Mino observed the room properly. Three sides were dull grey
walls, a slit in the top for ventilation, and surprisingly, a barred
window.
A small amount of fresh breeze was entering through it,
but due to the insane number of people packed in, the room
was still stuffy.
As soon as Mino came in, all eyes turned to look at him. Surely
a bit uncomfortable due to all the stares directed at him, he sat
down on the floor, in his previous seat beside the boy with wolf-
like ears.
The boy was looking at him curiously, as well as the other boys
in the room. Mino breathed out a single question after deciding
that it wouldn't be improper to ask.
"You are a wolf?"
The boy's eyes showed surprise for sonic moments, but that
died down and he silently nodded his head. Mino tried to
advance the conversation further when he was reminded that
he had a more important task to complete.
Producing the status badge from his tunic pocket, he showed it
to the boy and asked,
"Can you please tell me how to use it?"
Again, the boy's eyes were filled with surprise.
His ears perked
up as he slowly opened his mouth to ask, "You really don't know
how to use this?"
Mino smiled faintly before shaking his head. The boy didn't look
convinced though.
He narrowed his eyes and asked, "So the
fact of you coming from another world is actually true? I
honestly thought of it as some silly joke. Or perhaps you are
incredibly sheltered, but you honestly don't look like one. You almost...seem like a noble."
Instantly the entire room turned noisy. The gazes on him turned
more curious and the boys were talking to each other in hushed
whispers, as if trying to not let Mino hear them.
Some were
talking quite loudly, but Mino didn't pay any attention to them.
Mino was surprised by the observation skill of the boy.
He inwardly made a note, [I really need to learn how to observe
and connect loose threads from this guy.] and then clearing his throat somewhat awkwardly,
Mino continued,
"Yes, I really do come from another world. So I don't have any
knowledge about this world. Hope you can help me out."
The boy's expression turned into one of disbelief, his mouth
wide open. It looked like he was trying to say something, but he
was interrupted.
*Thump*
Mino felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder, the force enough
to send painful vibrations down his arm. Clutching his shaky
right arm with his left arm, he turned backwards to see himself
facing a burly chest. Slowly turning his head upwards, his eyes
met a pair of grassy green eyes, much like Reinard's.
They were looking down on
him, the face was smirking arrogantly. A bush of spiky ginger
hair decorated the arrogant face. Just one look and Mino knew
what type of a person he was.
But Mino didn't dare roll his eyes
since he was aware of the consequences.
[Ah shit, here we go again...]
"I am Zay Sretknot. Who are you? Introduce yourself and I will
help you activate your status badge."
Zay's smirk widened as he
thumped his chest with his other hand.
[You aren't Zay Sretknot you bastard, you're gay straight-not]
Mentally despising Zay even though there wasn't a clear reason
to do so, Mino faked a smile and looked right into Zay's eyes.
Then he started, "I am Mino Clair. Please assist me in activating
this thing, status badge you said?"
Zay's smirk widened into a grin as he declared joyfully, "Oh,
since you are asking me this sincerely, I won't reject!" he turned
his head to look at some other boys, clearly his lackeys and
made a gesture with his face. Mino knew where this was going,
but he knew protest wouldn't help either.
As Mino was going to let his frustration out with a sigh, he heard
a whooshing sound along with a light gust of wind made a few
strands of his hair flutter.
Completely confused by what just happened, he moved his
eyes to look near his ear, to see nothing.
Widening his eyes in
realisation, Mino tried to turn again, but it was already too late.
His temple caught a fist packed with power. It failed to send him
flying, but the torque resulted in him crashing down on the floor
backwards.
He was lying spread eagled on the floor.
Zay wasn't satisfied. He raised his leg and slammed it down on
Mino's face. Mino was instantly reminded of the beatdown
Alison and his lackeys gave him not long time back.
His
breathing had become rough as his nose started bleeding.
Some of the blood entered his mouth too.
"Alright, now you know who's the boss? You better. I am a good
man, so I won't back down on my promise. Here you go!"
Speaking in a guttural tone, Zay flung the status badge at
Mino's bleeding nose. It got smeared with his blood, and soon,
started glowing.
Mino wasn't responding. Pain was coursing through his head,
and he couldn't care less about the badge.
But Zay's warning
snapped him out of his delirium. Ignoring his throbbing head he
held the badge in his hand, staring at it blankly.
Of course, how
could he know that he would have to say 'Status'? Nobody
mentioned it to him.
The boy from earlier crawled close to him and whispered, "Say
'Status'." Then a shot a disgusted and derisive look at Zay.
That wasn't ignored by Zay, who said,
"Heh! Trying to
get all friendly huh, Furloc? I'll personally deal with you later."
Zay glared at Mino once again and muttered slowly, "I'm
waiting."
Feeling the death glare, Mino didn't even hesitate for a moment
before breathing out, "Status." He observed that a bluish white screen carrying white text appeared in front of him.
At first he was freaked out when he saw that screen popping
out of nowhere, but his game knowledge helped him make
sense of the situation relatively quickly.
"Now, read it out." Zay said this one loudly.