Immediately after the test was declared over. Invincible hovered ready to fly off to the others, when he halted recapping that he now had teammates that he shouldn't leave behind.
'Teammates, huh.' The half-breed tested the word, before he relinquished the astonishing thought. Really today was one heck of a roller coaster, he needed to get some logical explanation for, fast. And also…
'If I can see who the hell is in charge of all this test.' He thought darkly. He still had not forgotten about the deaths he saw at the fields. Not like he had anything to say about it when he too had murdered with bare hands.
Some moments later, the half-Vultrumite would realize that offering a lift to the others was a mistake. It wasn't really Yin's fault, nope. It laid with the perverted spear-woman called, Yruvette.
"Oi! Stop clinging so tight!" He hollered to the raven who clung tight to his torso, while he held her in a princess carry, whereas Yin held on at his back.
"Master~!" Yruvette incanted pressing tauter.
Even as the world blurred as he flew. Invincible knew that compared to how he flew at the beginning, this was just going at turtle speed. Fortunately he estimated he could make it to the others in good time even at this pace.
As they flew, Invincible idly mused on what brought about this peculiar state of affairs.
When he had asked if they wanted to join him as he flew back, the catgirl who was still holding his hand immediately jumped upon him, while Yin calmly agreed. From Yin's stirred expression, Invincible had the funny feeling his nippy acceptance was more of laziness.
He wasn't one to judge though. Who in their right mind, says no to a free ride?
So, with white on his back, and the black cradled upon his arms. Invincible took back to the clear skies above in an astonishing burst of speed.
The picture portrayed might look envious to outsiders. After all, it was one heck of a lucky guy surrounded by two beauties –one held languidly to his neck from behind, while the other was in a princess carry- the son of Omni-Man knew it was nothing of that such.
The one behind was a boy. Twitching his eyes as trusses of silver spilled from the impossibly long hair, obscuring his view. Invincible was still trying to come to terms that Yin was in fact in boy.
'With a serene beauty straight out of a drawing… Or is it handsomeness? I have this funny feeling that this guy's total bad news.'
Behind him Yin narrowed his eyes, with the strangest feeling of being insulted.
Sighing, Invincible looked down at inch smaller girl, who was still trying to snuggle against him. The beautiful catgirl, who to Invincible appeared to be a pervert. Yruvette, who gave the impression of being contented.
For what reason she was behaving so familiarly with him was quite the enigma. Even so, this was better than bloodlust, the half-breed consoled himself.
Invincible first heard the slurred purr, which prompted him to drag his eyes downwards, as he felt two soft orbs press against his chest only to see that Yruvette had integrated herself to his upper torso.
'So, that's how those luscious twin-peaks feel. So soft~ wait, no that's not it!'
"Oi! Yruvette. Yruvette!" Invincible squeaked in embarrassment. His face rosy, while a hot current surged through his body.
The swordsman sighed while the wind whipped around him. While the Irregular asked if there was any law precinct around so that he could file a form for sexual harassment.
Surreptitiously, Invincible was of a totally different opinion… Much like any hot-blooded young man.
"Nyah~!"
-II-
"Hey lady. Did Invincible ask you to protect us?" Yue questioned. Although she knew that it might be so. There was no harm asking for proper confirmation to her hypothesis.
'Wasn't that obvious, pipsqueak?' Endorsi brows jerked, while she threw an eye at the annoying brat that refused to shut up.
'What was her name again… Yue. Yeah, right.' Affixing a smile to her face to appear disarming, the Princess replied back.
"That's right." She gestured back, to where numerous bodies were strewn around unconscious, all sporting internal injuries gained from blunt force.
"Invincible wanted to protect you guys, so he chose this Big sis here to help you guys." She would have demanded for their praises, but she had a feeling the Irregular wouldn't be happy with that, so their knowledge of her being their supposed savior would have to do.
The fact that it built good rapport with the Irregular was another deliberate bonus.
While glancing back at her teammates, the Princess had originally noted something strange. While it wasn't that obvious, blonde had become quiet when the Irregular had arrived. She would had surmised it due to her taciturn nature, but that appeared to not be the case.
It was more like the girl was trying to hide herself from the Irregular.
Instantly, Endorsi had an outrageous thought that made her snort. 'What the hell am I thinking? That she's also an Irregular?'
Her chuckles attracted weird stares, but she remained unfazed by them. While the Princess would admit that blonde had a weird atmosphere to her, something that was quite dimensional. That was just about it.
Unlike Invincible, who she could confidently state held enough strength that she suspects could take on a Ranker head on. -As scary as it sounded- the blonde on the other hand, to put it mildly, was far too weak.
There was no way she is an Irregular.
Abruptly, as the blonde sensed her gaze trained on her, she retreated behind the gentle giant who stood protectively over her facing her fully.
'Irregular… Ha! As if.'
Huffing, while folding her arms, Endorsi wondered why the girl was even being so defensive, and why was the giant even with her in the first place.
Not to mention blonde was quite cold towards her. After the first time she greeted Endorsi, the girl made no effort to communicate.
'Sheesh, does she not understand proper etiquette at all?' She burlesqued with an easy smile, her mask put up for the world to see.
"Look! My rival is coming back!" The one with pink hair, Star. If Endorsi remembered properly, animatedly hollered.
"Yes, we can all see that. No need to destroy our eardrums." Yue rubbed the edge of her brows exasperatedly, while observing their incoming benefactor.
"Apparently with his teammates, it seems."
"Really? I wouldn't have seen them, if you did not point that out." Laxus noted squinting at the skies for a few moments before turning to his teammate, "You have good eyesight, Yue."
The girl puffed her chest preening, while huffing.
When the Irregular came into view, Jasmine stared transfixed at his teammates, to the demure girl the additional two with Invincible had the appearance of fairies. 'Pretty.'
As for Endorsi, when she saw Invincible's new teammates, she still stood transfixed in shock. Her well-crafted mask almost falling off.
'Well, well, well~ an Arie descendant, and a beast-woman, from the La Po Bia family. You just keep finding ways to keep me at the edge of my seat, eh Invincible?'
She laughed dryly as light surrounded their forms taking them up to the next site. The famous Evankhell's mother ship.
This is just getting more, and more interesting.
-II-
Invincible wasn't as nervous as before when the light took him away, this time. When it dimmed down, he found himself inside a huge auditorium. Glass paned windows hung above and at the wall corners revealing the fake sky above, with the dried up fields below.
After detaching himself from Yruvette's who had been clinging to his arm, while for some reason promised her that he wasn't going anywhere. He headed for the kids, especially TO Jasmine.
"So, how are your teammates? Hope they did not do anything to you while I was gone?"
The girl shook her head which made the two behind her exhale in relief. "They are ok. Claire only asked some questions about you."
"Did she now?" He eyed the lime Regular who fretfully explained.
"It was out of curiosity, Sir. Nothing that serious, I swear."
The son of Omni-Man stared at her for a few moments before nodding his head, "Since it is just that, I don't have a problem with it."
"So Invincible, new teammates, huh?" Yue commented as she arrived with the others.
"As expected of my rival, you know how to pick teammates well. They both look very strong." Star cheerfully said, while waving his hands at them which prompted Yruvette to politely wave back.
"Pretty too." Laxus added.
Jasmine tugged at his soaked cape asking, "Do you know who they are?"
The half-breed shrugged, "No, not really. Just their names, Arie Yin and La Po Bia Yruvette."
"Arie Yin and La Po Bia Yruvette! Is that what they said?! Really!" Hoaster performed a spit-take, as his face turned incredulous while observing the monster's teammate in new light.
Scary light…
"Yeah, of course." His brows furrowed, "Is there a Problem."
"Is there a problem, he says. This guy!" Hoaster threw his hands in the air as he walked away, shaking his head incredulously.
"Your lack of knowledge concerning the common knowledge of this Tower, could one day be your folly, Invincible." Endorsi commented amused, as she sauntered over.
"Arie, and La Po Bia. Both surnames belong to the most powerful cohort of families in the Tower. Their founders were Irregulars, who stood head to head with King in his ascension."
'Irregulars!' Invincible brows arched in surprise. 'That means they are like me. They all came from the outside World.'
It brought to the half-breed no small sense of relief as it showed that he probably wasn't alone. Well apart from that Twenty-Fifth Baam, if what he suspected was correct. Filing a mental note to learn about this founders when he had the chance.
He tuned Endorsi back as she continued on. "Seeing that you chose those two as your teammates. I can rest easy, knowing that at least you settled for something second best to me."
Apparently that was the tipping point for Yruvette who had been eavesdropping. Roughly shrugging off Yin's hold on her, the beast-kin stomped ahead, her face set in a furious scowl, "What was that, you bitch?!"
Unperturbed by the stomping beast-kin. Endorsi gave a lopsided smile. "Second best. Or do you want me to pound it into you."
Yruvette cracked her neck as she returned a lopsided smile of her own, while her eyes gave off a subtle yellow glow. "I'm skinning you alive."
The air grew heavy as the two girls smirked at each other with murderous intentions in their eyes. One clenched her fist, the other, her spear. An unbelievable amount of bloodlust emanated out from them in waves, both knowing that if they fight it wasn't a question.
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One of them would die.
Luckily Invincible intervened in time. Placing himself in-between the girls, he barked harshly, "Stop it, both of you. Or you will have to answer to me."
Invincible on his part was flummoxed how things escalated to this level.
In a flash Yruvette obeyed transferring to his side, clinging his arm with a goofy smile on her face. While Endorsi gave a condensing smirk, sauntering back to her teammates assuming victory in her steps.
"Master, I don't like the girl. Please let me kill her. Preferably slowly." Yruvette murmured to Invincible while glowering at Endorsi.
Second best! How dare that bootlicker. The scion of La Po Bia knew the secret of her confidence, she smelt it the first time she saw her. That familiar royal blood…
'A street rat luckily becomes a Zahard Princess, and she thinks that gives her the right to belittle me! If front of Master no less!' Vein pulsed at Yruvette's forehead as her teeth grounded together.
'She's dead! I swear I'll kill her! Slowly! Slowly kill her!' Her iris thinned becoming more catlike, as her tail and ear hackles rose in agitation.
Yin winced when he saw Yruvette's expression. 'After three years of peace. That idiot Princess just had to awaken Yruvette hidden personality, all for some worthless pride.'
The Arie scion watched the preening Endorsi, wondering whether it was worth it saving her life. For he knew once Yruvette decides to kill, it will be messy . He could forcefully stop her if he wanted, yes. But he never said it was easy.
'Better tell Master, maybe he could rein her in.' If not… It wasn't his problem.
"No Yruvette." Invincible meanwhile refused her sternly. His face fixed even when she petulantly pouted.
In his mind, Invincible wasn't all that surprised by the killing intent, Yruvette displayed. As he observed before, everyone single Regular including him had emanated several levels of bloodlust.
While hers was at a higher level even compared to the murderous Regular he had killed, that was not what he was concerned about.
But what disturbed him was, why did she hide it before?
Invincible paused, superstitiously observing his androgynous member. Why did the both of them, -there is no way, Yin wasn't hiding his own bloodlust as well- decide to hide their bloodlust?
It was to a level that he wasn't able to even sense it. A part of him was screaming how it all looked fishy, but that did not make sense.
Did they know he was going to search for them? If so, how? Because Invincible knew if they had been displaying this level of bloodlust, he would have been wary of accepting them as his teammates.
The son of Omni-Man eyed Yruvette suspiciously. While the girl in question look at him tilting her head in a way he would have a few minutes ago, called cute.
'I don't like this.' Invincible thought to himself.
"But Master. What if she still keeps on saying such mean things about me?" Yruvette demurely asked.
Invincible blinked at her question, "Well…" Starring at Endorsi for a few seconds, he nodded. "As long as there is no killing."
As long as there was no killing, then there is no need to get involved. Invincible had gleamed from the test that, this Tower thrives on conflict or at the very least fighting. From his view point. A little rivalry would not harm anyone. Although…
'Why is Yin shaking his head so much at me?' Invincible wondered if there was anything on him, apart from the blood that is.
Yruvette squealed hugging him, "Thanks Master. I'll prove to that rude girl that I am the best teammate for you."
Invincible blinked bemused, "Okay?"
The face that wasn't at her Master's point of view took on a red vicious gleam. While it was too bad she couldn't kill the street rat. Scarring her a little, wasn't such a bad alternative.
'Well tormenting her, when she's alive will be much more cathartic and fun~!' She gleefully thought, as her lips stretched into a maniacal grin. She could not stop the chuckle that escaped her lips.
"Yruvette, everything alright?"
Quickly fixing her face into one of innocence, the Regular from La Po Bia, replied back. "It's nothing, Master."
The children Regular's, who watched all that transpired took a collective gulp, all held a synonymous thought. 'This lady from La Po Bia was too scary!'
Claire wisely faced anywhere but here. She had no wish to take part with whatever was going on.
Yin sighed at the scene. 'At least, I'll take it as one major crises averted.'
"It's good to see all our up and coming Regulars, so lively. Very good." Suddenly a new voice interrupted.
The congregation of Regulars stared at the direction from where the voice came from, as their eyes took them to two individuals that came at from an obscured hallway.
Invincible blinked perplexed when he saw the first man. He used his free hand, dragging it across his face while muttering wearily. "What's with people wearing unisex dresses?"
The subject matter was a man with blonde hair, possessing feminine features dressed in what look like a colorful yellow, and blue Asian dress. For a split second, the half-breed wondered why both Yin and this stranger dressed like that.
Afraid of what may lay ahead, Invincible diverged focusing on the other man who appeared to be calculating the number of Regulars. The man had dark skin possessing a short stature, his hair was dark red, and was dressed in a ridiculous white lab-coat and black pants.
"Four Teams, close to the cut. Thank God! Lord Evankhell won't deep-fry me!"
With a mirthful chuckle, the colorful dressed man, replied back. "Good for you Quant." Concealing his mouth with his dress sleeve, he noted while observing the Regulars, "It seems as due to the numbers, my examination would not be required."
Invincible eyes narrowed, as he said aloud. "Examination?"
Seemingly taking notice of the Irregular for the first time. The blonde man folded his arms in a way that hid his sleeve. "Pardon me, I am Yu Hang-Sung. The Test Director for the second floor, the one who will determine your worthiness in climbing this Tower."
"Test Director…" Yu Hang-Sung's introduction tolled with a penetrating to the half-breed. "So that Death Match, was it you who authorized it?" He questioned in an accusing tone, recalling the gory scenes back in fields.
To all who saw the Irregular, felt a raging volcano about to erupt. Depending on what may be the Director's answer, the mother-ship may not be standing at the end of it.
'Is he mad?!' Hoaster howled, quivering as Invincible fired the perilous question. While he would admit of Invincible's superiority in power, the man he is talking is a Ranker!
'There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. This is stupidity. Ah! This wasn't what I envisioned when I agreed to join your cohort, you suicide bastard!'
But still there one thought he had. It sounded prosperous even. For while the ponytail Regular knew the Irregular would not win, he felt that the Irregular may not necessarily lose.
'Well that's an Irregular for you, he's a totally different breed.' He thought in fear, veneered with the green little monster called envy.
'The balls of this Super Regular, or is it Irregular.' Quant Blitz thought astonished. Even though the Scout reluctantly admitted that the pressure emanated the Irregular was at a Ranker's quality, this is Yu Hang-Sung he was talking to!
As Quant opened his mouth to reveal his culpability in Invincible's interrogation, Yu Hang-Sung blocked him with his sleeve shaking his head.
"But why Director?" The Ranker questioned, but Yu Hang-Sung only chuckled while mouthing, 'Later.'
Now regarding Invincible, Yu Hang-Sung nodded, "Yes, I gave the authorization for the test. Because I am the Director of the Second Floor exams, and as an official, am I not supposed to be setting the test, no?"
Invincible blankly looked at the director, then lowered his face, hair obscuring his features. "I see, I see… All those deaths were your doing."
The images flashed across his mind. Their haunted faces as they died painful deaths, mummy corpses who remained will remain there desecrated under the sun, dried up tears for being promised false dreams, and were given deaths.
What pissed him off the most was the frivolous way, the blonde bastard admitted it was his doing. Like if given the chance he would do it all over again!
The very thought that the Director finds the Death Match amusing filled the half-breed with rage!
The very perception of light within the room dimmed, and the batch of Regulars shook as all the window panes simultaneously cracked. A frozen queer smirk plastered on Invincible's face, at his forehead a vein pulsed.
The son of Omni-Man saw red.
"That's it, I'm punching your head off!"
He stomped a foot hard against the ground with enough it cracked and the whole auditorium trembled with the some of the windows exploding at the resounding pressure! He rose to air in order to do what he said, when an insignificant resistance pulled his cape back.
"Master, I beseech you, stop what you were about to do!"
"Yruvette?!"
Turning back, Invincible saw his teammate holding onto his cape with a pleading expression. "What are you doing?"
"Please think of what you're about to do." The beast-kin repeated.
"What I'm about to do?" Invincible muttered, as he turned back to still see the easy smirk on Yu Hang-Sung's face. "Just going to rough someone a little."
The Ranker's callous dismissal of life was not something acceptable back in his home-world. Back home his dad called such people 'Scums.' If there was even an iota of remorse in Yu Hang-Sung, then Invincible wouldn't have been so angry, but what the blonde is displaying now was just sick.
To wretch his cape away from her was too easy, but then she did something that held him in place.
"Before you go and do something you will regret. If not for your sake, then think of the others." Yruvette pointed at the children who watched in various alarmed intensities. "Did you think of what might happen, if you decide to fight?"
His mind cleared, the red haze slowly but surely ebbing back to the recess of his mind. 'God, she's right. What was I thinking?'
The kids and others have all come this far, sacrificed so much all for a chance to climb the Tower. The half-breed could still remember it, the determination arising from Star and Yue, honestly it was awe inspiring.
But here he was just one fist from throwing it all away for some anger, even though it was justified. Who knows what might happen if he fights the blonde Bastard.
Not to mention, now that the rage was no more clouding his reason. The sensation Invincible experienced when he had met Evan, he was feeling it now. This guy is stronger than him.
A losing battle… Clenching his teeth to stew his powerlessness, Invincible floated down, glaring at the blue tiled floor with a heavy heart.
Soft hand held his, as the half-Extraterrestrial raised his head to see the cat beast-kin give him a supportive smile.
"Thank you, for stopping me." Invincible muttered gratefully.
"It is my honor, dear Master." She replied giving a surly wink.
Yu Hang-Sung's grating snicker turned Invincible's lips upside down, as the powerful Ranker gave an ersatz praise to Yruvette.
"As expected from a lady from the La Po Bia Family. Such prudence would serve you well in reigning in your fellow teammate."
Yruvette looked back with a frigid smile, curtsying. "I will keep your words in heart, Director. And please, Invincible isn't my teammate, he is my most exalted Master. Do well to remember that."
Yu Hang-Sung brows raised in bewilderment, "Oh~ is that so?" Clasping his hands behind his back, "I will keep that in mind."
"Please do so."
Seeing that everything had been settled, Quant Blitz gave a peppery clap that stirred the remaining participants up. "Now that we're done with the electrifying distractions, I am Quant Blitz. Ranker, and your Test Administrator."
The daredevil in the red hair Ranker howled, itching him to tell the Irregular that he was the one who gave the Death Match. But in great show of willpower, Quant reigned it in.
"Now that we're true with the main screening test for this Tower. Let's get this show on the road with… Another test!"
"Wait! Another?!" Hoaster howled.
Star folded his arms giving a sage nod, "It seems like it's time for the lord Star to once again grace the stage…" Only to be met with a slap on the back of his head.
"Ow! What's that for beanie girl?!" Raven hair cried in outrage.
Yue took a deep breath and then loomed over, "Do you understand the significance of what another test means."
She grabbed the boy by his shoulders shaking him with a surprising amount of strength, while spewing what Star would later call the greatest spell of compliant in his life. Laxus raised his hands to say something, but seeing how intimidating Yue was made him clamp his mouth shut.
Jasmine nervousness shot through the roof, when a hand rested on her shoulders. "Claire."
The lime haired Regular dressed in a loose corporal wear, gave an assuring nod. While Jasmine smiled nodding back.
Quant basked in the nervousness of the crowd letting it stew for some seconds, when he candidly added. "Only that this test is more optional than mandatory…"
"Really! Thank God!" Hoaster hollered, squatting to the floor in relief.
While Claire close her eyes, with her shoulders slouching as an indication of her response to Quant's revelation.
"Good, that means we don't have to participate." Yue commented.
"Uh, really~? We are Regulars right? Where did all your girth go?" Star accused, still wanting to partake in the test, even though it wasn't compulsory.
The girl huffed turning away while folding her arms, "In my brain, obviously. Unlike a certain suicidal idiot."
"Humph," Star huffed, and then curved excitedly to his male partner. "Laxus my man! How about it. Let's go do this test thing, and show this sissy here, a real man's guts!"
The auburn hair boy dressed in simple brown T-shirt and shorts, turned his eyes away unwilling to answer.
"Eh, Laxus, don't leave me hanging man." Seeing that the auburn did not answer, Star snorted. "Well fine! Be that way, I'll do this test all by myself if I have to."
But unfortunately Quant shot his sails of bravado down, "Sorry about that, little Regular. But the only way to take the test is with an entire team."
Star's jaw lightly dropped, while Yue gave a vindictive snort. Laxus while still facing away apologetically thought.
'I'm sorry, Star. But just getting to this level is more than what I dreamt off. I'm not taking any chances for an unknown test. I am not that idealistic after all.'
Claire observed her team for a few moments, before raising her hands as well, "We too are not going to be participating in this test as well."
Jasmine nodded, and Hoaster breathed out in relief.
Quant paused for a minute waiting for more dropouts. Seeing that there was none, he smirked. "Well ladies and gents. Before we go any further, let this lord Quant tell you that this particular test has a reward for the winners… A straight up qualification to the Second Floor."
Silence held sway over the batch of Regulars who were trying to get over what the Administrator said. Greed surfaced at their expressions over the opportunity at hand. A free shoot-up to the Second Floor was just too good to pass up.
But then they took notice of the bloodied Irregular who maintained silence, whose facade held a pondering countenance.
Like a peal of lightning, reality struck them on their faces, once more about their chances.
Star on the other hand, was still about to speak up once more when Laxus gripped his shoulders.
"What man?"
Laxus shook his head. "This test, let's not partake in it. We don't have a chance to win."
Eyes narrowing, Star shot back. "Oh yeah~ based on what?"
Yue's hand shot to his head clamping it and then turned it over to the bloodied half-breed. "Based on them. An Irregular, and two members from the Ten Great Families. Unless you have a way to get pass them, which I'm sure you don't."
Star struggling to find anything to say back at the blonde Regular, but could find nothing. Roughly pushing her hand away, he grunted in acceptance, still unsatisfied.
"That's enough for me." Yue nodded at her teammate's unspoken acknowledgement of the situation.
This wasn't the end, she knew that there would be other team stronger than theirs -They are kids, to be clear- and the only way to survive in this stage is to fight smart and get stronger.
"So only two teams are going to participate in the tests." Yu Hang-Sung noted, "Alright then, Quant will lead the participants to the testing grounds, while I will lead the non-participants to the residential area."
Dainty hand shot up, with Quant taking up its owner. "What is it, Regular?"
"Before we get to the testing grounds, can my team get sometime alone. I need to get my Master a change of clothes."
"Yruvette, its ok." Invincible placed a hand on her shoulders, shaking his head. While it was actually yucky and being covered in shinshue and human's blood was very queasy. The half-breed felt he could handle it.
"No, it's not Master." Yruvette replied firmly. "Besides, it's only for some seconds. With your speed, you could clean and wear a new change of clothes in a jiffy."
At loss on what to say, Quant spied at his boss who gave a discreet nod. "Alright Regular, I'll direct you to the nearest shop. But after that I'll give you one minute no less."
The offspring from La Po Bia demurely smiled. "That's more than enough for me." She began to pull Invincible with her, "Now Master let's hurry, there's no time."
Invincible who went with flow of events asked as they headed for the depository. "Sorry about this, Yruvette. I'll be sure to pay you back."
"Oh please don't worry about it Master. Just being of help to you is my greatest reward." Meanwhile in her mind, Yruvette gave an immoral giggle.
'Seeing Master in all his nude glory, will be my greatest reward!'
A sudden urge to cover himself came over Invincible. Furtively looking around, the son of Omni-Man wondered which pervert was talking about him. Eyeing the seemly innocent Yruvette, Invincible decided to be more careful just in case.
'After all, she is still a pervert.'
Yin who trailed after the two looked to the sky through the window pane. Sighing as he prepared for another debauched foreplay.
'At least it's certainly interesting.'