Seth's eyes twitched in annoyance. "Why is my hair red"
Thally innocently looked at him. "Well you asked if I can replicate plants I see, so I showed you, now you smell intoxicating"
Thally's small plant dress was now red even her petals became red. There were a few students in the library and they were suddenly assaulted by the sweet smell of roses.
Everyone was staring at him with flushed expressions, they couldn't even get mad cause he wasn't even disturbing anyone.
"Thally Can I ask why this smells much better than actual roses" He asked in an annoyed tone.
"Well it's because I used more energy" The two were talking quietly, no one could hear them, they could just talk mind to mind but using their mouths was easier.
"Sigh…I'm the human perfume now" He didn't mind her antics and continued reading the plant book when he suddenly remembered.
"I forgot that I now have access to the Leaderboards for Level 1 ability users" He tapped his Wristband and saw the leaderboards.
[Level 1 Leaderboard]
1. Aspera Kin:478
2. Zamon Caine:450
3. Excel Decon:406
...
1005. Seth Williams:103.
"Wow you are weak" Thally said, she looked offended for some reason. She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms sitting in front of him.
Seth felt like patting her small head, so he used his finger and did, Thally closed her eyes and purred softly at the gesture. "You think so?" she asked a hint of pride in her voice despite her earlier annoyance.
Seth chuckled. "Well, compared to those names, yes. But I'm just starting. I'll catch up eventually."
Thally opened her eyes and gave a satisfied nod. "You better. I've got high expectations for you."
Seth returned to the leaderboard, scanning through the names. "Seems like there's a lot of competition. I guess I'll need to work harder."
"Duh. Or at least not smell like roses all the time," Thally teased, her red petals fluttering slightly as she spoke.
He rolled his eyes as he turned his hair back into his normal light brown color. As he was reading, A group of three who were sitting at another table with a silver sword emblem on their uniforms looked at him
One was a girl with purple hair and eyes she was silently tapping her fingers on the table. "Is that the person Lucien is after, how many First years has he targeted now"
A boy with blue hair and was wearing glasses stopped reading. "According to my calculations, over 20 of them in which Five have persisted, Seth Williams is one of them"
"You mean the son of that mad scientist and the War doctor?" A boy identical to the girl nonchalantly asked for a book hanging on his face.
"Yes he is the only William who named his child Seth, Also have you heard the rumor going around Fifteen years ago?" The girl asked.
"Yeah, there was this psychopathic guy who went around cities, going to hospitals where infants were kept and taking away their abilities then he disappeared somewhere off the planet," the haired boy said with utmost accuracy.
"Shhh that's classified, But yeah I guess he wasn't one of them or he just had two abilities and the person couldn't steal both," The purple-haired boy said.
The girl instead felt lost when the smell of the Roses went away. "Back to the subject, We can invite him to the Silver Sword group, he may be a level 1 but he seems good enough"
The boy pulled the book from his face and looked at her strangely. "Sis, You only want to invite him cause he would make the Group building smell more pleasant."
"Sigh our Group is a bunch of Sword Maniacs, it's often sweaty in there…" The blue-haired boy said with annoyance.
"Speaking of Swords, I have finally upgraded mine, I found a very admirable Sword Smith," The purple-haired boy said with praise in his voice.
"Vice, Please stop" His sister immediately turned down his enthusiasm, clearly not in the mood to discuss swords. "We're talking about recruitment, not your latest weapon obsession," she reminded him, her tone sharp.
The blue-haired boy, pushing his glasses up his nose, sighed. "Let's focus. Seth might be an interesting addition, but it's risky. Lucien's already got his sights on him, and you know how he plays."
Vice leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "That's exactly why we should consider him. If Seth can survive Lucien's attention, he's got potential. Besides, if we don't invite him, someone else might, and we'll lose the chance."
The girl hesitated, clearly weighing the options. "Alright, but let's approach this carefully. No need to rush into anything. We'll keep an eye on him for now."
Back at Seth's table, he wasn't oblivious to the stares from the Silver Sword group, but he chose to ignore them for the time being. Thally who was on the table was doing a good job at looking cute…and being a test subject.
"Can you turn into poison ivy" Thally blinked up at him, her red petals tilting slightly as she considered his request. "Poison ivy? I can try," she responded, focusing her energy.
Slowly, her red petals began to shift, darkening to a deep green as small, sharp leaves started to sprout from her tiny form. The sweet smell of roses faded, replaced by a more earthy, slightly tangy scent that filled the air.
Seth watched with curiosity as Thally transformed, her once innocent appearance now taking on a more dangerous edge. "How do I look?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Seth smirked. "Like something that would make anyone think twice before messing with me."
Thally giggled, her new leaves rustling with the sound. "I could also produce a little bit of poison if you want. Just a tiny bit, though. Wouldn't want to hurt anyone, at least, not too much."
Seth chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Let's save that for later. Right now, I think you've done enough to make us stand out."
As they continued their quiet conversation, the Silver Sword group continued to watch Seth, noting the change in Thally's appearance. The girl with purple hair exchanged a glance with her brother, who shrugged, as if to say, Well, he's not boring.
After spending an hour in the library, Seth Stretched his arms and went outside, Thally was joyfully swinging her legs while she was still a humanoid lump of Ivy.
While he was going a group of suddenly appeared in a flashy and dramatic way. "Stop there looking boy and admire our gracious forms and embrace Our Radiant Light"
Seth raised an eyebrow, staring at the group in front of him. Their dramatic entrance, complete with exaggerated poses and glowing auras, was almost too much to take seriously. Thally, still perched on his shoulder in her poison ivy form, tilted her head in curiosity.
"Radiant Light?" Seth muttered under his breath, trying to suppress a laugh. "Who are these clowns?"
The group leader, a tall figure with golden hair and an almost blinding smile, stepped forward. "We are the Bringers of Radiance! And you, dear boy, have the honor of basking in our brilliance."
Seth's eye twitched slightly in annoyance. "And why exactly should I care?"
The leader gasped dramatically as if Seth had just committed some grave offense. "Because, young one, You have offended my Brother, I am his Dazzling Twin sister Lucy"
"I have never cursed in my life…but I am tempted" They were all level Two's, and he did not like this hypocritical group.
"Ah don't get me wrong, but I'm merely carrying orders, if you bow down and lick my brother's you will not be targeted" Seth looked at Thally and they both had one idea on their mind.
Seth's eyes narrowed as he looked at Lucy and her group. "You want me to bow down and lick your brother's shoes?" he repeated, his tone dripping with disbelief.
Lucy nodded, her smile unwavering, clearly expecting compliance. "Yes, it would save you a lot of trouble. We're quite merciful, after all."
Seth exchanged a glance with Thally, who was now looking particularly mischievous. "You know, Lucy, I've never been one to follow ridiculous orders," Seth said calmly, though his irritation was evident. "But since you've gone out of your way to make such a grand appearance, I think it's only fair that I leave a lasting impression."
Thally giggled, her ivy leaves rustling ominously. "Itch them?" she whispered, already knowing Seth's answer.
"Definitely," Seth replied, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Without another word, Thally released a small cloud of fine, almost invisible particles into the air. They spread out, carried by the faintest breeze, and settled over the Bringers of Radiance.
At first, the group didn't notice anything. Lucy continued to stand proudly, her smile still radiant. But then, one by one, they began to fidget. A scratch here, a rub there. Within moments, the entire group was shifting uncomfortably, their skin tingling with an itch that couldn't be ignored.
Lucy's confident demeanor faltered as she scratched her arm, trying to maintain her composure. "What… what is this?" she demanded, her voice strained.
Seth shrugged, feigning innocence. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's just the universe's way of telling you that you should mind your own business."
The other members of the Bringers of Radiance were now scratching furiously, their once grandiose postures ruined by the incessant itch. Lucy, struggling to maintain her dignity, finally snapped. "Enough! We will not be humiliated like this!"