Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 54: The World Really Is Small

Professor Sterling’s smile lingered for only a moment longer before she clapped her hands once, crisp and decisive.

"That will conclude today’s briefing," she said lightly. "You may all leave. Prepare yourselves. The Orientation Exchange begins in three days."

Glances were most definitely thrown in Aren’s direction as students made their way toward the exit.

The cocky boy passed him without a word, though his gaze lingered for a while.

The girl in the pale dress offered him a faint nod, not in a friendly matter—more of an acknowledging one.

Within a minute, the room emptied.

"All except you," Professor Sterling added mildly.

Aren paused mid-step.

But of course.

Professor Sterling removed her glasses first.

The change was subtle but immediate. Her playful authority had immediately softened into something he was more used to seeing. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

It kind of reminded him of a grown-up version of Lily.

"Well," she said, exhaling lightly, "that was entertaining."

Aren blinked.

"Entertaining?"

She waved a hand dismissively. "You’re not nearly as subtle as you think, Aren."

He stiffened slightly.

"You were acting."

She leaned against the desk casually. "Not badly, I’ll admit. Pretending to be weak in a room full of brats is a bold move. Though it only works if you aren’t a prodigy yourself."

Aren sighed.

"...So you really did know."

She rolled her eyes faintly.

"Of course, I knew. Mirelle may be many things, but subtle is not one of them."

"You know Professor Voss?" Aren said softly.

"Oh yes. She’s been insufferable for weeks."

Aren’s brow twitched.

"Insufferable?"

"She picked up a once-in-a-lifetime genius and refused to tell me anything about him," she said flatly. "Do you know how irritating that is?"

He stared at her.

"That old woman..."

"Is my best friend," she finished smoothly. "And she thinks she’s very clever."

She pushed off the desk and walked toward him, heels clicking softly against the floor.

"The entire ’reveal’ thing plays out in your favor too, Aren," she admitted. "Lightning students respect power."

"Even if you wanted to cruise your way through, upperclassmen will undoubtedly call you a parasite, leeching off their materials."

Aren hadn’t even considered that possibility. But that only applied if—

"Is it really that bad?" he continued. "The situation, I mean."

Professor Diana leaned back casually, folding both arms behind her head without a care in the world.

"Yeeep," she answered casually. "Lightning Department’s been last place in terms of funding for five consecutive years."

"Wait, last place?" Aren questioned. "Wouldn’t that mean they all—?"

"Lost in the first round. All of them."

"...Ouch." That was all Aren could muster.

She let the silence stretch before tilting her head slightly, studying him again.

"I don’t know what your shtick is," she said plainly. "Whether you’re pretending to be harmless or genuinely prefer staying under the radar."

Aren stiffened slightly.

"But," she continued, pushing herself upright, "could you help us out?"

"I’d really like to stop eating fast food."

Aren blinked.

"...What?"

Professor Sterling sighed faintly. "Funding doesn’t just affect students. It affects departmental allowances too."

She gestured vaguely toward herself.

"Wait," he said carefully. "Teacher salaries are affected too?"

"Indirectly," she replied. "And quite painfully."

She crossed her arms loosely.

"Do you know how humiliating it is to have the Fire Department faculty dine at five-star hotels while I have to eat instant noodles!"

"It’s absurd!"

Aren wasn’t sure whether she was joking. The problem was...she didn’t sound like she was.

But even so, his identity was extremely important, and he couldn’t take many risks.

Seeing the hesitation in his eyes, Professor Sterling swung up immediately, catching his arms.

"You know what? Let me make you a deal."

"How about I place you in the last slot?" she continued smoothly. "Best case scenario, you won’t even have to lift a finger."

He frowned slightly.

"And just to sweeten it—"

She reached into her blazer pocket before producing something. A small bottle that was no larger than a pinkie. Yet inside, what looked like a raging storm cloud had been contained.

Aren’s eyes widened as he recognized what it was.

"A Storm Essence Bottle," he muttered.

Even through the sealed container, he could feel the Lightning inside resonate with his own.

"Aren’t these extremely hard to obtain?"

Aren narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Wait," he said slowly. "I thought you just said you’ve been living off instant noodles."

She didn’t even blink.

"I have, though?"

He looked at the vial again.

"That doesn’t look like something a broke person casually hands out."

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"Oh, this?" She rolled the vial lightly between her fingers, the storm inside swirling violently in response. "I didn’t buy it."

"Found it in a recent expedition."

Aren’s gaze sharpened.

"Expedition?"

"With my club."

He felt something click in the back of his mind as suspicion crawled upward.

"...What club?" he asked carefully.

Professor Sterling tilted her head slightly, as if amused by the sudden shift in his tone.

"The Urban Hunting Club," she said casually.

The reveal hit him like he’d just slammed headfirst into a wall. Aren stood completely shocked.

There was no such thing as coincidence in this school, was there? The world really is a small place...

Professor Sterling twirled the vial once more before pressing it into his palm.

"Consider it an early welcome gift," she said. "You’ll need it."

Aren stared at the vial in his palm for a moment longer before carefully slipping it into his inner pocket.

"...Thank you," he said finally.

Professor Sterling only waved a hand dismissively.

"Don’t thank me yet," she replied lightly. "Win first."

He wasn’t sure whether that was encouragement or a threat. With nothing else left to say, Aren gave a short nod and turned toward the door.

Professor Sterling was leaning against the desk once more, chin resting in her palm.

"Toodles!"

Aren stared at her for a full second. Then he stepped out and shut the door quietly behind him. He walked a few steps before letting out a slow breath.

It really must be my fate to be surrounded by strange people. Was there really anyone normal in this school, like at all?

As if on cue, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Aren pulled it out as he walked.

’Delivery confirmed. Your items have arrived at the listed address.’

"Right, that was happening," he muttered slowly.

With that, Aren stepped back into the bustling campus grounds and made his way toward the bus stop.