Chapter 65 Do over… all over?

Words : 1585 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

While all of this happened, in a different location, there was a different kind of excitement going on. The Top 25 dorms were a world of luxury compared to the rest of the academy's housing. Reserved for the crème de la crème, it was a haven for the elite, featuring premium furnishings, private bathrooms, top-tier food services, and even personalized AI assistants. Each door bore a sleek digital display with the occupant's name glowing softly. At the door of one such room, Micah Reeds leaned casually against the frame, dressed in a white vest and shorts. His hand rested firmly on the backside of a second-year student, pulling her close as they exchanged a heated kiss. The girl, Olivia Crane, was a stunning brunette with short, tousled hair that she was attempting to tame into a loose knot. Her academy blazer hung loosely on her shoulders, half-buttoned, revealing the lacy black bra underneath. Smudged lipstick traced the curve of her lips, evidence of their earlier activity. Despite her disheveled appearance, she exuded a sultry confidence as she adjusted her uniform. She finally broke the kiss, gently pushing against Micah's chest. "I really have to go," she said, her tone apologetic yet teasing. Micah let out an exaggerated groan, running a hand through his bald head. "Do you really have to?" His voice carried a mock pout as his hands tightened briefly around her waist, pulling her closer.@@@@ Olivia chuckled, stepping back and straightening her blazer. "I wish I could stay, but I've got beast core augmentation in my next period. You know how strict that class is." Feigning a dramatic sniffle, Micah pretended to wipe away an imaginary tear. "You're breaking my heart, Liv." Her teasing smile softened, and she stepped back in for a quick hug. "I wish I could stay too...with my hero," she murmured against his ear. Micah's cheeks flushed, and he let out a sheepish laugh, though his grin betrayed how much he loved hearing it. "Stop it," he said, though his tone lacked any real protest. His hands wandered again, squeezing his hands between the crack of her ass firmly as she pressed closer. "Why?" Olivia asked, her lips brushing against his cheek. "You are a hero. Because of you, most of the first years survived Cannadah. Everyone knows it." Micah's blush deepened, and he stammered, trying to play it humble. "Babe... I told you, Lucas helped too." Olivia pulled back slightly, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "Lucas isn't my man," she said firmly. "You are." She leaned in for one last kiss, slow and lingering, before stepping away. As she adjusted her skirt and tied her hair into a messy knot, she gave him a playful glance over her shoulder. "Don't wait too long to find me later, hero," she teased, swaying her hips with an exaggerated wiggle as she walked down the hall. Micah stood there, watching her retreating figure with a satisfied smirk, his ego thoroughly stroked. For now, the world outside his dorm didn't matter. Micah shut the door behind him, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as his gaze fell on the crumpled sheets and a discarded tie on the floor—the unmistakable aftermath of their recent "exercise." He leaned back against the door for a moment, relishing the lingering memory, before muttering to himself, "Still got it." He pushed off the door and stretched, cracking his neck. "A free day," he said with a grin. That was one of the perks of being in the Top 25. Their schedules were considerably more lenient than the lower years, leaving him with plenty of time to do... absolutely nothing. His eyes wandered back to the bed, but with Olivia gone, the room felt a little too empty. "Alright, time to keep busy," he muttered, strolling over to his bedside table. He picked up his sleek tablet, unlocked it with a swipe, and navigated to his private messages. His inbox was a sprawling list of names, each one saved with a playful or affectionate emoji beside it—hearts, winks, flowers, stars. Micah scrolled through the names leisurely, his mind already sifting through the possibilities. "Let's see," he said, tilting his head thoughtfully. He mentally cataloged them as he went, taking stock of each name: 'Lisa—too clingy right now. Emily—fun, but I just saw her last week. Jasmine—busy with training, probably not an option. Claire... His finger hovered over the name. Hmm, maybe Claire. It's been a while... and she's always down for a good time,' Micah smirked. His looks might not have been extraordinary, but his rank as Number 5 made him practically untouchable. Status was everything, and he had it in spades. Women flocked to him not just for his rank, but for the thrill of being associated with someone in the Top 25. "Alright," he said, tapping on Claire's name and composing a quick message. "Let's see who's available to make this free day worthwhile." Micah smoothed over the details of the meet-up with Claire effortlessly. The first-year girl from 1C accepted his invitation without hesitation, confirming she'd be at his block shortly. "Perfect," he muttered, tossing the tablet onto his bed. All he had to do now was wait. Noah remained silent, his heart hammering in his chest as the man continued. "Let me refresh your memory in case you've forgotten." The technician swiped at the tablet, and a chart appeared on the wall. "Humans with awakened abilities are categorized into four classes. First generation, second generation, third generation, and the rarest of all, alpha class. Each class is further divided into levels 1 through 10, depending on the strength and refinement of the ability." The technician pointed at a digital meter displayed on the wall, divided into sections with corresponding colors. "When the test begins, you'll be exposed to direct energy from the void stone. The crystal will react to your energy signature, and its color will change accordingly. If it turns green, you're a first-generation awakened human. Blue indicates second generation. Red means you're third generation. And black..." He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Black means you're alpha class." Noah's throat went dry. He already knew all this, but hearing it again in this context made his pulse race. "If the crystal turns black," the technician continued, "this facility won't be able to determine your exact sub-rank—whether you're S, SS, or the exceedingly rare SSS. That requires specialized equipment not available here. However, procedures are in place to escalate the matter if such a result occurs." The technician locked eyes with Noah, his gaze clinical. "Understood?" Noah gave a stiff nod, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Good," the technician said, stepping back. "Brace yourself. The test will begin shortly." Noah's mind raced as he stood there. He remembered vividly the last time he had undergone this exact procedure, just a month ago. Back then, the crystal had turned green, and the meter had labeled him a level 5 first-generation awakened human. That result had been expected, unremarkable even. But now? Now he had a system—something that defied logic, science, and every rule about abilities he had ever known. Since that fateful day in the cave during the first expedition, everything had changed. He hadn't just survived the encounter with the category 3 beast; he had awakened something far greater. The void system. And with it, an SSS-ranked ability that he still didn't fully understand. For a fleeting moment, Noah considered confessing everything, turning himself in before the test revealed the truth. But how could he possibly explain the existence of a system only he could see? He'd sound insane. Worse, they'd probably write him off as a victim of trauma or hysteria—a first-year student who had cracked under the pressure of facing a beast far beyond his capabilities. He could also just show them. Use Entropy Touch, one of the skills he'd unlocked, or even summon Nyx. One demonstration would erase all doubt about his newfound power. But that would mean something far worse. It would mean admitting, in front of Albright and everyone else, that he knew he'd reawakened. That he'd been hiding it. The moment that revelation came out, it wouldn't matter how strong he was now. The military didn't care about excuses or survival instincts. Rules were rules. Hiding something of this magnitude would be seen as betrayal, as a willful act of defiance. For the first time, Noah realized the truth wouldn't set him free. It would bury him. Even if they believed him, the implications of his new abilities would lead to questions he couldn't answer. He wasn't ready to be dissected, metaphorically or otherwise. 'But now,' he thought grimly, staring at the shimmering void stone above, 'I'm about to be exposed.' Noah exhaled shakily, stepping fully onto the platform as the humming of the void stone grew louder. The energy in the room shifted, and the crystal's soft glow intensified. "All systems calibrated," the technician announced, his voice clipped. "Beginning test... now." The crystal pulsed, releasing a wave of energy that rippled through Noah's body. His heart pounded as he waited for the inevitable reaction—the moment his secrets would be laid bare for all to see.

Chapter 65 Do over… all over?

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