Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 93: Return to Routine

Chapter 93: Return to Routine

Morning light filtered through the academy windows, casting soft rays across the rows of desks. A new weekday had arrived, signaling the return to the usual academy life—lectures, assignments, and the predictable rhythm of student chatter filling the halls. Velren, as always, occupied his usual corner spot in the classroom, a place that provided both solitude and an unbothered view of the rest of his peers.

The last two days had been anything but quiet. An eventful weekend, to say the least.

What was supposed to be a simple, high-paying escort commission had turned into a life-or-death struggle against a wyvern, of all things. And through that battle, he had manifested a new Vital Echo. That alone was significant enough—but with the added bonus of slaying the wyvern, it was hard to say which achievement was the real prize. Was it the new power he had gained, or was it the satisfaction of felling such a beast? Maybe it was the other way around—the manifestation being the true prize, with the wyvern’s death as just an added consequence. Whatever the case, that moment had left him with plenty to think about.

Then came his time in Caelestoria, particularly in the Ironclash Arena, where he had witnessed two of his peers locked in a duel—Mikhail and Alistair. That had been something else entirely. The intensity, the skill, the sheer spectacle of it all. A fight between nobles, their abilities pushed to the limit, and in the end? A tie, but one that left the audience, himself included, in awe.

Speaking of said noble...

As he sat in class, observing the room with idle curiosity, he noticed that Alistair was nowhere to be seen.

His fingers tapped absently against the wooden desk as he considered the fact. Alistair had been unconscious when they carted him off, but was it really enough to keep him out of class? The guy was tough—Velren had seen that firsthand—so for him to be absent... Well, it wasn’t as if the academy had a rule stating you had to be in peak condition to attend, but given the nature of his injuries, maybe he was still recovering. Or maybe something else had come up. Nobles played by different rules, after all.

Still, it left Velren wondering.

And then there was his newest acquisition—the weapon now strapped at his waist. Forged from a wyvern’s heart, it was something few could ever claim to wield. He had yet to properly test it, to see how it performed in combat, how it synergized with his Ka. Would it respond the same way as his katana, or would it demand something different from him?

Velren exhaled softly, brushing his fingers against the hilt of his new weapon before he leaned back in his seat. No matter how much he turned the thoughts over in his mind, he wouldn’t find any answers just sitting here. If he wanted to understand this wakizashi, he needed to put it to use. A proper test. Soon.

Before he could delve any further into his musings, the sound of the classroom door opening drew his attention. Professor Vekar strode in, his presence alone was enough to shift the atmosphere in the room. Conversations died down as students straightened in their seats, some more eager than others. Homeroom was about to begin.

Vekar swept his gaze over the class before speaking, his voice carrying that composed authority of his.

"The weekend has passed, and I expect that many of you did not simply spend it in idle leisure."

He clasped his hands behind his back as he continued. "Some of you took on commissions—an excellent way to apply your skills in real-world situations. Others might have engaged in private training or attended gatherings of significance."

Vekar moved on without elaborating.

"For those who took on commissions, your performance will be assessed accordingly. Whether you succeeded or failed, how efficiently you completed your task, and the manner in which you handled unexpected challenges—all of these factors will contribute to your evaluation. Your efforts beyond the classroom are just as telling as your work within it."

Vekar’s words hung in the air for a moment, and it was only then that Velren remembered—right, that was a thing.

Commission evaluations.

He had been so focused on the payout, on securing the high credit reward, that he had almost forgotten that completing commissions also contributed to a student’s standing in the academy. Depending on how well one performed, their evaluation could rise, granting them more credibility, privileges, and even access to higher-tier requests in the future. It wasn’t just about the money—it was about proving oneself in a system that valued competence above all else.

Not that it would change anything for him. He had done his job, survived the ordeal, and returned in one piece. If the academy wanted to judge him for it, so be it.

Still, speaking of commissions...

His gaze flicked to the side, settling on the girl seated nearby—Eterna. The ever-composed, unreadable presence beside him.

Clearing his throat slightly, he decided to break the silence.

"So... how did your commission go?"

A familiar pause followed, the kind that made him wonder if she was even going to answer. Then, finally, she spoke, her voice as calm and even as ever.

"It went fine."

That was it.

Velren blinked. Then exhaled through his nose, leaning back slightly.

"I see."

Another beat of silence stretched between them.

’Good talk...’

***

After the homeroom session ended, Velren made his way to the cafeteria, following his usual routine. The only difference today? The selection of food before him was far from his typical choice.

Laid out on the table was a spread of food that looked far too indulgent from his usual lunch—slices of seared meat drizzled in a rich, dark sauce, freshly baked slices of cake still warm from the oven, and a side of vegetables that had clearly been picked for quality rather than convenience. A chilled fruit drink sat beside it, its vibrant hue hinting at an expensive blend.

Maybe it was pride. MaReturnybe it was arrogance. Or maybe, after nearly getting torn apart by a wyvern and walking away with a small fortune, he just wanted to indulge a little. Either way, now that he had the credits to spare, he figured he might as well enjoy the finer things while he could.

Hopefully, this kind of spending wouldn’t come back to bite him later.

Not that it mattered the moment he took his first bite.

’...Tasty’

Worries? Regrets? Gone. Replaced by satisfaction and the undeniable joy of good food.

As he enjoyed his meal, his gaze flickered across the cafeteria, taking in his surroundings. The last time he had been here hadn’t exactly been pleasant. Eterna and Raine had seated themselves near him, drawing every eye in the room. Gossip, whispers, the usual nonsense that followed them around—it had been an uncomfortable experience, to say the least.

Luckily, today was different. He spotted the two girls already seated elsewhere, seemingly minding their own business. No unwanted attention. No unnecessary drama. Just peace and good food.

The only thing missing was probably Kael. Velren had started to grow used to the guy’s presence, and in a way, it felt almost too quiet without him. Still, he wasn’t about to complain. He’d take what he could get.

Just as he settled into his meal, a voice called out from in front of him.

"Oy. We need to talk."

Velren looked up, only to see Mikhail stood before him carrying a tray.

’Well. So much for a peaceful lunch...’

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