Chapter 106 Trip to 8

Words : 1273 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Lucas led them to one of the upper-floor study rooms—the kind reserved for senior students. The place was empty, afternoon sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the academy grounds below. Training fields stretched out in the distance, where students moved through combat drills like clockwork. He took a seat at one of the tables, gesturing for Noah to do the same. For a moment, he just stared out the window, as if gathering his thoughts. "You weren't there last night," Lucas finally said, his voice carrying none of its usual casual tone. "When Jayden made his move." Noah settled into the chair across from him. "No, I wasn't." Lucas nodded slowly, still watching the training fields below. "Then you need to understand something first. About how things work here." He turned to face Noah fully. "What do you know about the cardinal system?" "Just the basics," Noah admitted. "Four cardinal directions, each with their own military jurisdiction." "Right." Lucas leaned forward slightly. "But it's more than that. Each cardinal—North, South, East, West—they're not just territories. They're competing powers. And in each cardinal, there are twelve academies." A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "We're the twelfth. Edge of civilization, last line before the wild zones." Noah absorbed this, watching his friend's expression. "And the competition you mentioned before?" "The Inter-Academy War," Lucas said, the words carrying weight. "It's not just about bragging rights. The winning academy from each cardinal proceeds to the globals." He paused, letting that sink in. "That means facing off against the best from other cardinals. North's warriors, South's fighters, West's troops—the elite of the elite." Sunlight shifted across the room as clouds passed overhead, casting moving shadows across their faces. "And Jayden?" Noah prompted. Lucas's jaw tightened. "He walked into our territory like he owned it. Broadcast it on our own forum. Left his mark on our walls." His fingers drummed against the table once. "But that's not even the worst part." "What is?"@@@@ "He timed it perfectly." Lucas's voice dropped lower. "You were there on Cannadah, Noah. You saw what happened." The memory hit like a physical force—the screams, the chaos, the desperate fight for survival. Noah's hand unconsciously clenched into a fist. "Eight," Lucas continued, his tone heavy. "Eight out of our top twenty-five made it back. Eight." He shook his head slowly. "And not just seniors. We lost dozens of first-years too. The ones we were supposed to protect." The weight of responsibility in those last words made Noah look up sharply. He remembered now—third-years acted as chaperones for first-year expedition teams. It was meant to be a learning experience, a controlled introduction to off-world operations. Instead, it had become a massacre. "Jayden knows this," Lucas said, his voice tight with controlled anger. "He knows we're vulnerable. That's why he made his move now. That's why—" He cut himself off, taking a deep breath. "That's why I need to ask you something." Noah waited, watching as Lucas seemed to wrestle with whatever he was about to say. Finally, Lucas met his gaze directly. "You fought beside me on Cannadah. When everything went to hell, you didn't break. Didn't run. Didn't freeze." His eyes narrowed slightly. "That's rare, Noah. Especially for a first-year." The compliment hung in the air between them, unexpected and heavy with meaning. "I've been watching you since then," Lucas continued. "In combat class, in training. You're different from the others. You think differently. Fight differently." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to near a whisper. "So I'm asking you now, Noah Eclipse. Not ordering, not demanding. Asking." The afternoon light caught Lucas's eyes, making them almost glow as he spoke his next words: "Become one of our top twenty-five." The request landed like a stone in still water, ripples of implications spreading outward. Noah sat perfectly still, processing not just the words but everything they meant. Being in the top twenty-five wasn't just about rank. It meant being on the front lines of every conflict, every expedition, every war. It meant carrying the weight of the academy's reputation—and its survival. It meant being visible. The exact opposite of what he'd been planning. The activities that coincided with them being together alone surely did happen. But something felt off and Sophie could sense it even as they lay together in the aftermath. For a while, neither of them spoke. Then, Sophie shifted, turning on her side to face him. "You've been off since we left campus." Noah exhaled through his nose. "Yeah?" "Yeah." Her voice was soft, but certain. "Something's on your mind." He stared up at the ceiling, weighing his words. "Let's say you had a choice," he started, keeping his tone even. "A big one. One that could change everything for you." Sophie hummed, her fingers brushing lightly against the fabric of her pillow. "Go on." "You're not sure if it's the right move," Noah continued. "It comes with... risks. Visibility. Pressure." His jaw tensed. "But it also means something. To other people. And maybe, if you're being honest, to you too." She studied him for a moment. "And if you say no?" Noah turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze. "Then I stay where I am. No new risks, no extra pressure." A dry smile touched his lips. "No expectations." Sophie was quiet for a beat, then rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling like he had been. "You know, I think a lot of people assume the hardest choices are the ones with the highest stakes." Her voice was thoughtful. "Life or death, success or failure." She tilted her head slightly. "But sometimes, it's the choices about who you want to be that really get you." Noah's fingers drummed idly against the blanket. "And what if I don't know who I want to be?" "Then you ask yourself what matters more," she said simply. "The safety of staying the same, or the possibility of something more." Her words settled between them, soft but weighty. Noah let out a slow breath. "You make it sound so straightforward." Sophie huffed a quiet laugh. "It never is." She shifted onto her side again, propping her head up on her hand. "But I do know this—you're not the type to sit back and let the world move around you." His eyes flickered to hers. "So if you're already thinking about it this much?" She gave him a small, knowing smile. "You've probably already made up your mind." Noah let Sophie's words settle, their weight pressing into the silence between them. She wasn't wrong. He turned his head, meeting her gaze again. "Can I see your phone?" Sophie blinked but didn't question it. She reached over to her nightstand, grabbed it, and handed it to him. Noah took it, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen as he pulled up Lucas's number. He hit dial and brought the phone to his ear. The line rang twice before Lucas picked up. "Sophie?" Noah exhaled through his nose. "No. Me." A pause. Then, amusement laced Lucas's voice. "Well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Noah didn't bother with preamble. "When does the bus leave for 8?" ***Author's note*** Who has been y'all favorite character so far? I'd say Lila for me. I just like crazy chicks lol

Chapter 106 Trip to 8

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