Chapter 51: Which University Do You Want To Go To?

Words : 1112 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 51: Which University Do You Want To Go To? Liliana waved him off and disappeared back into the house. Isabella tugged gently on his arm. "Come on. Dinner’s almost ready. And you need a shower." Ethan glanced down at himself. "I don’t smell that bad, do I?" She wrinkled her nose. "You smell like school and stress." He laughed under his breath. "Alright, alright. Shower first." The front door closed behind them as they stepped inside together. Warm light filled the hallway. Faint laughter drifted in from the kitchen. The smell of something sweet baking in the oven lingered in the air, mixing with the peaceful quiet of home. Ethan set his bag down by the stairs and stretched. Isabella leaned against the wall next to him, arms crossed but still smiling. "You’re home now. No more overthinking. Just food, a long shower, and lets celebrate you winning with that guy." He nodded. "Sounds perfect." About an hour later, after a hot shower and a change into comfortable clothes, Ethan made his way to the dining room. The long table was set with care, filled with warm dishes, glowing lights, and soft music playing in the background. A gentle breeze from the climate system rustled the curtains, adding to the cozy atmosphere. All the sisters were there, already seated and chatting happily. Lilith sat at the head of the table, her calm presence setting the tone for the evening. Her silver-white hair shimmered in the soft light, and her relaxed expression made it clear she was pleased to have everyone together. As Ethan walked in, Isabella scooted her chair closer to make room beside her. "Come sit!" she said, patting the seat eagerly. He smiled and took the spot, nodding politely to the others. The plates were already full—roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, a fresh salad with colorful toppings, and even a few fancy desserts waiting off to the side. Before long, everyone began digging in. Laughter and small talk flowed easily. They talked about random things—funny moments, trending shows, cute clothes, and everything in between. Isabella, with a playful glint in her eye, also reminded everyone of her failed attempt to bake a triple-layer cake last week. "It wasn’t that bad," she insisted. "You used salt instead of sugar," Seraphina said dryly. "I thought it was a new trend," Isabella replied with a dramatic shrug, making everyone laugh. It was light. Relaxed. Normal. Something precious. Then, halfway through the meal, Lilith looked up from her plate. "So," she said, her voice calm but curious. "Have you thought about which college you’re planning to go to?" The room quieted just slightly. All eyes turned to Ethan. He chewed the last bite in his mouth, wiped his hands with a napkin, and shrugged lightly. "I’ve been thinking about it," he admitted. "I haven’t made any final decisions yet, but... I’m leaning toward one of the top three." Liliana raised a brow. "Top three? They are good universities." Ethan gave a small smile. "They’ve got strong illusion programs. That’s the main reason." Isabella leaned in, resting her chin on her palm. "So which ones are you considering?" He nodded. "Well, the big three are kind of known everywhere. There’s: — Astralis University, located in the ancient capital of Virelia. It focuses on illusion-type abilities and psychic enhancement. Their illusion arts department is the most respected in the world. Most top illusionists either went there or teach there now. The campus is inside an ancient city built over a shattered leyline, and their physical conditioning division is well-known for training illusionists to enhance their stamina and mental endurance. Some say parts of the school are half in the physical world and half in the mental realm. — Solaria Prime, nestled in the blazing cliffs of Ignisar. It’s famous for fire, light, and elemental-based powers. But their physical combat department is world-class, too, especially for fighters who rely on raw physical prowess blended with elemental energy. But their creative combat division is also really good for mental powers, so they’ve been expanding a lot. Their stadium-sized training arenas and solar-powered dorms carved into glowing crystal formations attract thousands every year. — Kurohana Academy, hidden deep within the mist-covered mountains of Tsukihana. It’s more strict, more old-school, but their discipline and spiritual-based power training is top-notch. Their physical discipline courses are legendary—designed to toughen the body through ancient martial training and breathing techniques. Their illusions lean more toward stealth, shadow manipulation, and subtle control. The academy grounds include ancient spirit temples, and students follow a code of silence and honor like shadow monks. He leaned back in his chair a little. "All of them are strong. They focus on different parts of illusion and psychic-based skill sets, but they all have a strong heritage, amazing teachers, and way too many exams." "Do they all accept other powers too?" Isabella asked, though more out of habit than actual curiosity. "I mean, I know they do—but only the top students stand out if their powers don’t match the school’s focus." Ethan nodded. "Exactly. Like if someone with fire abilities goes to Astralis, they’d be accepted, but no one’s going to be impressed unless they’re insanely talented." Liliana leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "So you’re going with the illusion route to keep things simple." "Yeah," Ethan said. "I don’t really want to show my real ability. Not yet. The illusion stuff is easier to explain and easier to practice in public. People don’t ask too many questions." There was a short pause, but none of them pushed. He looked around the table. "My real power... It’s not something I can train in the normal way. It works better when I’m... closer to someone. Emotionally. Physically." A few of the girls gave him subtle, knowing glances. He scratched the back of his head and laughed softly. "So if I went to a super-specialized school where everything is structured and strict, it’d just hold me back." Lilith tilted her head slightly. "And you want to go somewhere that gives you more freedom to grow at your own pace." "Exactly." Seraphina, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Then Astralis might suit you best." She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "They have a pretty loose style of doing things. Only a few classes are mandatory. Most of the time, you’re free to train your superpower however you want, take on missions, or earn internal credits by helping around the school or participating in events. Classes are open, but it’s up to you to show initiative." Ethan nodded. "Yeah, that kind of system sounds perfect."

Chapter 51: Which University Do You Want To Go To?

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