It was the day after the first match with team X that Team K gathered once more. Late in the morning and approaching midday by the count of the clocks, the thirty three uninjured members of the team came together in their living quarters to discuss what likely was the most important matter at that moment.

They needed a leader, and the powers that came with having one.

Sitting by the wall as usual but this time also near the back, Lavenna and Zexus looked on impassively as Judith took charge at the front again. The woman had a knack for being at the forefront of the group, that much was certain. Whether she was the responsible type, an attention-seeker, or someone lusting for power, he was unsure. That was partly due to him being preoccupied with other affairs in the beginning, but now, things were different.

“Shall we do a group vote?” The woman suggested, to which many nodded their heads in affirmation. Despite the loss yesterday, most if not all of team K were back on their feet, although they still had a gloomy air hanging over them.

“Alright, first off, do we have anyone who wants to take on the role of ‘leader’?” Judith asked, and a long silence followed.

Few seemed all too keen to take on the role at first glance, as many would shoot glances at one another and particularly at Zexus who hid in the shadows. When they saw that their highest ranker was aloof with no intentions of rising up to the role, two brave souls would raise their hands and step up to the stage.

One was a man with pointed ears, sun-tanned skin and long black hair. Although quite tall and muscular, he had a graceful air to him, a trait commonly found in elves. In this case, Zexus identified him to be a wood elf, and a none-too-pleasant one either. The man was seventh ranked, he recalled. Now sixth ranked with Magor’s departure, he had been especially vocal in every discussion but less than often had anything substantial to say.

“A leader who can only argue will just be a burden.” In spite of what Vis had told them, Zexus could not shake the feeling that there was likely more to the role. “There’s no way those at the top would make it so that the leader’s only responsibility is to make substitutions. If that were the case, they would simply call them the ‘substitutor’. So why ‘leader’?”

Moving on from the elf, the other potential candidate was a muscular woman. Unlike the many other women in the room who had their hair either tied simply or left loose, this one had a long braid of brown hair as well as blue warpaint running across her face like the claws of a beast. Combined with her defined and sharp features, one could tell that this was a Norkosi, and likely a warrior at that. Among the thirty three, there were only around five of them, and this burly woman was likely the strongest, with a rank in the higher tens.

“If she isn’t too wild, she could be useful.”

Besides the two, Judith also joined the ‘election’ in spite of her lower ranking. From her disposition, Zexus could tell that she believed herself to be quite intelligent. Perhaps she was, but without substantial power in other areas, that ultimately meant little.

Observational skills and wisdom, these are just two among many traits one had to possess in order to maximise their intelligence. He had to wonder if Judith or the other two had the qualities necessary to be leaders.

Over the next half hour, each of the three gave speeches about why they thought they should be the ‘leader’ of the team. All the while, Zexus observed them and the other team K members with a critical eye. Their demeanours, the reactions they had to what was said, the groups they associated themselves with - everything fell under his lens.

As expected, the elf had the longest speech among them, yet he was also the most hostile towards any race that was not his own despite his best efforts.

“For the betterment of all here. I am the only true choice.” The elf named Halduron spoke with passion. “Only one such as I has the ability to lead you all to victory!”

“Damn…elves are on their high horse even when they’re trying to appeal to a crowd of their ‘lessers’.” Lavenna remarked, and Zexus concurred. “Are they just mentally incapable of being nice, or at least faking it? They’re certainly not so honest that they can’t lie.”

“Is it any surprise?”

“What? That this one’s a douche? Not really. Kinda wish I could meet just one that wasn’t a complete supremacist though.”

Zexus filtered through his memories, like browsing the shelves of libraries at super speed. “How about Shael?”

“Oh yeah. But does she really count?” The Kitsune was skeptical, rubbing her chin as if it were the most complex question in the world. “She became all vampiric after the incident in Wisteris so…”

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The amber-eyed man decided to humour his companion since there was nothing better to do. “Elf or vampire?”

“More like are vampire elves still elves? Pretty sure when humans turn, they’re just vampires. I wonder if Shael came to Black Box?” Lavenna voiced her rampant thoughts aloud. “And what if a vampire gets infected with the zombie virus, and is then turned into a lich? Is it just a dumb skeleton with incredible power then? And what do we call it? ‘Vamzomich’?”

Buffetted by the wild train of thoughts, Zexus let out a silent sigh. “You realise you’re going off on a completely pointless tangent right now?”

The beauty shrugged. “I know, but it’s still better than listening to those three stooges.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” A third voice belonging to a smiling June chimed in as she approached them. “Mind if I sit with you two?”

“Go ahead.” Zexus replied with a curt nod. The two had not interacted since the match, but they had established a sense of mutual respect and perhaps comraderie.

“Thanks. That lot was starting to really grind my gears.” The dark-haired mage chuckled, taking a seat on his empty side before turning her attention to the fox. “Nice to meet you. I’m June.”

“I’m Lavenna.” The Kitsune smiled back, her tails swaying. “So, Miss stone mage, you’re also not all that impressed with our leader candidates huh? Mind indulging us with your thoughts?”

Perhaps drawn in by the Spirit Beast’s charm, the dark-haired woman immediately felt relaxed, washed over with a wave of tranquility. She leaned back against the wall and gave her reply as if she were speaking to friends she had known all her life. “It’s a total mess, like listening to the ongoings of Windsfall’s imperial court. They’re all fighting for their own group’s dominion over this team. Norkosi, elves and that Judith woman…I think she’s from a mage tower, so she’s appealing to the human majority.”

“How can you tell she’s from a mage tower?” Lavenna tilted her head, interested.

“Intuition for the most part. She has that air about her. Although, given her rank and clear inexperience in dealing with unruly crowds, she’s likely only an apprentice.”

“Her air, huh? You mean the typical mage thing that makes everyone feel kinda annoyed towards them because they’re as pretentious as elves, not as smart or knowledgeable as they think they are, and can barely do anything outside of drawing runes and using magic-based Egos?”

June blinked, a little caught off-guard by the sudden rant. Then, a moment later after processing all that was said, she laughed. “That’s…pretty accurate. Almost disturbingly so.”

“Yeah, I know. Dealt with their kind a lot.” Lavenna smirked.

“She doesn’t like them much.” Zexus interjected bluntly, still keeping his eyes on the stage.

June nodded at his statement with a blank face and polite smile. “Oh, I see. Should I go…?”

“No no. You seem fairly decent. Very normal in fact.” Lavenna said. “What’s your story?”

“It’s not all that interesting.”

“We’ve got a lot of time.” The snow-haired fox pointed at the stands where the Norkosi and elf looked about ready to swing their fists. A bad idea on the latter’s part. Although Elves were skilled and light-footed, they were also weaker than the average human, nevermind a ‘barbarian’ from the north.

Seeing that there was no excuse to be made and worn down by the fox’s charms, June decided to give a quick recount of her tale. “I was a farm girl. Got inducted into the Redstone mage tower when I was five, and then kicked out when I was twenty six...maybe twenty seven. Then I worked as an adventurer, a delver specifically, up until I managed to come here on a merchant’s boat.”

Lavenna leaned in as she listened intently, all but crawling over Zexus’ legs. “So that’s why you’re not a total bitch.”

“Um…thanks?” June was not all too sure how to respond to the beauty’s words. Despite her many years adventuring, she had never met someone such as her, nor the stoic man that was her partner.

“Do you have a family waiting?” Zexus asked. It was a fairly standard question, but it hit June hard as it brought on memories she would rather stay buried.

“No…” The stonewall mage lowered her head and brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. She had a sad smile on her face. “Haven’t tried to contact anyone. Even if I knew where they were, it’d be difficult to not want to smash their faces in for selling me to the mages.”

“Did you at least fetch a good price?” Lavenna asked, and was promptly flicked on the forehead for it. “Ow…”

Despite the seemingly tasteless question, June chuckled. “I suppose. Two gold pieces.”

“Impressive.” Zexus remarked.

“What do you mean? She didn’t do anything-”

*Flick*

“Ow.” The Kitsune rubbed her head, her ears drooping. She glared at her Bonded. “I hope you realise you’re going to get all this back tenfold later.”

Zexus nodded without a change to his expression. “Yes.”

Lavenna scowled. “I really hate your face.”

“...Yeah.”

Watching the exchange between the two, June chuckled. “You two are pretty…odd, huh?”

Both turned their eyes to her. For a moment, the mage felt an unseen pressure on her shoulders, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. She brushed it off, believing it to be nothing but nerves from the day before.

“I’m guessing you’ll be sticking with us now, Miss normal?” The Kitsune asked with a raised brow and expectant smile.

Amused by the strange nickname, June inclined her head. “I suppose, yes. We’re supposed to be a ‘team’, aren’t we?”

“Pft. Then what in the Hells are they supposed to be?” Lavenna pointed at the crowd ahead of them.

“Fodder.” Zexus stated, aloof as he stood up to his feet. “It’s lunch time.”

“True. Let’s go, let’s go.” Lavenna followed him.

Left behind, June blinked in confusion for a moment by the sudden exit. The team meeting was still ongoing, but the two did not seem to care. It seemed irresponsible and foolish, but one look at the other members of team K shouting at one another changed her mind. Still, she could not help but wonder about the triple-digit ranker’s plans.

“Are you really not going to take on the leader’s position?” The mage asked as he followed her two new comrades and perhaps friends into the corridors. “Letting any of those three take the position will likely cause a divide in the group.”

“The people in there would be divided no matter what. As long as someone has an opinion, there will be someone else that opposes it.” Zexus did not look back at her as he continued on walking. “Besides, I don’t think being the leader is necessarily a good thing. Positions of power always come with pitfalls.”

…

“So…are you going to explain yourself or what?” Lavenna jabbed him on his side, voicing both of their thoughts at the cryptic response.

“I’ve only got theories right now.” He said, a shadow falling across his narrowed eyes. “But until we know the system of rules here, it’d be better to stay ‘unaffiliated’.”

The two women exchanged looks, a silent conversation spoken through their eyes. They nodded in agreement.

“Let’s do that then.”