Chapter 92: [92] Never Have I Ever... Regretted This
October 7, 9:28am
Xavier leaned his head against the bus window, watching the San Francisco cityscape gradually thin out into suburbs. Class 1-D had finally made it to the mainland after the ferry ride, only to be herded onto a rented coach bus for another three-hour journey to Mount Eddy. The luxury vehicle—with its plush seats, personal climate controls, and entertainment screens—seemed excessive for a one-day field trip for fifteen students.
"This academy doesn’t skimp, does it?" Xavier muttered to no one in particular.
"Crystal money," Naomi Phillips replied from beside him. She’d claimed the window seat earlier but had since shifted toward the middle, leaving a thin gap of space between them. "Hunter schools make bank. You should see what Vanguard spends on their facilities."
Xavier hadn’t planned on sitting with Naomi. He’d expected to be paired with Calypso as usual, but she’d been practically kidnapped by Selena and Margaret the moment they boarded. They’d dragged her to seats midway through the bus, leaving Xavier to fend for himself. Naomi had materialized beside him seconds later, sliding into the row.
Now she sat beside him, dressed in a thin cashmere sweater that did nothing for warmth but everything for her figure. Her bronze skin practically glowed against the pale blue fabric, and her long black hair fell in a perfect curtain down her back. A folded blanket sat in her lap, still unopened.
"Did you get any sleep on the ferry?" she asked, turning toward him.
"No." Xavier shifted in his seat. "You?"
"An hour, maybe." Naomi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a row of small gold earrings that climbed the curve of her lobe. "Not enough."
At the front of the bus, Professor Valdez stood, her blue hair pulled into a severe bun. "Listen up. We’ll arrive at the GGA containment facility in approximately three hours. I expect you all to use this time wisely—review the gate classification materials, prepare your equipment, or rest. This will be your first exposure to an actual gate, even a controlled one. Be ready."
Professor Fox appeared beside her, smiling. "What Luna means is, have fun but don’t be stupid. This is still class time."