Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: History, Unlike You, Belongs Here Chapter 99: History, Unlike You, Belongs Here Sevan’s jaw tightened, and he turned away from where Shiloh, Ambrose, and Lochan had disappeared.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“That’s it,” he muttered under his breath.

Aiden frowned.

“What’s it?” Sevan exhaled sharply, eyes blazing.

“We’re going to Professor Anwar tonight, and we’re saying yes to that training.” Adrian blinked in surprise.

“Wait what?” He let out a short laugh.

“You?

Making an impulsive decision?

You’re the most level-headed one here!” He gestured wildly before putting his hand on Sevan’s forehead, feeling if he had some kind of fever.

“Are you sure you’re not sick or something?” Sevan turned to face him, his expression serious.

“You heard Shiloh.

He’s probably going to talk big before the Solstice Trials and act like he’s the best.

I refuse to lose to him.” His eyes darkened.

“That guy needs his ego crushed.” Aiden tilted his head.

“Solstice Trials?” Sevan shot him a look before sighing.

“Right.

You don’t know.” He crossed his arms.

“The Solstice Trials happen every few months.

The Top 10 of ever year battle each other in an official ranking match to determine who truly deserves their position.

The rankings we have now?

They’re just based on the trials in our first day in Genvah, but the Trials are where we prove ourselves.” “So, full-on fights?” “Yeah.” Sevan nodded.

“And Shiloh’s going to do everything he can to make sure we lose.

You heard him- he already hates us.

He thinks we’re involved in Savion’s murder, and he’s using it as an excuse to come after us.

If we lose to him in the Trials, it’ll just make us look worse.” Aiden hesitated.

“But… we don’t even know what this training is.” Sevan didn’t hesitate.

“Then we find out.” Adrian smirked and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Well, look at you, all fired up.” Sevan rolled his eyes.

“I just don’t want to listen to Shiloh run his mouth.” Aiden sighed but nodded.

“Alright.

Tonight, we go to Professor Anwar.” Adrian stretched.

“We should also keep in mind that there are going to be duels leading up to the Trials.

A lot of people challenge others just to climb the rankings before the official matches.

We need to be ready for that too.” “Another reason to train.

We can’t afford to slip.” Their decision was set.

Tonight, they would find out exactly what kind of training Professor Anwar had in store.

—————————— The classroom was bathed in the golden light of late morning, dust swirling in the air as Professor Flinders paced in front of the class, his deep voice recounting the events of the Solari Revolution.

The lesson was supposed to be engaging- Professor Flinders had the ability to open chrono pockets, allowing students to witness history unfold before their eyes- but Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan were too preoccupied to pay attention.

Seated toward the middle of the room, they leaned in slightly, their voices barely above a whisper.

“I still think we should at least try to figure out what kind of training it is before we agree,” Aiden murmured, tapping his quill against the side of his desk.

Sevan shot him a look.

“And how exactly do you propose we do that?” Aiden opened his mouth to respond, but Adrian cut in with a smirk.

“I dunno, maybe we ask?” “You think Professor Anwar’s just going to tell us?

He’s been cryptic this whole time.” Aiden exhaled through his nose.

“I just don’t like the idea of agreeing to something when we have no clue what we’re getting into.” Professor Flinders flicked his wrist, and a chrono pocket opened at the front of the room, displaying the battlefields of the revolution.

Flames engulfed a cityscape as soldiers clad in Solari armor clashed with rebel forces.

The class murmured in awe, but the three boys barely spared it a glance.

“The Solstice Trials are only a few weeks away,” Sevan whispered.

“We don’t have time to waste.

People are going to start challenging each other soon, and we can’t afford to lose our rankings.” “Who even decides the matchups?” Aiden’s brows furrowed.

Adrian propped his chin on his hand, his voice still low.

“Anyone can challenge anyone before the Trials, but the official matches are arranged by the Academy.

They make sure no one gets an unfair advantage.” Sevan smirked.

“Unless you’re strong enough to beat everyone who comes your way.” Aiden shook his head.

“That’s still risky.

If we get injured too early, it could mess up our chances in the actual Trials.” Adrian waved a hand dismissively.

“We’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.” “Mr.

Chase.” Aiden’s spine stiffened as Professor Flinders’ voice cut through the room.

He looked up to see the professor’s eyes fixed on him, sharp with disapproval.

“If you’re going to ignore the lesson, then perhaps you should be the one reading it aloud,” Flinders said, his tone mild yet pointed.

“After all, you should be paying the most attention.

You, of all people, don’t belong here.” The words struck like a cold slap, and for a moment, Aiden’s grip on his quill tightened.

He forced his face to remain neutral, but his stomach twisted with something sharp and bitter.

Even after all these months, Flinders was still on about this.

Still making it clear that Aiden’s presence at the Academy was an anomaly, something unwelcome.

Adrian’s smirk faded, and Sevan’s jaw clenched, but neither of them spoke.

The classroom had gone quiet, a few students shifting in their seats.

Aiden inhaled slowly and exhaled through his nose, forcing himself to loosen his grip.

He wouldn’t give Flinders the satisfaction of a reaction.

“No, Professor,” he said evenly.

Flinders held his gaze for a long moment before looking away.

“Then pay attention.

Unlike you, history has its place here.” He turned back to the chrono pocket, continuing his lecture as if nothing had happened.

Aiden clenched his jaw.

He knew he should just let it go.

He had done so every other time Flinders made a comment like this.

But that didn’t make it sting any less.

After class, as they stepped out into the corridor, Jarek caught up to Aiden, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

“Hey, you alright?” he asked, nudging Aiden’s shoulder lightly.

“Flinders really shouldn’t have said that.” Aiden blinked, caught off guard by the concern.

He hadn’t expected anyone to bring it up.

Usually, people just pretended not to hear.

Before he could answer, Amihan and Ivara joined them.

“Yeah, that was uncalled for,” Amihan said, crossing her arms.

“He keeps targeting you, and it’s honestly ridiculous at this point.” Ivara nodded, her red coils bouncing slightly.

“I don’t care how much knowledge he has- professors shouldn’t treat students like that.

You should report it to Headmaster Kairos” Aiden exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the lingering weight of Flinders’ words.

“It’s nothing new,” he said.

“I’m used to it.” “Doesn’t mean you have to just take it, though.” Jarek frowned.

Aiden offered a small, tired smile.

“It’s easier than giving him a reason to push harder.” The others didn’t look convinced, but they let it go for now.

As they walked down the corridor, Amihan turned to the boys, her purple eyes bright with excitement.

“Hey, do you guys want to join us in the training hall?

Ivara, Emmeranne, Hanako, Morrigan and I are going to practice for the Solstice Trials,” she said.

Jarek looked interested, but before he could respond, Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan exchanged glances.

“Wish we could,” Adrian sighed.

“But we’ve got that paper for Flinders due tomorrow.

We need to get back to the dorms.” Sevan groaned.

“Of course, he’d assign us something last minute.

Bet he just wants to make us suffer.” “Not ‘bet’-he definitely does,” Rupert muttered, adjusting his bag.

“He was looking right at Aiden when he assigned it too.

He doesn’t even try to hide it anymore.” Aiden smirked.

“Wouldn’t put it past him.” Amihan rolled her eyes.

“Flinders and his endless assignments.

Fine, fine.

But you guys better be ready when the Trials come.” “We will be,” Aiden assured her.

Jarek, who had been considering joining the training session, hesitated before sighing.

“Guess I should work on that paper too.

Knowing Flinders, he’ll scrutinize every word.” Rupert nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, and if we mess it up, he’s probably going to make us redo it.

Might as well get it over with.” With that, they parted ways- Amihan and the others heading towards the training hall while Aiden, Adrian, Sevan, Jarek, and Rupert trudged back to their dorms, already dreading the hours of work ahead.