I stared out the window of the limousine as we ascended the mountain, my mind buzzing with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The sight of a hidden school nestled on the mountainside took me by surprise, its presence shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Meanwhile, Melony slept soundly on my lap, her peaceful slumber a stark contrast to the tumultuous events that had led us here.
Brian's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention away from the passing scenery.
"Why are you so interested in your surrounding instead of me?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity. "You haven't asked me any questions."
I shot him a glare, feeling a surge of irritation at his presumptuousness. "What do you teach at the school?" I demanded, my voice tinged with coldness.
Brian's expression softened, and he chuckled softly. "I'm not a teacher there, I'm twenty-four," he explained, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Did you think I was a teacher or staff or something?"
I rolled my eyes, refusing to dignify his question with a response. Instead, I turned my attention back to the passing landscape, silently seething at his attempts to engage me in conversation.
"Okay, I'm sorry," Brian relented, his laughter fading as he grew serious. "I help my father run the school."
I regarded him with a skeptical expression, unimpressed by his attempt at an apology. "If you're not going to tell me, then shut your mouth," I retorted brusquely, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Brian fell silent, respecting my wishes as the limousine continued its journey up the mountain. The tension between us lingered in the air, thick and palpable, as we approached the imposing structure of the school building.
As we arrived, Brian led the way into the building, guiding me to a dorm room that would serve as my temporary residence. He handed me a key, and I accepted it with a nod of acknowledgment.
"This is your dorm room," he informed me, his voice tinged with a hint of formality. "The match is scheduled for tomorrow at 6 o'clock in the training room."
I took the key from him, a sense of anticipation building within me as I contemplated the impending challenge that awaited me. Brian seemed to sense my unease and finally broached a subject that I had been expecting to arise sooner.
"Did you undergo experimentation at Project 666?" he inquired, his gaze searching mine for any signs of deception.
I hesitated for a moment, weighing my response carefully before answering. "No, I was only tasked with fighting others' experiments," I replied, choosing my words with caution. "They didn't lay a hand on me or Melony until that one incident."
Brian nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "That's good to know," he remarked, his tone thoughtful. "We want to ensure a fair match tomorrow."
With that, he left me to settle into my new surroundings, the weight of his scrutiny lingering in the air even after he had departed. I glanced around the dorm room, noting the presence of another bed and the faint traces of a previous occupant. As I made myself at home, the door swung open, revealing a black-haired boy who entered with a sense of quiet confidence.
"Nice to meet you, Pluto," I greeted him warmly, a smile gracing my features. Or should I say, my second-in-command?
…
Heroes POV
In the bustling cafeteria of the school, a group of girls huddled together, engrossed in a lively conversation that had caught their attention. Their voices filled the air with excitement as they discussed a recent sighting.
"I saw the headmaster's son with this cute dark-haired boy," Girl 1 relayed animatedly to her friends, her eyes wide with intrigue.
"Is he a new student or something?" Girl 2 inquired, leaning in closer to catch every detail.
"I don't know, but he was carrying a girl who I think is his younger sister," Girl 1 replied, her tone tinged with curiosity. "But that's not even the interesting part—the headmaster's son was actually smiling and joking around with the guy."
The revelation sparked a flurry of speculation among the group, their imaginations running wild with possibilities.
"For real?" Girl 4 exclaimed, her interest piqued. "I bet he was handsome when he smiled."
As they delved further into their gossip, they were suddenly interrupted by the unexpected presence of Noah, who had approached their table unnoticed.
"You shouldn't be going around spreading rumors," Noah admonished them, his voice firm but not unkind.
Startled, the girls quickly apologized and resumed their meals, chastened by his reprimand. Noah shook his head in amusement before making his way to join his friends at their table.
Kai greeted him with a smirk, teasing him gently. "You shouldn't have frightened them like that, Noah."
Nya, his sister, frowned at him. "Didn't you see them gossiping about Brian?" She leaned forward, her expression serious. "Soon the whole school will be buzzing like flies."
Noah sighed, his thoughts still preoccupied with the conversation he had overheard. "I didn't care about the gossip, I was more confused about why Brian is interested in that kid?"
Zane interjected, his voice calm and measured as he shared what he had heard. "I heard that he is going to fight you so they could determine where his power level is at."
Jay chimed in, adding to the discussion. "And I heard they found him and his sister from a laboratory, where they experiment on ability users."
Cole, ever the pragmatist, offered his own perspective. "Doesn't that mean he will be strong?"
A heavy silence settled over the group as they contemplated the implications of facing a formidable opponent.
"I bet he's not stronger than Noah," Kai declared confidently, attempting to lighten the mood. "Besides, no ability is stronger than his."
Noah forced a smile, though inwardly he couldn't shake off the weight of uncertainty. "I do hope not, or else it would feel like all my hard work would be wasted."
With that, the conversation shifted, but the presence of the new student lingered in their minds, casting a shadow of anticipation over the days to come.
…
Lloyd POV
"Faex (shit in Latin)," Pluto cussed, his voice laced with frustration as he stumbled upon the unexpected sight before him. "Who the fuck are you?"
I couldn't help but suppress a chuckle at Pluto's colorful choice of language. His tendency to curse in Latin never failed to amuse me. "I'm your new roommate," I replied, my tone tinged with amusement.
Pluto's brows furrowed as he scrutinized me, his expression a mix of incredulity and recognition. It seemed that my presence had caught him off guard, stirring up memories from our past.
"Dorm mate, huh?" he muttered, a skeptical edge creeping into his voice. "Well, this is a surprise."
I nodded, a faint grin playing on my lips. "Seems like we're both in for an unexpected twist of fate."
Pluto's gaze softened slightly, a glimmer of familiarity shining through his initial bewilderment. "Guess so," he conceded, his tone easing into reluctant acceptance.
"So, what's the story? Last I heard, you were some kid who be causing trouble," Pluto remarked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
I leaned against the doorway, recounting the events that led me to this unfamiliar place. "Got caught up in some trouble. Ended up there," I explained, offering a brief summary of my recent misadventures. "But I am here now."
Pluto let out a low whistle, impressed by the turn of events. "Well, well, well. Looks like we're both in for an interesting ride."
"Seems like it," I agreed, nodding in acknowledgment of our shared predicament.
Pluto's smirk returned, a mischievous glint flickering in his eyes. "Well, let's hope this time around, you don't end up setting the place on fire."
I chuckled at his jest, the memories of our past escapades flooding back. "No promises there. But hey, at least we'll keep things lively."
Flashback
In the dimly lit room, the flickering flames of the fire cast dancing shadows across the worn wooden floorboards. The air was thick with the scent of whiskey and smoke, a tangible reminder of the night's indulgence.
I leaned back against the rough-hewn wall, the bottle of whiskey gripped firmly in my hand as I took a long swig. The fiery liquid burned its way down my throat, igniting a warmth that spread through my veins. Across from me, my companion sat, his features illuminated by the soft glow of the firelight.
"What was life like before you joined the Outcast?" I asked, my words slurred slightly by the alcohol.
He regarded me with a steady gaze, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames as he contemplated his response. "Nothing special," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "Just a dropout from some special school for ability users."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his casual dismissal of what sounded like a significant chapter of his life. "That sounds sweet," I remarked, a note of envy creeping into my tone. "What made you drop out?"
A grimace crossed his features, his expression darkening with suppressed anger. "Deodamnaus, (Dammit in Latin)" he spat, the word dripping with contempt. "Those people treated me like shit because they thought my ability was so villainous."
I nodded sympathetically, understanding all too well the sting of rejection and prejudice. "When we get the chance, let's kill all those bastards who wronged us," I declared, my voice growing more impassioned with each word. Whether fueled by the liquor or genuine conviction, the sentiment rang true in my ears.
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that reverberated through the room. "Let's work hard until then," he agreed, his eyes glittering with a shared determination.
With a shared sense of purpose, he passed me another bottle, and we clanked our bottles together in a silent toast. For the rest of the night, we drowned our sorrows in whiskey, the weight of our shared burdens momentarily lifted by the camaraderie of shared experience.
…
Lloyd POV
As I sat in the dorm room with Pluto, memories of our past conversations flooded my mind. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not being able to fulfill the promise I made to him back then. But as I looked at him now, I realized that he likely had no recollection of our previous encounters.
"How do you know my name?" Pluto's voice cut through my thoughts, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.
I glanced around the room, searching for a way to explain without revealing too much. My eyes landed on a notebook resting on his desk, its cover bearing his name in neat handwriting. "Your name was on it," I replied, picking up the notebook and holding it out to him. "Bois, but it seemed like you prefer the name Pluto."
A blush crept up his cheeks, his embarrassment evident. "Faex," he muttered under his breath, his discomfort palpable.
I shook my head, offering him a reassuring smile. "Don't take it to heart," I reassured him, hoping to alleviate his embarrassment. "My reaction would have been more dramatic."
Pluto's expression softened, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes. "Thanks," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I appreciate it."
I nodded, glad that my attempt to lighten the mood had been successful. It felt good to see that despite the passage of time, Pluto's personality remained unchanged. With a sense of relief, I pushed aside my lingering guilt, focusing instead on the present moment. After all, dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything.
As Pluto's eyes lit up with recognition, a spark of curiosity danced within them. "Are you the guy who they found in the laboratory?" he asked eagerly, his voice tinged with anticipation.
I nodded, confirming his suspicions. "The one and only," I replied with a smirk, reveling in the recognition that seemed to follow me wherever I went. "Do you know who I am going to spar with tomorrow?"
Pluto nodded in response, his excitement palpable. "You are going up against a classmate of mine, Noah. He is an Elite student," he explained, his words carrying a sense of reverence. "His ability is Creation."
His revelation only served to fuel my determination. If Noah possessed the power of Creation, then he was indeed a formidable opponent. It seemed that during my absence, the gang had not only survived but had grown stronger, manifesting their abilities and forging their own paths.
"I suspected as much," I mused, tapping my chin in contemplation. "It seems like the gang has made some significant progress in my absence."
Glancing at Pluto, who was practically vibrating with excitement, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. "Thank you for the heads up, it was quite useful," I acknowledged, gratitude lacing my words. "I heard that there are three different classes for each year."
Pluto nodded eagerly, eager to share his knowledge. "Yes, there are Common, Advanced, and Elite classes," he explained, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "And there are other classes like General, but it all depends on your ability."
His words sparked a flicker of interest within me. The hierarchy of classes seemed to mirror the hierarchy of abilities, with each level representing a new challenge and opportunity for growth.
"Do you think you can defeat him?" Pluto burst out suddenly, his excitement spilling over. "Unless you have an ability that is stronger than his or equal footing, you won't have a chance."
I offered him a reassuring smile, patting his head affectionately. "Tomorrow, I am going to show these people what true power is," I declared with confidence, my determination unshakeable.
I chuckled at Pluto's question, feeling a surge of determination coursing through my veins. "Do you doubt me, Pluto?" I asked, a mischievous glint dancing in my eyes.
Pluto's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and curiosity. "I just want to make sure you're prepared," he replied earnestly, his tone tinged with genuine concern.
I reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate your concern, but you have nothing to worry about," I assured him, offering him a reassuring smile. "Tomorrow, I am going to show these people what true power is."
His eyes widened in surprise, a hint of awe flickering across his features. "I believe in you," he said quietly, his voice filled with unwavering conviction.
I nodded, a sense of determination burning brightly within me. "Thank you, Pluto," I said gratefully, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my newfound friend. "Your support means a lot to me."
With that, we lapsed into a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts as we awaited the challenges that lay ahead. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with uncertainty and opportunity.