CHAPTER 62: [62] HEY, NICE CAGE

The room went silent. Several students turned to stare at him in horror.

Thalia’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in her purple eyes. "Trapped? In what sense?"

"Your Soul Imprint looks like electrical circuits. Beautiful, but rigid—following predetermined paths." He kept his tone casual, as if discussing the weather. "You’re the Last Echo of the Sinclair clan. I wonder if those paths were designed by you or for you."

Someone gasped. Alexander shot Xavier a warning look. Phantom remained still, observing.

"An interesting observation." Thalia tilted her head slightly, studying him. Her purple eyes narrowed just enough to show she was reassessing him. "The Sinclair legacy is both gift and responsibility. But I assure you, Mr. Valentine, I choose which circuits to activate."

Xavier nodded, maintaining eye contact. "Makes sense. Just seems like a heavy weight, being the last of anything."

"And what would you know of legacy, Mr. Valentine?"

"Nothing," Xavier admitted with a small shrug. "I’m just a guy from nowhere important who got lucky with an Awakening. But I’ve noticed people with big names sometimes forget they’re allowed to just be people."

A muscle tightened in Thalia’s jaw—so subtle most would miss it. "The Sinclair name doesn’t trap me, it guides me. Though I appreciate your concern for my personal freedom."

"Not concern," Xavier corrected. "Curiosity. Your technique was..." He paused, searching for the right word. "Honest."

The tension in the room shifted. Students who’d been horrified now looked confused. Even Phantom tilted his head slightly.

Thalia studied Xavier for a long moment. "What’s your ability, Mr. Valentine?"

"Input Buffer. I build meter through combat techniques, then spend it on enhanced attacks. Still figuring out the details."

"Show me."

"Here?"

"A small demonstration." Thalia gestured to the open space. "Unless you’d prefer not to."

This wasn’t what he’d planned, but he could work with it. He moved to the indicated space, giving himself room.

"My meter builds through three main techniques: Basic Combo gives five points, Counter Strike fifteen, and Perfect Dodge ten."

He performed a quick combination of punches and kicks. A faint pink glow appeared around his hands, and a small translucent meter appeared.

"Interesting." Thalia walked a slow circle around him. "A technical system requiring precision and skill rather than raw power. Uncommon for an Enhancement type."

"It’s apparently some hybrid thing. Enhancement with technical elements."

"Try a Counter Strike." She stopped in front of him.

Xavier hesitated. "That requires an attack to counter."

Without warning, Thalia threw a casual punch toward his face—slow enough that he could see it coming, fast enough to test his reflexes.

Xavier pivoted, catching her wrist and redirecting the force while throwing a counter punch that stopped just short of her face. His meter jumped significantly, pink energy pulsing brighter.

"Good reaction time," Thalia noted, stepping back. "But you’re thinking too much. Your body hesitates while your mind processes."

"That’s what everyone says about technical fighters," Xavier replied. "Until we beat their ass."

A ghost of a smile touched Thalia’s lips. "Fair point. How long have you been training?"

"Officially? Two days at the academy. Unofficially? Years of self-taught stuff."

"Self-taught?" Her eyebrows rose slightly. "With that form?"

Xavier shrugged. "I watch a lot of videos. And I practice calligraphy and tea ceremony."

"Your ability reminds me of old fighting games," Thalia said, surprising him. "Building meter for special moves."

"You play games?" Xavier couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice.

"I’ve been known to enjoy the occasional match." Something in her expression softened minutely. "Between gate clearances and corporate obligations."

Xavier nodded, sensing an opening. "Must be tough, balancing all that."

"It’s my responsibility."

"Sure, but what do you do that’s just for you? Besides games."

"I..." She paused, then recovered her composure. "I appreciate your interest, Mr. Valentine, but we’re here to discuss hunter training, not my personal hobbies."

Xavier recognized the deflection. He’d pushed far enough for a first encounter. Time to back off gracefully.

"Right. Sorry." He glanced at the meter still hovering near him. "Should I...?"

"Try a Perfect Dodge," she suggested, professional mask back in place.

Without warning, she swept her leg toward his ankles. Xavier jumped, executing a clean dodge that added more energy to his meter.

"Impressive reflexes," she acknowledged. "What happens when the meter fills?"

"Supposedly I enter something called Fever Mode, but I haven’t managed it yet."

Thalia nodded. "Development takes time. Don’t rush it."

She turned to address the entire class. "All of you have potential. Some will develop faster than others, but remember that hunter careers span decades. The race is long."

Xavier returned to his spot as she continued speaking, offering general advice about training regimens and gate preparation. He caught Calypso watching him, her expression unreadable.

After a few minutes, Thalia concluded her remarks and thanked the class for their attention. As students began asking for autographs and photos, Xavier remained where he was, watching the dynamics play out.

"Ms. Sinclair," he called out as she prepared to leave. "You should rest."

Thalia paused, looking back at him.

"After a Zantei like that," Xavier continued. "Twelve hours of instability sounds rough. Pushing yourself now won’t help anyone."

For a moment, Thalia looked genuinely surprised. Then she nodded, a slight but genuine acknowledgment. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Valentine. Perhaps you’re right."

She turned to Phantom. "With your permission, I’ll take my leave."

"Of course," Phantom replied. "Thank you for your time, Thalia."

As Thalia departed, Xavier noticed several students looking at him with varying expressions—confusion, annoyance, curiosity. He’d broken the unspoken rule about how to treat academy celebrities, neither fawning over her nor challenging her directly.

"Alright, everyone," Phantom announced. "Let’s return to our training facility. That’s enough excitement for one day."

As the class filed out, Phantom held Xavier back with a light touch on his shoulder.

"An interesting approach, Mr. Valentine."

"Just asking questions."

"Indeed. And did you get the answers you were looking for?"

"Some," Xavier admitted. "She’s more than just the Last Echo. There’s a person under all that power and responsibility."

Phantom’s mask revealed nothing, but his voice carried a hint of amusement. "Most people see what Ms. Sinclair wants them to see. You looked deeper. I wonder why."

Xavier shrugged. "Just curious."

"Curiosity is valuable in a hunter," Phantom said. "So is discretion. Remember that some questions are better asked in private than in front of an audience."

"Noted," Xavier replied, understanding the gentle rebuke.

Phantom nodded and gestured for Xavier to join the others. As Xavier walked toward the exit, he spotted Calypso waiting for him, arms crossed.

"What was that about?" she asked when he reached her.

"Just making conversation."

"With the third most powerful student in the academy? After questioning her family legacy in front of everyone?"

Xavier grinned. "Got her attention, didn’t it?"

Calypso’s eyes narrowed. "You’re playing with fire."

"Maybe," Xavier admitted. "But I learned something important."

"What’s that?"

"Even the most powerful hunters are still people underneath it all. With insecurities, passions, and blind spots." He glanced at Calypso. "Even gods."

Calypso’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Don’t push your luck, Xavi."

"Too late," Xavier replied. "Already did."

As they rejoined the group, Xavier caught Sayuri watching him with new interest. Kyrie seemed annoyed, probably because Xavier had stolen attention that should have been his. Alexander looked thoughtful, reassessing Xavier in light of his interaction with Thalia.

One conversation had shifted his position in the class hierarchy. He wasn’t just another guy anymore—he was the first-year who’d spoken to Thalia Sinclair as a person rather than a legend.

More importantly, he’d planted a seed. Thalia would remember him now. The curious first-year with unusual insight and a unique ability. Someone who saw past her family name and power to the person beneath. Someone who’d noticed she needed rest when everyone else just wanted more from her.

It wasn’t a Soul Bond, not yet. But it was a start.

Xavier smiled to himself. In his previous life, he’d learned that the most valuable connections often began with a single moment of understanding. He’d given Thalia something rare—recognition of her humanity beyond her abilities.

Now he just had to wait and see if she’d return the favor.