Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 66: Urban Hunting License (1)

Aren just barely managed to get back into the Lightning Department’s waiting tier before he was assaulted.

"You did it!"

Professor Sterling basically launched herself at him, nearly tripping on her own coat before grabbing Aren by the shoulders and shaking him violently.

"You did it, you golden goose!" she squealed. "We’re rich! We’re actually rich!"

Aren blinked, still slightly winded.

"...We won a school event."

"Yes!" she yelled. "And do you know what that means?!"

Without waiting for an answer, she spun dramatically and pointed at the wall screen where the final results were still displayed.

"Funding reallocation!"

She turned back to him, eyes sparkling with unhinged joy.

"I can finally request upgraded training equipment! And do you know how long I’ve been eating cafeteria mystery meat and instant noodles?"

"Too long! Way too long!" Sterling added, grabbing Aren’s hands like he had just saved her life.

"Steak. Lobster. Anything you want, Aren! Let this professor treat you to something nice!"

"Ahem."

Another voice cut through the chaos from the back of the waiting tier.

Senior Daniel stepped forward from where he’d been leaning against the wall, arms folded, but amusement plastered all over his face.

"Professor," he said evenly, "did you forget something?"

Sterling froze mid-celebration.

"...Forget what?"

Daniel’s gaze shifted to Aren.

"The Urban Bounty Hunting Committee."

Professor Diana’s jaw dropped once before she muttered.

"Oh...my bad."

Aren frowned slightly.

"The what?"

Daniel pushed off the wall and approached, now dressed in far more casual clothes than the sharp outfit he had worn during club recruitment day.

"The professor asked me to take you to get your Urban Hunting License," he nodded. "But someone clearly forgot the schedule today."

Sterling coughed loudly.

"In my defense," she muttered, "Ice hasn’t lost in five years."

Daniel ignored her.

"Well, I was a bit hesitant that you might not pass the qualifications," he continued, nodding toward the replay still looping on screen.

"But it seems like you were a Practitioner-Grade Mystic all along?"

"Ah yeah," Aren scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "It just kind of happened."

Daniel’s gaze lowered briefly. To the faint metallic band around Aren’s wrist before his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Or," Daniel said mildly, placing his face uncomfortably close to Aren’s, "are you even higher?"

Daniel tilted his head, still looking at the device.

"Line 4, perhaps?"

Aren straightened immediately.

"No no," he replied a little too quickly. "Line 3. For real."

Daniel held his gaze for a brief second longer before grinning.

"Just messing with you," he said lightly, already walking toward the exit. "Come on."

Aren blinked.

"...That’s it?"

"We’re already behind schedule."

Daniel adjusted the strap on his shoulder casually. "The Urban Bounty Hunting Committee closes early."

Aren hesitated. "What about the aftermath of the Orientation Exchange?"

The stadium was still roaring outside. There must be tons of processes and events that he’d need to go to.

Daniel didn’t even slow down.

"Get Professor Sterling to handle it."

Aren frowned slightly as he followed.

"...Is that really okay?"

Daniel stopped just long enough to glance at him. There was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

"She’s more capable than you think."

Behind them, Sterling was already arguing loudly with someone over the department funding allocation forms.

Daniel smirked faintly.

"She thrives in chaos."

Aren glanced back once more at the celebration still unfolding in the waiting tier.

"Right..." he exhaled, before following Daniel through the side tier.

***

The afternoon sun washed over the entire college grounds as Daniel walked ahead with confidence.

Aren followed half a step behind.

"You know, you really impressed me today, Junior!" Daniel said without turning around.

"I could tell that you actually want to be a Mystic," he continued. "Not like those other larpers that just want a cushy bodyguard job."

Aren’s eyes widened at the comment.

This Senior...he has the same viewpoint and opinion as me. He really isn’t so simple.

"Yeah," Aren said slowly. "Just trying to get some real experience."

They hadn’t even crossed halfway down the courtyard when a small commotion stirred near the marble fountain ahead.

A group of girls gasped as they ran over.

"Daniel-senior!"

In one smooth motion, he turned and gave them an easy smile, already pulling out his black ink pen.

"Afternoon," he said easily. "What can I do for you?"

On second thought, maybe he is simple after all.

"Are you really leading the Urban Hunting Club this semester?!" one of the girls asked.

Daniel accepted the piece of paper another handed to him with ease, already signing his name before responding.

"Well," he replied modestly, "it’s a dangerous club. No one else wanted the responsibility."

They giggled. One of them noticed Aren standing slightly behind him.

"Wait—aren’t you the freshman champion? Aren Cross?" All three pairs of eyes snapped toward him.

"Uhm—hi?"

A rush of comments flew his way immediately.

"You beat the Ice Department!"

"That midair steal was insane!"

"You’re joining the Urban Hunting Club too, right?!"

Daniel capped the pen and handed the paper back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"He already did," he said casually. "But let’s keep that information between us, okay?"

The girls gasped louder.

"Don’t worry, Senior!"

"Anything for you!"

Aren dragged a hand through his hair at the sight.

Who the hell really is this guy? Girls are literally swarming him like flies!

Then one of the girls suddenly clasped her hands together excitedly.

"Oh! Are you guys going to the concert later?"

Daniel blinked.

"...Concert?"

"Miu’s concert!" she repeated breathlessly. "She’s performing in Imperial City tonight!"

Another chimed in immediately.

"It’s her first major performance since the Lorianne Festival incident!"

"And she’s debuting a new single!"

One of them pulled on Daniel’s hand while another wrapped around Aren’s.

"You guys have to come!"

Daniel gently but firmly disengaged, raising both hands in mock surrender.

"Girls, girls, Aren and I are a bit busy right now," he said calmly. "We’re going to the Urban Bounty Hunting Committee to get Aren his license."

One of them froze.

"Oh! We didn’t know... sorry..."

That was when Daniel’s confident smile flashed again.

"Don’t worry about it," he said smoothly. "Just save me a ticket, alright?"

"Will do!" one of them said as they walked off. "See you later!"

Silence settled between them after the girls left. For a brief moment, Daniel’s smile dropped as he sighed.

He rolled his shoulders once, posture straightening again before he slipped his hand back into his pockets.

Aren caught the change in expression immediately but decided not to comment on it. But just as quickly, it disappeared. Daniel glanced sideways at Aren with the same smirk.

"Let’s get going, shall we?"