NOVEL NEXT Chapter 194: The Creator
The living room hung in silence after Aileen's words. Not the soft, forgettable kind of silence that drifts through casual conversation, but the kind that pressed down, thick and resonant, filling every corner of the space like a tangible weight. It wasn't empty.. it was heavy. Charged. Almost vibrating with disbelief, as though each of them needed a moment to recalibrate what they'd just heard.
Jayden blinked slowly, his mind trying to lock the words into place. The quiet thrum of the refrigerator in the kitchen was suddenly louder, the tick of the wall clock distinct, as though the world itself had leaned in to listen. Cassandra's lips parted slightly, caught somewhere between awe and curiosity, her posture tipping forward on instinct as if closer proximity might help her process what Aileen had just revealed.
It was Jessica who broke the silence, leaning forward with a wide-eyed expression that glittered between wonder and amusement. Her voice was airy, almost a whisper, but it carried like the first spark in a dark cave.
"Wow," she breathed, her grin blooming into something wide and bright. "That's awesome, Aileen."
Cassandra chuckled in disbelief, shaking her head with a smirk that was equal parts playful and impressed. "An eleventh grader taking part in the tournament. Okay, that is kinda cool," she admitted, her tone laced with that hint of admiration she rarely allowed to show.
Aileen shifted in her seat, her smile shy but carrying a quiet, unwavering fire in her eyes. "Thanks," she said softly. "But it was actually Tasha who talked me into it. She reminded me that someone from your class did the same thing last year."
Jessica's eyes lit up instantly, recognition snapping in place like a puzzle piece. "Oh, that's right! Megan. She entered the global tournament last year."
"And she got picked by one of the scouts," Tasha added smoothly, stepping in almost like a stage director drawing focus. Her hand swept toward Aileen in a subtle but proud gesture, guiding her toward the armchair in the corner as though presenting a prize protégé. "So who knows? Aileen could get picked as well. I've seen what she can do... and I'll admit it—she's awesome."
The confidence in Tasha's words left no room for argument, her tone calm but absolute.
Aileen laughed lightly, the sound laced with humility as she brushed off the praise with a shake of her head. "Well, I wouldn't say awesome. But I do have confidence in my abilities." She lowered herself into the single armrest chair with an easy grace, crossing her legs neatly, the lines of her posture composed but relaxed.
As she settled, her gaze lifted, finding Jayden across the room. For a moment, their eyes locked—just a flicker, subtle but undeniable. Her lips curved into a small, polite smile as she gave a quick wave.
Jayden returned it with a soft smile, his tone casual yet warm. "Hey," he muttered, his voice low but carrying the kind of weight that drew just enough attention.
The moment broke when Cassandra leaned forward, curiosity glowing sharp in her eyes. "Is your ability an elemental type?" she asked, the hunger for information bleeding into her tone.
Aileen tilted her head, the corner of her lips twitching into a knowing, secretive smile. "Something like that," she replied, her answer deliberately vague, teasing just enough mystery to hold them in suspense.
Cassandra's mouth opened again, ready to press, but Aileen's pivot was seamless. She straightened slightly, her tone sliding effortlessly into a new subject. "So, what's the plan for our training?" she asked, darting her eyes between them.
"Well..." Tasha resumed her seat beside Jayden, folding her hands on her lap with the composure of a natural leader, someone who thrived when things needed structure. "Before you arrived, we were discussing martial arts training and choosing a weapon of focus."
Aileen's face brightened instantly, interest sparking. "Oh, that sounds good. Abilities alone won't always cut it. Better to stack the deck with other skills," she chuckled, clearly approving of the strategy.
"Exactly." Tasha's eyes glimmered, clearly pleased with the alignment of their mindsets. "Cassie and Jayden are already covering martial arts... they've agreed to train us. And they both already have weapon mastery. But Jessica and I still have ways to go." She exhaled softly, a breath that was half a sigh and half a smile. "I'll be taking up the sword. Cassie offered to help me. But Jessica hasn't decided yet... she's torn between learning how to use a gun or a war-fan."
She said the last part in a playful, teasing tone.
Jessica scoffed, crossing her arms with mock menace, her lips curling into a smirk that was equal parts playful and threatening. "If I end up learning a gun, I promise you're gonna be my first victim," she said darkly, but her tone made it more of a game than a threat.
Tasha's laughter rang out, light and clear, like the delicate chime of bells. "I'll be looking forward to it," she teased, shaking her head. Then her attention shifted toward Aileen, curiosity sharpening. "What about you? Which weapon do you want to learn?"
Aileen leaned back against the chair, her body language calm but radiating confidence. "Honestly? I don't really need to learn a weapon. I'm fine as I am. But..." her gaze slid sideways toward Jessica, her smile edged with playful challenge. "...I could teach you how to handle a gun. Or a war-fan, if you want."
The room froze again. This silence was different, more like a stunned pause, as if everyone needed a heartbeat to process what they'd just heard.
Jessica blinked, her mouth falling open. "Wait. You know how to use both a gun and a war-fan?" she asked, her voice rising in disbelief.
Aileen nodded casually, like it was nothing worth bragging about. "Yeah. And a few other weapons."
Jayden, whose composure was usually solid as stone, leaned forward slightly, curiosity tugging at the corners of his face. Aileen was far more interesting than she looked.
Cassandra let out a low whistle, eyebrows arching. "Wow. That's... really impressive."
Aileen shrugged, her smile modest, her shoulders lifting slightly as though embarrassed by her own capabilities. "Thanks. I've been training with different weapons since I was a kid. It's become... more of a habit, really." She laughed softly, almost self-deprecating, as if brushing aside the enormity of her own words.
For once, even Tasha looked floored. Her brows lifted, her expression openly incredulous. "How do you even have time for that? With all the coding you do daily?"
Jessica's head snapped between them, her expression snapping from shock to curiosity in a flash. "Coding? Like... programming?" she asked quickly, eyes widening in a quick realization. "Are you saying she's a programmer? Like a game developer?"
Tasha's chuckle came with the weight of revelation, her words dropping like thunder. "Not just any game developer. She's the one who developed EverRealm."
The words hit like an explosion.
Jessica, Cassandra, and even Jayden's jaws collectively dropped, the disbelief washing over the room like a tidal wave.
Cassandra's voice was the first to crack through, breathless and reverent, like she'd just spotted a celebrity standing in front of her. "Is... is that true?"
Aileen's smile turned nervous, almost sheepish now. Her shoulders hunched the tiniest bit as though she wished she could shrink from the spotlight. But she didn't deny it. Her voice was soft, but steady.
"Yeah. It's true," she admitted quietly. "I created EverRealm."