Chapter 79

this is a fictional story by realTensai

“I’m happy you all made it here on such short notice,” Lia said as she sat down at the end of the table, a weak smile crossing her face.

The other student council members just nodded in response as they sat down, too. However, Alvis observed everyone’s movements and facial expressions. One look at Lia was enough to make his heart ache out of worry. Her heavy eyelids, her smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes anymore, her a tad paler skin, and her loosely done hair strands all exposed her mental state to Alvis. No matter how much she tried to cover it up and act strong, she couldn’t fool him.

Yet the other students seemed just as battered even though it was only the second day they had been trapped in the school. However, in just two days, everything had changed—enough to justify the exhaustion etched on their faces.

Just going by their appearance, the first years looked fine. Despite the tension etched on their faces, the first-years held their heads high, shoulders squared, as if determined not to let fear take over.

Color me surprised.

They were stronger than Alvis would’ve expected. However, the same couldn’t be said about Chao. Chao’s eyelids drooped like lead weights, and it would have been a miracle if he had slept that night. His hands trembled slightly as he clenched them into fists. His eyes darted around the room, never settling on anyone for long, like he was waiting for something to go wrong. He was never the courageous nor the strongest, so his doubts and fear were more than justified.

Still, it’s only the second day.

If Chao didn’t adapt mentally, these next few days would become hell for him. Maya, on the other hand, had the most life in her eyes. They were burning with determination, the resolve to protect and help her best friend, keeping her unshakable.

As soon as everyone settled down, the meeting started.

“I know there is a lot going through your heads right now, but you can probably guess the reason for today’s meeting.”

“It’s this twisted survival game what else,” Chao said, frustration moving his lips.

“That’s right. Our situation can only be described as a catastrophe. It’s a never before happened emergency, and that’s why we need to take emergency measures. This sudden meeting is one of them.”

“I get it,” Dagon said, “but what are we supposed to do?”

“This is what I will get to now,” Lia answered. There was a short break in which she took in a deep breath, collecting her thoughts before she continued. “It’s only the second day, yet it’s obvious that the Devil Cult does everything to destroy our peace and get us to kill each other. And if we don’t change anything,…. they will reach their goal.”

“Lia!”

Everyone, including Alvis, gasped at hearing Lia say the unthinkable. They all had avoided thinking about the worst-case scenario, and even Alvis had tried his best to stay as optimistic as possible. However, Lia, the perhaps most optimistic person they all knew, spelled it out, destroying their comfortable illusion.

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It was the harsh reality.

People were already taking part in the survival game via the quest. And thinking about the personal system everyone got and the shop, it only started there. The Priest could keep on adding rules that would get people deeper into the game until it was too late to turn around. And this was where the killing would start. It was a grim future, but right now, it was the most likely one.

Still, this coming from Lia…

Alvis just stared at her emerald eyes, unable to say anything as he wondered where this change came from.

“There is a fine line between optimism and naivety,” Lia said, her clear voice somewhat colder than usual. “It won’t do us any good to keep assuming the best. Right now, Mr. Woltzer and all the other teachers are carrying the whole burden. They ensure order and that nothing happens. However, they aren’t infallible. They have emotions too. Just like us students, they are fearing for their lives, the only difference being that they aren’t allowed to show it. I think we, as the student council, should help them carry that burden.”

“Okay, I get it, but what are we supposed to do?” Chao asked.

“That’s what I will be talking about now,” she answered. It took her a bit of time to collect all her thoughts, though as soon as she finished, she continued. “Because we are students, we are the best gateway to other students. So I think it’s our duty to look after them and to support them as well as possible. I also have a few ideas about how we could do that. We should increase our walks around the school so we can solve problems between students immediately as soon as they come up, not giving them any room to get bigger. In our situation, every little argument could be the trigger for something bad. We should also work firmly with the teachers and stay in conversation with them so that they know what to do. When we act as a gap between them, it’s easier for both sides. I think in this extreme situation we should strive to become role models and a pillar of support so that people with problems can always come to us for help.”

Lia spoke with unyielding determination, her ambitious words echoing in everyone’s ears. However, the only thing that awaited her was silence.

Chao sat with his head down, his fingers tapping nervously on the table. His foot jittered under his chair, a quiet, restless rhythm that grew louder with each passing second. He bit his lip, his foot tapping faster. His throat tightened, but he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Aren’t you expecting too much from us?” Chao asked, his voice somewhat trembling. He looked Lia into her eyes, his lips and pupils shaking as he spoke up again. “We students in the student council also feel fear. We also experience unimaginable despair that keeps us up at night. We worry about how much longer this nightmare continues and if we survive long enough to see the end. Yet what you expect from us is to always stay strong and to help others, even though we also need help.“

Chao’s voice cracked as the words tumbled out, his fists trembling on the table. The room fell silent, each student averting their gaze, the weight of their shared fear hanging heavy between them.

He let it all out.

His doubts, his fears, his unfiltered raw emotions. No one could answer as they deep down felt the same.

However, Lia took it all in, his doubts, his fears, his unfiltered raw emotions, feeling them just as strongly as him with her empathetic abilities. And it was because of that, that even she was silent.

Seeing Lia’s struggle, Maya tried to interfere.

“I think—“

“You’re right, Chao,” Lia said, finally speaking up. “I know that I’m probably expecting way too much from you. That I’m pushing you above more than you can endure. Still,… I will do it, anyway. You here in the student council are the only people I could trust to do something like that. And that’s why I’m begging you from the depths of my heart to support me and lend me your strength. Please support me with my egoistical wish to help everyone.“

Lia pushed her chair back slowly, her legs shaking as she stood. She took a breath, and bowed deeply, her shoulders stiff with tension.

“Of course, we will support you!” the three first years said in unison.

“You don’t even have to ask, Lia,” Maya said.

“You can always count on me,” Alvis said, smiling.

However, Chao was the only one who didn’t respond. Yet as everyone’s gaze landed on him, he just scratched his cheek.

“This is unfair. How could I possibly say no to such a heart-filled plea from our student council president?” He said, giving in with a sigh.

“Thank you all,” Lia said with a pure smile.

Everyone knew that they would have to work past their limits, yet for Lia, who always gave her best for everyone, they would all do it.