Chapter 220: Overthinking Doubts

Since it was a no school day, Peter and Cia decided to spend it together in the town like they usually did. It was a bright sunny day, the light casting down warming them both, but not to the same level that it was on the orange portal planet. That, at least, was a major improvement.

"I’m glad that we’re back at military base 2, not being able to see was a major problem," Peter sighed.

Cia giggled, "Yeah, like what did people with glasses do during the war?"

She then put on a mocking voice, "’Oh crap! my glasses fell off! Mr dalki, can you please give me a moment to put them back on?’"

Peter awkwardly laughed, but didn’t find it very funny. It was all too real of a possibility.

"Well, whatever, I’m sure there’s an eye doctor in town," Cia then grabbed Peter’s hand, "They wouldn’t leave their precious students without the ability to see, since they’re always about abilities."

Cia dragged Peter off into the city, heading to the same mall with the eye doctor. Following closely behind was a silent stalker, Fex, who kept watch from afar.

"He’s always hanging out with that girl so much, and if there’s anything that living with humans told me, the fact that she’s a level 4 and he’s a level 2 is suspicious," Fex shook his head in disproval, "At any moment, she’s going to force him to reveal the truth, or he’ll just blabber away."

After waiting a while, the two left the mall together, looking as joyus as ever. It annoyed Fex.

’Why do they just let him off doing whatever when he knows about our secrets?’ Fex thought, leaning against a tree, ’Someone has to make sure he doesn’t spill.’

"You really seem to know so much about the city," Peter said.

"I take every moment I can get to leave that stuffy old school," Cia sighed, then turned in the direction of the building in question, "If I could, I’d never step foot in that place again. It just cultivates the worst of the worst, those with high levels picking on the weak, and for what? Pride?"

Cia scoffed, and Peter nervously laughed, "Haha, yeah..."

The memory of the torture he endured by the hands of Earl entered his mind. The bullying, constantly fearing if he was going to get hurt, and worst of all was Duke’s influence, but his schooling experience was more bearable with Quinn and Fex at his side.

"Its not all that bad," Peter whispered.

"What was that?" Cia said, leaning in.

"Oh um—" Peter quickly thought of a random thing to ask.

Fex, listening in, was focusing more and more on the conversation. Just what was Peter about to say?

’He’s going to spill our secrets!’ Fex thought.

Instead, Peter said something else, "I... I wanted to know more about you."

Cia snorted, then bust out laughing, "That’s it? What more do you want me to say? I like going around the city, and I suppose I could also tell you I like to wear chunky boots, but that should be obvious."

"Oh, then..." Peter thought up another thing, "Actually, what do you see yourself doing after military school?"

The question took Cia by surprise, and she didn’t know how to respond. There was the truthful answer, that she would continue to work for Pure, but what if she pretended otherwise? That she was just a normal student who—

’No, forget that thought. Don’t even entertain it. After everything Pure has done for me, there is no way I can go against them.’

Fex, listening in, thought it was strange how silent the answer was. He knew himself that he wouldn’t be able to give a truthful honest answer, but that was because he was a vampire.

"I.... Come on, we’re going to miss the lunch menu if we don’t hurry!" Cia eventually said, then grabbed Peter’s arm and ran off.

Fex clenched his fists. Even when he was basically alone, Peter still didn’t say anything.

’Am I just waiting for him to slip up?’ Fex thought, then shook his head, ’No, I’m just trying to do my job as a direct descendant, that’s all."

—

In Del’s office, he was staring at a hologram, almost at the point of pulling his hair out trying to figure out just what to do about the upcoming event.

"And they tell us only a week beforehand?" Del groaned as he ran his hand through his hair.

Since he was a homeroom teacher, he was supposed to pick out first years in his class to participate in the inter-base tournament. At least he only had to pick 3 students, as the other events were filled by second years.

Some part of him wanted to pick Erin knowing that something was wrong with her ability, just to embarrass her. Then there was Quinn, who was a recently turned level 5, who he was sure to have caused him to trip into mud.

"Maybe I’ll have one of them as a substitute for the other," Del thought.

Not only did Del have to choose 3 students for the event, but he also had to pick 3 substitutes should anything happen. This made it extra difficult to choose, but given Erin’s situation, he decided to have Quinn become her substitute.

"There, that way Erin will have to drop out because of her condition, and Quinn will be forced to take her place."

The mental image of Quinn getting smacked and hit by second years with abilities far stronger than his brought a smile on Del’s face.

"That will be a sight to watch... Now, who will I choose for the ranged and crafting event?"

—

At the beginning of the school year, all of the seats in Del’s class were full. Having students drop out was basically non-existent due to the circumstances of their living situation, and there would only be the rare case of someone missing class due to a particularly bad injury or sickness.

Very rarely would more than 1 student be missing from class.

So when the students came into Del’s classroom, the fact that there were more than a few empty seats was startling. Although the situation could’ve been worse, it was a grim reminder of the kind of world they lived in.

Once everyone arrived and got seated, Del stood up.

"Alright everyone, there are no lessons for today, but the reason why is due to the upcoming event. Not all of you will be taking part in it, but there will be duties given to each student to prepare support for your school and military base."

He started to list off groups of names and assigning them what tasks they were in charge of. This consisted of creating banners and decorations to support their base during the events, helping bring supplies and food, as well as setting up stalls.

None of the students listening found it very interesting, as they were far more interested in who got chosen for the main events.

"With that out of the way, it’s time to discuss who will be participating for the ranged, crafting, and fighting tournament. It was a tough decision, but I have chosen who out of our class will be partaking in the upcoming three events..."