"Based on his speed and the environment, it's highly likely," Su said, nestling against Mai. "Otherwise, that vibration frequency would've caused severe physical backlash."
"So how do I fight him?" Mai stared at the ceiling. She didn't even react to Su's wandering hands. "That's Time Zero. The only other person with that is the Principal. Is he a Dragon King? Sky and Wind?"
"No." Su paused. "The Boss said no."
Just thinking of the Boss made Su shiver.
He was always calm. Always composed. But when he issued the order yesterday, the pressure was terrifying. A rage that felt like it could burn the entire world.
She didn't doubt his power.
She had even imagined what would happen if he ordered her to activate Mental Mapping and mobilize her vast financial network to start a world war.
Instead, he wanted Morin dead.
Honestly, Su felt killing a real Dragon King would be easier.
"Wait." Mai suddenly reacted. "Time Zero?"
"Wasn't his Talent supposed to be Mental Mapping? Like yours?"
She turned to Su. "Don't tell me he has two."
"Mental Mapping was just a hypothesis," Su said slowly. "If he really has Time Zero, everything lines up."
"Perfect memory. If he's fast enough, one second for us could be a minute for him."
"He could 'map' everything while the world is frozen."
"Even so, how do I kill him?" Mai grabbed Su's cheeks and squeezed in frustration. "Poison?"
"Maybe," Su said hesitantly. "But how much would it take?"
"You don't even have a plan yet?!" Mai sucked in a sharp breath. "A target with no plan? Since when did you trust me this much?"
"Can we start with something smaller for my 'independence'?"
"You're going to get me killed!"
"Calm down." Su sighed. "This was just a warning."
"We need to plan carefully. You can't just assassinate someone like him."
The Boss had never changed an order like this before.
She had to tread carefully.
"So... do I still go on the date?" Mai asked. She had already invited Morin out on the day they were supposed to raid Cassell College.
"No." Su shook her head. "We can't risk losing you."
"We'll stand him up."
"We still need that item from the academy."
Library.
Noelle held a cup of coffee that was no longer iced.
She hadn't taken a single sip.
She just stared at Morin.
His way of "reading" was simple.
Pick up a book.
Flip through every page in two seconds.
Put it back.
"Alright." Morin returned the last book to the shelf. "That's enough."
"That's it?" Noelle followed him.
"I'm not a researcher. I just needed to verify a few things."
"I can start coding now."
"I'm the one submitting it," Noelle reminded him. "We had a deal."
"And Professor Mance handles this kind of thing. More credits."
"Do I look like someone who'd stab you in the back?" Morin asked.
"Professor Schneider won't care about this."
"You're safe."
"Good." Noelle finally relaxed.
She wasn't a top student, and Mance was strict. She needed every credit she could get.
"I'm going to find Lancelot." Morin waved and headed for the gym.
Cassell's track was indoors.
A full four-hundred-meter loop.
Massive.
It included areas for weight training, shooting, and swimming.
They kept it underground to avoid satellite observation.
If someone suddenly broke a world record, it would be hard to explain.
Morin spotted Lancelot on the track.
He looked miserable.
Drenched in sweat. Gasping for air. Like a dog on its last legs.
...Wait.
Morin slowed.
Something was off.
Lancelot felt like he was burning from the inside.
His throat and nasal passages were raw from the dry air.
His legs felt like lead.
His vision was blurring from oxygen deprivation.
Was that lap sixteen?
Or seventeen?
His Talent had improved his physical condition-but only slightly.
From "pathetic" to "weak."
Fitness is the foundation. Talent is just a multiplier.
If you want to be strong, raise the foundation first.
Those were the Boss's words.
Normally, Lancelot would've quit after a few laps.
But this time was different.
Morin had said it.
He realized that if he didn't work harder, he'd be left behind.
He had also tasted something dangerous.
Attention.
Power.
Respect.
It was the strongest drug in the world.
Even a slacker like him was motivated now.
But it hurt.
It really hurt.
He felt like he was about to collapse.
Then-
A breeze brushed past him.
Cold.
Like a Siberian wind.
Carrying a faint, unfamiliar scent.
Lancelot snapped back to awareness.
A petite girl was running beside him.
White-blonde hair tied neatly into a bun.
Black athletic wear clung to her slender frame, making her pale skin look almost porcelain-like.
"I'm Zero," she said softly as they ran.
Her breathing was perfectly steady.
"Oh... I'm... Lan-cough, cough-"
Lancelot broke into violent coughing.
The rhythm collapsed.
He had to stop.
He dropped onto the grass.
When he recovered, he assumed she'd already left.
Probably just being polite.
But when he looked up, a water bottle stood in front of him.
White.
Insulated.
A gold pattern etched into the cap.
"You need water," Zero said.
He recognized her voice instantly.
It felt strangely familiar.
As if they'd known each other for a very long time.
But that made no sense.
She looked thirteen or fourteen.
If he'd ever met a girl this beautiful before, he'd never forget.
Even Alice-his old crush-couldn't compare.
And only then did he realize something.
He hadn't thought about Alice in a long time.
He hadn't stared at his phone for hours waiting for a reply.
...Did I actually move on?
"Thanks..." Lancelot took the bottle.
He was about to drink-
Then paused.
"This is... yours?"
"Yes."
Zero hesitated, then tilted her head.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
For a moment, she radiated the unmistakable presence of a princess.
"Do you find me unpleasant?"
"No, no, no!" Lancelot hurriedly twisted the cap open.
He noticed the bottle wasn't full.
After a brief hesitation, he raised it high and poured the water straight into his mouth, careful not to touch the rim.
The taste lingered.
Salty.
Almost like her.
"You need salt when exercising," Zero said. "You didn't bring water?"
"Uh..." Lancelot didn't know how to answer.
His usual "cool guy" routine completely failed on her.
"Can you still move?" Zero asked.
"Yes!" Lancelot jumped up.
The water felt like it had revived him.
He tried to hand the bottle back-
Then noticed the sweat and grime his hands had left on its pristine surface.
He hesitated.
"Do you like the bottle?" Zero asked.
"No, no!"
"You don't like it?"
Lancelot panicked.
What is the correct answer?!
"Are you still running?" Zero asked, taking the bottle back.
"I... guess?"
He remembered Morin's order-to run until he came back.
Morin was probably still at the library with Noelle.
Lucky bastard.
"Then let's run together."
"Huh?"
"You don't want to run with me?"
He couldn't say no.
They started running side by side.
The cool breeze she brought with her made him feel lightheaded.
Almost euphoric.
For the first time, Lancelot found himself hoping-
That Morin would take his time.