Everyone's eyes lingered over the leaderboard.
Various expressions of shock, disbelief, sadness, and fear flashed in everyone's eyes.
1. Frederick Frost:730
2. Rose Seyfried:520
3. Charles Brown:505
4. Axle Steel:425
.
9. Parth Simmons 297
.
.
14. Lucas Bright:205
15. Helena Samar: 202
Lucas's eyes glistened with disbelief when his name flashed on the leaderboard at the 14th position.
With the 75 points collected by him, he would have ranked around the 50s but David's points boosted his rank.
Just below him was Helena whom Lucas could already imagine going berserk in anger. Every time he met her gaze, he would find her glaring at him.
From a glance, Lucas could tell that she was biding her time to wash away his humiliation and waiting for a big stage to kick his ass.
At least, she had not made things difficult for him.
But what surprised him more was that.....
Originally, she should have ranked around 25 but she pushed her away to the top 20. Parth who should be around 15 was up there in 9th rank.
Lucas squinted his eyes at everyone. Noticing everyone busy discussing the ranks among themselves, he sneaked in quickly and went out before the troublesome drama unfolds here.
He was sure Frederick would look for him so it was better to leave the battlefield as Frederick will be clashing against Ian who was quite helpless in this regard, as he was just overseeing things. In the end, Miss Ami would interfere and compensate Frederick's team.
...........
BAAM!BAAM!BAAM!
Debris and chunks of wood were flying everywhere. Things were scattered making the entire room a mess.
Charles slammed his fist and breaking the furniture shouted"You piece of shit."
"Bastard, you can't even do a single thing you are ordered."
Four people bowed their heads and were sweating profusely, unable to look into Charles's infuriated gaze.
Gary summoned his courage to speak with a trembling voice"Sir Charles, instead of being angry, we should find a way to silence Rick."
"What if he told us about them?"
"Shut up!"Charlene shouted.
"You dare to advise me."
SLAP!
A loud sound resonated and Gary was thrown into the ground with a swollen cheek.
"Know your place."
Gary caressed his swollen cheek with a pale expression and shrink back in fear.
"And about that bastard, Rick, I have already taken care of it."
"He knows what's best for him. If he opens his mouth, he knows better than anyone else about the repercussion he will be facing."
"What if he surrenders himself to Frederick and joins his side?"Anthony said fearfully.
"So what?"Charles folded his arms and gave a menacing look.
"Even if he stood on Frederick's side, will Frederick protect him or does he have the power to protect him outside the academy?"
Charles sneered and thought for a moment.
"Frederick doesn't have many friends besides Rose and Parth. Before he could pull more into his side I want to destroy him but for now, I will retreat and wait for a suitable opportunity."
"As per Rick, I already asked him to drop out. He will get adequate compensation for that."
Charles's lips curled upwards with a vicious smile as he started to plan.
..........
Horizon had five separate dorms hosting students of different ranks.
Building with no name for students above 2000.
Walker for 2000 to 1000.
Pioneer for 1000 to 500.
Endeavor for 500-11.
And finally, Leaders, the best dorm among all, containing students within the top 10 ranks.
The grandest and safest building for all.
On the 2nd floor of the Leader's building.
"So, why did you call me?"
Lucas asked curiously trying to hide his innermost expression.
"Wait!"
"Before you two start serious discussions, let me introduce myself once again."
"I am a mere seeker of truth. My humbleness flows as boundless as the sea and is as wide as the sky. As bright as the sun itself, I am the one and only Parth Simmons."
Lucas raised his brows and gave Frederick a sidelong glance who tried to avert his eyes. Lucas was honestly a bit dumbfounded by Parth. He knew about this character and also liked his teasing words, however hearing his words directly made him wonder if he had a hole in his mind.
'I mean how can there be such a shameless and thick-skinned person like this.'
Cough...Cough...
Frederick coughed to hide his embarrassment and snapped Lucas from his thoughts.
"Where did you find this clown from?"Lucas asked with a serious expression.
"I stumbled upon him accidentally," Frederick answered monotonously.
Lucas locked his gaze on Parth and asked "From which circus did you come?"
"What did you say?"
"Did you just call me a clown? Even if I am a clown, do you think any circus can afford the one and only Parth Simmons?"
"Hmm!" Parth snorted and blew his hair in style like a kid.
'For my mental health, I should avoid this guy as much as possible.'
Lucas noted inwardly.
"Frederick, let's finish things here. I have some things on my hand."
Frederick nodded and said, "Lucas, I wanted to thank you."
Lucas's eyes widened for a moment but his facial expressions returned to normal. He tried hard to suppress the grin leaking from his lips.
"How did I help you? Rather you are the one who protected me from the Steel Wolf."
"You are wrong."Frederick refuted.
"Your advice protected me from trouble."
"Hmmm! I see," Lucas said faintly and an awkward silence prevailed for a moment. Lucas did not say anything more and just looked at Frederick contemplating expression.
'Here it comes.'
Frederick is neither kind-hearted nor heartless. He knows to balance his emotions and has the trait to pay back the favors no matter what.
And Lucas would never leave such precious opportunities to get wasted.
"Since you helped me in a way. I should also reciprocate."
"Hmm....Fair enough."Lucas leaned back on the couch and raised his two fingers before speaking.
"Two...You want two million sums."Parth spoke in a bewildered tone frightening Lucas.
"No, I want you to help me with two tasks, and yeah you, please stop running your super duper intelligent brain."Lucas glared at Parth.
"Unless your request is not something extreme, I will make sure to help you to the best of my ability," Frederick spoke with a sincere tone and waited for Lucas's words.
"I want you to stock me with potions and help me in my training. I need a training partner. Practicing with a dummy feels bland,'' Lucas said.
Frederick gawked at Lucas with a perplexed face and asked"Is this it?"
"I mean I would have agreed to this if you had just asked."
Lucas shook his head and said with a smile"I don't like to owe things. We still aren't friends and I am sure that neither you nor Parth can trust me blindly."
'Moreover, if I ask too much he would start to feel doubtful. Let's earn his trust first and then I can use him for my bidding.'
"You're right but are you sure about this?
"Yes absolutely," Lucas answered with a smile, while being oblivious to the brutal days coming ahead.
........
In Walker's dorm in 2nd Year.
A boy walked to and fro nervously biting his nails.
"What should I do?"
"Why did I accept the offer?"
"I should have anticipated this? He is second rank for a reason and I am nothing compared to him."
Thinking about everyone's questioning gaze at him that we're filled with disgust, was enough to give him goosebumps. The very friends who were friendly with him before now avoided him like a plague.
"Arghhhhh!"Rick pulled out his hair in frustration.
After failing in his task, he got the order to drop out. As compensation, he was gonna get riches that could last life long, however, his reputation had been destroyed.n0VelUsB.c0M
"I should find a way to escape. If I don't give them a satisfactory answer to the boards they will expel and impose several restrictions on me. Dropping out is better than getting expelled by them."
"I can run away and hide until things cool down," Rick mutters, wiping his seat.
Rick, who had decided his next move, suddenly heard a loud knock on the door.
"Who is here now? And at this hour?"Rick stared at his watch.
It was already half past 12 and was very late. Most are already asleep by now.
"Maybe, it's the security department checking up on me?"
Shaking his head reluctantly, Rick opened the door with an anxious expression.
CLICK!