Pros and Cons II

He didn't know what to say—or rather, what to do next.

The moment felt eerily familiar, like a strange case of déjà vu, leaving him frozen in place, his mind scrambling for words that wouldn't come.

'Oh shit... it's her. Don't say anything about her boobs. Don't say anything about her...'

His throat tightened. He opened his mouth, but no sound came. And then—

"I don't believe it." The girl's sharp voice broke through the air, cutting straight into him.

"You're the pervert from back at the hallway… how did you get in here?!"

Kai's glance darted to the side, then to the other, scanning the area.

'Shit...Did anyone hear her?'

Back in his old group, he was known as the weakest of the weak, and now that he was getting a fresh start, the last thing he needed was to gain another title. Especially not this one.

"Uhh… I was offered admission into the academy." he said quickly, clearing his throat.

"Not that it was a surprise for me."

Her eyes narrowed in slight suspicion.

"Does the association know that you put your hands on girls?"

He winced as he hurriedly took another quick glance around.

"Please, keep your voice down. It was an accident… I swear it."

"Really?Gripping me was an accident? Well...maybe..." she shot back.

"...But fondling me for about ten seconds? That's seizing an opportunity."

Kai's mouth opened, but no words came.

Okay… fair point.

He had, admittedly, held on longer than necessary. Not that he had a choice in the situation back then, but—yeah, no explaining that.

His head lowered slightly, guilt pressing against his chest.

"…I'm… I'm sorry. It was—"

"Stop saying it was an accident!" she snapped.

"It wasn't."

He looked up, catching her gaze.

A quiet sigh slipped past her lips. Her eyes softened—just a fraction—as she scanned him from head to toe, taking in his appearance with slow deliberation, as though she was attempting to confirm something.

"…Honestly, I just never want to see you again." she muttered, shaking her head.

"So if you want my forgiveness, just stay the hell away from me."

And with that, she turned on her heel, scoffing before disappearing into the crowd.

Kai let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His shoulders slumped.

"…Uhh… that went well… I guess…I really thought she was gonna-"

Right then, the room's lights went out in an instant, plunging everyone into pitch-black silence. A moment passed, then another, before a single beam of light flickered to life—spotlighting the podium.

Murmurs rippled through the hall, and accompanying it were the rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps. In due time, a figure stepped into the glow.

It was none other than Renji Kaito.

The reaction was immediate. Gasps. Stunned whispers. The entire hall swelled with excitement, the energy shifting in an instant.

Kai's brow twitched as he witnessed the audiences response to his presence.

'Dang...talk about aura...'

Renji moved with casual ease, his soft smile in place as he reached the center of the stage. As soon as he arrived at the mic, he cleared his throat.

As soon as he did this, the hall fell into an impromptu silence, as they all awaited his speech.

Then, he spoke.

"Welcome… to this prestigious platform known as the Sorcery Academy...You all should hold your heads high. Only the best of the weak manage to make it into this academy."

Kai blinked. His lips parted slightly.

'Wait. Doesn't he mean 'the best of the best?''

Renji continued.

"This school was created to hone sorcery skills and mold young sorcerers into becoming the strongest they can be." Renji's gaze swept across the audience.

"I hate to say it, but some of you are already at your peak and won't rise further. Still, some of you will surpass the ranks and become stronger. Perhaps, you might even make it to the Eternal class. Perhaps… you might even surpass me."

There was a long pause in the hall.

Then, without warning—Renji burst into laughter. Loud, boisterous laughter, as if he had just told the greatest joke of all time. Even he didn't believe that anyone could reach the heights he had reached, let alone surpass it.

Kai blinked.

'…Was that supposed to be a joke?'

Renji finally straightened, wiping at his eye as he released a soft sigh of relief.

"Sorry… Just forget about the last part."

A brief cough sounded from the audience, and then, his voice shifted—steady and serious once more.

"You all have done well to reach this rank, but…"

At this point, his tone dropped, dark and heavy- something which was unusual for someone like Renji.

"There's more to this lifestyle than just the title of being a sorcerer... It's about protecting humanity too...and right now, humanity need ours protection."

Kai stiffened.

"The Abyssal Surge has taken Louge City from Emrald..." Renji announced, his voice firm.

"...and claimed the lives of thousands."

A quiet hush fell over the room as all, including Kai, were left utterly dumbfounded as a soft tremble could be seen in some of the sorcerers.

The Abyssal Surge. A name given to the wave of devils responsible for the ongoing apocalypse. Simply put, humanity had already lost 85% of the world to the devils—six continents swallowed whole. Now, all that remained of human civilization was crammed into the last surviving continent: Emrald.

But even that wasn't safe anymore.

Kai's jaw tensed. "Louge City… it fell?"

What was more terrifying, was that Louge city was only a stone throw away from Sano city- the city where Kai currently stood.

"The threat level and mana emission from Louge City have been examined multiple times..." Renji continued.

"The readings pinpointed it as a Seeker-class threat. However, this threat was capable of taking down an entire city's defenses." He exhaled.

"It's best to assume it'll be a formidable match...For you guys atleast."

Kai sighed internally.

'There he goes again…'

Renji's gaze hardened. "Personally, I'd love to take out the trash myself, but the association has other uses for my services. Therefore, after long consideration, the sorcery association has decided to launch a full-scale attack on the fallen city in order to reclaim it!"

Just then, Murmurs erupted once more, as faces of terror were etched on the faces of some of the sorcerers.

Kai, however, had other concerns.

'A raid, huh? Great. Just what I needed while still recovering.'

However, a sudden voice called out from his side, attaining Kai's attention in an instance.

"A new raid, huh…?"

He turned his head slightly, his eyes locking onto the source—

A young man who was a tad bit taller than him and slightly greater than him in build. Having Black short hair, brown eyes, and sharp, pointed ears, he displayed all the required characteristics of a man from the elf clan.

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly.

'Hmm...He looks really strong… and confident too.'

The elf stood with his arms crossed, eyes focused on Renji with an unreadable expression, emitting a respect worthy aura.

But Renji wasn't done.

"Before I go further." he said,

"let's unravel the mysteries a little more. First—the bracelets on your wrists. They aren't just for fashion. They're rank displayers."

Kai's breath hitched.

"There are a hundred Seeker-class sorcerers in this hall." Renji's eyes gleamed.

"The bracelets have been modified to display the assessment ranks assigned to each of you. So… with the snap of my fingers, you're rank will be displayed" He raised his hand and then-

Snap.

Kai's heart plummeted.

'Nooo!!!'

He didn't need any fortune teller to tell him exactly what his position in the hundred slots was going to be.

'Now everyone is going to know just how weak I am...'

His fists clenched at his sides.

'Damnit! I really thought things were going my way!'

All around him, students turned to their bracelets, watching as their ranks appeared. Some grinned, clearly pleased with their placements. Others laughed, playfully ranting about how they could have been stronger.

And soon, Kai was closing in on someone, anyone, popping the question "what's your rank?"

Kai swallowed.

'I guess they all got what they wanted… Well, I suppose I better check mine. As always, I'm probably number hundr—'

His thoughts froze.

His eyes locked on the glowing text.

Player: Kai Draven

Rank: Number 1