Reincarnated as an Energy with a System

Chapter 2029: Liam’s Calling

Ning laughed quietly, returned to his seat, and picked up his utensils again as if the conversation had already stopped being worth his attention.

The men started to leave, but before they went far, one of them turned toward Jason.

"You look pretty happy to finally have someone sitting with you," he said. "Enjoy your new friend while you can, because you’re going to get your share of this too."

Jason’s hands tightened around his utensils.

Ning noticed the anger on his face immediately, but Jason said nothing. Whatever he wanted to answer, he kept it to himself until the group walked away.

Only after they were gone did Ning continue eating.

"So," he said after a moment, "we were talking about why everyone calls you a loser."

Jason stared at him in disbelief. "That is what you want to talk about after what just happened?"

"Oh, do you have another topic in mind? Go ahead. I’m great at small talk."

Jason held the most exasperated look ever. "You just threatened them in the middle of the cafeteria. Are you mad?"

"Hey, let’s not twist the facts. They threatened me first. I would say I pushed back appropriately here."

"That does not make any of this better," Jason nearly shouted. "They’re... they’re going to ruin your life here."

Ning shrugged. "That might make my time here more interesting, then. Now answer the question."

Jason remained quiet for a while before finally letting out a tired breath.

"I’m not good with people."

Ning waited.

Jason looked down at his tray as he continued. "I don’t know what I’m supposed to say most of the time, I don’t make friends easily, and when people started making jokes about me, I didn’t know how to respond without making everything worse. Eventually, they realized I wouldn’t fight back, so it became easier for them to keep doing it."

"And that turned into everyone deciding you belong at this table?"

"Pretty much. They harassed me every day, and any friends I had didn’t want to associate with me, lest they get caught in the crossfire."

Ning frowned slightly. "That seems like a poor reason. Did no one stand up for you?"

"Some tried, but once they realized how much trouble they were getting into for standing up for me, they stopped. One person even got themselves expelled."

"Geez. Why?" Ning asked.

"They damaged their helmet twice in two months," Jason said.

That was a cause for immediate expulsion. Even if someone else was found guilty of that crime, being unable to keep their own helmet safe meant they weren’t fit to be a soldier.

"And you’re certain one of them was responsible for it?" Ning asked.

Jason gave him an irritated look. "It does not matter whether they were or not. Anyone who becomes friends with me ends up in a bad situation. That’s why I stay by myself. And yet, now you’ve come here on your first day, insulted them to their faces, and given them another reason to come after me even though I’ve been following every rule they wanted."

Ning started laughing.

Jason looked offended. "I’m glad you think this is funny."

"You’re worried for no reason."

"For no reason?" Jason repeated. "You have no idea who you just angered."

Ning took another bite of food. "Then tell me."

Jason lowered his voice again.

"The one you challenged, Liam. He’s been to Avelis before. He has a Calling."

Ning’s interest increased slightly.

"Really? Is that rare around here?"

"Obviously! Do you know how far away Avelis is? It takes 2 months to reach it and a shit ton of credits. Only a few people like Liam can go there," Jason said.

"Then his family must be quite rich," Ning said.

"His grandfather is in the weapons market. His family owns a rich rare-mineral mine up north," Jason said.

"I see. What kind of Calling did Liam receive?"

Jason shrugged. "I don’t know everything about it, but I’ve heard it’s Spycraft."

Ning paused.

Jason continued, "He’s extremely good at getting into places where he isn’t supposed to be, bypassing security, taking things without being noticed, and finding information people think is hidden. That is why most people avoid making him angry. If he decides he wants to ruin something for you, he can usually find a way."

Ning immediately thought back to Naysha.

Her helmet had not simply failed.

Those men had destroyed it, apparently without her or the higher-ups even realizing they were responsible until they admitted it to her.

Spycraft explained quite a bit.

"So that’s how they managed it," Ning murmured.

Jason frowned. "Managed what?"

"Nothing important."

Ning continued eating while considering the Calling.

If Liam was skilled enough at infiltration to reach Naysha’s equipment, damage her helmet, and avoid being caught, then the threats he had just made were probably more than empty words.

That only made Ning more interested.

Jason, meanwhile, seemed to interpret Ning’s silence very differently.

"You should take this seriously."

"I am."

"Then why are you smiling?"

"It’s been a while since I’ve had some fun. That doesn’t mean I’m not serious."

Ning finished the last of his meal and stood.

"Don’t worry about them. I’ll deal with them should any problem arise. I’ll see you tomorrow in class."

He picked up his tray. "Good night, Jason."

Jason watched him leave with the same exhausted expression he seemed to wear whenever Ning spoke to him for too long.

Ning returned to his dorm room afterward and spent the rest of the night there. He did not need sleep, but he had no reason to wander around the academy either, so he remained in the room until morning arrived.

Someone knocked on his door not long after the academy began waking.

Ning was already sitting up when the same soldier from the previous day entered.

"Good, you’re awake," the man said, a little surprised at Ning’s alertness. "Come with me. Your equipment and identification are ready."

Ning stood and followed him out of the room.