Verdamona never forgot the sound of that explosion in Manhattan.
The memory came to her sometimes at night, in the quiet hours of Reversa University. That single moment had rewritten her life in ways she was still trying to grasp. After the attack, the world didn't see her as Verdamona, the quiet Fluxer prodigy from North New Island who got into Reversa through sheer will. She was branded as the "Commoner Fluxer supported by Xaessiarerich Argemenes."
That title spread through the university faster than any wildfire. It started as whispers in the lecture halls:
"You heard? Xaessia took that girl under her wing."
"The Commoner? The one who has no origin?"
"Yeah. That girl."
Then it turned into stares, the into rumors and finally, into curiosity. The students of Reversa weren't shocked that Xaessia did something strange. She was an Argemenes, after all, and everything she did had its own layer of chaos. But taking in Verdamona? A girl from the lower tiers, without bloodline support or family resources? That was unheard of.
What they didn't care to question was the student whose shadow had never left the campus even though his body had.
Phasnovterich.
The name carried a strange kind of reverence now. Some said he ascended to Officia Fluxer status already. Others claimed he vanished entirely into classified government missions. Verdamona didn't believe half the gossip, but one thing was true: he never came back the entire semester. And yet, every record showed he had gotten a perfect 100% on the First Evaluation Test. something that hadn't happened in over a decade. Even without attending the Second Evaluation Test, even with zero attendance through the semester, he was still miles ahead of everyone. His existence had turned into a myth Reversa's students worshipped from afar.
Verdamona, meanwhile, stayed behind training, learning and surviving.
Reversa University was nothing like North New Island's dull education centers. This was a place where Flux manipulation was science, art and religion all at once. Verdamona adapted quickly. She always had that instinct.to survive, understand and fit in without belonging. Her Flux wasn't the most powerful but her control was amazing. And strangely enough, Xaessia noticed. They now they ate together, trained together, studied in the same classes, and somehow, through the slow erosion of ego and rivalry of their high school days, they became friends.
Xaessia was arrogant, yes, but she was also genuine in her own weird way. She treated Verdamona like an equal, not a subordinate. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was admiration. Maybe it was just loneliness disguised as generosity. Either way, Verdamona didn't fight it.
Now, months later, things had calmed down. The semester was crawling toward its end. Exams were almost over. Students were packing, laughing and talking about summer plans.
Verdamona had none. She didn't have anywhere to go.
After turning sixteen — the official adult age on Altera Earth — her registration under North New Island's guardian system had been revoked. No guardians meant no home. No home meant no family records to fall back on.
And that meant no one was expecting her anywhere. It was a miracle she had managed to make it to Reversa University at all. The scholarship she won was the last string that tied her to stability. But once the university closed for summer, she would have nowhere to stay. The dorms would be sealed by tomorrow and campus security was notoriously strict about squatters.
It was afternoon on June 28th now, two days before summer began and hours before student release.
Verdamona sat across from Xaessiarerich in a small, quiet restaurant tucked between Reversa Island's neon-lit avenues. The walls were glass, offering a glittering view of the oceanic skyline that hugged the edge of the island. Their plates were half-empty. Xaessia sipped her wine lazily before setting it down.
"So, what are you going to do once the campus locks up tomorrow?"
Verdamona looked up from her plate. "I... don't know yet."
Xaessia tilted her head. "No plans?"
"No home either."
That earned a raised brow from the Argemenes heiress. "You mean you're homeless? I thought it was a joke when I knew about it."
Verdamona sighed. "I prefer the term temporarily displaced."
Xaessia laughed softly as she sipped more wine.
"You're ridiculous. You've been living under my name for months now and you think I'll let my Fluxer wander the streets during vacation?"
Verdamona frowned. "I didn't ask you to—"
"I know you didn't. That's why I'm telling you to come to the Argemenes estate."
Verdamona blinked. "What?"
Xaessia leaned back in her chair, stretching slightly.
"You're technically under Argemenes support already. That makes you part of the estate's network. You can stay there for the summer. Plenty of space, training grounds, good food, and zero rent. You can be a guest."
Verdamona narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How do you even know I don't have a home? You just guessed?"
"No. I asked Norphie to look it up for me."
Verdamona groaned, facepalming. "You actually dug into my records?"
"Of course. I couldn't have my Commoner Fluxer dying in a ditch before the second semester."
Verdamona gave her a flat look. "You're unbelievable."
"Thank you."
"I can't rely on you for everything, Xaessia."
"Who said you're relying? I'm just giving you a place to crash. Think of it as… staying in a five-star estate run by humans."
"That doesn't make it sound better."
"June 28th, Verda. You either follow me to the estate, or I'll personally drag you there."
Verdamona stared at her for a few seconds before exhaling in defeat.
"Fine. I'll go."
"Good girl."
"Don't call me that," Verdamona muttered.
"Too late, already did."
They both laughed. It was strange how things had shifted. The same person who once made her life hell was now her lifeline. And before Verdamona could say anything else, a voice chimed in beside their table.
"Is this seat taken?"
They both turned. Thales Erdict stood there, wearing his usual smirk that somehow screamed both confidence and trouble. Xaessia sighed dramatically.
"Oh by the Goddesses, not you."
Thales smiled wider. "Hey, I just thought I'd join two of the top three for lunch. You're welcome."
Verdamona rolled her eyes. "You didn't even wait for an answer."
"Didn't have to. You'd say no and Xaessia would say yes just to annoy you. I played the odds."
Xaessia grinned at that. "He's not wrong."
Verdamona groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples. "You two deserve each other."
"Oh, please. The universe couldn't handle that."
Thales sat down, casually stealing one of Verdamona's fries.
"So, summer plans?"
"I'm dragging her to the Argemenes estate."
Thales raised a brow, glancing at Verdamona. "Seriously?"
"Apparently, yes."
He chuckled. "Well, at least you won't be bored. I hear weird things happen there."
Xaessia smirked knowingly. "You have no idea."