10 Chapter 7: The First Steps Into Discord

A few beeps came from the phone's the screen flashed to life… Marking the nostalgic name "Wyzen" on the contacts, I made sure to wave my hand dismissively to Lila, so she kept watch, acting as if she was checking on me. With all the setup, I walked into the undergrowth and with a long sigh, I slid my fingers across the phone's screen to initiate the call…

"Geon…? Are you there…"

A deep voice came from the other end, almost as if it were coming from a well. It was "father", the same person who allowed me to grow here. I bit my lip at the thought of talking with him again after all these years… but for the price of freedom, this life can at least satiate my thirst...

"Y-Yes… Sir Wyzen? Is it in regards to the ship's operation?"

The sound of shifting papers registered on my speakers, and after a few flutters from the sheets and a grunt, Wyzen let out a soft chuckle.

"So, you do know about it already, perfect. Then I shall state your role for this mission…"

I raised a brow, curious as to what he wanted me to do against a giant cargo liner with other Epico in the mix, since I only had brute strength in my arsenal. Perhaps something to do with convincing the ladies in the cruise?

"You… You will be our vanguard for this operation. Your mission is to use your powers to reduce suspicion towards our group and control other necessary assets to our cause… but most importantly, kill as many humans as you could…"

The air gagged my windpipe, and my neck felt like it was being crushed by a hydraulic press. Why?! W-We never killed anyone before! Maybe rough them up but now, it's a much more serious event… What was Wyzen planning?

"B-But Father! Wasn't our goal to advance humanity! D-Death is…"

However, Wyzen just let out a long-winded sigh, followed by a groan.

"Totally acceptable. Protecting humans would be a thing of the past no? In fact, why do we choose to cultivate a race that couldn't even help themselves improve?"

"But… Wasn't that our cause? Chaos for their growth… their change not ours…?"

Father simply clicked his tongue, and after a few moments of scribbling, he spoke up.

"Just pick a side. Contact me if you have decided…"

With a low growl, the call ended leaving my hands shaking and my lungs breathless. My eyes shifted to Lila who was still acting as if she were on patrol and so I walked out the undergrowth only to find a bunch of red banded students rushing through the veranda… I wonder why?

Just then, Lila's phone rang so she quickly fished it out of her vest. She soon answered the call, revealing a panicked screech on the other end of the line.

"L-Lila! Code Red, two of our men got blasted by and explosion, right in the face, slamming their skulls straight into concrete… We paged the white headbands but… they…"

Lila's jaw dropped, and her shoulders drooped to the side. Her lips twitched and contorted to different figures as she clenched her phone tightly in her hands.

"W-Who… Who did this!"

The earth around the lady trembled and visible cracks can be seen appearing on the ground beneath her feet. Thanks to the incident from earlier, she was now pissed. She turned to me with a glower, her eyes wide, as if pleading to go.

Well, what could I do… I wanted her to at least be content with her life despite being under my control. I am not a tyrant after all… waving my hand dismissively, she jumped up as a pillar of earth rose beneath her feet. The pillar soon contorted and bended, forming a path towards the second floor as Lila bounded on them with little to no effort, crumbling down once she was done with her leap…

It took her at least five seconds and at least a platoon of soil mounds, but she got up to the second floor with no problems… She really was a worthy catch, but if her temperament gets the best of her…

…well, I just need a way to control her.

I let out a long sigh, deciding that it would be best to follow Lila, just for the sake of knowing more about the school's events or shall I say mishaps? All for the reason that they may prove helpful to my group in the long run…

Cracked walls and fresh dripping blood lined the scene of the crime with its floor being dusted with fine white grains… That was what awaited me there… Lila? She was nowhere to be found and its was not like the victims weren't shipped to the infirmary either. All that was left was a blank slate to research and infer from, although I am certain that would not last long…

The same chump, well he appeared, pointing his finger at me with a scowl on his face.

"Why not check his phone! I am certain that there is something that he has something to hide!"

Multiple murmurs from the numerous discipline committee echoed through the scene, however, this was soon broken up by a single figure moving through the crowd of red bands that amassed behind the man, one who wore an all-black attire.

She walked closer to Pyre sporting a scowl on her face.

"Cora, perfect timing! Look at wha-"

But before he could carry on, the lady swung an open palm across his face. A loud slap echoed through the hall as the man staggered back, his face wide and his cheeks bright red… Perhaps he saw me doing a call… but I wonder whether he will be trusted by the people.

"Shut up! You have caused nothing but trouble ever since you arrived!"

Cora shouted, her figure leaning forward with closed eyes. Tears rolled down her cheek, and her hands rested to the side, even though they were clenched into fists, ready to strike.

The guy? He was clueless, he slowly raised his hand, fingers pointing to the sky as if he planned to make a point.

"G-Granted I…"

However, she wasn't having any of his excuses…

"You hurt my colleagues! Scared Silian without an explanation! You even endangered Shan to Wyzen! What excuse do you have left?!"

The guy grimaced, backing off as his face brimmed with sweat. His palms were shaking and his legs wobbled. He probably was guilty as charged, possibly easy to frame too. I interjected, walking through the crowd before revealing myself to the public.

"That is a pretty preposterous claim was it not? Man… I knew you had a vendetta against me, but you attempting to frame me calling a friend has nothing to do with this."

The murmurs once again grew louder, with obvious claims against him lining every corner of the scene, even Cora's eyes darted away when I looked at her with a smile. Perfect… then I can push the blame on him if I do get caught… I now have an alibi for collecting women… or should I refer to them as my army now?

No matter… They are my freedom from these two stupid factions who were equally as short sighted as the other. Epico like us must be free… not serving another race who only sees us as their benefactors.

After mulling over a thought of mine, I noticed that Pyre pointed at me, his lips shaking and his face white as a sheet.

"Y-You… You m-must be making it up?!"

Oh… is that so? My lips curved into a smile just thinking of how many ways I can play this fool…

"Me, make it up? Or are you perhaps finding a scapegoat for the people you hurt! That's the reason you have no friends!"

Chants erupted from the red bands behind me, jeering loudly at Pyre with foul words… however, there was also an unexpected variable who worked for him…

An open palm struck my face, causing me to fall to the floor with a thud.

"Stop it… That is going too far…"

Cora looked at me with bright red eyes, her frown larger than it had been with Pyre…

"And all of you! Wait for the investigation and resolution! Xion will judge this accordingly so you should return to your posts!"

As soon as she said those words, the crowd fell silent, and with a bit of grumbling, they decided to disperse… Me? Oh, I attempted to leave, only to be held by yet another hand that felt all too familiar ever since that recess period.

"And where do you think you're going…"

"Somewhere that isn't near you creeps, Cora."

I shot her a glance, giving her a simple frown and a grunt as I pulled my hand off her grip. However, she let go… despite her red sullen eyes that looked to the floor when I left…

How naive. This is why she should only be a puppet.

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We were back inside the air-conditioned office, sitting in front of a bent glass table. Just what exactly was this Pyre capable of, he said he can't use his powers but how was he able to achieve such a precise feat. So far, an entire party had gathered around, consisting of me, Cora, Lila, who stared at Cora with a glower, Pyre, and Silian.

Silence perpetuated the room for what seemed like ages, we merely exchanged scowls, glances and sighs between one another until the door opened, revealing Xion who looked on with a frown. The principal gently closed the door before walking over to where with a frown on his face.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

His face panned from left to right, staring at all of us before sighing to himself. The principal then walked over to me, his feet tapping against the white marbled tiles of the office.

"Sir Geon, correct? You have been accused of contacting someone illegal, would it be alright if I checked your phone?"

I felt a lump jam down my throat when he said those words coupled with an outstretched arm and an open palm. Xion really meant business, hinted at by his furrowed brows that raised in curiosity while I mulled over what to do.

"S-Sure… I mean I have nothing to hide!"

I chimed up, fishing the phone from my hoodie pocket. However, before I pulled it out for everyone to see, I managed to remove one of its SIM cards with little to no fuss since it did stick out of the unit like a sore thumb. My heart slowed its beating having realized that I was safe… and that Wyzen? Well, his contact was in the SIM card I removed so his number would not register as a contact, not unless Xion decides to call it himself.

The principal shot me a sidelong glance when I handed him my phone, and with a flick of his wrist the unit flashed its screen open. Then came the first red flag.

"It says here that a SIM card was removed? Was your phone always like this?"

My lips thinned out to a grim line with a chill running down my spine when he pointed it out…

"Y-Yeah… I used my only SIM card to phone someone, besides didn't you instruct us to keep only one SIM."

Xion pursed his lips as he swiped his finger across a screen. He then hovered his finger to the phone icon, pressing it only to find a number. After a few moments of examination, the principal let out a sigh, returning my phone to me with a frown.

"I am sorry for the commotion, I am certain that you had places to be going to, yes?"

I gave him a nod, reclining into the sofa I was seated on.

"Yeah, I and that discipline officer there, we were headed somewhere when this schtick blew up. Now, would you be so kind as to let us leave?"

The principal then waved his hand dismissively, signaling that we can move… Thank god he never decided to call the number. I glanced over to Lila, whose eyes still burned a bright blue when she looked at Cora, but no matter. She met my gaze, and with a nod, she stood up and we made our way to the exit…

Once again… my skin was saved… Now, let's do that mission shall we?

How can I use Pyre as a scapegoat… well, let's mull it over.