Friends

After he scared Vidar away, Avren tried to study a little bit. He was still a student after all.

Avren was studying Electronics Engineering in the University of Northampton. He was on the third year and his grades were excellent. His GPA was 3.94 and he ranked second on his department.

Unfortunately, now the campus is closed temporarily and all classes are being held online. But due to his infection with the virus, he couldn't attend any of those classes. So, he thought that he should try to self-study what he missed.

The subject he started with was Electromagnetics, one of the hardest courses ever. Before, although he could understand it, he would struggle in some parts here and there.

But what surprised him was that when he looked at those the complicated equations, he understood them instantly!

'Oh! It seems this is one of the benefits of being a cultivator. My brain processing ability and memory are much higher than before!" Avren was overjoyed and continued to immerse himself in his study.

............

Half an hour later, Joice came knocking on the door.

"Avi! Your friends are here. Come out quickly!" Joice said from the outside.

Avren was surprised. 'My friends? It's very rare to have visitors these days. It must be Leo and Arlen. It seems they heard about my recovery. I am surprised their families let them go out in the current conditions.'

He was about to come out when heard another voice.

"Hahaha. No need, he must be tired! It's better if we go in!" Then door opened and 2 people entered the room.

One of them was a tall young man. He had short brown hair. His face was exceptionally handsome. He was Leo Mostyn. He was also Avren's best friend who loved reading cultivation novels.

The other one was a young lady. Her hair was completely bright golden. Even her eyes and eyebrows were golden. This combination formed a golden 'halo' around her, attracting everyone's attention. Her name was Arlen. She was Avren's... friend? Well, even he couldn't determine their relationship.

Both Leo and Arlen were also studying Electronics Engineering at the University of Northampton.

Avren knew Leo a long time ago, since he was in middle school. As for Arlen, he only met her in first year in college in.

"Hey Avren, why are you in such a daze? Are you that happy to see us?" Leo laughed while walking in the room and sat on the bed comfortably.

Avren laughed as well and said: "You're giving yourself too much credit, Leo! I'm only happy because Arlen decided to visit."

Arlen also walked in and smiled when she heard what Avren said. Then she said: "You seem to be fine. That's a relief. We were really worried about you." Her elegant smile made Avren fall in a daze again for a moment.

Seeing Avren's daze, Leo smiled mischievously then said: "Avren, you just recovered and yet you're back to studying! Take a break for god's sake! What are you studying anyways?"

"Your 'favourite' course, Electromagnetics!" Avren replied sarcastically.

Leo instantly turned gloomy. "Damn! I really hate that course! I don't get it at all. I even hate the professor and the TA of this course! You can certainly say it's my 'favourite' course."

Arlen also laughed. Then she looked and Avren and said: "By the way Avren, you look a bit... Different. Mm but I can't really tell why." She stared at Avren for a while trying to figure out where is the difference.

Avren's heartbeat quickened. Did she notice something? But that's impossible!

"Different? Now that you mention it, he looks a little more handsome." Leo also noticed something.

Avren sighed in relief. So that's what they were talking about! After his 'rebirth' his appearance had changed a little, becoming a little taller and a bit more handsome.

Arlen frowned a little then the smile returned to her face again.

..........

"Hey, little punk!"

While they were chatting, Avren heard a voice in his head. It was none other than Ger.

"Ger? What's wrong? You missed me so quickly?" Avren replied in his mind and teased Ger a little.

"Who the hell would miss you! I am here to tell you an important matter!" Ger shouted in his mind.

Important matter?

"Before, you doubted me when I said that there are other cultivators on Earth, right?" Ger continued.

"Yeah. But I already met one, so I am convinced." Avren said, confused why Ger brought this up now again.

"Well, congratulations. You just met the second one." Ger's voice resounded in his mind, rendering him Dumbfounded.

Another cultivator? Just met?

Doesn't that mean it's Leo or Arlen? But how?

Come to think of it, Arlen did seem to notice my change first. So, it wasn't just my appearance she was asking about?

"Is it Arlen?" Avren asked after calming down.

"Yes, It's her. And she's not the same as that trash who was spying on you." Ger said.

"What do you mean? What's her Cultivation Realm?" Avren asked with a little anxiety.

"Peak-stage Spirit Lord." Ger replied indifferently. To him, it wasn't that much difference between A Spirit Lord or an ordinary mortal. After all, a Spirit Lord was still a Mortal Cultivator.

But to Avren, he was as if struck by lightning! Spirit Lord? How much was that higher than him?

Even when he used the spirit sense, he was only mistaken to be A Spirit Realm Cultivator. Above that is the Spirit King!

And Above that is the Spirit Lord!

Avren's head was full if questions. How? When?

Ger didn't disturb Avren as he knew that he needed time to sort things out in his mind.

Although Avren tried to hide it, Arlen noticed his unusual act.

'What is he thinking about? He seems to have a lot in his mind. His face looks a little pale. I guess he needs some rest.' Arlen thought.

Soon, Leo also noticed Avren's weird behaviour and thought the same thing. So, they took their leave a few minutes later.

.........

After Leo and Arlen left, Avren laid in the bed and closed his eyes. He was still thinking about Arlen.

'I guess she has her reason for hiding it. Aren't I also the same? I never intended to tell anyone anytime soon, so I can't blame her for that.' Avren thought. 'Should I talk to her about this?'

In the end, Avren decided to not tell her for now. At least, until his strength was enough.

'One week! One week later, I'll start dealing with everything. My father's debt, that clan head and Arlen. By then, I would be strong enough to not fear anyone!' After deciding that, he started focusing on the Origin Source Core in his body just as Ger suggested.

The Origin Source Core began to revolve faster, emitting even more Qi at a much faster rate!