Motives

"How are you going to let me in this building?"

Aric questioned Balen with a strong voice. He did not even attempt to conceal his voice even though this plan was supposed to be a top-secret mission.

"Oh, Aric. You underestimate me too much, it's hurting me. Don't you know that I'm a part of the Elite Troop Squad of the CDA?"

Aric frowned his eyes as he learned Balen's true identity. He did not know about the existence of the Elite Troop Squadron, but he knew the powers and influences of the CDA.

"The CDA? Why is the CDA helping Maverick?"

Aric questioned Balen with an inquisitive face. He thought that this plan was only a rivalry between two schools, but it may turn out that a bigger hand was at play.

Balen only tilted his head at Aric's question. After a second, he answered Aric.

"What makes you think that the CDA is behind this?"

Aric was confused at the innocent face that Balen was displaying. He was now more lost by the second. One second Balen was saying that he was a part of the CDA, then the next, he says that the CDA was not involved.

"You just said you are a part of the CDA."

Balen pointed his finger on his forehead and nodded his head as if he was trying hard to understand Aric's question.

Aric looked at Balen and a sudden realization came to him that chilled his back.

"Wait. Are you doing this by yourself?"

As Aric realized the situation, Balen suddenly displayed a big smile and gave an 'ok' sign at Aric.

"Pinpon pinpon Bingo!"

Aric did not know if he was confused or angry at this revelation. It turned out that Balen was doing this by himself. How could he trust Balen to get him inside the building?

"I see your doubt in me, but just the word CDA will strike fear in anyone's heart. This allows me to do things that are...unique."

Aric frowned at Balen's nonchalant face. What he was doing was a major crime, and he could go to jail for his whole life. He could not depend on the joking words of one man.

"I don't believe you."

Balen put his hand on his chest as if he was offended at Aric's doubt.

"How do you think your good friend Hugh was able to get inside the special class?"

At the mention of Hugh's name, Aric's full attention was on Balen. He always found it weird how Hugh was able to get into the special class with only an F-level talent.

"You? You did that?"

Balen shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"No, that Dempsy did because he is..."

Balen did not finish his question and gestured Aric to complete it.

"Because he is also a part of the Elite Troop Squad."

Balen smiled again and praised Aric.

"Pinpon Pinpon Bingo again!"

With this kind of influence, Aric's doubt was lessened. With Balen's help, he could get inside the central building and install the cube.

Even though his method of entry was secured, there was one thing that was still bothering him. He did not know about Balen's motive for this plan. Why would he help Maverick?

"What's your endgame? Why are you siding with Maverick?"

Balen shook his head and waved his finger at Aric.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk Aric, you were doing so well. I'm not siding with anyone."

Aric frowned as he tried to observed Balen's expressions and his body movements to try and gauge his current state of mind.

"Then why are you doing this?"

Balen did not answer and just looked at the sky while touching his chin as if he was in deep thought. After a few seconds, he spoke to Aric again.

"Well, why do you think I did it? I want to see if you know."

Aric frowned as he felt like he was being played with. He could not stand this kind of behavior.

"I don't have the time for this."

Aric turned to leave Balen, but Balen took ahold of his shoulder. Aric tried to shrug him off but found that Balen had a tight grip on his shoulder.

He was once again surprised that Balen was this strong.

"Come on now, can't you play for a little bit? I'll even give you a present."

Aric had no choice but to face Balen and guess his motives. He played along with Balen because he was truly curious as to why Balen would help Maverick.

"They want to destroy Wolrath academy's barriers so everyone is free to enter it. Do you want something inside the school?"

Balen shook his head.

"Do you want to transfer to Blacklade Academy?"

Balen kept on shaking his head.

"You're thinking is too rigid. What will happen once you plant that cube?"

Aric closed his eyes and tried to imagine the result of the plans. The school barriers will be down. Students will start to notice it. Authorities will step in. Chaos ensues.

Aric opened his eyes and looked at Balen with a serious face.

"You...do you want chaos around the school?"

Balen once again showed a wide smile and patted Aric's shoulders.

"Pinpon Pinpon Bingo Bingo Bingo!"

Aric frowned and shrugged away from Balen's hands.

"So, you're just a maniac."

Balen shook his head slightly and shrugged his shoulders.

"No, I'm just a bored guy. Everybody gets bored sometimes, right?"

Aric stepped back away from Balen. He felt that every move of Balen was unpredictable, and he could get caught up in his plans.

Balen only had a smile on his face while his eyes were hidden in his bangs. Aric could not figure anything about him, which made him the most dangerous person he knew.

Aric did want to be involved in Maverick's plans nor Balen's plans. He was tired of all of it. Maverick's influence on him was already permanent in his head.

His anger and fury were already embedded deep in his heart, and he could not get rid of them.

Balen stepped forward and asked Aric a simple question.

"So, are you going in or not?"