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Jan and Bazz headed straight to the swimming pools to cool off and well... I was in my room staring at the ceiling.

Today\'s events were as troublesome as any quest would be.

Specifically that fixed event from back then.

Although Valencia\'s behaviour was rather strange, it had been a roller coaster as the day went by – fear, sickness, then sudden silence during dinner.

The Alessandro connection was obvious, but even with all my knowledge of the story, I couldn\'t figure out why she\'d been so weird around me.

I propped myself up on an elbow thinking...

During dinner, she kept whispering something to Jan, little bits of conversation I couldn\'t quite catch.

Then he\'d ask me whatever she\'d said, like a puppet on a string.

At least he wasn\'t pushing the whole "date" thing anymore.

Maybe it\'s not so bad, having him wrapped around her finger.

Keeps her focus on him, not on figuring out my secrets.

Still... something didn\'t add up.

The infirmary scene was like she was seeing something new...

haah...

I sighed.

Never mind that... it was too many variables.

The real focus is tomorrow.

I know the museum Jan and Valencia are heading to will be attacked by the first demi-human.

In a world full of superpowers and heroes, nobody expects something like that. But then, they don\'t know they\'re living in a story written by a complete idiot.

Can\'t remember the demi-human\'s name... it was a while ago. Guess they\'ll just be nameless for now.

Even with the system and A.T. throwing curveballs, at least I know the timing.

The attack should happen sometime in the afternoon, once everyone\'s done with their reports.

That should be all I need to know for now.

But... Camila\'s my partner for the report.

I guess I\'ll have to figure out how I\'m going to stick close to Jan.

Just in case they need a hand.

Now, the next thing I need to do is this.

"System, when\'s my compensation for my ability."

FWANG!

[One moment, Mr. Axel! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)]

I frowned looking at the system\'s message.

I still wish that I kept Projectile Projection alongside aura.

Never really thought \'confliction\' existed.

But I guess the reason for Projectile being discarded was that it \'reflexively\' activated my aura.

And now that I have the proper stat for \'aura\', I\'d have to assume it could be activated whenever I wanted it to.

"How about now?"

FWANG!

[All finished!]

[Loading Compensation Management...]

[Complete!]

FWANG!

The notification screen filled my vision, a cascade of information.

My eyes skimmed the upgrades.

[The following stats have been upgraded...]

___________

[Special Stat: Aura [Grade 7] >>> Aura [Grade 5] [Level: Intermediate Advanced] - [Mastery Grade: 42.7%] - ]

___________

[Abilities Compensation Complete.]

[Due to the removal of the following ability: Projectile Projection [Grade 3], the full compensation and usage of this ability has been taken into account]

[The skills and techniques section of Aura will be upgraded to the maximum capabilities of the previous ability mentioned.]

___________

[Loading...]

[Complete!]

___________

[Skills and Techniques:]

[Sensory Aura - Level: Intermediate Advanced] - [Your sensory aura has a heightened sense of feeling and understanding in combat. this allows you to sense predictable attacks and have a heightened vision in a wide range area.]

[Enhancement and Flow Aura - Level: Advanced] - [- The user\'s Aura enhancement and flow becomes near-instinctive, allowing for incredible speed, agility, and precise control over their movements.]

[Technique Extension:]

[Enhancement Focus: Attacks are incredibly fast and powerful, capable of overwhelming most opponents. Can fully coat a weapon or Aura for sustained, devastating strikes.]

[- Defensive Focus: Can effectively deflect or significantly reduce the impact of most attacks by coating entire body parts or even their whole body in Aura. Can maintain a defensive flow for extended periods.]

[Dominance Aura - Level: Basic] - [Special Requirements are needed to unlock this.]

___________

Now this is more like it!

This was a major upgrade, even better than the time I tricked the system.

(The spin the wheel event.)

I expected Enhancement and Flow to be my strongest aura techniques since I always used my fists more than a bow.

But Sensory being this high? That was unexpected.

Figured it\'d be lower-tier, since I rely so much on Sixth Sense.

But now, with this extra layer... detecting other people\'s aura should be easier.

The real surprise is Dominance Aura, though.

That\'s the most powerful type, and the system practically handed it to me on a silver platter.

I assumed I\'d need some crazy quest or challenge to unlock it.

Oh well, gotta take advantage of every opportunity, right? If I can unlock Dominance, I might not even need my other abilities.

I\'ve got an idea about how to combine it with my archery skills and swordsmanship.

That could take me far in the Towers.

And now? I\'m probably stronger than most of the lower-grade "heroes" out there.

But I need to test it out and see where my new limits are.

I lifted my right hand, a nervous tremor running through me.

Was it a fluke, after all?

I channelled my aura, focusing all my will on the familiar sensation of power.

[Special Ability: Aura [Grade 5] and Skill: Flow Aura [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!]

EEEEEEEEE

The sound echoed through my bones, a pure, high-pitched whine. My hand glowed, and then—

Black.

The aura swirling around my hand matched the darkness I\'d seen before when I\'d used my ability.

But I had always assumed that was the influence of Projectile Projection, altering its natural color.

This time it was different. This was me.

A grin split my face. "I\'m glad it wasn\'t a fluke,"

I muttered, the words barely audible over the thrum of energy.

So this was it... the true colour of my aura. Pure black. I had assumed Projectile Projection tinted it that way, but no, this was me.

How surprising...

Black... the pinnacle colour of aura.

Perfect balance, a power so refined it shouldn\'t even be visible.

I let the aura fade, the echoing whine slowly dying down.

A wave of dizziness washed over me. I\'d underestimated my aura.

...

...

...

[Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée - Top floor - Room: 1#]

Valencia pushed open the hotel room door, a sigh escaping her lips.

The events at the arena still buzzed in her mind, leaving a lingering unease.

"Val! You\'re back!"

Lyra, a tissue pressed to her nose, beamed from the couch.

Her face was still flushed, but the fever seemed to have broken.

Valencia offered a curt nod, her voice subdued. "Yeah... Where\'s Camila?"

Lyra\'s smile didn\'t waver. "She just finished studying with Yoona and Elizabeth!"

Valencia kicked off her shoes, the sharp sound a counterpoint to her inner turmoil. "I see."

She walked towards the living room dropping her bags of souvenirs on the table.

On her way back to the room, a snippet of conversation drifted from the next room over.

Jae and Alice, heads bent over a thick textbook, were wrapping up their study session.

"Think we\'re done for today," Jae yawned. "Our real club activity starts tomorrow, right?"

"Yes," Alice confirmed.

Jae leaned closer, resting her head against Alice\'s shoulder. Alice jumped, a startled giggle escaping her lips.

"That question we were stuck on... probably would have taken, you know who, a minute tops to figure out."

Alice playfully shoved Jae away. "If he could do that in a second, he\'s cheating."

Jae chuckled, covering her mouth with a hand.

"Rel\'s the smartest guy we know. If you wanna catch up, maybe try studying instead of stalking him."

Alice\'s face flushed. "D-don\'t put it like that! I was just... observing his study habits..."

Valencia froze, a cold grip tightening around her hands. Rel.

The name sent a shiver down her spine.

Of course, the smartest girl in their class would find him appealing too.

Wait, what am I thinking?

She shook her head as if to dispel the thoughts that dared to surface.

He\'s nothing... just an annoying- haah... never mind...

She slapped herself, once, hard.

Then, she turned and practically fled to her room, the echoes of their conversation leaving a haunting whisper in the silent corridor.

...

...

...

The click of the door lock opened in the empty room.

Relief washed over Valencia as she kicked off her shoes and shrugged out of the black dress.

She pulled on her favourite worn-out pyjamas, the soft cotton a familiar comfort against her skin.

Alone. She breathed in deeply, the scent of lavender from a forgotten sachet filling her senses.

The room, shared with Lyra and Camila, was eerily silent.

They were probably watching another show, in the movie room again.

Her thoughts, however, kept drifting to the infirmary.

Heat flooded her cheeks as she remembered her words, her desperation clinging to Rel.

— "Don\'t turn around," she\'d pleaded.

— "Thank you, Rel..."

Her hand flew to her face, the memory almost unbearable.

It was nothing, she told herself, but the words felt hollow.

Images of Rel, his quietness and unexpected kindness, filled her mind, eclipsing even the terrifying encounter with Alessandro.

His messy hair, a far cry from his usual academic appearance and the intensity in his eyes during that time...

"It\'s nothing," she repeated, But a part of her knew she was lying to herself.

_______

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