[Location: Varynfall City – 04:37 p.m.]
Nero cracked his neck quietly, the subtle pop lost beneath the sound of the bus engine. He sat tucked in the very back corner, legs crossed, elbow resting against the window ledge, his red eyes half-lidded as the city blurred by. Signs flickered across the glass along with streaks of color. The passing scenery—towering apartment blocks, corner cafés and narrow streets filled with commuters—faded together into a shapeless wash of light.
It was too early for the city to feel this alive. Or maybe Nero just felt detached from it all.
("Still feels pretty surreal…") he thought, resting his cheek against his hand as the bus rattled slightly over a bump. ("Powers. Actual powers. Not a dream, not a manga cliché, just… real. Me, of all people.")
His reflection stared back at him from the window, wild white hair, eyes faint beneath heavy lashes. He looked too delicate for the kind of world that might exist beneath the surface of this one.
He thought about Annabeth—about that night.
("I remember that bite… that weird rush afterward. Could she be the cause?") His fingers brushed the side of his neck, half expecting to still feel the warmth of her lips there. ("She said something about compatibility. Whatever that means.")
He sighed, pressing his forehead briefly against the glass. "Compatible" sounded more like something you'd hear out of an experiment rather than a human interaction.
("I'll still dropkick her when I see her again. But… maybe she's connected to this.")
Outside, the bus slowed, the engine rumbling low. The world came back into focus as it came to a stop. Nero stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and stepped off the bus onto the pavement.
Cold air brushed across his face as he looked up.
Before him stood Novarch University.
He'd seen photos before, sure. Everyone had. But standing before it in person was different—like standing before some monument.
The gates stretched wide, wrought iron laced with silver, beyond them, the enormous campus sprawled across. Various towering glass structures reached skyward, their surfaces reflecting the clouds. Pathways of stone cut neatly through extremely vast lawns that looked too perfectly trimmed to be real.
The central structure was a colossal column of glass and gold colors, dominated the everything in appearance. It rose higher than anything around it. Automated trams glided soundlessly across suspended rails, moving students from one end of the campus to the other.
Fountains sprayed water arcs into the air. Digital billboards rotated between holographic class schedules, event announcements, and some dull inspirational quotes from the university's founders. Even the air seemed unnaturally clean—filtered, maybe.
Students milled about in coordinated movements. Most had expensive clothes or designer bags. Rich kids. Laughter and conversation filled the open courtyards.
Nero let out a slow whistle under his breath.
"This place looks like a damn palace," he muttered, sliding his hands into his pockets. His voice came out quieter than usual, almost swallowed by the sheer scale of the place.
"Yeah, it's great!" a cheerful voice chirped from behind him.
He turned, blinking at the sudden intrusion.
A girl stood there—slightly taller than him, with short, chestnut-brown hair that brushed her shoulders and bright blue eyes that seemed to catch every detail around them. She wore a striped pink shirt beneath a denim jacket, a short skirt, and black boots that clicked on the stone path.
Her smile faltered the moment her eyes landed fully on him. "Whoa… you're, like… really pretty."
Nero arched a brow, deadpan. "That's not a compliment. I'm a guy. Thought the clothes made it obvious."
He glanced down briefly—white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black fitted pants, and worn boots. His bag hung loosely off one shoulder. He was comfortable, but hardly feminine. Still, people often assumed.
"O-oh! Heh, sorry." The girl rubbed the back of her neck, cheeks coloring. "You just… look, um…"
"'Fuckable'? Yeah, I get that a lot. Moving on."
Her blush deepened instantly. "N-no, that's not—!" She cut herself off with a groan, muttering under her breath, "Way to screw this up, Mandy…"
Nero raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "Well, if that's all…" He turned slightly, clearly intending to leave.
"Wait!" she blurted, taking a quick step forward. "You're a freshman too, right?"
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. "That's right."
"Ah—well, I guess that makes two of us. We're both late for orientation." She laughed nervously, the sound forced but harmless. "I, uh, kinda overslept. Too much celebrating, I guess."
Nero stared at her blankly for a few seconds. "...Right."
Undeterred, she stuck out her hand. "I'm Mandy, by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Nero." His handshake was brief but polite. "Considering how massive this place is, I doubt we'll see each other again. So—see ya."
He turned and started walking toward the gates, bag shifting slightly against his back.
Mandy watched him go, her hand falling back to her side. She exhaled, shoulders slumping. "You screwed up again, Mandy…" she muttered under her breath. "No cute friends for you."
-------------------
[Location: Varynfall City – 04:47 p.m.]
[Novarch University]
Inside the main building of Novarch University, the sheer scale of the place hit Nero.
The air inside was crisp and cool, with automated cleaning drones hovered silently along the high ceilings. The entrance hall alone was vast enough to fit an aircraft hangar. Rows of vertical gardens lined the white marble walls.
Nero stepped through the automated doors, his boots tapping softly against the immaculate floor. Every step echoed, swallowed by the vastness of the space. He moved with his lazy gait, hands tucked in his pockets, eyes turning across the massive atrium that branched off into multiple corridors, each marked by sleek metallic signs reading Science Wing, Engineering, Library Annex, and Dormitories.
Everywhere he looked, students moved in hurried strides. Their clothes screamed either wealth or status—polished shoes, branded jackets, and accessories. Some even carried personal tablets.
But as Nero passed, heads began to turn.
Conversations faltered. A few girls whispered behind cupped hands; others pretended to check their devices but stole glances his way.
"Who's that?" someone whispered as he walked past.
"Is she... a model?" another asked, voice barely audible.
"She's too pretty to be real—wait, is that a guy?"
Nero ignored the murmurs entirely, brushing a few stray strands of hair from his face as he scanned for the registration desk.
He exhaled slowly, muttering under his breath, "Already a circus, huh?"
Still, his expression didn't change as he passed beneath a floating banner that had the university's slogan:
"Novarch University — Innovate the Unknown. Catchy," Nero muttered under his breath, tearing his gaze away.
Before he could take another step, a loud voice cut through the murmur of students and footsteps.
"Hey! Nero!"
He groaned softly at the sound. He'd recognize that tone anywhere — loud, overeager, and just slightly grating.
Turning around, Nero spotted Alexander jogging toward him through the crowd, waving like a lost idiot trying to flag down a cab. He looked a bit more put-together than usual — a simple blue t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers instead of whatever disaster he'd worn the night they'd gone clubbing. Nero almost smirked. Almost.
But what caught his eye wasn't Alexander. It was the two figures trailing right behind him — and the recognition hit immediately.
Catherine Dewitt was one. Her hair was cut short, black and dyed with streaks of green — the same green as her sharp, disinterested eyes. She wore a long-sleeved black blouse, the sleeves rolled just above her elbows, paired with a short black skirt and tall boots. A choker hugged her neck to finish.
Beside her, Elizabeth Smythe was Catherine's opposite — loud and far too energetic for anyone's good. Her golden hair was cropped just to her shoulders, messy and tied back in a haphazard ponytail. The black leather jacket she wore looked almost too small for her frame, stretched over a tight red shirt that left little to the imagination. Denim shorts that showed of her shapely legs and heavy boots completed the look.
The moment Elizabeth's emerald eyes met Nero's, they lit up like sparks.
"Holy shit, Nero!" she yelled, already shoving past Alexander with enough force to make him stumble back.
Nero barely had time to brace himself before instinct — or rather, something else — kicked in.
Her movement slowed. The air around him seemed to thicken, sound stretching into silence. His skin prickled with static. Every detail sharpened — the swing of her arms, the bounce of her hair, the way her grin froze halfway through as if trapped in ice.
("Huh,") Nero thought, feeling the odd vibration under his skin. ("So… I can slow things down. Or maybe I'm just fast.")
Elizabeth's sprint looked almost comical now — like she was running underwater.
("Neat.")
He stepped aside effortlessly.
Time snapped back into rhythm.
Elizabeth shot past him with full momentum and came skidding to an abrupt stop several feet away, confusion splashed across her face.
"Huh?"
"Don't just rush people, dumbass," Nero said flatly.
She turned, puffing her cheeks. "Don't start with me! I deserve a hug!"
"Says who?" he deadpanned.
"Says me! You ghosted me and Cat for, like, an entire month!" she shot back, jabbing a finger in his direction. "And now you just stand there acting all cool like nothing happened?"
"Then go hug Alexander," Nero said, already turning slightly away, his hand sliding into his pocket. "I'm sure he's desperate enough to appreciate it."
"Ew, no," Elizabeth grimaced immediately. "I'd rather hug a cactus."
"I'm still here, you know…" Alexander mumbled from behind her, rubbing the back of his head as Catherine strolled up beside him.
"Hey, Nero," Catherine greeted lazily, giving him a droopy smile and a slow wave. "Still looking unfairly pretty, huh?"
Nero arched a brow. "Did she smoke weed again?"
"Right before orientation," Elizabeth sighed, crossing her arms. "Told her it's not healthy, but she doesn't listen."
"Get off my back, Liz," Catherine yawned, stretching her arms behind her. "Some people meditate. I just… vibe."
Alexander leaned closer to Nero, lowering his voice. "Dude, where the hell were you? You left things all awkward. We thought you were dead."
"I was busy," Nero replied simply.
"You're always busy," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.
"He was busy laying pipe," Alexander blurted out with a grin.
The words hung in the air for a moment too long. Nero's expression didn't change — just one long, unimpressed stare that could curdle milk.
"Huh?" Elizabeth blinked.
"Wut?" Catherine muttered, eyebrows slowly lifting.
Both girls exchanged looks, then turned in unison toward Nero.
"You're joking," Catherine said, stifling a snort. "Nero would rather die than actually sleep with someone."
"Exactly," Elizabeth nodded, smirking. "He's too prissy for that."
"Hey, it's true—" Alexander didn't get to finish before Nero flicked his forehead — hard.
"Don't listen to him," Nero said evenly. "He's just spouting shit."
Alexander winced, rubbing his forehead. "Ow… okay, okay, I'll shut up."
Nero's gaze drifted briefly across the atrium — glass walls glowing with sunlight, the hum of conversations all around — before he muttered, "Whatever. Isn't there class or something?"
"Nah," Catherine said, stretching with a lazy motion. "They gave us the first day off. Told us to 'get familiar with the campus' and all that jazz."
"Yeah, I heard they've got a boxing gym and pool complex too," Elizabeth added, her voice rising with excitement. "Apparently, if you're on a scholarship, some classes are free — even combat ones. I'm definitely checking that out."
"What about dorms?" Nero asked.
"Oh, yeah!" Alexander perked up. "I got us the same room! You can request it in advance — didn't think it'd actually work."
Nero tilted his head slightly. "Just don't stink up the place."
Alexander deflated. "Harsh, man."
"Whatever," Nero replied casually. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something anyway."
Elizabeth perked up again. "So~ Can we tag along to your dorm? I wanna see what kind of disaster zone you guys end up in."
"Hell ye—" Alexander started, only for Nero to cut him off immediately.
"No," Nero said simply. "This is guy stuff. You know — deep, spiritual things. Like sex talk and jacking off."
Alexander choked on air while Elizabeth blinked, then laughed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."
"Thanks," Nero said dryly, already walking past them. "Let's catch up in an hour at the cafeteria. Assuming you can find it."
Elizabeth grinned, giving a mock salute. "Sounds like a plan!"