While Others Evolved, I Understood Reality

It took a while for Adam to get used to the girls around him. In that time, he had felt several death glares directed at him. Around where he sat were seven girls, two sitting to his left and right, and the rest sitting on the other side of the table.

Adam took careful bites as he listened to the girls talk about his actions and how impressive he was. They held nothing back, going back and forth about what had been transpiring in the dormitory since their admission.

A rumour was already going around about how the premature closure of their second trial had something to do with his treatment of those three. Adam was not surprised, as something like that could not be hidden for long.

The situation surrounding how the fight had begun in the first place was also circulating, as many people had witnessed how it had begun. The girls continued to ask several questions about his nature and where he came from.

Adam answered those he could and evaded the ones he didn’t want to talk about. He had grown relaxed and comfortable as he conversed with them. They were not as bad as he had imagined, and although they continued to make inappropriate gestures at him, he pretended to not have noticed.

Before long, he was done with his food, pushing his tray aside.

"So Adam, have you heard of the upcoming party?"

"Party?"

Adam looked at the girl to his right. He had come to know their names once they introduced themselves. Too bad most of them were students of the first class type, as they were mostly from retainer families.

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about that."

"What’s the party about?" Adam had no idea what party they were talking about, as he was not a party person. "Is there some kind of get-together for the new first-years?"

"Mhm. The son of a powerful businessman is throwing a party in Academic City for all of us." Jessica, the girl who had asked the question, explained.

"So everyone is going, huh." Adam nodded in understanding. "Will everyone actually be there?"

At his question, the girls exchanged glances, knowing what he meant.

"Well, we’re not entirely sure. They only threw the invitation out there. Most of us will be going, though."

"You’ll accompany us, right?"

"And when exactly is this party?" he asked.

"The day after tomorrow. Two hours after sundown."

’So on the second day of the three-day grace period.’ Adam deduced, finding the time suitable. He had plans on going shopping tomorrow, so he could still attend.

"It’s doable."

"Yay~"

The girls gave a light cheer as they received Adam’s confirmation. He smiled at their actions. The girls were a lot more fun than he had thought, though their flirtatious behaviours still put him on edge.

"Well, well, well.... What do we have here?"

A condescending voice interrupted their atmosphere. Adam lifted his gaze to see three boys approaching. He immediately noticed the change in some of the girls’ demeanour. They seemed to be acquainted with the guys.

The three boys claimed their seats, their expressions smug. Adam did not speak, waiting to see what transpired. The boy who seemed to be the leader — a light auburn-haired boy with matching eyes — held Adam’s gaze with a smirk.

"So you’re the top student, huh?" The boy gave Adam a once-over, taking in his casual getup. "You don’t look all that impressive to me."

"What do you want, Ken?" Jessica glared at the boy. "We’re not in the mood for your antics."

"Shut it, Jess. I’m not talking to you." The boy known as Ken replied without looking at the girl, his focus on Adam. "I’m curious, Adam. Where did you come from?"

Adam held the boy’s gaze but did not reply. From the brief exchange he saw, he realised that most of them came from retainer families and such. He looked around the cafeteria, and it all made sense.

’Those sitting alone are probably from other cities.’ His gaze shifted back to Ken and the other two boys. ’The elite heirs aren’t anywhere here. They might not even be joining us here at the cafeteria at all.’

"I’m from Echelon. I’m sure you’ve heard of it." Adam replied, repeating the same thing he had said to the girls. The girls looked at him, not expecting him to entertain them with how smug they acted.

"Echelon City... Yeah, I’ve heard of it." Ken nodded with a distant look on his face.

"Meh. It’s probably some backwater city." One of the other boys chipped in with a sneer.

"Yeah..." the third agreed smugly.

"Aren’t there academies there? Why come all the way here?" Ken raised his brows sceptically.

"North Star is the best. That’s all there is to it." Adam shrugged, noticing the looks he received from the girls. ’There’s no point matching their aggressive attitudes when they’ve done me no wrong. It’s best to keep a low profile.’ He silently thought to himself.

"Tsk! At least you know that much." Ken snarled, slightly disappointed. He had hoped Adam would act arrogant and impulsive, giving him some justification to act.

But then, he smiled as another thought came to him. "But seriously, you’ve got some balls, you know? You’re one crazy bastard. Do you even know the kind of trouble you’ve brought on yourself?"

"I did what I had to do." Adam shrugged, once again repeating what he had already told the girls. "You wouldn’t let someone else take what belongs to you, would you?"

"Yeah... Adam acted in self-defence. No biggie."

"Seriously. I can’t even fathom why everyone is making a big deal out of this. It’s not like he killed them or anything of the sort." The girls stepped in to defend Adam’s action, surprising the boys.

"No biggie?" Ken’s eyes widened as he listened to the girls speak. "You girls are just as crazy as this moron here. Do you even realise what you’re talking about? Those people aren’t so simple!"

"Aren’t you guys forgetting the seniors?" The boy sitting right beside Ken chipped in, drawing everyone’s attention. He crossed his arms over his chest, smiled and continued, staring at Adam. "Those three have older siblings in the academy, and they’ll soon be returning from their break."

Adam was rendered speechless, his eyes widening. It had totally skipped his mind. He had only considered how their families would retaliate, forgetting about the seniors and what they could do to him.

He might be far stronger than his colleagues, and might have even stepped into the same strength category as second realm awakeners, but the seniors had had a year or more to grow.

’Crap.’

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!