Chapter 55 Number 8: Carter De Leon

Lee Seng stuck close to Carter as they navigated through the building and into the test area. Lee Seng plucked at the bowstring strapped across his chest, trying to ignore the looks he got as he passed.

"So is the next event the last one?" Lee Seng asked.

"Huh?" Carter glanced over at Lee Seng before weaving himself through the crowd of students filtering into the hallway. Lee Seng tried to keep up with Carter, but got lost as soon as he tried to figure out where Carter went. He sighed as he pushed through the crowd. Everyone stared at him and let him through.

He popped out of the crowd and saw Carter standing a couple feet away from the crowd. Lee Seng stuck close to Carter, again, and they continued.

"What did you say earlier?" Carter asked.

"Oh, uh, I was wondering how many more events there are before the exam is over." Lee Seng answered. Carter nodded and lifted a single finger up.

"There's only one more left." Carter looked at Lee Seng. They both turned the corner and made it to the familiar gym hallways. Carter led Lee Seng straight to the gym where everyone else would be. He stood by the door and then turned around to look at Lee Seng.

"Can't give me a clue about what it is?" Lee Seng grinned mischievously. Carter smiled and shook his head.

"I can't give you any clues. It ruins the surprise." Carter answered. He put a hand on Lee Seng's shoulder and patted him. "I just wanted to say that I'm glad you spoke how you felt today. I know... Number 1 can be a lot, but she's like that because of all of the stuff she's been through. The Numbers are the way they are because of how they handled the last twenty-five years.

"Just remember, we can't compare our worsts and our bests with anyone else. I know your Father and all of the Numbers put a lot of pressure onto you about succeeding. I'm really sorry you have to go through everything, but I want you to walk your path. Just because you have XI in you, doesn't mean you have to go through what the ten of us did. I'll be happy if you live your life the way you want to. Make your own name and lift it up high." Carter smiled and Lee Seng nodded.

"Thanks, Car." Lee Seng pulled himself into Carter for hug. Carter and Lee Seng hugged for a moment before pulling away. Lee Seng looked down at the bowstring and plucked it again. He looked up and smiled at Carter. "I'll try my best."

"Do the best you can be happy with. Don't half-ass everything and try not to get into so much trouble, kid." Carter pinched Lee Seng's cheek. Lee Seng tried to pull away as Carter laughed.

"Carter!" Lee Seng smacked his hand away. He rubbed his cheek and pouted about the pinch. "I'm not a kid anymore."

"You're eighteen in two years, so I can get away with this!" Carter went to pinch Lee Seng's other cheek and the two begin to laugh as they tried to push and pull away from each other. Carter pulled Lee Seng's head into a headlock and ruffled his hair.

"Stop it," Lee Seng laughed. He pushed away and began to fix his hair. Carter smiled and stared at Lee Seng. Lee Seng looked up and stared at Carter for awhile. "What? Do I have something on me?" He began to brush himself and Carter shook his head.

"You've gotten really tall and built the last time I saw you. You used to be this tiny." Carter moved his hand down to his waist and Lee Seng rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you're that same kid." Lee Seng stepped closer and nodded. The door flew open and Jae and Jason stepped out.

"So you made it towards the end too?" Jason asked.

"Yeah. Did you see some weird stuff out there, though?" Jae asked. The two rounded the corner and Jason almost bumped into Carter.

"Oh, sorry I--" Jason stopped as they both saw Lee Seng peeking around Carter. Carter turned and smiled at the two.

"It's alright, guys. You guys made it to the end of the field test?" Carter asked. Jason stared at Lee Seng and Jae tugged on his brother.

"Oh, ye-yeah, we did." Jae answered. Carter observed the twins and noticed they didn't have much scratches or injuries.

"Not a lot of injuries. That's good."

"Ah, yeah."

Jason pulled away from his brother and stepped off to the side to look directly at Lee Seng. Carter noticed and moved away from the three boys and observed the three. He could feel some tension between the boys. Jason moved closer to Lee Seng and Lee Seng froze.

"You got different clothes on." Jason pointed out. Lee Seng looked down and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Did something happen to you?"

"Mmm."

Jason sighed. He took another step and Jae watched from his spot. Lee Seng didn't want to continue the conversation. He felt his happiness slipping and sighed.

"Well, they're gonna announce the results soon, so..." Jason pointed behind him. "Go in when you're ready. Uh, let's go, Jae." Jason turned and grabbed his brother and they hastily walked off. Lee Seng let out a heavy sigh.

"You know them?" Carter asked. Lee Seng nodded. He turned to look at the direction Jae and Jason went. He could feel the uncomfortable feeling eating at him. His heart tugged at him but he stayed still.

"Yeah, they go to my old school." Lee Seng answered.

"Oh, friends?"

Lee Seng shook his head. He slowly turned to look back at Carter.

"I should go inside."

"Mmm, I'll come inside with you for a moment. I got a couple more hours until I have something I need to do." Carter said. Lee Seng nodded and the two walked inside. The room was brimming with people. People were in various states of injured. Some with none and others with bandages all over.

As soon as Lee Seng stepped in, everyone turned and started to stare. Carter waved at everyone as they both passed. Lee Seng followed Carter to the front of the stage where Icarus was standing with some unfamiliar people Lee Seng hadn't met.

"Icarus! Stewart! Phillips! Fancy seeing you all here." Carter cackled. The four men started to exchange handshakes and greetings. Lee Seng noticed Phillips was a well-built man. He wore glasses and had freckles. His red-brown hair was curly and short. He had the "teacher's" look on him. Collared shirt, khaki's and dress shoes. He didn't look anywhere close to Carter or Icarus.

Stewart reminded Lee Seng of a college professor his mom had back in the old days. Button-up shirt and khakis. Lee Seng noticed that Stewart had loads of scars on his hands. He wondered if Stewart had a powerful ability with a huge negative that scarred his hands.

"Oh, have you all met Lee Seng Chang?" Carter asked.

"I have." Icarus said. "But these two haven't, yet."

"Mmm, correct." Phillips chuckled. He voice bellowed with a cheerfulness Lee Seng almost found alien. Carter broke out of the small circle he had created and motioned for Lee Seng to step forward. Lee Seng moved in and waved and stuck his hand out.

"Hi, I'm Lee Seng Chang. Nice to meet you." Lee Seng introduced.

"Good to finally meet you. I'm James Phillips, a Third Year teacher." Phillips introduced himself. He had a firm handshake.

"Hello, I'm John Stewart, a Fourth Year teacher. Good to meet you, Chang." Stewart introduced himself. He shook Lee Seng's hand and had a rather hard handshake.

"Nice to meet you all."

"I was coming back with Lee Seng and thought I'd stop in to see who was in here for the last event." Carter explained.

"Ahh, we were wondering why Chang didn't show up at the hospital." Icarus said. He motioned to Lee Seng who awkwardly stood off to the side like he was a kid with his dad and unfamiliar friends. "Is everything alright, Chang?"

"Oh, y-yeah." Lee Seng answered.

"I see you got the bow. You must've come across the B-rank then?" Phillips asked. Lee Seng looked down at the bowstring and pulled the bow off and held it in his hand.

"Yeah, I, uh--" Lee Seng looked at Carter for any help and Carter cleared his throat. He patted Lee Seng in the back and smiled.

"He defeated the B-rank but sustained heavy injuries. The teleportation protocol didn't activate so a small group was sent out to retrieve him." Carter explained.

"Ahh," Stewart turned to look at Lee Seng. "I'm glad you're okay. Fighting a B-rank and defeating it is a big feat." Stewart praised Lee Seng. Lee Seng nodded.

"T-thank you, Mr. Stewart."

"Well, we should probably get ready for tally." Icarus said looking at his watch. "I'm glad you're okay, Chang. The bow must've been not so useful with your power?"

"It helped a lot." Lee Seng nodded. "I actually could use my power with it." He forced a smile and the other three teachers looked at him.

"Isn't he a Fighter?" Phillips asked.

"He's a Specialist." Icarus explained. Phillips nodded with his mouth wide open and began to laugh again.

"That's great! What's your other Specialization, Chang?"

"Glass."

"Ah, that's it. He's also a Glass, so he could channel his power into the bow. Maybe a Sniper?" Stewart theorized.

"Maybe, but enough with the theories." Icarus waved. "Let's get to work." The men nodded and Carter patted Lee Seng in the back again.

"I'll leave you guys to it." Carter said. He turned to look at Lee Seng and smiled. He moved to whisper something into Lee Seng's ear.

"Good luck."