The next day…
"So, did you solve your problem?" [Mark]
Sitting with Mark alone in the disciplinary office, Adam lounged about after the incident.
"Yeah… Wrapped up pretty nicely. …I think." [Adam]
"You think?" [Mark]
"Mhm. I prefer not to think about troublesome things." [Adam]
Mark nodded his head.
"So you're the "out of sight, out of mind" type." [Mark]
"Uh… I guess…?" [Adam]
Adam shrugged.
("I have no clue what that means.") [Adam]
"Don't think about it too much." [Mark]
Hearing that, Adam gave Mark a confused look.
"...Oh. You read my mind didn't you?" [Adam]
"Yep. It's nice to talk with you." [Mark]
"...Why?" [Adam]
"Because you don't think much. It's nice and quiet." [Mark]
He smiled as Adam made strange expressions while unsure of what to say.
"Anyway, mind doing me a favor?" [Mark]
"Sure." [Adam]
"...Sure?" [Mark]
He was somewhat taken aback, surprised by the quick reply.
"I didn't even say what I needed." [Mark]
"Eh…" [Adam]
Scratching the back of his head, Adam wasn't too sure of what to say.
"Didn't you help me the other day? I might as well pay you back when I can." [Adam]
"I only covered for you a little…" [Mark]
"And?" [Adam]
The corners of Mark's mouth seemed to rise after listening to Adam.
"I see. You're a good guy, you know that?" [Mark]
"I know." [Adam]
"...Heh. Hahaha!" [Mark]
Hearing Adam's replies caused Mark to burst out laughing.
("This guy's too funny.") [Mark]
Wiping a tear from his eyes, Mark turned the topic of conversation back to his favor.
"Anyway, I need you to come with me to Golden Lion Highschool." [Mark]
"Golden Lion Highschool? Why?" [Adam]
"You know how we have the next week off?" [Mark]
"Yeah?" [Adam]
"That only applies to normal students." [Mark]
Adam tilted his head.
"Normal students?" [Adam]
"That means you, me, the disciplinary committee, and the student council still have to work here." [Mark]
"Ah…" [Adam]
Just those words were enough to make Adam feel disappointed.
("There goes my break…") [Adam]
"Don't feel too bad. You don't need to attend any classes. You just need to help set up the next event." [Mark]
"Next event?" [Adam]
"After the break, we have an event planned to compete with other schools. It's kind of like that other event we had a while ago. You know, the one that you won." [Mark]
("I did…?") [Adam]
Thinking back, he recalled winning himself a Mobile Defensive Equipment until it broke when he got kidnapped.
"Ah, that thing." [Adam]
"Indeed. This time, the event will take place at their school." [Mark]
Adam nodded along, until a question arose in his mind.
"So is it going to be the same thing again?" [Adam]
Mark shook his head.
"Nope. This time they'll be testing the students individually. Students will be put in a room to fight one on one against AVS bots." [Mark]
"AVS… Ah, you mean those fake voidling robots?" [Adam]
"Correct. The students will fight them through two ways. One, increasing its level upon victory. Two, fighting waves upon waves of the same level AVS." [Mark]
"It's… I don't get why this is an event." [Adam]
It was then that Mark pulled out a pamphlet from his pocket.
"Here." [Mark]
Adam took the pamphlet and inspected it with a strange look on his face.
"...What is this?" [Adam]
"It's a guide. Well, kind of." [Mark]
"How so?" [Adam]
He flipped through the pages which caused his eyes to light up.
"We could get rewarded?!" [Adam]
"Yep. You may choose one of the MOE or MDE within the guide. If you place first, you might get something else." [Mark]
"Like?" [Adam]
"You'll have to see." [Mark]
He stood up and tossed something to Adam.
"Woah!" [Adam]
Fumbling with the object, Adam took a look at it in his hands.
("A visitor pass?") [Adam]
"Put that on. We're heading out now."