Chapter 23 || The M Generation

Chapter 23: 23 || The M Generation

The sound of the marker tapping against the board echoed rhythmically through the room.

Every student sat quietly, their attention fixed on the front as Code 11’s precise handwriting filled the board in perfect symmetry.

When the bell rang, it cut through the silence.

Code 11 turned off her tablet.

"We’ll continue from here after the break," she said.

She left the room, her heels striking the floor in a steady rhythm before the door slid shut behind her.

The moment she was gone, the entire class seemed to breathe again.

Caden leaned back in his chair and released a long sigh.

"Finally, some me time."

He stretched lazily, a grin spreading across his face.

"Torin, Ken—let’s hit the mall. I heard there’s this new gaming pads on sale. It’s actually cheaper than it looks."

Torin gave him an approving smirk. "Yeah, why not? I could use a break."

Code quietly zipped his bag and was about to rest his head on the desk.

Then Aria rose from her seat, notebook in hand.

"Meet me at the cafeteria," she said flatly without looking back.

Code watched her leave.

He sighed.

’This was suppose to be my me time.’

Caden, Torin, and Ken approached him.

"Hey, Code, you coming with us?" Caden asked.

"Sorry."

Code rose from his seat. "I already made plans."

Caden shrugged. "Alright then. Catch you later."

Code watched them leave before stepping into the hallway.

The faint chatter of students drifted through the corridor.

Then he noticed her.

Ivy stood waiting around the corner. Her posture was immaculate, her hands clasped behind her back, and a smile curved across her lips—sweet enough to seem almost suspicious.

Code walked past without saying a word.

Ivy immediately fell into step beside him.

"Where are you heading?" she asked, her voice almost musical.

"The cafeteria," he replied curtly.

"Oh?" Her smile brightened. "In that case, I’ll come along."

"I don’t think that’s a good idea," Code said quietly.

"Why?" She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Are you meeting someone else?"

"Yes."

"Then introduce me."

Her playful tone remained, but there was a sharper glint beneath it.

"I’d love to know who the person is."

They reached the elevator.

Code pressed the button, but Ivy placed her hand over his, her nails tapping lightly against his knuckles.

"Let me," she said sweetly.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Code exhaled.

’I have a bad feeling about this.’

...

The café doors hissed open automatically.

Warm light spilled across the polished tables while the quiet hum of conversation filled the room. The scent of roasted coffee and freshly baked pastries lingered in the air.

Code spotted Aria seated near the window, jotting something into her small notebook.

She looked up as he approached, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Sit," she said.

Code obeyed, sliding into the seat across from her.

Ivy, of course, took the seat beside him as though she’d been invited.

Aria lowered her notebook.

The moment her eyes landed on Ivy, her expression hardened.

"What’s she doing here?"

Code opened his mouth, but Ivy interrupted him with a sugary laugh.

"Aria ? I didn’t know you were friends with Code."

She smiled. "This is the first time we’re speaking like this. So we should introduce eachother properly."

She extended her hand. "Ivy."

Aria didn’t even glance at the offered hand.

Her voice was cool and sharp. "Code, I didn’t tell you to bring anyone else along."

"I know, but—"

"Was this supposed to be a date?" Ivy interrupted again, her eyes widening with mock innocence.

"Is that why you wanted it to be just the two of you? Are you two dating?"

Aria slowly turned toward her.

Her eyes were cold and unreadable.

"Please don’t jump into conclusions or misunderstand our meeting,"

she said icily. "People who are quick to judge others repulses me".

She turned toward Code. "Since you brought her along, stay and have coffee with her. I’m leaving."

She stood.

Code released a quiet sigh.

’I knew this wouldn’t work.’

Before Aria could leave, Ivy spoke again with a small smile.

"No, Aria, you don’t have to leave. You wanted to talk to Code, right? I’ll go instead. It’s fine."

Her voice remained light.

Her eyes did not.

She turned gracefully, paused for a moment to look at Code, and walked away.

Code watched her go before turning back to Aria.

Aria sat down again with a restrained huff.

"You shouldn’t have spoken to her like that," Code said quietly. "You could’ve just told her to excuse us."

Aria crossed her arms. "Speaking nicely isn’t in my dictionary."

"Then your dictionary needs an update," Code said dryly.

"All dictionaries do. Maybe yours got left out."

Aria gave him a flat, unimpressed stare. "Let’s just focus on why I called you here."

"Go on."

"I encountered the leader of Class C—or rather, the Master of the Servitors." she said.

Code didn’t seem particularly interested. "Who is it?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "He’s my master."

Code studied her. "So, what now? You going to confront him or ask for advice?"

"Why would I?" Aria replied coolly.

"I’m thinking of requesting a master exchange."

Code shook his head. "I don’t think that’s possible. If it were, Miss 11 would’ve told us."

Aria continued. "Leaving that aside. How’s the team gathering? Found anyone else from our generation?"

Code stared at her blankly.

"..."

Aria sighed.

"The note I gave you earlier contained the message I wrote to you. Did you even read it?"

Just then, the waiter placed two cups of coffee on the table before leaving.

Code glanced at his cup. "I forgot to read it."

Aria fixed him with a cold stare.

Code picked up his cup and took a quiet sip.

Aria sighed before doing the same.

She lowered her cup. "I need you to work on the boys while I deal with the girls."

Code looked at her. "That’s quite the responsibility you’re dropping on me. I don’t think—"

Her glare stopped him mid-sentence.

"Never mind," he muttered. "I’ll do my best."

"Good," Aria said simply. "I’ll expect your report."

When Code remained seated, she added, "Go back to class. I’ll join you later."

"What’s wrong with us going together?"

"I don’t want our classmates to see us and assume we’re dating."

"Right," he said flatly.

"Does that mean you’re the one paying for the coffee?"

Aria looked at him. "And why would I do that?"

Code turned away. "Yes, why would you do that."

He headed toward the counter, paid for the coffee, and left the café with his drink in a plastic cup.

Aria watched him.

She remained seated for a few seconds before eventually leaving as well.

...

The class resumed.

Code 7, a young woman with brown hair and a mask, stood at the front of the room once again, speaking about historical cycles and social structures.

Code rested his chin on his hand, his eyes half-lidded.

’I’m feeling sleepy again.’

By the time the lesson ended, most of the students were already packing their belongings.

Code 7 stepped out gracefully, and the room gradually emptied.

Code zipped his bag.

As he turned, Torin waved from his seat.

"Let’s walk back together," Caden said.

"Sure."

Code joined them, and the three stepped into the hallway.

...

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, revealing the fifth-floor hallway.

Students moved through the corridor without paying much attention to them.

The group walked forward.

Code glanced at the three boys. "Guys, can I ask something?"

They stopped and looked at him.

"I want you to tell me what generation you belong to," Code said quietly. "Your PRIMAL generation."

Caden blinked. "That’s all? Easy. I’m R-generation."

"P," Torin said with a shrug.

"A," Ken added.

Code nodded slowly. "I see."

Torin raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden question, Code? What’s going on?"

"Nothing," Code replied simply. "Just wanted to check how many of our classmates share my generation."

Ken smirked. "And what generation are you, Code?"

Code replied calmly. "M-generation."

Caden tapped his chin, his expression becoming thoughtful.

"Code," he began, tilting his head with a grin, "I don’t think you’ll find anyone from your generation among the boys. I don’t think there’s a single ’M’ generation student in our class."

Torin gave a lazy shrug.

"Yeah, seems like the M-gens are pretty rare this year. The ruling generation’s ’P,’ after all."

Code gave a small, indifferent nod. "Nice to know."

They had barely turned to continue walking when someone suddenly collided with Code from the side.

The impact jolted them both.

The girl stumbled backward and fell, her notebooks and files slipping from her grasp as loose papers scattered across the hallway floor.