POV: Jordan Fuchai
Once Atticus left the facility, Jacob and I traded petty remarks with each other before setting our differences aside as Jacob eventually left the facility, leaving me alone as I pondered on my fight with the new student, rousing a humiliating sensation within me as my loss was maddening, provoking me to strike the punching bag Atticus previously used before he left.
I can't stand this feeling.
I know I'm not the strongest.
I won many fights and I've lost many fights, but this one 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 using his Aspect.
I'm not as delusional as Jacob, who believes he can defeat the boy, but I'm not even confident enough to believe that even if we teamed up, we could win.
I've never felt this feeling before.
This feeling… of helplessness is frustrating!
I'm a noble and yet, I had to ask Atticus for help because I'm weak!
"DAMMIT!" I bellowed, striking the punching bag once again as a few students gazed at me in concern, startled from my sudden outburst as I took a deep breath, slowly regaining 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, can I ask you a question?" A familiar voice called out from behind as I turned around to match their gaze, but as our eyes locked, I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach as the person before me was none other than Arthur, who was resting on a bench as he removed his sweat towel that rested on his head.
Arthur?!
What in the hell is he doing here?
His towel was covering his hair, so I was unable to notice who he was!
I just assumed he was some random student!
"A-Arthur! I-I didn't notice you were here! What did you want to ask me?" I stammered with a nervous chuckle as Arthur's eyes dulled before he sighed.
"There's no need 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.
Arthur, you're the strongest within the academy with the exception of Zayn, so of course I would be scared!
I should have just left when everyone else did!
"I wanted to ask you if Atticus is serious about messing with Rai." Arthur said as I was unaware of the person he was referring to.
Rai?
Could that be...
"Is "Rai" the name of the boy who defeated me a few weeks ago?" I asked.
"Yeah. He's the one who defeated you and your lackeys without the use of his own Aspect." 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 affirmed as he stood up 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 his back to me as he began heading towards the exit of the facility while his ambiguous warning left me apprehensive.
Atticus, I don't have a good feeling about this anymore.
POV: Aria Akari
As I awoke from my well deserved nap, I checked my phone for the time and noticed it was nearly nine o'clock.
In a daze, I stared at the time on my phone 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, prompting a long groan until I eventually rose from my bed and walked to my dressing mirror.
Still half-asleep, I gazed at myself through my mirror.
My once maintained blonde hair was now unkempt with leftover drool 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.
As I headed 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 or Rai. This was our first mission, so it makes sense that we're exhausted." I mentioned as we strolled towards the academy's entrance, 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 okay? We nearly lost our lives, but you seem undisturbed." I asked in concern, referring to his mental state as his eyes widened.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Is there something wrong with my face?" Everett asked as I shook my head.
"No, it's just that I assumed you would be mentally drained or maybe even traumatized, but you seem to be perfectly fine as if nothing happened." I replied as Everett gazed 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 thrill of being in a life or death situation." Everett stated as a small grin crept onto his face 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 me 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 can understand since it was a long day for you all." The Headmaster said 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 replied as he stood from his chair and seated himself on the 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 wanted 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 both are only sixteen years old with a promising future ahead and yet, you all nearly lost your lives at the cost of my own carelessness. Once again, I am truly sorry for what you all experienced, 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. Jennifer and I will always be available if any of you need anything. You two are dismissed." The Headmaster said solemnly as we bowed our heads and left his office, heading back towards our dormitories as the moment we stepped outside the academy, I couldn't help but gaze at 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.
I wonder what Arthur and Rai are doing right now.