Absolute VOID
Chapter 55 A Brutal Welcome

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 A Brutal Welcome

Chapter 55: A Brutal Welcome.

The maid reappeared, her silent presence guiding him back to the car, the night air cool against his skin as he stepped outside.

The drive back was as quiet as the one before, the city’s lights a blur of neon and shadow. He leaned back in the seat, the file resting on his lap, its weight a reminder of the path he’d just chosen.

Tian Jiang Academy loomed in his future, a place of opportunity and danger, and Lin Mu felt the familiar stir of determination settle in his chest.

Whatever lay ahead, he would face it as he always had... alone, unyielding, and ready to seize every advantage.

A few days after his meeting with Li Fei, Lin Mu stepped out of a battered yellow taxi, its engine rattling as it pulled away from the gates of Tian Jiang Academy. The sprawling campus loomed before him, its sleek buildings and manicured lawns a completely different sight to the rugged Serinerian plains.

Students poured in around him, some gliding out of polished luxury cars, wearing all sorts of clothing, giving one the impression that this was more of a college than an academy.

Others were trudging on foot with backpacks, purses, hand bags, fanny packs e.t.c, and a few, like him, were emerging from public transport with a mix of determination and unease.

’ Looks bigger than I was expecting.’

Lin Mu adjusted the strap of his bag, before walking towards the Academy building as well, his dark eyes scanning the crowd. The air carried a faint buzz of excitement, tinged with the nervous energy of new beginnings.

He made his way toward the orientation venue, a large open-air pavilion where rows of chairs faced a raised platform. The crowd of first-year students settled in, their chatter insistent until the arrival of a school staff member, a tall woman with a severe bun and a clipboard, stepped forward.

Her voice, clear and commanding, cut through the noise. " It is my utmost pleasure to welcome you all to the grounds of Tian Jiang Academy." she began, her tone infused with a noble air like a rare veteran and professional instructor.

"Here, you will be forged into heroes—warriors capable of slaying monsters, upholding justice, and standing against villainy."

" Though I’m aware all of you already know, This institution is not merely a school, it is a crucible where your potential will be tested, shaped, and honed."

" You are all the future of humanity and we will ensure you are ready to protect it." The students clapped, some with fervor, others with polite obligation, but Lin Mu sat still, his expression calm, his thoughts on the mission Li Fei had thrust upon him were the only things on his mind. As for saving humanity? Why should he care about that, after all, hadn’t he experienced the true meaning of humanity first hand.

When the speech ended, he rose, moving through the dispersing crowd toward the first-year lecture hall. The campus paths were lined with neatly trimmed hedges, the air cool and faintly scented with grass. Lost in thought, he barely noticed the figure darting across his path until their shoulders collided, the impact jarring him backward.

He caught a glimpse of pink hair, short and vibrant, framing a pretty face with striking red eyes. The girl, short but athletic, steadied herself with a grace that belied her small stature.

’ hahahaha, just when I was thinking of looking for them. One of them just so happened to run into me.’ Lin Mu thought to himself with joy.

The girl before him was Sasha Miguel—one of the candidates with potential ties that could be related to what his master was trying to investigate. A first year at Tian Jiang Academy.

Lin Mu’s pulse quickened, his mind sharpening as he recognized her from the file’s description.

’ Sorry but, It’s nothing personal.’

Sasha frowned when she glanced at Lin Mu, frowning even more when she saw his plain attire. " Watch were your going next time."

She moved to walk away, her expression dismissive, as if the collision was something she wished to dismiss.

’ Not even a single sorry?’ Lin Mu’s jaw tightened, a spark of opportunism flaring.

’ The file says that although she’s from a well off family, Sasha Miguel is an odd one. Unlike most on her level, she preferred the comfort of her lonesome. Plus she’s really studious.’

’ Your almost perfect daughter...’

’ I’m pretty sure she must be on her way to a lecture or maybe going somewhere to read up on her papers.’

’ I can’t just let her leave like this though. This is the perfect opportunity for me. If I let this go, next time I approach her she’ll definitely get suspicious.’

He grabbed her shoulder, his grip firm but not aggressive, and summoned a feigned rage, his voice low and edged. "Do you think you can just walk off after slamming into me like that?" he said, his dark eyes narrowing, his subtle permeating aura lending him a faintly menacing air. " Do you know how much this shirt costs?"

" Think you can afford it?" Lin Mu strangely resembled an irritated Yakuza as he glared at Sasha with trembling lips.

’ is he serious?’ Sasha was surprised. Most within the school already knew her family backing since their family’s though not as well of as her’s, still gained a certain amount of information, seeing Lin Mu try to rip her off when she could already tell his shirt was beyond basic was something she didn’t expect.

She’d seen countless guys approach her for strange reasons, some because they had a crush on her, we’re after connections, wanted her family’s assets but this... This was completely new.

’ He must be a useless bumpkin...’ Sasha came to a conclusion when she saw his cheap attire that didn’t even consist of any notable clothing brands.

" Hey, are you listening sweetheart."

" I said you messed up my shirt, not only that but you even injured me just now. How’re you gonna compensate me."

’ Is he trying to rip me off with a lie like that, do I look that easy to you?’ Sasha’s red eyes flicked to his, her lips curling into an irritated sneer that looked both contemptuous and amused.