Chapter 142: The Astral Express is coming?
It was the first day of Belobog Officer Academy. As Orion walked through the school gates, two young women followed him—the elegant Bronya on his left, and the valiant Seele on his right. This combination immediately attracted countless gazes.
"Isn't that the Supreme Guardian's successor?"
"Who's that person in purple on the right? I heard she's a member of Wildfire, from the Underworld."
"No, isn't the focus on the boy in the middle?! Who is he?!"
Whispers were constant, but Orion was used to it.
During the subsequent entrance test, Orion displayed astonishing talent. Whether it was physical training or weapon usage, he performed with ease. His incredible strength allowed him to directly break the academy record in the strength test. Especially in the firearms test, the accuracy he displayed left the instructors speechless.
"Orion, is this really your first time holding a gun?" the young instructor couldn't help but ask.
Orion smiled humbly. "Just good luck."
The test results were released, and the three successfully enrolled. Orion secured first place by a wide margin, overshadowing Bronya and Seele, who were tied for second.
In the following days, the academy cafeteria was always the noisiest during lunchtime, with Orion often at the center of it.
"Orion, open your mouth, ah—" Bronya picked up a tender piece of roasted meat and brought it to Orion's mouth, a victorious smile on her lips.
"Hey, do you think he's a child?" On the other side, Seele, not to be outdone, picked up a large piece of bread, directly pushing Bronya's fork aside. "Eat this! You need carbs for energy!"
"Bread is too dry," Bronya furrowed her brows, precisely bypassing Seele's fork. "Eat meat, replenish protein."
Seele glared at her. "Orion, ignore her, eat mine!"
Orion sat helplessly between them. This daily tit-for-tat became their routine. From physical training to tactical simulations, the two competed for everything, as if they were born rivals. But gradually, they also discovered aspects of each other that weren't so annoying. They might have become good friends… if not for Orion.
That evening, Orion had just returned home. "You're back." Cocolia sat on the living room sofa, with Bronya beside her.
"Mother said she missed your cooking," Bronya explained. Thankfully, Seele had already returned to the Underworld.
"Orion, why have you been so hard to find recently?" Cocolia stood up, her tone carrying a hint of complaint. Since Orion went to the academy, the number of times he massaged her had significantly decreased.
"How could that be," Orion said immediately. "I've just been a bit busy with school… You can come anytime."
"That's good." Cocolia's expression softened. "Bronya, you go upstairs."
Bronya wisely went upstairs. Cocolia sat back on the sofa, closing her eyes. "Come on."
Orion's fingers pressed on her forehead, and a familiar warmth spread.
"After you graduate, come directly to Qliphoth Fort," Cocolia suddenly said. "You don't need to go to the front lines, just stay by my side." Her hand gently covered Orion's. "Belobog needs talent like you, and I… need you too."
"It is my honor," Orion replied. "However… I still want to gain experience on the front lines for a year or two first. Only by truly understanding the front lines can I better serve you."
Hearing it was for her sake, Cocolia's mood improved. "After graduation, one year at most. Then you must return to my side."
"As you command, Supreme Guardian."
After the massage, Cocolia leaned on the sofa, a complex emotion in her eyes. This young man had, unknowingly, become an indispensable part of her life.
In a blink of an eye, a year passed. Orion, Bronya, and Seele graduated with excellent grades and were dispatched to the front lines. This year was Cocolia's most agonizing. Without Orion's massages, the Stellaron's evil whispers returned, more alluring than ever. She struggled daily at the edge of breakdown, her longing for Orion becoming her last straw to maintain her sanity.
Another year passed. Orion was about to celebrate his 18th birthday. He returned to the Overworld, laden with military honors. Bronya and Seele also returned with him. A year of front-line life had stripped them of their naivety. Bronya was appointed Commander of the Silvermane Guards, and Seele returned to the Underworld, her prestige in Wildfire making her the undisputed candidate for leader.
At their farewell, the tension between them had lessened. The brutal battlefield had made them close friends who understood and admired each other. However, both also had a clear bottom line—Orion was absolutely not to be given to the other.
Orion, as promised, went to Qliphoth Fort immediately. When he saw Cocolia again, his heart sank. In just a year, the Stellaron's erosion had become severe. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with fatigue, and the black mist swirling around her was several times denser.
The moment she saw him, she rushed over, gripping his hand tightly. "Orion? It's really you… I knew you'd come back."
Orion sighed inwardly. "Yes, Supreme Guardian, I'm back."
He immediately helped her sit down and placed his hands on her head. The Stellaron's energy surged into his body, being rapidly devoured. Cocolia's tense body gradually relaxed.
Just as he had absorbed the heaviest surge of black mist, a knock came at the door. The voice of Gepard Landau sounded from outside, "Supreme Guardian, there are some visitors from outside who wish to see you… I have brought them."
Orion's hands paused. The Express Crew is here? So soon?
[Inorin Note:
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