CHAPTER 202: A LITTLE WAKE-UP CALL [5]

The soft hiss of pressurized air filled the room as the glass pod slid open.

Kyle stepped out into the dim blue glow of the simulation chamber. His body humming with that deep, satisfying ache.

The kind that only came from being pushed to the absolute limit.

He rolled his shoulders, feeling the tight pull of overworked muscle. Then cracked his neck with a slow tilt of his head. The sound was sharp in the quiet room.

Behind him. Two more pods hissed in unison, their seals breaking with a whisper of released pressure.

Reo practically spilled out of his. Catching himself on the pod’s edge with shaking arms.

His brown hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. His academy uniform clinging to his back in damp patches. His breath came in ragged gulps.

Luna emerged with more control. But the way her fingers trembled as she tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind her ear gave her away. Even the strongest minds had their limits, and seven hours in the simulation was pushing it.

The academy strictly limited simulation use to eight hours maximum.

Not just because of the energy drain. But because the mind could only handle so much artificial trauma.

And Kyle hadn’t held back.

Death after death in increasingly brutal training scenarios.

Even knowing it wasn’t real, having your virtual body torn apart by lightning or frozen solid and shattered left psychological scars.

Their brains might know they were safe. But their nervous systems had reacted to every simulated injury as if it were real.

Kyle turned. Flashing them a grin that was equal parts smug and satisfied. "Well," he said, stretching his arms behind his head, "that was fun."

Reo glared at him.

His chest still heaved as he wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

"Fun?" His voice was rough, like gravel. "You call that fun?" He dragged in another breath.

"You didn’t even break a damn sweat."

Luna leaned against her pod. Her usual perfect posture abandoned. Her breaths were measured, controlled. But exhaustion lined every movement.

"I feel," she paused, swallowing, "like I’ve been trampled by a herd of enraged mana beasts."

Kyle chuckled. Rubbing the back of his neck in that infuriatingly casual way of his.

"You’ll thank me later," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Trust me."

Reo groaned, pulling his hands to his face.

"I’ll thank you," he muttered into his palms, "when my legs remember how to be legs instead of jelly."

Luna pushed off from the pod, swaying slightly before steadying herself. She exhaled sharply through her nose. A controlled release of frustration.

"I need," she started, then reconsidered, "a bath. Food. And sleep. In that exact order."

Kyle nodded. His expression softening just slightly. "Get some rest," he agreed.

"We’ll pick this up again tomorrow."

Reo muttered something dark under his breath. Something that sounded suspiciously like:

"Yeah, if I survive the night."

Before shuffling toward the exit like a man walking to his own funeral.

Luna followed close behind.

———

The academy grounds were quiet at this hour.

Bathed in the soft glow of mana-powered lanterns. Their light stretched long shadows across the cobblestone paths like ink spilled over parchment.

The air carried a crisp bite. Sharp enough to make the skin prickle. Yet sweetened by the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine coming from the gardens.

Kyle exhaled slowly, watching his breath curl into the air. A wisp of mist that dissolved as quickly as it appeared.

The stillness was a relief after the relentless intensity of the virtual training session.

A sudden weight dropped onto his shoulder with a soft thump.

Kyle didn’t flinch.

He was used to this by now.

Zalrielle or Mochi now. His ever-present companion. Now in the form of a sleek black cat, settled against him with the effortless grace only cats possessed.

Her fur shimmered under the lantern light. Shifting from the simple black ring on his finger to her preferred shape in a second.

’You have been favoring this form lately,’ Kyle remarked, reaching up to scratch behind her ears.

His fingers found the spot where her fur was softest, just at the base of her skull.

Mochi’s tail flicked in that particular way that meant she was pretending not to care.

’What choice do I have?’ she huffed, though the way she leaned into his touch betrayed her.

’At least like this, I can see things properly. Better than being stuck as jewelry all day.’

She stretched, her claws pricking lightly through the fabric of his jacket.

"It’s... tolerable."

Kyle smirked. ’Glad you’re having fun.’

A voice cut through the quiet.

"Hey, Kyle!"

Turning. He saw Cassian waving from further down the path.

The fire mage was grinning. flanked by Cedric, Lyra, and Sylvie. All looking like they’d just crawled out of a particularly brutal training session.

Cedric’s usually immaculate uniform was smudged with dirt. His golden hair disheveled, strands escaping their usual neat arrangement.

Lyra’s braid had come partially undone, loose strands framing her flushed face.

Even Sylvie, was adjusting her glasses with slightly trembling fingers. Her cheeks still pink from exertion.

Kyle raised a hand in greeting. "Hey. Just finished training too?"

Cedric ran a hand through his hair. Sending a few more strands tumbling free. "Sparring drills," he confirmed.

Cassian grinned. "And I almost had you," he boasted, nudging Cedric with his elbow.

Lyra’s sharp half-elven eyes swept over Kyle. The faint sheen of sweat at his temple.

"You just come from training too?" she asked, tilting her head.

Kyle nodded. "Virtual Simulation. Me, Reo, and Luna."

Cassian’s grin turned wicked. "Don’t tell me you broke them."

Kyle averted his eyes. The ghost of guilt flickering across his expression. "Maybe," he admitted quietly.

Cassian’s smirk faded slightly. Under his breath, he muttered, "Hope they’re okay."

He’d seen firsthand how terrifying Kyle could be during sparring sessions. Even back when they were trapped in that dungeon together. The memory still sent a slight chill down his spine.

Sylvie. Who had been quietly observing the exchange. Suddenly perked up when she noticed the sleek black cat perched on Kyle’s shoulder.

Her eyes widened behind her round glasses.

"Oh!" she exclaimed softly. Her usual shyness momentarily forgotten. "You have a cat?"

Kyle chuckled at her reaction. "Yeah, this is Mochi," he said, gesturing to his feline companion.

Lyra, ever the excitable one, immediately bounced forward. Her hands already reaching out toward the cat.

"Aww, she’s so cute!" she cooed. "Can I pet her?"

Before Kyle could answer. Mochi’s paw shot out with surprising speed, batting Lyra’s hand away.

Lyra blinked. "Uh...?"

She stared at her fingers where Mochi’s paw had smacked them away, looking genuinely perplexed.

She tried again.

Slap.

And again.

Slap.

Lyra’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

"What’s with this cat?"

"I just want to pet you! Look how soft and fluffy you are!"

Mochi turned her head away with deliberate disdain. Tail flicking in what could only be described as a feline eye-roll.

Kyle couldn’t help but laugh at the exchange.

"Sorry, she’s picky. Only lets me and Aurelia touch her." He reached up to scratch under Mochi’s chin, earning a rumbling purr that made the contrast even more obvious.

Sylvie. who had been watching the entire exchange with quiet fascination. "She’s... very particular," she said softly.

Mochi flicked her tail in what seemed like agreement.

"Cat also has standards, huh?" Cassian quipped.

Lyra shot him a glare that could melt steel. "Shut up, Cassian."

Cassian just chuckled.

Cedric shook his head at their antics before turning to Kyle. "So, where you headed?"

"Back to the faculty quarters."

Shifting his weight as Mochi readjusted her position on his shoulder.

"Aurelia’s probably waiting to grill me about today’s training." He could already picture it.

Cedric laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Good luck with that."

They’d all been on the receiving end of Aurelia’s interrogations at some point.

Lyra stretched her arms overhead with a satisfied groan.

"We were just about to grab some food at the café near the east courtyard," she said. Bouncing on her toes.

"You wanna come?"

Kyle opened his mouth to decline. But before he could form the words...

’Say yes.’ Mochi’s voice echoed in his mind.

He blinked. ’What?’

"I want cake."

Kyle sighed internally. Of course.

Somehow in the few weeks since taking feline form. Zal had developed an addiction to cake.

And Aurelia, being Aurelia, spoiled her rotten every chance she got. It seemed even ancient spirit weapons weren’t immune to developing a sweet tooth.

He cleared his throat. "Actually, yeah. I could eat."

Cassian grinned. "Great! Let’s go. I’m starving." He patted his stomach.

"Training with these monsters works up an appetite."

As they walked. The group fell into an easy rhythm.

Lyra kept sneaking glances at Mochi. Her fingers twitching with barely restrained desire to pet her.

At one point she tried a surprise lunge. Only for Mochi to effortlessly dodge while maintaining perfect balance on Kyle’s shoulder.

Sylvie. On the other hand, seemed content just observing. Though Kyle caught the small smile when Mochi yawned, showing off tiny white fangs that glinted in the lantern light.

For someone so quiet. Sylvie had an uncanny ability to appreciate the smallest details.

The occasional laugh from their group mingled with the distant sounds of other students heading back to dorms or late-night training sessions.

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