Chapter 84: Loner

[Kyle’s POV:]

There was something about to happen soon, which was why the students were asked to report to the lobby in an hour. So, we decided to part ways for now and meet later.

"Kyle... I don’t want to go." She clung to my arm, her voice almost breaking. Clearly, she felt the same as I did. I didn’t want to leave her side either. Not after we had reunited after so long. There were too many things left unsaid, too many apologies and secrets waiting to surface.

But, "If we miss this, the professors will just separate us even more and overwork us in different places. It’s better to stay obedient. And it’s not like whatever they’ve planned will last all night. After dinner, we can meet again." I tried to coax her.

Amanda looked at me, her eyes wide. That was a dangerous look to aim at me.

In a soft voice, she asked, "Promise you won’t ignore me anymore... I’m scared that whatever we have right now will disappear once we go our separate ways."

I gently lowered her arms. My shoulders sank slightly. I had thought I was the one most hurt after everything that happened, but Amanda... she was different. Almost paranoid. She wanted to erase every possibility that could pull us apart again.

I raised my hands and placed them on her shoulders once more. Leaning closer, I met her gaze and said quietly, "You know my breaking point, Amanda. I can tolerate anything except disloyalty. And now I know you’re devoted to this relationship. So I promise you, on my life, nothing will ever tear us apart again."

I cupped the back of her neck and pressed a deep kiss to her forehead.

I felt her body relax under my touch, her lips parting in a soft sigh.

Not long after, we parted ways.

The boys were given rooms on the first floor, so I headed there. I hadn’t even checked who my roommate was... anyone but a certain guy.

On my way, I felt my phone buzz.

I took it out and saw a message from Veronica: Can I call?

I blinked in surprise.

Moving to a quiet corner, I called her instead.

She picked up instantly.

{Hello?}

"Yeah... what happened?" I asked, a hint of worry creeping in. She wouldn’t call like this for nothing.

{I called Layena just now... asked her where she stood on Ethan’s claims, and then... she told me everything.}

My chest tightened, but I stayed silent, letting her continue.

{Ethan convinced her that you’re the rogue Nightwalker. He used Amanda’s vague reports about the rogue, and the fact that you released such a massive amount of Genesis back then... it all added up. Layena believed him. She even tried to convince me. So yes, you were guessing it right. Layena, under suspicion, planted a tracker on you.}

I chewed on my lower lip, my eyes scanning the surroundings as my thoughts raced.

So it had become that obvious... even someone like Ethan had figured it out.

And if I got caught, Amanda would be dragged in with me, labeled an accomplice who helped me stay hidden.

No. I couldn’t let that happen.

After a few seconds of silence, I asked, "What kind of tracker is this?"

{It’s mainly a location tracker, but it can detect Genesis if it’s used actively. If there is anything good about it then it gets destroyed in two days. So whatever happens, don’t use Genesis for the next two days. After that, the tracker will be useless. And if Layena doesn’t find anything, you’ll be cleared as a suspect.}

I fell silent. She was right.

Since Layena had already involved Veronica, this wouldn’t stay hidden for long. And once I was proven innocent, she would officially clear my name. The PSC would back off, and all the attention on me would disappear.

Perfect.

"So my job is to stay away from danger..." I muttered.

Then my eyes widened.

Fuck... I’m so screwed.

I had completely forgotten about the Golden Limb.

If someone attacked me, it would start repairing the damage instantly using Genesis. And worse... if Absence came into play, a Genesis barrier would trigger on its own.

And the moment that happened... it would be like announcing it to the entire world.

Here I am. Catch my ass. Lock me up.

{Kyle?}

Hearing her voice, I let out a slow breath and asked, "You’re sure the tracker will be wiped off in forty-eight hours?"

{Yes... mostly.}

I shook my head, another long breath slipping out.

So for the next forty-eight hours, I just had to make sure I didn’t get hurt.

Alright... nothing too difficult.

.....

When I entered my room, I felt a wave of relief upon realizing it wasn’t Ethan fucking Stronghart inside.

If we had been forced to share a room, I was certain only one of us would’ve walked out alive.

My frustration with him had long turned into anger. Still, I didn’t want to stir unnecessary trouble, especially considering the complication of his background, so I decided to avoid any contact with him.

"You’re Kyle, right?"

The voice came from a bespectacled guy from my class.

"Don’t ask like this is our first conversation, Nathan," I said, slipping off my shoes before lying on the bed. It was surprisingly comfortable.

"U-Umm... sorry. I thought you might’ve forgotten me, so I was thinking of introducing myself again."

I gave a wry smile, staring up at the ceiling. "I’m not some popular guy, you know. Just another loner... like you."

"Oh... but I do have a couple of friends though..."

"..."

Right.

Once again, I was reminded that being a loner in this world was practically a crime.

Rolling my eyes, I turned away from him. No point trying to be nice.

"U-Um..." he called out again.

Why does he sound like he’s asking permission to exist?

"What?" I asked, turning back.

He gave a stiff smile. "C-Can you help me?"

I hummed. "What, you need money or something?"

He shook his head quickly. "N-No, not that. I actually... umm... I want you to teach me how to fight."

I went quiet.

What was he even talking about?

"Why?" I asked, a hint of mockery slipping in. "Trying to make more friends?"

...Yeah, that last part stung a little.

"Umm... actually..." he hesitated, then forced it out, "There’s a guy who’s been pursuing my girlfriend. He’s persistent. Even after she rejected him, he won’t back off."

My brows lifted. "You have a girlfriend?"

He looked up. "Well, if even someone like you can have one—"

"Fucker, I’ll kill you."

I hurled a pillow straight at his face. He failed to catch it.

"Gah! I’m sorry! I just say things honestly when I’m nervous—"

"Call your family and say your goodbyes. You’re dying today." I got up and locked him in a headlock.

He struggled. "Gaaah! I’m sorry! It was just a joke!"

Too late.

At this rate, they really might end up collecting a corpse from this room.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Is First person POV good or should I switch back. Mostly during battle scenes I would write third person. Thanks for reading