Bilicus sits behind his desk in his office. The room has a heavy atmosphere as the 7 remaining strongest fighters have all gathered. The 6th and 7th ranked both seem a bit nervous as their eyes keep shifting across the room. They have never been in the same room with all of the other strongest before. The number 5, his name is My-Ty. He is wearing headgear with a huge dumbbell hanging from a chain that is attached to it. He keeps nodding his head, he is training his neck muscles which are already huge.
The 4th ranked fighter named Tearh is carrying a big boulder on her back like a packback. She seems agitated because she doesn't want to be there. Next to her is the 3rd ranked called Teraw, her calm demeanor seems to be the only energy in the room that isn't adding to the weirdness of it all. She has 2 big gourds on her hip and a backpack that is filled with water. Across from her is Endo who has his arms crossed and looks bored. Next to him is the strongest student in the school. His eyes are pitch-black, and his aura is very dominating. His name is Sachem, and that is about all people know about him.
Bilicus leans forward as he begins.
"The strong control the weak. They do so by manipulating the masses, controlling the flow of information, and applying pressure to those who make the rules. One of the most important tools to do that is strength. An unchallenged, unbridled symbol of strength. Without a force to impose the rules, laws mean nothing. You 10 are that strength. So what do you think happens when something breaks the symbol of strength like it's nothing?"
The 7 students remain quiet. Sachem is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and doesn't feel like the question was directed at him. My-Ty keeps doing his neck exercises. Endo, Tearh, and Teraw all look at the 6th and 7th ranked to answer. The 6th is nervous because this is a lot of pressure.
"The rules are less scary?"
Bilicus hits the table in rage. And in anger screams at them.
"The system breaks."
The 7th ranked feels like this anger is because of their actions with Demo.
"We were trying to show that we weren't scared of him. We would have beaten him."
The 6th joins in to defend themselves.
"Yeah, he can hit hard enough to break the 8th."
My-Ty stops nodding his head. He just heard something interesting. He thinks to himself that Demo must hit very hard to get past reinforced muscles.
The 6th continues.
"And he had enough speed to deal with 9th but that doesn't make him a threat to us."
My-Ty's eyes slightly open up with excitement as thinks that Demo is not only strong but also has enough speed to deal with those who specialize in it. This means he can enhance his punches by increasing their momentum using his speed. My-Ty is now so interested that he is curious to hear what happened to the 10th-ranked and Demo.
"What happened to the 10th?"
The 7th ranked answers.
"He just kicked him out of the ring."
My-Ty now has a full-blown smile on his face. Demo sounds like a real righter. Bilicus however isn't entertained in the slightest.
"We can't afford to lose more of you. Avoid fighting Demo at all costs."
The 7th ranked doesn't seem too pleased with this arrangement.
"We already challenged him in public. We can't back down now!"
Bilicus rubs his face in frustration.
"You damn fools couldn't even wait. Demo isn't normal. We need more information on where he is from and what he is."
The 6th ranked smirks as he doesn't agree.
"We have our own ways of fighting, it doesn't matter who or what he is."
A vein pops up on Bilicus' forehead.
"You think your little poison and gas tricks will work on him?"
The 6th and 7th are shocked. They both take a step back because they didn't expect anyone to know their secrets.
"How ... How did you …"
Endo looks at the two surprised rankers with a sarcastic look on his face.
"Everyone knows. You guys kill everyone you fight. But everyone you fight is sick or weaker than they should be."
Without saying a word My-Ty starts walking towards the door. Bilicus sees this and tries to stop him.
"My-Ty we aren't done yet."
My-Ty acts like he doesn't hear him and keeps walking. Once his hand is on the door and he is about to turn the handle, Sachem speaks.
"My-Ty."
My-Ty immediately stops, turns around, and walks back to where he was standing. His head is down and he doesn't say a word. Bilicus looks at Sachem and nods as a thank you. Bilicus sits back down and grabs a folder from his desk drawer. And puts it on the table.
"This is what we know so far about Demo and his friends."
While the meeting is going on, Demo is at the gym with his fellow club members practicing Cover-Up. he is thinking to himself that it's too bad that Bilicus interrupted the fight, but there is something off about those two. So it might have been for the best.
Ten has followed the dealer with glasses to his dorm and is waiting to see where he will go next. Braverte and Pulmo are at the main school building. Braverte is having tea with another teacher. Braverte sips his tea as he starts.
"How is your daughter?"
"She is doing good. Ever since you saved her she has been a lot more focused on becoming stronger and her studies."
"Being helpless can affect people in different ways. I'm glad she didn't lose herself in fear."
"Me too, being able to defend herself has given her a lot of confidence she seemed to have lost."
Braverte smiles and puts down his tea.
"I need a favor."
The teacher slightly shakes his head and has a worried look on his face.
"Braverte …"
The teacher then starts looking around to see if anyone is listening to them speak. Braverte can tell how nervous the teacher is.
"I just need some information on the abandoned research facility."
The teacher's eyes pop open in shock. He jumps up from his chair as if lighting struck his seat. He violently shakes his head.
"No, no no no. I'm sorry, Braverte but I can't help you with this."
Braverte looks at the teacher with some surprise on his face as the teacher starts walking away at a very fast pace. Leaving Braverte alone in his chair.
Chapter 40 Fin