Ruin Part Six

I sigh as I see Cassia sauntering up to our table. She's got that insufferable grin on her face—the one that says she wants something and she's going to get it. I glance at Lysandra, who is on the brink of bursting into laughter. Ugh, she's been laughing like this ever since she saw Cassia use fire. I guess to Lysandra, Cassia's fire magic is nothing more than a child's party trick.

Luna grips her bow and eyes Cassia warily while biting into a slice of pizza. "Don't do anything; I doubt she's here to fight," I assure her, trying to diffuse any potential explosion of tempers. God knows we've had enough of those today. Hmmm, though given the current situation we'd win if we join the fight. Knox and Orion are way too focused on each other to notice their surroundings and the others have wasted a significant amount of energy. 

Just as I say that, Rai lets out an exaggerated yawn. "Oh, thank goodness, I need a moment to digest this," he declares, rubbing his stomach like he's just finished a marathon instead of a meal.

Arin's face turns beet red as he blurts out, "You're so stupid! Why did you try to have an eating competition with her?" He jabs a finger towards Lysandra, who's almost inhaling her food.

Rai clicks his tongue and stands up, an offended look on his face. "How was I supposed to know she has a void in her stomach!? I mean look at her! She ain't full yet!" He points dramatically at Lysandra.

Lysandra's fists clench and she starts to rise, but I grab her shoulder. "Don't fight. Besides, it's not like they're wrong," I say, giving her a look that I hope conveys a mixture of sympathy and exasperation. Sigh, seriously, why did you take the challenge? You knew it was going to end like this. Idiot.

Isabella raises an eyebrow as Cassia finally arrives at our table. Her expression is as inscrutable as ever, but I can see the cogs turning in her mind. She's sizing Cassia up, determining whether she's worth her attention. Given the distance of the Academies, I doubt she'll try to recruit anyone here. 

"So," I say, turning my attention to Cassia, "Shouldn't you be fighting with your team?"

Cassia looks at me as I speak, but she promptly ignores me to lock eyes with Isabella. "You're the group leader, huh? Give me some food," she demands in a tone as if she owns the place.

Annoyed, I slam my hands down on the table and shoot up. "Oi, why did you ignore me? And why the hell would you assume she's the group leader?"

Damn you, I was trying to be nice. Why is everyone so insufferable?

Cassia raises an eyebrow, seemingly confused as she bites her finger. "Are you the group leader? But you... don't fit that description."

"Huh? And why is that?" I snap back, already regretting asking for clarification.

She pauses, as if the answer should be glaringly obvious. "You're obviously way too ugly for that, you know? Like, aren't group leaders supposed to look good?" She then gestures dramatically at Rai and then sweeps her hand to point at Isabella and Luna. "I thought it might be one of them, but I never imagined it would be...someone like you."

What the actual hell?

Lysandra is choking back laughter so hard that her milkshake comes squirting out her nose. Rai and Arin pointedly look away, pretending they didn't hear anything. Luna just continues to eat her pizza, wisely staying out of this circus. Isabella, though, grins down at me. "Well, that's understandable, given that he is a barbaric Commoner."

My fists are clenched so tight I could turn coal into diamonds. Why... why does everyone have to be so Fucking mean? I swear I'm gonna lose it... But then again, I can't even blame them for their ignorance. I-I mean, it's not like I chose this body. 

Pounding the table once more for emphasis, I assert, "A leader doesn't have to look handsome! What matters is their leadership!"

Cassia tilts her head, as if she's listening to a joke she doesn't quite understand. At this point, Isabella's grin turns downright sinister. "You know, I have a way to make you look... more human. All you have to do is become my servant."

I gulp. My fists are still clenched, every muscle in my body screaming to either lash out or break down. Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it, V. Hold yourself back! I can't let her win.

Keeping my composure, somehow, I lock eyes with Isabella. "I'd rather stay ugly than lose my dignity."

My eyes narrow at Isabella as she takes out a magic contract and a potion. "Sign the contract, and this is yours. I bought this a while ago as a gift for Mother, but I'm willing to invest it in you."

A system window pops up.

[Potion of Beauty]

[A rare potion crafted by the partnership of Lilith and Rosalind. It can increase Charisma by 15 points].

Oh God, that's tempting. My hand instinctively moves, hovering over the contract. Don't do it, V. Don't give her the satisfaction.

As if sensing my internal struggle, Lysandra reaches up and grabs my arm, stopping me from reaching out. A wave of clarity washes over me. Right, I almost lost myself there. How dare she try to manipulate me like this? Does she honestly think I'll fall for such an offer? 

Isabella clicks her tongue, disappointed, and puts the potion away. Good. She should know better.

Before I can relish my small victory, Cassia interrupts, apparently over our drama. "I smelled something good. I want some," she demands, slamming her hand on the table.

Seriously? Does she actually think she's going to get any food after being so rude?

"No," I retort sharply. "For being a rude bastard, you're not getting any. And don't bother asking anyone else. I'm the cook. If I say you can't eat any, then you can't eat any."

Cassia puffs her cheeks in indignation, not getting the picture. Then, in a feeble attempt to be intimidating, she conjures a fireball in her hand.

We all look at her with blank expressions. Nobody is scared. Not a single person. She makes the fireball bigger, obviously hoping to instill fear, but our expressions remain unchanged. Well, all except for one—Lysandra starts to laugh hysterically at the spectacle.

In a fit of what must be sheer frustration, Cassia shouts, "I'll burn you all to the ground!"

Isabella, perhaps still irked at my earlier refusal, releases a gust of wind magic that forces Cassia's fireball to veer off course and hit a distant wall.

Finally realizing what's going on, Cassia deflates, poking her two index fingers together like a child caught doing something naughty. "Sorry, I just want a bite."

As I'm about to comment on Cassia's latest bout of drama, a deafening crash reverberates through the area. Knox has just slammed into a wall near us, creating a crater that makes the ancient ruins shake like a leaf in a hurricane. Isabella, unfazed, waves a hand, sending the debris flying off with her wind magic. Knox coughs up blood, his face and body marred with bruises and cuts. The guy looks like he's been through hell.

Dragging his sword along, Orion starts to approach the bruised-up Knox. He's not in the best shape either; his face looks strained, and the way he's dragging his feet tells me he's at the end of his rope.

Orion grins despite his evident fatigue, shooting a triumphant look at Knox. "Hehehe~ I...I guess I'm still stronger than you," he rasps, his voice tinged with pain.

Knox licks the blood off his lips, glaring up at Orion. "Ugggh, you bastard, you have an artifact, don't you?"

Orion just smiles, a tired, satisfied smile, as if he's enjoying this tiring battle a little too much. "Hahahahaha, as if."

Knox grins and says, "I only lost due to that damn armor you got."

Orion grunts and runs at Knox, stabbing him through the stomach. "Maybe next time wear some armor instead of that useless shirt of yours."

Knox coughs up blood, glaring at Orion. "You bastard, at least I know I'm at your level. Next time we meet, I'll bury you." The bracelet on his arm starts glowing red until he's finally teleported out of the ruin.

Orion falls to the ground, lying back and breathing heavily. Cassia walks up to him and says, "Damn, you got a good beating."

Orion grunts in response. "I have five broken bones; that bastard nearly got me."

Cassia turns to my group and says, "Hey, give me a healing potion."

I burst into laughter at her audacity. "What? Hahaha, we're competing here; in fact, it's best we finish him off." I stand up, followed by Luna and Rai. My eyes lock onto Cassia's. Come on, I know you best. Show me what type of person you are.

Cassia takes a step back and starts casting fireballs around herself and Orion. "Don't you fucking dare! I won't let you!" Despite knowing she can't beat us, she's desperate.

Orion laughs painfully from the ground. "Hahaha~ Uuugh... you can stop, Cassia. He's just playing with you."

As he lies there, Orion makes eye contact with me. "Oi, cook. I know she's bad at... well, everything, but please don't scare her like that or she's going to end up hurting herself."

Cassia turns to Orion, incredulous. "Can't you see they want to finish you off?!"

Orion sighs, struggling to sit up. He reaches into the ground where Knox had been teleported, grabbing a handful of glowing sigils. He tosses them toward me. "Here, ten of them. You can have them." He scans the battleground, where Tara is helping deal with the others. "Knox's team is finished; can you just feed us a bit? I promise we won't fight."

Cassia puffs her cheeks in petulant resignation. "Hmph, fine." She dispels her fireballs, then bows her head in a forced apology. "I'm sorry for my rude behavior... p-please don't take it to heart... you... y-you are actually very handsome."

Do I laugh or cry at this point? I still feel the aftertaste of my own indignation and pride after refusing Isabella's "offer," the tension from staring down both Orion and Cassia, and the newfound weight of ten sigils in my pocket. Fuck... Has today been a good day or a bad day?

I sigh and say, "Tsk, fine."

Luna's grip tightens on her bow as she takes a step forward. "Are we really going to help them? We can finish them off," she says, her tone dripping with contempt.

Rai shuffles uneasily, clearly preferring Luna's approach. "Y-Yea, let's finish them off," he adds, not meeting anyone's gaze.

I raise my hand, signaling everyone to stop, " I start, meeting Luna's piercing eyes, "they're too weak to do anything to us right now. And by the time they regain their energy, we'll be long gone."

I didn't plan to get rid of either team, but I can't really stop them if they want to get rid of each other. Besides, I want to keep in touch with them since they might come in handy later on. I'll have to talk to Knox in some other competition or event. 

Rubbing my chin thoughtfully, I decide on a compromise, "We'll keep your healer with us while you eat. I'm sure that won't be a problem, right?"

Cassia's eyes widen in panic. "No way! You'll just get rid of her and then attack us!" she blurts out, her voice shaking with fear.

Ignoring her outburst, Orion painfully manages to get up and shuffle over to me. The guy's tough, I'll give him that. "Sure, sure~ Since you haven't attacked, I'm guessing you don't plan on dealing with us," he says with a lopsided grin.