Favor (7)

Perseus POV

"You're here early." Sterling commented as I arrived.

He was giving me this wicked smile while waiting for me with these 2 unknown members of his guild, with a snap of his finger, they both went outside to make sure that no one would come close.

"I've been let off with no punishment, but the same can't be said for my girlfriend's dad."

"Your girlfriend is another prodigy, who would have thought?" he then giggled just by himself "Birds of a feather really do flock together...how's progress with the favor?"

"Honestly zero, though I'm now a coward for not sustaining any damage and taking pain like a true man."

"Focus on my favor." he said and clapped his hand for attention "I have a lead. I believe that it may help you."

"Oh, why didn't ya say so? I got a bunch of enthusiastic students who really want to also confirm its existence, I'm now forcefully a part of that group, which means less effort for me."

"Fair enough." he nodded "Anyway, whatever clue or hints you need, it's not with the principal, though there's a possibility about whether he knows it exists or not, you should instead find his circle.

"Such information usually isn't kept with him, the academies' secrets are usually spread to certain staff members that can range from a janitor to even a normal instructor.

"The legend was, after all, started by a former student, not a staff member, You just have to find the staff member who's secretly in charge of protecting the treasury. Just give me the name and let me do the questioning, and you can consider yourself free."

"How will I do that?"

He then spreads his arms.

"Such information should be in a document somewhere, and to make it protected, it should be a handwritten one." he responded "And where are all files kept? The library, it should be somewhere in places that you students aren't allowed."

"Can't ya just do that yourself?"

"That'll be too risky, and so that's where you come in. I just need to know the person, leave the kidnapping to me."

"Why do you even want that book? Doesn't it, like, consume your soul?"

"Why ask so many questions?"

"Cuz it's my head on the line here."

"And that head won't be talking if we didn't help save your life."

I can't say anything to that, but I really need to finish this favor quickly, I don't want to still owe those guys anything, especially not Sterling, the favor could be something worse.

"By the way," he spoke up and broke me out of my trance "You might want to put on a lower profile, it seems that a few members of the UPF has been informed of your existence and they don't necessarily want to tolerate you."

"What are they gonna do? Put me in prison and make me a worse person?"

"Nah, but it seems that they do however want to expel you from school as you can set yourself as a terrible role model to others since you are convincing that practicing early and illegally is okay, they don't like rebels."

****

Shawn POV

I got back to the apartment and I checked my notifications on the school tablet as I call to update my dad on what happened earlier today.

I checked and see that Captain Ida sent us a message saying that when we arrive, a bus will come to pick us up which will then make way to go pick him up.

The bus is to carry people to the upcoming program and we should be able to meet with our future rivals. And why rivals? There's going to be a small competition at the site of the program where we can compete for certain privileges.

These privileges include better meals, better drinks, bigger rooms, bidets...etc. And by better meals, it means that we can eat food that is more freshly cooked with better ingredients, like instead of things like canned vegetables, we get fresh ones.

And most importantly, the number of captured angels is limited, not everyone will be able to fight and practice with weakened angels.

The program decided to pit everyone against each other which increase learning progression thanks to people's own self-interest and competitiveness. And it has a high rate of success, it's also to weed out those who are weak-minded with not a lot of will.

Fighting against angels is not something everyone can do, there are graduates who got so traumatized from their actual experience that they retired in less than 2 years, and the rate is higher than people think.

By weeding out those who are deemed to have a weak will, it's supposed to give more chances who take this seriously.

Haahh...what world am I walking into?

But I won't lie about me actually looking forward to the experience, I'll probably never get selected again, so I need to leave a lasting impression then, I want to be chosen again.

And I can finally have a chance to prove myself as part of the A class, but even if I'm in a team with Perseus...we'll be competing with Minerva Everett, she'll easily take the first spot. Our team is just me, my brother, and the captain, there are definitely better teams out there.

"You okay there?" Dad asked

"Yeah, just nervous, I'm thinking a lot. And being surrounded by better talents doesn't necessarily make me feel like I fit in."

"What are you talking about? If there are any people in the world who are more talented than my sons, then they might as well have made a pact with the devil." he responded, "Be proud of yourself, you're one of the best, so have confidence like one."

"Thanks, Dad, that means a lot."

"No need for the thanks, it's my job." he replied "Anyway, one of your former teachers has reached out to ask and invite you guys for a reunion."

"Which teacher?"

"Ms. Jones."

"Oh..."

"Don't worry, I've already rejected it for you since you're busy, but I just wanted to tell you since you still need to know."

"Can't believe that she still remembers us."