared out the window. He’d figured— or more precisely, he’d felt an answer to his question.

Cara was the creator of Aether.

Her affinity wasn’t just limited to the suit, it could reach all electronics.

’But why’s the daughter of a teacher hacking into the school’s database and creating an app?’

His thoughts prevailed.

But with no answers he left it as it was and slumped onto the bed— still in his dirty clothes.

---

The Light spilled over the horizon, shy at first, then bold. Every blade of grass seemed to glimmer like it had been waiting for this exact second.

It felt like the world had pressed reset—everything raw, ready, and begging to begin again.

Aegon moved peaceful in his sleep, ruffling the sheets underneath him like a child, until—

"Get up."

A familiar voice laced with disgust said to him.

His eyes fluttered open to Quinn.

Miss Orvin stood with her arms folded, glare sharp enough to draw blood.

"What?" Aegon muttered unintelligible.

"Is there a reason why you tracked mud into our dorm room?" She tilted her head to the left and gestured at his bed stained with mud.

He clasped a hand over his face, having nothing else to say to her.

"It doesn’t matter. We have class in a couple minutes."

Eli interjected as he leaned against the door.

Quinn scowled and took a few steps away from his blink.

Aegon swung his feet off the bed, rubbing his face to clear his drowsiness.

But after a minute or two, he pushed off the bed and got ready for class.

The trio headed out of the room together— walking past the regular faculty building to a different location.

"Uhmm... Where are we going?"

Aegon asked.

"Have you ever checked your timetable before?"

Quinn fired.

"We have trial survival class in the school’s auditorium, and it’s supposed to be for the entire Novus population so we can’t have it in the faculty building."

Eli answered.

The three finally fell silent as they continued the path for the auditorium.

They proceeded into the building— simple and sturdy. At the back of the library, although not as big as it but enough to fit them all.

Rows upon rows of metal chairs sat within— apart from the singular aisles that provided path into and out without obstruction.

As expected Eli waved to a couple of his friends before leaving Aegon and Quinn to join them.

Neither Aegon nor Quinn had any friends in particular, so they unwillingly sat together— far back, yet at a decent distance from the stage.

They say in uncomfortable silence, even as their peers laughed, talked and moved all around them.

Then a figure moved into their row— shifting past the others as they made their way for Aegon.

She sat down next to Aegon. Short burgundy black hair tied up in a messy bun. Narrowed red eyes that bore a hole through him.

Cara Collins.

Aegon’s eyes drifted to her and shot back straight ahead— she was definitely not happy.

"So..." Cara dragged her words, "You’re the one who knocked me out. And yet, I don’t see much."

"What?!"

Quinn scoffed. She’d caught ear of what Cara said and had her curiosity piqued.

"This is a private conversation and no one was talking to you."

Cara hissed.

’Oh, no. You really shouldn’t have said that.’ Aegon thought as his eyes fought to keep contact with both Cara and Quinn.

"Well he’s my roommate so I guess whatever is his business is mine too."

Quinn caught hold of Aegon’s arm and claimed him.

But that particular comment caught the ear of more than just Cara— everyone around them turned around.

Including the person in front of them, who Aegon hadn’t previously noticed was Mira.

Her blue doll eyes shot wide before she snapped her head straight and lowered herself into the seat. Making herself practically invisible.

As if saved by the bell, the teacher barged into the hall.

"Alright, settle down everyone."

She headed down the aisle towards the stage in front.

Immediately Aegon saw her his blood ran cold. Curly blond hair, blue eyes and a face that could start wars.

Ava Therin. Previously mentioned and one of the strongest heroines in the entire novel.

He never thought he’d see her this early—Ava Therin, one of the heroes whose existence tilted the balance of this world.

Even though he never fully read it— her presence throughout the novel was felt, with fans often comparing her to Marvel’s Scarlet Witch or Captain Marvel.

But he didn’t read enough to know he affinity or Faculty — so like always he was intelligible enough to know, and yet not enough to have a upper hand.

"What do you all know about the Adept Trial?" She rhetorical asked to silence the class.

"Absolutely nothing. The next trial will face be a bit more... Creative than the awakening trial.

A common question you all have is how to defeat anomalies without Aether. The truth is—"

~BOOM!~

The ground quaked faraway and shook the entire auditorium. The ground shook with a sound like the sky tearing in two.

A silence followed—brief, heavy, electric.

Ava’s eyes narrowed.

"Everyone, stay calm."

Ava stopped and looked around. "What’s that?"

The Novuses exchanged confused glances, swerving their heads either way as the murmurs intensified.

’What the hell is going on now?’

Aegon asked himself, folding his fist in worry.

Before finally a screamed tore through the murmurs.

"It’s Nightwalker! He’s here!"