Chapter 75: The Figure in the Forest
"Did you hear about Jett's battle?"
In a familiar cafe, four students wearing their uniform sat around a large table as they talked and indulged in their beverages.
"What battle?" Ava asked upon hearing Heather's question, tilting her head as Amara too was interested but didn't make it obvious.
However, it didn't seem as though Lucy shared in their curiosity.
"Jett's Grandfather, the Grandmaster of the Hale Dojo, has made a bet with Vice Principal Harrison that will unfold during the annual Dojo Showdown this year."
Heather entered her usual rant as Ava quietly listened, already used to all the gossip.
"Vice Principal Harrison will choose any first-year student to go against Jett."
Ava raised her eyebrow, seeming as though she was intrigued.
"Who's the student?"
Only now did Heather stay quiet for a few seconds, pressing her finger against her chin as if she were deep in thought.
"It's on the tip of my tongue. I only keep forgetting because I didn't know the student."
Ava chuckled lightly.
"It's okay, I'm sure you'll remember…" Before Ava could finish, Heather cut her off as she yelped.
"Oh yes, his name was Isaac."
For a split second, Ava's eyes narrowed as her smile faltered for a second.
"Isn't he that Wanderer boy in our class?" Ava asked, quickly regaining her composure.
It was then that Amara's ears slightly perked as she joined in the conversation.
"You mean that F-Ranker? What kind of joke is Vice Principal Harrison playing to put an F-Ranker against one of the Golden Six?"
Amara rested her chin on her fist as she sneered.
"Well thank you for contributing to this conversation, Amara." Heather glared as she commented on Amara's previous absence.
"You know I don't like to engage in gossip. It's not like I'm a mute like Lucy over here, I just can't be bothered with the tedious topics."
Amara replied, glancing at Lucy who continued reading her book, ignoring the others.
"Well, it's not like Jett will be fighting at full power. It's only a martial arts fight, therefore making it more fair."
Ava commented. However, despite her speaking these words, she knew.
She knew something the others didn't. That Isaac was…not simply an F-Ranker.
"Speaking of Jett, have any of you seen him? Or Cain and Daniel for that matter?" Heather asked.
"Well, Cain is training. That battle against Jett lit a fire inside of him." Amara answered, followed by Ava.
"And Jett has been locked in his room. I think he mentioned something about lessons from his Grandfather. As for Daniel…I'm not sure."
Ava paused as she answered. Only now was she realising the sudden disappearance of Daniel.
"Me neither. I haven't seen him outside class for a few days." Amara commented.
It wasn't long until Heather shrugged, a wide smile appearing on her face.
"Do you guys want to see the list of activities the Academy has planned for us?"
With a slight hum, a piece of paper appeared in Heather's hand as she drew the attention of all the girls on the table.
"Oh, yes please." Ava nodded enthusiastically.
"I've been meaning to check." Amara leaned in with a smile.
"Yes," Lucy answered as she closed her book.
***
In a small room, a handful of items lay before Isaac on his table as he nodded in satisfaction.
'I'm ready.'
Brushing his fingers over a few items, they entered his dimensional space.
Lessons had ended for the day and Isaac was currently in his room preparing.
At least, he was until he heard the front door open.
Getting up and exiting his room, Isaac was met with Zach who seemed to have a lot on his mind.
"Hey, Zach…" Isaac called out as Zach put on a smile.
Before Isaac could finish, he was cut off by Zach who suddenly erupted in excitement.
"Isaac, is it true? Are you really fighting one of the Golden Six?"
Zach moved extremely close to Isaac, grabbing him by the collar as he yelled.
"Are you crazy?!"
"Hey, get off me. And say it, don't spray it." Isaac complained, pushing Zach off of him as wiping the spit off his face.
"Yes, I am. But it's a strictly Martial Arts battle."
Zach instantly clapped back.
"So what?! You think that makes it better? Look, I know you're good with your hands, and I should know, I've experienced your handling myself, but do you think you can handle another man, being Jett Hale?"
Silence enveloped the room as Isaac watched, his face blank as it slowly contorted into one of disgust.
"I think we've been spending too much time together."
Zach rubbed his forehead, continuing shortly after as the surprise of everything made him miss what he'd just said.
"My point is, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Isaac paused for a second.
He did. He'd thought a lot about it. He wouldn't do something so troublesome if he had any other way.
But troublesome was better than death.
"Yes, don't worry. How have you been doing?" Isaac asked, changing the subject as Zach went along with it.
"I'm fine. Did you know that Johnny has entered his Scenario as well."
Upon hearing this news, Isaac let out an, "Ah" of understanding.
Though he wasn't very close to Johnny and wasn't at all fazed at the news, he couldn't say the same for Zach who had a weak heart.
"They'll complete it. Even if they don't, we'll just go to the verse and get them back. Well, maybe for Oliver. I don't know about Johnny."
Isaac joked as he watched a genuine smile reveal itself on Zach's face.
"I guess. I'll head to bed."
Isaac nodded as Zach entered his room, shutting the door.
'As for me…'
Isaac looked out of the window as he noticed the sun close to setting
'...I have a cold dish to serve.'
Upon saying these words in his mind, Isaac couldn't help but pause for a second, soon contorting his face in embarrassment.
'I'm glad I didn't say that out loud.'
***
Zach walked toward the window, a small hum coming from his ring as a small glass vial filled with white pills appeared in his hand.
Sliding open the window, with an uncaring expression and chilling void-like eyes, Zach poured the pills in his hand, crushing them till they were reduced to dust.
He once again reopened his hands, letting the wind carry away the white dust that was left in his hands.
Tossing the vial, he pressed a few buttons on his Swatch, once again setting a timer for 18 days.
***
The sun had long set as darkness filled the campus area.
The full moon hung in the sky, closer than usual as it was enough to illuminate the surrounding forest in an eerie and mysterious light.
It was already past curfew, therefore all students were inside their dorms, while some were even out cold.
It was unlikely to see anyone wandering around at this time or inside the school, yet a certain female with black hair with white strands, as well as a fashionable robe, sat in a dimly lit office.
She constantly tapped her fingers on the table before her, her impatience showing in her deep scowl and constant sighs.
Glancing over to the clock, the time was far past sunset, when she was supposed to be meeting with someone.
However, it seemed as though no one was coming.
'Who does he think he is? Ignoring a…'
-TAP TAP
Before Katlynn could finish her words, a few taps could be heard on her window, catching her attention as her eyes narrowed.
Rising to her feet, she carelessly walked toward the window, standing before it as she peered down to the ground, only to notice a figure.
With a form-fitting one-piece suit that seemed flexible yet durable, as if it were a thin metal, as well as thick boots and thin gloves, perhaps the most notable thing about the figure was their peculiar mask.
It was a plain white mask, the only opening it had being its eyes which showed two black voids for pupils.
'I wasn't able to notice his presence. Who…'
Before she could ask herself who it might have been, she remembered there was only one person she was expecting.
Just as this realisation dawned on her, the figure moved for the first time, pressing their hand against their mask and slowly removing it to the side until bright amber eyes peered from behind the mask.
Katlynn was only able to see the single amber eye, as well as part of the figure's lips as it curved upwards, yet this was enough for her to realise.
'It's him.'
Meanwhile, Isaac placed the mask back on his face.
Contrary to the mask he wore as Zol, this one was slightly different. After all, he didn't want Zol to be blamed if someone saw this.
He watched as Katlynn slid open the window, leaping out of the second-story window and landing with a solid BANG on her two feet.
"I thank you for dressing up in that insipid costume. I no longer have to act in the shadows, as I'm simply getting rid of a mysterious intruder."
Katlynn raised her head, scowling in disgust as she removed her robe from the shoulders.
Her torso was now visible as one could see her vitals wrapped tightly in bandages.
Isaac breathed deeply, calming his heart. He stayed rooted in his position as he stared Katlynn down.
He knew there was no chance of beating her, but…
'All I have to do is stick to the plan.'
Saying this, Isaac turned, facing the forest as he began to dash.
However…
"Where do you think you're going?"
The hairs on Isaac's neck shot up as cold sweat ran down his back.
"Mana Zone."
Simultaneously, Isaac heard pages to a book rapidly flutter.
In an instant, Isaac could feel a wave of power erupt from Katlynn, enshrouding the both of them.
'What's…'
Before Isaac could even formulate a thought, he felt a familiar presence appear beside him as Katlynn grinned widely.
Isaac watched as Katlynn's hand erupted in flames that made his skin sting just from standing in the presence of it.
"Flame Magic: Calidos Brachium!"
The fist of fire rocketed toward Isaac as he widened his eyes.
He knew just one hit from that would be bad.
In a matter of seconds, Isaac's plan was crumbling before it had even started.
"Have a taste of the flames of hell!"
[Name: Katlynn Wilson (S-Rank/Stage 7)]
[Inherited Character: Mereoleona Vermillion]
[Verse: Black Clover]
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Next chapter title: Katlynn Vs the Figure [1]
I was worried not many people watched Black Clover and might underestimate Mereoleona.
She's bloody awesome.
I'm pretty proud of writing the upcoming fight. If you can't be bothered to wait till tomorrow, you had always head over to the Patreon.
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