Just as I started walking to the class, a girl probably from Max.s class started walking towards me.
"Hey... what is your name?" she asked.
Her voice sounded so familiar but I could say, I have never seen this person. Then she started watching the people who were walking right behind us.
"My name is Rial." I said, just as I said that her expression changed drastically, even though it wasn't visible. With my pure eye nothing can be hidden from me.
"Can you say that again?" she said with a hesitant voice.
"I said my name is Rial." I said.
"Sorry I couldn't hear you the last time."
"Sure.' I said.
"Anyways do you have a partner for the exams."
Although I wanted to lie, I just felt the edge to tell her the truth but that could ruin my plans. Well sometimes you have to make sacrifices I guess.
"Err yeah." I said.
"Too bad then."She said with a disappointed face.
"Wait can you be with someone else then." I said out loud. Since Lee is someone I cannot afford to lose. I have to find someone to partner up with him. But that was more challenging than I expected at first.
And just as I was about to mention Lee's name, the person himself appeared from the shadows. He was walking with Max and Nanase the one from our class.
"There he is."I said pointing at Lee.
"Who is this."Asked Max.
"Right I do not know your name."
"My name was Nonoa Risuki."
"So do we have a deal."I said.
"Na."she said a sarcasm smile
"What do you mean."
"I want to see all the boys in your grades fight and I will partner up with the winner." She said with a proud smile.
"Huh"
"You heard me right."
Max's perspective:
If we talk of pure strength, I can confidently say Lee takes it. Lee like me was trained since childhood. But even so there are fundamental differences between us. Like one; Lee can't use magic but I can. He can use all the fighting spirit known to humanity but I cannot. the most I have reached is the 4th spirit, which was considered impressive. This all goes to say that Lee is the strongest among everybody including Rial. Even though he is some incredible technique I doubt they would be a match for him. But I can't even fight like Rial so I wouldn't say much.
Rial's perspective:
As just, we were about to respond, Nonoa cancelled her offer again. This time requesting a dish.
"That is insane you know.'Lee said.
"You are the one in need of help." She said.
"Aren't you in the position." Replied Lee.
"Sure but I would find one anytime I want." You had found already and now Man and I were just watching them in awl.
"You two should get married already." Said just as he just wanted them to come back to reality.
She can also ready Max like he is a book. Her change of plans shows that.
"Sure but Rial has to cook."
"Huh, why me?"
"Because you are a good cook."Max said.
"Yeah the last time you cooked for us was the best."Lee added to his comment.
"So you are a chef!?
Her voice sounded a little playful.
"Sure I guess you can say that.
That a little back and forth Rial and Nonoa arranged a day for them to meet and plan. But this will be the start of something bigger and dangerous. These were things I wished I knew. But Rial always had a way out of the situation.
Even now I guess I am stuck in that place. The emotional distance will always be a part of me. No matter how much you change the monster inside will always be what protects you the most. Will the relationships I will built so far be more than just helpful allies to me.
Max perspective:
Ever since I was born, all that I was taught was people were just tools. Objects to be used. Things like love, warmth, desire, family didn't exist in the black asylum. The place where I have known ever since my birth.
For as long as I have lived(12 years) the term called love is the one thing I could not copy. I was praised, worshiped, looked up to, but all that couldn't even consume me. I was never obsessed with the fame, money or possession. The person who accepted me ever since I came to the Star Royal Academy was Eigi. And yet he had to suffer the consequences of my failure.
People are nothing but objects to them. The use of kids as test subjects are the most common artifacts in the institution. I wonder did he ever felt such loneliness, when the beautiful water from heaven poured down as rain. Creating a cool air in the atmosphere, did he had his parents hanging him to sleep. Maybe not, the darkness within his eyes is lightning up day by day. And if he heals what will happen to me. Do I have change as well? Do I have the means to do so?
Ichika once said:
The darkness within our hearts are the main source of our strength. And yet it is the main thing that holds us back significantly. At the end of the day just know you are not a monster. But a victim of suffering produced by the man who brought you life.
"She then said. How you feel when you know your father is the main cause of other people suffering."
"Others huh."
"Yes of course."
"They are individuals who were not strong enough to protect their loved ones. So I asked you why should I care for them?" I asked this question when I was 6, around the same time I transferred to the "Royal Academy."
"Ah.... the darkness in your eyes are truly terrifying. Just like your father's." She said.
That man and I have a lot of similarities but the one thing that differentiates us entirely is the way we think and approach people.
The ability to extend a hand to a fool and expect nothing in return is the chance no matter how he wants. He would never do it, the reason is simple; he only thinks of himself and nobody else.
I don't know how to feel anything, all I can do is just copy not feel. There are entire dimensions between the two.
"So you feel nothing for the unfortunate people who fall to your father's hand?" Ichika asked.
"Absolutely nothing at all." I said as my poker was still being worn by me. By the time this conversation took place was when I was 5.
Back then I didn't know what love was, what happiness was. I only taught in logic, a machine created to rule the unfortunate world. If he succeeds, then I will have kill him myself.
Rial perspective:
As he slept through the dong of night, little did he know a dream out of this world would take place.
"Wake up older brother", A voice so familiar would so heard. A voice the voice of Mary, a child he helped raise. Mary's parents died when she was 7 and his father took her in. From then on she saw Rial as an older brother. She also was Yuki, the childhood friend of Rial, when he first moved in.
"Mary, is that you. Yes it is." He ran to her at a speed unnatural to the human body. He cried as much as possible. He cried harder than when his family spit apart. Because in his mind he wouldn't save her from the accident that took both their lives.
"Do not worry, I will be okay, just focus on the common goal now. I will wait no matter how far we are apart." She said that with a smile as she started disappearing.
"I will and then I will find you." Rial said as now he was more determined to finish his goals.