Chapter 229: Chapter 229

Rex strode forward, his with measured steps.

’Adam Van Hellsing ha!?’

He instantly thought to himself.

Nervousness hit him, as his arrival here was sudden, as such the tension in the air suddenly rise.

The fire’s embers still smoldered faintly in the clearing, casting erratic shadows.

He was nervous...hell, who wouldn’t be with this guy showing up out of nowhere? But more than that, he was annoyed.

Deeply, viscerally annoyed.

Moca had already been a tough nut to crack, her icy demeanor like a fortress he was chipping away at with every sly grin and casual offer, with each interaction he could manage.

Another competitor waltzing in, all tall and imposing. Rex clenched his jaw, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

No way was he backing down. Not here, not in the safe haven he had built from scratch.

Extending his hand, Rex planted his feet firmly, his stance wide and unyielding.

Be said, his voice steady despite the knot in his gut.

"Of the Orcas family. Second son of Govion Orcas."

Adam regarded him for a moment, his nocturnal eyes flickering with unreadable amusement? And Curiosity? Whatever it was, it made Rex’s skin crawl. Then, Adam reached out, his grip firm, almost too firm, like he was testing Rex’s resolve. The handshake lingered just a second longer than necessary, a silent challenge met and matched.

Adam replied, his voice deep and even.

"Seventh born child of Randolph Van Hellsing, and current heir of the Van Hellsing family. A pleasure."

Rex pulled his hand back, rubbing his palm subtly against his thigh. Of course it was a pleasure, for Adam, maybe.

Everyone knew who he was.

The Student Council President, the guy who could easily run New Her Academy like his personal kingdom. For years now rumored about him floated through the City.

Many see him as one of the few untouchable, unbeatable youths of today, especially with a family legacy that could crush lesser names underfoot. Rex sized him up quickly, as Adam towered over him, his cape still fluttering from the storm he had emerged from, that strange sword hovering at his side like a loyal hound.

But Rex wasn’t one to cower.

He was dressed in the New Her Academy uniform. Unlike the other student who where out of their unfirom, Rex kept his on for the most part of it.

Adam tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips as if he could read every thought racing through Rex’s mind.

And then he controlled the flow of conversation moving forward, starting with.

"I’m well aware of you, Mr Orcas."

But inwardly, Adam chuckled to himself.

’But hey...the Eyes of the World make short work of that. From what I am seeing you are from a military family, just like mine...though a far lesser one. Arms dealing, weapon creation, army formation... they’re richer than your average Earl’s brood, I’ll give them that. Ohhh and what’s this, how interesting you also got a hot sister with a very interesting Anthem, hahaha it got some real potential to it too. Might pay her a visit one of these days.’

Adam said to himself as he peers through his personal life.

Out loud, Adam continued, his tone full with genuine-sounding admiration, although he was just acting.

"You’ve shown impressive resourcefulness here, pulling together a group . It’s truly a wonderful sight...so many students coming together for a common goal, turning this hostile place into something survivable. Not everyone could manage that."

Rex felt a rush, his ego inflating like a balloon under the praise.

Coming from Adam Van Hellsing? That was gold. He puffed out his chest a bit, the annoyance from earlier fading into a smug satisfaction.

"It’s an honor to hear that from you, President."

He replied, his voice warmer now, the nervousness dissolving, but not completely.

"We’ve had to scrap and improvise, but yeah, it’s working out."

Adam’s gaze shifted then, sliding past Rex to the treetops where Kael perched, oblivious to the attention, still fiddling with his daggers.

A wicked smile curved Adam’s lips, hidden in the dim light.

’With time, his existence will be mine.’

The bastard skills, his cunning they would serve well under the right influence.

Right now, Adam had other priorities. Moca was here, and the pull toward her was magnetic, he still can’t believe he infront of of one of the future harem member’s of Xeres.

He had come to this godforsaken planet for the exam, sure, but running into her again? That was a bonus he intended to exploit.

A few days here could give him the chance to... well, work his charm. Rizz her up, as the kids said these days.

But for that to work he might need to stationed here a bit, alas he also wanted hunt variant.

For that reason he looked at Rex and asked.

"Would it be alright if I stayed here for a couple of days?"

"It’s been a while since I’ve properly rested. The hunt’s been relentless out there."

Rex blinked, caught off guard but recovering quickly. The idea of hosting the president? That could elevate this whole setup from a ragtag survival camp to something reassured passing grade.

He nodded, totally calm now, his earlier irritation buried under the glow of opportunity.

"More than an honor to host you."

He said, gesturing toward the cabin.

"You’re free to come and go as you please. Follow me...I’ll show you to a room."

Adam inclined his head in thanks, falling into step behind Rex as they headed toward the sturdy wooden structure at the edge of the clearing.

The cabin loomed invitingly, its windows glowing softly from lanterns inside, an opposite contrast to the biting chill beyond the barrier.

Moca followed naturally, slipping in behind Adam without a word. Check latest chapters at 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁

She paid no mind to the stares from the other students, her crimson eyes fixed ahead, a subtle flush still lingering on her cheeks from their earlier exchange.

As they moved, the camp erupted into murmurs, the students voices rising like a wave crashing over the silence Adam’s arrival had imposed.

"Did you see that? The president’s here...for real!"

"No way, Adam Van Hellsing? We’re golden now. If he is sticking around, passing this exam’s a done deal."

"Man, the way he just walked through that barrier like it was nothing... guy’s a monster. Handsome as hell, too."

"Yeah, and that sword? It ate the fire’s heat or something. Freaky, but badass."

The praise flowed freely, glazing Adam in layers of awe and envy. One girl leaned toward her friend, whispering excitedly.

"Think he’ll train with us? Imagine learning from him directly."

A boy nearby snorted.

"Dream on. He is probably here for Moca, did you see how he looked at her?"

Their commentary went on even after Adam made his way inside.

Rex naturally leading the way into the cabin, the door creaking open to reveal a cozy interior warmed by a central hearth.

The air smelled of pine and faint smoke, the walls lined with makeshift bunks and scattered gear from the students who had claimed spots.

He pointed to a corner room, partitioned off with hanging blankets for privacy.

"This one.is free. Best we’ve got, has a decent bedroll and some storage. If you need anything, just holler."

Adam nodded, stepping inside and surveying the space with a quick glance. It was Spartan, but functional, far better than the frozen nights he had endured tracking the HIVE across the planet.

He said, his sword hovering obediently to a standstill beside him, its glow dimming to a soft pulse.

Moca lingered in the doorway, her presence a quiet anchor. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes met Adam’s for a brief moment, that shyness from earlier flickering back to life.

Rex noticed, of course, how could he not? But he played it cool, excusing himself with a nod.

"I’ll leave you to settle in. Camp meeting in the morning if you’re interested... Well in a couple of hours since this place has no day or night cycle."

As Rex departed, the blanket close and clicking on its rods shut behind him, Adam turned to Moca. The room felt smaller with her there.

"I still can’t believe a monster like yourselves would frolic around children."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall, her black leather outfit accentuating her curves in the lantern light.

"Well the request you gave me, it would progress slower by myself, I noticed these slugs are more attracted to larger group. So this group is useful."

"So you are using the students as live bait, how fascinating."

Adam said with a smile, chuckling a bit.

"How many points have you tallied this far."

"33,738 according to this Nanomites."

"Ohhh, that is quite a lot."

"I try not to slack Prez."

Said Moca, as Adam nod his head. Right after she then began to asked him something, something she has wanted to asked him for the longest time now.

"Hmmm... What is it Moca!?"

"C-cant I asked you something?"

"We are already talking, so why not, go ahead asked away, and I shall answer."

"A-Are you really a human being?!"

When Adam heard this he chuckled a bit, as he walk closer to the white hair beauty and asked.

"My, my, what a weird question to asked, but let me answer your question with another question."

"...What is considered human anyways?"

"Ah.. I... No, the reason I asked is because, I can sense Monster Energy from you."

"At first I thought you where a Meta-Human, but I could tell the Monster Energy usually produced by Meta-humans when compared to the Monster Energy produced by natural born Monsters, and your energy falls under the latter here."

"I-I just don’t understand why."

Moca said addressing her thoughts in this moment causing Adam to chuckle.