Rank

--- So, you're our other roommate... my pleasure, I'm Riki Saito. - Says the boy sitting on the chair.

--- Nice to meet you, I'm Sei Aburaya.

Riki gets up from his chair, goes to Sei, extends his hand for a friendly shake and says --- Get in there.

Sei comes in and sits on the edge of one of the beds...

--- This one is from Taniguchi - Riki says.

--- Oh, sorry...

--- No problem. - Riki looks surprised at Taniguchi.

--- True... - Riki goes to Taguchi puts his right hand on his shoulder and says --- This is Isao Taniguchi. He might seem a little cold and soulless, but... he cares who he likes, even though they are few people...

--- Well, it's nice to meet you Aburaya-san.

--- What is your rank? - Riki looks at Isao, just like Sei...

An awkward silence fills the entire room, until Sei answers...

--- I do not know. - Isao looks at Sei completely surprised.

--- Actually, I haven't taken the test yet. - Riki looks at Sei and says --- It's extremely important, you need to do it soon! If you don't...

Isao interrupts Riki --- He's right, it's essential that everyone knows what your Rank is, even more so if you want to be a Terminator.

--- Ranks allow you to know what your position is before JEO, not only it but also before the world government, if your Rank is in the Omega, you are already considered a national hero, or even a world hero.

--- You will gain worldwide recognition. In case you're lucky.

--- Omega? - Sei asks naively. --- You don't even know the Ranks? How did you decide to be a Terminator? - Says Riki surprised by such a question...

Isao sighs. --- As I said, Ranks are the best way to know, in addition to your strength, your deeds. Regularly Terminators test again to see if they've evolved, or become weaker...

--- And this is represented by the levels of each Rank, the Omega is the strongest, but before him there are other levels...

--- Zeta: It is the first and the weakest, it usually has normal or support people in it.

--- Beta: from here there are only the awakened ones, and also the weakest of the Terminators.

--- Delta: they are much more powerful than the Betas, but they are still not the strongest...

--- Gamma: are considered true geniuses in combat, and were lucky enough to be placed here.

--- Alpha: they are usually the generals of each Extermination Organization around the world, of course they wouldn't put just anyone to be the boss.

--- Omega: and finally they, the strongest in the world. They say there is only one per country, usually to be considered Omega they were strong enough to do something national or worldwide...

--- Get it now? It's important for you to know about the Ranks, and about your own Rank...

--- Got it... thanks for the explanation.

--- Dude, you talk too much. - Says Riki, looking at Isao --- Since you still don't know what your Rank is, why don't you take the test? We can go with you. Of course, if you want...

--- Alright, let's go. - Answer Sei.

Then the three of them leave the room, walk down the hall and come face to face with Hime, the woman from the rank test, was surrounded by security, Riki tries to talk to Hime, but is soon stopped by one of the security guards.

--- It's not possible - Says Riki returning to the two.

--- What did you expect? She's extremely famous, she wouldn't stop to listen to you.

--- Yeah, let's try another one... - Isao interrupts Riki. --- Or... you need to make an appointment.

--- True, maybe it's at the reception, come on. - Riki starts walking towards the main reception of JEO...

When he bumps into a boy with spiky gray hair, he nervously looks at Riki, who immediately backs away.

The boy smiles discreetly and says -- How are you... Saito-kun? How have you been?

Riki replies --- Well, much better than before... but what does that matter to you? Why are you here? - The boy laughs *GWAGWAGWAGWA*

--- It is not obvious? I came to become a Terminator. But what's weird is that you're here... - He moves closer to Riki. --- A fifth-class Delta like you shouldn't be here... - He comes close to Riki's ear. --- You're not going to become a Terminator, so get out of here. You are weak.

--- You who are weak. - Isao takes the boy's head away from Riki's ear, and makes him look at him.

A red aura with black accents appears around Isao's body, his face hardens and becomes dark, his eyes become thin giving the impression that they are all black, but in a quiet voice he says... --- Leave and don't come back.

The boy lets go of Isao's hand and runs away.

--- Didn't need to. - Says Riki. --- The face he was making annoys me.

--- So you're a Delta? - Ask Sei.

--- Yes, I'm not that strong, that's why he does this to me. He's stronger.

--- But, Taniguchi said that Deltas are strong... Isao looks at Riki and realizes he's not comfortable with the conversation. --- We've talked a lot, let's go.

Continuing to search the front desk, they finally arrive at their destination, schedule the test, and head back to their room.

Sei packs her things and settles in her room, chooses one of the available beds and lies down on it.

Only Riki and Sei are in the.room, so Sei asks Riki... --- Hey, Taniguchi said Hime was famous, why? - Riki turns back and answers. --- Really? You don't even know? What world were you in, in a cave? Don't you watch the newspapers, or are you doing it on purpose? Do you have a cell phone?

--- I don't see the newspapers, and I have a cell phone, but I don't use it much. - Answer Sei.

--- Ok, let's go. Miss Hime is famous because her power is special, she can see a person's rank, power and potential. That's why she is so coveted, they say the United States wants her as part of their nation, but Japan doesn't accept it.

--- Get it now?

--- Yes... - Says Sei lying down again. --- Goodnight.

--- Goodnight.

After a few minutes, Riki leaves the room, and walks down the hall. Turning the corner, he finds the boy from earlier beaten and unconscious on the floor.

--- Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?

--- I didn't tell you not to do this anymore, why don't you listen to me?