Chapter 22: Neutralize

"Mr. Riley, sit this one out."

"..."

"See? Even the instructor thinks he is dangerous."

"Hm."

The voices of the students whispered through the vast field as they all turned to look towards Riley. Although most of them did not think much of it, the ones in Riley's group, however, were all breathing sighs of relief. Although they don't know how strong Riley truly is, they knew he didn't know how to hold back.

Since their current activity had something to do with overpowering each other, Riley was a very dangerous element in their group. And so, with Scarlet Mage calling him away, most of them rejoiced.

"Heh, too bad. I wanted to see how strong you are," Bella let out a small breath as she shook her head, "There's always next time, I guess."

"Watch us dance, Riley dear," Ben added.

"I suppose," Riley nodded before making his way towards Scarlet Mage; and as he did so, he once again felt an ominous aura piercing through him. He quickly looked towards the direction where it was coming from, only to once again see Gary moving his hands in a very obscene way; his smile almost reaching his ears.

However, this time, a slight sizzle started to smoke from his hands, causing him to instantly stop. Scarlet Mage could let it pass once, but doing it a second time? She wouldn't just let him off without a warning.

"You sure do have a weird taste in friends… as expected," Scarlet Mage said as Riley stood beside her.

"They are not my friends. And why did you call for me, Scarlet Mage?"

"I just needed someone to assist me in overseeing the activity."

That was a lie, of course. Riley was dangerous, and she would be damned if she allowed him to hurt any of her students. Although she felt a little uncomfortable seeing Riley isolated for some reason, it has to be done.

She was the only one in the entire Academy that knew of his true identity, and as a superhero, her first priority was to keep all of the children safe.

"I see," Riley nodded, "I thought you were thinking that I would hurt them. But you have my word, I will not kill anyone since I am currently in retirement, Scarlet Mage."

Hearing Riley's whispers, Scarlet Mage's eyes started to twitch. Not kill anyone? He almost spooned out someone's heart during the entrance examination, he almost gouged out someone's eye during the mock battle yesterday, not to mention he threatened to torture her mother if Scarlet Mage ever reveals his identity.

"..." But then again, he really hasn't killed anyone ye--

Scarlet Mage quickly shook her head; why was she trying to give Riley an excuse herself? Was she right? Did he really have the power to entrance and bewitch someone!?

"Let's not talk about this here," Scarlet Mage then quickly said as she once again shook her head, "We're student and teacher, s… so, let's pretend to be one."

She then stuttered as she let out a slightly awkward, but alluring smile towards him-- Yes, this was the start of her plan. Besides preventing Riley from hurting the other students, she would also make sure that they would be seen as some sort of… couple.

It was hitting two birds with one stone. If the students began to suspect they have some kind of romantic relationship, then the Academy would have no choice but to kick out the both of them-- limiting Riley's hostages.

"Okay," Riley, on the other hand, seemed to be completely oblivious to her advances, "So what did you want me to do, Scarlet Mage?"

"R… right," Scarlet Mage then cleared her throat as she faced the other students, "The activity for today is more than just a contest of strength, it's also a chance to learn more about your powers from others that have the same power; But with that said, it's still a competition, and as such, those who come out on top of each of the groups will be given 1,000 Mega Points to spend around the Academy."

"!!!"

Scarlet Mage's words completely woke the students up. 1,000 Mega Points? How many lunches could they buy from that? Some of them also saw that the Academy was also selling all sorts of things-- even vehicles. Most of them were minors and weren't allowed to drive outside, but since motorcycles and cars were being sold here… doesn't that mean they could use them?

And so, with those thoughts lingering in the air, the fires in the students' eyes were almost enough to burn the field of grass they were in. There was one student, however, whose eyes were slightly confused.

"Uhm, Ms. Scarlet Mage."

While the other students were busy thinking of the things they could buy, Silvie Savelievna stepped forward, "What about me, what do I get if I come out on top?"

Silvie had unlimited MP, 1,000 Mega Points meant nothing to her.

"Nothing," Scarlet Mage quickly said, "But you have everything to lose."

"W… What?" Silvie could not help but blink a couple of times after hearing Scarlet Mage's words.

"Your group is in luck. Since you're currently the Mega Student of the Academy, they will have a chance to take that title from you."

"Mega Student? Is that what the top student is called?"

"She has unlimited MP?"

"How is that even fair!?"

"Who is thinking of these names!?"

Those who were still not aware of Silvie's status could not help but look at each other in shock. Unlimited MP? So she was allowed to buy everything the Academy had to offer if she wanted to? What kind of privilege is that!?

...And why is she not using it!?

While the other students were still in shock, Silvie's group, on the other hand, all had weird smiles on their faces. To think they would actually have the chance to become the Mega Student, and all they had to do was defeat Silvie.

Perhaps they could just gang up on her?

"Alright, I will explain the rules," Scarlet Mage then clapped her hands as she gestured to the students to calm down, "You can't hurt your opponent."

"Wait, what?"

"Teach, how are we going to compete against each other if we're not allowed to--"

"As superheroes, we are seen as a beacon of hope. As much as possible, we only neutralize our enemy-- and one way to do that is to completely overpower them," Scarlet Mage explained before the complaints of the students could get worse,

"Of course, hurting our enemy is unavoidable and is more often than not, necessary. But sadly, that's the rule. As to how you can beat your opponent without harming them; well, that is what you will learn today-- be creative.

As for the second rule, one-on-one matches only. It is up to your group to decide what the lineup is going to be... And that's it, you can proceed. But please do know that if my... partner and I see that you have broken the rules, you will instantly lose the right to compete."

And with that, Scarlet Mage floated into the air, her eyes carefully watching the students.

"...That's it?"

"So, we should just start? What kind of mechanics is this?"

"...My power is electrocution, how am I not going to hurt anyone with this?"

"Tickle someone into submission?"

"That's… actually a very good idea."

"...Is it?"

The whispers of confusion littered the air as all of the students looked at each other for answers. If anything, their activity for today was somewhat philosophical in nature; To make someone submit without hurting them? What sort of zen bullshit was that?-- most of them thought.

"Tch, this is why you normies won't succeed in life. With the mock battle yesterday, as well as the sanctioned duels around the Academy, you all should have known what this school is all about."

Bella, however, cracked her knuckles as she proceeded to step away from her group, "Come, brot. Let's show these fools how to do it."

"...Me?" Ben blinked his eyes a couple of times before following his sister, "I… actually also have no idea what to do, but alright. A battle between siblings, Ben and Bella, how dramatic!"

"And here I thought we were on the same wavelength, watch me!"

And as soon as Bella said that, the ground beneath them began to tremble.

"Gah!" Bella began to scream, garnering the attention of the whole class. Bella's veins began to pop out from her black skin as her face started to become pale-- obviously straining her muscles as she continued to roar.

The others were slightly confused as to what she was doing, but as the tremble in the ground slowly turned into a quake, their eyes could not help but widen.

"Is she… trying to lift something beneath the ground!?" One of the members of her group shouted.

"No fucking way!"

"But she could only bend metal, right? What is she trying to lift… a water pipe or something!?"

"Grah!" Bella's scream became louder and louder. But alas, before the others could find out what she was truly doing… her screams abruptly stopped and her body dropped to the ground like a ragdoll.

"..."

"..."

"Did she just faint?"

"Bella!" Ben quickly rushed towards to hug her sister, checking if she was still breathing-- and considering her slightly ample breasts were beating heavily, she was. "I will avenge you, my dear sister. In my dear life, I will avenge you!"

"..."

"...Well, at least I got an idea as to what I will do now," one of the members of the Telekinesis group muttered as he stepped forward, ignoring Ben's wails as he challenged one of the other members.

It wasn't only him, the other students who watched Bella's display finally also had an idea as to what to do. One of the ways they could win without hurting someone was to show the difference in strength, to showcase what they could do.

To scream to your opponent's face that you are superior-- Bella tried to do it, but alas, she overestimated herself.

And so, soon, the students in each group began challenging each other. Scarlet Mage, who saw this, could not help but let out a long and deep sigh. In truth, even she was slightly confused with this activity. She was only following the syllabus given to her, and she would lie if she said she herself wouldn't have trouble in this curriculum.

"That student called Bella is strong."

"Righ-- Wait, what are you doing here!?"

Scarlet Mage almost fell to the ground as Riley was suddenly floating in the air beside her, "You said I should watch them, and that is what I am doing, Scarlet Mage."

"I... I see," Scarlet Mage quickly composed herself as she turned her attention back to her class. It would seem that some of them are starting to battle it out, but most were still confused as to what to do.

"..."

"..."

"..."

But after a few seconds of silence, the feeling of Darkday quietly floating beside her made her nerves slightly rise in levels.

"If... if you were still participating in the activity, what would you do?" And so, after a few more moments of deliberation, Scarlet Mage asked the question she was most curious about. This was a rare chance to get insight into the mind of a supervillain, especially from someone as ruthless as Riley.

"Am I allowed to hurt their families?"

"No!"

Surprisingly, Scarlet Mage felt Riley's heart fluctuate a little as soon as she uttered the question. She could even see Riley slightly uncomfortable as if he was truly deliberating his answer.

And finally, after a few more seconds, Riley answered.

"I'll cut off their nerve endings, making their feeling of pain--"

"No, you're not allowed to harm them, remember!?"

"But if they don't--"

"Forget it!" Scarlet Mage shook her head in disappointment. What answer was she expecting? And here she was thinking that Riley would actually take her question seriously. Or maybe he was, and he truly can't think of anything but to hurt people.

He is Darkday, after all.

"I will destroy this place."

"Hm?"

"I will destroy this place without hurting anyone," Riley repeated, "I am sure that would be enough to neutralize them."

"I see." Scarlet Mage nodded as she let out a short but deep sigh before letting out a small smile. It would seem Riley was capable of not hurting anyone after all. But by the gods...

...It was a good thing he pulled Riley away from the activity.