Chapter 153: where is Atlas

Later that evening, Jelo walked into his room and climbed straight onto his bed.

He had gotten the Dabbers he needed to replenish his energy reserve. The fight had been intense — good training, actually. He had even leveled up.

What a day.

He was about to call Atlas’ name when he suddenly realized—

Atlas wasn’t in the room.

Jelo slowly sat up, a worried expression forming on his face.

When he had woken up early that morning, he didn’t remember seeing Atlas. And now it was evening, and Atlas still wasn’t around.

Where could he have gone?

If not for that splitting headache earlier, he would have nagged Atlas about where he was heading in the morning. But the pain had been so sharp it wiped every other thought from his mind. He had completely forgotten about Atlas until now.

And now that he thought about it…

He hadn’t seen or spoken to Atlas the entire day.

“What could be going on?” Jelo muttered as he jumped off the bed, slipped into his slippers, and headed for the door. “I have to find him.”

He went straight to Ken’s room and knocked.

Ken opened the door almost immediately.

“Have you seen Atlas today?” Jelo asked.

Ken frowned. “No… I haven’t seen him either. None of us have. Hope nothing’s wrong.”

“I’m not sure,” Jelo replied. “But I haven’t seen him all day. I thought maybe he was with you.”

Ken didn’t hesitate. “Wait for me.”

A few minutes later, Ken returned, ready.

“Let’s go find him together.”

“Yeah,” Jelo nodded. “Good idea.”

They began searching.

First, they checked the cafeteria — the place where students usually gathered to eat and relax. No Atlas.

“Where else could he be?” Ken asked.

“The Arena Nexus,” Jelo said quickly, already walking faster.

They rushed there, but when they arrived, they were told Atlas had left hours ago.

“If he’s not here…” Jelo paused and closed his eyes.

He concentrated.

Just for a split second.

Then his eyes snapped open.

“I think I know where he is.”

Without another word, he took off running.

“Hey! Hold up! Wait for me!” Ken shouted as he ran after him.

Jelo led Ken outside the building, toward the training yard.

And there—

They saw him.

Atlas was running laps around the yard, sweat soaking his clothes. His breathing was heavy, but he didn’t stop. He pushed himself again and again, as if trying to outrun something invisible.

Jelo and Ken didn’t approach him immediately. They just watched.

“Don’t tell me he’s been doing this since morning,” Ken muttered.

“I woke up really early and he wasn’t in the room,” Jelo said quietly. “He’s trying his hardest… He doesn’t want to be left behind.”

Ken crossed his arms. “Honestly, I’m impressed. Some people would’ve just given up. Said they’re not talented. Not lucky.”

“But he keeps working,” Jelo said. “That’s what I like about him.”

Suddenly, Jelo cupped his hands around his mouth.

“Atlas!”

Atlas froze mid-step and turned, startled.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“We’ve been looking for you,” Ken said. “We haven’t seen you all day. What have you been up to?”

Atlas wiped the sweat from his face.

And for a second… he didn’t answer.

“Yeah… I just realized my body needs more work,” Atlas said, stretching his shoulders. “I need to strengthen my physique and improve my agility. So I’ve been training all day. Had some free time.”

Jelo suddenly burst into laughter.

Atlas frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s just…” Jelo tried to hold it in but failed. “Seeing you work out like this, sweating like crazy — it’s funny.”

“Funny how?” Atlas asked, slightly annoyed.

“You act soft sometimes,” Jelo continued, grinning. “But you’re actually not that soft.”

Atlas blinked. “You don’t even know what you’re saying. It sounds like rubbish.”

Jelo stared at him dramatically. “See? You don’t understand what I’m saying.”

Atlas looked at him like he was stupid.

Then Ken smacked jelo lightly on the back and started laughing again.

“You’re the most awkward person I’ve ever met,” Ken said, chuckling louder.

Atlas crossed his arms and turned to Jelo. “What about you? What have you been up to today?”

For a split second, Jelo froze.

He didn’t want Atlas knowing about the Daba fight. If Atlas found out he had gone out with Mira to hunt Dabbers for energy reserves, he’d definitely feel jealous. Maybe even angry. Atlas would’ve wanted to tag along — even if it wasn’t exactly an “adventure.”

Jelo scratched the back of his head casually.

“Not much. Just… hanging out. Clearing my mind.”

Atlas narrowed his eyes.

“That’s a terrible excuse.”

Jelo shrugged. “Believe what you want.”

Atlas could tell he was lying.

But he didn’t press further.

Ken suddenly looked between them. “Aren’t you two going to ask about my day?”

Jelo burst out laughing again. “You always find a way to change the atmosphere.”

Ken didn’t smile. “I’m serious. Aren’t you going to ask me about my day?”

Jelo blinked. “Fine. What have you been up to today?”

Ken smiled proudly.

“Nothing.”

There was silence.

Atlas slowly nodded in disappointment.

“And you say I’m the weirdo,” Jelo said. “Talk about being awkward.”

Ken shrugged. “At least I’m honest.”

All three of them laughed.

“Alright,” Jelo said after a moment. “We’ll leave you to it, Atlas. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

He and Ken turned to walk away.

“Hey!” Atlas called after them.

They stopped.

“I was just about to wrap up. We could all hang out at the cafeteria or something. If you don’t mind.”

Ken grinned immediately. “Of course we don’t mind.”

Before Jelo could react, Ken wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him close.

“Are you trying to crush my bones?!” Jelo yelled, struggling to break free.

Atlas laughed for real this time.

For the first time all day… he didn’t feel behind.

Well, first I need to take a shower and clean up,” Atlas said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“It’s fine,” Ken replied. “We’ll wait.”

Atlas nodded. “Alright. Let’s meet at the cafeteria.”

Without wasting another second, he jogged off toward the dorms, clearly eager to wash up and change.

It had been a rough day.

Hours of pushing his body past its limits.

Running. Conditioning. Strength drills.

Trying not to fall behind.

But now…

Now he had something to look forward to.

Spending time with the two people who, whether they realized it or not, kept him grounded.

Jelo watched Atlas disappear around the corner.

“He’s overdoing it,” Ken muttered quietly.

Jelo didn’t respond immediately.

“Yeah,” he finally said. “But that’s just who he is.”

The evening breeze passed through the yard as the two of them began walking toward the cafeteria.

For once, there were no battles.

No rankings.

No pressure.

Just three friends about to sit down and breathe

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