The week between trips to the Slayer Organization Headquarters was weird. I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like I was in some weird limbo between major events in my life. I guess I was. Ella, Grover, and I exchanged phone numbers with one another. Grover kept sending memes constantly. Some of them were good, but others…eh. I didn't respond. As for Ella, I was too nervous to text her. I've never gotten a girl's phone number before. Not that Ella texted me either. Maybe she just didn't want to talk.
But that lonely, awkward feeling filler week came and went. And soon enough, it was time to return to the Slayer Organization, yet again.
***
"Hey, buddy!" Grover calls to me the second that I step through the doors of the Slayer Organization Headquarters.
"Hey…Luis…" Ella awkwardly says, before turning away and blushing. What's that about?"
"Yo, what's up you two?" I ask as I stroll over to Ella and Grover. Grover roughly pats my back in response, causing me to flinch.
"Shall we go?" Ella asks, indicating to our instructions to head to the auditorium in the Slayer Organization Headquarters.
"Let's shall." Ella, Grover, and I then head to the Slayer Organization Headquarters' auditorium.
The auditorium is huge and dark. There are rows and rows of wooden folding seats set up just like in a school. At the front of the room (or the back?) sits a huge stage area with red curtains that are drawn shut.
"Aw, man, I'm so excited, I feel like I'm gonna pee my pants!" Grover exclaims.
"I'm pretty sure that's like an STD or something," I sarcastically reply.
"I'm actually a little excited too," Ella giddily adds.
"How many people even have Cursed Power, much less pass the exams? We're special! One in a million!" Grover cheers.
"We're not that special," I reply. "Everywhere you look, you see someone with power far beyond your reach, if we don't step it up we'll be left behind." Ella and Grover look gloomy from my response. I think I've ruined the mood.
Ella, Grover, and I find our seats, and then after around ten minutes of waiting, a spotlight shows up on stage, completely illuminating it. The curtains then begin to open, and there stands a gray-haired man in a suit, looking to be in his late forties, early fifties. "Is this thing working?" The man asks as he taps his mic, which lets out a hideous screeching noise. Looking around, I can see the entire audience wincing and covering their ears. "Ah, I'll take that as a yes." The man says. I recognize his voice to be the voice that I heard over the loudspeakers at the start of the Slayer Exams, the voice of the Slayer Organization's Chairman, and Grover's rival.
"My name is Owen Solomon, Slayer Atama. Remember my face, remember my name, as this could very well be the only time you ever get to see me. The man before you now is the 16th Head of the International Slayer Organization. I have been watching over this organization for around twenty years now and I can say for certainty that this group before me...is nothing special," the Chairman begins his speech.
The crowd begins booing, and even Grover is getting into it. Ella looks around nervously. I remain stone-faced.
"Now, now, calm down, that isn't anything bad. I say this because NO ONE is special. You know why? Because everyone is. Everyone's born with the chance to become special, great, successful. And when everyone's special…then no one is. I hope that our team of Squad Captains will help groom this group into one of the most special waves that the Slayer organization has ever seen!" The Chairman booms.
The crowd then starts cheering. Ella and I decided to get into it this time as well.
"Now then!" The Chairman continues "Let me welcome in the Squad Captains!"
The audience claps after Pro Slayer after Pro Slayer of immense power enters the stage. That is, until Nick shows up. Most of the audience erupts in cheer, but many of the audience is left murmuring to themselves and their friends, wondering why Nick is here, as he's not known to be a Squad Captain.
"Slayer Hachi, Slayer Hachi, I'm your biggest fan!" Grover cheers.
"No, I am!" A different voice shouts from across the auditorium.
"Yeah?! Well you can suck my @#$%!" Grover screams with all his might. Ella and I wince from Grover's savage display. "Luis, I can't believe you're friends with Nick!" Grover then says as he turns to me, his intense voice returning back to his dopey demeanor.
"Well, I wouldn't say friends, more like acquaintances? No...we're mutually aware of each other's existence." I reply. "Besides, isn't it like...weird for a thirty something and a fourteen year old to be friends?"
"Why would it be weird if you two like each other?" Grover plainly suggests. What a simple way of thinking this guy has.
"Each squad will be assigned one Squad Captain and be set to carry out missions on and defend a certain area each, separated by a district, which will be explained to you by your Squad Captain," the Chairman continues, before pulling a slip of paper out of his suit jacket's pocket and holding it up to his face. "Now, let me call out the names of the Squad Leaders and their members." Mr Solomon pulled out a list and began reading from it. "Slayer Randamu, squadmates: Helin Bowers, Giorgia Lynes, Carlton Barlow…"
This goes on for a long while and eventually, I start to space out. That is until The Chairman calls out the name: "Slayer Hachi."
"Oh, I wonder who's in Nick's group?" I ask. Secretly, I'm praying that it's me.
"Please be me, please be me, please be me..." Grover prays, trying to manifest his wish fighting under Nick into a reality. "...Oh! Let Luis and Ella be with me too!" Well, I'm charmed by Grover's consideration for Ella and I.
"Luis Tramontona," the Chairman continues, causing my eyes to widen. Someone, I swear Nick picks me out of the audience and smirks at me.
"Woah, what the…" I stammar. Who would ever have imagined little ol' me working under the world's strongest Pro Slayer.
"Woah, nice one Luis, next they'll call out my name, I'm sure of it!" Grover cheers.
So I am under Nick, huh. Seems like it was destiny that he saved me that day. You know, that I think about it, Nick seemed pretty certain that I was going to be in his Squad. Could it be that...he picked me? No, why wouldn't the top dog pick someone stronger? Though, Nick did say that he senses a great power within me. I guess Nick is gonna be my super cool young anime sensei, huh?
"Jamie Ebba'' the Chairman continues. "Oh that girl? She's really cool and really strong" Grover comments.
"Ella Calia," the Chairman continues.
"Ah, I'm with you, Luis!" Ella says.
"Oh, sweet, cool," I enthusiastically reply, too busy being distracted by my thoughts of Nick.
"I'm sure they'll call my name any day now…" Grover grumbles. Ella giggles.
"Austin Habicht," the Chairman continues.
"Austin...Austin...where have I heard that name before?" Grover mutters to himself. "ACK! That guy!" Grover then cries when he's struck with realization.
"Who's that guy?" Ella asks.
"During the Slayer Exams, remember when I got shot in the hand? That's the jerk who shot me!" Grover snaps.
"Oh, this'll make for an awkward team dynamic," I sigh.
"And lastly, Grover Bradshaw," the Chairman continues.
"YEAHHH!!!" Grover cheers as he jumps out of his seat and throws his fists in the air. A wave of "awes" escapes the audience. "Look's like we're together, guys! And under the strongest Pro Slayer, too!"
"That's good…" Ella replies with a small smile.
So I'm with Ella and Grover...sounds good to me.
***
A little while later after the Chairman finished announcing the squads, Nick strolls over to the three of us.
"What's up kiddo's?" He asks. "Ready to do some slaying?"
"YES, SIR!" Grover shouts loudly. "I'LL FOLLOW YOU TO THE BRINKS OF THE WORLD."
"A little dramatic but I like your enthusiasm," Nick replies with an awkward chuckle. "What about you then, Ella?" Nick then asks as he turns to face Ella.
"Ah, well, I, I'm, um...nervous," Ella stammars as tears begin to well up at the corners of her eyes.
"Well, you should be'' Nick apathetically replies. "I know I've said this already but there's a strong chance that you'll die." Ella whimpers in response.
"And Luis, I already know your answer," Nick continues as he turns to me and smirks.
"Teach me every-" I begin to blurt out, but Nick cuts me off.
"Teach you everything I know about Cursed Power, yeah, yeah, I know," Nick sighs.
"I'm not as ecstatic to die as you may think. I never wanted to become a Pro Slayer, and I still don't. I'll probably quit after a few months," I sarcastically reply.
"Hahaha, like I'd let you!" Nick laughs. "Plus, Slayers who quit the organization are killed, if they quit on bad terms. Especially if they have valuable information regarding the Organization. I know that better than anyone!" My eyes widen in fear, and Ella's jaw drops. Grover remains still with a goofy grin plastered on his face. "Come on, let's go meet the others."