Chapter 70 Proposal

Words : 1188 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Noah walked through the academy halls, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors as his mind raced. Master Anng's words kept repeating in his head: 'Magical gifts... powers rooted in their essence.' 'So I was right,' he thought, running a hand through his hair. 'These white lines aren't tied to my void system at all. They're something else. Something older.' He turned down a quieter corridor, away from the bustle of students heading to their next classes. The solitude helped him think clearer, piece things together. 'But why can't I control them?' he wondered, frowning. 'They show up whenever they want, stay as long as they want. There's got to be a pattern.' His mind drifted back to his fights with Raven. Those white lines had saved his ass both times, showing him exactly where the attacks would land. Same with the Harbingers - he'd seen their killing moves before they happened.@@@@ Noah stopped walking, his eyes widening slightly as something clicked. 'Wait a second... Raven wanted to destroy me in those fights. Real bloodlust. And the Harbingers...' He leaned against the wall, the pieces falling into place. 'They weren't just attacking. They were going for the kill. Every. Single. Time.' He pushed off the wall, walking faster now as his thoughts gained momentum. 'That's it, isn't it? The white lines only show up when someone's trying to end me. Not just hurt me - actually kill me.' But even as the theory formed, he knew it wasn't complete. 'No, that can't be all of it. I've been in other life-or-death situations where they didn't appear. There's something else. Something I'm missing.' Noah ran through every encounter in his head, analyzing each detail. The white lines weren't just random - they had to follow rules, patterns. He just needed to figure out what they were. 'If it's really some kind of ancient magic like Anng suggested,' he thought, 'then maybe I'm going about this all wrong. Maybe instead of trying to control it, I need to understand it first.' He glanced at his watch, noting the time. Combat class would start soon, and he couldn't be late. But this revelation about the white lines... it changed things. Opened up new possibilities. 'One thing at a time,' he told himself, heading toward the combat arena. 'First, I need to test this theory. And I know just how to do it.' ---- Noah walked out of the combat training hall, wiping sweat from his forehead as excited chatter filled the corridor around him. Other students were buzzing about their performances, comparing scores and bragging about their techniques against the holograms. He didn't share their enthusiasm. 'Nothing,' he thought, pulling his blazer off and tying it around his waist. 'Not even a flicker of those white lines.' The combat simulations had been intense - drone-generated holograms that could actually sting when they hit you. Latest tech, they called it. But something about it felt hollow to Noah. The martial arts class earlier had been different - real movement, real power. These holograms? They were just fancy light shows with a bit of force behind them. 'Maybe that's why the lines didn't show up,' he mused, running a hand through his damp hair. 'Can't predict death from something that can't actually kill you.' He started down the hallway, his mind still working through the problem when a voice cut through his thoughts. "Noah! Hey, Noah!" He turned toward the courtyard, spotting a cluster of students gathered around the notice board. Lila stood out from the crowd, her blonde hair catching the afternoon sun as she waved enthusiastically at him. Several heads turned at her call, and Noah fought back a grimace. 'Great. Just what I need right now.' With an internal sigh, he changed course and headed her way. They met halfway across the courtyard, Lila practically bouncing with excitement. Noah's mouth opened, ready to correct her. 'Date? We're not-' "Yes!" Lila cut in, beaming. "I'll have what he's having." Noah closed his mouth slowly, his jaw tightening for a moment. 'And there it is,' he thought, watching Lila's bright smile. 'Setting up expectations that don't exist.' He considered correcting the waitress, but Lila looked so pleased with herself that he decided it wasn't worth the awkward conversation that would follow. The food, when it arrived, looked better than Noah expected. Actual meat and vegetables arranged in an artistic spiral, with some kind of sauce that changed color as it cooled. He took a cautious bite and was surprised to find it tasted pretty good. After a few minutes of eating in relative silence, Noah couldn't wait any longer. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Lila almost rolled her eyes, setting down her fork. "Are you really that afraid of having a good time?" "What?" "If I didn't know better," she said, giving him a knowing look, "I'd think you can't wait to hear what I have to say just so you can leave." 'Well, you're not wrong,' Noah thought, but kept his face neutral. Instead, he forced a smile. "Fine. Fun it is." Lila's face lit up, and she immediately ordered dessert - some kind of infused chocolate ice cream that supposedly changed flavors as you ate it. As usual, she insisted on paying. Noah didn't argue; he never did. When they finally quieted down, the empty dessert bowls pushed aside, Lila's earlier excitement seemed to fade. She fidgeted with her napkin, suddenly looking nervous. "I wanted to apologize," she said finally, her voice softer than before. "About what happened on Cannadah. The kiss... it wasn't planned. I was just so relieved you were alive, and everything was so intense with the Harbinger attack... I lost control of my emotions." "Why are you apologizing now?" Noah asked, watching her carefully. "Because it's the right thing to do." Noah stared at her, his face expressionless. He didn't blink, didn't move, just waited. Lila cracked under his steady gaze. "Because I'm confused!" she burst out. "After the kiss, I thought... I thought you'd come talk to me. Try to figure things out." "Figure out what?" Her cheeks flushed pink. "Us," she stammered. "You know... us." Noah shook his head slowly. "What about us?" 'One month,' he thought. 'We've known each other for one month. I survive one beast attack and a planet invasion, and suddenly she thinks I'm some kind of hero?' He remembered the kiss - quick, desperate, fueled by adrenaline and relief. It hadn't meant anything to him. Couldn't mean anything. He opened his mouth to speak. "You've got me confused for-" "Would you be my date?!" Lila blurted out, cutting him off. Her words came fast, almost desperate, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she waited for his answer. "My date to the gala?"

Chapter 70 Proposal

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