Chapter 237: Back to the Grind

The three luxury automobiles... Amira’s jet-black sedan in the lead, followed by the blood-red sports car and the sleek silver model, glided smoothly over the main highway leading into the academy grounds.

The road was wide and smooth. There were not many cars on the road this early. Morning light was just breaking over the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and violet.

The sun was still low. The air outside was cold and fresh. The mist was still hanging low over the outer walls of the academy.

Inside the first car, Lynx was sitting in the front passenger seat. Amira was driving. She was driving fast but smooth. Behind them, the other two cars followed closely.

Eleanor was in the second car with Layla and the other Year 4 girls. The rest were in the third car. Everyone was quiet but happy. They had spent a whole week in the capital relaxing. Now it was time to go back to the Academy.

Before dawn, Lynx had already used his spatial movement to take Rose back to her private residence on campus so she could prepare her lesson plans for the day. He woke up very early for that.

Around 6 AM. He had teleported her there. Rose was still sleepy but she had to prepare. She had classes to teach.

She also things to do. She did not want the other teachers to see her coming to school with the students.

That would cause problems. So Lynx took her back early and quietly. That left Lynx, Isabel, Amira, Eleanor, and the rest of the girls in the convoy as they approached the front gates.

The heavy ten-meter white stone gates of the Aether Blessed Academy stood tall. They were really huge. Ten meters high. Made of white stone that shone in the sun.

The carved crest of the empire was in the middle. The crest was glowing under the rising sun. It glowed with mana every few seconds.

Two guards in dark armor stood at attention in front of the gate. They were holding halberds. They were standing straight and not moving. They looked very serious.

As Amira eased her car forward and Lynx rolled down his window, revealing his silver-gold hair and sharp heterochromatic eyes, one blue and one silver, the guards didn’t even ask for an ID or a pass.

They didn’t ask for anything. They recognized him instantly. Everyone in the empire knew Lynx Azarion now. His face was everywhere on Instalite.

The guard on the left bowed so fast his armor made a loud clank sound. His voice was loud and respectful.

"Lord Lynx! Welcome back to the academy! We have been waiting for your return!"

The other guard bowed too. His head was almost touching the ground.

With respectful bows, the guards pulled the gates wide open, allowing the three cars to roll straight into the main parking bay near the central plaza.

The gates were very heavy. They made a grinding sound when they moved. The sound echoed in the morning air.

The academy never opened the gates that fast for normal students. Normal students had to show their ID and wait. But for Lynx, they opened it immediately.

The moment the car doors opened and Lynx stepped out into the crisp morning air alongside Isabel, Amira, and his thirteen Blessed women, the surrounding courtyard fell into immediate, breathless silence.

At first, it was completely silent. No one was talking. Then someone saw him clearly. Then someone screamed. Then the whole place exploded.

Students from Year 1 all the way to Year 4 were everywhere. There were hundreds of them in the courtyard. They were carrying their textbooks, uniform jackets, and hPhones as they headed toward their early morning classes.

Some were still half asleep and yawning. Some were running so they would not be late. Some were eating bread while walking.

When they realized who had just stepped out of the luxury cars, the entire glass-paved plaza erupted into cheers, clapping, and chaotic excitement. It was like a concert.

"LYNX IS BACK! HE IS BACK!"

"LOOK! HE’S WITH QUEEN ELEANOR AND HER FRIENDS! THEY ALL CAME BACK TOGETHER!"

"OH MY GOD! LADY ISABEL AND LADY AMIRA ARE THERE TOO! LOOK AT THAT CAR!"

Dozens of students pulled out their hPhones, recording videos and snapping photos for Instalite as the group gathered near the main entrance stairs.

Flashes were going off everywhere. Girls were screaming his name. Some boys were shouting his name too. Some Year 1 students were just standing there with their mouths open, shocked.

Lynx just stood there with his hands in his pockets and smiled. He was used to this already.

Isabel walked up to Lynx, her orange eyes soft with deep affection as she smoothed the collar of his dark elite student jacket. Her hands were gentle.

She fixed his collar like a wife. She did not care that hundreds of students were watching and recording. She leaned in, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest for a quiet moment. She held him tight and breathed in his scent.

"Take care of yourself in there, baby," Isabel whispered softly, looking up into his eyes. Her voice was very quiet. Only Lynx could hear it because the crowd was loud. "Don’t go causing too much trouble for your teachers. You know Rose will be angry if you make noise in her class."

Lynx chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. He pressed a slow, lingering kiss onto her lips right in front of the cheering crowd. It was a long kiss.

The crowd screamed even louder. Many phones were recording that kiss. It would be on Instalite in less than five minutes with a million likes. Lynx kissing his Aunt.

"No promises, Aunt Isa. Drive safe heading back, alright? Keep an eye on those investments for me. Don’t let Amira spend all the money on shoes," Lynx whispered back, his forehead touching hers. He was smiling.

"I always do," she smiled warmly, her cheeks flushing pink and red as she stepped back. She touched her lips and smiled like a young girl.

Amira stepped up next, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. Her hair was shiny and black. She smelled very nice, like expensive perfume.

She threw her arms around Lynx’s neck, pulling him down into a passionate, tight hug before planting a sweet kiss on his cheek. She left a faint lipstick mark there on purpose. She wanted people to see it.

"Text me every single day, god-boy," Amira said, her voice dropping into a playful, quiet tone. Only he could hear. "And don’t you dare forget to visit the estate when you get free time. My bed is cold without you. I miss you when you are not there."

"I won’t," Lynx smiled smoothly, patting her hip gently. "Thanks for driving us, Amira. You drive like a maniac though. You were going 180."

"You love it when I drive fast," Amira winked, laughing. Then Amira turned to the girls, giving Eleanor, Kira, and the rest of the squad a warm wave. She became like a big sister again. "Keep him in check, girls! Don’t let him stay up all night playing games or doing stupid things!"

"We can’t promise that either, Lady Amira!" Layla yelled out with a wide grin, waving back hard as Amira and Isabel stepped back into their automobiles, turning the engines around to exit the campus gates.

The engines roared loudly. The black sedan drove off first, then the red and silver cars followed.

With the non-student women departed, the group turned toward the main academic corridors. The week of relaxation in the capital was officially over.

It was time to go back to classes. There was no point in going to their dormitories to rest when classes were already starting for the morning. The bell would ring soon.

"Alright, everyone," Eleanor said, adjusting her golden Year 4 Queen jacket as she looked around the group. Her jacket was shining in the sun. She looked like a real queen.

Her voice was calm but commanding. "Duty calls. Layla, Iris, Rhea, Nadia, let’s head to the Year 4 building before the bell rings. That old professor wants us early for tactical briefing."

"See you later, Lynx!" Layla called out, flashing a peace sign as the Year 4 enforcers walked off toward their advanced martial halls. Their heels clicked on the glass floor.

Ophelia offered Lynx a gentle, quiet smile. Her hands were clasped in front of her. She looked soft and kind. "I’m heading to the Year 3 Earth Affinity hall. Don’t be too rowdy today, Lynx. Please be good."

"I’m always on my best behavior, Ophelia," Lynx smirked.

She giggled softly before turning toward the Year 3 division, her long skirt swaying as she walked.

That left Lynx with his Year 2 circle. Eira and Ava squeezed Lynx’s hands before splitting off toward the Year 2 Lightning Affinity building, while Lira gave him a quick, shy glance before heading toward the Wind Affinity division. Her face was already bright red.

"Come on, Lynx," Kira said, grabbing his right arm while Emily tucked herself against his left. They were both clinging to him like they did not want to let go. "We have Fire Affinity with Professor Rose. Let’s see how mad she acts today. I bet she kicks you out in like two seconds."

"I bet she won’t," Lynx laughed. "She likes me."

"She likes you too much, that’s why she will kick you," Emily said, laughing too.