(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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Lines of data scrolled into view. Nothing major had shifted — his stats remained the same. The only difference lay near the bottom.

Protocol — Mid Proficiency

A faint smile crossed his lips. "At least something improved."

The interface flickered out, leaving only the soft hum of mana in the corridor. He followed the glowing runes toward the Magnum 1 dorm, his pace unhurried. Caelum had left him behind. The exhaustion was settling in again, deep in the joints, though his mind remained strangely alert.

He reached his assigned corridor — wide, quiet, lined with smooth white stone. Most doors were shut already; the others who'd survived were likely asleep or too drained to move.

His own door glowed faintly with an identification rune. He pressed his palm against it, and the seal unlocked with a soft click.

Warm light spilled from inside.

He stepped through the doorway — and froze.

There, seated calmly in the centre of the room, was a woman. Mature, silver-haired, composed. Her posture was relaxed but deliberate, as though she'd been waiting for some time. In front of her sat an empty chair — clearly prepared for him.

The door closed quietly behind him.

Orion's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened.

Orion's gaze lingered on the woman for a second longer before instinct kicked in. His pupils glowed faintly silver, ETF activating.

Lines of data flickered in his vision.

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STATUS

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NAME: Jessica Vaunt Chronos

AGE: 34

GENDER: FEMALE

RACE: HUMAN

ATTRIBUTES:???

ABILITIES:???

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Orion's lips parted slightly before he masked his reaction. The absence of detail meant one thing — she was stronger. Considerably so.

Her eyes shifted the same instant, sharp and aware. "You just used something," she said quietly. Her tone wasn't accusing, just curious.

Orion didn't answer. He kept studying her posture, the calm steadiness in her gaze, the faint hum of mana that clung to her like it had weight. His mind ran through possibilities.

'This is why I avoid using ETF near my parents,' he thought dryly.

'There's always a chance they'll notice, and I'm not ready to lie to them.'

Jessica tilted her head slightly, the corner of her mouth curving. "Silent treatment? I see. Either very disciplined or very stubborn."

She gestured lightly toward the chair across from her. "Sit, Orion."

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed and walked over, the quiet weight of his boots echoing on the marble floor. He sat.

Jessica rested her elbow on the armrest, fingers lightly brushing her chin. "I suppose you've already guessed who I am."

"Of course," he said evenly.

Her brows lifted slightly, though amusement glimmered in her eyes. "Then this should be easy."

Orion didn't respond, his gaze steady. She had presence — not the oppressive kind, but one that settled effortlessly over the space. Calm, confident, entirely sure of herself.

Jessica chuckled softly. "Don't be nervous."

Orion's lips curved upward in a faint, knowing smile. "Nervous? In my dukedom? Never."

Her expression froze for a beat, then melted into surprise. "Your dukedom?"

"Yes." He leaned back slightly, unbothered. "Isn't that what it is?"

For a second, she just stared at him — then laughed, the sound low and genuine. "Erevan really did no justice when describing you," she said between laughs. "And here I thought he was just bragging."

Orion's tone was dry but not without humor. "I try."

That earned another quiet chuckle. The tension in the room eased. She had a disarming way of talking — refined but never stiff, confident yet oddly approachable.

"I'll admit," she said after a moment, "you were rather interesting to watch. The trial's feed doesn't do it justice, though. The instructors were convinced you were holding back."

"I was," Orion said simply.

"Ah." Her smile widened. "And you say that without shame."

"I see no point in pretending otherwise."

Jessica leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "Good answer. Confidence without arrogance. I like that."

For a while, they talked. Light, simple conversation — about the trial, the chaos of the final compression, and even Seris' "creative problem solving." Jessica laughed when Orion mentioned the shrines, her composure slipping just enough to reveal a more casual warmth beneath the administrative exterior.

It was strange. For all her status — Administrator of the Academy, no less — she didn't speak like one addressing a subordinate. She spoke like someone genuinely interested.

Eventually, her tone shifted, subtle but deliberate.

"Jokes aside," she said, her silver gaze steady, "do you know why I'm here today, Orion?"

He shook his head lightly. "Not exactly," he said. "But I'm far from not curious. I'm special, but not that special. At least not yet."

Jessica smiled again, that soft glint of amusement returning. "You really are Erevan's son."

"That's what they tell me."

"In any case," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I came here simply to get to know you. Something tells me we'll be seeing a lot of each other over the next four years."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "That so?"

She nodded. "I was genuinely curious what kind of Son that Duke of ours brought into this world, his daughter was remarkable enough. I've met many from the Chronos line, but you—" her smile deepened, "—you stand out. It's rare to see that much control paired with that much restraint."

Silence settled between them.

Orion studied her for another second — her silver hair, calm posture, the faint mana field that never once spiked or faltered. She was composed in a way few people could manage.

"So," she said at last, tone lighter again, "consider this my unofficial welcome. Congratulations on winning the trial, Orion. You've set a rather high standard for the rest."

"I'll try to keep it there," he replied simply.

Jessica's lips curved. "I don't doubt that."

The two sat there in quiet understanding for a few seconds more — one analyzing, the other clearly amused by his composure.

Somewhere beyond the dorm walls, the spire bells rang faintly — signaling the hour.

Jessica rose smoothly from her chair. "I won't keep you any longer. Rest well, Orion Chronos."

Orion inclined his head. "Administrator."

Her eyes softened, the faintest smile ghosting across her face. "Jessica will do."

And with that, light gathered faintly around her form — not teleportation, but a clean, instantaneous fade, like she'd never been there at all.

Orion sat for a long moment after she vanished, the room quiet except for the distant hum of mana. His eyes drifted to the empty chair before him.

He exhaled once. "Next four years, huh?"

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Then, finally, he leaned back in the chair — silent, thoughtful, and for the first time all day, at ease.

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