NOVEL WEB Chapter 178: Club Gather
Back at Thunderpeak Royal Academy, the early afternoon sunlight cascaded softly over the beautifully arranged central garden, casting gentle shadows beneath the grand cherry blossom tree.
Its branches rustled quietly in the breeze, scattering a few delicate petals across the stone pathways below.
Beneath the tree's shade, Arya, Emilia, Nyss, Elias, Kale, Sylvia, and Felira had gathered. Arya and Emilia had arrived first, quietly discussing Orion's remarkable tower ascension from the previous day, until they were soon joined by the rest of their friends.
Elias, however, was notably late, arriving with quickened steps and a grim expression. As he approached, Arya immediately noticed the uncharacteristically solemn look on his face, her bright expression shifting to one of immediate concern.
"What's wrong, Elias?" Arya asked urgently, her amethyst eyes filling with worry as she stepped forward. She had been feeling something might happen today, and Elias's expression just increased her worry.
Emilia, standing calmly beside Arya, also fixed Elias with a quiet, questioning gaze.
Elias took a slow, steady breath, clearly hesitant to speak, yet knowing the importance of his news. "It's Orion. I just saw Instructor Viren carrying him out of the academy. Orion was completely unconscious."
A shocked silence instantly fell upon the group. Arya's face paled immediately, worry etched deeply into her features. "Brother Orion… unconscious? How? What happened?"
Nyss's usually calm expression turned unusually serious, her eyes narrowing slightly as she carefully listened, clearly concerned despite her outward calmness, as Orion was the only person even in their group who actually dared to stand close to her or talk with her.
Beside her, Sylvia's relaxed demeanor similarly vanished, replaced by a sharp gaze filled with seriousness.
Felira exchanged anxious glances with Kale, both clearly taken aback and uncertain about the sudden alarming news.
Emilia's usually stoic expression shifted subtly, her blue eyes flickering with quiet but undeniable worry as she stepped a little closer to Arya instinctively, offering silent support.
Seeing their concern, Elias swiftly raised his hands in reassurance. "Don't panic. As soon as I saw them, I ran over and asked Instructor Viren directly about what happened. He said Orion passed out because he overexerted himself in the Origin Mana Pool."
Arya visibly relaxed slightly upon hearing Elias's reassurance, though worry still lingered clearly in her eyes. "Overexertion in the Origin Mana Pool… he must have really pushed himself beyond his limits to end up like that."
Sylvia folded her arms thoughtfully, eyes flickering with contemplation. "I didn't expect him to be the reckless type. Did he stay inside too long or lose control of the Origin Mana Pool?"
Kale lightly shook his head, his expression easing slightly from the previous worry. "I don't think he's the reckless type after the interactions I've had. I think something might have gone beyond his expectations."
Felira's gaze flickered between Arya and Emilia, her expression turning slightly gentler as she sought to reassure her friends. "Instructor Viren wouldn't lie or downplay something that serious. If he said Orion simply needs rest, we should trust his assessment."
Nyss's expression returned back to her calm, however, only she knew the turbulent waves crashing inside her heart. 'Is it because of me? Will all of this repeat itself again? Will this curse… take away the only friend I have managed to make since then?'
The others didn't notice her strange mood as everyone continued to talk about Orion and no one was beside her.
Arya exhaled softly, nodding her head in quiet agreement with Felira's comforting words. "You're all right, of course. Brother Orion wouldn't want us worrying excessively about him. We should trust that he'll recover swiftly."
Elias relaxed visibly, clearly relieved that his friends seemed calmer now. "Instructor Viren also mentioned Orion should recover completely within just a few days. He simply overtaxed himself—it's nothing critical or permanent."
Hearing Elias's confident reassurance, Emilia's posture subtly relaxed. Her quiet voice emerged steadily, yet carried clear conviction. "Then we should respect Orion's rest and privacy, allowing him proper time to recover fully without disturbance."
Arya nodded in agreement, determination clearly returning to her bright eyes. "Emilia is right. Brother Orion's strength must have improved after such an event. He wouldn't want us lingering in worry like this. Instead, let's use this time productively, improving ourselves so that when Brother Orion returns, he sees our progress clearly."
Sylvia chuckled softly, nodding appreciatively toward Arya's swift shift to determination. "Nicely said. Orion wouldn't forgive himself if he found out his absence slowed us down in any way. We must remain focused."
Kale inclined his head calmly, agreeing firmly. "Indeed. We have plenty of our own preparations to make. Orion's situation reminds us to grow stronger steadily, without rushing recklessly forward."
Felira's eyes brightened slightly, her previous worry slowly replaced by renewed enthusiasm. "Exactly. If we actually slacked behind right now, he might have to beat us into shape later. Let's not let the matter reach that point."
Elias couldn't help but laugh in amusement after calming down. "If Orion knew his little incident today motivated us all this deeply, he might push himself even harder in the future. He truly is a different fellow."
The group exchanged smiles, the atmosphere significantly lighter now despite their lingering concern. Arya took a deep breath, determination blazing fiercely within her gaze once more. "Alright, everyone. We'll continue training diligently and await Brother Orion's return patiently. We must grow stronger, so when he comes back, we can stand proudly alongside him."
Sylvia softly laughed. "I'm about to break through to the next level, I just need to get my hands on some Bone Strengthening Elixir and I can initiate it."
The others looked at her with slight shock, as most of them were still at the Second Tier and were steadily pushing towards the third, but Sylvia had already reached the peak of it.
The group continued to discuss for a while more before quietly dispersing, no one noticing the weird state of Nyss as she left. All of them left to do their own things, as some had to practice, some had to learn runes, while some just went to eat something good.
Arya and Emilia lingered a moment longer beneath the cherry blossom tree, Arya's gaze distant yet resolute.
"Brother Orion…" Arya murmured softly, determination unwavering in her bright eyes, "I trust you'll recover swiftly and return stronger than ever. Until then, we'll all be working hard. You're not allowed to fall behind."
Emilia stared at her for a second and hesitantly said, "…What if we're the ones falling behind?"
Arya's lips twitched. Turning her head, she sharply looked at her. "Can't you let me hype myself up to train?"
Emilia hurriedly nodded her head. "Cough, I was just joking, Lady Arya. How can we fall behind him? Let's head back and train. I'm also closing in on the Third Tier."
Arya's lips curled into a smile as she giggled and nodded her head. Together, they turned and walked outside the academy, heading back to the palace.
The garden returned once more to serene silence, cherry blossom petals drifting softly through the air, quietly marking the passing of time and the steadfast determination growing steadily within each friend, quietly awaiting Orion's return.
***
Instructor Viren flew quietly above the grounds of Thunderpeak Royal Academy, his robes fluttering gently in the breeze.
Beneath him, the sprawling academy grounds stretched out, bathed in the soft amber glow of the late afternoon sunlight. Students had calmed down by now after the pressure Eldric exerted on the entire Royal Capital, as they animatedly talked about it.