After the first two lessons, while Zeke was at the cafeteria, Julia walked up to him, seemingly in a slight rush.
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be watching.
“Watching what, exactly?”
“Hm?”
Then, the girl tilted her head in confusion and responded, “Your friend, of course. I heard that Rodrick challenged him.”
“He did?”
Zeke put down the utensils and, with Julia following him, headed straight into the arena situated in the First Year’s training facility.
Surprisingly, there was a big crowd made up of many students from all First Year Classe, which was unexpected since the two fighters weren’t particularly famous.
Fylard and his group were present too, standing near the entrance and spectating with huge grins.
Unfortunately, by the time Zeke arrived, the fight was already over. He saw Samuel lying on the ground with a few minor cuts on his uniform and one on his left cheek.
Professor Nayro intervened at the last second and ended the fight, declaring loudly,
“The win goes to Rodrick. The show is over and I’ve got a class to teach… so how about you all go about your business?”
The Zyth’s loud voice, coupled with his creepy eyes was enough for the crowd to swiftly disperse, leaving only a couple of curious ones behind.
As he walked up to his fallen friend, Samuel wryly smiled and, with a bit of difficulty, got up to his feet.
“No need to give me that look, I’m fine. I lost fair and square.”
Even though he tried to shake off the embarrassment, Samuel was clearly not in the good mood. It was but recently that he climbed to the 48th spot yet Rodrick defeated him, which pushed him all the way to the back.
“Well well well! If it isn’t Zeke Orland! You still haven’t responded to my challenge.”
Rodrick stood there proudly, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face as he sneered.
Zeke glanced at him but did not deign to answer, still surprised by this outcome. Samuel’s ability was significantly stronger than Rodrick’s, so much so that he shouldn’t have lost. Additionally, Rodrick wasn’t particularly a hard worker, meaning that his Aether Manipulation was, at most, subpar.
Fylard too, was about to join in and mock Zeke and Samuel, but before he could open his mouth, Julia appeared in front of him. Although she faced his group alone, she was unfazed and even nonchalant.
“You’re like an annoying fly, Fylard. No no… a cockroach would be a more suitable description.”
“...”
Seeing his face distort and his anger surface, she taunted him with a comical grimace
“What? Did I hurt your feelings?”
He stared back at her with eyes filled with malice, but just like with Francesca, he didn’t have the courage to retort.
Julia was notorious for her chaotic fighting style and monstrous physical strength, making her highly unpredictable and extremely hard to counter. Technically, she didn’t have an ‘official’ circle, yet, even alone, she could be categorized as an entire group, and that’s while excluding her background.
“What’s wrong? Your new lackey won... I thought you wanted to celebrate more. How about this…”
She stretched his arms then added, “I challenge you, Fyla-”
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A tall figure appeared behind her, grabbing her head with his slimy fingers and placing her to the side as if she was an object.
“Enough of these childish disputes. I said I’ve got a class to teach. Out… all of you!”
After all of them were kicked out by Professor Nayro, Zeke and Samuel tried to take a walk on the campus but Julia caught up to them.
“I can’t believe Rodrick beat you. He’s literally no different than a normal person!”
Her loud remarks only made Samuel feel worse. He glanced at her and sighed, opting for silence that one of his usual retorts.
“Not everyone is as freakishly strong as you are.”
“I’m strong because I train every day.”
She walked next to Zeke while beaming at him happily.
‘Either she's that simple-minded and free-spirited, or so she's playing the part well. But, why does she keep sticking close to me, though?’
After careful consideration, Zeke frowned and, out of the blue, asked,
“Do you like me? Is that why you keep involving yourself in my affairs?”
“Huh?”
Caught off-guard, the girl stopped walking for a couple of breaths and with a stupefied face, looked at her perplexed classmate.
“Like you? You must be out of your mind!”
“Then why are you here? We’re not friends, ere go, we have no reason to talk to each other.”
The soft smile commonly plastered on her face was absent as she kept walking dangerously close to him.
“I’m trying to make amends… and also satisfying my curiosity. As the rising black horse, I find myself interested in what you’re going to achieve.”
“That still doesn’t make us friends."
“Oh! Come off it, will you! I already said I’m sorry for the past. You don’t need to be so distant and gloomy. We’re classmates.”
“...”
Zeke turned his head away and quickened his steps, leaving the silent Sam and Julia behind.
“It’s how he acts. You’ll get used to it.” Muttered Samuel as he glanced at her.
“I don’t know if I would. Maybe my show of good faith is misplaced?”
“Don’t ask me.”
----------------------------------------
“What is it, Azmer?”
“...”
The solitary Azmer faced his friend with deeply creased eyebrows. He had called Rodrick to a relatively secluded spot for a private talk yet the latter brought with him Fylard and co.
“Please don’t mind us, Azmer.”
“This doesn’t concern you, Fylard.”
“Oh but it does! Rodrick is a new friend of mine! We get along pretty well and, as someone part of my circle, I’m responsible for his wellbeing.”
Rodrick chuckled happily, feeling more and more certain that the decision to move to Fylard’s group was the best one. Not only did Fylard show him how to beat Samuel, but he also promised him that, soon, he would climb to the top 30.
“This isn’t how you deal with problems, Rodrick.”
“Hah? What are you even talking about?”
Azmer coldly snorted, his narrowed eyes piercing into his friend’s face.
“I’m talking about Zeke. Your reaction was unwarranted and it’s not through relying on others that you’ll get what you want. Yes, you lost, but what makes us different than Defects is that we can train and get stronger.”
“Train? Why would he need to train when he’s already strong? It’s about using an appropriate tactic and learning everything about your opponent. Everything else is secondary and, most of the time, irrelevant.”
“He’s right. Zeke… that damned loser, he’ll get what’s coming to him soon.”
“Do you want me to show you?”
“...”
Azmer’s question made Rodrick and the rest confused.
“We’ve been friends for a long time Rodrick. I’m trying to make you understand but you’re so blinded by rage and arrogance. I agree that Defects are our lessers… parasites and leeches. But how are you any different if you rely on someone else? When I show you your mistake, I hope that your mind will change because if it does not, I will consider us friends no more.”
Azmer looked at the sneering Fylard one last time then turned around and left.
----------------------------------------
“If he’s suspicious, why are we letting him off?”
“Why would he be suspicious! He’s done nothing wrong!”
Maxine banged her fist on the table, her reddened face turned toward a friend of hers and another member of the special squad investigating Jonathan’s case.
The girl in question was, in fact, one of the handfuls of Fourth-year students and the oldest of the squad. She had long and strikingly dyed purple hair, and a well-developed body equipped with mountain-like breasts.
V tried to calm both of them down but a single stare from the girl made him back away and return to his seat, fidgeting like a restless child.
The one who raised the topic was none other than James, who was still adamant about Zeke’s involvement with Jonathan and Amelia.
“Max, even though he’s your brother, we cannot let things like this slide. Yes, it happened outside of Erys, but the fact is: He interfered with our investigation and defended a potential criminal.”
The girl looked at Vanessa, who had yet to voice her opinion.
“Do you agree, Vanessa?”
“It’s too early to make any judgment. Besides, Jonathan is our target, not the girl. If we suppose it was all a coincidence, then, by forcefully involving him in the case, we might endanger him.”
Vanessa’s objective view wasn’t enough to appease Maxine’s anger. She barely managed to control her emotions and instead of continuing the argument, she took out her phone and threateningly looked at the girl.
“If you so much as get close to Zeke, I will call Edward.”
“Is that how it works now, Max? You’re threatening me?”
“No. I’m warning you. Leave my brother alone.”
The girl stood up and walked away, her high heels echoing across the room as she stopped in front of the closed door.
“If things get out of hand, I trust you’ll take full responsibility.”