Chapter 166: Chapter 158 : Grey Wolf Academy (Part 1)

Grey Wolf Academy.

It was the newest of the trio of Hunter Academies, coming into existence only seventy-three years ago.

It was situated in the Great Elanui Plains, treading on the invisible line separating the Northern Central Region and Southern Central Region. Just like the other two Academies, the Grey Wolf Academy occupied a large swath of land, more specifically, a circular region around fifty kilometres in diameter. Importantly, no one was to enter this domain without invitation.

To receive permission, one had to visit one of the border towns. Just outside the circular domain, lay dozens upon dozens of settlements. With the Hunter Acadamy being what it was, many sought to prosper, and prosper they did. The border towns were incredibly safe and incredibly wealthy due to the regular trade between themselves and the Hunter Academy.

Lisford, positioned on the western cardinal point, was one such town. It was also the town the duo was currently staying in.

Tomorrow was the first-year students’ orientation day. The duo had dragged their feet, but they made it in time. After arriving in Lisford not even an hour ago, they booked a room in the finest hotel their weary senses could lock onto and got comfortable.

Now, on the bed, Ralf’s fingers twiddled the Psi Controller in his hands. There was nothing to see though, at least, if one looked at the outside world alone. Behind Ralf’s shut eyes, a sports car was zooming across a race track. The colours displayed were sharp and vibrant and the sounds were crisp and lively, from the screeching of the tires as they burnt the road to the fire-spitting of the dual-pipe exhausts.

Ralf had the car drift around the corner at high speed. As he exited it, he felt something bump into his car’s rear, indicated by the slight vibration from his Psi Controller. He smiled, for not only did his opponent’s ploy fail, but it also sped his car up.

[[Thanks for the boost.]] Saying with a smirk, Ralf’s car completed the final straight without issue.

Winning, the display went glorious. Confetti rained down from the heavens, colourful fireworks went off in the sky, victory music started blasting and Ralf’s car did a few spins before the driver, identical to Ralf spilt out of the car and began parading about in celebration.

Ray, in the Mental Space, identical Psi Controller in hand, narrowed his eyes. He had definitely not added in such an extensive celebration sequence. Sick of it already, he exited the game.

He was brought back to the catalogue, where dozens of titles, each with their own eye-catching cover could be seen.

[[Let’s do something co-op next.]]

[[Tired of losing huh,]] Ralf mocked.

Ray grumbled under his breath but didn’t bite. He simply selected a title. The next thirty minutes would see the duo endure an endless zombie horde. After dying too many times, they switched to the next game, then the next…

With a gap to fill, the duo had recently taken to ‘video’ game creation. Outside Psi games were fun but weren’t up to their gaming standards. They needed colour, sound and complexity. Luckily, creating video games was very easy, far easier than creating anime. And, they had essentially been doing it this whole time. Virtual spaces worked on fundamental game creation principles. Slapping on a video game filter/aesthetic and creating animations for cutscenes and the like were simple tasks. It took no time to whip up high-quality games…no - not just high-quality, S - Rank games.

The games they created were, quality-wise, far beyond those that could be found in Ray’s world, at least on a technical level. The main difference was the processing speed. The Mental Space, which could calculate every possibility on a chessboard, truly shone in this area.

There was no lag, no bugs, no glitches and no loading times. When creating games, they didn’t have to be efficient, they could program whatever and have countless processes run simultaneously without a single hiccup. The long-time gamer goal/dream of having gameplay be as good as high-quality cutscenes and trailers…had been reached. It was something one could expect of a double-digit generation console.

Ray, but mostly Ralf had gone wild in this endeavour, recreating all the outside Psi games while polishing them up and also recreating dozens of other games while adding his personal touch. Multiplayer, single-story, co-op; quite a collection of games had materialised over the last week of travel.

The duo, just as with anime, developed games separately so their other self could enjoy the work with fresh eyes.

[[Ray,]] Ralf started after a prolonged silence.

[[Yes,]] he answered as he kept his sniper rifle’s sights slightly above a barricade in the distance, waiting for the other to inevitably peak. The duo had swapped out their PlayStation-like controller for a mouse and keyboard.

[[Just a thought but…you know, stories about parallel worlds where all possibilities exist, well I was thinking, wouldn’t any fanfiction of such stories automatically be canon?]]

Ray’s brows creased up at the notion. [[I supp-]]

In Ray’s brief lapse, Ralf made his move. His soldier downed Ray’s with impeccable precision, peaking and delivering a wicked quickscope.

In the aftermath, Ray could only sigh. He dismissed the keyboard and mouse before shifting to the outside world.

[[Calling it a night? So soon?]]

[[Yep, any more losses, and I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep at all.]]

Ralf smirked. [[A wise decision. Then, I’ll leave you to it. Good night.]] Saying this, Ralf headed to the Mental Space where he continued to entertain himself with Psi games.

Ray, on the other hand, activated Bubble Trouble and made himself comfortable. Since leaving Popleigh, the duo had been taking turns sleeping in the outside world, and of course, activating their pseudo-Automatic Aura defence/alarm array.

Shutting his eyes, Ray soon drifted into slumberland. Dreaming - and sleeping, in general, had become a rare experience for the duo so these last few days of doing so, and experiencing the chaotic world of dreams were a treat…well mostly.

***

The next day…

Ray awoke at ten o’clock - or rather was awoken at said time by Ralf’s intervention. The duo switched places and Ralf got ready for the day ahead. After a scrumptious breakfast, the duo checked out of the hotel and headed for Lisford’s easternmost train station.

The station was under the control of the Hunter Academy. The staff there moved to verify the duo’s identity upon their arrival. The process was smooth, the duo wasn’t exactly a dime a dozen after all.

Everything checked out and the duo was given clearance. Then, they were directed to a motionless sleek white train which called forth images of a certain ‘bullet train’. Eyes moving down its lengthy form, Ralf wondered if it could match up, speed-wise.

Ralf entered a carriage through the open entranceway. While the exterior matched the luxury train, the insides certainly didn’t, at least not in Ralf’s current carriage. Instead of the plane-like rows of seats, long bench-like seats stretched from end to end on both sides, only interrupted by the entranceway on either side of the train carriage. Ralf couldn’t complain though; it was simple but comfy, also spotless.

Ralf chose a spot to sit. The carriage was empty, something that didn’t surprise him in the slightest. He had heard that this train - and others like it - were mostly used to transport goods. They transported new students as well, but most new students had already arrived by now, having settled into the Academy days ago.

Ralf took a seat and passed the time with Ray in his ‘ears’. Five minutes later, the announcements came, and a minute after that, the white snake finally slithered into motion.

It was rather slow, though, this was something that the duo came to appreciate as they took in the sights from the window.

Most of the scenery consisted of grassy plains, hilly mounds and forestry but every so often, the duo was treated to something interesting to look at. Giant towers, small towns, a maze, a formation of planes flying over ahead, a brief journey through the underground tunnels, several other tracks and roads designated for travel, and large and extravagant statues; Ralf captured these sights from his window.

He had his fill pretty quickly though. It was neat but nothing he hadn’t seen in the Mental Space. He sat back down, returning his attention to the inside of the carriage as he waited for the train to arrive at the Hunter Academy.

Technically, the things he had spotted were also part of the Hunter Academy. Still, this wasn’t the ‘real’ Academy. Despite the space, ninety percent of the Hunter Academy’s constructs were located in a five-kilometre diameter circle at the centre of the region, with around thirty percent of those being underground. The constructs the duo had spotted thus far made up the remaining ten percent, most of which were used for various training purposes.

The ‘inner circle’ of the Academy was where it was supposedly at. Having heard this, Ralf chose to shut his eyes and let his anticipation build up in the meantime.

But…

‘Hmm?’

As he was about to summon his Psi Controller, his Psi Sense went off. Focusing on it, he took in another’s action. ‘Not bad,’ he thought in praise. The distant other was manipulating a dozen tiny Psi spheres at high speed in a small space, all without a single collision. ‘Must be bored though…hmm, should I pay them a visit?’

Ralf was already in motion before he knew it.

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[[Ralf?]] Ray questioned as he watched Ralf break into stride.

[[Going to make a friend.]]

[[Hmm, want to make a hundred or something?]]

[[I’m not that greedy, ten will do - no, even five will do. Well, let's have a look.]]

Ralf had to pass through two empty train carriages before he finally set his eyes on the person his Psi Sense had picked up.

The pale skin youth wore a blank face as he played with his Psi. He had jet black hair and eyes. From this description alone, one might believe he’d have eastern origins but taking in the rest of his features, one would know that this was not the case.

Black seemed to be the youth’s favourite colour, at least, that was what the colour’s prevalence on the young man’s person suggested. Just as his hair and eyes were, his attire was black as well - save for the red scarf that hung from his neck.

Ralf was given a moment’s pause upon taking in the youth. He couldn’t help but squint. He had told Nikolas that he found registering others hard, but this was even beyond that. The youth, who appeared to be around the same age as his physical body was no different from a shadow. Just sitting as he was, he felt nigh ephemeral.

Taking a breath, Ralf readjusted his personal scouter to better capture the youth and parted his lips.

“Hey there stranger, care for company?”

Lane’s gaze remained fixed on his orbs as he responded. “I don’t mind.”

Ralf smiled and approached. “This place sure is packed, hardly any seats, I expected more from the Hunter Academy,” he shook his head as though truly disappointed.

At the words, Lane’s eyes couldn’t help but shift away from the orbs to his surroundings. His brows crinkled slightly at finding nothing and no one.

Ralf noted his expression and seemed to be struck by a realisation. “Oh, I guess normal people can’t see them.”

Lane’s face faltered again, something that Ralf began taking amusement in. He continued. “Truth is, I’m a Unique who can see ghosts. Currently, this train is filled with them. The seat next to you is the only one free,” Ralf said, then proceeded to seat himself beside the young man.

The former assassin raised a brow. That brow would climb another millimetre as he watched as Ralf released his Rank 3 Telekinetic aura while flashing a cheeky smile.

Lane’s expression faltered again, but a second later, it returned to the mask it was before.

His mind rebalanced itself as he finally understood what type of person he was dealing with, the mischievous kind.

“I see, so you have multiple powers then.”

“Yep, but don’t tell anyone.”

“Will do,” Lane replied dryly as he returned his attention to his fast-travelling orbs.

The Rank 3 Telekinetic smiled before moving to introduce himself. “Good, since we’re close enough to share secrets, an introduction is in store. The name’s Ralf…Ralf Fawkes, nice to meet you.”

Lane didn’t react to the infamous surname and instead nonchalantly introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you Ralf, my name is Lane.”

“Just Lane?”

“Yes, just Lane,” the former assassin said without any emphasis.

“I see, not a bad name. So, Lane, I take it you’re a new student as well.”

‘As well?’ Lane’s eyes flickered. “I am but you…you’re not just an Assistant?” he followed up.

Ralf didn’t take any offence to the question. It wasn’t an official rule but Rank 4 was considered the minimum requirement to enter the Academy. Accepting Rank 3s was extremely rare in the Hunter Academy’s long history and was usually only done due to them being part of some powerful faction or interest group. He understood why the other would misunderstand.

Ralf shook his head. “Nope, I’m a student and not just any ordinary one. I came under special circumstances…but enough about me, how about you? ” asking, Ralf looked over Lane’s person and immediate surroundings. “You’re really travelling light, did you not bring anything?”

Ralf was travelling light himself, having only brought a suitcase with several of his iconic outfits and a few essentials. Lane went seemingly further beyond, possessing nothing at all.

At the question, Lane lightly shook his head and corrected the misunderstanding. “All my stuff is already at the Academy. I arrived ten days ago and have already settled in with all the essentials. My current trip is a return trip. I was tasked with delivering something to Lisford yesterday and did so. Now, I’m riding this train back.”

Ralf fell into silence at the explanation. ‘Why would they send a student to deliver something for them though? He must have some special circumstances of his own, most likely.’

Filing these thoughts away for later, Ralf continued. “I see, makes sense. So, you’re already acquainted with the Academy then?”

“Very much.”

“Excellent, how about giving me a tour, heard the place is massive. What do you say, friend?”

“...Friend?” Lane repeated after a few seconds delay. He slowly turned his head Ralf’s way and asked with a slight head tilt, betraying his incredulity. “We’re friends?”

Ralf mirrored the former assassin’s head tilt and returned Lane’s question with a question. “We aren’t?”

Lane was given pause again. Finding looking at Ralf’s eyes suddenly uncomfortable, he turned away and returned his gaze to his orbs. “I don’t know, I’ve never had friends…what they are, when or how they form…are all lost on me.”

“Never? Not even one?” Ralf followed up, his voice becoming more serious.

“Never.”

Lane’s voice and expression radiated nothing resembling emotions as he uttered his response…at least, this is what the vast majority would conclude upon taking them in. However, Ralf came to a different conclusion. His sharp senses - no intuition picked up longing and desire from the other. It was minute, very minute, barely an iota’s worth, but this was more than enough for Ralf to act.

He got up. “That’s no good,” he said with a shake of the head before taking three steps forward and turning on his heel. “Today that changes. Lane,” he stuck his hand out and proposed, “let’s be friends. What do you say?”

The doll-like assassin remained silent. His eyes shifted from Ralf’s gloved hand to the other’s radiant smile. Taking it in, he felt his world shift off its axis. A second later, his world went dark; the train had taken another dip beneath the ground to avoid an artificial lake. In that several-second interlude., Lane confronted an unknown deeper than darkness itself, his emotions. He sat with them for a bit before finally making a stand.

When light visited the compartment again, Lane stood before Ralf; the pair’s hands already clasped tightly.

With it, a new friendship had come into existence.

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