Chapter 614 - Fake AF

It's the fourth day, and to keep things running smoothly on this floor, I follow my schedule. That means I do as Professor Elian asks and head to the lesson with Ari and Kays.

Fixing up my clothes, I arrive just in time, and my entrance causes the conversation to stop. Ari, Kays, and Melo all turn to look at me as I head to the table. I stop there and face them.

“My name is Nathaniel Gwyn, Assistant Professor under the tutelage of Professor Elian. A pleasure, I suppose,” I say, mirroring the formal introduction I once observed from that insufferably self assured blonde haired Professor.

I continue, “Today’s lesson concerns basi... advanced topics.”

My suit is immaculate, and my hair, which I styled earlier, is as well. My tone is calm, though I make a deliberate effort to sound authoritative. I let a bit of my mana leak on purpose, just enough to show off.

I take a few steps and stop in front of Kays. “Your name, if you would.”

“K-Kays,” he stammers.

“Good. Now then, Kays, you suck.”

“What?!” he shouts, then quickly lowers his voice, “What?”

“From the moment I entered this room, I’ve been interfering with your mana, and you failed to notice. I did not even exert much effort.” I lower my voice and narrow my eyes at him. “In a real battlefield scenario, you would already be dead.”

Whatever complaints he had vanish. I pause dramatically, trying to come up with more nonsense to amuse myself, all while remembering how Kays treated me in the first loop.

For the next twenty minutes, I make him try to detect how I’m disrupting his mana until he’s sweating. The whole time, I’m surprised by how different his behavior is from the first loop. The only explanation of what could influence it is my grand entrance and faked confidence.

I guess first impressions really matter.

When I leave him, he sits down, breathless and clearly relieved to be left alone.

I stop in front of Ari, who’s watching me with interest, flickering in her eyes, “Your eyes are pretty, Assistant Professor Gwyn. Is it a trait?” she asks, smiling even more.

"Yes. It allows me to see through other people’s nonsense,” I reply in the same authoritative voice I’ve been using since the start.

Then, for another twenty minutes, I do the same to her as I did to Kays. I use it as a chance to better estimate the overall students' power levels and talents.

I also try to make her slip, in case she is looping too. Unfortunately, I notice nothing. Either she is not looping, or her mask is flawless.

When the lesson ends, both of them leave first. I stay seated behind the table, looking out the window, thinking and planning. The thermonuclear warhead should be stolen today. I will let it happen, and I won’t even watch, or I try to stop it. I’ve already made that decision.

Tomorrow is the lesson where Elian will ask me to release my mana. I might release a bit more or play around with it to test how he and the students react. The day after that, I might go to the library to meet Min-Jae, and possibly Tyven, who Min-Jae said should be there.

Then the day after that, the Champion will visit. I need to decide what to do about that.

Done thinking, I get up and head outside. I already sensed her signature, so I am not surprised to find Ari waiting by the door, leaning against the wall.

“Assistant Professor Gwyn, isn’t it rude to make a young lady wait this long?”

I slide back into Professor Mode and give her my best annoyed-professor look, “How may I assist you?”

She giggles, covering her mouth with two of her six hands. The whole time, joyful flames flicker in her eyes.

When she lowers her hands, she’s grinning. “I liked you more during your first loop.”

In a second, dozens of thoughts flash through my mind.

Maybe I should pretend not to know. Maybe I should play dumb, like some of the natives do with system-related stuff. Maybe I should act like a grumpy professor.

None of those fit me.

“Let’s talk somewhere else,” I say.

“I can’t,” she says, shaking her head with a hint of a smile. “But I bet you’re curious, Assistant Professor Gwyn. I’ll answer one of your questions for free, so go ahead and ask.”

“How many loops?” I ask.

That question appears to amuse her, and she mimics the way I did talk, “That reveals quite a bit about you. You choose to indulge your curiosity before anything else. You must be an exceptionally inquisitive individual.”

She nods seriously, but at the same time, it looks playful. Then she answers in a quieter voice, “Over one hundred.”

Oh boy.

“Surprised, are you? We will speak more later. For now, I must take my leave. After our next lesson, we shall continue this conversation.” She continues in the same style.

“You said that again. Why do you have to go?”

She turns to leave, and that impish expression returns to her face. I can tell she is about to drop something big.

“If I break my schedule, the others will find me.” She locks eyes with me. “I hope you didn’t think I’m the only one looping.”

Then she’s gone, and I’m left with even more questions spinning wildly in my mind. At this point, I don't even know what the hell is happening.

I fucking love this floor.

***

When I try to share the information I just acquired in the Community, most of it gets censored. That has never happened before, and there is likely only one reason it did now. Someone else from the fifth round must have cleared the seventh floor and entered the eighth.

Good things never last.

I toss a few insults in the Community, mostly aimed at Savant, who I suspect got there. Of course, he stays silent. Then I leave my room so the thermonuclear warhead can be stolen without interference.

On the way, I run into the twins. I share everything with them to be passed to the others. The information, theories, and many questions. I also ask them to quietly involve others in tracking Ari’s schedule, but I emphasize that they must avoid putting too much attention on themselves or on Ari. I repeat that until I’m sure they will be extremely careful.

Later, as night settles, I probably break the rule of the Academy to not fly and get on top of one of the tallest towers in the Academy.

Its roof is open and meant for observation, and it has a few tools to watch the night sky. I climb onto the wall, let my legs hang over the edge, and watch as the soft lights slowly all around the Academy switch on, showing the paths and the rooms still in use.

It is peaceful, unlike my mind and all the thoughts running through it.

Accompanied by one of the evil orbs, I sit there and continue to take in the view as the night progresses and lights take over the role once held by the sun. Even now, there are people walking around, the kind who, like me, do not sleep much. But as if they are respecting the night, they remain quiet, unlike during the day.

Out of boredom, I quickly estimate how long Ari might have been looping. Assuming each loop averages ten days, my rough calculation puts it at around three years.

There is a lot I want to ask her.

As always, there is much to do in the following days. Lessons to attend, floor mechanics to exploit, shards to spend, skill combinations to explore, mysteries to uncover.

A demon professor to challenge to a fight. A library to explore. The Crafting Zone to check out.

A fellow mana Amplificator, and her pet with the ridiculously adorable name Lulu. At this point, are we not best friends? Two brilliant minds thinking alike?

I lean back, gaze straight up, and use mana to enhance my sight as Tess taught me, observing the night sky. It is funny to see it that way, especially knowing that it is fake and that just a few miles above, there is likely a barrier marking the edge of the floor.

It is fascinating that someone managed to create this. I do not care whether they are a Ruler or used limited system access to hijack parts of its mechanisms. It is still incredible. The sheer amount of mana or other energy required to sustain it is astonishing.

And then there is the system itself, with a tutorial that includes entire planets and beings such as Absolutes. At some point, these powers are truly godlike.

I want them. I want to be able to do all these things as well.

And one day, I will.

***

POV Earth

A few shouts sound in the bar, and the conversation shuts as most of them turn towards the TV, and the barman raises the volume.

On the screen is a live broadcast. A female reporter, seated inside a helicopter, speaks directly into the camera. The wind buffets the side of the aircraft, but her voice comes through slightly shaken.

"We are currently flying over what used to be a remote stretch of savannah in northern Kenya," she says. The camera shifts to the window beside her. Below, the plains stretch endlessly, dotted with massive structures.

The ground is peppered with anthills.

No, the small, dirt covered mounds you would usually see. These ones tower as high as trees, some of them reaching two or three stories tall. Their surfaces are hardened and textured like ancient clay, and riddled with twisting entrances.

Giant ants move across the savannah in endless trails. Each the size of a smaller dog or a cat, their carapaces gleam dark brown and chitinous under the sun. Thousands march together in flowing lines, moving with coordination that looks almost unnatural.

A zebra tries to run across an open space, already injured, and the camera zooms in just as a group of ants notices it. In seconds, they break from formation and chase her. The zebra’s effort is pitiful, and the ants catch up to her and surround her. In seconds, they are crawling over it and burying it in a mass of shifting legs and biting mandibles.

The zebra screams one last time, and then there is only the rustle of the clicking of insect limbs.

The reporter’s voice returns, strained now. “I have to admit... I am not feeling well. I’ve had no issues with food or water, but something is wrong with me. Since I came here, I’ve been seeing things. Screens appear in front of me, almost like video game pop-ups. The same happened to our entire crew.”

Her hands are visibly trembling. She presses her fingers against her temples.

She pauses to take a breath. The camera briefly shows the pilot, his expression cold and focused as he controls the helicopter. Light spills into the cabin before the cameraman turns back to the reporter.

“We’re seeing more movement to the south,” she continues. “Another mound is opening up. More of them are coming out. At this point, we estimate upwards of thousands of ants, and they just keep expanding. There are no signs of stopping, and rumors of planned bombardments are already circulating. The borders of the region have been heavily militarized, with lethal force authorized to prevent any spread. Unconfirmed reports suggest that several allied major powers are providing satellite support, using their military assets to track the movement of the Colony.”

Her voice drops. “I don’t think this is a local phenomenon anymore. There are reports coming in from all over the world about strange animals. A moose the size of a small house seen near the Yukon, wolves in the Carpathians being twice the size they should be, and crocodiles in the Nile dragging entire boats under. Elephant herds in central India behaving with military coordination. Something is changing, and I don't even need to talk about all the kinds of new metals or incredible trees we have discovered just these last few weeks, and...”

Her voice cracks on the last word. The broadcast lingers on her face for a second longer than it should, then cuts back to the studio. After a moment, the network shifts to a still image of the African plains with a brief message at the bottom:

Coverage will resume shortly.

In the bar, no one speaks for a while. A glass clinks against the counter. Someone clears their throat.

Then the sound returns. Conversations resume, a little quieter than before.

***

POV Earth

"Colonel Jonathan Kane, we have finished the testing, and I have brought you the report."

"Stand at ease," the Colonel says as he takes the thick file. It is heavy with printed documentation, mostly photos, thermal scans, sensor data, graphs, and hastily written analysis. He begins flipping through the pages without looking up. "What conclusions did you come to? Talk freely and briefly."

"The individual code named Channeler demonstrated impressive capabilities. Surprisingly, he did not object to any part of the testing process."

The Colonel raises an eyebrow. "Of course he didn't. He knows exactly what he represents. The more we see, the more impressed we are, and that works in his favor. He’s shrewd, no doubt about it."

"I agree, sir. He would be a very strong candidate for controlled exposure to the public, if we decide to distance the army from what’s happening."

Kane closes the folder and taps a finger on the cover. "Unfortunately, I suspect he’s already taken. Now tell me, how does he compare to the returnees we’ve profiled so far?"

The officer straightens his posture slightly before answering.

"He is far beyond anything we’ve seen so far. His armor is fully powered by mana and integrates seamlessly with his body. We have not encountered any other returnee whose equipment is this purpose built or stable. In terms of speed, strength, and defense, he outperforms every known returnee to the point it isn't even funny. At this rate, we expect that advantage to hold for at least a year, possibly two."

He pauses briefly.

"He was clocked running at sixty miles per hour on flat ground without strain, and it didn't even seem to be his limit. He flipped over a ten ton transport vehicle as part of a stress test. Our scientific observers suspect the armor’s performance adjusts itself automatically depending on the user's intent."

Colonel Kane remains silent for a few moments, absorbing the information.

"And weaknesses?"

"None that we could confirm, at least not physical ones and not while he was wearing the armor."

Kane leans back in his chair and sets the report down, murmuring to himself, "To create an armor like that after only two of the five tutorial years..."

"Sir?"

"Never mind. You’re dismissed. And, check on Miss Thalia Gwyn. Make sure she is..." He pauses, then shakes his head. "Forget it. I’d rather handle it personally."

***

POV Channeler

"Rafael, are you sure about this? The Army might not like it." Anna turns to me with that worried expression she always makes.

I smile at her in that way I know will calm her down. "It's fine. I've thought it through. There are already too many reports from other countries. It's becoming impossible to hide this anymore. We should start now. It will make things easier later."

She nods. “If you think so.” Then she picks up her laptop and leaves to upload another set of videos across multiple platforms. Most get taken down, of course, but we have hired people to help manage that. Friends, family members of the group, and a few more useful contacts are helping on the side.

I stand up, grab a drink from the fridge, and head to the living room. I drop onto the couch and set my laptop on my lap.

In the corner of the room, my armor rests on its holder. I stare at it for a while.

Couldn’t he make it just a little better-looking?

I sigh, unlock the laptop, and one of Isabella’s short videos starts playing. It is one of her best. I doubt the others have noticed yet, but she has a hidden, devious streak. I could tell how much fun she was having just from the subtle shifts in her expression while she edited.

The video starts with a young man, a pale blue crown floating above his head, two differently colored eyes glowing faintly. There’s that confident, arrogant presence in the way he stands. He has that confident, arrogant air around him, and every movement of his radiates it from him.

In the first cut, he glances at the camera like he's staring into your soul. The shot zooms in as golden rings form around his pupils. The screen glitches, then starts to shake, and one of those bass heavy, hype songs kicks in.

With each beat drop, the screen flickers and shifts to a new scene. In the next wide shot, he lands hard on scorched ground, golden flames flickering around him, evaporating the air with every step. Another cut shows him rising into the sky in that unnervingly stable way that makes it look like the world is shifting around him instead of him flying. Behind him, a barrage of blue projectiles forms and launches forward, each launch sending a shockwave that stirs his hair.

After a few more quick cuts follow. Some wide, some from a distance and showing the scale of the damage he causes, others zoom in on him or the monsters he faces.

It then ends on the final shot.

He stands perfectly still, eyes closed. His hair slowly fades to white, and the music keeps building. At the crescendo, his eyes snap open, this time blood red in color, and for the first time in the video, he smiles. Then the video ends.

I hit replay. Probably for the tenth time today.

Nathaniel is going to hate it. And even more so, the comments this video has already picked up:

@maddiek47: This is CGI, right? No way this is real

@burner_acc99: I don’t care if it’s fake, he’s hot

@realist2345: weird flex but ok. also fake

@sm1le4mepls: THAT SMILE AT THE END??? I’m dead

@himbo_spotted: not me pausing every time he smirks... send help

@jadedpilot22: lol this is fake af, nice editing tho

@bloodcrow: remind me to never piss off a guy with two eye colors

@thirst_trap_division: I volunteer. For whatever. Anything.

@hisoka: y’all simping for a war crime waiting to happen

@true_returnee69: Noname’s gonna lose his shit over this lmao, RIP whoever did this

@pixelforgeFX: High budget fan film? The VFX is clean but nah

@brickenthusiast94: fake, cringe, overedited trash

@reel_truth_now: You sheeple still think this is CGI? Open your eyes.

@ufowatcher666: Saw some weird stuff in Brazil last week. I'm telling you it's happening

@hotnconfused: idc if he’s fake or not. he could ruin my life, and I’d thank him

@bunkersoonpls: government is definitely hiding something

@catgirlcentral: i can fix him

@staticdancer: this isn’t cgi. I work in cgi. this is something else.

@burnallphantoms: tell me why this has more plot than half of Netflix

@midnight404: not fake. my cousin came back home after two years and told me so. she won’t talk about it now.

He will hate it so much.

I take another sip of my drink, glance at the armor in the corner, then back at the screen. I read a few more comments and then close the laptop and lean back.

Let the chaos begin.

***

Next Chapter

***

Author note:

I'm not 100% sure yet, but this should be the last chapter of Book 7. I’ll need to check if there are enough words in the book before making it "official".

Anyway, I hope you liked the Book 7 and are enjoying the current arc!

I know I said I wanted to take a 7-day break after the end of each book, but I’ve moved it a bit. That means there will be a chapter tomorrow and next week as we continue into Book 8.

As for the break, I still plan to take one, but likely during the summer, either July or August and for 7 - 14 days. I’ll try to let you know before it happens so those of you who are more financially responsible can pause your memberships - if you want to.

Anyway, thank you VERY much for your support so far! I hope you continue to enjoy the story as much as I do.