He wanted to become the ideal hero.
Deron believed that if he put enough effort into it, he would be able to do it. The Heromaker Academy was where he shall start his story.
As he was now an officially recognized student of the academy, Deron now had a 'room' of his own. The boys' dormitory wasn't that far from the 1st year buildings. Divided into four sectors, 1st years to 4th years are separated from the north, south, east, and west.
In the center of these sectors were the Enclosed Forests, the same place where the monster hunting in the exams occurred. With the Principal's own building at its centermost, the Enclosed Forests were something between training grounds and the principal's backyard.
Publicly, it was said that the Heromaker Academy's architecture was flawed. However, Deron believed differently. It was in the Heroes' best interest that the Enclosed Forest was surrounded from all sides as this artificially-monster-manufacturing zone was quite a liability.
The Enclosed Forests was not simply a forest. It was actually a giant artificial dungeon that regenerates a variety of monster species. Aside from being an academy, the Heromaker also served as an important research facility that tackled the mysteries of monsters, dungeons, and mutations.
Deron perused the books regarding the facilities of the academy. He bought the books from a merchant for a cheap silver piece. The 1st year's area was in the East Sector, and among the four sectors, the 1st years have the biggest area they occupied in the Enclosure.
Enclosure-- it was called like that because it really did resemble an enclosure. The architectural style of the academy is surprisingly simple. Deron intently looked at the intricate map he bought for a gold coin. A big forest in the middle, and surrounding it was a giant ring resembling a thick uneven donut… It was a rough analogy, but understandable enough for Deron.
For instance, the land territory that the East Sector had cleared was about 42 kilometers squared. Meanwhile, the West Sector filled with 2nd years was barely over half of that territory cleared by the East Sector.
So in a bird's eye view, it looked like a giant uneven donut that was fatter on the left side. Honestly, it looked ugly.
After his geography self-review, Deron finally had confidence in himself that he won't ever be lost again. The first time he was lost, he suddenly found himself in the West Sector which was totally on the other end of the map!!
How was that even possible? The Enclosed Forests was literally in the middle of it all!
It was a mystery to Deron, but what happened already happened. Revisiting the memory was certainly unpleasant to him. He didn't regret it though that he beat up his seniors. Those second years deserved it.
Deron sighed at his own recklessness. After getting himself lost to the West Sector, Deron picked a fight with his seniors, because of his own self-righteousness.
"The second years are kind of weird. They feel more militaristic. Moreover, they take 'rankings' too seriously. Is it really right to gang over one weak individual?"
Deron stewed on the thought.
To become an ideal hero, Deron would not let up the opportunity to inflict judgment on evildoers.
Deron looked around his room lacking any décor. Since it was the weekend, he could go around and shop for some stuff. It would be a good idea if he could procure a bookshelf, training equipment, and even some more books.
Exiting his dorm, he met Pierre surrounded by his lackeys. Judging from the 'B' badge on their lapels, these lackeys seemed to belong to Class B.
"Lord Pierre, Class B has the best Talent-grades in the academy. The strongest among them is a 40 percenter…"
"Lord Ramon tried to recruit him for Princess Lorie's faction, but the guy just outright refused. Hmmm… If I recall, the 40 percenter's name is Bon-something… I don't recall much."
"Lord Pierre, should we try recruiting him? Though he's a commoner, I believe he can be of use since he has a high chance to transfer for Class-A."
Deron and Pierre's eyes met. The two nodded at each other in acknowledgment and went on their own ways.
Bon? Who was that guy again? Deron felt he knew the name. Deron wondered how strong this Bon character was. To catch Pierre's and Princess Lorie's aide's attention, he must be a special character.
When Deron reached the bookstore, he was surprised to see Lorie and Jana together.
"Hello there, buying books?" Deron kindly greeted. Lorie had that 'don't-care' attitude. But when Jana whipped her head to him, Deron saw a slight blush. 'Is she sick? Are you ok?' He wanted to ask but on second thought… it was better he just leaves Jana alone.
There has been a scary rumor around Jana on how she was an ice-cold beauty that was actually bipolar. Seeing it firsthand, Deron confirmed the truth.
"I'll just leave you two alone," Jana said to Lorie. "Have fun." And she vanished just like that.
However, Deron wasn't fooled. Though Jana did well at hiding her presence, Deron was still able to detect her. Come to think of it, this Jana was there when he and Lorie visited Alfir…
'Hmmm… So Jana was not just bipolar but also a stalker…' Deron looked at Lorie pitifully. 'A stalker that swings the other way? No, that doesn't sound right. Is this yuri? I think I read something like that from a dictionary.'
Interrupting Deron from his wild thoughts, Lorie slammed the book she was checking on the bookshelf. She felt the pitying gaze of Deron and can't be more annoyed.
'What is there to pity about me? Yeah, I know, I am pitiable!! I admit it!' Lorie gritted her teeth recalling the past week she have been with Jana.
If only Deron knew her pain. Jana, that woman, had been harassing her for some time! The most annoying was that this same woman was disturbing her farming of luck!!
She could not even sneak and help with dishwashing the dishes in the canteen. Lorie is going crazy!!
"What is it? Out with it. Just to come clean, I've already talked to Jana and she doesn't know jack-shit about how Mr. Alfir died."
"Wait, he isn't dead yet already, is he?"
"No, it was a metaphor."
How was that even a metaphor!? Honestly, Deron had already forgotten the Alfir-case… Seeing Lorie's annoyed face, Deron felt guilty for he has been slacking off on doing good deeds.
'Yes, I should help Mr. Alfir… I still want that rematch, and also helping a fellow student is a good deed…' Though Alfir was a stranger to him, Deron knew better exacting judgment on evildoers was not all there was to becoming a hero. It was also necessary he does good deeds.
"Sorry about that. I was slacking off, hahaha… you must be annoyed… I'll do my part." Deron apologized, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. He tried to shrug it off with a laugh, but Lorie just looked more confused at the minute.
"Hmmm… I'll go now." Deron walked it off. He turned his back and went for the Bookstore's exit. This was no time to curiously look for books to read or whatnot. Deron criticized himself for his short-sightedness and slacking.
Meanwhile, Lorie just looked at Deron's back getting more confused. 'Why did he suddenly apologize?' Deron mistakenly took Lorie's annoyance for Jana as his… Also, Lorie and Jana were not on the same wavelength at all.
That was not the case for Jana though. To her, it looked like a boyfriend apologizing to his girlfriend for not making up some time with her. Jana was living in her own world.
Deron was already at the exit of the bookstore. He was disappointed in himself for not being able to embody the ideal hero. When he pushed open the door, a white blur shot at him flying.
It shouted, "Out of the WAAAY!!" But it's too late.
Even with Deron's superhuman ability, he wasn't able to react on time as it was too sudden and the white blur was flying at insane velocities.
Before they made an impact collision, separated less than a meter, Deron finally saw what the white blur was… It was Cain thrown headfirst in his direction. Deron was in disbelief.
~smooch*
Deron felt the supple warmth on his lips. Whoever threw Cain just made a headshot. Or in this case, context-wise, a lip shot. A splatter of blood scattered in Deron's vision.
The two poor sods were flung on the bookstore. Some of the shelves were destroyed, and the books were strewn.
"A-ack… Cain, what h-appen-ed? Did you just bite me?" With a bloodied face and bruised lips, Deron could hardly stand up. He was dizzy and a bit out of it
Cain was silently panicking at the sides as he tear off page after page from the strewn books. With it, he wiped his bloodied nose.
"I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them. I-am-going-to-kill-them." With bloodshot eyes, Cain mumbled to himself. There would be a bloodbath at this rate.
Too much for an ideal hero.