Time quickly went by, and dusk came.
After their brief emergency meeting, the surviving school staff finally showed their faces, bringing calm to the panicked students.
Everyone's eyes lit up as the adults took the elevated stand, ready to address them.
Heading the group was the second-in-command of the academy — Vice Principal Cromwell.
A bald elderly man with a full grey beard, he stepped forward to the podium.
Clearing his throat, the murmurs and whispers died down immediately.
Then he began to speak, his warm elderly voice resounding.
"The past few hours have been nothing short of disastrous and devastating.
We all saw the strange occurrences with our own eyes, and there's no denying it — Earth as you know it has undergone a fundamental change.
And I won't stand here and lie to you that I understand what is happening. I don't. I'm just as clueless as any of you."
He paused, scanning the small crowd of students. Seeing that they were composed and not panicked, he nodded in approval.
These weren't average emotional teenagers. They were groomed and bred elites.
He continued…
"But we're not just going to sit on our hands because the odds are against us.
My dear elites of Avalon, I pose a question to you: what is the most crucial resource we need if we're going to survive this chaotic, disastrous situation we find ourselves in?"
Everyone's eyes burned bright as the same answer rang through their minds.
Information.
Vice Principal Cromwell smiled. He loved addressing a smart crowd.
"Good. Then we rest for tonight. Tomorrow, by eight on the dot, we will have a gathering.
Everyone here has their experiences. You know what you've seen. Some of you might have even made discoveries.
So today, we consolidate our findings and digest our knowledge. Tomorrow, we share information and put the pieces together.
With that, just maybe, we might get a bigger look at the picture. Then our next moves will be apparent."
Everyone nodded in approval. That was indeed the best move they could take for now.
"Good, that's that… Oh, and make yourselves at home. The safety bunker has unfortunately been compromised!"
The once-placated crowd immediately grew restless and rowdy.
But the elderly man said nothing further. Wearing a faint smile, he walked away, leaving the chaos behind him.
"That bald old cunt! Even a freaking apocalypse didn't kill his irritating habit of leaving the worst news for last!" Brandon cursed bitterly.
Glancing at Seth by his side, his eyes lit up and he scooted closer.
"What do you think about the Vice Principal's speech, big bro?"
Seth rolled his eyes. "Since when did I become your big bro? Just this morning you barely knew I existed."
He scoffed. Since the fiery brute woke up, he had been following him everywhere.
The guy was on him like a dog on a bone, trying to form a nonexistent bond.
Brandon didn't let Seth's words faze him. He patted his chest. "You saved my life twice…" He paused, then threw an arm around Seth's shoulder, his nose flaring with steam and his eyes sparking.
"And you were so badass while in action! You are my big bro!"
Seth sighed, shaking his head in exasperation. Forget it. I give up.
Brandon shook Seth's shoulder. "You have to teach me your ways, big bro. What was that armor? How did you get it? Wait — don't tell me, is it a skill?"
Seth's lips twitched in annoyance, but he remained silent.
Brandon kept staring at him, blinking. "Oh, it has to be a skill, right? Here, I'll tell you mine, you tell me yours."
The guy didn't even let Seth respond. His tone hushed, hands covering his mouth, he whispered into Seth's ear.
"Mine is called Sapphire Ember Touch!"
Then he continued speaking boisterously, chuckling loudly.
"Hehehe, what do you think, big bro? You've seen it in action. It's cool, right?"
Shaking his head in dismay, his expression suddenly turned grim. "Sigh… it can't hold a candle to you though, bro."
Seth facepalmed, helpless against his talkative neighbor. He would have loved to walk away, but the guy would follow.
And even with all the red flags Seth had been giving, the delinquent just didn't know how to take a hint.
Remaining silent for a bit, Seth's pupils flickered. Actually… I can use this to my advantage.
Tomorrow was the day everyone was required to share information. He had to know what cards to reveal and what to hoard.
The best way to know what was meant to be general knowledge and what was private was by comparing his system stats with another's.
Meeting Brandon's gaze, Seth smiled his nose twitching, suddenly catching a whiff of an elaborate scheme.
This fucker! That's what he was trying to do all along!
Seth realized as he stared at Brandon's clueless grin.
No matter how he hid behind the muscle-headed persona, a Class A elite was still a monster prodigy. Underestimating him would be the pinnacle of stupidity.
Brandon seemed to realize his facade had seen through.
"Come on, big bro, it's not like that. Seriously, I truly admire you. You saved my life twice! You see…"
His expression turned deadpan as he continued. "In this situation, both our previous lifestyles of being lone dogs won't cut it.
You've seen what's happening. I'm only alive because you had my back, and you're alive because we had yours. If that isn't enough to convince you, then…" Brandon said his tone dropping "I overestimated you."
Seth sighed. Annoying as he might be, Brandon was spitting facts.
"Okay, fine. You're right. I give."
He stretched his hand for a handshake. Brandon's expression reverted to a goofy smile as he accepted.
"Hehe, I knew you'd come around, big bro."
Suddenly, a voice called from beside them. "Count us in!"
"Hm?" Seth turned to see two figures. He blinked curiously.
Elaine? Uriel?
What business did two stellar students have trying to group up with two oddballs like them?