NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55 - Mt. Cook City
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Academy grounds as Nick made his way back from the cafeteria, where he'd grabbed a quick bite after leaving Professor Kuro's lab. The strange black null ring felt foreign on his middle finger. He'd been unusually hungry when he left the lab and had devoured quite a bit of food in the cafeteria before heading back to his dorm.
[Host, the null ring is functioning perfectly now. Your mana signature now reads at pre-evolution levels] Sophia reported as he entered their suite.
Thanks Sophia. Let's track that and make sure it stays consistent.
The common area was quieter than usual. Jordan sat at their table surrounded by holographic displays showing Guardian formation patterns, while Maggie's usual technomantic workspace sat empty—she was still at the lab working on her research into the surveillance network.
"How'd it go with Val and Marcus?" Jordan asked, looking up from his interface.
"Good. I think. They basically told me to watch my back." Nick took a seat across from Jordan at the table, his head falling back as he thought through the interaction with Marcus and Val. Marcus had known about the ERROR and he'd known about Sophia. The realization hit him like a bolt. Jolting upright, he looked at Jordan intensely.
Jordan, taken aback by Nick's sudden reaction, sat back in his seat at the intensity in Nick's eyes.
"Did you and Maggie know that Sophia was sentient?" Nick asked abruptly. He hadn't directly shared this with them, but figured they'd guessed with Sophia's increasingly intelligent behavior.
Jordan just looked at him like he'd said something obvious. "Of course we knew she was sentient. With the way she communicates with Maggie and my systems, it would be hard not to notice."
"Oh wow." Nick sank back in his chair, processing those words.
"I mean, I figured you both would know since she interacts with you the most." He let out a half sigh. "Do you think anyone else knows?"
Jordan looked at him, confused. "I don't know. Why don't you just ask Sophia yourself?"
I should have just done that, Nick thought to himself, about to do just that when Jordan interrupted him.
"Is that what you talked to Marcus and Val about?" Jordan asked, clearly curious about Nick's odd behavior.
"Yeah, a bit," Nick said, his head falling back against the chair. "I showed them my new abilities, and they spotted some changes they didn't want other students or professors to see. Marcus sent Sophia some protocols that should keep us protected while whatever they think is happening here blows over. That's when he told me he knew about Sophia's sentience."
Jordan listened for a moment, then his eyes sharpened. "Did they tell you what was going on here? About the Omega Archives and what we found?"
"No," Nick said, closing his eyes. "They just told me we should watch our backs. But on the upside, Sophia can contact both of them if we're in any danger, so that's something."
"Hmm. So we'll need to take even more precautions than before. I'll talk to Maggie about being extra cautious with the data we're gathering."
"Yeah, that'll be important. Though I doubt she'll listen to you," Nick said with a smile.
Jordan grunted. They both knew the words would go in one ear and out the other. Maggie would do whatever the hell Maggie wanted to do.
Sitting up, Nick looked back at his hand and the black ring there.
"They had me see Professor Kuro, who gave me this." He held up his hand to show the plain black ring. "It's supposed to mask my mana signature so the other professors don't get suspicious."
Jordan's eyebrows rose. "That's smart and should hopefully help you keep your head down for a while, at least."
Nick went to his room and grabbed his tablet and Arcadian Myths and Mythos textbook. But before he left his room, he wanted to make sure he asked Sophia about who else knew she was sentient.
Sophia, does anyone else know that you're sentient?
[Host need not worry. Director Eidolon, Host's grandparents, Val, Maggie, and Jordan are the only persons that know of my changed status.]
I guess that's good. Wait, my Abuelos?
[Yes. When it happened, it triggered an alert to their systems so they became aware of me and I have been in communication with them about Host's wellbeing]
That is a huge violation of my privacy... But I guess it's probably why they haven't called yet. They already know how I'm doing.
[Host, that is partially correct. They also wish not to restrain you and would prefer it to be your idea to connect with them.]
Understood. I'll call them tomorrow.
[I will make a reminder note should you forget.]
Thanks, Sophia.
Coming back out, he spread his study materials across the table from Jordan. They had a midterm the following week on dimensional theory. Nick found himself drawn to passages about ancient civilizations that had fallen to dimensional breaches, wondering if they were living through the prelude to another such catastrophe.
After a couple hours of reviewing Veil stability patterns, Jordan closed his books with decisive finality.
"You know what? I think we both need a break from this," he said, gesturing at the academic materials scattered around them. "Some of the other students mentioned there's a town below the Academy. Campus shuttle runs every ten minutes. Want to check it out? Might do us both good to get off campus for a while."
Nick lifted his gaze from dimensional cascade diagrams, catching Jordan's tired eyes. His friend's jaw clenched like he was biting back another worry. The dim light of the interface panels only deepened the hollows beneath his eyes. Nick felt a tug in his chest—Jordan wasn't the only one who'd been swallowing his concerns. They both needed a break.
"That sounds perfect," Nick said. "Let me message Maggie."
He pulled up his interface: [To: M. Chen - Jordan and I are heading to town. Want to come?]
The response came back quickly: [From: M. Chen - Can't leave the lab. Found something big about Eli Carter and his team's research. This surveillance network is more complex than we thought. Go without me but stay alert.]
"Looks like she found something interesting," Nick said, showing Jordan the message.
Jordan frowned. "The Storm Weavers? That's concerning. I'd be curious to see what she digs up about them."
Twenty minutes later, they walked through the Academy's transportation hub, following signs toward the public shuttle terminal. The facility was smaller than the main Academy transport systems but impressively engineered, with platforms extending from the mountain face to accommodate sleek shuttles that looked more like advanced metro cars than traditional mountain transportation.
"Last shuttle back is at 2 AM," Jordan noted, checking the departure board. "Plenty of time to explore."
The shuttle arrived with minimal fanfare—a streamlined vehicle that looked like it belonged in a science fiction film. As they settled into surprisingly comfortable seats, Nick noticed the other passengers: a mix of Academy students and civilian workers heading home after their shifts.
"All aboard for Mt. Cook Station," the automated announcement proclaimed. "Travel time: ten minutes. Please remain seated and enjoy the scenic route."
The shuttle pulled away with smooth acceleration, then began its descent through the mountain's interior. Instead of a claustrophobic metal tunnel, the route revealed a road of crystal. Jagged formations glimmered while energy conduits pulsed beneath transparent walkways. Nick pressed his palm to the cold window, feeling his heartbeat echo against the hum of hidden power networks.
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"Look at the size of those installations," Jordan breathed, pressing against the window as they passed a massive chamber filled with defensive barriers and equipment Nick couldn't identify.
Nick's perception picked up subtle emanations of power from systems that extended far beyond the student areas. Research facilities, living quarters, and operational centers suggested the Academy housed far more than just students.
"We really don't see most of what goes on here," Nick murmured, watching levels flash past.
The viewing windows also revealed glimpses of the mountain's natural beauty—underground streams carved into decorative features, preserved crystalline formations, and lighting systems that transformed the entire descent into art.
As they emerged from the mountain's interior, the evening sun painted the landscape in gold and orange that stole Nick's breath. The Academy's spires rose behind them like something from a fantasy novel, while ahead stretched an even more impressive sight.
"Incredible," Jordan said, voicing Nick's exact thoughts.
Mt. Cook City sprawled below them. What had started as a small mountain town had grown into a vibrant city that melded seamlessly with the natural landscape. Terraced buildings rose gracefully down the mountainside, each level connected by elegant bridges. Between them, parks glowed with mana lanterns pulsing with soft light.
The shuttle glided down the final stretch, offering sweeping views of a community buzzing with activity despite the approaching evening. Streets teemed with people, businesses ranged from practical to exotic, and an overall atmosphere of prosperity and purpose spoke to careful planning and serious investment.
"Originally, this city was less than a thousand people," Jordan explained, reading from his interface. "Even before the Academy opened, it drew over 200,000 visitors annually. Now it's home to about 20,000 permanent residents—Academy families, support staff, contractors, researchers. All the comforts of a major city, built for a community living in the shadow of humanity's dimensional defense headquarters."
"Where'd you find all that?" Nick asked, laughing at Jordan's excitement.
Jordan shot him a mock glare, eyes bright. "So what if I like to read up on places before I visit them? Screw you."
"Fair enough. Nerd," Nick teased, unable to keep the grin off his face.
"Hey! You were practically drooling over the mana conductors earlier," Jordan shot back. "Who's the nerd now?"
"Fine, we're both nerds," Nick admitted, breaking into a laugh.
The shuttle station was an architectural marvel that managed to feel both impressively modern and respectful of the mountainous environment. As they stepped off, Nick immediately felt the unique energy of the place.
The air carried sounds of a thriving community—conversations in multiple languages, street musicians weaving in elements he'd never heard before, the general hum of people living interesting lives.
They stepped onto a main thoroughfare that immediately shattered every assumption Nick had about mountain towns. The street stretched wide enough for significant foot traffic, lined with businesses that ranged from the familiar to the bizarre. A coffee shop sat next to a store selling "Dimensional Resonance Detection Equipment." A restaurant advertising "Traditional Māori Cuisine" shared a block with "Certified Veil Stability Consulting."
"This is incredible," Nick said, absorbing the mixture of mundane and extraordinary. "It's like someone took a normal city and supercharged it with mana."
Evening light revealed details that felt both cutting-edge and effortlessly graceful. Buildings rose in elegant tiers, their surfaces sleek and reflective, interlaced with flowing mana conduits that glowed softly like veins of light.
Rooftop gardens spilled greenery down the sides of high-rises, while airy pedestrian walkways arched above bustling streets filled with quiet, self-driving shuttles. Soft mana lanterns floated along main avenues, casting a gentle glow without a single visible lamp post.
Everything seemed designed to breathe—to move people efficiently, welcome community gatherings, and harmonize with the mountain air rather than dominate it.
Most impressive was how normal it all felt despite being anything but ordinary. Children played in parks while their parents discussed topics that would sound like science fiction anywhere else. Teenagers about Nick and Jordan's age hung out in groups, mixing typical adolescent concerns with casual references to dimensional theory and Academy life.
They made their way through streets designed to encourage exploration. Shops displayed inviting window arrangements, restaurants offered outdoor seating that created natural gathering spots, and the overall layout promoted the random encounters that made city life interesting.
The variety of people and how they mixed reminded him a bit of Cartagena. Academy students were easy to spot by their bearing and purposeful movement, even during leisure time. Local families who'd obviously lived here for generations mingled with newcomers still carrying the overwhelmed expression of people adjusting to extraordinary circumstances. Tourists ranged from serious researchers to curiosity seekers drawn by the Academy's mystique.
"Check that out," Nick said, pausing outside a bookstore whose window featured Dimensional Theory for Beginners alongside bestselling novels and local guidebooks. "They're not even trying to hide the Academy connection."
"Why would they?" Jordan shot back with a grin. "The Academy isn't exactly subtle. Better to embrace it than pretend it doesn't exist."
"Good point." Nick nodded with a small laugh.
Following Sophia's directions, they found themselves in what was obviously the student quarter. Buildings here catered specifically to younger residents, with entertainment venues, study spaces, and the general atmosphere of a regular college town.
"There, that's the place I heard about," Jordan said, pointing to a corner building with large windows revealing comfortable interior spaces. "The Grounded Phoenix. It's got gaming, comics, coffee, and food that's supposedly better than what we get back at the Academy."
"Let's go in," Nick replied with a grin, rubbing his hands together like an old cartoon villain.
Walking in, Nick smiled. The first floor featured comfortable seating areas around gaming stations offering everything from classic board games to cutting-edge systems he didn't recognize. The second floor housed tournament setups for serious competitive gaming, while the third floor was dedicated to quieter activities—study spaces, reading areas, and smaller gaming tables.
But what made the space special wasn't the equipment—it was the atmosphere. Students from the Academy mixed freely with local young people, creating a buzz of energy. The kind of environment where serious discussions about dimensional theory could flow seamlessly into debates about comic storylines or gaming strategies.
"Welcome to the Phoenix," said a smiling young woman behind the counter. "First time here?"
"Yeah," Jordan replied. "Academy students looking for somewhere to decompress."
"Perfect place for it," she said. "I'm Emma. Been working here since it opened two years ago. What kind of experience are you looking for?"
"All of the above," Nick said, scanning the various options around them. "This place is incredible."
"Thanks. The owners designed it specifically for the Academy community—students, faculty families, support staff, anyone who needs a break from the intensity up there." Emma gestured toward the mountain. "We get people from all over the dimensional defense community, so there's always interesting conversation."
They ordered coffee that smelled significantly better than anything brewed in the Academy's dining hall, then began exploring. The gaming section featured the usual arcade fare alongside options Nick hadn't seen before—strategy games incorporating dimensional mechanics, simulation systems designed to double as training tools. Rows of bright consoles and retro cabinets hummed alongside sleek virtual setups, blending the comforting chaos of a traditional arcade with cutting-edge Academy tech.
"Look at this," Jordan said, settling at a gaming station that displayed what appeared to be a tactical simulation. "Players control resources across multiple dimensional layers at once. It's like they turned our combat theory classes into a game!"
Nick studied the station, a grin spreading across his face. "That's seriously genius!"
As they wandered the gaming area, they chatted with other students and locals who filled them in on the city's unique culture. The integration between Academy operations and everyday life was more seamless than Nick had originally imagined.
"The city serves multiple purposes," explained a graduate student named Gabe, who was studying applied dimensional engineering at the local university. "It's a buffer zone between the Academy and outside world, a talent pipeline for identifying relevant skills, and a testing ground for technologies that might be needed if dimensional threats become widespread."
They'd stopped at a gaming tournament that had begun to draw a big crowd and struck up a conversation with Gabe, who turned out to be the organizer.
"That explains why these players are so good," Nick observed, as he and Jordan stuck around to watch the end of a particularly intense match. The winner's moves displayed a level of strategy and game sense that went far beyond the usual casual player.
"Most of us grow up around Academy personnel," Gabe continued. "You absorb things by osmosis. Plus, the schools here are different. When your teachers include Academy faculty and your classmates are professors' kids who've been exposed to advanced concepts their whole lives, educational standards get pretty intense."
As the evening progressed, Nick and Jordan played a variety of games, testing their skills against other students in the tournament. Both made it to the quarterfinals before being soundly defeated. Nick had asked Sophia not to assist him, and Jordan had done the same with his system—so they'd played purely on their own abilities. It was a humbling reminder of how high the local skill level was, but also surprisingly fun.
Afterward, they drifted to the arcade area, swapping between intense Academy-style strategy games and more traditional arcade games. By the time hunger finally pulled them away, the tensions of the previous weeks had finally eased.
Settling into a comfortable booth, they enjoyed their coffee with food that indeed lived up to its reputation. The Phoenix provided exactly what both he and Jordan had needed—a space to be normal college students again.
"You know what's funny?" Jordan said, watching the mix of people around them. "This is the most normal thing we've done since arriving here, but it only exists because of the most abnormal circumstances imaginable."
Nick considered that while studying the other patrons—Academy students decompressing from their training and local families going about their daily lives.
"Maybe this is what normal looks like when you're living through history," he said. "People finding ways to build community and maintain their humanity even when the stakes are cosmic."
Outside the windows, the city pulsed with evening life. Mana-lit street lamps cast a gentle glow over the bustling sidewalks still filled with people, laughter, and drifting music. Food stalls and late-night vendors filled the air with rich aromas, while glowing signs beckoned visitors to hidden bars and rooftop lounges. In the distance, the Academy's spires rose against the darkening sky like sentinels watching over everything below.
"So," Jordan said, leaning back with the expression of someone who'd been waiting for the right moment, "want to tell me what really happened during your training yesterday? I know there's more to it than you're letting on."