Chapter 52

At quarter 1, military headquarters, City A.

Erina, along with Layla, walked in the hallway, looking mentally exhausted.

"That was... A lot to take in..." Layla said.

"He basically thought us everything about the City A, and little extra knowledge about the outside too..." Erina said.

"Yeah... Who knew our city was so left behind," said Layla.

"I already knew some of the things he said though," Erina said.

"As expected for City D's top scholar! You must have gotten it easy..." She looked back at Erina, "Wait! You look way more exhausted than I am!" She said in shock at seeing Erina's tired-looking expression.

Erina glared at Layla with her exhausted eyes, "probably because you didn't listen halfway through!" She said.

"Uhm... I admit my mind flew multiple times, but I don't think I didn't listen halfway through," Layla said, "wait, you mean you got all that he thought us!?".

"Yeah... The culture, the minor detail of the outside, the other cities... You'll never know what could be useful," Erina said.

"That's definitely our Mrs. Erina..." Layla said, being amazed.

"But the thing that took my interest the most was what will occur five days from now," Erina said.

"Five days from now..." Layla said, "you mean the rank test event?".

"Yeah, apparently, they do it in a form of a tournament, where each student of the school will be tested by fighting each other to raise their ranks, and possibly class as well," Erina said.

"Now that you mention it, here I guess you can level up your class, huh?" Layla said, "in city D our class is basically our status from birth..."

"It's not like it's easy though," Erina said, "of course, your ability class definitely plays its role, but here... I guess efforts won't be disregarded,"

"You're right..." Layla replied.

"That's why you can be more confident," Erina said, locking eyes with Layla, "you noticed haven't you? They were giving special treatment, only to both of us,".

"That's... True..." Layla said, sounding doubtful.

"And what the officer told us earlier," Erina said, " your class is a lower B, but YOU have the potential to get higher,".

"He did say that but... I still quite don't understand," Layla said.

"The officers that appointed us to this are the ones we were with before," Erina said.

"Mister. Gin and miss. Liz if I'm right..." Layla said.

"I did some digging and I found out that those two actually has a strong status here in the military," Erina said, "and those two people recommend us for these special lessons, they must have seen a great potential in you as well,"

"How could you even tell that?" Layla said, "my ability isn't something that great... I don't know how much use I would be with only this,".

"I noticed it myself," Erina said.

Layla felt shocked, she stopped walking, with her ears completely open to Erina.

"What... Do you mean?" Layla said.

"So, you didn't notice it yourself..." Erina said, "maybe because you were depreciating yourself so much just because of your ability,".

Erina walked closer to Layla, staring at each other's eyes.

"Haven't you got it yet?" Erina said, "your ability is that, only that! and if you keep thinking like that how would you even notice,"

"Look back from when we were traveling to go here," Erina said, "do you remember? When we got attacked by multiple Akumas, and everyone was at a dangerous position,".

Layla nodded.

"What did I try to do?" Erina said.

"I wasn't so sure, but to me, it seemed like you were about to charge at those Akumas..." Layla said.

"Yes, it was all that I can think of since I just wanted to get things over with..." Erina said, "but you stopped me, way before everyone else, why?"

"I... I thought that if you left then, then we would be in a less favorable position," Layla said, "I just didn't want to risk any more lives when I saw how you looked when you walked out of that vehicle... I just knew I had to stop you..."

"Then?" Erina said.

"Then... Then what?" Layla said, "I wasn't able to do anything else at that point, I just felt powerless seeing you and the others do the work,".

Erina let out a sigh, "noises behind or inside the building at the right," she said, leaving Layla confused, "no sign on the rear, but there are noises inside the building on the left,".

"It was so noisy, yet you provided such information on a whim," Erina said, "you injected yourself after then... You reminded me of someone...".

"Eh?" Layla said.

"Figure the rest out yourself, you have a memory, don't you?" Erina said as she began to walk away.

"Erina..." Layla said, standing still as she processed her thoughts, "actually, Erina..."

She stopped, "what is it?" looking back.

"I've been wanting to do something since we arrived..." Layla said, "I'll be taking care of it for now... Do you have some time later?".

"I'll be in my apartment for the rest of the day," Erina said, turning her back on Layla.

"I'll come to visit later then!" Layla said.

Erina continued to walk, not giving any reply.

"Alright..." Layla said, looking determined, "I just have to gather my resolve... I've wanted to talk to her ever since we arrived and got me and Erina in this situation,".

She began running to the opposite side of the hallway where Erina went.

"If I remember correctly, I saw her name here," she said, running through the hallway, looking at the name signs on top of the door.

"Found it!" Layla said, stopping in front of the door with a nameplate of Liz Aimee.

"Liz Aimee... I wonder if it's her," Layla thought, "if it's not, I'll just ask where I can find her! I've gathered this much resolve after all!".

As she was about to knock on the door, she suddenly heard a loud shout.

"GET YOUR F*KING HEAD STRAIGHT!" The female inside shouted, as noises of a ruckus leaked out of the door as the woman continued to shout.

Layla slowly stepped aside from the door as she had a feeling something might pop out.

BAM*

Someone came crashing out of the door, with his hand covering his head, as if he was shielding against something.

"That was completely unexpected!" Gin shouted.

SMACK*

A thick book suddenly hits Gin's face, right as the door was about to close.

"Aw..." Gin said, picking up the book on the ground, "I said I was sorry..." He said in a complaining manner as he looked beside him.

"Hm?" He said, looking at Layla who was shaking beside the door.

"Oh! It's you," Gin said.

"G...g... Mr. Gin!" Layla said in a shaky tone.

"W... what's this!?" She thought, "all the resolve and courage I built up till now... It's all gone!"

"What's the matter?" Gin said, "walking closer to Layla.

"Um... Oh!" Layla said as if she thought on an idea, "was it you who recommended me to this kind of session?"

"Huh?" Gin said, "You mean the special lessons with Erina?".

Layla nodded.

"Why? Do you not like it?" Gin said in a provoking tone.

"No, it's not like that..." Layla said, "I was wondering, why was I picked?".

"Oh that," Gin said, "we were supposed to have someone be with her to possibly increase her sync with others,"

"I see," Layla said, "so it could've been anyone?" She asked.

"Not really..." Gin said, looking away from Layla, "to be honest, there was already someone who was fitted to that role, we found his mind promising and his thoughts were in sync with Erina, but…".

Layla thought about that person and only took a quick moment to realize who it could be.

"Could that person..." Layla said.

"Alright, that's the end of that!" Gin said, interrupting Layla, "if you want to know more you could go ask her," Gin said pointing at the door.

"Eh..."

"She was the one that convinced me to recommend you," Gin said, "she has a reason for doing so, and I think I know why,".

"The reason is?" Layla asked.

"Go ask her yourself," Gin said, "don't go chickening out because of some scream!" He said as he began to knock on the door.

"MR. GIN!?" Layla said.

Gin quickly ran after knocking on the door.

"WHAT IS IT NOW!?" Liz shouted.

Shaking with nervousness, Layla grabbed the knob and opened the door.

"Umm, excuse me," she said in a shaky tone.

"Hm?" Liz took a closer look, "oh! It's you," quickly changing her mood.

"Sorry, your knock sounded like someone irritating that I know," Liz said.

"Hehe, is that so?" Layla laughed awkwardly as she walked inside.

"Sit down," Liz said, "I've been wanting to talk to you,"

"Eh?"