The Perfect Specimen

The other boys snicker as they remember the boy that Michelle clings to as a saving grace. They realize her futile attempts to get back back at them will immediately blow up in her face when the boy tosses her aside out of anger for her display earlier.

To their surprise though, the boy sticks his bald head up high, puffs out his c.h.e.s.t and walks in strides as if it is only common that others would lean on him for support.

"That's right! I am not only the most capable person here, I have withstood the blood l.u.s.t longer than any student in our class. I have withstood countless tribulations and adversities! My rise to fame is only beginning!" Alistair brags with as much bravado as he possibly can, causing the boys faces to darken.

All the while, Michelle's face turns scarlet red from embarrassment at her choice of people to rely on. First the two boys who betray her, and then a boy with so much self confidence that it leaves one speechless.

"Come! We have many things we must attend to! I promise to protect you from these delinquents so long as you do not get in my way!" He takes his arm from being hooked around hers and swings her into his embrace as if a father protecting his child from the world.

Alistair all the while is forming a pool of cold sweat on his back as he notices the boys shocked expressions beginning to fade. He tried using a technique he read in a book called acting.

It was said that a true actor can become so engrossed in his character that he can not only fool his audience, but himself as well. To Alistair, who is looking for a way to curb his hunger, trickery felt like a useful tool to deceive his body.

However, realizing that he put himself in a precarious position, Alistair begins thinking that it's time to bring his performance to a close. The two boys are visibly stronger than Alistair, and they have skills from being trained since birth. The danger sensors in Alistair's brain were going off.

Hiding her shame, Michelle pulls forcefully on Alistair to take him out of eyesight from the now dumbfounded boys who were so sure of themselves a moment ago. She did admit to herself though that it felt good knocking them down a peg.

Before the boys could fully recollect themselves and take advantage of the moment, Alistair and Michelle already walked a fair distance away after turning a corner. They look at each other and then nod and decide to tail both of Alistair and Michelle.

After turning the corner, instead of walking farther, Alistair pulls Michelle into an area underneath a staircase leading upwards to hide. Just as Michelle is about to yelp out in surprise, she feels Alistairs hand go over her mouth and sees the two boys from before walk past the staircase just a minute later.

She peels his hand off her mouth and stares back at him angrily, "Just who do you think you are touching? I could have you thrown in jail for that." She states coldly.

"Is that the thanks I get for helping you out there? It's not my fault you decided to drag me into your problems. I will have you know though, my help doesn't come cheap." Alistair flatly responds.

"What happened to all of that bravado you were putting on earlier about promising to protect me? You should be honored that I am giving you the honor of being a sacrificial pawn for me!" Michelle harrumphs and turns her head up in disdain.

Alistair realizes that this time, it's his turn to feel what it's like to be speechless. "You really don't know how to appreciate good will do you? Fine then, I can tell you that I am not honored to be a pawn, nor do I feel I can be considered the most capable person here. It's all acting, so if you don't appreciate it then I'll just go apologize to those boys and hand you over to them."

Alistair reveals his threat in hopes of getting her to crack. However he soon notices that instead of an angry retort or pleading for mercy, she is just looking down at her feet giggling to herself and then lifting her head to look him in the eyes.

She chuckles while shaking her head. "You really don't get what you just did back there do you? This is why I told you earlier that pawns need to know their own place. Those two boys out there aren't the type who just give a slap on the wrist and let bygones be bygones. Even if you give me over to them, they will do everything in their power to kill you."

She looks at him as if he is dancing on the palm of her hand and laughs softly.

Alistair's heart drops at this revelation, however he holds a bit of hope that she is bluffing by saying, "Oh please, why would they want to kill me just because I pretended to help you? Especially when I could just turn you back over to them."

"Because you spoke to me in private, anyone who is alone with me must be eliminated. That is how strict my family is. Those two boys pretended to be friends with me when class started, however they said that...No, that's all you need to know."

She reveals a pained expression as she recalls the conversation with them earlier and then wears an aloof expression.

Alistair's hope is dashed as he curses himself for trying out a skill due to his curiosity. As his he kicks himself for past mistakes he then looks at her and says, "Okay fine, you officially took advantage of me. Now if you don't mind, I must make preparations in the case of them coming after me. I'll leave you to your family troubles. Bye."

He starts to walk around while looking around the corner only to feel the hem of his shirt being tugged on, he turns and sees it's Michelle holding onto him.

"Please don't leave me behind...I know that you might be afraid of them now, but what if I gave you a way to go against them? I am considered the magical genius of my family you know. It's why they value me so highly as to be so strict." Michelle says with a half pitiful, half prideful look on her face.

"Not interested. I can't use magic. Got anything else to offer?" Alistair flat out refuses.

Taken aback by the embarrassing revelation Alistair confesses to her she staggers a bit before saying, "I-I don't know much other than magic though... The only other thing I have to offer is some trash-tier martial techniques that the mission hall gave me as a reward..."

Before she could continue that line of thinking, Alistair's eyes brighten up. He had read of martial techniques back in the library and remembers the stories of warriors who trained up a punching technique to it's pinnacle and was able to punch through iron with only his physical body.

"I'll take those!" Alistair excitedly exclaims.