Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 197: Last Day

When Kiera returned to the Training Facility, Logan was squatting with a grim expression.

Kaiser stood to the side, staring at his shadow with a forlorn expression.

The two turned to her the moment she entered.

’What happened between them? The mood seems heavy.’

She thought, confused.

Sighing, she walked over and handed the clothes to Logan. He still had that nauseating odor, but it had reduced.

She stepped out of the room for him to change, and Kaiser followed suit.

No one said a thing, simply staring at different things blankly.

’Ugh... this silence is...’

Deciding to speak up, Kiera turned to him. "I..."

"You can return if you want."

Kaiser spoke at that same moment, cutting her off.

Without even looking at her, he took out his phone and sent her fifty thousand credits.

"Although unnecessary, take this as compensation for your compliance. I understand you have been running low on credits lately."

"Also, rest up. You might have a fight tomorrow."

Shock, confusion, frustration, and a few other emotions crossed her face, but she couldn’t say anything.

"What...? Sigh, I understand."

She lowered her head and walked away, her heart feeling heavy.

Meanwhile, Kaiser waited for Logan to leave the training room, then left the building with him.

The silver-haired boy still had a grim expression on his face, and it seemed he had a lot on his mind.

Kaiser didn’t interrupt his thoughts, merely following him until they had almost reached the dormitory.

"You go ahead. I have something to do."

Logan nodded absentmindedly, then walked straight to the dormitory.

Half a minute passed, and Kaiser finally turned to look at a tree near the sidewalk.

It felt as if his gaze could see through the tree.

Tilting his head, he asked in a flat tone.

"Why do you think hiding is convenient?"

From behind the tree, Ariel stepped out, his face equally expressionless.

"Is that a real question or something meant to lure me out?"

Sighing, Kaiser rubbed the back of his neck.

"It is whatever you interpret it as. I would prefer you answer the question though."

Blinking, Ariel’s gaze dropped to the ground, and he spoke thoughtfully.

"You asked why I think hiding is convenient. I don’t think it is."

Raising his head, he locked eyes with Kaiser.

"Hiding, stalking, confronting, abducting... are all means to achieve a goal. At that moment, hiding was the most efficient and least risky means to achieve my goal."

Kaiser hummed, then looked up at the night sky.

There were barely a few stars shining, but the moon was very bright.

Since it was past midnight already, there were no students around.

The surroundings were silent except for the sounds of crickets in the grass.

"I have a question." Ariel started, "What did you do to Logan in the Training Facility?"

Kaiser remained unresponsive for a few seconds, then turned to look at him—his gaze empty.

"What would you gain from knowing?"

Faced with that look, Ariel remained calm.

"I am only evaluating your current threat level. I told you I would be watching your every move."

Hearing this, a faint smile spread across Kaiser’s lips.

"I do remember that. However, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to disclose what happened tonight to you."

Ariel nodded calmly, as if already expecting this.

Regardless, it was worth a try.

Kaiser casually waved at him, then walked away.

Suddenly, he paused, turning his head to look at Ariel.

"You can try to get information from Logan if you want, but kindly refrain from approaching Kiera. You wouldn’t want what comes next."

The long-haired boy blinked in surprise. "That is... a bit unexpected."

Kaiser shrugged indifferently, then walked away.

Left standing by the street, Ariel glanced down at his pajamas.

’Maya, now Kiera. The two girls have nothing in common. What exactly is his connection with them?’

Frowning, Ariel remained puzzled.

The slightly chilly wind of the night blew against him, and he realized it was advisable to retire for the night.

’Tomorrow is the last day of the Special Evaluation. Let’s see... will it be according to my predictions?’

............

As the sun rose into the sky, chasing the moon into the distance, the first-year students of Pegasus Will Awakened Academy poured into the Arena, eager to witness the final stages of the Luck Special Evaluation.

The instructors were already present, dressed in their formal attire.

Energetic as usual, Instructor Natalie grabbed the microphone and squealed.

"Alright, little warriors! We’ve finally arrived at the last section of this Special Evaluation."

Her pink lips parted to reveal rows of pearly white teeth in a grin.

"Five matches would decide the fate of the five classes, and I’m sure we’re all excited to see the results."

By now, the students had already settled into their seats. A tense atmosphere hung above them, and there was faint hostility between the five classes.

"Without further ado, I shall be calling upon the first name on today’s list—Yamada Allen from Class-B!"

The Class-B students cheered as Yamada stood, a wide smile on his lips.

He had piercings on both ears, and spiky blonde hair.

Folding his arms, he walked down to the stage, then stopped before Instructor Natalie.

The woman gave him a light wink and gestured to Class-B’s box. "Please~"

Yamada nodded, then dipped his hand inside.

Pulling out a card, he looked at the name written on it, then looked around.

"Thyla Dickson?"

There was a soft chuckle as he pronounced her surname.

With her usual displeased, grumpy expression, Thyla walked down to the stage, standing opposite him with her hands crossed.

The moment her limiter was deactivated, she summoned her armor.

Yamada did the same. A set of leather armor covered his body, and a ball-peen hammer rested on his shoulder.

"Girl, I was surprised by your ability earlier, and I’d like to witness it myself."

He casually lifted the hammer off his shoulder, letting it fall to the ground.

Bang!

The whole stage trembled from the impact alone.

"Will you show me? How monstrous your strength is... compared to mine."

There was a crazy grin on his face, his dark eyes carrying confidence in his own abilities.

With dark circles under her eyes, Thyla raised her hands and curled them into fists.

"You’re out of luck today, Yama-dumb."