Aren couldn’t rember what happened with the rest of the night. Aren didn’t rember falling asleep. One mont, he just got ho, and the next, it was dayti.
That was when his sister burst through the door.
"AREN CROSS!" she yelled. "Not even the first day of college and you returned late!"
He blinked at her, hair a ss as his eyes weren’t even fully focused yet.
"...What?"
His father entered a few minutes afterwards, trying to calm Anna down. "Look Anna, he’s a growing boy, why don’t you cut him so slack—"
"No!" Anna replied. "Who knows how many wicked won are out there are trying to trick brother!"
Aren stared.
"Wicked—?"
"I won’t allow it!"
Ugh...this is going to be a long morning.
***
Anna still glared at him from across the table as if expecting him to confess his cris.
Their father poured a cup of coffee quietly.
"So," he said mildly, "you were out late."
"I was looking at housing near the college."
That made both of them pause.
"Housing?" his father repeated.
Aren nodded quickly. "It’s closer, saves commute ti and money."
Anna narrowed her eyes.
"With who."
"Just a random roommate," he lied.
She took one chopstick and pointed it toward him, full of bloodlust.
"Male?"
Aren didn’t answer.
She narrowed her eyebrows, maybe she was going to go shopping for so locks later on.
"Have you thought this through?" his father coughed.
"I did the math already," Aren said calmly. "Rent split. Utilities included. I’ll take on commissions once school starts."
His father looked at him more carefully now.
"You’re sure?"
"Yeah, you can use the funds we have from Captain Eric," Aren continued. "I’ll earn my own."
There was a small pause before his father nodded.
"Alright."
Anna whipped around.
"Dad!"
"He’s growing up," his father said gently.
Aren stood, grabbing his bag.
"I’ll send the address later."
Anna crossed her arms tightly.
"If this roommate is suspicious, I’m investigating."
"I’m heading out for school," Aren walked toward the door. "See you!"
"AREN—!"
***
With another 15 Riels down the drain from the bus ride, along with another 30 from the moving service he ordered to move his stuff, Aren was pretty much broke.
He did have Captain Eric’s money, but he just told his family to use it.
Who would a man be without his words!
Aren sighed and stepped into the campus grounds once more. Well, the first day looked more like a festival.
The front gate was flooded with students. Families lingered near the entrance, taking pictures. While vendors had sohow appeared along the sidewalks, selling food, among other things.
Aren adjusted the strap of his bag and kept walking.
Orientation banners hung from the main building while faculty mbers stood near the registration desks, guiding new students toward their assigned departnts.
Aren just barely managed to squeeze through to ask for directions before heading off his own way.
Though the more he approached the Lightning Departnt, the more he noticed how empty the surroundings were. It’s not even like it was located far from the center, quite the opposite in fact.
It was right next to the auditorium.
The building itself was just as clean and minimalistic as the others, with the huge hanging banner ingrained with a thunderbolt to signify its identity.
Aren stepped through and made his way to the classroom.
Was it room 3-1? I think she said it was the freshman room?
He slowed near the directory board mounted against the wall before reading it aloud.
"Freshman Lecture Hall — 3-1," he muttered. "Seems right."
He adjusted the strap of his bag and pushed the door open.
As soon as he did, heads turned instantly. Nine other students were scattered around the classroom, seated far enough apart that no one looked like they were forming alliances just yet.
There wasn’t even chatter or any small talk, just glances trying to asure each other.
Aren stepped fully inside and let the door close behind him, seeming to be the last one to arrive.
Only 10 of us? And it seems like the atmosphere is a little—?
His eyes moved across the room as he sat down in a nearby seat next to the door. One girl wore a subtle light-shaped pendant that was glowing purple. Another boy near the front idly spun what looked like a magical ring around his finger.
That’s right...
Not many freshn would choose Lightning because of how expensive it was. Aren should’ve seen it coming.
Every single person in this room...was a rich young master.
Before anyone could say a peep, the classroom door opened without warning. Heels clicked sofly against the floor as a woman stepped inside.
She wore a fitted black blazer over a white blouse. Thin-frad glasses rested low on her nose as she adjusted them with two fingers, her expression composed—amused, even.
Her red wine-colored hair was tied up neatly in a bun.
"Good morning," she said calmly. "I’m Professor Diana Sterling and I’ll be the teacher in charge of this class."
One of the students scoffed before telling her off. "What are your qualifications, can you even teach soone like ?"
A few of the other students snickered lightly, but no one stopped him.
"Well," she replied gently, "if you really want to know... I’m currently a Veteran-Grade Mystic. Line 5."
But even as she said it, Aren knew it was a lie. Moving ether to his eyes, he could see the vast amount of ether subconsciously leaking out of her body.
Yet, it wasn’t the natural leakage that everybody had. No...it was controlled, almost like a test to see who would find out.
Aren knew imdiately, she was Line 6, an Ascendant-Grade Mystic.
Then her head turned, her piercing violet eyes stared at him. Suddenly, the ether in his eyes collapsed, snapping without much resistance like cut by invisible scissors.
He flinched in his seat as a wave of pain surged inside his head. Aren blinked once, steadying his breathing.
The classroom remained unchanged. No one else reacted. The arrogant student still leaned back lazily in his chair. A few others were watching Diana with open curiosity.
But Diana was watching him.
That confirms it.
Within the databases of teachers, faculty information was public, including their Bloodline.
Aren had seen hers in a quick glance: Empress Shock Spider, which was likely an Insect-type that had Lightning and Earth as its main elents. But the move she used just now...it was a Psychic Elent burst.
She really is Line 6...
Diana’s gaze lingered on Aren for one final second before she looked away as though nothing unusual had occurred.
The faint smile returned to her lips.
"Well," she said lightly, folding her hands atop the desk, "it seems all of you are awake enough."
The arrogant boy straightened slightly, perhaps realizing he’d misjudged sothing.
She adjusted her glasses once more.
"Unfortunately for those eager to begin cultivating imdiately, there will be no formal lesson today."
A quiet murmur spread among the students, yet Diana’s tone didn’t change.
"All freshn are required to participate in the academy’s tradition."
She paused, allowing the weight of the word to settle.
"The Orientation Exchange."
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