POV REN
"Come on, keep running!" Shiro ordered.
"YES, SIR!" we all shouted in unison.
The early morning air felt cold against my skin, and the desolate streets gave me peace. Even though I still didn't fully understand this place, I felt like I was finally part of something.
"Agh!" That was all I let out when Shiro's fist slammed into my stomach.
"Come on, trash, get up."
My stomach burned, but I decided to keep going until break time.
We were all sitting in a large hall. Laughter and conversations filled the surroundings.
"Ren, looks like you got hit again," said one of my new friends.
"Ha, ha, ha, it's not so bad. We have to train hard if we want to be future exorcists," I said, hitting my stomach, trying not to show the pain.
"You're incredible. Although you're not the only one getting hit; those seven are too."
My gaze shifted to each person he pointed out. Monica, a minister's daughter; Kishima, a doctor's son; Murahi, a businessman's son. Each and every one was from a well-off family.
"…"
"It's logical that Trainer Shiro hates rich kids like you, Ren."
Hearing the voice behind me, I already knew who it was: Akiro. He'd been condescending to me ever since I arrived.
"Oh? Why's that?" I said, not paying him much attention.
"It's so obvious. Unlike you, who were born with a silver spoon and want to be exorcists on a whim, we need these jobs."
"Is that all? Being an exorcist doesn't depend on where you're born; it depends on how much you're willing to give to help others," I said, grabbing my plate of food to leave.
"You are living proof of how your class thinks… You believe everyone will kneel before you."
"Ren, let's just go," I could hear my friend's voice, trembling.
I had already been chosen as the leader of one of the squads, so I decided to leave. Until I heard him.
"Exorcists are garbage. They're not as good as you think." His smile became more mocking. "People like you are just used for their whims. Being a hero… You live in a fantasy world."
That was the last straw. I threw a punch at his face. No one could tell me my dreams were childish or belittle the people I admired.
"Ren!"
Kenji's arms wrapped around mine, trying to pull me away from that guy. But I didn't let him and continued my attacks.
"I dare you to say that again!"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, there's the proof. That's why you failed your exorcist exam. Brats like you are useless in the real world." Akiro's kick made my ribs crack.
The metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
"You're an idiot. It's not my fault your family is poor," I said before headbutting him.
We were both on the ground fighting, with a crowd gathered around us.
My vision was slightly blurry; I could only see shouting blurs.
"Go, Ren, you can do it!"
"Akiro, kill that spoiled brat!"
The noise was deafening. My whole body trembled, especially when two of Akiro's friends came to hold me down.
"That's cheating!" I yelled, biting one's hand. "If my friend Takumi were here, he'd kill you all."
The fight continued until a door slammed open, and Shiro and Makisig entered. Everyone around us quickly scattered.
"A teenage fight. That's forbidden," Makisig mentioned, pulling on my shirt. I tried to break free, but it was impossible.
"A fight between dogs, that's what it is."
Before we could say anything, Shiro grabbed me by the head and kneed me, making me vomit everything I had eaten.
"Shiro, hit him too."
Shiro's gaze swept over Akiro.
"Not necessary. I was just teaching that kid about the real world."
Kenji helped me sit up. I saw Akiro's mocking smile; he looked very pleased until Mr. Makisig broke his leg.
"AGH!"
"AKIRO!" His friends ran towards him.
"Why did you do that?"
"If you hit the rich kid, I hit the poor one. Now you're even."
I could see the grimace of disgust on Shiro's face; he didn't know how to hide his contempt.
"Are you okay, Ren…?" Kenji's voice trailed off as he saw my mocking smile. I'd rather be in Mr. Makisig's group, I thought.
"I'm fine, just a little sore."
After that, I went to get treated by Mr. Makisig.
"You're fine, no problem."
"Thank you for defending me, sir," I said with a big smile on my lips.
"I didn't defend you. I'm simply against Shiro's behavior."
My smile widened at the comment. The two of them are so different.
"You two are very opposite. You're a Heli, and Trainer Shiro is a Kojin."
"Umm… you could say that. After all, Bagles are concentrations of positive emotions, and Bogers are negative ones."
"Ha, ha, yes. They're like night and day."
"Even so, we are the same."
"Why?"
Mr. Makisig's gaze shifted to his Bagle; it was black with bright red eyes.
"Tell me, do you know why there are only four Helis in the whole world?"
"Because being happy all the time is… impossible. And how do you get them?"
"It's because we aren't happy; we know how to control our emotions and face our problems."
"I see. Controlling emotions…"
"Yes, something a young man who fights with his comrades will never achieve." I huffed upon hearing the keyboard clicks after he spoke.
"It wasn't my fault; he started it."
"That's irrelevant." I sighed tiredly. I wanted to keep talking, but I saw the time. "Abaddon called for you, so you should go."
"Okay. See you later, Mr. Makisig."
I started to leave the place. Just before I was completely out, I caught his last words.
"Don't become an exorcist."
"Why?"
"Because there's a monster…"
Before I could ask, the door closed, and the loudspeaker announced that all squad captains were to report.
I ran towards Mr. Abaddon's office. When I arrived, there was a huge line.
The minutes passed. My gaze kept shifting to the wall clock. Finally, it was my turn. Inside, Abaddon was there, smiling warmly as always.
"Welcome, Ren. Have a seat." He pointed to the sofa in front of him and the cookies. "Would you like some tea?"
"Of course, thank you." I sat down, grabbing one of the cups, letting Miss Libby pour the tea. "What did you need to talk to me about?"
"It's about a report I received. You got into a fight with someone. That is completely unacceptable in our family."
His voice was soft, warm, but there was something that made me feel judged.
"I understand. Don't worry, these are just accidents that happen."
"Yes, they are…"
"Don't be nervous, Ren. What I really wanted to talk to you about is that I expect a lot from you as a leader." His hand kept stirring the tea spoon. "Here, we are all a family; we protect each other. Soon, you will have a mission where you will face exorcists…"
"Yes… What are you getting at, Mr. Abaddon?"
"Your friend is there. You will have a battle; it's inevitable. That's why I want to know if you will do your job well."
"Uh…"
Does he really want me to fight Takumi?
"If you can't do something like that, I think I overestimated you. After all, you told me you were good friends, the best, that he would bring you to the exorcists… And has he called you?"
My pupils dilated. It was true. Takumi, nor my parents, had called me.
"Don't feel that way." Mr. Abaddon's hand stretched out, offering more sweets. "I know how it feels… for a friend to betray you, to abandon you like you're nothing." His voice gradually lowered. "If I were your friend, I would have done the impossible to be with you…"
"…"
"Sorry, I recognize you're probably hurt. Don't worry, I'm with you. And as such, I want us to be on the same page."
"On your same page?"
"Yes. I seek a world where people like you and me help each other mutually. Your friend… right now, he's being manipulated by the AOE."
"What? That's impossible. The AOE is there to protect and defend civilians from Ghosts."
"And they do. But to make their students give their lives, they use vile methods. That's surely why your friend hasn't called. We have to free him…"
"That… can't be possible."
"It is. I wish I were lying, but I can't. And you can't work with me either."
"… No, no, wait. Of course I can and want to work with you."
"Then, are you willing to help me and help your friend?"
"Yes! I am willing to fight alongside you. Besides, if I want, I can bring Takumi with me. I'll do it."
"Of course. You're so smart, Ren. I'll be waiting for you. I chose you as one of my leaders for a reason."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Abaddon." I gave a quick bow, letting the next leader enter.
I was still lost. Takumi being manipulated by the AOE? Wait a minute, wasn't this a course to get into the AOE?
"Ren! How did it go?" My expression changed from doubt to surprise as I felt Kenji's hands on my shoulders.
"Everything was fine. Nothing new."
"Okay, let's go to training. It's late."
"Alright."
---
POV NARRATOR
As Ren left the office, with a new determination sown in his heart, in another part of the base, the real conversation was about to begin.
The room was silent, two men facing each other.
"You took too long talking to those useless kids."
"Don't say that, Shiro. If I have to dialogue with each of them to make them believe the farce, then I will," the man said, moving his head from side to side.
"I see it as completely unnecessary. Where's Katsuro?"
"He went to a meeting for Cyrus, at school, you know."
Shiro nodded, watching as Libby was leaning on the black-haired man.
"Hey, woman, instead of being a parasite, you should be training your group."
"Don't yell at me, Shiro. I just want a little company~~~," said the red-skinned woman, rubbing her finger against Abaddon's chest.
"What a nuisance." Upon hearing Abaddon's cold, faint voice, Libby knew that was the signal to back away.
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Don't be mad."
The woman disappeared into the gloom. Shiro sighed in annoyance.
"Changing the subject, why did you make that spoiled brat a leader?"
"Kazuo? Taro? Ren? Sakura?"
"All of them."
"A leader must show several aspects, one of them being perseverance. Besides, they paid well to be in their position. That's how we bought all the food."
"Ah…"
"Don't make that face. It was a fair deal."
"They're all going to die."
"I know. That's why they're bait. If any of them survive, they'll be leaders. If they die, we simply put another one in charge."
"You're hopeless."
Shiro grabbed one of the cookies and started eating it, listening to Abaddon's laughter in the background.
---
As the conversation continued, in another part of the world, a brown-haired young man and a purple-haired man walked through the snow.
"ACHOO! Ugh, it's so cold I caught a cold."
Lucky Ren, he's probably asleep in his bed right now, and I'm… freezing to death, Takumi thought, rubbing his arms.
"Don't do that, Takumi. It's disgusting."
You're the one who brought me to Greenland, Prof Hero."
"Shut up and walk. I let you use White as a coat."