The training intersection was one of the largest open sectors within the eastern side of the academy, built like a circular battlefield at the crossing point between several major training halls. Multiple stone pathways connected into it from different directions, while elevated metallic walkways stretched overhead, allowing students from the upper floors to look down into the area below.

Reinforced black tiles covered the ground, each layer engraved with protective inscriptions meant to withstand heavy combat, though judging from the countless cracks and scars spread across the floor, the inscriptions clearly had their limits.

Several combat arenas surrounded the intersection itself, separated by towering metallic pillars. Beyond them were entrances leading toward practical chambers, beast training sectors, and simulation rooms used for combat examinations.

Currently, half of the intersection was subtly destroyed, with a few students wearing crimson coats laying on the ground injured. An ice-frozen student stood in front of a young pink-haired man whose expression was calm even with how almost dire things looked.

The other half was filled with students who had been watching the fight between Lucien and the Crimson Cross members. Although now, their attention had drifted upward.

Standing on one of the elevated metallic walkways above the intersection was a young man with slightly rough black bangs, piercing but calm blue eyes, wearing the academy uniform with three stars on its shoulder pad.

A third-year student.

Although he wasn’t a stranger to Leo. Leo raised an eyebrow. ’So he has water and ice related abilities, huh?’

Louis stood calmly on the metallic railing with one hand inside his pocket while the other lazily rested against a thin silver spear strapped behind his back. Faint blue particles drifted around him before disappearing into the air almost immediately.

Despite the chaos below, his expression remained unbelievably relaxed.

The frozen Caius behind Lucien suddenly cracked slightly as thin fractures spread across the ice covering his body. Yet before the purple-haired boy could fully break free, Louis spoke again.

"You’re causing trouble before morning classes even started." His calm voice echoed across the intersection clearly. "Very impressive."

Several students immediately lowered their heads slightly after recognizing him properly. Unlike the lower-ranked students gathered below, the stars on Louis’ shoulder represented seniority and status within the academy itself. Three stars meant he belonged to the third-year division.

And more importantly... it meant he was dangerous.

Caius finally shattered the ice around himself with an explosion of crimson Aura before landing several meters backward. Frost still clung to portions of his uniform and hair.

Instead of looking angry, however, he simply grinned upward.

"Louissss."

Louis sighed tiredly. "Every time I see you, something in the academy is always broken."

Caius slowly rested the black sword across his shoulder again.

"And every time I see youuu, you ruin my funnn."

"That sounds like a personal problem."

A few students almost laughed before immediately suppressing it.

Lucien remained where he stood quietly. Unlike everyone else, he didn’t seem surprised by Louis’ appearance at all.

Louis glanced toward him briefly.

"You too."

Lucien blinked once. "What about me?"

"You break too many things."

"That wouldn’t be happening if you all just let me and my classmates be."

Louis didn’t reply and just stared at Lucien with an unreadable expression. Leo stared silently between the two of them.

The atmosphere had shifted completely the moment Louis appeared. Even Caius, who had looked completely insane earlier, now seemed oddly restrained.

Louis then pushed himself off the railing lightly and landed smoothly on the cracked ground below. The surrounding students instinctively stepped aside for him immediately.

His calm blue eyes swept across the destroyed intersection once before stopping on the unconscious Crimson Cross members scattered everywhere.

Then he sighed again.

"...You people are exhausting."

With that, the students needed no second instruction before walking their separate ways. Seconds later, only Yin Li, Lucien, Leo, Caius, and Louis were left in the training intersection, including the injured Crimson Cross members who slowly helped each other up.

Caius stared at Lucien, then back at Louis, before his gaze landed on Leo. Leo felt a pang in his heart and nearly lost his footing. He suddenly frowned.

"Fear? Not happening."

He took a step forward and smirked. As if surprised, Caius nodded and... smirked back before leaving with his members.

As he watched them leave, Leo felt a shadow walk toward him. He looked up and saw Lucien stopping right in front of him with a warm smile.

"Ah, Leo Atlantis. We meet again, although this meeting isn’t..." His voice trailed off as he studied the surroundings.

"...expected," he completed. "You come from a prestigious family and have such a famous reputation. I don’t think you should ruin it by involving yourself with these... students." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He then glanced at Yin Li. Yin Li froze and nodded as if understanding what Lucien meant, then walked away.

Leo wanted to frown but instead formed an awkward smile, scratching the back of his head. "Eh, I didn’t get involved though. I was just with the onlookers, and what can I do? One of them is my roommate."

Louis didn’t say anything immediately, contemplating a reply.

"So do you want me to get you a new room? And move you to a new classroom?"

"You can do that?"

Louis laughed. "Of course, yes."

Leo then glanced at Yin Li and Lucien. Yin Li was currently acting like a mother, checking every—every!—part of Lucien’s body for any injuries, although Lucien kept trying to stop him from crossing his boundaries.

"No, I don’t need a new room or a new class. I think I’m okay with them. Although they’re part of gangs or whatever, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s not a must I join them."

Louis frowned. "And what if you land in trouble because of them? You awakened a strong Path, you’re from one of Earth’s strongest royal families, and your family is..."

"...Messed up, I know." Leo said with a short laugh. "And I believe if I ever land in trouble, it will either be because I caused it or someone just has something against me. If it’s because of them, then I’ll gladly accept the trouble and show it why I’m a bastard."

"Big talk, huh? I like it. It’s cute."

Leo suddenly frowned. "I hate people calling me cute." He scowled.

Louis flinched. He shook his head sideways and waved his hand. "Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean it that way, Master," he jokingly said.

He then shifted back to his serious expression, briefly glancing at Lucien with a frown.

"Just don’t... die, Leo. No, scratch that, you can’t die. I’m with you. If you ever need anything or are in trouble, just yell my name."

"Yell your name?" Leo almost laughed at the joke.

Louis didn’t reply and placed his hand on Leo’s shoulder. "I just want humanity’s next greatest to be safe."

Leo wanted to laugh, but suddenly he felt a cold sensation travel through his body and spike his chest, causing him to cough. All of it happened in a millisecond.

Louis immediately removed his hand with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, I’m still trying to get the hang of my Aquarius Branch."

He then turned away.

"I guess we will see each other later, Atlantis."

"Wait!" Leo stopped him. "Can you help me keep an eye on Mirage? She’s still not genuinely fit for all this."

Louis replied with a reassuring smile and walked away.

"Great guy." Leo smiled and ran to his two friends. After a few back-and-forths, the three walked out of the training intersection.