CHAPTER 7: DOMINATION PLAN

Hazel and Oscar meticulously searched the school, their footsteps echoing in the deserted hallways, until they found Blossom in the main hall, surrounded by a small group of teenagers.

"Hazel, you're back!" Blossom exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine joy and relief.

"Wait a minute... Miss Ivy?" Oscar said softly, a wave of memories washing over him.

Blossom rushed towards Hazel, but her steps faltered as she saw Oscar. A wide smile spread across her face. "Lover boy! Wow, those clothes look good on you. Who picked them out?" The easy familiarity between them was immediately apparent.

"Stop calling me that," Oscar said, a faint blush rising on his cheeks.

"Why shouldn't I? I still remember when you used to beg me to marry you," Blossom teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Please, stop embarrassing me, Miss Ivy," Oscar said quietly, glancing around to make sure the other teens hadn't overheard.

"Oh, I don't go by that name anymore. Call me Blossom," she said, flashing him a radiant smile. How did I not notice her change? Oscar thought, his gaze lingering on her. Her pink dress, adorned with delicate blossom designs, and her elegant pink hair made her look breathtaking. He felt a familiar tug in his chest.

"Enough with the reunion," Hazel interjected, his gaze sweeping over the group of teens. "What's the situation with these ones?"

"Oh, these are my schoolmates. We're trying to survive together," Oscar replied.

"And exactly how do you plan to do that?" Hazel asked, his tone skeptical.

"Well, we go out hunting for food together in the afternoon, keep each other safe, and some people do night watch, rotating shifts without any complaints," Oscar explained.

"Not bad," Hazel conceded, "but with this many players, you should have started planning area domination. Securing a specific zone and keeping all threats out. Or are you not strong enough for that yet?" His blunt question left Oscar speechless.

"No matter, we'll start a schedule for that immediately. Let the students know what their roles will be by tomorrow," Hazel instructed Oscar.

"Sure," Oscar replied, a hint of unease in his voice. The Hazel he once knew was gone, replaced by someone colder, more calculating.

Hazel left the hall, systematically searching the entire school to ensure it was safe. After confirming there were no immediate threats, he chose an empty classroom and declared it his temporary apartment.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone was at his door. "Come in," Hazel called out.

Blossom entered, her brow furrowed with concern. "Don't you think you're being too harsh?"

"It's necessary," Hazel stated firmly. "I can't let people who aren't ready to accept change hold me back. If I do, a stronger monster will eventually kill me because I was too weak to adapt. And if I die, who will watch over you?"

"Just... be gentle with them. Don't be too hard on them," Blossom pleaded softly. "I'm feeling sleepy. I'm going to sleep with the others." She left Hazel's presence, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Hazel spent some time planning for the next day before finally succumbing to sleep.

The next morning, Hazel woke up at dawn, around 6 AM. While everyone else was still asleep, he went to the hall and bellowed, "Wake up, you lazy asses! Time to get this plan in motion, and make it quick!" His harsh words jolted everyone awake.

"Firstly, Oscar, I need data on everyone here and the total number of people," Hazel instructed.

"Okay," Oscar mumbled, still groggy.

"Everyone who has a safe barrier skill, move to this corner," Hazel commanded, pointing to a specific area in the hall.

He approached the group of barrier users, his gaze unwavering. They watched him with a mixture of apprehension and obedience.

"You guys won't be going out to fight," Hazel stated. "Fighting alone won't significantly level up your skills. Your role is to provide safe zones for the areas our warriors dominate around the school. We will provide you with monster cores, so don't worry about the energy cost." He had clearly defined their purpose in his plan.

Next, Hazel addressed the group of warriors, explaining their roles. However, a few of them seemed arrogant and resistant to his authority. One stepped forward, sneering, "Why should we take orders from you? You look around the same age as us. I don't see any reason for you to be in charge."

Hazel's reply was simple and challenging. "If you can beat me in a fight, I'll gladly leave you in charge of everything."

"It'll take me nothing to beat you up," the arrogant warrior scoffed. "No matter how strong you are, my skill is the perfect counter for any attack."

The arrogant idiot walked out into the open, ready to fight. He launched the first attack, a swift punch aimed at Hazel, but Hazel dodged it effortlessly. He attacked again and again, but Hazel evaded every strike with ease. Finally, Hazel decided it was time to retaliate. He landed a powerful blow, expecting the arrogant warrior to fall. But instead, it felt as if Hazel had punched himself.

It didn't take long for Hazel to realize what was happening. His attacks were being reflected back at him. The students watched, a few whispering that the arrogant warrior might actually win. But then, Hazel did something that shocked everyone.

He unleashed a rapid flurry of punches, up to five per second, his immense speed preventing the arrogant warrior's skill from activating in time. The force of the blows landed squarely, and the arrogant warrior finally crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Hazel looked down at the defeated warrior. "You have a good skill," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, "but it has a flaw. It takes five seconds to reactivate after use. Anyone fast enough to land a hit within those five seconds has already defeated you."

Hazel turned to the rest of the group. "Prepare yourselves. We move soon."