บท 59: Clash of titans
"Alden Hall," Her captivating green eyes gripped his very soul, filling him with a strange, strange feeling.
"Hello, Mr Alden Hall!" A voice called, repressing the uncanny emotion.
"Oh prince, I've said that you don't need to address me so respectfully. Why're you so formal with me anyways?"
"Well... I don't know really... It just felt like I should..." he said, with a nervous chuckle.
"Well, you don't have to," Alden said, a smile on his face.
"Alright, alright... Alden?"
"Yeah, that's better."
"So, who's this with you today, Mr hall?" Sarah Foster asked.
"You too?" Alden groaned internally. "This is Lily Park."
"Lily Park? Dual Class S-class ranger? I'm so glad I get to meet 2 talents in one night..." She said, throwing a side eye at Alden.
"It's more an honor for me," Lily politely replied. She looked like a fan girl meeting an idol, she seemed stressed as she struggled not to fidget. Alden just silently watched her.
Sarah Foster smiled at her, before turning to Alden.
"So, you're ready for your monthly mission with us?"
"Are you afraid that I'll run away?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh?" Alden widened his eyes. "I'm S-class too, you know. You can't bully me anymore."
"It seems like Reawakening made you a little brave." Sarah Foster said, her cold gaze making Alden feel like he was covered in ice. Then she did something far beyond his expectations. She smiled. There wasn't nothing extraordinary about the smile, it was a simple gesture, yet so significant.
Alden didn't know how to react so he just awkwardly returned the smile.
"Well... Let's go on," Said Lily, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
Alden nodded, and the group made their way to the hotel door. After showing identification, Alden led his group into the luxurious confines of the building, there was a red carpet laying dramatically at the entrance, and it seemed like Alden was supposed to arrive with his car at the front of the venue. He'd already used a normal parking space, however.
Upon entering the building, all eyes turned to Alden who had just entered. All of the discussions stopped, and everyone in the Ron seemed to be less focused on speaking, and more focused on having a good look at the new S-class ranger.
Finally, someone spoke.
A lean man with cacoa coloured skin walked up to the group. He had straight hair that was gelled up, and his hair was cut on the sides.
The most interesting detail about him however, was this; within his eyes, instead of eyes that were as dark as the night, or a blue as the sea, he had eyes that were a smoldering orange, and they sat in his eyes like 2 suns.
Those fierce looking eyes however, where quelled by the positive air that filled them, and it gave him a balance.
A half moon smile filled his face as he approached, and from his lips escaped a friendly greeting. He outstretched his hand as he spoke.
"Good evening there. I am Justin Chetty, nice to meet you. I presume you're Alden Hall, the new S-class?"
Alden nodded an returned the greeting.
"Good evening to you too. Yes, I am Alden. It's nice to meet you, Mr Chetty."
"Ah, you can call me Justin, we're technically equals."
"Alright then," Alden said, a polite smile on his face. Unconsciously, he glanced around the room. He saw that it was filled with a few people, but he did not find who he was searching for.
"He's not here," Another voice filled the room. Alden turned to see a petite young female staring into the depths of his soul. Her black eyes complemented her dark skin well, as did her her black and braided hair. Strangely, she wore a simple hoodie, though Alden was sure this was a formal gathering.
"Ah, Buhle! You just hate following the dress code,don't you?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Dress code for what? Fo who? I didn't even want to come to this place in the first place."
Alden just watched this with both curiosity and amusement.
"You...you don't like Light very much, do you?"
Alden chose not to reply. The short girl shook her head.
"Squash the beef. It's immature causing unnecessary conflict simply because he insulted you."
Alden listened in silence, then he lifted a hand and rested it on Lily's shoulder. She seemed to be trembling, maybe from anger.
Alden leaned over, and whispered into her ear.
"Relax."
Then he stood upright and spoke to the girl.
"With all due respect, miss. I'd prefer if you didn't worry about whether or not I like Light Mcking. I think that would cause some" unnecessary conflict "."
Instantly, the girls midnight pupils turned silver. She took a step forward and frowned at Alden.
"Are you threatening me?" she questioned.
"No," Alden said calmly. "I'm advising you."
"Stop it," Sarah Fosters sharp voice instantly cut through the tension that hung in the room.
Alden sighed and stepped back, a sign of his surrender. He was being troublesome, he didn't have to argue with the girl about anything.
"hmph!" Buhle turned away, and walked away from the group,
"I'm sorry, Alden. I have to go now," Justin said with a polite nod.
"It's fine, I'll see you around then."
"Take this, I'm hoping we can have a chat later." With that, he handed a folded piece of paper to Alden. Alden opened it to find a phone number on it.
"Alright, thanks." Alden said, a polite smile atop his face.
Justin left, and Alden heard Prince snigger.
"Damn, you're even pulling men..."
Before Alden could smack the AK of his head, Sarah Foster had already done it for him. Alden threw her a thankful glance.
Lily was soon the next one to speak.
"I'm heading to the bathroom," She mumbled, before leaving. Her head lay low, so Alden could not see what expression she was wearing.
Well, that didn't go very smoothly.
"Who are they anyways?" Alden turned to Prince, and asked.
"You see, they my clueless friend, are the leaders of one of the biggest guilds in South Africa. The Grey Guardians, they are competing for top spot along with the Celadin guild, the eagles guild and with the Bulwark guild. Those two are the ones who upset the dominance of the three guilds. If it were not for their limited funds, they'd be the best in South Africa altogether. "
Alden nodded quietly, this was useful information. It would be nice to know the competition.
" So, who are the other 3?"Alden asked.
" The eagles are a large guild but they have no S-class. They simply have a lot of skillful rangers, together with a large amount of resources. You may have guessed it, but they're just a very wealthy guild. Next, is the Bulwark guild. They're one of the two old guilds in this country. They have a rich history, and their leader is a pretty powerful guy. Andre Jacobs. He probably won't come to this meeting, he doesn't get along with any of the other S-class Rangers, and he believes that the Rangers association is a corrupt organization. He's a tough old guy, that one. Lastly the Caledon guild, they're the oldest South African guild, and they have two S-class Rangers. Ramiel McKing, and Light McKing."
As soon as the name had been mentioned, murmurs suddenly spread throughout the room like a veld fire. All heads turned towards the door, their gazes fixed on an incoming congregation.
" Speak of the devil. " Prince muttered.
The air within the spacious dining area seemed to still, and Alden felt a special type of rage build up within him.
Light McKing followed a burly middle aged man with long green hair. They walked right past Alden's group, and sat down at a table.
Light McKing seemed to be lost in someplace other than reality. Though his face seemed indifferent, when Alden looked into his eyes, all he saw was a pure, fierce rage.
As Alden thoughtfully watched Light, a voice broke him out of his reverie.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." A familiar voice reververated around the room.
It was the S-class u association president, none other than Sbusiso Khumalo, more commonly known as President Khumalo, or just Mr Khumalo.
The crowd mumbled a reply, and the president began to thank everyone for attending the program. He went on to discuss the importance of such meetings, and he spoke a lot about how the S-class Rangers needed to stay unified in order to stay strong in the face of hardship.
Thereafter, he said something that sent a feeling of surprise through Alden's body.
"Now, I'm sure we all know already, but we have a new S-class ranger, I'd like to ask Alden Hall to give us a few words."
All of the attention within the room shifted to Alden, and he felt himself be crushed under its weight. All of the anxiety that had built up within the months spent in his bedroom returned, and he felt his legs trembled when faced with the weight of the expectations being thrown at him.
"Go on, Alden." Prince nudged him. Alden cast a nervous glance to his side, and noticed that Sarah Fosters eyes were resting on him.
She gave him a single, simple gesture. A nod of the head. It may have seemed trivial to most, a mere nod? What value could it have? Strangely, for Alden, it approximated the world in worth.
Sarah Foster, an S-class ranger, had given him the gesture. For a moment, Alden had forgotten he was S-class.
Then he remembered.
He, Alden who had crushed shadow wolf skulls with his hands. He, Alden who had cleared a dungeon with a boss like Mar Kirr. He, Alden, who's killed dragons...
He was no F-class loser.
Not anymore.
A step forward. Another.
He walked toward the stage, and soon he found himself upon it, next to the president himself.
Alden took a deep breath in, and then he spoke.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Alden Hall, the new S-class ranger. You all may be wondering how I got here, how I become the an S-class after being at the very bottom. Honestly..."
Alden cast a gaze thro the crowd. At the back of the crowd, his eyes met Lily's.
"I don't know. What I do know however, is that I'm grateful. I'm not just grateful for this power, no. I'm grateful that I got to experience weakness, so now I in the true value of this strength. There are still those who do not realize the responsibility behind such strength... "
His eyes fell to Light McKing, who silently watched him.
"What we do not know, we must learn. Even the hard way."
Alden turned away from Light, and looked into the camera that had been pointed at him.
"So to finish off, I'm sure there are many kids out there who want to be as strong as me so that they can face the world. I'll tell you the secret behind my success. Be brave, and do these three things."
He smiled.
"Eat healthy, appreciate your parents, and work as hard as you can. Thank you all for listening."
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