BAB3 -Chapter 27

# Chapter 27: First Day Back

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Xay, Lexi, Kimi, Tyra, Dragon, and Willow were up early the next morning.

They had to get back to campus in time for their morning physical conditioning with Rox.

They trained in the martial halls during their break, but had not done any focused conditioning since they left.

And after hearing Bethany’s story the night before, they could use the clarity of mind that physical exercise brought—especially Lexi.

After saying their goodbyes to Aunt Gwen, Amy, Valiant, and Bethany, the seven of them headed out.

Kimi, Tyra, Willow, and Ezra flew back by autopilot in Lexi’s Auralis, while Lexi herself rode with Xay and Dragon in his A1-X.

Lexi wrapped her arms around his waist as they cruised through the sky lanes.

“Do you think I’m a bad person?” she asked, her voice low and muffled into his back.

“What? Of course not,” he said, patting her hand gently. “There was no way you could’ve known something insane like that was going to happen.”

“I.. I just. I feel like a bad person,” Lexi mumbled.

Xay took a breath, searching for the right words to say.

“You feel guilty for being a part of a series of unfortunate events. But you weren’t the cause of the worst of it, and you weren’t the end, either.”

Lexi was quiet for a moment.

“Now, did you overreact all those months ago?” he added. “Absolutely. But overreacting is pretty on brand for Alexis Sable.”

She huffed and bit his shoulder.

“Case in point,” Xay laughed, jerking to the side.

“You’re supposed to be making me feel better, jerk,” she sighed, rolling her eyes.

“I think I’m supposed to make you feel loved and cared for,” he said, nodding to himself. “Better will take time.. same as Bethany.”

Lexi let out a long exhale. “That was surprisingly insightful. Did you take another one of those brain juices?”

“What? I’m always insightful,” Xay said, mock offended. “It’s not my fault you don’t listen to my genius.”

Lexi snorted, hugging him tighter. “I love you, too, idiot.”

<<love steak="">> Dragon chirped through the bond, making them both laugh.</love>

Cosmos Academy’s gleaming tower soon came into view, and Xay followed the Auralis as it descended toward the parking deck.

“Would you all mind if I joined you for your morning conditioning?” Ezra asked as they climbed out of the craft.

Xay shrugged, storing his A1-X in his ring. “I doubt Rox will care, but she might make you wear one of these,” he said, tapping his weight-adjustable gravity band.

Ezra chuckled. “I don’t mind.”

Xay, Lexi, Kimi, and Tyra were already wearing the underlayers of their armor, so they headed straight for the simulation room while Ezra split off to change.

The halls were mostly empty at this hour, and they felt a little foreign after being away so long, but Xay adjusted quickly.

“Morning, Sunshine!” Rox bellowed as they stepped into the simulation room.

While they waited for Ezra, Kimi and Tyra filled Rox in on Bethany’s situation.

Surprisingly, the tough redhead pulled Lexi into a hug. “I know better than most how dire the consequences of seemingly harmless choices can be,” she said, her tone unusually sincere. “We’re all here for you.”

“Th-thanks,” Lexi murmured, a little stunned.

Xay didn’t blame her. He was a little shocked, too.

Once Ezra arrived, Rox clapped her hands and shifted the room into a massive, vertical cliff face.

“You’re running today,” she announced brightly. “Sideways.”

She had them all Wall Walk onto the side of the cliff and sprint full speed sideways as her gravity affinity bore down, threatening to drag them back to the ground.

Then came her long axe, with her spinning it like a buzzsaw.

Xay couldn’t help but laugh.

It was good to be back.

***

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After conditioning, Xay’s gang headed back to their apartment to shower, while Rox and Ezra went their separate ways.

Once he and Dragon got cleaned up, Xay happily pulled on a black-and-red striped Quantium hoodie, black joggers, and red low tops.

He slid a red hoodie over Dragon, tightened the Life Weave Cord securing his braids, and snapped in his dragon-fanged grill before heading out.

It was Tuesday, so their first class of the day was Intro to Combat.

After the lab incident, the academy adjusted their schedules so they shared every class, and had individual coaching sessions in the afternoons.

In class, Shifu Wu had everyone split into groups to work on anything they’d learned about their skills and techniques over the break.

She moved from group to group, offering guidance and helping everyone deepen their understanding.

Xay and his group already had a strong grasp of their abilities, so they focused on refining their forms and practicing telepathy through their bond.

Dragon had been clamoring for steak all morning—and Xay wasn’t far behind. The food on the mountain had been great, but they both missed Ms. Glenda.

He was ready for *The Xay* sandwich, and Dragon was eager for *The Mini Xay.*

Also, Xay was still amazed that he could talk directly to Dragon now.

He’d always been able to send her impressions, and she could usually sense what he wanted.

But telepathy was different. It was a whole new level of connection.

When lunch finally rolled around, the two of them shot down the hall.

Lexi shook her head, smirking at their backs. “Come on, let’s catch up to those two.”

Tyra laughed as they all sped up. “They’re so happy.”

Xay and Dragon waited anxiously at the elevator for the others to catch up.

Once everyone arrived, the ride down was quick. The moment the doors opened, Xay made a beeline straight for Ms. Glenda’s stall in the GastroHub.

“Oh, you beautiful woman. How I’ve missed you,” Xay said dramatically, hopping into her line.

Ms. Glenda laughed. “Well, isn’t that quite the greeting. It’s good to see you too—especially in such high spirits.”

Xay nodded eagerly. “Went on a little retreat over the break. But,” he leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “they were all vegetarians.”

Ms. Glenda laughed again, shaking her head. “Well, let’s get you two loaded up.”

Xay had already taken a bite of his masterful sandwich before he even made it to the table. Dragon did the same, her sharp fangs tearing into the toasted bread.

They were actually the first to sit down, with Ezra, Tyra, and Willow joining next.

Juniper and Winnie slid into seats beside Kimi and Lexi, but they seemed a bit more muted than normal.

Xay frowned, and then saw Peanut and Bev sitting down.

“Yo,” he said, holding out a fist for Peanut to bump. “I got your notification yesterday. I meant to message you back, but I got distracted..”

As he spoke, Peanut’s face twisted into a grimace, and he clutched his head in pain.

“Oh no. Again?” Bev asked, immediately turning to help him.

“Again?” Xay repeated, glancing between the two of them. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

Bev sighed, her frustration bubbling up. “While you were gone, Dante—”

“Xavyer X!” Gideon’s wheezily voice cut through the GastroHub, interrupting her. “I challenge you for your placement!”

He stomped toward them with his usual self-importance. His sidekick, Xander, followed close on his heels.

“Ugh. This jackass,” Xay groaned, hurrying to finish his sandwich.

“You can’t run from me this time!” Gideon boomed, gesturing to the now-silent audience. “Everyone will know you’re a coward—too weak to stand against me!”

“I know it was you who sabotaged my room and planted that disgusting,” he lowered his voice, “sex doll for the instructors to find.”

Lexi and Tyra immediately broke out in laughter, while Kimi and Ezra hid heavy giggles behind their hands.

Peanut, Bev, Juniper, and Winnie looked just as confused as Xay was.

“And I will have my revenge,” Gideon seethed. “I will reclaim everything you stole from me!“

Tossing the last bite of his sandwich to Dragon, Xay stood, finally shutting Gideon up.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

“What?” Gideon blinked, somehow caught off guard.

“Let’s go,” Xay said, already walking toward the door with everyone from his table following behind. “Me and you. Right now in the quad. Once and for all.”

Other students in the GastroHub had already started streaming out to watch the fight before it finally clicked for Gideon.

“Yes, right. Come, Xander. We have rubbish to trash of,” he said, puffing up as he marched out.

Xay spotted Instructor Grant in a fresh purple suit near the exit, and asked if he’d officiate.

“Of course,” he agreed with a big grin.

They made their way to one of the battle platforms, and Xay stepped onto one side.

“Don’t hurt him too bad,” Lexi teased behind him, sounding more like herself than she did earlier that morning.

“I say let him have it,” Tyra chirped.

<<—constantly interrupting my meal—>>

Xay caught a bit of Willow griping to Tyra and quickly tuned it out.

“Do your best,” Kimi said with a knowing smile.

<<me fight="">> Dragon asked from her side.</me>

<<not this="" time.="">> Xay sent back, shaking his head.</not>

“Good luck?” Ezra offered, her tone making it sound more like a question than encouragement.

They had drawn a large crowd; Xay’s fame and Gideon’s loud mouth were enough to bring out nearly the whole GastroHub.

Xay had his black Quantium Armor on in a flash thanks to his ring.

Gideon clambered up onto the opposite side of the platform and immediately began fiddling with a gaudy set of silver armor.

It looked like he’d upgraded since his loss to Lexi. It was only four pieces now.

While Xander helped fasten the clasps, Xay scanned the crowd. He spotted Vi and Reina, but not Dante or Jasper.

Xay wanted to end this quickly.

Whatever Bev had been about to say earlier was nagging at him. Dante had done something, and Peanut still looked like he was in pain on the sidelines.

Just thinking about it made Xay’s jaw tighten. If Dante had really gone after his friends, then Dante would be seeing him today.

Finally dressed, Gideon stepped forward with a smug grin. “Ah, how I’ve waited for this. Xander, now!”

From the edge of the platform, Xander thrust out both hands and conjured some type of glowing barrier, trapping Xay and Gideon inside.

Gideon threw his head back in maniacal laughter. “Yes, do you see? I’ve done my research. I watched the vids of your battles. I know you can’t summon your weapons through barriers.”

Xay’s brow lifted, amused despite himself.

When the F4 fought the S4, Vice Headmistress Blake had Shifu Wu erect a mystic barrier that completely shut down Xay’s Sphere Skill.

But that match had been behind closed doors. Xay wondered how Gideon could even know about it.

Then he spotted Reina giggling in the crowd.

*She would blab*, Xay thought with a scoff.

While Gideon launched into his stuffy monologue, Xay quietly tested his bonds and found them loud and clear. The barrier wasn’t affecting them at all.

He figured it was a mix of things—Xander’s barrier being far weaker than Shifu Wu’s, and the power of his bonds growing stronger after his second awakening.

“While this is certainly entertaining,” Instructor Grant interrupted, “a barrier from another person counts as outside interference. It isn’t allowed.”

Gideon went quiet after that, his face going pale.

“Nah, it’s fine,” Xay said, glancing at the Jetnir Orbs hovering by his hands. “Let him keep it.”

“Are you sure?” Instructor Grant asked, clearly amused.

“Yup. Let’s get it over with,” Xay nodded.

“Very well,” Instructor Grant continued, raising his voice. “First-year number five placement, Gideon Hightower, challenges number one placement, Xavyer X. Fight until unable to continue or surrender. Begin.”

Smirking, Gideon began to glow with a warm white light, activating *Proud Presence*, just like he had in his fight with Lexi.

***Proud Presence** - Temporarily boost (Might) and (Poise) while lowering (Grit) and (Acuity).*

Hefting his unwieldy greatsword, the *Pride Warrior* shouted as he charged forward.

***Pride Warrior (Striker Sphere) (A-Rank)** - Expert greatswordsman, wielding pride and courage in battle.*

Only—he didn’t charge at all.

Xay lifted a finger and wrapped him in *Supreme Psychokinesis*, locking up his body mid-step.

Gideon’s eyes darted around in panic. “What? What is—”

Before he could finish, Xay slammed his helm into the platform.

Lifting him back up, Xay spoke calmly, his voice edged with a cool confidence. “I have no idea why you’re so obsessed with me. I’ve stolen nothing from you.”

Gideon tried to respond, but Xay held his mouth shut.

“You are not my equal,” Xay continued. “You’re not my enemy. You’re nothing to me. I only think about you when you’re screaming at me while I’m trying to eat my lunch.”

Xay sighed, shaking his head. “So the next time you decide to huff and puff in my direction, I want you to remember this.”

What followed was a brutal game of pinball.

A man in silver armor ricocheted across the arena like a ragdoll, slamming off the barrier walls he’d so proudly requested.

Over. And over. And over.

After a full minute, Gideon vomited inside his helm and blacked out, going limp in Xay’s grasp.

Xay dropped him on his back in the center of the platform.

“Winner, and still first-year number one placement, Xayver X!” Instructor Grant shouted.

The crowd went wild, half cheering for Xay, and half laughing at Gideon.

Instructor Grant had some people drag Gideon off to a care station, while Xay waved everyone away and turned to Bev.

“What happened while we were gone?” he asked, his tone grave.

In soft voices, Peanut, Bev, Juniper, and Winnie explained everything.

Dante and Jasper had ambushed them on their way back from the dungeon.

Dante demanded to know where Xay was—and when they refused to answer, he and Jasper beat them savagely.

Staff eventually pulled the two off, but all four of them had to spend the night in a care station.

Peanut got the worst of it.

Dante hadn’t believed that he didn’t know Xay’s exact location. He kept using his *Mind Spike* technique again and again—until Peanut seized up.

Peanut was in a coma for three days. Apparently, the care station’s healing hadn’t been especially effective against mental trauma brought on by psionics.

Even after waking up, the migraines still hadn’t stopped.

Tyra immediately placed her hands on Peanut, activating *Nature’s Touch*. His body eased as visible relief washed over his face.

“Thank you,” he said, clearly breathing easier.”

“What they’ve done is disgusting,” Kimi spat.

“Vi!” Ezra called, waving her over.

Xay took several deep breaths through his nose. His emotions were boiling like never before. His anger was barely contained.

“And the staff?” he asked curtly. “What did they do to Dante and Jasper?”

Bev shook her head. “They were fined, confined to their apartment, and had their graduation postponed. They have to complete several rift closures on behalf of the academy, unpaid.”

Xay nodded. *Slaps on the wrist*.

“Lexi, do you still want to put your foot in Jasper’s chest?” he asked.

Lexi’s Noirwood bow was out before he even finished asking the question. “What do you think?”

Xay inhaled again, deeper this time, and let his sphere of perception expand enough to encompass the entire tower.

He found both Dante and Jasper lounging on their couch like nothing was wrong.

Xay wrapped his will around them, gripping them in psychic force.

Dante pushed back and flared a psychic resistance.

Xay pressed harder, and absolutely crushed his resistance. He instantly teleported them both to the other side of the platform.

“What the fuck?” Dante asked, disoriented as he looked around.

“You wanted me?” Xay asked, stepping closer. “So bad that you attacked my friends.” His Jetnir Orbs began circling him faster, stirring the air around his feet. “Now I’m going to show you why that was a mistake.”

Dante glanced at Jasper and let out a loud laugh. “I don’t know what trick you just pulled to get me here, but fine.” He cracked his knuckles. “I’ve been waiting to teach you this lesson.”

Jasper stepped forward beside Dante, and Lexi was already at Xay’s side, a fierce smirk tugging at her lips.

“Hey, big, dumb, and ugly. You’re all mine,” she said.

“What’s going on?” Vi asked, finally pushing through the crowd with Reina in tow.

Ezra quickly filled her in.

Vi stayed back, crossing her arms. “I see. Well, it has nothing to do with me.”

Reina, on the other hand, dashed forward giggling. “If we’re doing rematches, it’s only fair I’m in the mix.”

Tyra drew her white staff and stepped to Xay’s other side. “Agreed.”

“Woah, woah, woah!” Instructor Grant shouted, hurrying back to the platform. “There’s no winning here. Placements are set per year.”

“They asked for this,” Dante said with a sly grin. “Might as well remind everyone why we’re on top.” He dragged his eyes across Xay. “Again.”

“Are you all sure about this?” Instructor Grant asked, glancing between Xay, Lexi, and Tyra.

They nodded in unison, their eyes locked on Dante, Jasper, and Reina.

Instructor Grant sighed. “Fine. But I’m calling the Vice Headmistress first.”

“Already here,” Vice Headmistress Blake announced, her voice cutting through the noise.

She descended from above, standing atop a floating panel of clear crystal. She landed gracefully on the grass, her heels clicking once before she strode forward.

“I approve it,” she said simply, turning to the side. “Ms. Vermilion, Ms. Sinclair—will you be joining?”

Kimi and Ezra exchanged a brief glance, then shook their heads.

“No.”

“We will not.”

“Very well,” Vice Headmistress Blake said, standing next to the platform. “We’ll follow the same match order as your previous bout, minus Ms. Vermilion and Ms. Sinclair.”

By this point, Rox, Shifu Wu, and several other staff members had made their way down to see what all the commotion was about.

Vice Headmistress Blake gave the six combatants a sharp look. “Everyone, step back.”

Once they did, she nodded. “Reina Rourke and Tyra Flynn, you’re up first.”

Reina hopped, skipped, and danced forward, with a big smile plastered over her face. “Did you miss me, hot buns?”

Tyra stepped forward with the wind at her back, her strides long and gliding as her armor appeared on her body in a flash of light. “No.”

Once the two finally took their places, Vice Headmistress Blake raised a hand.

“Begin!”