CHAPTER 49: [49] THE Z FILE

The final bell echoed through the academy’s corridors, signaling the end of classes. Xavier Valentine rolled his shoulders, trying to release the tension that had built during the day’s training sessions. Between Agent Phantom’s temporal manipulation demonstration and Professor Rousseau’s unexpected revelation about gate classifications, his mind was buzzing with new information.

Gate types designed like video games? Narrative gates that adapt to psychological profiles? This is getting way too close to my situation for comfort.

Xavier gathered his materials, tucking his tablet into his bag while scanning the classroom. Most students were already packing up, eager to escape after the intensive day.

"Quite the day, huh?" Luka boomed, slapping Xavier’s shoulder with enough force to make him wince. "First Phantom shows us true power, then Rousseau reveals secrets! Is exciting, like good Russian novel!"

"Yeah, exciting," Xavier agreed, rolling his shoulder to check for damage. "Just what we needed on our second day—existential questions about reality."

Beppo slid into their conversation, phone already recording. "This is incredible content! My followers are going to freak when I drop hints about classified gate types. Hashtag hunter secrets, hashtag narrative gates, hashtag the truth is out there!"

"Maybe tone down the conspiracy angle," Xavier suggested. "Unless you want to end up in a Phoenix Imperium ’research position’ too."

Beppo’s eyes widened. "Good point. I’ll keep it vague. Mysterious but not career-ending."

Nolan approached them, his glasses slightly askew. "T-t-that was q-quite informative," he stammered, the confident analysis he’d displayed during class completely vanished. "I-I’ve read theories about g-gate classifications, but n-never heard confirmation from an official s-source."

"You seemed pretty knowledgeable about dimensional theory," Xavier noted.

"J-just a hobby," Nolan replied, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I r-read a lot."

Xavier offered his fist for a bump. "Well, your ’hobby’ made you the only one who understood half of what Rousseau was talking about initially."

Nolan stared at Xavier’s extended fist for a moment before awkwardly returning the gesture. Luka immediately followed with his own fist bump, nearly knocking Nolan off balance, while Beppo executed a sequence that left Nolan looking confused.

Across the room, Xavier spotted Calypso gathering her things. Before he could make his way over, Margaret, Selena, and Naomi surrounded her.

"Bathroom break before heading home?" Margaret suggested.

"Girls’ talk time," Selena added, tossing her gradient blonde-to-blue hair over her shoulder.

Naomi examined her perfectly manicured nails. "We have questions that require privacy."

Calypso’s pink eyes darted toward Xavier briefly before she nodded. "Sure! I could use some girl time."

Ah, that checks out. The protective formation strikes again. Xavier sighed internally. At least they’re within the 200-meter radius.

Sayuri approached. "The lecture about gate types was fascinating, wasn’t it? I’ve been sketching what I imagine each type might look like." She flipped open a small notebook, revealing detailed illustrations of different gate environments.

"These are really good," Xavier said. The dungeon gate looked appropriately menacing, while the puzzle gate featured intricate mechanical components. "You’ve got serious talent."

Sayuri blushed, her freckles standing out against her reddened cheeks. "Thank you. It helps me process information better when I visualize it."

"Smart approach," Xavier nodded. "Listen, I’ve got to head out, but I’ll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course! Have a good evening, Xavier."

As he made his way toward the exit, Xavier calculated the optimal position to wait for Calypso without appearing like an overprotective cousin—or whatever their relationship was supposed to be.

Sis-con? Cousin-con? Goddess-con? I’ll need to workshop that terminology.

His mind drifted back to the more pressing matter: Dominic Black. Calypso’s revelation that Dominic had previously been dead raised too many questions to ignore. They needed information, and they needed it fast.

Earlier that day during lunch, Xavier had casually approached a group of third-year students.

"Hey, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I’m a huge fan of Dominic Black," he’d said, leaning against their table. "Any chance you know where I might find him today? I’d love to get some training tips."

A tall girl with copper-colored hair had laughed. "Join the club. Half the first-years try to track him down."

"He’s not around much these days," added another student with a streak of blue in her black hair. "Dominic spends most of his time off-campus with the Sentinels."

"Sentinels?" Xavier had asked.

"His guild," explained a third girl with striking violet eyes. "They’re based in Metro City. Top hunters only, serious exclusive vibes."

"That’s disappointing," Xavier had sighed dramatically. "I was hoping to see him in action."

The violet-eyed girl had smiled. "If you’re really interested, there’s a demonstration match next Friday. Dominic versus Azalea Motley."

"I’ll definitely be there," Xavier had replied.

The conversation had ended with the three girls offering to "keep him posted" about Dominic’s activities. They’d exchanged contact information, which Xavier had promptly saved under descriptive identifiers: "Copper Hair 3rd Year," "Blue Streak Hunter," and "Violet Eyes Cute."

Now, standing in the academy corridor, Xavier sighed. He needed more information than what those third-years could provide. There was only one option left.

Time to bite the bullet.

Xavier pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. Sayuri Tanaka, Beppo, Luka Mikhailov, Calypso Valentine, Margaret Richardson, Ashley Martin... He continued past "Blonde Yoga Instructor" and "Redhead from Club Nexus" until he reached the very bottom of his list.

Z Adrian.

He’d deliberately added the "Z" to ensure the contact appeared last, a petty but satisfying method of organization. Xavier hesitated for a moment before hitting the call button. The phone rang three times before an enthusiastic voice answered.

"Xavier Valentine! This is amazing! I was just compiling statistics on Class 1-D’s performance metrics compared to historical averages for D-ranked students and wondering if I should include your Input Buffer system as an outlier variable because preliminary observations suggest it doesn’t follow standard Essentia development patterns and—"

"Adrian," Xavier interrupted, cringing at the verbal onslaught. "I need information."

"Information? Of course! What kind? Academic? Statistical? Historical? Personal? Corporate? I have access to seventeen different databases and subscribe to twenty-three hunter industry newsletters plus my father’s company maintains detailed—"

"Dominic Black," Xavier cut in again. "I need everything you know about him."

The line went silent for three seconds—the longest Adrian had been quiet since answering.

"Dominic Black," Adrian repeated, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The Dominic Black? Current number one ranked student at Catalyst Academy? Leader of the Sentinels B tea,? Holder of seven academy records including fastest group Tier-2 gate clearance by a first-year student? That Dominic Black?"

"Yes, that one," Xavier confirmed, leaning against the wall. "Consider me a... fan looking for information."

"Oh my god, this is amazing! I have a comprehensive file on Dominic’s career trajectory including all public appearances, match statistics, gate clearance records, corporate sponsorship valuations, and rumored ability parameters! I’ve been tracking him since his first appearance at the Regional Hunter Showcase two years ago!"

Xavier pulled the phone slightly away from his ear. "Great. Can you email me the information?"

"Absolutely! This is so exciting! No one ever asks me about my hunter analytics! I have charts! And graphs! And a statistical model predicting his eventual S-rank confirmation timeline!"

"Sounds... thorough," Xavier managed. "Just keep it between us, okay? I’m not looking to draw attention."

"Of course, of course! Hunter intelligence is sensitive information! I completely understand the need for discretion in competitive environments! My sister always says—"

"Great, send it over," Xavier interrupted, ending the call before Adrian could launch into another monologue.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket, already regretting his decision. Still, if anyone had detailed information about Dominic Black, it would be Adrian Martin. The kid was obsessed with hunter statistics and seemed to track top performers like others followed sports teams.

Xavier made his way toward the bathrooms, positioning himself in the hallway where he could keep an eye on the women’s restroom without appearing creepy. He leaned against the wall, scrolling through his phone while maintaining peripheral awareness of his surroundings.

A dead soul who shouldn’t be here. Gate types that sound like video games. My own game-like ability system. Something’s connecting these pieces, but I can’t see the pattern yet.