Chapter 211
DISPLEASURE
He eventually arrived.
The ride back had been quiet, and the familiar shape of the dormitory buildings brought a dull sense of normalcy. IAM stepped through the entrance and into the lounge area.
A few students were sitting around, clearly on a break. Laughter buzzed from one corner of the room, where a group huddled around their phones, tapping and swiping at the screens.
Judging from the bright, chaotic colors and matching shouts of frustration, they were playing a mobile game—something called Una.
IAM would've kept walking… but something caught his eye.
One of the students in the group happened to be someone he'd seen on the very first day at the academy. Back when Yohan had broken down in front of the entire crowd. Back when IAM had handed over a loaded mech to a grieving boy and told him to shoot.
He was probably one of the ones who helped spread the rumor that he was the survivor.
IAM's gaze met his.
He didn't stop walking, but as he passed, he let a slow, knowing smile curve his lips. His eyes locked on the boys.
The student blinked, froze, then quickly looked away, ducking his head and pretending to be very focused on his screen.
He remembered.
They all remembered.
IAM's actions that day had burned themselves into more than one mind. He had handed a mech to Yohan—and told him to use it. Told him to aim and pull the trigger. He had even taunted him to do it.
It was only thanks to Yohan snapping out of it at the last moment that nothing irreversible happened. The shot never came.
But that moment had left a scar in the minds of those who saw it.
Some called it crazy. Some whispered pathological.
Because who does that? Who offers their own head on a silver platter to someone on the edge, without blinking? Who looks into a loaded mech and doesn't even flinch?
He had to be a madman. That was the only explanation.
IAM could only shake his head as he watched the student quickly duck his gaze and all as he headed up the stairs.
He made his way to room number 13. When he reached the door, he paused for a second, looking at the metallic black scanner panel mounted just beside the frame.
Then he pulled out his phone, opened the code, and held it up. The screen aligned neatly with the reader. A faint blue light blinked once. Then a soft beep.
The lock clicked open.
He pushed the door and stepped inside. The room was quiet.
The others weren't back yet.
He walked over to his side of the room, grabbed a change of clothes, bonnet and a towel, then stepped into the bathroom without a word.
A few minutes later, he stood in the shower, turning the knob until the water blasted out—ice-cold. The first touch made his skin tense, like the cold punched straight through to the bone.
Without the Avien circulating mana through his body, he was just… human. And right now, his muscles ached, his head throbbed faintly from the backlash, and the cold only made everything sharper.
But in a strange way—it helped.
As the cold water caressed his body, sliding down his shoulders and trailing along his spine, IAM found his mind drifting—without permission.
He remembered her.
Natsuki.
That brief encounter in the hallway had left more of an impression than he'd realized.
She looked the same. But now that he thought about it—really thought about it—he remembered something else. She'd been carrying that strange sword of hers. He hadn't noticed it at first. But now, the memory came back clear as day.
The hilt was odd. Not like a traditional grip—it looked more like a small cube stuck at the top. The blade itself wasn't especially long, nor too short. It rested at her side like it belonged there, like it had always been there.
He was pretty sure she always carried it. Everywhere. Maybe it was for protection. Maybe it was just habit.
Either way, if she was carrying it so casually, so naturally... she had to know how to use it. Probably pretty well too...
He leaned back against the cold tile for a second, water still falling over him, eyes closed.
What is going on?
He opened his eyes, reached forward, and turned the knob. The water slowed, then stopped.
IAM stepped out of the shower, dried himself off, and pulled on fresh clothes. A loose shirt, comfortable pants.
When he stepped back into the room, it was still empty.
He dropped onto his bed with a low groan.
His head hit the pillow, and he stared up at the ceiling for a long second.
He didn't know what his problem was. But ever since running into her, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
It was weird.
With a grunt, he pushed himself back up and left to get some food.
By the time he returned, the sky outside was darker. The room still quiet.
He climbed back into bed, pulled the blanket over himself, and closed his eyes.
Maybe sleep will shake it off.
...
IAM's eyes snapped as the door opened. Yohan and Henry stepped in, their shoulders slumped, thier faces were tight with exhaustion.
IAM relaxed a little, his body sinking back into the bed as he shot them a smug smile.
"Rough day?" he said, a faint edge of amusement in his voice.
They glanced at him, exchanged a quick look, and went straight to their own things, ignoring him completely.
IAM shook his head with a faint smirk.
They weren't Reuel, so it made sense they'd handle things more calmly. Speaking of Reuel…
"Where is Reuel? I don't see him with you guys," he asked, leaning back a bit.
Henry shrugged. "After you left, he barely spoke to us. Just hung around with some older students."
IAM nodded . The three of them started to settle, unpacking their things, exchanging quiet words. Conversation began to flow between the three.
After a pause, Yohan tilted his head, curiosity edging into his tired expression. "How about that guy who took you away? What was that all about?"
IAM opened his mouth to answer—but the door swung open again.
Reuel stepped in, and the room seemed to stiffen. His expression was unlike anything IAM had ever seen from him: serious and without the usual flicker of humor or mischief. He didn't glance around or greet anyone—just fixed his gaze straight ahead.
Before anyone could speak, he said, "I got some bad news for you guys."