Luxor Al Amin and Wea gave him differing looks, one of serious contemplation and the other of ridiculous incredulity respectively. Then, they both left.

Rise: “They could have at least said ‘thank you, Rise!’ or something. Last time I help someone out!”

Noel: “Haha! Can you blame them? You basically just sniffed the air and gave them a fortune. What was that supposed to be? Anybody would be weirded out by that sort of thing. Who’s gonna believe such a stupid power like that exists? ‘Smelly fortunes’, you’re such a freak! Hahaha!”

Rise: “*Blushes* Wha- I… I just… It’s a real power! My nose is sensitive to LOTS of things! Like the fact that you killed tons of people in the past and reek of blood because of it!”

Noel: “Urk–

I… I just happened to fall in a vat of blood while out shopping in a butchery. The smell never disappeared no matter how many baths I took because…

.

.

.

...be-because it was magically enchanted blood. There’s no way I would kill people!”

Rise: “...Whatever.”

Rise only further threw the shorter male a side – glance and nothing more. He immediately refocused his gaze towards the front door, where light footsteps were heard.

Noel was annoyed with Rise’s silence, but even so, he couldn’t do anything about it. If the guy didn’t believe him, then what could he do?

The next set of footsteps brought upon an intense agitation within the duo.

...Again. Another visitor. Can’t these people learn how to take a hint and just leave them both alone?? So many people shuttling back and forth from their room during visiting hours… and for what? They don’t even get along with any of these mask – wearing fakers!

Haah, but this is Hero High School. They have to be friendly while attending, and it wouldn’t hurt to start getting ‘friendly’ with the well – favored Kings.

...Well maybe. There seems to be a few obnoxious ones. Harvey is somebody unworthy in both of their eyes. His strange temperament causes him to shift between very angry and upset, to extremely arrogant, cocky and brutish. His disdain for others could already show people how highly he thinks about himself and how lowly he thinks of others. Even fellow heroes! This sort of obnoxious guy would only manage to instill fear into those working around, and with him. That Valkyrie girl…

Noel: “Hey, Rise? What do you think about that girl named Kari? Is she somebody worth getting along with?”

Rise: “Pffft, of course not, stupid. She completely looks down on you. Not just you, though. Me, you, just about anybody and everybody that she sees as weak. Maybe that warrioress has an ulterior allegiance to some big named group who spent some effort training her, like Asgard or something. The title of ‘Valkyrie’ belongs to them, after all…!

*Slips hands behind head and reclines backward*

Still, I don’t smell any ‘evil’ from her. She might be plotting something in exchange for benefits, but she ain’t nearly as bad as ‘Muscles’. That foolish idiot is just twisted.”

{As I thought… the Ten Kings might be a golden opportunity, for some, and maybe it would help me blend in better to make friends with them.

But still, I think I’ll just avoid those people. The Ten Kings are related to that Elijah fellow. They’re his problem to worry about, not mine. 9 of them have already visited. Not counting Elijah, that should be everyone, right?

...But I clearly remember more then 9 people before, back in the assembly on that really long day. Hmm, I don’t know what to expect, however since there were 10 or so back then; based on the appearances already made in our room, there should be about one more… right?}

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Sure enough.

Without waiting for the young male to collect his thoughts properly, the two boys heard a deafening creak. Once the door was pried open, an impetuous girl of average height with rustic - red, curly hair and rosy red cheeks stepped forth. Her cheeks blushed even redder, as she mustered up the courage and resolve to face her fears.

What was she doing?

Why did she come here? These two are the victims from last night’s assault, but they were ALSO non – combatants!

Was she trying to win back her reputation by doing this? Maybe a little.

Was she going to beg them for forgiveness for her slanderous words and insults against them? Of course not! Neither would she apologize to Elijah, that stuck – up and self centered prick!!

Was she going to brag about their misfortune? She honestly thought about doing that, just a little. They deserved it! Well, maybe not the long – haired weirdo with a scar. He’s only a nobody. That shorty though? Yes!! Yes, Yes! One thousand times YES!

He definitely deserved it!

…Didn’t he?

After exhaling a puff of air, she steeled her desires and tried resolving to control herself. There was absolutely no way she was about to chance making the same mistake twice.

She could NOT risk any more bad reputation! In the end, through countless hours of wracking her brains for a solution; an ingenious method struck her deeply.

That’s it! All she had to do was create a chance to redeem herself! Visit the ones her ten Kings argued with, and make sure that she became the ‘bigger’ and ‘better’ person!

Her small hands, roughened up from training, clenched two sets of flowers in front of her body. With cheeks redder than normal flush, she prepared her rehearsed speech.

Unfortunately…

Rise: “Yeah. You smell fake. Leave the flowers and just go, hypocrite.”

Savannah(Gravity Queen): “!!(What did this insignificant worm of a civilized human call me?!? I may have been plotting to use you both and your karma – induced circumstances in order to re-boost my shattered reputation, but I REALLY DID come here because I was feeling worried over them! After all, even if I wanted them to suffer, it’s not like I wanted to kill anybody! Just put them in their places! This ugly, scar-faced ...buff loser!)

..Ahem. I am sorry that you feel this way about me, Mr. Civilian. But, as a ‘King’ I thought it only fair that I was the first-”

Rise: “First? Ahahaha!”

Savannah(Gravity Queen): “...What’s so funny?”

Noel: “He’s terribly sorry. He doesn’t mean to offend, miss, uhm… whoever you are. It’s just, if you really ARE a King, then you aren’t the first. In contrast to your words, you are actually the last ‘King’ to pay us a visit. Even that no – good King ‘Harvey’ visited us before you.”

{Although it was just to bully me. What a weirdo.}

Savannah(Gravity Queen): “...Huh?

(...What did he say? I’m… I’m the...last?)”

Rise: “You mean, you DIDN’T know? I specifically heard one of the other Kings mention something about a ‘chat group’ existing among the Kings. Are you not a part of it? Ahahaha--

.

.

.

...Hm? Wait, Noel. She’s actually not the last one. Remember that guy from the assembly? the one who ran his mouth against the Valkyrie chick. He and the teacher’s son.”

Noel: “Oh.

…

…

Oh! You’re right, that ‘speed’ King who was actually slow and came in 4th place.

…

Knock – Off Speed King! As for the other, I think he was that guy that fell asleep on Mr. Abrams’s couch in the stadium. What was it, that Elijah called him? Rice? Rhys? Rhys Abrams? Something like that. But, who do you suppose this girl is?”

Rise: “She’s…

.

…

.

Hm…”

Savannah(Gravity Queen): “I. AM. THE. GRAVITY QUEEN!!!!! I REPLACED THAT NO – GOOD TRASH AND LOSER IN YOUR DIVISION, ELIJAH, AND BECAME SECOND STRONGEST OF THE TEN KINGS!

(Dammit, what chat group?! One of the future Ten Kings isn’t included in a chat group, specifically for the Kings?? WHY?! Why didn’t anybody invite me?! I worked hard for my position, damn, damn, dammit! Why can’t anybody see my worth…?)”

Noel: “…I see. So summed up and in a nutshell; you took advantage of Elijah’s injury to become the next King candidate? Doesn’t that mean that you’re just a substitute? Basically, what that means is…

You’re only a Knock – Off King, just like Speedy.”

Savannah(Gravity Queen): “...’Knock – Off King’?

…

...Substitute?”

Noel: “…Hehe, I’m only playing with you. Please don’t take offense! Thank you for the very beautiful flowers, Gravity ‘Queen’~!”

Her tightly clenched fist loosened, revealing fingernail indentations that were dangerously close to breaking skin. Such a stabbing gesture shows just how badly being compared to Elijah has ruined her, psychologically and emotionally.

One can say that Noel’s words just now managed to barely restore her sanity by quelling her anger. It was truly a close call.

Without much else to do, left in this awkward atmosphere, she bid them both farewell after offering a soft ‘your welcome’. Due to her natural blush, it was unclear whether or not she felt any semblance of embarrassment from Noel’s words, prior to leaving, or if there was merely a trace of anger left within the confines of her sealed-up, frozen heart.

…

Rise: “That was weird. Why didn’t you just kick her out? Why show any kindness towards that weak little hypocrite? It was stupid and pointless.”

Noel: “*Glances at Rise* Oh yeah, because that worked SO well with Mr. Muscles – that fool Harvey blew his top and YOU almost blew your cover. I almost couldn’t hold back either. If she got angry, she might not think rationally and attack like he did. You didn’t notice her body gestures? Give her a compliment, and make her leave on her own. That way, she won’t stay a second longer with us. Not so pointless when you think about it from that angle.”

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