Noel was quietly brought over to the school Dorms, along with Rise. Aria agreed to some more rest and care, including with it another check-up done by the nurses responsible for her care. Before anyone could say another word, Ms. Daisy had already walked through the door and started preparations for a full body check-up… This left the awkward males with no other choice except to retreat in silence, after an abrupt farewell.

Hence, why the two resuscitated non - combatant boys were sent over to the non – combatant dorms, rather than being allowed to watch the matches any further. For one, the two boys needed some more rest as well, but could do so away from prying eyes and in the dormitory’s care. There was no longer a need for the school’s nurses to check up on them. However even so, there WAS an ulterior motive behind this hidden move – Mr. Abrams didn’t want these two to cause any further unnecessary and unexpected problems! Naturally, they had to be sent away!

Besides this, they had some catching up to do in regards to school work and rules that only the non – combatants needed to face and strictly follow, given the three whole days of school introductions the two missed out on.

Mr. Abrams: “You two should go search for the rooms Elijah picked out for you. I believe he said the rooms you both got are in the same positions as the ones you originally had chosen from your first trip to the Dorms. He specifically sought them out in case you two had any deep and personal reasons behind choosing them last time. I’ll be back with the rest of your class later, to give a rundown about your duties in class. For the time being, you should both make adjustments to your lives and cooperate with other students. Maybe even… make some friends? Heheh.”

Noel: “Hey! I don’t see how us ‘making friends’ is very funny, Mr. Abrams. In fact, your saying it like that feels rather mean. I can make friends if I wanted to!”

{Besides, if nothing else, I learned my people skills in secret from big brother Aeron! Nobody is going to outdo me in friendly relations! His fake smile is a powerful weapon!}

Rise: “Ha! Who needs fake friends anyway? They aren’t exactly necessary for a ‘proper’ school experience. I came here to attend high school as a non – combatant, NOT to go around making friends and holding hands! Just the thought of such a thing… Bluegh!”

Noel: “Hahaha, why… are you scared that you can’t keep up? Because I’m thoroughly confident in my abilities, from fighting to intel gathering. Friendship, is this such a big deal? But don’t worry. I understand if you’re afraid. You’re not that delicate, after all.”

Rise: “…”

Noel: “Don’t worry, Mr. Abrams, I promise to ‘fulfill’ your mission accordingly! Rise and me will find a way to rest, make friends, and ask around about the class introductions that we missed.”

Mr. Abrams: “………Okay.”

Noel: “Alright then, that’s the entrance over there, right? Time to make some-”

Rise: “GRRAAH! Don’t be so full of yourself, stinkin’ brat! I’LL be the person to make friends first while YOU just sit back and enjoy the show. *Grumbles* Make friends …Hmph! Anything the shrimp can do, I can do much better. He doesn’t hold a candle to me OR my friend – making abilities!”

Noel’s mouth curled up into a smile. Sure enough, Rise was a simpleton who didn’t know when he was being played if he is emotions were too high. Since he got angry just now, whatever those weird fortune smelling or ‘instinct’ powers of his were became moot points. Otherwise, Noel would surely have not been able to convince the wild and high-tempered guy to take up the bet.

He understands this point well enough to have made this conjecture, and it seems his theory was about to pay off! Before the three could enter the main lobby of the ‘E’ shaped Dormitory for boys and girls, a loud raucous that took shape of a barely pulled together and orderly ‘welcome home’ by the collective non – combatant students was delivered to the three. Of course, with their heightened sense and abilities, they all naturally heard the whispers, shortened breathing and stamping around at the front lobby. Otherwise, Mr. Abrams would have directed them both to their rooms and never joked about making friends.

Wouldn’t he have to confirm the results later on, if Rise were to take it seriously and come seeking him out to ‘prove’ he finished before Noel? And with Noel being that devil-tongued man’s kid brother…

No. No. No. Such a thing is too much work. He doesn’t need more headaches from this troublesome pair! Since all of the students are gathered together in front like this, he can dump them over to the remaining Class representatives and escape while he still has a chance.

Mr. Abrams: “Mr. Reeds. Mrs. Haldeen. I’ll leave them to your capable selves while I head on back to the Dome. Aria just woke up, so I’ll be watching over her until its time to depart. Please look after the other students I send over later. Thank you.”

Mr. Reeds: “Hohoh~ Okay. You have fun with the rest and watch those … King fights. I’m sure that son of yours will shine brighter than ever before, if his father gives him a bit of motivation. Hohohoh~”

Mrs. Haldeen: “Yes, yes. You go have fun with your child and students Mr. Houdini. Senior Thad—

*Ahem!*

I mean, Mr. Reeds, as well as myself, will take care of everything on this side of the school. You just focus on watching over that… that girl.”

Mr. Abrams: “Noted.”

*Vwish!*

…And meanwhile, as soon as Mr. Abrams left, the others began to scatter about the dormitory, leaving just the 3 class leaders Eren, Reggie, Fana and Ronald Reyes left to greet the bed-ridden duo.

Eren: “Welcome Back, you two! I heard about your brave actions against that first wave of villains, I’m very honored to make your acquaintance and share the same title of ‘non – combatant’ with you!”

Rise and Noel: “First wave?”

Noel: “You mean there were more?”

Ronald: “Mhm~ Oh yeah. There were much more, thousands were invading all at once. Rumors have already spread about the matter. Some say that a rich person from villain haven paid as many mercenaries as possible to infiltrate Herotopia and ‘kill the non – combatant students’. Hahaha… those people were crazy to agree…

At least they ‘should’ have been. Problem is – they almost succeeded. It’s gotten everyone in the school up in arms.”

Rise: “They actually dared… no. It doesn’t sound like their work. They wouldn’t act as stupidly as this, because-”

Ronald: “Hmm?~ What did you say?”

Noel: “…”

{‘They’? Who are ‘they’? Is there another group of villains involved with the school that he knows about? He IS from villain haven, after all.

I still remember what he said at the stadium Dome: ‘Are you from Villain Haven too?’

He sounds aware of whoever he addresses by that term ‘they’ but isn’t close to them. Maybe he really is on the run…?

...Well, it’s none of my business, but he might be a threat to my non – combatant lifestyle. I’ll have to look into him more carefully.}

Rise: “Mmrrrgh… I said, ‘they actually dared to infiltrate the school in such a large scale attack…? How foolish!’ I mean, a thousand normal flies are still nothing worth noting to 100 armed human civilians! Humph, what do they think they can accomplish?!”

Reggie: “Mhmhmh~ Yes! You are EXACTLY right about that! In fact, Mr. Abrams captured something like FIFTEEN THOUSAND of them all on his own! And in light of his grand achievement, the school is being questioned ruthlessly by him, regarding all of our safety preparations failing and the Non - Combatant Dormitory having its location leaked to the villains. Ronald says these are obvious signs of a plant in our school by the villains. Eren agrees but my sister—”

Fana: “NO! That can’t be true! How could they get this far?? That sounds… sounds impossible! Besides, thinking about that being true… if – if it was, I mean – that would be way too scary!!”

Ronald: “Regardless of ‘how’ they actually DID infiltrate. If we are as strong as you claim… then isn’t it reasonable to suspect a spy? I can’t understand why you are so against it, really. Haha.”

Noel: “Hmm…”

{Intruders… like that mysterious faced guy from before? Was he related to Ri—No. Rise didn’t seem interested in Aria before nor after he learned about the book she has. If I split this confusing sea of invaders into 3 different groups, then we have

1) The stupid people that wanted to kill all non – combatants.

2) The guy who was after Aria.

3) Whoever ‘They’ are, people Rise knows that have enmity with the school… or him.

4) Maybe those factions that Xano talked about- the Balanced and Order groups or whatever. Or maybe this gorup are unrelated? After all, no clues have pointed to them ye--

…

…

…

ah.}

Noel: “WAIT!”

Rise: “! Shit, man, don’t suddenly holler like that! Especially while others are deep in thought!”

Ronald: “Hahaha-”

Noel: “…Ah, I’m sorry everybody. I just found it strange that so many infiltrators have been coming lately~ hehe…”

{Forget it. There’s too many uncertain variables to get an accurate conclusion on this matter. Besides, Mr. Abrams was strong enough to handle so many mercenaries, surprisingly. I’m sure he can

handle these little issues himself.}

---