After the library session and another general class with Professor Martis, the group returned to their dorms, minds swirling with the day's events.
Vahn, feeling slightly drained, walked to his room. But as he got closer, the muffled thuds and shouting from inside made him frown.
'What now?'
With a tired sigh, he opened the door and stepped into chaos.
All of them looked in his direction.
Ten unfamiliar boys filled the room, and from their postures, the two of his roommates—William and Matthew—were clearly being beaten up, sprawled across the floor. And amidst the fray stood someone Vahn hadn't seen in a while.
Barion.
"You?" Vahn's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing, slave?" Vahn hadn't seen him since returning from his situation, but now, he was here with some others. It was obvious what he had done.
Barion flinched but tried to puff himself up, his voice shaking, "W-Who are you calling your slave!"
"Oh, is this him?"
"He doesn't look strong."
"Hey, come in."
The boys spoke casually, as if Vahn were just another errand to run.
Vahn blinked. 'Are they serious?'
His eyes flicked to Barion, who clearly had fed them info and warned them. However, he even joined in their taunts. The boys even began to activate their abilities, weapons forming, elements sparking.
Vahn sighed.
Then, without even triggering his own ability, he stepped in and closed the door.
He moved like a storm, raw and fast. No finesse. Just clean, efficient violence. Fists flying, bones thudding, and cries echoing. He didn't care about elemental buffs, metal skin, or energy shields. His body tanked hits and hit back harder.
Thwack.
Crack.
Thunk.
Fist after fist, punch after punch—Vahn let it all out.
Somewhere in the frenzy, he smiled.
'This… feels good.'
He didn't even realize how much stress he'd been carrying. The chaos around him became white noise—just the sounds of fists and pain.
Barion's cries were among the loudest.
And then William joined in, roaring, "YOU BASTARDS!"
From his ruined bed, William activated a set of mini automatons, mechanical fists that took turns punching the already downed boys. The machines hummed and whirred in rhythm like a twisted percussion ensemble.
It lasted ten minutes.
By the end, the floor was littered with groaning, unconscious bodies. Faces were swollen, lips busted, arms twitching.
"Okay, okay—enough," Vahn said, pulling William back before he went full Terminator. "We're not trying to kill them."
William huffed, still vibrating with fury.
Vahn surveyed the pile and asked, "What happened?"
"These bastards came back claiming we 'touched' one of their people." William's teeth were clenched. "Damn thugs."
'So Barion joined a gang,' Vahn thought. 'Figures. This confirms it.' Barion most likely told them about it, and this was his backup to repay his humiliation.
'Anyways…' Putting their matter aside, he dropped onto his bed, pulled out his phone, and checked Jarrad Dwight's profile again.
From Dante's notes, Jarrad was quiet, kept to himself, and avoided attention.
'Reminds me of… well, me.' ' It made him remember his self in his former school. He didn't have any friends and was only bothered about trying to awaken.
He checked the time.
'Then, I'll meet him tonight.'
With that, he tossed his phone aside and laid back.
Moments later, he was asleep.
"H-He really just slept?" Matthew whispered, baffled. He hadn't partaken in the revenge beating due to his good nature, and the rest didn't discriminate.
William smirked. "Of course. For him, this was just exercise."
"Let's clean up."
William snapped his fingers, creating small electric zappers. He and Matthew tossed the unconscious boys out one by one.
Elsewhere…
"This is weird. Why did you ask to meet me?" Han asked, his brow furrowed as he stood under the shade of an old tree.
Carla pulled down her hood. "Sorry. It's important."
"What is it?"
"You fought Vahn in the combat class, right?"
"Yeah."
"How was he?"
Han blinked in confusion but replied honestly, "Strong. Actually… I felt like he was holding back."
Carla's face scrunched in confusion.
"What?" Han asked, noticing her shift in expression.
"I—" She paused. "Vahn doesn't have an ability."
Han stared at her like she'd grown a second head.
"…What?"
"You heard me."
"No—wait, how do you know that?"
But she didn't answer. She just looked at him, expression unreadable.
Han slowly exhaled, rubbing his face. "You're serious. You wouldn't lie about something like this."
"I think he's hiding something," Carla said.
Before Han could respond—
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
Dante's voice cut through the air, Darla following behind.
"You guys know something?" Carla asked as he saw the indifferent expression.
"Know what?" Dante tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
"Vahn doesn't have an ability?" Han answered, still trying to process the news.
And truly, Dante didn't flinch. "I thought I already told you. We've been watching him for a while now."
"You knew?" Carla asked.
"Yeah. But I also believe… that's not true anymore."
"What do you mean?" Han asked, confused.
Dante looked at him. "You said he was strong during your match?"
"Yeah…?"
"Add that to the fact he escaped from an experiment lab. And then—this."He showed them a chat on his phone.
Vahn had asked for information on a second-year student with a space-related ability.
Carla and Han looked at each other.
"…He awakened?" Han whispered.
"Exactly." Dante grinned. "Knowing him, he's probably meeting the second-year today." He already knew where the second year was and where the meeting was going to be held.
He pulled out a pair of long-distance hearing buds. "So—who wants to go on a little spy mission?"
Han gaped. "W- Was this your plan all along?"
Dante just smirked.
Carla and Han sighed—and followed.
Later that evening…
Vahn was out walking, scrolling through his phone.
[BALANCE: 10 SILVER]
The alliance provided daily deposits for students, basic pocket money, and because he hadn't really had time on his hands, he hadn't even checked it.
Now it had accumulated, 'More than enough.'
One silver could feed himrecklessly for a whole day. Now imagine ten. He was practically rich.
The detailed map Dante sent to him led him to a small, stylish shop named Calysus.
Dling…
The doorbell chimed softly as he stepped in. The bartender offered a warm smile.
Vahn glanced around and spotted him.
Dark hair, pale skin, tired eyes. Hood up. A bit older-looking. Quiet and withdrawn.
Jarrad Dwight.
But before approaching, Vahn walked to the counter.
"Your calmest drink, for two."
It was a strange request, but according to Dante, Jarrad preferred mellow drinks over anything flashy.
After paying, Vahn approached the corner booth where the second-year sat alone.
"Jarrad Dwight?" he asked.
The boy looked up, with his expression unreadable.