For I Am A Side Character - 60: School is back again and with it, a Spicy Punch.
As the days ended with doing every assignment covered for the academy, with the hunting assignment from the combat class, the process of learning a new elemental skill for the Magic class, the creation of a high grade potion for the Alchemy class, the collection of a various items from dungeons for the dungeon class and every other written assigment from other common classes, it was finally over.
And the next day, it was finally time to go back to the academy.
During the time that Soril spent with his friends in a matter of days, his growth has been steady, and the same could be said for Jason who was just as spirited in his training. From hunting dungeons, studying the livelihoods of being a proper hunter, everything was going well for the two.
To celebrate the occasion of having to return back to the academy, it was announced that a certain celebrity group was coming by to put on a show for the students. It garnered a lot of celebrities, from movies to dramas and even Idol groups that were particularly famous in this world, it was no surprise that even people outside of the academy were coming to watch this event.
Giving this much for the re-opening of the school just meant that the academy was confident in their security.
“Kyaahh!! I cant’ believe it! I really can’t! The pop sensation [*Black/&/Blue*] is coming to the academy to perform! Kyahhh!” said Marilyn as she was very giddy about this announcement.
“I know right, along with them is one of the most historically talented artist, Ryan Josling is coming! Ryan Josling!! He’s literally ME!!” said Thors as he was just as excited as Marilyn.
“Wow, I can’t believe you two are that siked for a couple of artist…I’m more excited of the fact that Zohan Ruggler is coming by as a security measure for this event.” said Zelisha.
“Who’s Zohan Ruggler?” asked Soril.
“Zohan Ruggler is one of the most strongest Archer-classed hunters in the entire world, he’s only one of the S+ ranked hunters discovered in the hundreds of this world. He’s one of the people I idolized the most in the world of Archery.” said Zelisha as stars were appearing in her eyes. It showed just how much of a fan she was.
“Whoa, now I’m even curious myself to meet him…how about you Jessica? Are you excited about the event?” asked Soril.
“Not really…I’m more focused on the message sent to us by the academy. Have you read it yet?” said Jessica as she was looking at her phone.
“No, what does it say?” asked Soril.
“We’re being asked to come to the Gymnasium at three in the afternoon…apparently, their asking for the top ten students of each year to go and participate in the security role of the academy event…with us, there’s also the student counsel…well, the student counsel was the one who sent this message.”
“Hmm, were they lacking security?” asked Soril.
“I don’t know…but it says here we can’t decline this request without proper reason. So…yeah, lets go there together after our next class.” said Jessica as she puts away her phone.
“Okay.” said Soril.
With that said, she and the others started eating in the rooftop of the academy.
Usually, the rooftop is off-limits to the students, yet because of the favor that Soril gained from Sgt. O’riley about having to take on Jessabelle Morrison on a duel, the reward for it was supposed to be a skill book pertaining to a few techniques called the Art of the Snowy Warriors, as well as a ticket that gives him the perk to cut through lines in the canteen. But because Jessica offered Soril that she would bring him a lunch box in return that they eat together as a couple, Soril exchanged the ticket to cut in line with the accessibility to use the rooftop anytime he wants.
Now he and his friends were hanging in the rooftop, with no one to interfere on their lunch break.
“I can’t believe that you actually got us this place…the rooftop is one of the most go-to places rumored to be inaccessible by every student in class aside from high positioned students like the student counsel.” said Marilyn.
“Well, I did get this place in return for a favor from the sergeant…with a good sky, a good shade, a quiet place, a cool breezy air that comes by everyday…the pay-off was worth it for fighting Jessabelle.” said Soril as he laid and took in the breezy wind that passes by.
“Hmm, indeed it is.” said Thors as he too took in the relaxing winds.
Time passed and as lunch-break was over, everyone went to their next proceeding class.
Finally at around three in the afternoon, Soril and Jessica excused themselves as they went to the gymnasium.
Walking there when the school was ongoing, the school halls barely had any student crowding the path.
With all of the top ten students walking out of their classrooms, it wasn’t impossible to find that those top students would meet each other as they made their way to the gymnasium.
Particularly, the people who met were the C-class students Jessica and Soril against the A-class students, Jason, Audrey and Jessabelle.
They were all going to the same direction. At the same pace….the same intensely awkward pace.
“…So, Are you guys are also planning on attending this meeting?” asked Jason to Soril and Jessica.
“Yes we are.” said Jessica.
“Hmm, What do you think it is about?” asked Jason.
“I don’t know. Its probably something about security measures.” said Soril.
“The School is using the Stadium as the place to hold the event for the concert. With that big of a place to be held in, they need all the hands they can use.” said Audrey as she joins the conversation.
As they continued to make their way to the gymnasium, in a weird position, with Soril walking up front with Jessica, and Jason with Jessabelle at the back…Jessabelle took this as a chance to actually prove her bet with Jason on their conversation a few nights ago.
The bet to be a colleague to Soril.
Seeing her opportunity, she tried to find a way to see if she can simply greet him and add something more to the conversation…something a friendly person would do.
‘a simple hi…that’s all it’ll take…hi..hi…hi…hey…’ thinking on her tactics, she nervously calculated the right time to say hi.
And seeing her overthink so much, Jason couldn’t help but try to help her.
‘God…I can’t believe she’s this bad at socializing.’ thought Jason. Seeing her not move at all towards Soril, Jason decided to act rash.
“Hey Soril, since your last fight with Jessabelle, she has been really hard at work with improving her skills. Especially with the fact that she’s been working out physically, right Jessabelle?” said Jason as he passed on the conversation to Jessabelle.
“Huh?!..Oh, uh…right. I did.” said Jessabelle nervously as she was taken by surprised by Jason intrusion.
“…Really? that’s good to hear.” said Soril as he tries to praise her with a soft, complimenting smile.
And in result…something weird happened to her.
“Ah…Haaah!!??” and without rhyme or reason, she fell silent from his compliment which quickly turned into in forward straight punch out of nowhere.
*PAK!!*
The echo of her swing went across the halls, where Soril was found flying straight off the ground and crashing down on the floors.
*Thuhd!*
“Eh….EhhhH!!!!” Jason was in shock.
“…” Jessica was taken aback.
“..W-what??!” and Audrey simply couldn’t believe what just happened.
All in all…the three who witnessed such an attack, could only think of one thing…and one thing only…
“”What is wrong with her??””
And the person in question…was left feeling really dumb about her action, and really red about the embarrassment from the compliment she just got.
She only stared blankly as she soon realized what she has done.
‘Oh no!’ as she realized, she tried to fix thing by making her way to Soril’s side to see how he was doing.
but in her efforts to try and approach him, Jason stood in her way.
Jason thought that she was going to finish Soril off with the chance given, so Jason, being the man who started all of this, quickly tried to protect him.
While Jessica on the other hand quickly went to Soril to see is condition.
As she did, she found that Soril was found simply staring at the roof with one thought in mind.
‘Damn…I knew I shouldn’t have talked to her…’ doubt came to mind as he knew this would happen.
Soon enough, Soril stood up from the ground and and cleaned himself from the dust and dirt from the ground.
“Are you okay?” asked Jessica.
“Yeah I’m fine. The punch wasn’t really that strong, it just took me off guard, that’s all.” said Soril.
“Geez, what is wrong with her? Why did she punch you all of a sudden like that?!” asked Jessica as she couldn’t believe what just happened.
“I genuinely don’t know…”
“I’m sorry!” said Jessabelle as she was being stopped by Jason from moving forward.
“Why did you punch him?!” asked Jessica an a maddened tone.
“I…I don’t know. It was all reflex…”
“Are you crazy!? in what world is saying a compliment an insult!?”
“Ah…I’m really Sorry…I don’t know why, but…its his fault!” said Jessabelle as she pointed all her blame on Jason.
“Eh?? me!?” Jason was stunned by Jessabelle’s point.
“Guys its fine…I’m okay. So lets try not to blame anyone about this. Lets just go to the gymnasium, we’re running late.” said Soril as he tried to resolve the issue.
“But-” Jessica tried not letting go, but Soril seemed to want to resolve this issue.
”Lets go Jessica, Jessabelle didn’t seem to mean it…like she said, she didn’t have control over it.”
“She punched you!”
“Yeah…and to resolve this issue, I’ll forgive her for it.” said Soril.
“…Wha- she needs to be told off, she’s done something physically bad to you.” said Jessica.
“….Well, fine. If it bothers you that much, we’ll settle it later. But for now, we have to go to the gymnasium. That’s more of a priority.” said Soril.
“…” Jessica stood quiet as she looked to Soril in disbelief.
“Are you okay with that Jess?” asked Soril as he looked at her intimately.
“…fine.” and after seeing his pleading face, she finally agrees to let this go for now.
“Great, now come on.” as Soril and Jessica went on first, the Class A group followed behind with a rather position.
“I can’t believe you threw me under the bus like that.” said Jason.
“Hey, it was you who convinced me to befriend the guy.” said Jessabelle.
“Yeah! But I didn’t say you should punch him!” said Jason in disbelief over Jessabelle’s words.
“I told you that if I ever meet the guy again, I would probably punch him!” said Jessabelle.
“And you meant it!? all I was asking from you is a simple hi…but you punched him, which was something I never really expected you to do. Why?”
“…I don’t know. For some reason, he really irritated for whatever reason…” as Jessabelle said this, a tinge of red was showing on her cheeks, as she was remembering the soft smile he gave when he complimented her.
“…Dude, you’re blushing.” said Jason.
“W-what?!” and Jessabelle did not realize this.
“Wait…don’t tell me you were embarrassed because he said you did a ‘good job’ with your work-out.” said Jason as he was starting to piece things together.
“What?! No!”
“Oh my God…you like him!” said Jason as he finally figured out why Jessabelle was acting like a crazy person around Soril.
“No! You’re misunderstanding things! I hate him! I hate him!!” said Jessabelle with a rageful voice.
“Geez…I can’t believe you’re in denial about this. Its clear as day.” said Jason.
“Shut up!”
“Hahaha, its funny, it really is. Hahahaha” with it, Jasonstarted laughing at Jessabelle for being a maiden in love.
And with no control at all, Jessabelle was embarrassingly red like a tomato.