The pair finished their coffee at a leisurely pace, musing about what to do with the rest of their days off. Morgana informed them that today at ten, all students—except them—would be having a special lesson on the do's and don'ts of encountering a Twin Demon with their Slayer. This meant they were free to wander the Awakened section grounds and explore where they'd be living for the rest of the year.
They agreed it was a good plan, so Morgranna prepped lunch boxes filled with snacks (Banes cut into smaller bites for easier eating when shrunken), drinks, and lunches for them to carry as they explored. She also reminded them about curfew. Bane showed her the alarms they'd set up to ensure they wouldn't forget.
They set aside one of the Academy's carriages for use in case they were far from their Dorm when their alarms went off. Setting off, they strolled aimlessly around the grounds, taking in everything the campus had to offer.
Chaos carried Bane in his right arms as they roamed, occasionally encountering students who took snapshots and uploaded them to the forum. Eventually, feeling hungry, they looked for a picnic spot to eat lunch.
They found a park-like garden not used for lessons and sat down to savour the delicious lunch Morgranna had packed. After digesting for a while, they continued wandering. When their alarms sounded, they entered their carriage and headed back to the Dorm.
Arriving with ten minutes to spare, they went upstairs to shower and lounge in the bathing pool until dinner. When Morgranna summoned them, they left the pool, dried off, dressed in sleeping robes, brushed their hair, and went downstairs to eat. After dinner, they enjoyed hot chocolate and headed to the library to unwind with a book until bedtime.
As usual, Bane posted a picture of them snuggled up on a sofa with their books and hot chocolate, ignoring the resulting comment explosion. At bedtime, they went upstairs to brush their teeth and snuggled up in bed, with Chaos's four arms securely holding Bane.
This routine continued for the next few days until Sunday evening, with the student forums abuzz daily thanks to their wanderings and Bane's photos of lounging, snuggling, eating, and drinking.
--
DragonFire09: OMG, did you see the new lounge pic?! Bane and Chaos look so comfy. I wanna try that! Where IS that sofa???
BookWormBecca: I can't believe they get to explore the Awakened section while we sit through Twin Demon safety tips... Not fair!
ChocoFan: THE LUNCHES LOOKED SO GOOD. I want Morgranna to make me a lunchbox too! Why is everything so tiny and cute when Bane eats it?
PixieSnap: Who else is screenshotting these pics for inspo? Their sleeping robes are awesome—wanna match with my familiar! Sleeping robe contest, anyone?
MidnightStudy: How do they always make curfew?! Did you see Bane's alarms? Genius. My Mammy would never let me have those.
TwinSlayer444: That garden spot is a secret. I'm finding it first tomorrow—who's with me?
QuietQuest: I wish I lived in the Awakened section—it looks magical. More hot chocolate recipes on the forum, please! Need that bedtime vibe.
ShadowSnuggle: Did you see Chaos carrying Bane like a plushie? Friendship GOALS. My friend just growls when I try that.
SofaSquad: Next time I see them, I'm asking for a selfie. Or a hug. Or both!!
BaneFanClub: NEW PICTURE ALERT! Did you see the marshmallows in their cocoa? Making that at home—this forum's going wild tonight LOL!
--
The Academy's adults secretly smiled at the positive chaos Bane and Chaos brought to the forums. The posts were no longer full of complaints or anxieties about lessons and transitions to Junior Academy, or feelings of isolation. Despite the duo's drama, their influence on Orientation students has been positive so far.
On Monday, Morgana woke them. After washing and dressing, she tied Chaos's hair in his now-customary six-strand plait. They manifested their horns and halo, then went downstairs for breakfast and coffee. While finishing their coffee, they checked the lesson timetable to see which class was first.
Today's lesson was physical training, starting at nine in Grav Training Building Nine. Their Teacher would be Beelzebub, brother to Drakos. Chaos knew him from prior training and briefed Bane, which Bane appreciated.
At 7:30, they left—knowing the trip would take an hour by carriage. Morgranna handed them lunchboxes due to their dietary needs, plus a large travel mug each of coffee for the road. They thanked her and set out.
Arriving at Grav Training Building Nine, their carriage parked itself. Bane, nestled in Chaos's right arms, joined Chaos as they sat in reception, sipping coffee while Bane grew large enough to sit on Chaos's lap.
Students entering the building snapped pictures and uploaded them to the forum, as was now custom, before heading to their lessons.
Teacher Beelzebub arrived at ten to nine and approached them as they finished their coffee. He greeted them and gestured for them to follow, which they did, with Bane returning to his smaller form for easy carrying.
As they walked to the training area, Beelzebub explained: "Unlike before, when Chaos's lessons had to be condensed due to time, you now have over eleven months to ensure true mastery. We're now focused more on quality than speed, giving you more time to discover the methods that work best for you. Teachers will be less hands-on; you'll set your own Grav chamber and music settings. We'll still monitor you so you don't hurt yourselves, but the rest is on you."
Both Chaos and Bane expressed understanding and looked forward to customising their workouts.
"You'll train in separate chambers, including you, Chaos—you'll need to separate, since Er needs to complete his lessons too," Beelzebub added, to which Chaos nodded.
They arrived at three adjoining Grav chambers, where a female Infernal Demon awaited. She introduced herself: "Hi, Chaos and Bane. I'm Zera, Beelzebub's Mate."
Chaos and Bane greeted her. Bane was set on the floor and enlarged, while Chaos split into Chaos Yi and Chaos Er.
"Okay, each of you enter a chamber wearing gauntlets and shin guards. Set up your chamber settings before entering. Once inside and the door closes, you have five minutes before it activates—enough time to get ready and adjust. Start simple: basic unarmed combat drills, repeat until mastery. No time limit; the physical unarmed training block lasts a month."
The trio confirmed. Each entered a chamber and set it up as the adults observed. Eyebrows rose as the trio started at a two-hundred magnifier, set interference waves with breaks every two hours, an hour lunch, and a four o'clock finish. Gravity would increase by fifty after each mastery, up to a limit of five hundred. They set their favourite playlists, then signalled they were ready. With the Teachers' approval, they began the first lesson after Chaos's Awakening.
--
Beelzebub and Zera watched the monitors, the hum of machinery a soothing backdrop.
Zera (smiling): "That's a bold first setup. 200 magnifier—remind you of anyone?"
Beelzebub (chuckling): "It's what they're used to from before Awakening. I'm more impressed with their customisation. Most students need help with the chamber menu."
Zera: "And playlists! I peeked. Bane chose symphonic metal; Chaos Yi likes epic movie scores; Chaos Er's gone for a metal-and-synth mix."
Beelzebub: "As long as they're motivated! Want to bet who hits 250 magnifier first?"
Zera: "Loser brings lunch. My bet's on Chaos Yi—he's competitive but patient. Bane's methodical; I think he'll wait until he's sure."
Beelzebub: "You're on. And did you see the forum? They're already talking about Grav chamber playlists like it's a fashion contest."
--
Student Forum Thread: 'Grav Squad Set-up?!'
BaneFanClub: GUYS! Did you see their first Grav lesson setup? 200 magnifier! And they get their own music?!
PixieSnap: INSANE! I tried 50 and nearly threw up. Chaos set the intervals too—pro move!
ChocoFan: What's a magnifier? Will we get to use our own playlists after Awakening, or do Teachers pick?
BookWormBecca: So cool they have music. I'd play whale songs and float. Break every 2 hours? Jealous.
TwinSlayer444: Intervals of 50! Bane's smaller, but as brutal as Chaos. Next PT, I'll see if I can last as long as them.
MidnightStudy: What if you 'master' and level up before lunch? Does it get harder right away??
SofaSquad: ChillHop for drills—I'd never leave! Snack recipe swap for after PT, anyone?
A Teacher posted to advise students not to attempt Chaos and Bane's magnifier settings without approval; their Stats are unique from before Chaos's Awakening, and unapproved attempts could land students in Med Bay.
--
The trio worked through their drills carefully, focused on perfect form. Their repetition counts and mastery levels soared. They only paused for scheduled breaks and lunch, enjoying their training until the Grav chambers powered down for the day. By then, they had each reached a magnifier of four hundred and felt confident they could go even higher.
As was customary, they thanked the Teachers. Chaos then merged, and Bane shrank to nestle into his right arms. The trio left by carriage to return home — ready to shower, soak, eat, relax, and rest before the next day's training.
When they arrived, Morgana greeted them with a scan from head to toe, welcomed them, and ushered them upstairs to shower and bathe. Now, they no longer needed assistance; they were able to groom each other properly. They soaked in the bathing pool until six, then got out, dried off, put on their sleeping robes, and headed downstairs for dinner and an after-dinner hot chocolate — the perfect way to relax and wind down before bed.
As the pair was winding down, Morgranna and Morgana contacted Head Nocturne to inform her that their Stats had begun stabilising even further. Their leisurely physical training seemed to be helping their bodies more than expected.
Head Nocturne thanked them for the update and was prepared to end the call when Morgranna added that they were now on a diet of B-level meat and vegetables, with the rest remaining at C-level. Their bodies handled it well: cultivation levels had increased from third-level fifteen percent to third-level twenty percent, and there were no signs of overnourishment.
Head Nocturne thanked Morgranna again before ending the call, then relayed the information to the Councils and Nursery Elders to keep everyone informed.
The Nursery Elders, in turn, notified the Head Masters so they could update student files and ensure that Teachers were aware of the latest developments.
--
As the pair snuggled together on the sofa, sipping hot chocolate, they discussed the magnifier limit they had established.
"Do you think we could handle a magnifier higher than five hundred, or is that our current limit?" Bane mused.
"Unknown. I was thinking of discussing it with the Teachers tomorrow morning before training and following their recommendations. They have more experience than we do, so they should be able to give us appropriate advice," Chaos responded with a shrug.
"True," Bane nodded.
Having agreed, they continued to read their books in silence, still sipping their hot chocolate. In the background, Morgranna and Morgana busied themselves with various tasks. A comfortable, companionable silence settled over the pagoda.
--
The wood-panelled meeting room glowed softly in the morning light, a carafe of rich coffee steaming at the centre of the table. The four Headmasters of the Orientation Elementary Academy—Celestial Headmaster Solis, Immortal Headmaster Everdawn, Mortal Headmaster Rowan, and Infernal Headmaster Varkos—sat in comfortable chairs, tablets and holo-files arranged before them.
Each wore an air of thoughtful anticipation as the latest reports appeared on their shared holoscreen.
Headmaster Everdawn (leaning forward, tapping her stylus thoughtfully): "Morgranna's update arrived earlier—physical Stats are stabilising faster than expected, and both Chaos and Bane have advanced to third-level, twenty percent. Their bodies are tolerating the partial B-level diet with no complications."
Headmaster Solis (scratching his beard, peering at the graphs): "Impressive. Most students plateau at C-level for weeks, if not months. Their progress isn't just steady, it's accelerating. Shall we attribute this to the more relaxed training schedule?"
Headmaster Rowan (scrolling through comments): "Perhaps. The social spillover on the forums has been remarkable, too. Less anxiety, more positive chatter—the entire Orientation cohort seems calmer. I expected chaos, but instead, we have... well, orderly Chaos."
Headmaster Varkos (smiling wryly): "Let's not get too comfortable. Their training regimen is highly customised and closely monitored. I want every instructor to be aware that these levels are not to be emulated by others. We don't need a rush to the Med Bay by copycats."
Headmaster Rowan: "Agreed. I'll ensure another Teacher post goes up, emphasising individual pacing. Meanwhile, I've noticed their cultivation is benefiting from slower, more intuitive physical practice. Perhaps we should incorporate aspects of this into the wider curriculum?"
Headmaster Solis: "And monitor reactions. If it works, it might become a model for future cohorts, though few will ever match their baseline."
Headmaster Everdawn (updating records): "I've logged the diet change, cultivation gains, and forum influence in their files. Let's schedule a midweek meeting to review ongoing progress. Are we all comfortable with the current support framework?"
Headmaster Solis: "For now, yes. I'll liaise with Morgranna and Morgana for any early warning signs—physical or psychological. The forum impact is positive, but fame can have side effects."
Headmaster Varkos (meeting the others' eyes): "Good. Keep communications open and records current—especially with Council and Nursery Elders. Let's stay ready to pivot if their needs or the cohort's mood shifts."
The four nodded, a sense of unified purpose settling among them as Headmaster Everdawn finalised the student record entries—one more page in the Academy's evolving story.