Re-Awakened :I Ascend as an SSS-Ranked Dragon Summoner-Chapter 131: Expectations

Master Anng stepped forward, his usual composed expression giving nothing away. His gaze swept over the students, lingering briefly on a few before he clasped his hands behind his back.

"You’ve all given me a lot to think about today," he said, his deep voice carrying easily across the dojo. "I can see that you’ve been practicing—not just practicing, but pushing yourselves. That much is evident."

A ripple of anticipation spread through the room. Some students sat up straighter, others held their breath, waiting for the final verdict.

"Because of that," Master Anng continued, "you’ve made my job much harder than I expected." He allowed a small smirk to show. "Picking only three of you will not be easy."

The room tensed. This was it. He was about to name them.

"But," he said, dashing their hopes in an instant, "you’ll find out in due time."

A collective groan of disappointment filled the dojo. Some students slumped, others shot frustrated glances at one another.

"Now, now," Master Anng chuckled. "Patience is a virtue. Dismissed."

With that, he turned and strode off, leaving behind a dojo full of grumbling, restless students who had really hoped for answers today.

Noah walked alongside Raven, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows as they left the dojo. Now back in their standard school uniforms—black blazers and red pants—they blended seamlessly into the sea of students moving through the academy’s sprawling grounds.

Raven, as always, was in full fanboy mode.

"Boss! You’ve been holding out on me!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with exaggerated admiration. "Seriously, that was insane. You didn’t even teach me any of that! What gives?"

Noah clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

’This guy…’

Of all people, Raven should be the last person acting like this. He had dazzled Master Anng straight up, pulled off something no one else had even thought of doing, and yet here he was, licking Noah’s boots like he hadn’t just put on a masterclass of chi control.

He kept his thoughts to himself. He understood Raven well enough. This was just how he operated—sucking up, playing the loyal underling. It had always been like that between them, ever since that encounter between them.

Noah exhaled. "I did the same as you," he said casually. "Practiced."

Raven gave him a disbelieving look. "Yeah, right."

A beat of silence passed before Raven asked, "So… you think we have a shot? At being selected?"

Noah shrugged. "No idea. Master Anng will pick whoever he thinks is best suited to represent the school." He glanced at Raven. "More importantly, self-improvement should be the main goal. Winning or competing in a tournament is meaningless if the Harbingers decides today’s the day they wipe out the planet."

Raven’s enthusiasm dimmed instantly. His usual animated expression turned somber as they continued walking.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, as expected, Raven bounced back. "Okay, okay, but what do you really think is gonna happen this year? With the feud and all? You know, our number one—Lucas Grey—versus school 8’s top dog, Jayden Smoak?"

Noah kept his expression unreadable. "No clue. Could be anything. Hell, they might not even meet. People are so caught up in the rivalry between those two, they forget there are twelve schools in the Eastern Sector. Who’s to say some dark horse from one of the other ten doesn’t rise up and take them both out?"

He said it with indifference, but the truth was… he was involved. More than Raven or anyone else in their class even realized.

He was the only year one who had been part of the recent raid on school 8. While the others speculated and placed bets, he had already crossed enemy lines.

Whether he liked it or not, he was a target now.

And that was exactly why he needed to see Lucas today.

There was a certain conversation… it had been delayed long enough. It was time for an answer.

As they walked further, the crowd of students gradually thinned, and soon enough, their paths diverged.

"Alright, boss, catch you later," Raven said, waving lazily as he veered off toward the dorms.

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Noah gave him a nod and kept moving.

Normally, this was the time he’d be meeting up with Sophie for lunch.

But she wasn’t in school today.

’Perks of being a high-ranking official’s kid, I guess.’

That left him with two options.

He could head to his void domain and start practicing. After seeing today’s demonstrations, he had no doubt that if he didn’t push himself harder, he’d be left behind. Chi mastery was evolving faster than he’d expected, and that was something he couldn’t afford to ignore.

Or…

He could just get this over with.

He exhaled sharply.

Yeah. Lucas it was.

Noah adjusted his blazer, hands in his pockets, and turned in the direction of the senior training hall.

And then—just his luck—he ran into the one person he was hoping to avoid.

Miss Brooks. His homeroom teacher.

’Fantastic.’

His steps slowed instinctively. Of all times… of all days, why did it have to be her now?

Not that he wasn’t thrilled to see her. Or that he hated her.

It was just… ever since the announcement of the interschool competition, she had been giving him that look. The kind that wasn’t exactly subtle.

Expectation.

Miss Brooks wanted him to be selected.

She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. And why would she? She was always saying that her class—1B—weren’t losers, even if they were always considered second best.

Noah sighed.

As they neared each other, he greeted her. "Miss Brooks."

She stopped, folding her arms across her chest.

Then, with that sharp, assessing gaze, she called his name.

"Eclipse."

Miss Brooks exhaled, her sharp eyes scanning him before she spoke.

"I was just leaving the senior blocks," she said casually. Then her gaze flicked to him, and her head tilted slightly. "And what exactly are you heading there for?"

She didn’t even wait for an answer.

"Let me guess. Reports have been floating around that you’ve been hanging out with Lucas." A smirk tugged at her lips. "Good. Greatness should associate with greatness."

Noah said nothing, but his jaw tightened slightly. She wasn’t exactly wrong.

Miss Brooks stepped closer, her tone shifting slightly—firm, but laced with something almost… indulgent. "Are you aware that the selection exercises for the tournament have begun?"

"Yes."

"And I expect you’ll be putting in your all, yes?"

Noah nodded.

Then, after a pause, he asked, "Aren’t there better candidates?" He wasn’t gloating. He wasn’t getting ahead of himself. But she had been far too focused on him lately. "I stand to be corrected, but… it feels like you especially want me to be picked." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why? There’s nothing special about me. I’m a first-gen with a lame ability."

Miss Brooks’ smirk deepened.

Then she stepped into his space. Close enough that he caught the faint scent of something floral—expensive, refined. Close enough that he was forced to look up slightly, because the woman was tall.

And not just tall.

She was beautiful in a way that made gods look like maids. Strong, statuesque, curves in all the right places, a presence that was both commanding and dangerously sweet.

She looked him straight in the eye.

"What do you think of me, Eclipse?" Her voice was a low purr, laced with a dangerous edge. "Am I… say… a fool?"

Noah didn’t hesitate. "No," he said. "I don’t think so. Someone who got to your level through the military, survived multiple missions, and served with distinction? Definitely not a fool."

Her smirk turned into a knowing grin.

"Accurate assessment, Eclipse."

Then her eyes gleamed. "I don’t care if your ability is whistling or not." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just a touch. "Now answer the question. When you get selected and represent my class… what’s special about you?"

Miss Brooks didn’t say another word.

She just turned on her heel and walked away, her confident stride carrying her toward the faculty building. No glance back, no parting remark—just the subtle command of someone who had already decided the conversation was over.

Noah stared after her.

He’d grown past looking at her ass—long gone were the days where he was just another dumb kid ogling his hot teacher. Now, it was just something to acknowledge, say damn, and move on.

But it wasn’t that that unsettled him.

It was the way she made him feel.

Like she could read his thoughts. Like she knew his darkest secrets.

’People like her are scary.’

Because they knew what you knew.

But you had no idea what they knew.