125. Did he do this for me? Hahaha
It's been decided that we three—me, Justin, and Priscilla will enroll in the same high school. It was Guild Master Carter who decided that. According to him, St. Marionette was like Noble's school in the Middle Ages. It was a place to make connections instead of accumulating knowledge. And for us two, who were normal humans only a few months ago, what they taught students at that place was quite useful for me and Justin. Because at that location, students would be taught the common sense and universal way to use Mana in the Hidden World. Then, because it gathered people from all over the world, it was also the best place to make connections. He also said joining a big force was the best way to survive in this world.
That's why, for all those reasons, Justin and I agreed to enroll in St. Marionette High School, supported by the guild. And Priscilla, who is the same age as us, will also go along with us.
When we informed our parents, they were confused and afraid at first. It's because it was an aboard high school that means we're going to be far from their protection. When we told them about the school's integrity, achievement, reputation, and scholarship. It alleviated their worries a bit, but not everything. In the end, with the help of Carter, the guild master, they agreed to let us enroll.
And no, Carter didn't use any mind control on them. He talked to our parents slowly to make them accept it. If Carter were going to use any mind control, Justin and I would absolutely not accept that. We knew we were weak in this world, like a fat baby chick in the wilderness, but even so, we still have our line that cannot be crossed. We realized after a while that the Guild was an organization made up of many factions working together, which also meant that they weren't solid. The Guild Master was Carter, who was also Priscilla's father; we might be able to trust them but not the other higher-ups. We were lucky that it was Priscilla's father who held the Guild Master seat for now.
It was impossible to fully trust the guild with so many other factions within it. Yet we had no choice because we were weak. According to Justin, as long as we still have value to them, they won't harm our family. 'What we need the most right now is time...the time to grow stronger' was what he said.
I'm really glad that Justin was with me all this time if it was just me alone... I think I might have had a mental breakdown a long time ago.
Alright, enough with the gloomy stuff.
Now that we have decided to enroll aboard, there are a few things we need to prepare for our life over there. And today we three—me, Justin, and Priscilla went shopping for those necessities.
It went smoothly, we quickly got what we wanted, but then... something, or more accurately, someone, went inside my vision.
"Hey, isn't that Prez?" I pointed toward the other side of the mall, where, inside a fancy café, there's a couple with an otherworldly beautiful young woman and a handsome young man. The point is that they knew the girl, who is their Student Council's President, Kate Bentley, but they didn't know the guy.
Since Kate Bentley, our president, enrolled in our middle school, she has been immediately admired by many, whether they are girls or guys. Information about her quickly made its way around the school from the first year to the third year. And from the students who went to the same elementary school as her. There's a rumor that Kate was always with her childhood friends at that time.
Even when she became the student council's president, that rumor never went away, but no one knew who that guy was. It was until... that time, when the transfer student came into our class. Not long after he came, our lives also dramatically changed. That's why I think I won't forget it for a long time.
Anyway, getting back to the point, the whole school erupted when they saw Prez flirting with Spifer, the transfer student, on the school grounds. I still remember that time Justin looked like he cried blood while watching them. From that time, we knew the person on the rumor was none other than our transfer student friend, Spifer Iaso.
However, the young man we saw with Prez right now was not Spifer; it was another person we didn't know.
"What are you doing?" I turned my head when I heard Priscilla's voice, and I saw her holding Justin in place. I know I made a mistake telling them about what I saw.
"Let go of me," Justin replied. "I might be jealous of Spifer, but he's still my friend. There's no way I'll let this kind of injustice pass by! I don't want to believe Prez was that kind of person!"
"It's none of our business," Priscilla responded with logic.
"You also saw them yesterday, Prez and Spifer acting intimately at school! And today she's with another guy! At least, Spifer needs to know about this!"
As they started bickering, an idea popped into my mind: "Maybe they're just an acquittance," I said, defending Prez.
"That's right, it might not look like that, we're outsiders and didn't know a thing," Priscilla followed me up. Hearing that Justin also seemed to calm down, however, when we took another glance at Prez.
I facepalmed inwardly; they acted so intimately that anyone could feel the lovey-dovey atmosphere they exuded to their surroundings, and even blind people could see their relationship wasn't just an acquittance or friend. (She's bold!!) I thought, hoping that I could also be like her. Alright, let's say I never thought of that.
"That's it," Justin forcefully released himself and started walking toward them.
"Argh!!" Priscilla sighed annoyedly, "What are you even going to say to her!?" She spoke as she chased after Justin. Priscilla knew Kate's real identity because Kate didn't really do anything to hide it. Her last name alone was enough to convince others that she was related to the city's most powerful underground family. The problem is that they also had enough power in Hidden World that the guild couldn't carelessly mess with them.
"I'm just going to ask her about their relationship and if Spifer knew about it or not. I know I'm an outsider," Justin replied, which made Priscilla stand still for a moment. (He was calmer than I expected) before she awoke from her trance and quickly followed him again; Mina, on the other hand, could only follow them from behind.
***
After Lex and Kate went shopping, they rested at a café. It was a quiet café, which is to Lex and Kate's liking. It was a silent moment where they sat side by side and enjoyed their drink peacefully. Some time they would make small talk, laugh, or play a small prank on each other. It was a lovely time.
Until…
When Lex and Kate heard "Hello Prez," they turned to find Justin at the front, with Priscilla and Mina behind him.
They were surprised to see them here, but it was a public space, so it wasn't impossible. Kate quickly gathered herself and greeted them with her public emotionless smile "Hello, Mr. Avdil, Ms. Maecil, and Ms. Belle fancy meeting you three here." Kate, who felt so comfortable that she forgot she was still in Lex's half-embrace all this time. While Lex could see somehow Justin wasn't like his usual self. (He's angry, but why?) He thought and kept observing.
On the other hand, Justin became even more vexed and disappointed with how Kate behaved. He knew it was unreasonable for him to feel like this. But sometimes feeling were uncontrollable.
He took a deep breath so he wouldn't shout and could calm his raging feelings. "Did Spifer know about this?"
That question confused Lex and Kate. "What do you mean?" Kate slightly tilted her head. She really didn't know what was happening now. (Isn't Lex in front of you?)
Justin, who thought they were playing stupid became even angrier "I MEAN did Spifer know your two relations!?" At this time the waiter in the café also realized the disturbance, but she quickly understood their muddy problem, so she only watched as long as they didn't make a loud noise or destroy the café. She didn't have a right to interfere. (Besides, it was quite an entertainment in this boring part time~)
At this point, Lex and Kate finally realized what Justin meant.
(Puhahahaha) Lex tried his best to act calm on the outside (Did he do this for me? Hahaha, how cute.) Lex saw Justin as a little child. That's why when he acted like this... (Hahaha)
On the other hand, Kate looked at Lex's appearance now; she understood how Justin misunderstood, but it didn't mean she was happy with this, for she of all people to be suspected of cheating from Lex!! It was something that could blow away her limits. Kate usually always acts on logic and responds accordingly; however, when it comes to Lex, her brain switches and is wired extremely differently than normal.
((!?)) Lex stopped laughing immediately when he realized Kate was starting to let out a dangerous vibe around her. He moved as soon as possible and pulled her toward his lap as he rested her head on his chest while patting her head. While only Priscilla of the three realized Kate's changes. Cold sweat brimming on her face, and only when Lex acted did she let out a relief sigh.
Yet Justin, who didn't realize that he almost lost his life, was flabbergasted looking at what Lex had done. He's about to spew another word.
"Okay, stop it right there, you three," Lex said. "It's been months since you two knew about the other side; you should know what the other side could do. Close your eyes for a moment."
"What are you talking about?" Justin was confused by his sudden command.
"Just close it," Lex said with a lower tone but more strength in his voice. As he deliberately intimidated them. They unconsciously closed their eyes.
While Justin and others closed their eyes. Lex put on his ring and said, "You can open it now."
Justin and Mina were taken aback by the handsome man in front of them, who was quickly becoming their ordinary friend whose face they couldn't recall. Meanwhile, Priscilla finally understood why she always felt something was wrong with Spifer "Spifer?" Mina asked.
"Yeah," Lex replied. Then he released the ring once again, and the handsome guy they had seen before appeared. "This ring is an artifact with 'Perception inhibition'; those who saw me will only be able to see a plain face that's hard to remember, but to those who knew the real me and were able to connect between the real me and plain me, they will only see the real me" to prove his point. Lex wore the artifact again, and his face didn't change in front of the three "See" he proved.
""Wow"" Justin and Mina were astonished by the artifact function. And Priscilla, who knew the hidden world, had common sense. (What the heck is that godlike artifact?!) She screamed inwardly. Even if it's an artifact, it works similarly to magic, which means every time magic or an artifact is used, there's always a splash reaction on the Natural Mana (Even if I'm not that good at detection, if magic were to be used right in front of my face, I'd still feel it!)
(A year has passed... Everyday... Right in my face...)Priscilla started to think Lex was her enigma.
Now that the misunderstanding had been resolved, Justin calmly looked at Lex's changes. It quickly reminded him of that time. He trained with Priscilla and her father after awakening his Mana. Justin quickly loses his chubby body and becomes lean and muscular like a main protagonist from a story.
Then Lex, who after a few weeks rest came back to school, was surprised, and his first word after a while was, "Did you shed your skin?"
Justin never said it out loud, but even after a few months, he still held grudges over that sentence! And today, God had given him a chance! A chance of revenge! Justin stared at Lex for a few moments.
When the others realized Justin's strange conduct, they became silent and looked at him.
(Chance!) Justin gleefully thought, "Spifer," he called.
Lex looked at his serious face.
"Did you shed your skin?" Justin asked with a smug face. "Pfftt!!" Mina quickly laughed upon hearing that she knew exactly what Justin's thinking.
Lex was dumbfounded for a second, and he also remembered what he said to Justin in the past: "Come on! You still held grudges over that!" Lex replied, and then they all laughed except for Priscilla and Kate.
Then Justin finally looked at Kate. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. He felt awkward and guilty toward her.
On the other hand, Kate only glanced at him. "It's fine," she said in a flat tone. She didn't even bother to give out her polite public smile. Kate's impression on Justin had fallen so hard that it was unrecoverable anymore.
Without anyone knowing, the World's fate had corrected itself. Kate and Justin were never meant to be on the same side.