The moment the three reached the classroom building, Gwen tugged gently on Arin's sleeve.
"Arin… can I talk to you? Alone?"
MJ blinked at the sudden request, but Arin nodded calmly but inside he was afraid.
"Sure."
He released MJ's hand softly, and Gwen led him a few steps away, toward a quiet corner near the lockers. She bit her lip, her fingers fidgeting slightly.
When she finally looked up, her green eyes were filled with something tight… unsure… and hopeful.
"Arin…"
Her voice was soft.
"Are you and MJ… something?"
Arin blinked, then exhaled slowly.
He didn't lie nor he plan to dodge the question , he clear his throat and spoke
"This morning… she wasn't looking well . I just wanted to comfort her."
Gwen stared at him suspiciously
Seeing this Arin continued, "Yesterday I helped her when she was in danger. She was grateful. That's all."
He didn't mention the kiss — not because he wanted to hide it…
but he himself don't know how to explain the relationship with MJ.
Hearing this Gwen lowered her eyes… and exhaled in relief.
"Good," she whispered softly.
"I mean— good that you helped her. That's… admirable."
She looked up with a small, warm smile — a mixture of respect and affection.
"You're… really kind, Arin."
He shrugged lightly.
"I just do what I think is right."
Gwen stared for a moment longer, heart thumping.
Then she took his hand again before he could react.
"Come on. Let's go ."
---
When the three walked into the classroom together, the room fell silent for a second.
Then—
WHISPERS ERUPTED LIKE A TORNADO.
"Holy crap— Gwen and MJ, both sitting with him?"
"How is he that close to the two prettiest girls here!?"
"He must be cheating!"
"No way… Arin? "
"I want to kill him."
"No, I want to kill him!"
Every boy in class looked like they wanted to eat Arin alive.
Every girl stared in shock or disappointment.
But Arin?
He sat calmly without any reacton .
Gwen sat on his left, smiling happily.
MJ sat on his right, talking to him cheerfully.
Two school flowers…
leaning close to him…
Chating with him so happly.
A scene no one at Midtown High school had ever seen before.
Arin ignored the stares.
He cared only about the two girls beside him.
soon a teacher entered — an older man with glasses — and class finally quieted.
"Good morning, students. Today's lecture will be short."
He went through some formulas, some theory, nothing surprising… until—
He cleared his throat.
"One more thing. Important announcement."
Everyone straightened.
"Tomorrow, our school will participate in an interschool cultural exchange."
People murmured, confused but curious.
"We will be visiting Philadelphia High School for the event. Prepare yourselves accordingly."
Arin froze.
Philadelphia?
His eyes widened slightly.
His mind exploded with memory.
Philadelphia…
The city where… Billy Batson…
became SHAZAM.
Lightning.
Magic.
The Wizard.
The cave of Eternity.
The power of six gods.
Arin felt a shiver run down his spine.
He wasn't just going to another school.
He was walking into the birthplace of a superhero.
His fingers tightened slightly on his desk.
Shazam's powers…
The magical lightning…
The potential to become a demigod…
Or even more…
His heart beat just a little faster.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was opportunity.
A chance to gain a power equal to gods — if he played everything right.
Arin inhaled slowly.
"First… I need to confirm the timeline," he whispered under his breath.
Was Billy Batson already chosen?
Had he met the Wizard?
Was the Seven Deadly Sins released yet?
If not…
Arin's lips curved slightly.
"…I can take the chance myself."
A power that has potential to change a person destiny in this world .
And Arin Aether was planning to seize it ,if possible.