"Tell me , how was your day" asked Arthur. Ethan shakes his head as he settled on sofa at living room."Don't ask. It is something, I wanna forget about"
"What worse could happen then me breaking punching bag during strength testing" Arthur flexes his muscle before moving to refrigerator.
"The teacher was chewing his cap with the thought of buying a new one. You broke the system Arthur" Roberto added. Who has now settled alongside Ethan at sofa.
Ethan asks " so any assignment you got?"
"I got the assignment to steal chalk from other class" Arthur collected cold drink for everyone
"What a dumb one, and you Roberto."
"I was assigned with the task to note down every minor movement of Arthur"
"Another dumb one"
Arthur pops open cold drink for them all and handed over"so do tell me what you was assigned with, Ethan? "
"Survive " Ethan takes a drink of his cold drink
"From what?" Arthur settles on chair nearby
" From others. So Astrid, our home room teacher gave everyone a task to kill me. So i had to survive for two minutes "
"Damn, you survived. By yourself? Makes me wanna fight you once more"
"You have same mindset as Rion. By the way, a student helped me. Perhaps brother of Astrid. Eric."
"Is he strong " Arthur leaned forward.
"He took down them all in mere second. He is strong"
"Damn, I wish I was in your class. C rank is class for the above average assasins. Cool"
"So why did she gave such a risky assignment. Don't she knows, such tasks are too much for first years " Roberto asked
"She is just, how can I explain you that. She is very unpredictable , very cold. As if she has some Kind of curiosity about my past."
"It was what bad of the day?" Roberto said.
"Trust me Roberto. It wasn't even worst part of today"Ethan said
"What you mean?"
Back during lunch time
"Well, you really have gotten popular. I heard your teacher, balleni was son of a big name. His mother was..... something else."
"Look ,i don't know Rion. Mr balleni never shared his life much. Why don't we talk about something normal for once, like what's your favourite TV show?"
Rion scoffed and looked at Ethan as if Ethan has said some kind of slur. "TV show? It's boring. Like piece of junk, no entertainment can match the level of entertainment and pleasure one can get from fighting "
"You are just like my roomate"
"Who's your roommate?"
"Doesn't matter. By the way, have you ever tried watching THE LEADER anime. It's cool. A Assasin who is unbeatable saves his team and does missons"
"Sounds typical" Charizard added
"I have watched thousand with same core" JM said.
"Cole" Eric stood behind Ethan. Eric looked a bit uncertain "Astrid called for you. There is a visiter for ya"
"A visitor? Balleni???????" Rion asked as she got excited.
Eric didn't spoke anything but gave Ethan a nod , getsuring Ethan to follow.
In the Hallway
"So, About earlier. How was so fast?" Ethan asked, glancing sideways at Eric.
Eric didn't responded, the steps of thier echoed in the silent hallway. The Door at the visitor office came close, Eric also slowed down. Upon reaching the door, he stopped
"Listen Ethan, Don't lie to that man. No matter what. Don't lie to that person"
Without waiting for response, Eric opened the door for Ethan.
Ethan enters the room, presence present in room was heavy. The shadow of the the corners suddenly seeming comfortable for Ethan.
Ahead of him was a Man in expensive suit. The back of that Man towards Ethan. In front of that Man sat Astrid. Her expression calm but wary towards that Man.
"Ethan, come and sit" Astrid gestured Ethan to sit next to her. Her tone suggested that it was the closest she can come to protect her student today. Just a barrier of table.
Ethan felt his heartbeat suddenly cold. Way scarier then any nervousness. Ethan sat with Astrid and dared a glance ahead.
"He isn't the guy who knocked me out, he was younger. This person is.... More different"
"My name is Elias balleni. I am a business man and share holders of the organisation which runs this Assassin school and everything happening here." The Man spoke up. He lights up a cigarette and offered Ethan one.
"I—i don't smoke, Sir" Ethan spoke up. His voice way lower then usual.
"Good. Now i will tell you something. The person who gave you that..
Recommendation letter. He was my brother. Younger brother, his name is Francisco balleni. Be honest, have you ever met him before?" Elias asked. His tone leaving no sort of emotion
"I was his sti—student"
"Don't lie to be kid. I know he didn't taught you anything. He doesn't even know your exists"
"No-no sir, i am not lying. I trained under his presence"
"Ethan. Be honest"Astrid spoke up.
"I... Met him at park. Not met him. Saw him and next thing i remembered was just him vanishing and sudden sting on my neck and white. I woke up at hospital and found the Letter in my purse"Ethan reveals
*Elias walks over to the window. Glancing down*
"Good. Now that we are truly honest, i want to know everything about that situation. Look, Francisco is been missing for like three months. A month before you might have met him. I want to find my brother, my mother is worried, my wife is worried and everyone is worried. Astrid here won't tell me where he is"
"I told you, I don't know"
"I know that you know where he is but you won't tell because you are some kind of loyal sidekick of my brother. What is there for him to hide from his own family who loves him unconditionally"
"Perhaps he isn't hiding from you but the life you run. Ever thought of it?"
"I never forced him into anything I do". Elias jaw tightens
"Calm down, will ya?" Eric spoke up.
Elias sighs and says "look kid. I'll pay you for the info you can provide. What he was wearing? What he was carrying?"
"No, he is my student and he won't share the info. Ethan, go back to your class. Now" Astrid said firmly. Her eyes burning with protective insight, but not for Ethan. As if she is protecting someone else.
"Let's go Ethan, get up" Eric lead Ethan out of room. Dragging Ethan across hallway to the stairs
" Stop dragging me, I'll move on my own dude. What the heck was that ? By the way. Astrid, she was just arguing with that guy. Why does she hates him that much"
"Less you know about her and Francisco, the better. And she won't be coming after your ass since you ain't Francisco student anymore."
"Why was she coming after me, even if she thought I am his disciple" Ethan asked, he was frustrated because she caused the trouble for nothing.
"Because she knew you was pretending, even if she wasn't sure. Deep inside, she knew. So that's why she wanted to punish you for pretending. Go fuck yourself now." Eric turned back and walked away
*Present. Now at school next day*
"Dude, why did they called you yesterday for the meeting" JM asked. Turning back in seat to look directly at Ethan
"Yup, after the visit, you was all distracted in class as well" Rion asked, nudging elbow in the side of Francisco
Before Ethan could respond, Astrid made a announcement
"Alright students. You will be given a assignment. Yesterday I said assignment will be given week later. That was a lie, you are getting assignment first day today"
Astrid opens up the files and speaks names of other students" Nicolas acentor, with Eric. Given by a business man, Asecio venezuela "
She reads assignment for students turn by turn until she paused. Her jaw clenched hard and her composure losing.
"Rion Akari and Ethan cole. A bodyguard for the daughter of Elias balleni at Balleni estate"