Eren: “Rather than calling them ‘different infiltrators’ it’s more apt to say they were one, massive group, instead.”

Reggie: “Mhm. Mhm.”

Fana: “Yeah, they were just hired by someone. After Mr. Abrams captured them all, there’s no way they’d dare to attack again. Heehee… right?”

Ronald: “Hmhm… Who knows~”

Noel: “No, all of you are wrong. Just today, another weirdo snuck inside of the campus and released a giant gargoyle thing to go on a rampage.”

…

Fana: “...Hehe, H-Huh…? Are you, hehehe… are you sure you weren’t mistaken? It’s only been… three days since the last incident…”

Reggie: “I can’t believe it… They actually came back so soon…? But… But WHY?! Aren’t they afraid of losing more people to our hero staff?? Don’t they know that our school’s defensive perimeters are being meticulously monitored by Hero Society now, and that it has been highly strengthened beyond measure? So then why… why dare…?”

Ronald: “Ah, I see~ So THAT’S the reason behind it being so lively outside! Haha, in fact, if I had to guess… I would… haha, love to quite aptly point out that this action of theirs seems to support my conjecture about there being a plant inside of our high school – if not directly proving it as absolute truth. After all…

*Walks to front lobby desk before leaning against it*

How many people can get in through that horribly powerful barricade around the school, as well as the really high number of security personnel and retired superhero veterans that have offered their help as volunteer independent heroes? Haha, to stir up such a fuss in the middle of the school’s campus, right as the public was beginning to sway their confidence back to Herotopia’s elite! This is the same as declaring that Gherotopia’s security measures are a joke! Confidence that originally skyrocketed will start to plummet. Maybe others will begin transferring schools? After all, hahaha, even if we’re one of the top 3 schools of Herotopia, anybody with a brain would value their life over glory and prestige. Such a well – timed move hits the school hard, right as they were building momentum through those… ‘KING’ fights also.

Such an ingenious plan~ How incredible…! We no doubt have a true genius leader figure as our hidden spy. Ah… haha! Although we hate them, one does have to produce at least a tiny bit of admiration for them. After all, this is the same as predicting Herotopia’s moves before hand- otherwise how would he have known to release that gargoyle thing right at this time, while the school’s heavy-handed actions seemed to inspire hope into the masses once more? Haha, this plant must be one tough cookie to crack--”

Eren: “Hmmm. No, wait one moment, please. The plant predicting Herotopia’s actions- That’s not necessarily the case. Actually, when I think about it carefully, doesn’t it make MORE sense for this… plant fellow you’re talking about, to have been here waiting from the start? If he has been here on school grounds like you mentioned before, then he didn’t NEED to predict anything about Herotopia. The very moment he-”

Reggie: “Why is the plant automatically a guy…? Just curious, since you both continue to use the male referencing terms and all.”

Eren: “...Sorry! It was a force of habit. Anyways, back to what I was saying…

The very moment he or she caught wind of the school’s situation, this plant person could have just made their move casually, or in passing. They aren’t necessarily as smart as you’re believing them to be.”

Ronald Reyes: “So, then… are you suggesting I’m overthinking about some stuff regarding the plant?”

Eren: “Yeah, a little, but it’s only a possibility. You could also just be one hundred percent right about everything too.”

Ronald: “Hmm.”

{… Well, they seem to have jumped to conclusions on their own. Although the parts about that plant might be true… Maybe I can try to investigate the next time I go out for a wal-}

Rise: “Grrrahh! Hey Noel! Stop making it sound all mysterious and confusing! And you three! Why the hell are all of you just jumping to conclusions with so little information uncovered about the intruders? HUH?!

…Haah. Did it ever occur to you people that if you would only stop to think for a little while that there’s something seriously wrong here?

Let me clarify for you guys a bit; the enemy today who recently invaded is NOT the same person or group that sought all of your heads that day, when Mr. Abrams counter – attacked. This person was after our classmate Aria, for personal reasons. They even tried to steal something from her, that the other people didn’t go after. One group wants us dead, while the other wants some thing pricey from Aria. So, yeah there must be some way all of these people got in, sure thing. However, it doesn’t make them all the same group! It would be strange if that first group managed to break in a second time, but could only hunt down some object rather than focus on killing us. They had to have some way to track us all. SO, seeing the totally different targets: isn’t it fair to say that there’s really more than one ‘plant’ here, representing different bad groups of people?”

Noel: “...Wow, Rise. I’m… actually impressed! You’re surprising capable as a detective to notice all of these things. And here I thought you were only useful for your sense of smelly fortune telling!”

Rise: “Hah! Who says they aren’t related? I first took a whiff and came to a conclusion based on what I ‘smelled’ in the air, and finally I analyzed the situations based on that, and revolving around my assumption. This whole thing was never one group acting alone.”

Noel: “...Oh.”

{...So it was instinct the entire time? That figures… but I’m not one to complain. Besides… he lied a little just now. Or rather, Rise covered some details up a bit with partial truths and partial assumptions. After all, he probably came to the conclusion of ‘multiple groups’ after knowing one of the groups that might be after us non – combatants or somehow targeting something inside of this very high school. This was just omitted ans replaced with fast-thinking minor details. Though that alone is still very impressive. Let’s hope he’s not in league with that mysterious group that he seems to enjoy ridiculing in his heart. One thing I learned about this guy, is that his facial expressions can easily give him away when his emotions get erratic. That makes life easier for me!}

These four students continued to exchange theories and ideas for a while longer before dispersing back to their rooms. It was unavoidable and they had no choice. There was a serious lack of information to draw any credible assumptions or conclusions from. They could speculate or make interestingly quick - witted conjectures… but that’s about it. This rang especially true for the three class representatives who wore heavy burdens for their fellow carefree – seeming, non – combatant members.

Regardless, these three weren’t content to simply sit by and do nothing. Preparations had to be made… or at least, somehow… they needed to grow stronger.

Somehow…

…

The day quickly reached its end. It was the veteran heroes that finally put a stop to that ever regenerating Gargoyle menace. The Stadium was undisturbed and aside from Luxor and Tetra’s odd performance, the overall event was very eventful.

Students rekindled their desire to stay in Hero High School.

Parents however, weren’t so optimistic. At least, they weren’t after discovering news regarding the rampaging gargoyle incident two days later – to which, Security’s former head Mr. Byle claimed a student with summoning capabilities accidentally summoned that massive thing, and every mobilized hero worked together effectively and efficiently to stop it before any damage was done to the students or faculty. The ones beginning to feel the stress in undoubtedly Hero High School’s faculty members.

But that’s for another time. Right now, Noel had just been summoned out of bed by Mr. Abrams who wished to go over the introductions he and the wild child Rise, missed.

Mr. Abrams: “Listen. One thing that wasn’t made clear to any of you was the importance of taking survival and self defense classes in this high school. You will have ordinary classwork, but in light of the recent dangers around Herotopia, our desire to strengthen you all a little bit was made abundantly clear – thankfully it was the right call to do so as well. Morning classes for your group, Class 3 – C’s Mondays are as follows; First, they start off with gym, followed by ‘Introductory to healing magic and Emergency Medical Treatment’. Next year you all can pursue differing medical fields if you so wish; for now we only plan to spend this first year condensing the introductory knowledge for you kids to grasp. Following that class comes self defense for dummies. Thanks to the early morning workout, we wanted to keep gym and self defense one after the other, but Mr. Pierce’s class already claimed self defense as their second period after we got gym for our 1st period. We can only settle for this layout instead. And finally you have a mixture of sciences and maths depending on your current levels. The ordinary school curriculum will be presented to you via computers so it’s tailored to your current levels and you won’t be separated during this time. Somebody from the faculty will just be overseeing your work.”

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