Perfect Avatar

The young man walked straight toward the platform, followed by a girl with green hair and a captivating beauty, the two heirs to the throne, and their maid. Little by little, as they recognized the people following the young boy, the public burst into cheers.

"My dear people, please don't be modest with your applause, these people from our marvelous dean's team are the heroes of our kingdom, some of you might know them for their numerous achievements in Rifts all along the kingdom these past months. These people are our heroes, those who fight for us and put their lives numerous times on the line for us."

Agiel didn't refrain from his praises, explaining with his inspiring tone the prowess of Candace's team and especially the importance of Dora in the plan. Still, all this time, his eyes were fixed on another hero, a hero just in class.

The latter didn't move like frozen in time.

His view blurred a little, and he kept his stance with one foot ahead, ready to walk at a call that never came.

Suddenly, he started giggling, head down, arms at his sides.

Dora and Midgard stood next to Candace, in first place to receive numerous cheers.

Agiel, as for a final blow, raised his hand towards the academy students.

"Please, let's all celebrate the true heroes, the ones whose names will shine forever in the history of our kingdom, forever."

The student clapped, more loudly than emotionally.

For many, it was a sword in a wound.

Those who worked hard the whole time, those who planned to do better but weren't aware of this event, are the only ones who should definitely be among the heroes.

All of them watched helplessly, the crowning of those who forced them to bear the status of rejects.

"Ah... Why aren't I even surprised..." Hope murmured, a slight smile on the lips.

He slowly turned around and noticed the council members, alongside Lisa and Thomas, all around him and watching him with a little anxiety.

"Oh... you were expecting me to throw a tantrum? Don't worry, it doesn't bother me anymore."

He started walking away, and as he passed next to Thomas, the latter without looking at him reminded him of his reality.

"Because this is how this world works."

"... I'm not part of that world, I'm following my own way."

"We are all doing it, Hope, and in the end, this is always how this world works. Look around you."

Hope plunged his gaze beyond the council members and noticed the facial expression of every student.

Annoyance, anger, sadness, frustration. The hands were crying joyfully, but the faces were crying in despair.

It wasn't just jealousy, it wasn't regret, it was only one simple fact: they were cheering for a monster and they knew it.

Hope frowned and readjusted his collar before walking forward.

"This is your reality because you let it be, you're not different from the one who made it."

Thomas looked at him as he disappeared among the students.

He lowered his gaze and clapped emotionlessly.

The presentation over, Agiel warned the people that they were urged to leave the capital until the raid was done.

For that reason, popular means of transport would be accessible free of charge and would connect the capital and neighboring cities.

The first people to urge were the average emissaries from guilds, then the rich families, and then the nobles.

The bigger was their asset, the longer they needed to properly evacuate.

It was an afternoon inside one of the biggest buildings of the capital, outside the nobles district.

The building, which was under the guidance of Agiel, was a state-of-the-art scientific base, well-known for being the future technological heart of the kingdom. The base was equipped with cutting-edge technology and was staffed by some of the most brilliant and skilled scientists in the kingdom. The team found it to be an ideal base on that particular day.

In the hall, every group was separated, the Holy Knights on one side, the guild members a little farther away, and Elizabeth next to Candace's group.

The guild members glanced from time to time at the Boly knights with a little contempt.

"Why are they even called the strongest? They've never been inside a Rift, this is stupid."

"Just for the advertising, you noticed how this Agiel praised every noble? But almost nothing for us."

Two guild members grumbled, meanwhile alongside Candace's group, Mercy glanced from time to time to her brother.

Zuri noticed it and shook her head.

"Want me to get his autograph?"

"Eh? No! What're ya... ugh... forget it, I haven't seen him in months, that's all!"

Elizabeth smiled at her and glanced at Peters.

"You should go talk to him then, he often looks at you too... You have a great bond so treasure it."

They looked at him, a little flustered. Elizabeth hadn't spoken to Hope from that day at the academy, and they understood how much it was burning her.

She lowered her head and noticed their gaze.

"Ah! I-I mean, it is so great to fight all together! Like... Like... hey, Dora, do you realize that we will finally fight in the same team?"

"Oh, every time you've hit Iris I considered you as my team."

"Suck doesn't it?" Iris nodded.

They laughed all together, not noticing the silence of Midgard.

"I see that there's a good atmosphere here, I'm thrilled for you." A beautiful woman with long yellow hair and a member of the Holy Knights appeared next to them.

"... Saint Agharita." Elizabeth flinched.

The woman curtsied and looked at them, smiling.

"Please, forget the Saint, it's a great honor to work alongside you, Lady Elizabeth."

She held out her hand, and Elizabeth promptly shook it with an embarrassed laugh.

"T-Then... Forget the Lady too, please, we are all equal here!"

"Oh... I wouldn't say that..." She said as she smiled at Dora and Candace who glanced at each other.

"Nice to meet you all, Prince, Princess, Eryl... Master."

Candace pouted and looked away angrily, making the Holy Knight giggle.

"Sorry for the intrusion, I'm here because I would like to ask for a service."

"... Really? Oh, what is it? I'll gladly help you!"

"Well, it's more precisely about Lady Mercy here, a friend of mine would like to have a private conversation with you but is a little too shy to come ask by himself."

At these words, Mercy flinched and every gaze turned toward Peters who quickly looked away.

"Not like that, you idiot..." he groaned, covering his face.

"Him? Shy?!" Candace shouted, starting every one.

Peters turned and shook his head angrily, Mercy, eyes wide open started to look like a child but Candace wasn't ready to let this chance go.

"You see this, Dora?"

"Hm... An adult soliciting a woman to have a private encounter with an underage girl, ma'am."

"Sacred blue."

"What's wrong with you two?!" Mercy shook them by the shoulders, while everyone else in Candace's group and the Holy knights, except Peters, laughed.

"We can clearly tell who has never been in a real Rift in their life."

A tall and muscular man wearing a shield and a hammer walked toward them.

The laughing ceased, transforming into an annoyed gaze.

The imposing man stared at the nobles then the Holy knights and nodded.

"Do you think this is a playground? I know that the like of you used to have a tea party while we dealt with the real thing, but today We're here to prepare for that thing above, can you be a little more serious? "

Some guild members showed smiles of satisfaction, to be here at that time meant that this man was an S-rank among the best.

He glared menacingly at all of them, meeting only burning annoyed gazes.

Agharita turned to him with a smile and held out her hand.

"My, my apologies, I wouldn't want to annoy one of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the kingdom, please consider this as my mistake."

She held out her hand to him, the man looked at her before slapping it and turning his back.

"So annoying, and don't give me that hypocritical smile! Don't make me come here again."

He started walking away, leaving the group annoyed.

Candace turned towards Dora, who nodded in agreement while he pointed his hand at the man and his eyes turned yellow, a scene that nobody else in his group noticed.

"Don't do it please."

Agharita put a hand on his.

She gave him a strange smile, surprising the group members unaware of what was about to happen.

Candace folded her hands, annoyed.

"We were just about to give him a little lesson, to teach him humility, nothing serious."

"I know, but what we need is team cohesion, so I would appreciate it if you could refrain from that kind of antics, especially you, Greed."

She stared straight into her eyes, and an unpleasant feeling started flowing inside Dora who shook his head and withdrew his hand.

Agharita narrowed her eyes and turned her back.

"I'm surprised you would instigate something like this, Master, I remember that you used to be lazier, maybe the overwork isn't good for you?"

"Do not call me master, I'm not considering any of you as my students."

Agharita nodded warmly and walked away.

"Please don't forget to meet with your brother later, lady Mercy, it appears that we might be a little busy in an instant."

As she said that, the Main Gate opened, revealing Agiel followed by several knights.

"My dear friends, I hope you enjoyed this little time we gave you to weave links, I can sense some vibration in the air so I'm guessing that we're all ready for the next step. From now on, everything will really speed up."