Chapter 54: Party

As the classroom door swung open, everyone immediately turned to look at the culprit, that being Michael.The moment they noticed, most of them had shocked expressions, seemingly finding it hard to believe that he was still alive after all this time.

"You are late" Lena's irritated voice rang out from the podium, she had a small scar on her chin now, something she definitely did not have the last time he had seen her.

"Sorry.." Michael expressed and sat down, he was glad she was in a forgiving mood, else he would most certainly be put into detention.

He glanced around the entire class and frowned, clenching his fists tightly.

'A few died? There were 11 left, with me being back we were now at 12 in total, far behind the previous 20 students.' Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Such is life, they were either too weak or too unlucky to had died.

'I suppose you are right, it's a pity they died so young though..'

He noticed the seat right next to Liam was still open and that's where he decided to sit.

Liam seemed to change quite a lot, his previous nerdy complexion long gone, Michael felt like he could finally be taken seriously now.

As for the others, Tony was still staring daggers at him, Kevin and Elizabeth did not show a reaction and finally Chloe, she was surprisingly one of the people with shocked looks.

It was hard to understand why, it's not like they even knew each other, quite frankly, he did not have any friends aside from Kevin, yet even then, it was a one sided friendship.

'Even after hearing his story, I still don't like him..' Experience more tales on M V L

Although Kevin tried to hide it, he seemed way too arrogant, even his interactions with classmates from time to time made it seem like he was trying to act superior to them.

Michael hated those types of people more than anything.

"Now that everyone is finally here, I can start the explanation" Lena sighed while holding her forehead, it seemed she was still tired of Michael's tardiness.

"The first year consisted of training you. The second of honing you. And now, this year you will finally be put to the test, whether you are worthy of going out into the world to fight monsters."

'Like last year wasn't dangerous enough.. they are now going to make the kids fight alone, aren't they?'

"Since all of you make up 12 people, make groups of 4, they will be your party until the end of the year" Lena instructed and sat down on the podium.

The moment Michael stood up, Kevin instantly approached him, a small smile on his face.

"Yo" And with those words, leaned back on the window sill, trying his best not to let the smugness show.

'This guy is shameless' Michael couldn't help but sigh, however, as much as he didn't like Kevin, he was definitely someone he wanted in his party.

Minus his personality, his skills and experience are worth a fortune.

Michael could see Tony walking around the entire classroom, talking to people and trying to get them over to his party.

Yet for some reason, most of them ignored him, even flashing looks of disgust at him.

'What did he do this time?'

Liam stood up and walked up to Tony, trying to cheer him up and eventually agreeing to join his party, it seemed the two of them became friends over the last 2 years.

'A delinquent and a nerd, what an odd combo' Michael shrugged, it's not like he wanted to invite Liam anyway, from what he saw of his skills in the spars, he was not someone he wished to leave his back to.

He noticed a few people glancing his way, Chloe and Elizabeth, coincidentally, neither of them had a party yet.

Michael got out of his seat and walked up to Chloe first as her seat was a bit closer to him.

"Wanna join my party?" He asked flat out, he felt like she might be a straightforward person, hence he didn't try any sweet talk.

Chloe simply nodded without saying anything, a sign of acceptance that put a smile on Michael's face.

'2 powerful people in my party, only Elizabeth was left' He thought and walked up to her seat next.

She wore a blank expression or so it appeared that way to others, however, to Michael, it was a bit different.

'Those eyes.. they are just like mine.'

Her expression might have been blank but her eyes portrayed her inner greed, she is the type of person to want to get something out of an arrangement.

"Do you want to join our party?" Michael asked nicely, to which, Elizabeth quickly shot him down.

"Nope."

"Suit yourself." He shrugged and started walking away, preparing to head in the direction of some random classmate whose abilities he remembered being one of the weakest.

However, just as he expected.

"Wait" Elizabeth stood up from her chair and in a slightly trembling voice said "I will join your party.."

'This easy? Here I thought she would be more stubborn.' He chuckled inwardly, he expected her to play this little not caring charade of hers a little longer.

"I see.. but I already picked out the next member of our party though?" Michael teased and began walking again.

"You.." She jumped over the table and sent a kick his way, to which he summoned a small Shield of Light in the blink of an eye, completely blocking her attack and sending her flying through all of the desks and seats in the classroom.

'Uhh..?' He was a bit confused by what just happened, all he did was cast a simple shield, yet it looked like some sort of an attack spell.

Spells are at their most powerful once they are just formed, what you did just now is called a Magic Parry, pairing that with one of the Light affinity's inherent traits, Reflection, and your current boost in skills, you basically attacked her with more than 2 times the power of her own kick.

'Holy shit..? Isn't that a bit overpowered?' Michael finally realized a portion of his strength.

He initially thought the Flow core was not that special, however, he now felt like if he had any other core, what he did just now could not be replicated.

The sheer speed was unfathomable, a mere thought at the correct moment could completely turn the tide of a battle, it was simply insane.

'But why did she have to try kicking me that hard?'

Michael walked up to her, she seemed a little dazed so he cast a Shield of Nourishment to heal her, making her finally stand up.

He turned to Lena and was met with a glare 'Whoops?'

Elizabeth finally stood up and looked at Michael with her eyes slightly widened.

Just as she was about to say something she was interrupted.

"You can join, just don't attack me or whatever, it's not very nice" Michael chuckled and walked back to his seat, not taking responsibility for the damage he had caused.

'It's her fault anyway, she was the one who kicked me.. I just defended myself' He glanced at the damage and felt a trickle of sweat drop down his neck.

If that is your way of defense, then good luck paying off the damage.

Those words made Michael flinch 'I am still broke..'

He looked around, noticing that aside from the chaos he had just caused, everyone managed to join a party.

Lena finally stood up "Good, I will now tell you your objective..."