Chapter 49: [49] The Z File
The final bell echoed through the academy’s corridors, signaling the end of classes. Xavier Valentine rolled his shoulders, trying to release the tension that had built during the day’s training sessions. Between Agent Phantom’s temporal manipulation demonstration and Professor Rousseau’s unexpected revelation about gate classifications, his mind was buzzing with new information.
Gate types designed like video games? Narrative gates that adapt to psychological profiles? This is getting way too close to my situation for comfort.
Xavier gathered his materials, tucking his tablet into his bag while scanning the classroom. Most students were already packing up, eager to escape after the intensive day.
"Quite the day, huh?" Luka boomed, slapping Xavier’s shoulder with enough force to make him wince. "First Phantom shows us true power, then Rousseau reveals secrets! Is exciting, like good Russian novel!"
"Yeah, exciting," Xavier agreed, rolling his shoulder to check for damage. "Just what we needed on our second day—existential questions about reality."
Beppo slid into their conversation, phone already recording. "This is incredible content! My followers are going to freak when I drop hints about classified gate types. Hashtag hunter secrets, hashtag narrative gates, hashtag the truth is out there!"
"Maybe tone down the conspiracy angle," Xavier suggested. "Unless you want to end up in a Phoenix Imperium ’research position’ too."
Beppo’s eyes widened. "Good point. I’ll keep it vague. Mysterious but not career-ending."
Nolan approached them, his glasses slightly askew. "T-t-that was q-quite informative," he stammered, the confident analysis he’d displayed during class completely vanished. "I-I’ve read theories about g-gate classifications, but n-never heard confirmation from an official s-source."
"You seemed pretty knowledgeable about dimensional theory," Xavier noted.
"J-just a hobby," Nolan replied, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I r-read a lot."