POV: Jordan Fuchai
After Atticus left the facility, Jacob and I traded petty remarks with one another before eventually setting our differences aside as Jacob left shortly after, leaving me alone as I pondered on my fight against the new student, which roused a humiliating sensation within me as my utter defeat was maddening, provoking me to strike the punching bag Atticus previously used before he left.
I can't stand this disgusting feeling.
I'm fully aware that I'm not the strongest.
I won many fights and I've lost many fights in order to get to where I am today, but my fight against him was different.
I didn't even stand a chance against him, let alone, three of us as he wiped the floor with us without even bothering to use his Aspect.
I'm not as delusional as Jacob, who believes he can defeat the boy as even if we were to team up, I don't have the confidence to believe that we would even win against him.
I've never felt this feeling before.
This feeling… of helplessness is so damn frustrating!
I'm a noble and yet, I had to ask Atticus for help because of my own weakness!
"DAMMIT!" I bellowed, striking the punching bag once more as a few students within the area stared at me in concern, startled from my sudden outburst as with a deep breath, I slowly began to regain my composure as I combed back the loose bangs of my hair.
Maybe I should start taking my training more seriously.
Ever since I enrolled into this academy, I've become complacent because of the status quo, but the humiliation I received brought me back to reality.
Although, with everything aside, Atticus should be strong enough to handle the boy.
After all, he is a member of the Elite Ten-
"Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question?" A familiar voice called out from behind as I turned around irritably to match their gaze, but as our eyes locked, I soon regretted my rude manners as I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach from the person calling out to me being none other than Arthur, who was resting on a nearby weight bench as he removed his sweat towel that rested over his head.
Arthur?!
He's the last person I expected to be here!
I thought he was just a random student since there was a towel covering his hair!
If I had known Arthur was here to begin with, I would have taken my leave long ago!
"A-Arthur! I-I didn't notice you were here! What question did you want to ask me?" I stammered with a nervous chuckle as Arthur's eyes dulled before he sighed.
"There's no need for you to be on guard. Do you really believe I would waste my time attacking someone like yourself?" Arthur asked, his presence alone stressing me out as his brutal comment left a bad taste in my mouth that I was forced to tolerate for now.
You say there's no need to be on my guard, but with the exception of Zayn, you're the strongest student within this academy, so of course I'm going to be scared!
Damn it all.
I should have just left when everyone else did!
"Anyways, the question I wanted to ask you was if Atticus is serious about messing with Rai." Arthur added as the name he mentioned left me puzzled for a brief moment.
Rai?
Could that be…
"Is "Rai" the name of the boy who defeated me a few weeks ago?" I asked as Arthur nodded.
"Yeah. He's the one who defeated you and your friends." Arthur replied as he casually pulled out an apple from his pocket and took a bite out of it, his peculiar actions startling me as I swallowed dryly from his unpredictability.
Where did he even get that apple from?
"If Rai is the name of the boy who defeated me, then yes, Atticus is serious about messing with him. Atticus ordered Jacob to keep him in check while he ordered me to gather information-"
"You can end your rambling. I have zero interest in Atticus's grand plan as I'm well aware that Atticus enjoys tormenting those who stand against him, but for your sake, I suggest you tell Atticus this." Arthur said as he stood from his bench and faced me directly, his eyes narrowing as I felt a droplet of cold sweat trickle from my forehead.
"You'll lose everything you hold dear if you stand in his way." Arthur asserted before turning away from me as he began heading towards the exit of the facility while his ambiguous warning left me apprehensive.
Atticus…
I don't think I have a good feeling about this anymore.
POV: Aria Akari
Upon hearing the chattering of students passing by the window of my room, I awoke from my well deserved nap, prompting me to check my phone for the time as I noticed it was nearly nine o'clock.
In a daze, I stared at the time for a few seconds before plopping my head back into my pillow, but as I tried to fall asleep, I remembered Ms. Jennifer apprised me to visit the Headmaster before the night ended, inspiring a long groan until I eventually rose my bed and made my way towards the dressing mirror in a rather lazy manner.
Still half-asleep, I gazed at myself through my mirror.
My once maintained blonde hair was now unkempt with leftover drool dried up on the side of my mouth as I only wore an oversized white long-sleeved shirt and my underwear, rousing a sense of shame within me as my current appearance was very unladylike for a prominent noble such as myself.
Eventually, I brought myself together as I washed my face and dressed myself in one of my academy uniforms, but as I was about to leave my dorm, I glanced at Sarah's room, which was closed with the lights off as it was dead silent, arising a distressing ache within my heart until I left the dormitory.
Upon heading towards the academy's entrance, I noticed Everett leaving his dormitory as I called out to him, grabbing his attention as he rubbed his eyes and yawned shortly afterwards.
He must have just woken up from a nap also.
"Are you on the way to the Headmaster's office?" I asked curiously as he adjusted his glasses.
"Yeah. I was planning to go earlier, but I accidentally fell asleep." Everett replied as he brushed his hands through his disheveled hair in an attempt to make himself appear somewhat presentable.
"I'm sure everyone fell asleep, with the exception of Arthur and Rai of course. This was our first mission, so it makes sense that we're exhausted." I mentioned as we strolled towards the academy, however, I noticed Everett's demeanor was awfully calm, despite nearly losing his life today as I recalled his near-death experience, which raised another question within my mind.
"Everett, are you doing okay? We all nearly lost our lives, but you seem undisturbed." I questioned in concern, referring to his mental state as his eyes widened in confusion.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Is there something wrong with my face?" Everett answered with a question as I shook my head.
"No, it's just that I assumed you would be mentally drained or even traumatized, but you seem to be perfectly fine as if nothing happened today." I replied, prompting Everett to gaze into the palm of his hand.
"I'm not sure why I feel this way. I can't seem to explain it, but ever since the mission, I've been feeling a bit unusual. Although I almost lost my life earlier, I strangely enjoyed the sensation, welcoming the thrill of being in a life or death situation." Everett stated as a small grin cracked through the corners of his lips while I sighed with a smile.
He's just like you, Avery.
~
Eventually, we arrived outside of the Headmaster's office as I noticed the doors were already open, prompting us to enter inside as Everett and I were welcomed by Ms. Jennifer, who sat in a chair adjacent to the Headmaster, who laid back in his chair as his legs were propped up on the edge of his desk.
"Welcome. I was beginning to expect none of you to show up, but I would have understood since it was a long day for you all." The Headmaster greeted us as I tilted my head in confusion from his comment.
"Are we the first ones to show up?" I asked curiously.
"Yes. I've already taken Sarah's mental state and Rai's recalcitrance into account, but I'm surprised Arthur hasn't visited me yet, although I may have an idea why." The Headmaster answered as stood from his chair and placed himself in front of his desk, facing us directly with a stern gaze.
"Anyways, let me get into the details of why I summoned you all. THe mission was a success and I'm grateful that you all made it back alive, but foremost, I want to apologize for placing you all in danger as the document of the mission I received was false, a disastrous mistake from the Hero Association as I should have taken more precautions before sending you all on this mission."
"You all are only sixteen years old with a promising future ahead and yet, your lives were nearly lost at the cost of my own carelessness. Once again, I am truly sorry for what you all were forced to experience, so for the sake of your mental state, you all may take off as much time as you need until you're ready to attend class again. Of course this doesn't mean take off the entire year, but you two understand what I mean."
"Jennifer and I will always be available if any of you need anything. Unless the two of you have any questions for us, you're dismissed." The Headmaster said solemnly as we bowed our heads and left his office, traversing through the hallways as we headed back to our dormitories, but upon stepping outside of the academy, I couldn't help but gaze into the resplendent night sky above me as I took a deep breath.
Today really has been a long day.
"Are you alright, Aria?" Everett asked in concern as I nodded, eventually walking alongside him towards our respective dormitory.
If we were the first ones to show up…
I wonder what Arthur and Rai are doing right now.