Chapter 28: Journey to the University

The day the advanced version of AVI would find Zero was only a matter of time. Its algorithms were capable of analyzing anyone who disappeared or appeared, and though Zero was able to hide his aura, he wasn't planning on hiding.

It had been a few days since his return home.

Zero had spent most of his time since his return helping his mother perfect her sword techniques. His knowledge of these techniques was unique - no one but Zero could understand them so thoroughly, after all, he was the one who had once created the technique. A slight smile played on Zero's face. He enjoyed watching his mother practicing with the sword. This purple sword had fallen into the right hands, and it brought him joy. Before, when he couldn't work with neons, Zero wasn't 100% sure of the origin of this unique artifact. But now he knew for sure: this sword was created by one of the ancient civilizations that had long ago disappeared from this world.

The sword's specialty was its ability to absorb unstable neons and use them to enhance the wielder's strength and speed. Therefore, Zero decided to give his mother a "small" gift. He endowed the sword with a piece of his power - as small as the sword's structure allowed. However, even this tiny bit of energy was so powerful that it had to be sealed. Even most S rank phantoms would not be able to withstand such power if it were to manifest fully. Now, this energy would only be revealed partially, helping mother in critical situations.

- Hmm, this sword is a real boon, - Zero thought, smiling. He remembered the EPI (energy signature of beings) that created this artifact. The ancient civilization that had conducted a secret mission on the planet FX12 had left it as a legacy. This fact confirmed that those beings were very powerful.

- The main feature of this sword is speed, - Zero explained to his mother during training, "The violet lightning bolts coming from it during the use of heavy deadly techniques give great speed and destructive power.

He detailed the intricacies of her sword work, pointing out her mistakes and suggesting ways to improve. Her mother listened intently, occasionally quibbling over details.

- By the way, tomorrow I'm going to visit one of the best universities on the planet, Empire University, - Zero added unexpectedly, - It's where the strongest phantoms study, I need that to become a phantom.

The mother stopped, lowered her sword and looked at him. Her face became serious for a moment:

- Okay, be careful out there.

Then she laughed, shaking her head:

- I'm sorry, sometimes I forget your true strength.

Zero answered her with a warm smile. He was glad to spend these days with his mother, helping her become stronger. Deep down he knew their peace wouldn't last long, but right now he was savoring these moments of simple but important happiness.

For the past ten years, the SON organization had taken an occasional interest in Alina's son.

From their point of view, Zero could have been a promising phantom, for his mother's genetics and physical abilities spoke for themselves. However, when SON agents inquired about it, Alina replied that her son did not possess neon. At the time, this was indeed true. Zero did not show any signs of abilities typical of phantoms. Therefore, SON considered him to be an ordinary person. This explanation satisfied the organization, and they limited themselves to occasional questions, more out of politeness than real interest. Zero did not go to school, did not participate in official training, and did not appear at any social events. His lifestyle was extremely closed off and different from most teenagers in the city. To those who did show interest, Zero seemed like a kid who had had a traumatic experience outside of the city and now sought solitude. He was described as a boy who always stayed at home, avoiding social contact.

This behavior formed a certain image in society - Zero was considered quiet and perhaps even strange. He remained a mystery to SON, but due to the lack of obvious displays of power or ability, the organization gradually lost interest in him. In their eyes, he was just a child growing up in the shadow of a stronger mother. This state of affairs satisfied Zero. He realized that this image gave him freedom and time to develop while hiding his true potential. It was the perfect cover for him, allowing him to avoid unnecessary attention. Who would have thought that behind the image of 'the boy who likes to stay at home' was the one who was the most powerful being in the universe ?

The next morning, Zero woke up early to have time for breakfast before his step of becoming a phantom.

He decided it was time to leave his familiar surroundings and travel to the United States - to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Empire. For the trip, he booked a private business class plane. Settling into the comfortable seat, Zero smiled slightly:

- A business class airplane, just for me ... That's cool, - he muttered to himself.

Although Zero's analysis and predictions had earned his mother a considerable amount of money, he was not a luxury lover. Zero took only the necessary amount of money with him, avoiding excessive extravagance. He was not interested in riches. As soon as the plane landed, Zero stepped onto the landing strip and headed toward the university building.

Its monumental architecture was striking even from a distance. The five tall pillars around its perimeter emitted a powerful energy, creating a complex barrier around the grounds that was hard to see even by an S-rank. It was as if they were reminding anyone who looked at them that this facility was only for the best. In the middle of the compound levitated a huge pyramid-shaped building. Its facets were covered with mirrored panels that glistened under the bright sun. Everything around it looked modern, technological and formidable at the same time.

- I like it already, - Zero muttered as he looked around the majestic structure, - Too bad I won't be here for long...

He strode confidently toward the entrance. He was greeted at the gate by high-tech security measures. The S-rank guards stood as if carved from rock, focused and unwavering. Autonomous drones circled above them, and invisible lasers that could only be recognized by a slight flicker at an angle to the sun ran along the entire area. The scanners scanned anyone who approached the area, analyzing even the slightest suspicious detail. Zero walked over to a small screen that projected a virtual assistant set up at the main entrance. It was part of the university's automated system. A female figure appeared on the screen:

- Hello, you are being greeted by the university system ! How may I help you ?

- Hello. I would like to enter the university to meet with the director or others with high authority, - Zero said quietly.

The system was silent for a moment, processing the request, and then responded:

- For what purpose ?

- I want to go to university, - he stated.

After a few seconds pause, the voice replied:

- Oh, looks like you're at least a month late. Tuition has already started. If you have any questions or problems with joining, please fill out the appropriate form.

Zero sighed, but only to hide a barely perceptible smile. He knew in advance that this wasn't going to be easy. After all, the academic year at such a prestigious university starts well before October, and applications are accepted a year in advance.

- I knew it wouldn't be that easy, - he whispered to himself.

Zero wasn't going to stop, however. He turned to the university, smiling :

- Then we'll get the director on our own ...

[Dictionary Zero]

The Empire University is the most prestigious Phantom school, where all students undergo intensive training and reach a minimum of A/S rank. Here they train elite fighters capable of mastering complex neon techniques, developing physical and mental abilities and mastering strategies and battle tactics. Graduates of the university become some of the strongest warriors on the planet, ready to defend the world from any threat.