If Lucius wasn't lacking his ability to feel, he probably would have thrown up by now. He simply rolled his eyes and cut out another piece of steak while pondering.
[Even in a society built for the elite, classism still exists. Your race is wild] Lyxor said.
"So, what would I gain from working with you?" Lucius asked with a raised eyebrow.
Only then did the kid stop eating. He turned around and made a circular motion with his index finger extended.
Lucius's eyes widened with genuine shock as a Chinese-designed door formed into existence and another one appeared at another corner of the empty cafeteria.
"My power is called The Door. It allows me to create a passageway which allows instantaneous travel!" The fat kid said with a proud smile.
Lucius was genuinely impressed by this ability, but why would someone with such an ability be rated so low?
"Why were you rated so low, even with such an ability?" Lucius asked with a raised eyebrow.
This question made the kid freeze for a while, numerous emotions running through his face for close to a minute.
"They say it's because my ability is limited to my vision, but I believe the main reason is my family had a fallout with the royal family. Recently, my elder brother who was an A-rated guardian died mysteriously, and my father believes the Government has something to do with it." The kid said with a sad look.
[His ability may be limited to the range of his sight for now, but there is room for improvement. There is no way a spatial-type ability would be rated so low. I believe it has something to do with their feud with the government.] Lyxor said, and Lucius nodded in agreement.
"Tell me about what happened." Lucius said as he picked up a chicken wing and tossed it into his mouth.
Just like the fat kid, he consumed both its flesh and bones, stunning the kid.
"I don't think I'm meant to share family issues, but all I know is it had something to do with the welfare of slaves living outside New York. My father had been fighting the government over it for a while now." The kid explained.
"My brother who was a scavenger soon died mysteriously, and his body was never recovered. To make matters worse, my brother was the highest-ranking guardian of our family. We were demoted from the title of Count to Baron."
[No matter how bad society falls, there will always be those in the upper echelon with good hearts. Unfortunately, they become victims of the system as well.]
Lucius's eyes widened in shock and his fist clenched as he felt a spark of rage in his empty heart, threatening to grow into a wildfire. He leaned back and shut his eyes, controlling his breathing in hopes of subduing the rage he felt.
"What's your name?" Lucius asked with his eyes still closed.
His question left the fat kid stunned, and a bright smile bloomed on his face. Throughout his time in the academy, no one has bothered to know his name.
"Ralph Ashford." Ralph said with a smile.
"Well, Ralph… If we are going to work together, you will have to cut down on your food intake and start working out." Lucius was direct with his words. "You are meant to be a sidekick and not a burden. You need to be able to fight and defend yourself at least."
"But you eat just as much as I do." Ralph pouted.
"We are different. My ability makes me hungry and constantly in need of protein… that's why I have so much strength." Lucius told a half-truth.
"Ooh…" Ralph muttered in realization.
"Fine, I'll start working out after this meal!" Ralph said before throwing more chicken wings into his mouth.
Lucius was slightly amused by this and decided to eat before the other students came down for breakfast.
He believed as long as he could get closer to Ralph and his family, he would have a better understanding of the government and how they operate.
Also, he could see the potential in Ralph's ability and planned to make the best out of it.
[You know, it would be a lot easier if you just devoured him and took the ability for yourself?]
'I am not going to eat a fat kid, Lyxor.'
...
After breakfast, Lucius and Ralph went straight to class. They were the first ones to arrive, surprising Miss Joanne. She considered Lucius a lone wolf and held him in higher regard after clearly winning against Alex yesterday, so seeing him with someone like Ralph was unexpected.
"Congratulations on your performance yesterday. You gained a lot of fans, and I happen to be one of them." Miss Joanne said from the podium with a sweet smile.
"Thank you." Lucius shrugged as he and Ralph sat together.
Their actions made Miss Joanne's eyes twitch. She felt disturbed seeing someone like Lucius involving himself with Ralph.
"Based on your abilities, you are destined to be a great hero. As such, you need a talented sidekick." Miss Joanne said as she seductively walked towards the duo.
Hearing this, Ralph frowned, understanding where this discussion was going. Not only was the government trying to suppress his family, but they were using the academy to put him down as well.
"I agree." Lucius played dumb and simply nodded in agreement.
Miss Joanne's eyes lightened up as she felt her words was getting through to him.
"There are still a few good sidekicks in this class yet to find a partner. I'll set you up with them after class." She smiled.
"That won't be necessary." Lucius shook his head in refusal. "I have already found a sidekick."
Miss Joanne froze, her gaze shifting to Lucius's side, where Ralph was seated.
"Him?" She asked in a tone of disbelief.
"Is there a problem?" Lucius asked with a raised eyebrow.
Miss Joanne frowned, unsure of how to respond. As the homeroom teacher, she had no right to decide a student's sidekick. Especially a student with immense potential like Lucius.