Chapter 7 - S Ranked

Marcus sat in his chair, checking through the papers of his student's homework when the front door opened with a loud bang.

"Dear!" He heard his mother call out, her footstep echoing down the hallway and stopping right in front of the front door.

A deep voice of confirmation answered in reply and the two pairs of footsteps made their way into the kitchen.

"I've made lasagna, it might be a bit cold." His mother explained as the sounds of plates rattled. "Marcus! Come eat your lunch! It's been sitting here for an hour for god's sake."

"Okay," Marcus shouted in reply, taking out his earbuds and entered the kitchen.

He went over to the dining table to take his plate, putting it in the microwave, and set the timer to two minutes.

"How's work?" Marcus looked over at his father as he sat back down.

His father was sat at the end of the table, his light brown hair was beginning to show strands of white as the stern wrinkles on his face had become more distinct.

"Chaotic," He replied, taking out his phone and scrolling through the news section. "No one knows what they're doing. It's all a mess. We've detected a new gate opening with strange readings. Still trying to figure out its location. The researchers haven't slept since yesterday."

"It's that bad, huh." Marcus nodded, getting up and getting his lasagna from the microwave.

"Tell me about it," His father grunted, putting away his phone and sighing. "Do you have time later?" He glanced at Marcus.

"No, I've got more stuff to mark," He replied, taking a piece of lasagna and eating it.

"There's so many other career paths to choose from and you just had to choose the one with no future." He muttered, frowning. "Just go back to college and study something that'll earn you more money."

"Teaching is what I've always wanted to do," Marcus rebutted, glaring at his father, "And you can't tell me otherwise."

"You had the highest grade in your year level back when you graduated high-school and you had to go and become a teacher, and if that's not bad enough, an elementary school teacher,"

The air around the table became tense.

"It's what I wanted to do." Marcus muttered as he got up from his seat, "And it's never going to change."

"Okay, come on boys. Stop arguing. Here's your lunch, dear," His mother interrupted the argument with a calm smile, holding a plate of lasagna with one hand. "Let the boy do what he wants. Its his life."

"I'm just trying to steer him in the right direction, as a parent." He grumbled, taking the lasagna.

"And how do you know being a teacher is a bad direction. If he enjoys what he does and he's good at it. I'd say let him be," She explains, smiling at Marcus.

Marcus smiled back in response, mouthing a little thanks, and headed back into his room.

----

Half a week passed with nothing dramatic happening. Marcus was still in his room marking and planning lessons for when he would return to teaching.

"Breaking News!" The voice of the news anchor caught his attention as he glanced over at his laptop, opened up at a news page.

"Two Ranked S ranked Hunters has just come out publicly and announced their connection with next week's raid! They are currently with me in the studio."

The screen changed as two young men, one with pitch-black hair wearing a distinctive dark brown trenchcoat and the other with spiky flaming red hair donning a black jacket over a tank top.

"My name is Fable Scarn. Ranked S Paladin. Nice to meet you all." The first announced, a small smile emerging from his face as he held the microphone to his lips.

"Rein. Ranked S Blessed." The other one replied nonchalantly, his hoodie sliding off his shoulder as he leaned on the desk.

"A blessed?" The interviewer questioned.

"Yeah." He looked over at the woman with a confused gaze, "Did you not hear me?"

"I'd like to apologize for his behavior," Fable interrupted, "He's usually not this crude."

"No, No, it's fine. What I meant was, can you please explain what a 'Blessed' is?" She clarified.

"Uh. I got blessed by something. So I have some of their skills."

"And what 'Something' did you get blessed by?"

"A phoenix." He stated.

"A phoenix?" She repeated,

"Lady you really need to get your ears checked, Yes. A phoenix!" He mildly shouted.

"Rein. That's enough," Fable sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Again, I'm so sorry." He apologized, "But, the reason we came here today was that we not only wished to announce that the next raid in a week will be led by none other than Rein and I. But, additionally, we will also be creating our own elite squad of hunters, a 'guild' if you may, called Justice. We'll be accepting hunters Ranked B and above, so if you're interested, please visit our website and check it out."

"That is some really interesting information!" The interviewer replied, nodding.

Marcus pressed off the news as he stretched and neatly put away the now fully marked homework and lesson plans.

"I'll go for a walk, he muttered. Leaving his room and heading out the door.

----

The sounds of the crowded streets and the bustling of people surrounded Marcus as he ventured into the city. He had eyed this fancy new restaurant for days, wanting to try it out at least once before going back to work, and now was a perfect time.

He crossed a few streets and walked along the sidewalk, dodging pedestrians left and right. Turning a corner he spots the largest mall in the area,

'Nearly there,' He thinks as he glances at the map displayed on his phone.

Suddenly, out the corner of his eye, he spots the figure of his sister, laughing with a group of friends as they entered the mall.

He chuckles as he walks away thinking nothing of it, heading left and making his way to the restaurant.