Chapter 5

Birds sang in the trees, leaping from branches to branches, celebrating the joyous day. It was a lovely weather, as it should be, since the academy does not experience anything aside from sunny days. 

But that will change soon. The headmaster, who was grumpy and wasn’t in the mood to feel happy each day he lived, finally decided to let students bear the real weather. 

“It’s not going to harm them.” He clarified after seeing the butler reluctant to do what he wanted. “It was my grandfather who spoiled these rotten students. The weather will not shield them when they venture into society. Whether it’s raining, or hot, if there is a typhoon or not, an Elite will have to endure. The AI simulation is not enough. They need to adjust.”

He was flipping through a magazine when the butler spoke.

“Young Master, is it because of the two students?” 

The fingers that were about to turn another page halted and just rubbed the surface of the glossy paper. For a moment, he was silent before speaking.

“The two students survived fighting a mid-ranked creature. They have utilized their abilities well despite being ignorant about it.” he sighed in admiration. “Those are the kinds of students I want in my academy. Strong and is willing to face a challenge head on.”

“They did something great.”

“Yes. And in that battle, they acquired a breakthrough.”

The butler was shocked beyond words. The headmaster noticed his expression. 

“It was a mid-ranked creature, and they were able to damage more than half of its abilities and its body. Their level rose higher after that. I examined their bodies and healed them so I know.”

That night, Roy, Milan, and Sir London, got the honor of witnessing the headmaster’s powers in front of them. The flesh that was lost, recovered in an instant. But the boys still have to rest. They woke up three days later and went back to their dorm. 

“Still, it is highly dangerous. They are beginners and they are not deeply knowledgeable about how our world works. Their families did not even explain what they are and how much potential they possess.”

Aloysius stood up and adjusted his suit. 

“Prepare the car, Mr. Grahamsz. I’m going to visit my good old friends.”

The butler bowed and sighed. He already knows what that “visit” means. He pressed the intercom and stated a few instructions. “Prepare to seal Areas A and B. Notify authorities that Aloysius von Rochester will reserve the road. Also, contact DTL Inc. to repair the roads and infrastructure tomorrow…Yes. I know they just fixed the park but they already know what to do. Yes…”  

**********

“I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster. I fought a monster, I did not fight a monster–”

“Can you stop saying the same thing over and over again while plucking petals?!” Fruto yelled in an exhausted tone. “It’s been four days already! I thought you bought flowers to decorate the room. Clean that up!”

Ponjie got scared and started sweeping the floor. After realizing that he just followed Fruto, he glared at him. “You are worse than my mom!”

Fruto rolled his eyes and continued reading a book. Ponjie pouted and tried to get away from the task. “My arms hurt…”

“The headmaster did so well bringing us back to life that the moment you woke up you started jumping around and breaking the lights on the clinic. You think I forgot?”

“Fine!” Ponjie finally relented.

Fruto let out an exasperated sigh. Even after fighting together, they still haven’t changed. His body feels alright. He still has some mobility. The matter about them beating up a “mid-ranked monster” got suppressed by the headmaster. The people who know about it can be counted on one hand. 

It did not really matter to him and Ponjie if they got recognized or not. For the two of them, it was quite an embarrassing story of their life. They barely survived to the point that their flesh melted and only the bones were intact. Meanwhile, the monster was left crying and whimpering. 

The headmaster passed a message that he will pick them up soon and let them visit one of the laboratories that the academy founded. He also assured them that whatever questions they have, it will be answered properly. 

“You have to be on your best behavior. We will see the headmaster tomorrow.” 

“I know.” Ponjie sulked. 

There was a knock on the door after Ponjie finished cleaning. Fruto looked at him.

“What? Are you expecting me to open the door?” Fruto continued staring. 

“This is bullying, I’m going to sue you!” 

Ponjie opened the door and Roy and Milan showed up with a bunch of food in their hands. Without even thinking about it, Ponjie slammed the door.

“Who was that?” Fruto asked.

“Just some online delivery guy that got lost in our dorm.”

“Ponjie. I’m going to count to three. If you do not answer me properly–” 

“Fine! It’s Roy and Milan!”

“Oh. Then why didn’t you let them in? They saved us too, you know.” Fruto closed the book he’s reading and crossed his arms.

Ponjie avoided looking at his eyes. 

“Answer.” Fruto demanded.

Ponjie shook his head, blushed, and decided to open the door. Fruto saw Roy and Milan. He greeted them politely.

“Hello, Roy and Milan.”

“Hi/Hello.” They waved their hands but still did not enter. It was because Ponjie barricaded the door. He was glaring at the two guys in front of him. After a few seconds he stepped aside. Roy sighed in relief. But it was too early for that since Ponjie dragged him on the corridor. 

Milan was confused while Fruto just shrugged. His friend isn’t right in the head. Who knows what he’s thinking.

On the other hand, Roy, who got dragged, did not expect that a junior would be his first kabedon experience. And a man at that!

 Ponjie glared at him. “Don’t try to steal my friend from me! I will not let you guys come between us!”

“...You have misunderstood.”

“Explain why you’ve been going in our dorm almost everyday.” Ponjie looked like he could kill.

“...That’s because we were bored.”

Ponjie cracked his neck and decided to accept the reason after examining that there is nothing wrong with that logic. But before he let him go, he warned, “Don’t you even try to poach my friend on your side or I will hunt you down even if it’s in heaven or hell.” 

Roy raised his hands, as if giving up. “Look man, we never thought about that at all. Don’t worry. You can be assured that we won’t. Besides, why would Fruto need us when you are always there for him?”

With those words, Ponjie brightened and smiled shyly. He took back his arms and put them inside his pocket.

“You think so?”

“Huh? Isn’t that the truth?” 

Ponjie raised his head to laugh and giggle. “Yes, yes. Of course it is.” he rubbed his nose and looked sideways at Roy.

Enlightened by his sudden change, Roy finally figured out the trick to making Ponjie warm up to them. He grabbed the opportunity and added, “Yes! Milan and I think so! You guys were amazing. And just by looking at the two of you, we already know that you are brothers for life. Believe me, that’s the vibe you guys give.” Roy continued praising the friendship of Fruto and Ponjie that Ponjie soared high in the skies and happily let Roy enter their dorm. 

“WTF. What a weird guy.” Roy whispered when he got to Milan. 

The two seniors asked their juniors about their current recovery state and did not inquire on what had happened that day in the park. They were just genuinely concerned about the well-being of the students since they knew how it can be so taxing to fight against monsters. 

Fruto appreciated the gesture, since he also didn’t want to talk about the incident last time. They talked a lot about random things in the school until two hours later, the seniors left. 

When Ponjie made sure that they were out of earshot, he grabbed his laptop and pushed the screen, almost bumping it into Fruto’s face.

“That’s all the itinerary list I have made. See? I plan to go in this city to take you out by Christmas–”

He’s not even done speaking when Fruto smacks him lightly on the head. 

“Ouch!”

“Give me your laptop. Your head is full of nonsense. Where’s the file for our homeworks?”

“I’m done already! I was with you doing all that, how can I escape!”

“Fine. Then shut the laptop away and let us review the fight that we had with the monster last time.”

Each day, when they have the chance, Fruto and Ponjie will revisit that fight they had with the monster. They try to assess the movements they did, the gaps and strengths and then analyze how that can contribute to a victory of a fight.

“But we are lacking one thing.” Ponjie noticed.

“Yes.” With rare affirmation, Fruto nodded.

“We don’t have data about the monster that we fought.”

**********

The headmaster looked like a prince. 

That was what they thought when they met the headmaster outside the school. 

He was wearing an expensive black suit. His stylish appearance can give people a scare since he completely looked straight out of a magazine. He even has a butler holding an umbrella for him.

Ponjie took one look at the headmaster and whispered to Fruto, “I don’t like him. He’s got a weird fashion style.”

The headmaster’s mouth twitched. It was unknown whether he heard the comment or not. But Fruto did not waste his time and pinched Ponjie on his shoulder.

“Good morning, Sir.” Fruto greeted properly with a bow. 

Meanwhile, Ponjie just sent an arrogant nod at the headmaster and said, “‘Sup, Sir.”

Aloysius Wolfgang von Rochester, for the first time in his life, thought about sending a student to an Elite team in the North Pole and let them use him as a sacrificial lamb for the monsters.

He turned on his heel and went inside the car’s passenger seat. The butler folded his umbrella and opened the car door for the students. 

When they got inside, the headmaster immediately told them in a cold voice, “Tell me what happened that day you fought the monster.”

He expected an answer but the two were silent and weren't planning to reply. 

He frowned and through the vanity mirror, he communicated with the butler. The butler smiled and since he was with the students at the back, he called their attention again.

“Ahem. Dear students, the headmaster is asking you to recount the events that led to an accident the last time you went out of school. It is important that we clearly hear your side for the investigation of this matter. We have a reason to believe that this is a premeditated plan and you guys are the targets. So we wanted to ensure how best we can help and protect your well-being.”

After that, the butler observed the young men beside him. He noted that they were cautious and vigilant. Both of them do not trust the headmaster. That’s probably why the headmaster liked them and tolerated their arrogant attitude. After all, his young master isn’t someone to give a special treatment just because they were the sons of his friends. 

Seeing that they were still tight-lipped, the butler added, “It is highly convenient that you talk now. There are people who died protecting you from that incident.”

The news sent a big shock to the students that they turned to the butler at the same time. Hearing the butler mention it once more, the headmaster closed his eyes with his fist trembling. 

“The headmaster sends people to protect the students who go outside the vicinity each month. It is because children with ability, especially budding ones like you, are susceptible to danger. It isn’t just the monsters. There are people who can do all sorts of evil just to achieve their goals. It might be for world domination, crimes, or for personal interests. And what you have is the exact potential that they seek to reach higher and go beyond morality.

There are agents who silently protect you in the dark. And during that day, the ones assigned to you died. Their corpses were found in the park, in the forest near where you were first attacked by the monster.

According to the preliminary investigation, it wasn’t something a monster would do. The corpses were likely to be murdered with malignant weapons. They did not stand a chance at all. 

That is why, even if we understand your silence on this matter, it is important to us that we can give proper answers to their bereaved family and bring justice for the lives that they renounced.”

Fruto did not know how to react. He felt cold. It was the same with Ponjie. They thought that they were the only victims that night. And they were quite grateful for it because they couldn’t live happily knowing that someone else will be implicated. But apparently, people still died.

Ponjie was aghast and started to become dazed. He was actually waiting for Fruto to speak but when he looked at his friend, he saw how pale and shaken he was. Ponjie knew that he would have to do the talking. 

It was a responsibility that he couldn’t dare to take. Because if he did, he would have to carry the burden of indirectly causing people to die. 

He dug his nails on his palm to keep thinking straight.

Just when he was about to do something, the headmaster spoke. 

“You don’t have to feel guilty at all. To feel that way means you have had a hand for killing my people. But you guys were also victims. The people who died were victims too. There is no point in trying to blame yourselves. However, you can alleviate the situation when you have decided to tell us the truth.”

He doesn’t have a good impression of the headmaster. For Ponjie, he only looked rich but untrustworthy. There are also traces of menacing aura within him. And Ponjie has met so many people like him because his dad was a businessman. This headmaster looked a hundred percent the boss of some mafia outside the country. That’s what his instinct tells him. 

He calmed down. And for the sake of his pale friend, whose face got better after hearing the headmaster’s words, he will talk. 

“Fine. Consider this as my gratitude for being able to calm my friend.” Ponjie still has some sense of propriety.

But this propriety isn’t appreciated by Aloysius as he really wants to ship this annoying brat to the other end of Earth. 

Ponjie’s voice sounded clear and steady. Fruto noted that his friend isn’t really the same person with him as when he deals with other people. It was too guarded and stiff. Ponjie recalled in a logical manner about what happened in the park and how they were able to stand against the monster. 

He was straightforward with no exaggeration and explained in fine detail that the butler started to become amazed in the feat they have done. The headmaster only smirked.

As expected of my people. Only if this is how most of the students in the academy fare…Maybe we should have a meeting about the school curriculum and intensify it.

When all was said, the butler handed a water bottle to Ponjie. Sensing how wary he is, the butler assured that they will not, in any way, poison them. Fruto snatched the bottle and drank a bit before handing it back to Ponjie. 

“I did not die.”

Ponjie frowned. “Next time, just let me test this first. It’s bad if you get into danger.”

Once again, the butler saw how great their relationship was. He never doubted that they will be brothers for life in the future. Hopefully, they’re not like what the headmaster has with his friends. 

“We’re here.”

The car stopped in front of a squared and glass-walled building. It ran so high that it seemed to reach the sky.  

“Why are we here, anyway?” Ponjie asked the butler after getting out of the car. 

Headmaster Aloysius dusted his suit and wore his black shades. “To see the monster that you had beaten black and blue.”

Ponjie cringed. I am now sure he’s a mafia boss.

He pulled Fruto by the shoulders and they all followed the not-so-mysterious possible leader of the underworld.