Chapter 615 - Under the Surface

POV Lily Chen

I am awakened by the quiet sound of birds singing in the garden behind my window, which opens automatically each morning.

For a moment longer, I keep my eyes closed and listen before jumping out of bed.

Just a few steps take me to the room dedicated entirely to bathing, where a small pool steams gently. Thankfully, there are no servants around this time after I told them not to come here.

I take off my pajamas, entirely enter into the hot water, and breathe in the lightly scented water. For that moment, I almost feel like I’m melting. I walk toward one edge of the pool. With most of my body submerged, I rest my crossed arms on the edge and look out through the one way window. It shows only the small garden built on the terrace of my room and the blue sky, with several beautiful towers in the background.

Absentmindedly, I watch my hand and concentrate slightly. A piece of skin tears, and from it, a bone grows slowly. Nerves, tendons, flesh, then skin follow. A few faint hairs appear as well, and the nail forms into the same shape as the others.

I open and close my fingers into a fist. Even though it feels awkward to move, everything functions perfectly.

With a sigh, I snap off the finger and let it disintegrate in my hand. The wound heals almost instantly, even without conscious effort.

After getting out of the water, I stop in front of the misted mirror and wipe a small section to see my face.

I study my reflection, switching between multiple expressions.

First, I attempt a more serious look by mimicking her bewitching smile, the one I have always found so beautiful. To support it, my hair turns blonde, shorter, and wavy, and my eyes shift to the same gray as hers.

The mirror mist again, and I wipe it up once more.

My expression switches to a blank stare, hiding so much emotion below the surface. My hair turns black. My left eye becomes gray, and my right one turns brown.

I smile again, amused by how silly this all is, then head to my dresser and begin mentally preparing for today’s lessons even though I know I will likely once again be better at healing than the Professor.

As cocky as it might seem, I don't think there is anyone in the Academy able to compare to me when it comes to healing.

***

POV Maya Jones

“Maya! I order you, kill that boy!”

“I’m sorry, Lady Gabele. Within the premises of the Academy, I cannot do that.”

“You are useless!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Phe,” the little fourteen year old "Lady" lets out that sound she has been fond of lately.

I start counting to ten, trying to erase the thought and urge to punch her, while slipping into shallow [Focus].

She yells a few more things, then slams the door to her room. She is probably going to use the crystal ball to talk to another boy.

Teenagers.

I sit down near the door, and as he taught me, I use [Focus] to split my mind into two parts. The smaller one keeps watch over my surroundings and the girl I am supposed to protect, even if only ceremonially. The larger part of my mind creates an orb over my palm. I expand it into the form of a dagger. Using [Focus] and [Boost], I begin compressing it. I even add [Compounding], which I have enjoyed experimenting with recently.

The dagger turns dark blue. Then it becomes dark blue with light blue streaks.

I push further, giving it my full attention, while keeping it under strict control.

The dagger shifts again and finally takes on a dark blue base, with light blue and purple streams swirling inside.

Immediately, I watch it closely as I know that if the balance breaks, it will flash white and, as that little half demon liked to say, go KABOOM.

Very satisfied with the result, I dissolve the dagger and start over. I try not to think of the fact that that freak was capable of this on the 3rd floor.

***

POV Tess Hansen

It is early in the morning, and I sit on the rooftop of the house where the student I am primarily, and mostly symbolically, guarding still sleeps.

I know I should have another hour of rest, but lately, sleep has been difficult. I could probably ask Sophie to help with the nightmares and anxiety attacks, but I made that decision long ago. I will not. However, I would not refuse Biscuit's company. His tiny, warm body and steady presence are strangely calming after what I experienced on the seventh floor.

For a while, I watch my shaking hand. It trembles heavily, and my chest feels tight, which makes breathing difficult. These memories, which I know are fake and were created by me and my [Declaration], continue to haunt me.

I let the feeling fill me, then wait for it to fade. Eventually, my hand stops shaking.

In the end, it is my decision to face it alone, and I know I can manage. This is something I need to handle by myself.

There is movement at the window I am watching. It belongs to one of the taller towers, half a mile away, but I see it as clearly as if it were just a few steps in front of me.

From inside, a pillow hits the window. Watching it, I can only shake my head and smile.

So dumb.

***

POV Sophie Martinez

This early morning, the hallways of the Academy are mostly empty, and the echo of my steps feels like I am striking the silence itself. The air is cold and fresh. I enjoy the absence of people.

Lately, as my [Manipulation] continues to level, their minds feel more and more defenseless. Almost every single one of them shines like a beacon, calling out to me to reach in and make them obey.

Even though I try not to use that part of my ability, it keeps reminding me it is there. It is the easiest one to use, always waiting and ready. A constant reminder of where my talent truly lies, no matter how much I improve in other areas or how much I resist using it. And even a little use makes it level faster than anything else.

It is a disgusting ability I have learned a lot about since arriving on this floor, and I continue doing my best to hide it. At this point, I am much better at it, not like that time when Jean detected it instantly, or when others noticed.

During the tournament, I even went so far as to beg that silver haired monster for lessons. Whether out of amusement or some other motive, she agreed to help.

Still, I have no illusions about it. If anyone powerful finds out, my life will be at risk, along with the lives of those connected to me.

My sister. My friends.

But still. Even now. Why? Why can I not give it up? Why are there already five assistant professors under my control just three days into the loop? Why do I keep pushing?

Maybe I do it to punish myself. Because I know there is no happy ending waiting for me.

Not after Earth. Not after what I almost did to Izzy back then.

I am not a good person.

***

POV Kim Min-Jae

The library is quiet when I enter. Morning light filters through the tall windows, casting streaks of gold across the room. The sun has just risen high enough to reach the upper shelves, and the air still holds the coolness of the night. The scent of special parchment fills the space, mixing with aged leather and mana ink. The stone walls give off a subtle mineral smell.

I follow my usual path, walking past rows of shelves filled with heavy tomes and categorized scrolls. Between them, older forms of knowledge are stored. Mana stones rest on protected shelves, glowing softly. Some are permanently embedded in reinforced frames for direct reading through touch or mental attunement. Others are sealed behind glass. Others simply lie exposed.

My usual seat is on the left side of the main floor, near one of the large tables beneath the windows. From here, I can see most of the central chamber, the spiral stairs leading to dozens of upper levels, and the doors into restricted sections.

I set down my bag, open it, and begin arranging my tools. One mana reactive slate to help with locating and searching the books or mana stones I want. A pair of reading gloves to prevent accidental absorption of stored information from older mana stones, which can be rather rough.

There is no sound beyond the occasional scratching of a pen on paper somewhere deeper inside the library.

Picking up the mana stone I noticed yesterday, I read for nearly ten minutes before I sense Tyven approaching. His steps are cautious, just like he is, but steady. As always, he hides his right side, where he has only one arm instead of two. He mostly relies on the two remaining arms on his left.

I do not greet him. I simply shift my materials to make space for him.

If his behavior is the same as before, he will speak to me after a while. Until then, I keep reading and stick to the same schedule I had previously.

At least until he learns more from that thylarin girl.

***

POV Dennis Dalton

As Aaron’s eyes go blurry, I know right away he is reading the Community again. I grab a piece of bread and throw it at him while we wait for the servant to bring us breakfast we have ordered.

(What,) He sends.

(I was asking if you think the student council is behind all of this. The candidate might be involved with them as well.)

He perks up. (Oh, that’s true. It’s always the student council.)

(You remember that guy... I forgot his name. That cocky thylarin with six arms.)

(Oh, that one. What about him?)

(I think he’s in the student council, and I noticed him eyeing Lily. We could ask her for help to get to him.)

(She will murder him.)

(We just need him alive long enough to get us into the council.)

(Let’s try it without Lily first. By the way, how’s that passive you bought?)

(No good. It doesn’t stack well with [Connection] and does almost nothing to it. I’ll try Mana Veil next.)

(Low arcane or mid arcane version?)

(Aaron, my boy. We are ballers. Of course, mid arcane. How’s your Mana Sculptor?)

(Not that good either, but I’ll try the mid arcane version before I give it up.)

(Sounds good. Now that you’re satisfied we don’t just play around and actually deal with "important stuff," let’s get back to talking about the student council...)

***

POV Aaron Dalton

I partially tune out Dennis and his theories about the student council controlling the world, and possibly the Rulers. I keep nodding and tossing in the occasional “Yeah” or “Makes sense,” just enough to keep him from realizing I am barely listening.

I take a bite of the croissant-like thing. Then I dip it into the hot chocolate-like drink and take another bite. I could get used to this. Our effort to find food most similar to Earth’s was worth it.

Trying not to alert Dennis, I keep reading through the Community and reply to some of the guys I met during the tournament. I just hope Brainiac and Lootenant are safe. They seemed to run into some trouble on their seventh floor. Only being able to talk to people on the same floor is really annoying, especially since we’re probably the fastest climbing group in our round.

Angry Kittens, go go.

I glance up at Dennis. He has that smug look again.

On the table between us, one of our special mana orbs floats. Both of us are silently wrestling for control of the orb while acting like we are focused on other things. It is part training, part rivalry, part boredom management.

Just like him, I push harder. Eventually, I start feeling lightheaded, and Dennis gets a nosebleed.

He thinks he is winning. I can feel the smug pulses in his feelings, practically broadcasting his confidence.

Just like always, I push back. My grip on the mana tightens. It takes more effort than I want to admit, and after a few seconds, I start feeling the strain. My head swims for a second.

Across from me, Dennis wipes blood from his upper lip from bleeding nose.

Neither of us lets go.

The orb jitters once more, caught in the push and pull, then hovers, eerily still.

We sit in silence, both pretending not to care who breaks first.

***

POV Isabella Martinez

Lately, I do not like being around too many people. Their emotions can be overwhelming to me, but at the same time, I dislike not using [Empathy]. It is something I have grown used to using constantly, even just to detect presences nearby. Being in a small group like ours is the best. I love it, and I love the people in it.

I know stuff about them they don’t even know I know. Not in a creepy way, just... feelings that leak out. I deliberately hide that fact because I know how much it would worry them. If they found out I could feel the worst parts of them, they’d probably stop talking to me. Or stare at the floor a lot.

The envy Min-Jae sometimes feels toward others in our group, the fact that Sophie sometimes thinks about manipulating people when they disagree, Tess’s willingness to watch someone suffer if it means our bond grows stronger, even though she loves everyone so deeply she would die for them.

The others have similar feelings as well. They can be ugly, very ugly, and at first, they were difficult to deal with. I didn’t always get it. But after everything on the floors and the tournaments, I’ve kind of learned that everyone’s messed up sometimes.

Everyone has those weird, ugly feelings they try to pretend do not exist. What matters is stopping yourself before you actually do something bad. That’s what makes me love them. Not the perfect stuff, the part where they try to be better, even when it’s hard, or at least their idea of what a better person is.

There is one person who hides almost nothing from me. He only hides his shyness when he does something kind or something he thinks might upset me. Out of everyone, he is the one I know best. Probably even better than I know my sister.

That is simply the way he is. He carries all his scars with pride, knows them well, and carefully chooses which ones he wants to change. Then he follows through with his effort.

He also noticed that I avoid large groups of people. Tess noticed too, but only he said something about it. He teased me and welcomed me to the ranks of introverts. He said it with that usual expression of his, but I could feel the almost childish cheekiness behind it. It has become one of my favorite memories.

I also know he will hate the videos I made of him and gave to the Channeler. But I am sure he will also find them extremely funny. He will probably pretend to be angry, stay quiet, and I will feel that perfect mix of annoyance and amusement that only he has.

I shift, and Noodle shifts too, resting his head in front of mine. His head is currently much bigger than mine. He is almost filling the entire room.

Curious.

I sense his question. It is not the way Biscuit communicates. It is just a feeling we communicate.

"I am being evil, Noodle, and causing trouble for my friends just so I can laugh at them."

Guilty?

"Nope, I am not guilty at all."

Embarrassed.

"You do not have to be embarrassed for me! I am already pretty tame. According to Dennis, I am at the age where I turn into a 'little shit.' So I think I already hold myself back a lot!"

Mournful.

"Sure, I used to be cute, but I cannot stay a child forever, right? I will be thirteen soon."

Wary.

"Do not worry. I will love you forever, no matter how much I grow up."

Pleased.

He slowly moves and flicks his tongue just in front of me. I lean back and wrap my arms around his body as much as I can.

Happy. I send back.

***

POV Nathaniel

I wake up to warm sun rays landing on my face and the sound of Biscuit’s growling stomach instead of an alarm.

With an annoyed groan, I grab the pillow from under my head and throw it at the window, aiming at the sun, which I have officially decided to declare my enemy for today.

Still half-asleep, I reach out and tap the belly of his puppy form. Biscuit lets out a cute little noise. Then I turn to the other side of the bed and curl into a ball with the blanket over my head.

My body feels slightly cold, and there is that early morning weakness that comes with lingering sleep. Even my mind wavers between full awareness and the urge to fall back asleep. I hope one of the future body upgrades does not reduce the need for sleep any further. I get that not needing sleep or only needing a few hours per week could be efficient, but it would also take away one of the best feelings in existence.

As I continue hiding under the blanket, the beast awakens. I hear Biscuit walking around and sniffing. Then he starts jumping on my body, now hidden under the blanket, while I force myself to stop falling asleep and begin thinking.

It is the fifth day of the loop, which means the thermonuclear warhead should be gone again from my office, and I just let it happen again. If what Ari said is true and there are others, it is very likely the work of one of those "others." That intentionally vague, annoyingly mysterious wording she used strongly hints at who they might be, but I will learn more from her on the tenth day.

Waiting that long is annoying, but I decide to endure it. Until then, I will not stray from my schedule too much. Surely I can do it. It is something I have advised the others to do as well.

That means today, fairly soon, I have to attend Professor Elian’s lesson. After that, I need to eat in the section where I usually run into Ari and Tyven in passing.

What a life.

I let out an exaggerated groan, a pained noise, then poke my head out from under the blanket and play dead.

Biscuit barks and charges toward me, bouncing against my head and pressing against it with his front paws. Through my slightly open eyes, I see his tail wagging like crazy.

Not long ago, he shared a glimpse of more of his memories with me. Sounds, images, and confused emotions from his time before the tutorial, when he was with his cruel owner. I know that all his playfulness and his almost desperate fear of not getting food comes from that time, when he lacked both care and food. A reason why he is smaller than he should be is because of a lack of nutrition while he was growing.

So, would I, an almost Absolute Candidate, really lower myself to something that someone clueless might consider beneath them, just to entertain this burrito shaped corgi?

Absolutely.

You can bet I would.

And honestly, I would not hesitate to do it even if an Absolute were standing in the room and judging me.

In fact, this tutorial is probably being observed by some of the Rulers, and they might be watching me right now. Screw them too.

Out of nowhere, I move like a viper and grab the attacking corgi, lifting him into the air by grabbing his sides under the front legs. His hind legs dangle below him.

For a moment, he squirms, trying to escape my evil grasp, but slowly he gives up and stares at me with his tongue hanging out.

“I have something I want to ask you,” I say.

(Food?)

“No, I don’t want the food you have hidden under my bed.”

(Food!)

“Thank you for being willing to share it, but don't you think one percent is a bit low for you to offer?”

(Food?)

“Just two percent?”

(Sustenance.)

“I am pretty sure you are not dying of hunger. But I want to ask you something. Do you remember what you were doing during the first loop? The first eleven days on this floor?”

(Food?)

“What do you mean, a few pieces of deer jerky would refresh your memory? Are you blackmailing me?”

He barks.

“Okay,” I sigh. “I will try. But for now, I want you to follow the same schedule. Try to act exactly the same, be with the same members of the group four and everything. I already talked to them, and they understand.”

I feel a sense of confirmation from him, so I let go. He immediately moves under the bed, either to guard his treasure or to eat it before I change my mind and ask for the offered two percent.

With a few hours to spare, I close my eyes and activate [Framework], starting another round of testing.

***

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