How To Survive A Calamity

"What did you just say to me, you no talent bastard?" The guy leaned closer to my face and said.

At this point, it was a little, but a considerable amount of attention was slowly drawn towards us.

I could feel the gazes of many, and hear the whispers of more. Some pointed, some watched with anticipation, and others with curiousity.

As if relishing the situation, the black haired guy chuckled with his peers surrounding me. He probably felt good about himself for picking on someone he presumed weaker.

"Hey, is that him...?"

"What? No way... You mean the guy with the lowest assesment? I thought that was just a rumour..."

"I think he's... Rank 1499... He's on the board too."

"No, it wasn't a rumour. I remember. I was there when he's assesment was revealed..."

"Is that even possible? That's pathetic. What's someone like him doing here? Not only is his assessment the lowest, but he's also ranked the bottom too..."

Inevitably, I began to hear the whispers and feel the curious gazes directed at me. The hallway was already mostly packed with a small crowd of student, so the little commotion I found myself in was already drawing unnecessary attention.

And as if spurred on by the Whispers and fingers pointing my way, the short haired guy chuckled and pressed forward against me.

"What? Cat got your tongue? Keke."

Strangely, this was both oddly amusing, and unpleasantly annoying. I was already quite fund of situations like this from earth, but they were from so long ago, that experiencing it right now, with me on the victim side once more — it all seems like a dream.

It took a short second for me to snap out of my reverie and assumed an indifferent expression.

"Excuse me, but do you need something from me?" I said quietly.

Judging from his uniform, I could immediately tell he wasn't a senior, and was most likely a first year like myself. And the same was so from his two friends who circled around me from the sides.

"Oh, no. Nothing much, really,"

In response to my question, the grin on his face curled slightly as he shrugged dismissively.

Then he sent me a sly smile, leaning closer to exact some kind of nonexistent imposing pressure.

"I was just thinking actually. Worried, is more like it. Might be a little hard for someone like you to survive in a place like this. So me and my friends here are willing to help you out a little, eh?"

"..."

Extortion, huh... I restrained a sigh, and rubbed the bronze ring on my finger hidden in my pocket.

"Oh, I see. Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline. I'll be fine. If that's all then..."

"Huh? Where do you think you're going?"

Before I could leave, the guy reached out to firmly grab my arm and held me back.

"Didn't you're mom ever tell you —"

His grip around my hand tightened.

"Don't turn away when someone's talking to you?" He said ominously next to my ear, his voice like a low growl vibrated in the air.

I glanced down from the side of my eyes at his firm grip against my arm.

This won't do... inevitably, I sighed inwardly and resisted the impulse to shake my head.

If possible, I wanted to resolve this calmly and peacefully without any accidents. It was already bad enough my Assessment was bringing me all of this unnecessary attention.

In the first place, it wasn't supposed to be like that.

But watching those bastards do as they like with me for only this long, I remembered an almost forgotten ancient and distant aspect of mine.

No, a characteristic or personality trait of 'Zach Harper' from 'his' younger days at school.

'Ah, how annoying...'

I always had a bad temper, didn't I?

In the end...

"Hey..." I uttered cooly.

I couldn't do it.

I couldn't let this bastard walk over me like that.

"Hands off me on the count of three." This time it was I who leaned in closer to him and whispered into his ears

A chilling cool filled my mind as my thoughts became cold as I calmly gazed at him.

Then slowly,

"One..."

I counted...

"Two..."

"...H-huh? What's this basta—"

"Hey, hands off already!"

All of a sudden a different voice cut through the tension from the side, seizing the atmosphere momentarily and my thoughts halted briefly.

'What...'

I retracted my gaze and turned towards the source of the direction and...

There he was.

I wanted to choke!

Why...

No!

What is this bastard doing here?!

"Didn't you hear me? I said, let him go..." A young man with pale snow white hair and ghostly deep blue eyes furrowed his brows threateningly as he stood before me and the bully.

Alexander Crossfield...

That damned hero himself, in all of his hateful glory...

Stood imposingly before us!

At first sight, I felt all of my composure crumble, and I wasn't even the one who was directly receiving the fiery gaze and animosity from him.

At a glance, Alexander was here to probably defend against my behalf, but...

Why?!

Don't come any close, you bastard!

No! Stay away from me! Why are you here?!

Why was he here?

I was sincerely in turmoil about this for no reason.

But why would he show up right here, and right now in a moment like this.

What the hell is the Hero doing here?

No, really, go back!

I don't want your help!

Ah, but of course, all of my internal pleas fell on the deaf ears of the universe, and I felt a portion od my soul leave my body a I saw Alex continue to approach.

Rather than walk away and disappear as I so desperately desired, the hateful bastard stepped closer and firmly grasped the hand that was holding mine.

"What do you think you're doing, picking on someone on the first day? Have you no shame?" He growled, and the face of the bully grew fiercer upon his intervention.

He had an expression that plainly said, who the hell is this fucker, and yes! I couldn't help but agree!

No really, who the hell is this fucker?!

"Uhm..." Unable to withstand the odd situation any longer, I ended up humming.

The guy and Alex kept holding eachother's glare, completely dismissing my existence despite being being the victim and the center of attention.

As if snapped back to reality, I watched the guy click his tongue, and his former grip around my arm slowly withdrew. At the same time, he forcefully broke free from Alex's hold and stepped back slightly.

I could see the pensive and stern faces of his pals by his side. In the end, even these idiots could understand that if this went on more than this, an incident might escalate.

There were still various first years as onlookers who held their breaths. Chances even were some among them might be the ones to invite a teacher or an instructor into this.

The bastard's face didn't give much, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he could at least think this complexly.

He glared at Alexander then turned back to me. I met his gaze with an unreadable gaze, masking my thoughts, as his scowl slowly blossomed into a sinister smile full of malevolence and malice.

He shrugged.

"I already said it, I was just helping out a buddy. It was nothing too serious."

If he said so, then it probably should be... I thought silently, without bothering too much about his alibi incase this commotion does get to a teacher eventually.

"You should be careful where you walk next time, pal."

And with a chuckle, leaving those words behind, the three guys slowly walked away at a measured pace.

The small crowd parted slightly along their paths, and slowly the figures of their backs vanished down the hallway.

"Haa..." I sighed slightly.

Surprisingly, that was actually a bit nerve wracking.

***

"...Are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh...uh, yeah. I'm alright, actually."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

What the hell is this bastard still doing here?

After the small commotion dissolved itself before anything could escalate, I blended with the crowd and quietly left the hallway.

I was standing right outside, under the midday sun when I heard a familiar voice from my side.

Right by my side, next to me, was the hero of prophecy, Alexander with an expression full of concern and consideration as he looked at me.

Upon my response, Alexander smiled warmly, dazzlingly even.

For whatever reason, the snow white bastard had followed and stuck with me until now. I had no idea why he followed me outside either.

'Tsk.' even his smile is hateful!

Why did I hate this guy so much?

No, no. It's not a matter of actual hate, even I know that's prematured. But ever since the second vision where I, more or less, first met him, I've had a partially unfavorable impression of the bastard.

He still had the balls to boast about winning after the whole world was dead.

And there was also the matter of the strange system notifications...

"I'm glad to hear that. Oh, my name is Alexander Crossfield by the way. But you can call me Alex if you want. You're Number 1499, right? We're in the same class too!"

Unexpectedly, he began to behave all familiar with me.

No! Leave me alone, do not introduce yourself personally to me!

We are not going to be friends!

I had those words threatening to burst out of my mouth, when I curtly gave him a glance from the side.

"...Yeah."

Alex said nothing more and just stared at me.

I glanced forward and stared emptily into the vacant air.

Phew, I almost got worked up back there... I thought, thinking back to a few minutes ago. Upon retrospection I might have gotten slightly agitated even though I was in control.

It's been a while since I've nearly lost my temper that way too... I restrained a sigh and turned to my side where a particularly exasperating gaze threatened to bore a hole through me.

"...what?"

Indeed, Alexander was still here, staring uncomfortably at me.

Then he smiled brightly at me.

"I said my name is name is Alexander."

"I heard the first time." I nodded.

"..."

"...Haa... Victor. Just...call me Victor."

I don't like this

"Hehe, Victor, it's nice to meet you."

Watching Alexander smiled and chuckle to himself with satisfaction, I felt something churn inside of me.