I Can Only Cultivate In A Game-Chapter 33: Later Nerds!

The school bell suddenly rang, cutting through the morning air, and signalling that classes were about to start.

Victor exhaled in relief. Saved by the bell... literally.

The murmurs and questions about his "awakening" would have to wait.

Students scattered off to their respective classes, leaving Victor and his friends standing near the lockers.

Danny grinned before slapping Victor on the back. "Lucky break, man. But trust me, that question isn't going anywhere."

Victor groaned. "This is why I don't like attention. You win one stupid reflex test, and suddenly you're a celebrity."

Danny laughed. "Bro, you humiliated an Assassin. That video is everywhere. Of course, people are curious."

Victor sighed as they walked into class. 'Great. Can't wait to make up some bullshit about my 'awakening.'

---

Miss Adler, their strict but oddly fun teacher, was already writing on the board when Victor and the boys slid into their seats.

"Alright, settle down, everyone," she called out while turning to face them. "Before we begin today's lesson, a quick reminder..."

She held up a stack of papers.

"The class trip is happening next week. If you intend to go, your parents need to sign this consent form."

A wave of excitement passed through the class.

"Yes!" someone whispered.

"I heard we're going somewhere cool," another student murmured.

Miss Adler continued, "If your parents don't sign it, you're not coming. No exceptions."

She then walked around the classroom, passing the forms down each row.

Victor took his copy and glanced at it.

"Official Awakened Academy School Trip - Consent Form"

Destination: Confidential

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Why does it say 'confidential'? Are we being taken to some kind of top-secret facility?"

Danny leaned over. "I heard we're going somewhere outside the city."

Max shivered. "If I see even one Drakenar, I'm out."

Jake smirked. "Bro, what if it's a training session and we actually get to fight something?"

Victor scoffed. "Yeah, great. Let's throw a bunch of high schoolers into the wild and see who survives."

Miss Adler shot them a warning glance. "Revenant, James, Parker, and Vaughn—do I need to separate you four?"

Victor grinned. "Miss Adler, if you do that, who will provide this class with quality entertainment?"

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The class chuckled, but Miss Adler wasn't amused.

"Zip it, Victor, or you can entertain detention instead."

Victor held up his hands. "Shutting up, ma'am. Absolute silence. You won't hear a peep from me."

She rolled her eyes.

"Good. Now, let's begin."

...

...

As soon as the lunch bell rang, students flooded out of their classrooms like a stampede.

Victor stretched. "Alright, let's get some food. I'm starving."

As he walked toward the cafeteria, something caught his eye.

A small crowd had gathered in the open field outside, murmuring excitedly.

Victor nudged Max. "What's going on over there?"

Max shrugged. "Dunno. Let's check it out."

They made their way through the gathered students until Victor's eyes landed on Amara Blake.

She stood in the middle of the group with her hand outstretched as a soft glow emanated from her fingertips.

Victor's breath hitched.

A creature materialized before her—a small, white fox with luminous blue eyes and two fluffy tails.

It was adorable.

The little fox stretched and then blinked at Amara before floating up into the air with its tails swaying elegantly.

The crowd oohed and ahhed.

"Damn, Summoners are so cool."

"Look how cute that thing is!"

"I wish I had a Summoning Class."

Victor smirked while stepping forward. "Alright, I admit it. That thing is stupidly adorable."

Amara turned and smiled the moment she laid her eyes on him. "Victor. Didn't expect you to show up."

He shrugged. "What can I say? I was lured in by the fluff."

She chuckled. "His name is Echo. He's my first summon."

Victor eyed the little fox, which was now floating upside down while staring at him curiously. "Echo, huh? What does he do? Besides being ridiculously cute?"

Amara smirked. "He's a support summon. He enhances reaction speed and perception."

Victor blinked. "Wait. Hold on. You mean, if I had that thing following me around, I'd be able to dodge even faster?"

She grinned. "Maybe."

Victor gasped dramatically. "Alright, Amara. We need to trade. What do you want? My soul? My dignity? My limited-edition gamer chair?"

She laughed. "Sorry, Victor. Echo is mine."

Victor sighed. "Damn. A man can dream."

Before she could respond, a shadow appeared behind them.

Victor already knew who it was.

Derek Slate.

Amara's boyfriend.

He placed a firm hand on Amara's waist, pulling her slightly toward him. His gaze locked onto Victor... a gaze filled with silent warning.

Victor met his stare head-on before offering a casual grin. "Derek. What's up, buddy?"

Derek said nothing and just kept staring.

Amara shifted uncomfortably. "Derek, stop."

He didn't let go of her but finally muttered, "We're leaving."

Victor watched as Derek led Amara away. The fox vanished as she dismissed it.

Victor sighed. Well, that was awkward.

Max appeared beside him. "Dude. Derek looks like he wants to kill you."

Victor smirked. "Yeah? He's gonna have to wait in line."

Jake shook his head. "You're playing a dangerous game, my guy."

Victor exhaled. "Eh. What's life without a little risk?"

---

The rest of the school day passed without much drama.

Victor dodged questions about his "awakening" as much as possible, cracking jokes to steer the conversation elsewhere.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Victor didn't waste a second.

The moment class ended, he bolted.

"Later, nerds!" he called to his friends while sprinting out of the classroom before anyone could stop him.

Danny shouted after him. "YOU CAN'T AVOID THIS FOREVER, VICTOR!"

Victor cackled.

Maybe not.

But he sure as hell was going to try.