Chapter 132 The number 1 has spoken

Words : 1097 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The Year 3 training area was a scene of sheer discipline. The air smelled of sweat and metal, weights clanking, battle dummies being torn apart, and energy flaring as students refined their techniques. These were the elite—students who had been hardened through three years of brutal training. Noah walked in, his red uniform pants standing out against the sea of older students dressed in darker training gear. A few heads turned. 'Great. Here comes the fluke.' That was what some of them were thinking. He could feel it. The kid who got famous overnight because he survived a Category 3 beast attack? Why was he walking straight to Lucas Grey? Lucas was mid-pull-up, muscles taut, sweat running down his forearms. He spotted Noah approaching but didn't pause, smoothly finishing his rep before dropping to the floor. Noah stopped right in front of him, hands in his pockets. A few students snorted. Arrogant. But then Lucas grabbed a towel, wiped his face, and—without a word—walked off with Noah. Silence. Stunned looks exchanged. He had just left. Dropped everything and followed this kid. What the hell was going on? Outside, the sun cast long shadows on the academy grounds, the buzz of training muffled by the walls they had just stepped past. Lucas draped the towel over his neck, smirking as he leaned casually against the railing. "Alone today?" he teased. "Where's Sophie?" Noah knew what he meant. Since the moment he and Sophie got together, they were everywhere together—training, eating, walking the halls. If Noah was somewhere, Sophie was usually right beside him. Not today. He didn't entertain the joke. Instead, his gaze swept over Lucas, taking in the battle-worn frame, the barely visible scars on his arms. Things that even those with healing abilities couldn't completely erase. A testament to what the academy put its best students through. Noah exhaled. "About your question," he started. "The one you asked me before—about joining the top 25 students." Lucas's expression barely shifted, but Noah knew he was listening. "My answer is yes," Noah said. "Yes, I'd like to join your ranks." For a second, Lucas just looked at him. A flicker of something—surprise?—crossed his face. Not because he didn't believe in Noah's ability but because he hadn't actually expected him to say yes. Lucas tilted his head slightly, studying Noah like he was a puzzle with a missing piece. He hadn't expected this. Not at all. He knew Noah better than most. Knew the kid wasn't some eager climber desperate to grab onto power. In fact, Noah had spent most of his time avoiding the spotlight, dodging unnecessary attention. If anything, he wanted to remain low-key. So what changed? The girl? No. Sophie was an influence, sure, but Noah wasn't the type to throw himself into something just because of a relationship. He was more complicated than that. "No soldier ever made it there by living in the shadows," Noah said. "So maybe one day, you, Sophie, and hell—the whole world—will figure me out. But until then?" He gave the smallest smirk. "I'll just keep doing what I do." Then he turned, hands in his pockets, and walked off. Lucas just stood there, staring after him. 'What the hell is wrong with that guy?' Amanda stepped out of the training hall, blonde hair damp with sweat, a towel draped over her shoulder. She watched Noah's figure disappear down the path before turning to Lucas, arms crossed. "What did the kid say?" she asked, her expression unreadable. Lucas didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her, as if weighing how much he wanted to say. Then, with a smirk, he threw the question back at her. "What do you think he said?" Amanda sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Lucas, are you sure? Inviting a Year 1 to the top 25?" Lucas simply arched a brow. "You know what the others are going to say. They are still mad about Cannadah. Let's not even talk about the eight siege. I mean, everyone is in a bad mood as it is. And now you're bringing in a kid?" Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "They can take it up with the number one, then." He turned to Amanda, tapping her shoulder lightly before walking back toward the training hall. "Oh wait... I am number one." Amanda rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply. "Cocky ass." Lucas just grinned, tossing his towel aside. "Come on, I need a spot." Amanda followed, mumbling under her breath, "This is gonna be a mess." Noah had said his piece to Lucas and felt good about it. He hadn't discussed this with Sophie yet, but he figured if they met later that day, he would. Not that he had a way to reach her—he still didn't have a phone in this generation. Miss Harper had bought him one for his last birthday, but he had to sell it to help her get a few new clothes. The woman would use up all her credits on him and forget herself. Sometimes he had to remind her that she wasn't his biological mother, that she didn't have to do anything. He wasn't her responsibility. But his age-long nanny, now turned practical mom, wouldn't even budge. Just the thought of her doing all these things fueled his hatred even more for his actual parents, the ones on the Arc. Noah was making his way toward his dorm when he spotted Cora stepping out. "Tomboy" was the easiest way to describe her—short hair, always in cargo pants or something equally practical, and no patience for small talk. He greeted her, and she nodded in return before walking off without another word. They weren't exactly close. She was much more comfortable around Kelvin, which was an odd pairing. But in a way, it made sense. On their very first outing before the tragedy, when the group had split up, she'd gone with Kelvin while Noah had ended up with Lila. Still, he wondered what she had come to do in his dorm. With that thought, he walked upstairs, unlocked the door, and stepped inside—only to stop. Kelvin was sitting on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Legs crossed. Arms folded across his chest. No tablet in his hands, no PC glowing from his usual setup, no fingers tapping away at anything. That wasn't what bothered Noah, though. It was the state of the room.

Chapter 132 The number 1 has spoken

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