30: Random Beatboxing

30: Random Beatboxing

Keeping quiet, Nyssa tried to erase her presence. Hesitant to say anything, she decided to observe and just let Ryker and Electra handle this ‘challenge’ of sorts. Fidgeting under the table she reached over and, with her mind guided by an unconscious instinct, grabbed Celeste’s hand. Getting a squeeze and comforting smile back from Celeste, she blinked a couple moments while processing what she had just done before smiling back.

Ryker and Electra, by now though, turned in their seats to face the conglomeration of ‘ambassadors’ gathered by their table. Too lazy to even stand up, Ryker dragged another chair in front of him and kicked his legs up. “So, what’s up? What challenge are you all proposing?”

“One for the team battles,” The spokesperson elaborated with a faint edge of animosity creeping into their voice. “We’d like to do a head-to-head this afternoon where whichever group can both last longer, but also inflict more damage on the heroes will win.”

Following his statement, echoes of agreement sounded out among the other Class One students in the semi-circle. Unlike the main spokesperson though, there wasn’t an air of animosity in many of the other students. For many, the tone of their voice was more of ‘friendly rivalry’ than anything actually malicious. Others though, just let their natural propensity for competition take over. The fire and drive to tear down Class Zero was clear in their eyes. One person, in particular, Troy, seemed to waver between the two. To a certain extent there was a respect and amiability clear in his eyes, but there was also a faint fire of loathing burning behind his eyes.

“Sure, I don’t mind doing it, I’ll have to ask the rest of Class Zero if they want to participate though,” Ryker shrugged, as if to say ‘it’s out of my control,’ “It does seem a little unfair though. Look at how many of you there are, and look at how few of us there are. Doesn’t seem very honorable for you all to use the strength in numbers to prove you're better than us.” NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

“Yes, we already considered that aspect of it. Our proposal is that we’ll only send our best six forward,” The spokesperson wove his fingers together before shooting a look towards Nyssa. “Though... it does seem you all have another student here.”

“Indeed, we do have another student now,” Electra smiled while motioning towards Nyssa. “So, you can send seven people if you want.”

“Will do,” the spokesperson nodded before turning on his heel. Doing a half-head turn back towards Ryker and Electra, he stressed a “I look forward to hearing back from you soon” and walked off. As he walked off, the rest of Class One followed suit and disappeared further into the cafeteria to get some food.

“How about you three then, Albion, Titus, and Conrad?” Electra asked while turning towards the three boys. “Sorry for not asking sooner, but you three usually are quite onboard to participate in these types of fights. Want to hop in on this one?”

Getting a chorus of “For sure”s and “Absolutely”s from the three boys, Electra just nodded and nudged Ryker letting him know to include the consent of everyone in the class. “This should be a fun time then.”

---

Overall, lunch was... relaxing. Not that Nyssa remembered all of it. Having taken a nap—albeit accidentally—she thought life was near its peak. After all, for her, life quality and napping time were two metrics that were directly correlated.

Once back awake, she asked Celeste to catch her up as they walked back towards the stadium-like training field. Ryker had sent the text, everyone had just finished eating, and, more interestingly, a scuffle had broken out in the far end of the cafeteria.

Having slept through the fight though, Nyssa could only live vicariously through Celeste’s brilliant retelling. There were punches thrown, food thrown, and a couple people were sent to Kaiser’s office.

Wait a second... hehe...

Making a note on her phone to ask Kaiser about the situation once she got home, she thanked the heavens for her father before also making a note to ask Slade about his thoughts on it all. Slade, after all, was the son of Kaiser, so... though the faculty might all give them ‘the talk’ about how they were ‘so disappointing’ and everything, Nyssa wondered if Slade could relate.

Plus, it didn’t matter too much to him, his opinion on the school wasn’t going to change.