...
After the principal's speech, Noah headed back home. Although the school provided a dormitory for the student, he decided to live alone after he enrolled. Simply because he wanted a quiet environment to study. Another reason is that the dorm didn't allow pets. That's why he had to find a place for Cookie and him, thus he started working to make ends meet.
After giving Cookie its food, Noah decided to surf the web to gather information about what's going on. The Stars Trending List had several articles and posts about the supernatural humans.
Noah read through all of them and summarized what he had to take note of. First of all, the nations' conference was going to take place tomorrow, in the Eshary Republic. That was the nation bordering Soshus and it was the biggest nation in the Emora continent geographically.
The conference would be about dealing with supernatural humans, how to research their powers, what status should they be given, and why did they 'evolve.' It seems the new world hierarchy would be decided tomorrow.
Noah had no plans to reveal the Trace System. He didn't know if others were also users of the system, but he found it highly unlikely. The reason was that even with these superhumans appearing, nothing was mentioned about the Reversal. The second reason was that the reason said he was the 'Beta' user. So even though not forever, but Noah believed he was the sole user for now. This means he had an advantage over the rest.
What he saw today during the news broadcast was most likely an active skill, just like his Mild-Focus. If that was true, and there was a skill called 'Teleport' or something similar, Noah felt like he can learn it in the future.
'Let's use those lottery tickets for now. System, use a lottery ticket.' Noah inwardly commanded and a holographic penal appeared just like last time.
[Congratulations! You've won the item: Cursed (?) Box.]
[Cursed (?) Box: Would gather 'luck' from the area around it for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of a week before giving a useful item depending on the gathering time! Warning: the gathering of luck brings misfortune.]
A sphere appeared just like last time before turning into a palm-sized black box. Reading the description, Noah almost threw the thing away in fright after he picked it up. Although it sounded useful, it was also dangerous. He didn't know how much 'misfortune' it would bring, so he had to think of a solution.
'Let's leave the other lottery ticket for later, I need to find a place to bury this for a week…' Noah grabbed the box and got out of the house. He decided to bury it in the park near his house.
As Noah was walking, he bumped into someone while leaving an alley. Before he could apologize, he felt something wet on his trousers. A kid bumped into him and smeared him with ice-cream while the mother was apologizing. After smiling at the lady and assuring her, Noah left them and headed toward the park.
"Oh, Noah! How about you work for another day? We can need some extra help here!" Noah was walking when someone called for him. It was the construction manager he worked for yesterday. He was about to refuse when the generator near him malfunctioned and all of the machines stopped working. Fearing the machine blowing up, Noah ignored the panicked manager and ran toward the park. Just in case, he also activated Mild-Focus.
While running, Noah was almost hit by a speeding car and a bicycle, dirtied by a janitor, and got hit in the head by a kid's kite. Thanks to his active skill, Noah avoided most of the misfortunes. Finally, Noah found a secluded place to bury the box before running away. Although not lethal, these misfortunes would drive anyone insane. Luckily, he found a place off-limit in the park because of a recent sabotaging incident.
Noah took a shower after he got back home and sat on the bed to do the next lottery ticket. However, he wasn't so lucky this time.
[Instant Noodles Cup]
[Instant Noodles Cup: quick-to-make and tasty.]
'This is…' More than being disappointed, Noah was amazed. Since the lottery could give food, it can be greatly helpful later on during The Reversal. 'Well, I didn't have dinner yet… Let's eat!'
While eating the noodles, Noah studied for his IB. He didn't want to waste the three more hours of Mild-Focus since it was already activated.
…
The next day, an announcement came through the broadcast system. It was the voice of the Students' Council President Aria Westbrook. She was also the daughter of principal, but no nepotism has been pulled. She was capable even without her status, and that is something agreed on by everyone in the school. It was rumored that she was the CEO of her own company, although a small one.
The broadcast caused a stir because it announced a superhuman joining the committee and being offered a house in the heart of Nario, the city they lived in. There would also be more benefits after the conference is held later this evening.
"Are they serious? They exist?"
"Haven't you heard the news? Every news channels and websites are covering it! I –"
The classroom was chaotic and even the teacher seemed distracted as he kept staring into his phone. The world was changing and not many people can accept that. One of those who could, surprisingly, was Alfred sitting behind Noah.
"You look like you accepted it." Noah threw a glance at Alfred who was far too relaxed, even more than him.
"Well, the clan always had legends about superhumans. I didn't believe them though, and now I have no choice but to believe them… Anyway, are you sure about making that club?" Alfred put a pencil between his upper lip and nose and leaned on the chair in a carefree matter.
"Definitely. Now more than ever." I replied in a serious expression more than I wanted to. Seeing this, Alfred paused and narrowed his eyes. It would have been a solemn expression if not for the pencil mustache.
"Do you know anything about this?"
Before Noah can reply to his question, the bell rang saving him. He used this chance to change the subject and stood up.
"I need to go to the library, see you later." Noah ran before Alfred can say anything. The latter started getting suspicious.
…
"Whoa, there are superhumans… I want to meet one." In the empty library, Kura listened to the announcement and exclaimed in awe. Feeling the presence of someone in front of his desk, he turned around.
He was faced with a tall student wearing the third year's uniform. He wasn't particularly handsome but he wasn't unpleasant to the eye. Black hair, brown eyes, a medium-sized nose, and well-defined jawline. His lips were a thin line giving him a solemn expression.
The reason Kura thought about this student features was that this person was his role model. Coming from an ordinary background, he climbed to the top with hard work alone. There were also rumors that he was working part-time since he lives alone.
"Excuse me..." Senior Noah let the sentence trail off. Kura snapped out of his gaze and stuttered. "Y-yes?"
"This." Noah held the library card so that Kura can scan it. The two looked at each other for a moment. Then, the glass-wearing junior grew frustrated and grabbed the card after saying incomprehensible things. Noah found it quite amusing. However, his expression froze when he heard the system's notifications.
[Notification: Potential: 93%. Loyalty: 18%]
[No TP will be rewarded because of the abysmal loyalty]
Noah looked at his fingertip that barely grazed this junior's hand. He hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary student to have a potential higher than Alfred. If the latter's potential was because of his martial arts, then what is this student's potential about? Why is it higher than Alfred? What can be more useful than martial arts? Noah found this interesting.
However, he didn't want to scare this junior because he was rash. For now, he had to take it slow. Not too slow, he needed to gain this students loyalty before he awakens his ability. For now, he should start with a simple gesture. A smile.
"H-here, Senior Noah!" Kura gave the card back after scanning it. Seeing his role model's sincere and uncharacteristic smile, he was stunned.
"No worries, what's your name?" Noah took the card back and asked gently. He didn't know why but he felt like a villain trying to coax the child. After learning the junior's name, Kura Yoshida, Noah chatted a bit before going to his seat and taking out his notebook and the list he made yesterday before sleep.
It was a list of the notable students in Seven Slates and their achievements. He wanted to make a list of targets and ways to gain their loyalty before the Reversal. Even though he felt that he was being a hypocrite, he didn't mind. To achieve his goal and find the truth about that incident, he didn't mind being a hypocrite. Besides, he would take care of those who follow him.