9.1 Old Ways

Humans tend to prove superiority in their choices and themselves. It is because they want to console themselves by telling that they made the better choice. Or it may be simply to prove that the hardships they faced weren't in vain, that it made them better than the others around them. One might have experienced a normal life without hardships and can be living a better life than you. That is the reality of the world which is rotted with unequal cruelty to its core. Without accepting this simple fact, one will always stay on the path of pain and jealousy.

When Reyana had grabbed Abed's head by his hair, I caught a glimpse of something unusual on her skin, under the edges of her exceptionally long sleeves. I somewhat understood the incentive behind her abusive and green-eyed behaviour.

"Whaat!?" Rahul who was standing next to me jumped up in surprise.

"Have you gone nuts? You stand no chance against her. She just defeated Abed with an outrageous 0-3 score." I had no answer which could rationalize me challenging her.

"If I win you will have to terminate your deal with Abed and let him go." I put forward my end of the deal in front of Reyana, ignoring Rahul.

"Why does everybody keep on ignoring me? I hate you guys." Rahul groaned as he punched lightly on my back.

"Asura, you don't have to do this. It was my fault that I lost. There is no reason for you to fight her." Abed said in a low voice.

"I am not doing this for you. I am just returning the favour from before when you helped me in the physics lecture. I don't like to owe anyone, so this is just an opportunity for me to return the favour." This was just an easy chance to return his favour. I don't care if anything happens to him once I pay him back for his help.

"Who said I will accept your challenge? There's nothing that I want from a loser like you." Reyana cut in on our conversation with her raspy voice.

"You can ask for anything. I will accept it. No matter what your request is…. and maybe I can even save you..." I stared into her eyes as I spoke due to an old habit of mine. She appeared to be startled, probably by the last part and quickly crossed her hands to cover her arms. For a second she truly looked like a timid girl, "...Saying that you can defeat me." I finished my sentence.

"Y...you sure know how to talk big." She stammered as she tried to keep up her rude appearance.

"If I am correct, you think that you are the best in our class, Right?" I caught her attention once again.

"Yes. Now that I have defeated Abed, I have proved myself." She was back to her horrifying self.

"Still you aren't the best in the class."

"What do you mean?" She asked as she glared at me with her big eyes.

"I was absent from college for a week, so no one here truly knows what I am capable of."

"Don't waste my time. Come to the point!" She demanded.

"I am the best in the class." I asserted.

"Kukuku….. HAHAHA, that was funny," she cracked up but then quickly changed into a serious expression, "Why should I believe a nobody like you?"

"There's nothing I can tell you that would prove to you that I am better than you."

"Yeah, I guessed so."

"What do you have to lose? Or..." I looked her in the eye, "are you afraid to lose to a nobody?"

She averted her eyes, "W...we don't have much time before the lunch break ends."

"Don't worry I will make it quick."

"Tch… you love to talk out of your ass. You will regret this."

We talked to the Qmaster about the quiz and the bets. I was seated in the same position as Abed with Reyana sitting in front, glaring at me.

We were handed pen and paper and the Qmaster once again announced the rules. I was successful in convincing her to accept the challenge and the quiz was about to begin.

Now that everything is going according to my plan the only thing that bothers me is…..

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO AGAINST THIS MONSTER?"

There's no way I can win against her with my current level of knowledge. And even if I knew how to solve the question, there was no way I could solve it faster than her monstrous speed. She defeated Abed who I thought was invincible.

Winning against her academically is impossible. Guess I would have to resort to old ways...