SSS Awakening: Conquering Worlds with My Cupid System

The next day, Silas, Chloe, and Alpha went to school in Anna’s car. Gromda was left at home since she couldn’t really attend classes with them. She was, after all, a tamed monster to almost everyone who knew her and would only be needed when there was a battle or a rift event.

News also traveled fast. No one knew who heard it first, but everyone had learned that Silas was actually a rich guy who had inherited properties and assets worth more than a billion dollars from his parents.

This put him at a level not even the rich kids could ever hope to reach. They flaunted their parents’ money, but Silas would flaunt his own. His parents were considered dead, no matter how unfortunate it sounded, but it was also what made his story epic to a lot.

Not forgetting that he’d signed a contract with one of the leading fashion companies in the country, Aureline Apparel Group. They’d announced their recent partnership with the three new S-Ranks of New Liberty, two humans and one confirmed S-Rank monster, tamed to be precise.

This had put them in a very powerful spotlight and further put Silas, Chloe, and Gromda in the spotlight as well.

First, it was his awakening as an S-Rank; then he defeated a Rift Boss; then he tamed an S-Rank monster, according to what everyone deduced; and now this. Plus, his relationships with Anna and Chloe had been confirmed, and no one had anything negative to say about them.

One because he was an S-Rank. Two because the women in question were powerful entities. Chloe was also an S-Rank, but Anna was more than just a rank. Her true identity was scary, and only a fool would try to cross her.

***

Just as Silas and his group entered the school gates, the usual sea of whispers swept across the campus.

"There he is..."

"Pinky..."

"This fucking idiot... What if he hears you?!"

"I heard he owns three estates."

"I heard he sleeps on a mountain of money."

Silas sighed.

"People really have too much free time."

Alpha adjusted the strap of his backpack. "I heard you eat gold bars for breakfast."

"I do."

"..."

"..."

"You believed me?"

Alpha stared at him. "For a split second."

Silas burst into laughter.

"I almost had you."

"You really lack class."

"So I’ve been told."

The four walked through the academy grounds almost as though nothing around them mattered. Chloe walked beside Silas with her usual calm expression. Alpha stayed a step behind, hands buried inside his oversized hoodie.

Students instinctively made way for them. Some waved. Others asked for pictures. A few first-year students looked ready to faint from excitement.

Silas signed a notebook, took two selfies, refused to sign someone’s forehead, then continued walking.

"You’re getting used to this," Chloe observed.

"I don’t know if that’s a good thing."

"It isn’t," Alpha answered.

"It definitely isn’t."

Before Silas could reply...

"Pinky."

The cheerful atmosphere vanished. The voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. Students immediately began stopping and turning their heads. Even those walking toward other buildings slowed down.

Standing several meters ahead was Damien. He looked different, not so different, but the hospital changed him. His blond hair remained neatly tied back, though his usually smug smile had disappeared.

His blue eyes were colder and sharper. Behind him stood nearly ten students. Most belonged to Class 3A.

Peter stood among them. Alicia folded her arms silently. Even Bai, who rarely involved himself in anything, watched quietly.

Alpha scratched his cheek. "Here we go."

Silas stopped walking, his expression remaining relaxed.

"Morning."

Damien didn’t return the greeting.

"I challenged you once."

"You did."

"I lost."

"You did."

Several students winced while Damien’s eyelid twitched.

"You’re irritating."

"I get that a lot."

A few nearby students accidentally laughed before immediately covering their mouths.

Damien ignored them.

"I underestimated you."

Silas nodded.

"You did."

"I won’t make that mistake again."

Silas tilted his head. "...Okay?"

Damien frowned.

"That’s it?"

"What?"

"I just declared I’d surpass you."

"Oh." Silas scratched his head. "You said it sometime ago, too. Good luck?"

The silence became so painful that Chloe had to look away while Alpha slowly covered his face.

"He’s doing it again."

"What?"

"You’re accidentally bullying him."

"I’m not."

"You absolutely are."

Damien inhaled deeply; his composure almost cracked.

"I’m challenging you."

Silas blinked. "...Again?"

"Again."

"When?"

"The Inter-Academy Selection Tournament."

Students gasped. The tournament. Every awakened academy in City A participated. The best students advanced to the national competition. It was the fastest path toward becoming a licensed Hunter before graduation.

Silas rubbed his chin.

"That sounds fun."

Damien’s eyes narrowed.

"So you accept?"

Silas shrugged.

"If we meet."

"We will."

"Maybe."

"No." Damien stepped forward. "We will."

Silas smiled.

"You’re pretty confident."

"I’ve been training."

"So have I."

"I know."

Damien’s gaze briefly shifted toward Chloe.

"Congratulations."

Everyone froze while Chloe raised her eyebrow.

"Thank you?"

"For becoming an S-Rank."

She gave a small nod. Alpha leaned toward Silas.

"I don’t think they know how to insult each other."

"I don’t think they want to."

"I feel robbed."

Silas nodded solemnly. "I expected more drama."

Damien ignored them. Instead, he looked directly into Silas’s eyes.

"I’ve realized something."

"Hm?"

"I was chasing strength."

Silas remained silent.

"I relied too much on my gravity ability."

He clenched his fist.

"When you defeated me... I hated it. But afterward... I understood."

Silas quietly listened.

"I wasn’t weak because my ability wasn’t strong enough. I was weak... because I was."

The courtyard became silent. Even the students who disliked Damien couldn’t deny the sincerity in his words.

"I’ve started over. I’ll become stronger. Then..." He pointed directly at Silas. "...I’ll beat you."

Silas stared at him for several long seconds. Then he smiled.

"Good."

"No insults?" Alpha whispered.

Silas looked at Damien. "If you really become stronger, then find a way to become S-Rank, because you are an A-Rank."

"..."

Everyone stared at Silas with blank expressions. They expected this and he delivered it.