Today, I had a day off. Well, the reason wasn't for anything like a national holiday but the first-years are also having an exhibition match like we had last year. It was the start of June and the exhibition was due to start in a couple of hours.
Instead of the Chinese branch, this time, it was the American branch that came for the exhibition match. The American branch's principal is Daniel Lewis. He's known to be very strict in that school, apparently. Completely different from the principal that we have, and had, at this school.
They posted the lineups online, which is different from what they did last time.
Ah, the match is also tomorrow, on the 6th. I have no clue why today is the day off, but it's not like I'm complaining.
I left my dorm room and entered the school cafeteria, getting breakfast and looking at the lineup for the exhibition match on my phone.
First, the Japanese branch. Honestly, this doesn't look too promising. It's not like I know a lot of first-years.
There are two people I do know. Alicia and Mashiro are on this list. Under Mashiro's name, there's a note that says she's a contractor. It's a bit different from what it says about the others.
"Ryouta Ikimoto. An all-rounder and is in Class 1-A. He looks like a looker more than a fighter."
Something about that smirk of his just pissed me off. I feel like I'm just in a bad mood since I'm judging these first-years like this.
"Kamina Raichi. Brawler, Class 1-D. He looks like a thug. Yuichi Hirano, sorcerer, Class 1-A. And, finally, Yuri Asa, swordsman, Class 1-B. That's it for our side. Honestly, I don't know what to say about the lineup."
It's not like I care about the school's pride or anything, but I at least want our team to win.
I scrolled down to the American team. All I can say is that they look intimidating. Far more intimidating than the Japanese branch.
"Chain Zenith, summoner. Keith Bale, assassin. Nate Pierce, sharpshooter. Tianna Latora, swordsman. Aurora Dice, all-rounder. Stan Lesley, brawler."
Their team has a variety of positions, compared to our side. They all seem somewhat trained too. I'm not expecting the first-years to win this one. I want them to win since I don't want that branch bragging about being the best all of a sudden. Maybe it's because I won it for us last time but I'm really sensitive when it comes to the America and Japan exhibition match.
I sighed, putting my dirty plate and utensils away.
I exited the cafeteria with my eyes glued onto the screen of my phone. I put it away, walking down the stairs.
I think I'll go back to the dorms and do some homework. There's that Ancient Runes homework that Merlyn set. It looked long so I didn't want to do it but when Tatsuya didn't do his homework last time... Let's just say that I don't want to incur her wrath like what Tatsuya did. Seriously, he described it like it was hell.
[You're up early.]
Erebus yawned.
(It's almost 10:00 am, and you seriously just woke up?)
[Hey, I gotta sleep.]
The god materialised, wiping his eyes.
(Can't people see you?)
[I'm only making myself visible to you. And also, as long as I'm in your shadow, and not in physical form, I can't stray far from you.]
(You want me to show you around the city, don't you?)
[And that's why you're the second incarnation to partner up with me.]
He smirked.
I gave up on doing my homework, for now. I aimlessly walked around, looking at Erebus' reaction to Altria.
[I've hardly been awake when you're wandering around. Modern society is truly amazing. If it wasn't for your thoughts, I wouldn't know what half of this stuff is.]
(My... thoughts? You can do the same thing as Altair?)
I asked, slightly annoyed.
[...I don't know what 'thing' you speak of,]
He decided to play dumb.
[But I can trace your memories and combine them with my own, helping me understand what lots of things are. I'm sure Master did the same, despite countlessly reincarnating.]
In a way, it's like reading someone else's mind but it's limited, I think. Otherwise, he would've just traced all of my memories at once. It either takes too much mana or is dangerous for him or me.
(Say, what's up with Altair? He suddenly disappeared during the holidays and then shows up with a warning for me before going again.)
Erebus stayed silent as he seemed deep in thought. He turned to me.
[Master was always plain and obvious yet also mysterious. If he disappeared without saying anything to you, then it's probably because he has something to do. Though, in that state, I don't even know what he can do...]
He seemed to almost mutter that last part to himself.
[If he's being somewhat elusive, I guess that means a storm is coming.]
(Yeah, Solomon is reawakening. Altair said that he'll most likely come straight to me the moment he does and kill me.)
Erebus froze, looking at my hand.
[The sigil. Your Emperor's Sigil is what will give you away. In the Paladin War, King Solomon was able to find Emperors due to their unique sigils.]
He warned me because hiding wasn't an option.
[Master is likely trying to find a way to stop King Solomon from killing you.]
(I don't think so. I mean, he told me that he won't be able to help me.)
When I said that, the god looked confused. In a way, the actions that he thought Altair would take were different from reality.
[That's not like Master...]
He whispered.
"Ah, found you."
"Hm?"
I turned—a group of teenagers were staring at me. A group of six. I had seen them all before, it was fairly recently too but my memory wasn't working very well.
[The American branch team. That's them.]
My eyes widened while Erebus talked.
That should've been obvious. Not a single one of them look the slightest bit Japanese. Judging from what one of them said, they were trying to find me. Possibly even tracking me.
I smiled.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
I'm not in the mood to deal with these guys. Just like the last group, the Chinese team, I can already guess what they want me to do. Feigning ignorance is the best thing I can do.
"We want you to come with us."
The scarred one, Chain, spoke in English. They were wearing the translating earphones that the Chinese team had.
"Hey, Chain, I don't think he can understand us."
The boy next to her, Keith, said. He sneered at me, which got on my nerves.
"He looks stupid, do you think that he clashed with an Emperor and survived?"
Aurora, another girl, asked, furrowing her brow.
I fucking hate the fact that those rumours spread even to foreign students.
I sighed before replying to them in fluent English.
"I can understand everything that you're saying."
Just like with the Chinese team, they gave the same surprised look. Chain smiled.
"Lucky. That makes it easier."
She took her earphones off and they all followed suit. Her smile made me uncomfortable.
"I want to talk to the one who survived fighting an Emperor. I also... want to demonstrate my power against you."
Knew it. I don't give two shits though. I'm not going to be fighting her or any of these guys. I don't like conceited people like her. Qin was somewhat different.
"Oi, you said I could fight him first."
Stan complained.
"Plans have changed. I'll—"
"Sorry, but I have no intention of fighting."
When I spoke, they seemed to freeze. The first to talk was the final girl, Tianna.
"W-what do you mean by that?! How are we supposed to know how strong we are?! You have duels at this school too! Then just duel us! One is fine!"
They're eager.
It annoys me that they're younger than me and they act like this. They meet me for the first time and act selfish and arrogant. In western countries, they don't have much respect for elders compared to countries like Japan.
"Are you scared?"
Nate, the boy with a bow and arrow, asked me.
It was a simple provocation. It was simple. Usually, I wouldn't fall for it, but I'm already pissed off from their disrespect, so I guess I'll teach them a lesson.
Oh, and it won't be playing their game.
"Scared? Me, scared?"
I muttered.
Some of them grinned, thinking that I would accept their challenge.
I looked over at the spectating god.
"Hey, Erebus, what do you think?"
I asked him openly.
He seemed confused at first but he knew what I wanted him to do when I addressed him normally.
I'm not planning on fighting, so I want Erebus to intimidate them since I don't want to do it myself.
"Has he gone crazy?"
"Who are you talking to?"
They asked me.
"He's some wei—"
[I think they're stupid.]
Finally, he revealed themselves to the American branch.
He looked like an idiot in my opinion. He was smiling at them with his hand on his chin. Honestly, he reminded me of a genie. If I ever told him, he would get angry at me though.
The girl in the back, Tianna, vomited seeing Erebus on sight.
That's... unexpected. I mean, it's working, so I'm not going to complain.
They readied themselves for battle, despite being on the streets. It wasn't populated since it was the morning. Most people were at work.
"Hey, are you sure you want to fight me here? If you do attack me, you'll be reprimanded and be the shame of your entire school. Do you want that?"
As I mentioned it, they faltered.
Yes! It's working! Please withdraw so I can go back to my dorm room.
Most of them dropped their battle stances while Chain and Nate stayed in their stances, nervously staring at me.
"What is that?"
"It's dark and evil... The pressure from it is overwhelming. It's not human. It's too powerful to be a familiar. What is it?"
Is that how they see Erebus? If Alicia never saw Erebus like that, then I'm guessing he's helping me out here. I'll have to thank him later, somehow.
[I am Erebus, the Personification of Darkness.]
"Erebus..."
Finally, the two dropped their stances and stared in awe. They had all gone silent. Alicia recognised the name instantly, so it makes sense that they would.
Huh, wait? Isn't Alicia British? Does it matter? Nope, not important.
"So, can I go, or do you guys still want to push your luck?"
"Just seeing how powerful that floating guy is, I'm even more excited to fight you."
Stan slammed his fists together.
"Yeah, if we beat you, then we truly will be incredible."
"Of course."
I internally sighed.
These guys are not smart. I'm tired of dealing with these Americans.
(Erebus. Scare the living shit out of them.)
He nodded as if saying, 'ay, ay, sir.'
The god released his bloodlust, freezing the Americans in place, causing them to break into a cold sweat. Even I felt slightly uncomfortable. I watched Erebus who floated over to the group.
[Stay if you want.]
That's not what you're supposed to say!
[However, if you do, I can't guarantee that you'll still have a head if you decide to do so.]
Great, great! I'm sorry for ever doubting you!
He stopped emitting bloodlust and the American group collapsed, attempting to catch their breath. Chain slowly fell to her knees, looking up at Erebus.
[Do you understand?]
She frantically nodded.
Not long after, they turned tail and walked away from me without another word. Simply with looks of fear.
Now, I know they won't be pestering me for a while.
[How did I do?]
"Amazing. I probably couldn't have done it better myself. Having a god by my side is like having a cheat code."
[A cheat code? I don't know what that is but I don't like the sound of it.]
"Don't worry about it."
He'll be mad if he finds out that I compared him to something cheap like a cheat code.
We silently stared at each other.
[I think I should trace your memories to get a vague idea.]
"Nope!"