Chapter 77: Makes sense
It was a week after the incident, and the Academy was returning to normal. The bodies of the victims had been sent to their families, and those that did not have any were buried by the Academy.
Most times, their bodies ended up in the experiment labs.
The mid-year test for the students had to be postponed since all the instructors were busy searching the field zone, and so there was still no news on when it was going to happen.
The House of Chains had also returned to their usual routine of training. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Throughout the week, they had all been training together instead of doing so separately as they usually did.
Even Julius was now training his body.
He stopped the push-up he was doing, twisting his back to let the weight on him slide away. "Hey, Severin. One thing is bothering me about this Zigi stuff."
They had been working for close to three hours without talking. Julius's voice made everyone turn their attention to their side.
Severin stopped stabbing the training dummy and straightened, his face covered in sweat. "What is it?"
His voice came out dry and rough.
"The door. There was only a small dent in the door, an opening that would be difficult for a rat to squeeze through."
Severin nodded. He had been waiting for one of them to ask. "It has to do with his Talent Ability. Since the system is not there to make our Talent Ability definite, there are some small tweaks that could be done to it. Not everyone could do so, but still.
"For example, Derrick's Ability is strength, right? But who knows what he'll be able to do in the next Advancement Stage? Maybe drain opponents' strength for himself.
"All this is created by our mentality and drive for change. For Zigi, his ability is 'See Me Not,' but what exactly cannot see him? It's a concept that is open for interpretation, especially on how the user sees and perceives things.
"Zigi suffers from mental problems. I think he believes that if something cannot see him, then it can't hold him and definitely can't overpower him. So he could break some universal laws, like going through a small space because it can't see him."
Severin sighed. Even to him, it was confusing, but that was the only explanation he could come up with.
Talent Ability could be twisted to fit the perception of the user as they advanced in stages. For some—most—it was already a set path.
And for some, due to heavy trauma that left a mark in their lives, their view of the world would match their Talent Ability or vice versa.
But it was not only trauma. Things like strong will and burning passion would also work.
Julius sighed. "I wonder if I will be able to change my own as time goes on."
Severin shrugged.
What could he say?
Julius ended up as one of the greatest strategists in history.
But then again, the future was not what it once was.
"I wonder how many books he has to read just to know this much," Serena muttered.
"He usually spends some free time in the library. The upper floors," Celia said in a stage whisper.
That was an intentional habit he built. It was a way of making it look as if he was getting all his knowledge from the books he was reading, or as if he had some special artifact that was working for him.
In truth, the information he had just given them was expensive. Unless their families gave it to them, it would take huge amounts of gold and credits to get.
They continued their training.
Severin gave some instructions where he could, but ultimately, he was planning on getting instructors for all of them when he had enough coins.
But till then.
Later in the afternoon, they went for lunch, and in the evening, after eating dinner, they parted ways.
Severin went to his room, and they got ready and waited at his dorm gate.
Before long, footsteps reached him.
"Do we really have to go by night?" Julius said, adjusting his glasses.
Derrick grunted. "I don't know, why don't you ask him? Wait, where is he? He told us he'd be here."
The two of them looked around, searching for Severin, who was leaning against the wall, his presence completely erased as if he was part of the rock itself.
He straightened and let a bit of his presence flow.
Derrick whirled back immediately. "You are here!"
Severin nodded. "Yes. I am. Come, let's go. And you, Julius, the reason we are going by night is because the black market only operates during the nighttime."
They walked quickly after putting on their masks, and soon they were descending down the stairs.
"Is this place under the Academy too?"
"Everything is under the Academy. The question is, how much does the Academy participate in it? The Academy doesn't involve themselves in a lot of things unless it's going too far," Severin answered.
Julius nodded. "That makes sense."
"Wow, this place has changed," Derrick exclaimed.
Indeed. Instead of the chaos that was the black market the last time they were there, things were now much more structured. The streets were clean, and there were spaces between each merchant. It was almost as if they were in some fancy market.
Also, some guards with stainless steel masks were patrolling everywhere.
The WireRats had taken complete and firm control of the market.
They made their way to the new headquarters of the WireRats, a five-story building with the first floor completely made into a bar.
Severin went straight to the barkeeper and whispered some words. The man's face widened in shock, and he led them through the secret way behind his counter, where another guard was standing to take them down to their gang leader.
"Eh? We have a VIP guest? Why didn't they send word beforehand... young Master!" Mourne, the fake gang leader, leaped to his feet immediately when he saw who it was, because Severin had already removed his mask.
"Long time no see, Mourne."
Mourne bowed, and then he clapped, gesturing towards the door.
Immediately, all the guards that were hidden in the room came out of their hiding spots and went out through the door.
Julius's mouth fell open. "Severin had such an influence here?"