Twenty minutes had passed since their discussion, and neither Adam nor Fien had spoken a word. The artistic female dormitory had long vanished behind them, replaced by the academy’s bustling central district.

  A few minutes later, they arrived before the imposing staircase that led into the cafeteria. Despite its daunting size, excitement stirred within Adam.

  Even if this isn’t my first time here… the smell really is irresistible.

  He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath as the rich aroma flooded his lungs.

  Now that I think about it… is Elliot’s cooking better than Varidan’s?

  The thought had barely formed when a familiar voice called out.

  “Adam?”

  Adam smiled as he opened his eyes, turning toward the source. The face was familiar—the body decidedly was not.

  …How the hell did he grow this huge in just six months?

  Towering at over seven feet, Hendrix descended the stairs, easily dwarfing those around him. Fresh tattoos crawled along his thick arms and neck, and his bald head gleamed under the sun.

  “You’re back early,” Hendrix grinned. “I wasn’t expecting you until at least next month.”

  He paused, brow furrowing. “Uh… is there something on my face?” He squinted. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Adam exhaled slowly and shook his head. The Cartman brothers had been the tallest men he’d seen in Outworld, but Hendrix had already surpassed them.

  Hendrix scratched the back of his head, glancing down at his arms. “You’re making me nervous. Are you sure there’s nothing on my face?”

  He turned toward Fien. “Babe, there’s nothing on my face, right? I didn’t get another weird tattoo, did I?”

  “You’re fine,” she replied curtly. “You two catch up. I’ll head in first.”

  Hendrix opened his mouth, but Fien had already brushed past him and climbed the stairs.

  With a small pout, Hendrix turned away from her and slung an arm around Adam’s shoulder. “Did something happen between you two? She’s giving you the ice-cold look.”

  “Really?” Adam said lightly. “Didn’t notice.”

  A bashful grin spread across Hendrix’s face. “You sly bastard,” he chuckled. “Already got a girlfriend, and you’re still checking out other girls.”

  He leaned closer, his tone lowering. “Careful. Hilma might’ve sent someone to keep an eye on you. We don’t want a repeat of what happened with Kaylee.”

  “Appreciate it,” Adam replied calmly. “But I don’t need to worry about Hilma monitoring me.” He paused, then added casually, “Also, I’m not with Zalika anymore.”

  Hendrix laughed and slapped Adam’s back. “You’re joking, right?”

  Adam only smiled and shook his head.

  Hendrix froze. His arm slipped from Adam’s shoulder as his mouth slowly fell open.

  He stared—long enough for Adam to chortle.

  “I can practically see what you’re thinking,” Adam said. “So, are we going to keep staring at each other, or are we going to eat?”

  Hendrix snapped out of it, grinning wide. “Food it is! Nothing cures heartbreak better than a full stomach.”

  He hooked his arm around Adam again, and the two climbed the stairs, laughing and trading jabs.

  The cafeteria’s lavish interior unfolded before them. Adam’s gaze drifted toward the staircase leading to the upper floors.

  I can’t wait to taste the food up there.

  “Adam, our table’s over there,” Hendrix said. “What are you staring at?”

  He followed Adam’s line of sight but saw nothing remarkable; no spectacle, no beautiful student to justify the distraction.

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  “Nothing,” Adam replied evenly. “Let’s go.”

  His gaze swept the area, halting when he spotted familiar faces. Fien, Amara, and Mavis sat together, plates piled high with meat-heavy dishes. From the reports, these two were regular teammates of Fien and Hendrix.

  “You guys started without us?” Hendrix complained as they reached the table. “That’s cold.”

  He dropped into the seat beside Fien. Adam took the one opposite him, next to Mavis.

  “I didn’t know you’d be joining us today, Adam,” Mavis said, surprise flickering across his face. “How have you been?”

  “Great,” Adam replied easily. “I ran into Fien at the dorm and tagged along.” His gaze flicked over his outfit. “You look fantastic.”

  He’d bet it’d fooled more than a few guys already.

  Mavis laughed coquettishly and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

  Hendrix frowned as he cut into his rare steak. “No matter how many times I see it, I still don’t get how you two get along.”

  “What’s so surprising about that?” Mavis waved him off. “The real question is why anyone wouldn’t get along with someone this charming.”

  “Get a room,” Amara muttered, sneaking a glance at Hendrix. “Some of us are trying to eat.”

  Mavis shot her a glare. “How many times do I have to say it? I like girls. I just dress like this because it’s cute.”

  “Sure,” Amara deadpanned. “And I like girls too.”

  “Listen here—”

  “That’s enough!” Hendrix snapped, rubbing his temples. He shot Adam an apologetic look. “This always happens when you’re around. Sorry, man.”

  Adam acknowledged it with a brief nod, already dismissing the noise.

  “Are you guys preparing for a mission?” he asked casually.

  “Yeah. To be honest, it’s a graduation mission,” Hendrix admitted.

  “You don’t say,” Adam replied, glancing briefly at Fien. The petite beauty met his eyes—then deliberately looked away.

  “That’s unfortunate. I can’t help you, but I wish you good luck.”

  Amara choked mid-laugh, spraying the tablecloth as she scrambled for a napkin, shoulders shaking with mirth. Fien pressed her lips together and buried her face against Hendrix’s arm, her restraint failing as muffled giggles escaped her. Mavis covered his mouth with a closed fist, trembling as he fought to contain his laughter. Even Hendrix wasn’t spared—his hands hovered uselessly near his face, tears pooling at the corners of his eyes.

  Their reactions left Adam completely baffled.

  Did I say something wrong? Or did I miss something?

  He scanned their faces, searching for an answer, but found none.

  Did Elliot omit something from the report? Don’t tell me my substitute earned me a weakling’s reputation…

  “Mind letting me in on the joke?” Adam asked at last.

  “I—I’m sorry,” Mavis managed between breaths. “We’re not laughing at you. You just… really caught us off guard.” He reached out and patted Adam’s arm in an awkward attempt at reassurance.

  Hendrix sniffed, wiping his eyes before sliding a plate toward Adam. “Sorry, man. Like Mav said—bad timing. Here, have some Tendenser meat. Think of it as an apology—”

  He froze mid-sentence.

  Fien stiffened. Amara’s amusement evaporated. Mavis went quiet.

  Their gazes all shifted toward the cafeteria entrance.

  Adam followed them—and spotted a five-man group striding toward their table.

  The leader moved with unhurried arrogance, pitch-black Jheri curls swaying as he walked. An sheathed sword hung at his hip, while twin short blades crossed his back.

  Who are these clowns? Adam wondered. And why do they look so eager?

  Mavis leaned closer.

  “Adam… are you going to be okay?” he whispered. “Belmiro’s coming.”

  Adam frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  No one answered. Their silence spoke louder than words.

  Elliot definitely left something out, Adam thought grimly.

  “I was wondering why the air smelled foul this morning,” a voice sneered. “Guess I found the source.”

  An arm draped over Adam’s shoulder. Another hand reached casually for the blue apple beside his plate.

  Adam glanced at it.

  “Get off,” he said calmly.

  Belmiro bit into the apple with a loud crunch, tightening his grip. “And if I don’t?”

  Snickers erupted from his companions.

  Juice dribbled down Adam’s uniform as Belmiro leaned closer. “Need a reminder of what happens when you forget your place, lover boy?”

  [Establishing Connection to The Omen…]

  [Connection Successfully Established.]

  [Skill: Illusion Inducement Activated.]

  Darkness swallowed the cafeteria.

  Sound, scent, and light vanished as if erased. Belmiro staggered, eyes darting wildly.

  “W-what—what is this?”

  He turned and screamed.

  Where Adam stood now loomed a bestial figure of crimson flesh and blazing horns, eyes burning like dying suns.

  Belmiro tore himself free and fell hard, scrambling backward as terror crushed his voice.

  “D-DEMON! HELP—!”

  The darkness consumed his scream.

  “Belmiro! Snap out of it!”

  To the onlookers, Belmiro convulsed violently on the marble floor. Moments ago he’d been laughing—now he writhed, froth at his lips.

  “Get him to the healers—now!”

  His companions hauled him up and fled, dragging him through the cafeteria as whispers rippled outward.

  Adam calmly dabbed juice from his uniform.

  “So,” he asked, glancing around the table, “who was that?”

  Hendrix forced a laugh. “You’re joking… right?”

  His tone hardened. “That’s the guy who broke your right leg.”

  Adam’s eyebrow lifted.

  “That asshat did what?”

  Mavis nodded, pressing the back of his hand to Adam’s forehead. “You’re acting weird. You sure you’re okay?”

  Adam gently pulled away. “How many fights did I get into while I was gone?”

  The group exchanged uneasy looks.

  “Eight,” Hendrix answered.

  “Eight…” Adam mused.

  Less than I expected.

  “And how many did I win?”

  Hendrix raised his hand—thumb and index finger barely touching.

  Silence followed.

  Then Adam burst into laughter, tears streaking down his cheeks.

  So that’s it, he realized. No wonder Fien thought she could threaten me.

  “Adam, are you sure you’re okay?” Mavis called out to him.

  “I’m fine,” Adam said, smiling brightly. “Just excited.”

  They stared at him—but he offered no explanation.

  An hour later, they parted ways. Hendrix’s group left to prepare for their mission.

  Adam headed for the Registration Hall.

  It was time for his reappraisal.