To reach the peak,you have to start from somewhere they say. Seeing my friends reaching S rank came as a shock to me. Why, you might ask? It's because S rankers were seen in high regard. The journey to S rank from F rank is a difficult one in this world and this led to a widespread belief that S rankers needed to be given the ultimate respect and honor. When Evan stone reached SS rank while working in the organization, he was immediately elected as the president of the Hero organization. It was really a big deal as SS rankers were super rare. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that it's a big deal getting to S rank and my friends are radiating the mana of a S ranker! It's really serious.
"Oh crap". I said widening my eyes. My mouth were opened as well. "Don't tell me....".
"Is it only me that feel more power flowing in my veins?", Kwami asked as he raised his arm, flexing his biceps."Is this how E rank looks like?"
"No idiot",Aluna shout before paying more attention to her body. "This is no E rank. I feel it's beyond even B rank".
"That's a joke right?",Kofi asked facing me.
"It's not", I answered making them realize the extent of the situation they are in."It's actually S rank".
They were silent. I guess they needed time to assimilate the information they just heard or...
"What do you mean S rank",Annika said breaking my line of thought and holding my shoulder with her two hands before shaking me vigorously.
"What are we going to do?",Kofi said as he separated us "It hasn't been heard of kids getting to the S rank position".
"This is amazing",Aluna said, making us wonder what she was thinking as she's surprisingly calm.
"How's any of these amazing?", Kofi asked again. "We will be targets for life".
"Guys",Aluna said gaining the attenuation if everyone as she raised her palm forwards. "Just chill and feel that power". Unexpectedly, Aluna moved with much speed in my direction. Her speed was even faster than the Titanoboa. She had a fist directed at my face. Reacting instantly, I tilted my head to the left and held her wrist.
"Ho",She smiled in excitement. "You were able to dodge my punch. As expected of SSS rank".
"What are you doing Aluna"?,I asked completely confusedly. I still held on to her hand
"Testing",She replied shaking her hand off from my grip. "I'm just testing".
"I feel you all are stronger than the Titanoboa I faced",I said informing them of my conclusion
"Oh oh",Kofi said while trying to hide the smile he made. "That's surprising"
"No", Annika said finally speaking after a while "This is bad. How do we go home? From what I feel, I can't control my mana that effectively and you know what that means right? We will be causing terror in the streets".
"You have a point", Kwami said nodded his head.
"I have a plan guys".I said calming them down."Hear me out"
I told them of my plan and they all agreed. It was the only plan I could think of. I went back to town alone and had a bit of some shopping before checking out of the hotel alone. It took some false explanation and a call to my friends to achieve that. I kept all the loads in the storage of a new watch we found in Kofi secret bunker. Luckily, Kofi knew the exact place where his father kept such a watch. I'd say the watch is mid tier. It's a nice black watch indeed. After I had done all I needed to do, I went back to the secret bunker.
"You got everything?",Kwami said as he stood up from where he was to receive me.
"Yeah I did", l answered with a wink. "My plan was disguise. If a group of S ranks were seen together in a place, it would spark various reaction and since we can't avoid that, then it's better to disguise ourselves. Also, if we travel back by train,there will be officials waiting at the stop to receive us and we don't want that right?"
"Much trouble", Annika said placing both her hands on her forehead and neck. "I didn't sign up for this".
"I'm sorry I caused you trouble",I apologized facing her. That's the only way to go back. So I took the liberty to buy us some masks to cover your face. There are just common masks and you can reinforce it with your mana while we journey back to Vokma.
"Wait",Kofi stopped me. "If we aren't going by train,how do we reach Vokma".
"You have legs don't you?", I answered smiling. "Even though you are new to the rank, you should know that S rankers have incredible speed and agility so it shouldn't be a pain go back to Vokma using your legs".
"Ah I see", Kofi clicked his fingers. "That way we avoid much eyes before reaching Vokma".
"What about the path to take?",Kwami added.
"I have the map for that", I replied. "No worries. Let's prepare for the journey. We leave within the hour".
We all dispersed to prepare ourselves for the journey. I found robes in one of the rooms by accident and I took them along. Soon enough, everyone was ready and we made our way towards the route to vokma.
"Yeah", Aluna said energetically coating herself with mana. "We are ready to run".
"Hey",I called Kofi quietly while Aluna kept on shouting on how she'll win the race back to Vokma. Well,it isn't her fault. I drew the map out for them thereby triggering that competitive spirit." Is everything okay with Annika".
"Hmm", Kofi hummed glancing at her. "It's nothing she can't handle. She's be fine".
"If you say so",I replied facing the route. "Then let's get going".
We all had a deep breath before reinforcing our body with mana.
Zoooooooooooommmmmm
That was the sound that was heard as we all moved at top speed. We were moving pretty fast causing the shockwave we generated to grow exponentially. If any monster lower than S rank were to be in front of us,it would die instantly from the impact. We sped, giving one another a few gap. Aluna and Kwami were at the front with Kofi and Annika following and I was the last on the line. Why? For two reasons. One, I don't want to join their rivalry and two, something had changed within my body. I can't just put my finger on it.
"We are here"Aluna announced as we reach the last stop causing some of the trees around us to sway wildly. From our end, we could see the outskirts of Vokma city. "So what now",
"We have to reach Kofi's dad office without drawing much attention on the way",I said.
"Is that possible?", Kwami asked giving me a quick glance over his shoulder.
"Well...",I paused as I didn't have an answer for his questions. If they were experienced, it's quite possible but neither of us have that much experience anyway.
"Guys chill", Kofi said as he made a calming gesture with his hands. "It's Vokma city. One of the busiest city in Mid Africa. There's no worry. Infact, there was a time when I met an S ranker walking down the streets with his colleagues or I'd say team mates.
What I'm trying to pass across is that there's no need for concern".
"Is that so",Aluna replied with a curious eye. "Then what are we wait for? Let's continue our journey. I feel strange wearing this mask".
"Wait",I said stopped them for running again before bringing out the robes I took early. " You can use this robe for more camouflage.
"When did you...", Kofi asked surprised
"That's a secret",I answered, putting a finger on my lips before giving each of them the robes to put on. "We'll return this back when we reach our destination".
"Okay"
We continued running till we reached the outskirt of the town. Taking a cab,we proceeded towards Puissant Guide. On the way, the driver was very silent. I could tell he was so scared and afraid. He drove smoothly and in no time we reached the guild.
"I can sense your mana radiating vigorously", I said facing the group as we alighted. The driver sped off immediately and we caught the eyes of everyone around. "You guys really have no control over your mana".
"Easy for you to say",Kofi replied taking the lead as we entered the guild. "We aren't like you".
The instant we entered, everyone in the entrance of the ground floor was silent as they were shocked to see a group of S rankers in the guild.We were being watched by all eyes.
"Ok", Annika talked finally. "This is awkward".
"I can't blame them", Aluna replied. "Imagine five strange people in your guild wearing masks and robes with the powers of a S ranker which is quite rare. One would think it's a guild war or something".
"Let's just go", I nudged Kofi as we move towards the receptionist.
"What can I do to assist you sirs and mas?",the receptionist who was a female asked as politely as she can.
"We have an appointment with Mr Feye", Kwami said
"Ohh",She smiled. "I didn't record any .."
"It's known to him",Kwami interrupted.
"Ah I see", She said still smiling even though I could sense she was afraid. "I'd lead you to his office".
"Please do"
She led us to his office and told us to wait for him there. We were served tea while waiting and soon enough, Kofi's father entered his office.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?",He asked as he maintained his distance from us.
"Yes",I answered with a deep voice. I didn't know I was that good an actor. We all, apart from Kofi agreed to prank Kofi's dad. We still had our mask on so it was easy to fake our composure. "We bring forth news from your son,Kofi".
"What do you mean?", Kofi's dad said alarmed. One could see his anger and worry in his eyes. "How did you... By chance, are you the owner of the awakening potion? You should be? If not, why are there 4 S ranks in my office. What do you need in exchange for my son?"
"Okay okay", Kofi said as he couldn't take it anyone. He removed his mask, revealing his face. "I can't do this. Sorry dad, it's a prank they all conceived".
"Sorry we teased you sir",I apologized politely as Kofi's dad was overwhelmed with shock as he couldn't even speak. He just left his mouth hanging. Yeah right, who would have thought that our ranks would increase.
"How did you reach S rank?", He asked completely surprised."That's impossible! It hasn't been heard of. Kids reaching S ranks?"
"It's a long story", I began motioning to Kofi's dad to have a seat. That's why we need your help. Can you call the huntress and our principal?
"The huntress?",Kofi's dad replied trying to feigning ignorance.
"They know",I said closing my eyes and nodding.
"Ah I see", He said as he checked for their contact profile on his watch. "I'd ring them up".
Soon he had a call with them and requested for their presence.
"So tell me what happened?", He said after he completed the call. We told him all that had happened, adding him to the number of people who knew my secret.
"This news is world changing", Kofi's dad said as he placed his hand on his neck. "I can't imagine our continent having an SSS rank skill and four S rankers at once. If this gets out, y'all would be targeted".
"Exactly", I said clapping my hand once in agreement."First, can you teach them how to retract their mana. They just keep on flaunting it".
"It's not our fault", Aluna replied offended. We can't just control it besides are you jealous of my power.
"Why should I?", I said chuckling.
"Oh guys",Annika cried softly. "Let just learn how to control our mana".
Kofi's dad stepped in and taught them how to control their mana and soon enough, they were able to retract their excess mana. The huntress and Principal Wole arrived quickly enough and were allowed to enter as Kofi's dad restricted access to the room. They were surprised to see Kwami and the rest of my group at S rank.
"No wonder I felt the aura of 4 S rankers", Principal Wole said as took his seat. "What happened? How were you four able to reach S rank and you B rank?"
We repeated our words again him and they kept their surprise well.
"So what should we do?",I asked laying everything on the table.
"If this information ends up with the hero organization or anywhere else,you'd be targeted by the owner of the potions and for them to have a black Titanoboa indicates that they are indeed strong one and should not be trifled with".
"We can keep it as a secret", I suggested before removing my bracelet. "What about the suppression amulet?"
"That's an interesting idea", The huntress smiled. "We could use that".
"Won't buying 4 at once raise suspicion?", Kofi's dad asked.
"You are right", The principal said as he held his chin. "You are in luck. I can get my hand on four amulets. That way, we could keep this as a secret till futher notice but the five of them will have to stay with me. They need to understand the magnitude of what they have"
"Good", Kofi's dad said in agreement. "We can do that".
We all agreed and left the office with the principal as he led us to his house. He assured us that nobody at the guild will remember the events that happened today. So, we stayed there and polished our skills. We also had a talk with the principal about responsibility and all that stuff. It was boring and I managed not to sleep off. The amulet was brought and we settled for F+ rank. A story was made on how I awakened and we were all set for the resumption in place.
The academy resumed and it was so rowdy as always. People got together with their friends to catch up and talk about their short holiday. On the other hand, I went to my dorm to rest as today was a free day for us all. I now have new plans. To lie low through the remaining semester. That'll be good. Suddenly, I received a message
What he's talking about?, I asked myself
I checked the class group for any information on results and I saw the link for checking of results . While the final page was loading, I was so nervous. Soon, my results showed on the watch and I was surprised. My aim was just to out in a little more effort to theory. Who knew that I'll be the second best in the whole world. That was really surprised. I was a point lesser than James in mark and had a small gap from the third in line. Soon,I felt blurry and I had a flashback. I remember a section from the novel where Matilda was congratulating James for winning the First place in the world and she told him that she's work hard to surpass him and the guy from Africa. The name of the guy wasn't mentioned and We all thought the writer would introduce him later.
"Oh crap", I said as I buried my face in my palms. "I have gained the attention of everyone in this school and beyond. "What happened to soft life?"
I stood up to lock my door, making sure it's secure as I coated it with my mana.
"I think I'd say here today",I said as kept looking around the room in search of something. " I need a distraction. Ah, the ring.
I went to where I kept it last and on reaching there, I found the ring perfectly good, waiting for it owner.I wore the ring and instantly, I was wrapped and transported to another dimension.
"Welcome, Overseer of space and time", A robotic voice greeted me revealing it face. "My name is Kondrel and I'm at your humble service".
"Wait what!"
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"What do you mean the potions has been taken",Lord Dawson roared slamming the table in front of him.
"We don't know what happened", One of his minions replied with his head bowed. "We believe the Hero organization got informed of the place somehow. The Titanoboa was dead when we got there".
"Hmm",Lord Dawson hummed, putting up a thinking pose. "There are not many individual who can kill that creature in Africa. What about those than can?"
"They were monitored", The same minion reported. We even sent spies to check them and found nothing out of the ordinary".
"Call Edward",Lord Dawson ordered. "Tell him to get here ASAP"
"Yes sir",They all thundered as the left the room
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh",Lord Dawson screamed as he flung all the contents on the table in anger
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"it's nice to have you back".
"I'm glad to be back too".
"So any updates on the search for the Overseer".
" Regrettably, there have been no progress. it's as if he or she has been wiped off the face of the Earth. We are planning to create another device capable of finding the Overseer. We hope we get the desirable results".
" That's how it's. Thank you for your time then".
"The pleasure is all mine".