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Chapter 92 - Arrival at EIAA (2)

Minos stepped out of the grand hall first, stretching his arms with a relieved sigh.

"So, we're finally done," he muttered.

Rhyes nodded once, calm as ever. "Let's get out of here now."

They moved through the polished corridors, the echo of their footsteps bouncing softly off the stone walls. Idle chatter filled the air as they made their way out and toward the waiting carriage. Once inside, Rhyes spoke.

"Classes start next month," he began, "but you'll all be shifting into your dorms by next week."

Jennie nodded. "Good to be early. There are already too many people as it is."

Nova leaned forward. "But Supreme Commander Rhyes, if the passing numbers are so high, how are there still so many students?"

"Yeah," Minos added, "there were thousands in there."

Asher chuckled, leaning back. "Every year several million kids take the exam. Out of fifty million or so, only twelve hundred get selected."

Ai blinked. "The ratio is insane."

Rhyes gave a small nod. "It is. Those twelve hundred are exceptional people—but besides them, a few hundred nobles get in… pushed through by wealthy parents."

Miwa frowned. "Isn't that unfair? EIAA didn't seem like that kind of place."

"You're correct," Rhyes said evenly, "but Miss Seraphina isn't your ordinary principal."

"Seraphina?" Minos asked.

Rhyes' gaze sharpened slightly. "She's from one of the top three Duke families of the Vlies Kingdom. Her family has overseen EIAA for centuries. Instead of avoiding politics, they embraced it—so thoroughly that they're now free from all political chains. But for the sake of formalities, and to keep strong ties with high nobles, they accept a small number of them."

Nova nodded thoughtfully. "Smart tactic. Working with the system instead of against it."

Kiyomasa leaned back. "Makes sense now."

Nova clapped his hands lightly. "Well, no need to overthink it. From next week, we're officially students."

Rhyes tilted his head. "One more thing. I almost forgot."

Miwa looked over. "What is it?"

Rhyes' eyes went to Nova. "Your name is written wrong, correct?"

Nova shook his head slightly. "Not exactly wrong—they just put my family name first."

"That doesn't matter," Neo said flatly. "You'll be called Nova now, not Jahanox anymore."

Nova smirked faintly. "I think I understand where you're coming from."

Ai nodded. "Yeah, makes sense."

Jennie tilted her head. "Can't we just call him Jahanox?"

Nova shook his head. "That could come off weird or suspicious. My ID card and admission form both say 'Nova,' so it's best to stick with that."

Kiyomasa raised a hand in mock surrender. "Alright, Jaha— I mean, Nova."

Minos smirked. "It'll take a week or two to get used to."

"You'll manage," Nova said with a small laugh.

Everyone chuckled—except Zazm, who leaned back silently, drawing attention.

Nova smirked. "You don't look thrilled about going back to school."

Zazm looked at everyone but said nothing.

"Yeah, stay quiet," Nova teased. "We all know how much you hate school."

"Are you even alive?" Ai added, leaning toward him. "Hello?"

Zazm didn't respond, eyes distant, as if his mind was somewhere far away.

---

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

The carriage rolled to a stop before the sprawling EIAA campus.

Jennie stepped out first, stretching. "So, here's where we're gonna stay for five years."

Nova followed her out. "Never thought I'd be attending a magic academy."

"It's not a magic academy, Nova," Ai corrected, joining them as she stepped down from the other carriage, Zazm and Miwa close behind.

"Once, maybe," Nova said, glancing around. "Still has that feel, though."

Miwa nodded with a grin. "Feels like we're in a manhwa."

Kiyomasa smirked. "Let's see what the next five years are gonna be like."

They walked into the campus, where lush green lawns were dotted with blooming flowers, and old trees cast wide shadows across cobblestone paths.

"There are people reading under trees… even in the branches," Ai said in delight. "This place feels so old-style, I love it."

"Let's check our dorms first," Nova said.

"How do we check again?" Minos asked.

"Message from EIAA to our bracelets," Ai replied.

Nova tapped his bracelet, scrolling to the inbox. There it was:

[ EIAA: C-45 ]

"I'm in the same room as you," Kiyomasa said.

"Me too," Minos added.

"Really?" Nova laughed.

"B-12," Ai said.

"Me too," Miwa added.

"B-13," Jennie chimed in.

"Looks like Rhyes pulled some strings," Nova said, turning to Zazm. "You with us too?"

"A-67," Zazm said flatly.

"What?" Kiyomasa asked, surprised.

"Weird," Nova murmured.

"It's a two-person room," Ai reasoned. "Rhyes probably tried his best."

Jennie nodded. "Ai, Miwa, and I are neighbors—that's fine. But why put Zazm in a different building?"

"Nothing we can do," Zazm replied. "Let's just leave it."

"Alright," Ai said. "We'll meet later—let's check our rooms first."

The girls went one way, the boys another.

"Five blocks for dorms?" Nova asked as they approached.

They were about to continue when a familiar voice spoke behind them.

Asher, in full disguise, grinned.

"What are you doing here?" Nova asked.

"No reason. Just wanted to see you all," Asher said.

"You'll get caught," Kiyomasa warned.

"No one can see us," Asher said confidently.

"Why?" Minos asked.

Neo's voice came from above them—he was sitting on a curb. "Because I'm using my power."

"Alright then," Nova said.

"Rhyes wanted me to tell you something," Asher began. "Dorms are two per room—except C block, which has three. That's why Minos, Kiyo, and Nova are together. Girls' C block was full, so Jennie's next door. And Zazm…"

Zazm tilted his head slightly.

"You have the room to yourself," Asher finished.

"Why does he get to live alone?" Nova asked.

"His dormmate couldn't attend," Asher shrugged.

"Works in your favor," Neo said.

"We've got to go," Asher said.

"Thanks for the help," Nova said.

"No big deal," Asher replied, before they both vanished.

"Block C's in the middle," Nova said as they resumed walking.

"That's A," Minos pointed.

Zazm headed toward his own block.

"Bye," Kiyomasa called.

Zazm raised a hand in a half-wave.

Walking down the quieter path, he finally spoke. "What did you do?"

Zephyra whistled innocently. "No idea what you're talking about."

Zazm just stared at her until she looked away.

"I asked Elziora for help, that's all," she admitted.

"You could've just said," Zazm muttered.

"I don't want to room with some random guy," Zephyra replied.

Zazm didn't respond. They reached his dorm, and after scanning the numbers, he found the right one.

A-67

He lifted his bracelet, holding it near the door. The lock gave a soft click, and the door slowly swung open.

The bracelet gave a soft chime, and the heavy wooden door clicked open with a slow, measured swing. The scent of polished oak and faint lavender drifted out, as though the room itself had been sealed in quiet dignity for years.

Zazm stepped in.

The space was wide—wider than he expected for a dormitory—and the air carried the stillness of an old library. Two grand canopy beds stood on opposite sides of the room, each dressed in deep burgundy sheets with gold-thread embroidery tracing delicate patterns across the fabric. Heavy velvet curtains framed tall arched windows, their glass tinted slightly so the outside sunlight poured in like warm amber.

Between the beds, pushed against opposite walls, sat two antique desks, each paired with an ornate high-backed chair upholstered in soft leather. The desks bore intricate carvings along their edges—a testament to craftsmanship long before this generation. On the far wall, above one of the desks, hung a large, oval mirror with a gilded frame, its surface so clear it seemed like a portal.

Beneath was wooden floor shining with contrast to sunlight coming form the outside.

Zephyra looked at the room and jumped on the best close to windows.

"I'm taking this bed."

Zazm didn't say anything and quietly placed his bag on the other bed.

"The wardrobes there."

Zephyra pointed next to bed where the wardrobe was blended into walls.

---

Nova flopped onto his bed with a satisfied sigh.

"This room is bigger than I thought," he said, stretching out.

Kiyomasa looked around, eyes wide. "Yeah… this is the size of Zazm's house."

Minos nodded, voice echoing slightly. "We're talking loudly just to hear each other."

Nova smirked. "This place just keeps getting cooler."

---

On the other side of the dorms, Ai and Miwa were already knee-deep in room setup.

Ai wrinkled her nose at the sight of the standard bedding. "What are these plain white bedsheets?"

"I already knew," Miwa replied, holding up a shopping bag. "That's why I bought some colored ones."

Ai grinned. "I brought rugs and slippers. Instant upgrade."

Miwa was already inspecting the curtains. "These aren't great either. And the desks? So plain."

"Don't worry," Ai said with a smirk. "We'll fix that. Once we're done here, let's help Jennie."

"Yeah, sure," Miwa agreed.

---

Jennie stepped into her assigned room, only to notice signs of someone already living there. She was just about to set her bag down when the restroom door opened and a girl stepped out, hair wrapped in a towel.

Jennie offered a polite smile. "Hello, I'm your new roommate."

The girl tilted her head. "Oh yeah, you must be Jennie Aurelia, right?"

Jennie nodded. "Yes, and you—?"

The girl quickly smiled, extending her hand. "I'm Lisa Murray."

Jennie repeated her name thoughtfully. "Lisa…" Then curiosity lit her eyes. "Are you from Earth?"

Lisa's smile widened. "You got that right. And your name tells me you're from Earth too."

"Yes," Jennie confirmed, shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jennie. Let's hope we can stay friends for the next five years."

Jennie, slightly overwhelmed, nodded. "Likewise."

Lisa's eyes suddenly lit with mischief. "By the way, have you seen the uniforms yet?"

Jennie shook her head. "I haven't gotten mine."

Lisa smirked. "I just got mine today. Was about to try it on."

Jennie's curiosity grew. "Really? How is it?"

"It's amazing—completely different from Earth clothes. It's got that… academy prestige feel." Lisa took Jennie's hand and pulled her toward the neatly folded outfit on her bed.

Jennie's eyes widened. "It's really pretty."

"I know, right?" Lisa said proudly, lifting it up. "Want me to try it on?"

"I wouldn't want to trouble you—"

"You're not troubling me, I was gonna wear it anyway," Lisa grinned.

"Then please do," Jennie said.

---

Moments later, Lisa emerged dressed in the winter uniform: a crisp white shirt paired with a fitted black blazer trimmed in gold, a black skirt that fell below the knees with a golden waistband, and a soft matching scarf for warmth.

Jennie smiled. "It looks really good."

Lisa spun around. "Right? And this scarf is perfect."

Jennie tilted her head. "Why both a scarf and a blazer?"

"Well," Lisa explained, "this is the winter uniform. In summer, the scarf's replaced with a tie and the blazer's dropped."

"Ah, makes sense. It's already getting cold."

"Euphoria's winter is no joke," Lisa said, adjusting the scarf. "Not like Earth. I'm wearing a sweater underneath just in case."

Jennie chuckled. "That's smart."

Lisa glanced at Jennie's still-unpacked things. "Oh—sorry, I've kept you standing here. Let me help you settle in."

Jennie shook her head. "It's fine—"

"Too kind," Lisa said with a wink. "We're friends now, so let me help. Then I'll give you a campus tour."

Jennie's eyes lit up. "Alright, let's do it."

---

Far away, on the rooftop of a tall building, Asher stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the overcast sky.

"Looks like it's about to start snowing," he said.

Neo turned, his gaze hard. "Let's finish this."

Both vanished in a blur, reappearing at the edge of a forest beyond EIAA's borders.

In the shadows of the trees ahead, six figures waited.

Neo landed beside Asher on a branch, his voice low. "Status?"

Asher's fingers danced over a small holographic screen. "All of them are pushing readings over a million."

Neo's eyes narrowed. "So… all six are zero-stars."

"Yeah," Asher said grimly. "If they'd reached EIAA, it would've been a problem."

Neo's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I take the three in front. You take the three in back."

"Very well."

In the next instant, Neo vanished completely—leaving only the cold bite of the wind and the heavy, expectant silence before battle.

---

Six cloaked figures crouched along the thick, snow-frosted branches, their dark silhouettes blending seamlessly into the forest's shadows. Their breaths misted faintly in the cold air, every motion deliberate and silent.

One of them leaned forward, voice low but steady.

"We're almost at EIAA. Remember, our goal is to keep an eye on—"

His words died mid-sentence.

In the span of a blink, his head left his shoulders in a clean, wet arc, spinning through the air before landing in the snow with a muted thud. The body stayed upright for half a heartbeat before collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

The other five leapt down instantly, boots crunching against frostbitten earth, forming a tight circle back-to-back.

"Prepare to fight!" one hissed, drawing his blade.

"Who's attacking us?!" another demanded, scanning the treeline.

That was when they saw them.

Two pairs of eyes — one an abyssal black that seemed to swallow all light, the other burning crimson like fresh blood under moonlight — glared down at them from high above.

"Look there!" one of the men shouted, pointing.

The eyes vanished.

A whisper of displaced air was the only warning before Neo materialized directly in front of one of them, blade already slicing toward the man's chest. But instead of cutting clean, the steel lodged deep into the flesh, stuck fast as if trapped in stone.

The man smirked. "Too bad for you."

Before Neo could disengage, another figure slammed a hand to the ground. The earth beneath Neo erupted — a crystal spike exploded upward, impaling him clean through the gut with a sharp crack of bone. His head dropped forward, hair falling over his eyes.

A third stepped forward, voice cold. "That's Neo… the Ghost. Make sure he doesn't survive."

He raised an arm and the air filled with the lethal whistle of conjured spikes — dozens of them — before they tore through Neo's body from every direction. Flesh, bone, and organ were shredded in a storm of crystal. Blood steamed on the snow.

"One down," the man said, turning — only to freeze when he spotted Asher.

The Blood Reaper sat casually on a high branch, legs swinging, his bloody-red sword balanced loosely across his lap.

"Asher," one man spat, "the Blood Reaper… You're done for."

Asher smiled faintly, dropping from the branch. His boots hit the ground without a sound.

A man drew his sword in a single motion, the sheer force of the unsheathing cutting down a corridor of trees behind Asher in a perfect line. The earth trembled with the pressure.

Asher raised his own blade lazily and blocked it with one arm, the clash ringing out like struck steel on steel. Then he lunged forward, forcing the man's sword back as their weapons locked in a flurry of sparks.

From behind, another enemy charged. Without looking, Asher extended his free hand — and the man's body ruptured violently from within, flesh bursting apart in pulsing shockwaves, painting the snow crimson.

The swordsman's eyes widened in horror. "He's… a monster."

"We've got Neo for now," another hissed to steady his ally's courage.

The spike-user was preparing to attack when a voice — ragged but unmistakable — murmured behind him.

"…Reflect."

Neo's body, which had been limp and riddled with holes, jerked upright. The very spikes that had torn through him a moment before ripped backward through the air, impaling their caster in identical fashion. The man's scream was cut short as his lifeless body crumpled into the same grotesque state he'd inflicted.

By the time the others turned, Neo was gone.

He reappeared in a blur — and three heads dropped into the snow in perfect unison. Blood fountained briefly before their bodies followed.

Three kills in under two seconds.

Asher, meanwhile, was still toying with his opponent, his sword strokes deliberate, almost playful, pushing the man back step by step. When Neo had finished, Asher simply lifted his other hand — the man's body went limp, muscles seizing, knees buckling as he collapsed, unable to move so much as a finger.

Neo strolled over, wiping a blade that was already clean. "Now you'll start by answering."

The man coughed, struggling to breathe. "Glory to the Kin—"

Asher's eyes widened. "Wait—!"

Neo's gaze sharpened, but before either could act, the man detonated.

The blast tore through the forest with a deafening boom, snow and splintered wood erupting in all directions. The shockwave rattled the ground, scattering leaves and choking the air in a haze of smoke.

When it cleared, Neo was already standing far away, hands in his pockets, expression dark.

"That asshole."

He glanced at Asher. "You alive?"

Asher gave a short, nervous laugh. "If I was a microsecond slower, I'd be paste right now."

Neo narrowed his eyes. "How the hell did he self-destruct? You had him locked."

"That's what I don't understand," Asher muttered, pushing himself to his feet. "I had control of every muscle."

Neo clicked his tongue. "Just like Rhyes said… we'd better expect the unexpected from now on."

"Yeah," Asher agreed with a grim smile. "Too bad, though — I was one kill away from my hundred. Now it's stuck at ninety-nine."

Neo smirked faintly. "I'm at one thirty-two."

"Why do you keep running into more zero-star threats than me?" Asher grumbled.

"Because if you weren't there," Neo said casually, "I'd have over two hundred by now."

Asher scoffed. "I've saved your life more times than I can count, you ungrateful shit."

"Yeah, yeah," Neo replied, already turning away. "Let's get out of here."

"Agreed," Asher said, following — the two figures vanishing into the mist, leaving only the shredded forest and a silence heavy with blood.

---

Nova stepped out of his room, stretching lazily, with Minos and Kiyomasa trailing behind.

"Where are you two going?" Nova asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Minos shrugged. "I just followed you out."

Kiyomasa nodded. "Same."

"I'm just going to look around campus. You two joining?" Nova asked.

Kiyomasa replied instantly, "I will."

Minos sighed. "I don't have anything better to do."

They strolled out of the dorm building, the sunlight spilling over the sprawling campus.

"Let's call Zazm," Nova suggested suddenly. "He was crying last time we didn't bring him."

"Yeah, good idea," Minos agreed.

They entered Building C, eyes scanning the rows of identical doors.

"What was his room number again?" Nova asked.

"I think it was 67," Kiyomasa said.

"Yeah, something like that," Minos confirmed.

They started counting until Nova stopped in front of a door. "This is 67."

Minos stepped up and knocked. No answer. He tried again. Still nothing.

"Weird," Kiyomasa muttered. "Why isn't he opening?"

"Where the hell is he?" Nova frowned.

"Screw this guy," Minos grumbled. "Nova, look around. If someone comes, tell me."

"Sure," Nova said casually, as if this was an everyday thing.

Minos placed a hand on Zazm's door — and it vanished entirely.

"Whoa!" Kiyomasa exclaimed. "What did you do?"

"Nothing much," Minos said, "just altered the matter in the door."

"You know we're not allowed to use powers," Kiyomasa hissed.

Nova smirked. "I'll give you a pass this once, Minos." He hopped inside.

Minos and Kiyomasa stood guard until Nova reappeared. Minos replaced the door with a touch.

"Getting better and better," Nova remarked.

"Of course I am," Minos said, smug.

"But we just came here thirty minutes ago," Nova said. "Where the hell did Zazm disappear to?"

"Maybe he left for somewhere," Minos guessed.

"Or he's just exploring," Kiyomasa added.

"Yeah, makes sense," Nova said.

They left the boys' dorm and headed to the main campus. They explored the libraries, lecture halls, and lounges — each new place bigger and more extravagant than the last.

"I'm hungry," Minos announced.

"Yeah, let's hit the lunch area," Nova agreed.

The cafeteria was massive — two floors, seating spilling into the garden, and even tables on the roof.

"There's enough space here for 2,000 people," Kiyomasa said, astonished.

"No idea how big this place really is," Nova admitted.

"How do we buy stuff here?" Minos asked.

Kiyomasa tapped his bracelet. "With these points."

They checked their bracelets and found a new "Points" section.

"This wasn't here before," Minos said.

"Probably from that message earlier," Nova guessed.

"Yeah," Kiyomasa explained, "opening that message updated our bracelets. They added all the necessary campus features. Points are used to buy things here."

"That's awesome," Nova said. "But how'd they upgrade it without touching it?"

"The moment you opened your room assignment message, it auto-updated," Kiyomasa replied.

"I've got 500 points," Minos said.

"Everyone gets 500 on arrival," Kiyomasa confirmed. "We can leave campus twice a month and use points outside too."

Nova raised a brow. "What even are these points?"

"It's like currency inside EIAA," Kiyomasa said. "In the outside world, most places use a similar system alongside gold coins. They want students to get used to different transactions."

"So in Euphoria, it's gold coins," Minos said, "but other planets have their own credits?"

"Exactly," Kiyomasa nodded.

Nova smirked. "They're preparing us to live anywhere. Looks like coming here was a good choice."

"But wait Kiyomasa how did you know all this?"

Minos also nodded as Nova finished speaking.

Kiyomasa rubbed his neck a little while smiling. "Under our room numbers there was a detailed message explaining everything, I just read it all."

Nova gave an impressed nod saying, "Great work."

They reached the main food hall — staff worked nonstop, trays clattering, the smell of a hundred cuisines mingling in the air.

"This place is packed," Minos said.

"We'll eat in the garden," Nova decided. "What's on the menu?"

They looked — and froze.

"…Is this a menu or a novel?" Nova said.

A woman behind the counter laughed. "You kids must be new?"

"Just arrived this morning," Kiyomasa confirmed.

"We serve over 50,000+ dishes from all over the universe," she said.

"WHAT?!" Nova blurted.

She chuckled. "We have to cater to students from Earth, Merily, and other planets."

"I'm trying all of these in the next five years," Nova declared.

"All meals are one point," she added, "except a few that are two."

"That's cheap," Minos said. "But how do we get more points?"

"Good grades, class performance, activities…" she listed.

"I can do that," Nova grinned. "I will eat everything here."

"Good luck," she teased.

They grabbed their food and headed to the garden, spotting three empty seats.

"Perfect," Nova said.

They sat — then noticed Jennie right next to them.

"Kiyomasa!" Jennie smiled.

"Didn't see you there," Nova smirked.

"I was hungry too," Jennie said. "Didn't expect to see you guys."

"Where's Miwa and Ai?" Minos asked.

"They're fixing up their room," Jennie said.

"That's fine," Nova said, then pointed at the girl beside her. "So… who's the lady who looks like she's mistaken us for the food?"

"Oh! I didn't introduce you," Jennie said.

Lisa arched a brow. "Yeah, you didn't. Who are these weirdos?"

"Weirdos?" Minos echoed. "What did we do?"

"You saw two girls sitting alone eating and took the chance to hit on them," Lisa said flatly.

"All of us are interested in humans, not witches," Nova replied casually.

A vein pulsed in Lisa's forehead. "And I'm supposed to assume you're calling me that, Mr. Short-Haired Freak?"

Nova picked up his fork. "I am to assume you're calling me that."

"Can we please talk instead of fight?" Jennie tried.

Kiyomasa stood. "Nova, weren't you gonna maintain a good attitude for points?"

"That was the plan, Kiyo," Nova said, "but now it feels like I need to take care of a roach."

Lisa smirked. "This roach has a brain bigger than you."

"And a bigger head too," Nova shot back.

"I can hear your thoughts from such a big skull," Minos added.

Lisa's eyes narrowed. "Two-on-one with a girl? No balls. Or did you get them cut off?"

Nova and Minos both tensed —

"SHUT UP!" Jennie's voice cracked like a whip.

Everyone froze.

"Eat. Quietly," she ordered. She gestured between them. "These are my best friends: Nova, Minos, and Kiyomasa. And this is my roommate and new friend, Lisa."

Nova sighed. "You're right. I'm just hungry."

Lisa exhaled. "Sorry. I went too far. Didn't know you were Jennie's friends."

"It's fine," Minos said. "We also kinda said a lot."

The mood softened, and they chatted about campus life. Lisa shared insider details, and laughter eventually replaced the tension.

Meanwhile, in another room, Miwa and Ai still weren't done decorating…

________________________

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