Chapter 166: A New EraIt had been weeks since Colin and Milo's first hunt, and the new academic year at Genova Academy was finally beginning.
The sun rose over the campus, casting a golden glow over the bustling grounds. Old and new students filled the halls with a new sense of purpose.
This year was different. Inspired by the Greenridge Finals, students were determined to forge their own paths rather than blindly follow the academy's top ace. While Eratz's name was still whispered, they were now driven to prove themselves.
The atmosphere was filled with ambition, and it seemed every student had something to prove.
Kian and Lila drew a crowd like magnets among the bustling excitement of Genova's halls. As the youngest students to enroll at the academy, the twins stood confidently as a cluster of first-years peppered them with eager questions.
"Is it true the director personally invited you?" one asked, wide-eyed.
"How did you even get in so young?"
"Have you already tamed a beast?"
Kian smirked, crossing his arms as if the praise was his birthright.
"It's not a secret. We're just exceptional. Some people are born for this, and we are two of them."
Lila, standing next to him, tilted her head with a faint smile.
"It's not about luck. It's about talent. And we have more than enough." seaʀᴄh thё ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The students murmured in awe, exchanging glances as if standing before royalty. Every word from Kian and Lila seemed to cement their status as prodigies. The twins soaked in the admiration, their confidence swelling with every comment.
To them, their place at Genova was indisputable proof of their brilliance. What they didn't know was that it was Eratz, the brother they resented, who had quietly ensured their enrollment, and the many people only got attracted after noticing their family name.
"Can we train sometime together? I would like to follow your model," a first-year asked eagerly.
Kian shrugged casually.
"Of course. Just try to keep the rhythm."
Lila nodded, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
As the lively chatter buzzed around them, a clear, calm voice interrupted them.
"Welcome to Genova Academy. I'm Lisa, and I'll be your guide."
The group of students turned almost in unison. Standing before them was Lisa, her expression warm and relaxed, a soft smile playing on her lips.
She showed a calm confidence, her approachable appearance a stark contrast to the stern, depressed air she had carried before. There was an ease in her posture now as if a weight had been lifted.
Kian's brows furrowed slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to assess her immediately.
"You're our guide?" he asked.
"That's right," Lisa replied, unfazed. Her smile was warm, and she gestured for the group to follow her.
She led the group through the academy, her steps steady as she pointed out the key landmarks. She spoke with confidence, her tone calm but engaging.
"This is the training field," she said, stopping at a large open area. "It's where most of the action happens. If you're serious about improving, this will become a second home."
Kian glanced around, unimpressed.
"Looks standard. Do they have private areas for advanced students?" Kian asked, his tone edged with skepticism.
Lisa offered a small smile.
"There are specialized lessons for those who prove themselves, particularly those with powerful beasts. Last year, though, many first-years weren't focused on beast-taming. Only a few ended up with anything noteworthy."
Kian's eyes widened slightly.
"What? A place as famous as Genova allowed students to stay without beasts? That's ridiculous. What kind of academy allows this?"
Lila nodded in agreement, her voice sharp.
"It's incompetence, plain and simple. How can they even call themselves beast masters if they don't have beasts?"
Lisa's calm smile didn't waver, though there was a faint flicker of amusement in her gaze. "Many things happened. It was our mistake, and we are learning to be better. Not everyone rises to the top, But for those who do..." She gestured toward the expansive training field. "The results speak for themselves."
Kian folded his arms, his frown deepening.
"If they're relying on self-motivation, they'd better hope this year's group has more sense
than the last."
Lila smirked.
"At least we know 'we' won't be the ones dragging Genova's reputation down."
They moved on to the library, its towering shelves casting long shadows over the group. The students gazed around, awestruck by the sheer size of the collection.
"This is where you'll find the knowledge to back up your skills," Lisa said. "Genova prides
itself on developing not just strong fighters, but smart ones."
The first-years nodded eagerly, but Kian and Lila exchanged a glance, their silent agreement clear: these people were many things, but clever wasn't one of them.
Their final stop was the Hall of Tournaments, where photos and trophies lined the walls, commemorating past champions.
One boy stopped in front of a photo of several past student leaders and hesitated before
speaking.
"By the way," he began, looking at Lisa nervously. "I thought the student council president was the one greeting us, you know... the girl from the finals. The one during the Pharaoh's match against the Beast Whisperer?"
Lisa paused, her expression shifting slightly. She observed the young man for a moment, then
sighed.
"Yes, the student council president is in charge of your visit," she said simply.
The boy frowned, confused.
"Why isn't she leading this tour then?"
Lisa turned to face the group, her smile softening.
"I should've mentioned earlier, I'm the student council president now."
The group froze, the weight of her words sinking in.
"You? You're... the president?" another student asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes," Lisa replied calmly.
Her voice carried a quiet confidence, but there was something thoughtful in her tone.
"Many things changed after the finals."
She gestured for them to keep walking, her pace steady as the group trailed behind, their curiosity growing in whispers.
"Didn't see that coming," one of the students muttered to another.
"Do you think she threatened the old president or something?" Lisa didn't acknowledge the murmurs, keeping her focus on the tour.