No right to talk
"I told you that I don't want to see you in front of me. Why don't you understand what I'm saying? I hate girls like you," Niard said after Tala annoyed him with her constant questions about his health. He did not understand her excessive concern for him recently. He wished he had not intervened in her fight with that man using magic.
'It would have been great triumph if she had been crushed; at least she wouldn't be able to talk to me,' Niard thought, running his hand through his hair, wanting to vent his anger on something or someone. The idea of training for a bit crossed his mind; he had developed the habit of honing his basic skills to gain physical flexibility thanks to the daily system tasks.
In the training hall, he found a poster with his face on it marked with a cross. 'Damn, I forgot that I'm banned from training and entering the hall for two months because of destroying it,' Niard said to himself as he walked back to his room.
He felt that someone had been following him since he left the dining room, but he paid no attention to it. When he glanced stealthily and before closing his room door, he glimpsed the shadow of a strange creature sneaking from the end of the alley.
Niard quickly shut the door, despite his racing heartbeat and sudden fear. He sat on his hard bed and stared at the wall. 'Of course, this won't be my end. I have to train; I have to become the strongest,' Niard said and started doing one-handed push-ups, analyzing his previous events since he woke up in this world and what he had gone through so far.
"Why did you call this meeting, General? It was just a simple test, to catch the real magic user" Jerry said, his posture exuding arrogance and conceit. His clenched fist holding Niard's vital reports shocked him, making him doubt the effectiveness of the advanced magic examiner.
"The doctor assumes that Niard has genes from another galaxy. According to the El13 analyses, these genes are unique. It's not like using magic is out of the question," Mr. Beck said. He had read the report before in front of both the General and Jerry. Tala and the tall trainer remained silent; everyone noticed that the boy's growth was abnormal.
"As I was saying, Niard Lux should be handed over to the Galactic Lab group. Instead of disposing of him or killing him, they can benefit from his organs," Mr. Beck added, adjusting his glasses that gleamed when he finished his statement, which only increased the trainer's obvious anger and hatred.
"You know that the Galactic Lab group collaborates with the villain V. How can you suggest handing him over to them? Mr. Beck, I object," the tall trainer said, placing his water glass on the table with force, shattering everything on it without scratching the table.
"Calm down, man. I'm just making suggestions out of sympathy for his condition," said Mr. Beck firmly. He hated the use of force, especially in discussions.
"Enough speculations, we've dealt with many imperfect specimens with supernatural abilities before, and you have no concrete evidence that he is a magic user," the General said with extreme firmness. He was tired of the discussions about Niard's situation, having new responsibilities recently.
Tala and Jerry's eyes sparkled at the General's decision to conduct more research on Niard's condition. He also stated that excessive force should not be used within the academy, ending the meeting and leaving everyone but Tala, who awaited his orders eagerly.
"Don't try to hide the truth about Niard from me. If I discover that you're covering for him, I'll turn the game against you. Do you understand, Agent Tala? Also, I don't think Niard is the only magic user here. You'll be in trouble if Jerry finds him before you do," the General replied, as if he had valuable information about magic users. Tala looked at him with disgust; she never expected the Supreme General to have such a repulsive personality.
She closed the door behind her without saying a word, only to find Jerry in front of her. "I know you're not chasing Niard; you're targeting me. Why don't you admit that you're in love with me? Otherwise, why would you be in the dimension simulation room?" Jerry said, deliberately speaking to her gently.
She was the only one with definite information about Niard. He wanted to eliminate the suspicion that his friend was a magic user, gathering every small detail to dispel his doubts.
"Stop talking nonsense. Everyone knows that I don't care about anyone, and that admiration and falling in love are not allowed for unfit specimens. So, don't dream too much, Mr. Jerry," Tala said, hurrying to check on Niard. It had been twelve hours since she last saw him.
"Maybe I'll stop chasing Niard, but my colleague Misa won't. So be cooperative and answer my questions," Jerry said clearly, wanting to get to the point. Tala rolled her eyes in worry.
"A coward like you has no right to talk to me, nor does he have permission to question me," Tala said decisively. She did not avert her gaze from him. She had witnessed that unfair fight. If Misa hadn't intervened, Niard would have wiped the floor with them. That was the one thing she was as confident about as he was.
'This can't be happening to me, I have a goal to achieve, I've gone from observing Niards to catching magic users, whose existence has yet to be proven, damn it.' Tala thought as she walked with great anger. She realizes that betraying the council would cost her her life.
"Okay, nothing is too late. I will submit my report on Niard's condition to the council, and I will also attach to them the details of what is going on in this facility." Tala whispered in a low voice, and her eyes were looking at the academy buildings with concern and disdain. It felt like something was being planned in this place.