Chapter 12: Facade

“Eh? Elijah? Why didn’t you text me when you came?” Asher asked, surprised.

“Hm? Sorry, I was carried away while training,” I responded shamelessly, effortlessly lying to his face.

“Elijah, meet Julian, Amber, Lacey, and Lucas.” He introduced pointing to the person as he said their names respectively.

 Julian was a tall red-haired and green-eyed man with a cold-looking and prideful expression. 

While Amber was a short figure with pink hair that was tied in a high ponytail. She had fair skin, amber eyes, and a pouty face. 

Lacey was a half English and half Asian (more on the caucasian side) skinny girl with chestnut hair in a messy bun, caramel eyes, with thin, black-framed glasses and Lucas was an adorable-looking boy (who seemed to be the former’s younger sibling).

“There’s only six of us, what about the other person?”

“Oh…” Asher and his friends locked eyes knowingly, “She’s always late for a solid hour at the least every time.”

“...”

“Ahem, okay! Now we are acquaintanced, we need to know each other’s abilities.” Asher coughed.

Lucas declared, “I volunteer first for the icebreaker! Any objections?”

When no one opposed he continued enthusiastically, “I’m a combat mage, I specialise in Area of Effect spells, specifically buffs and nerf spells, due to their long-lasting and distance effect that is more potent than others, I consume a lot of mana. 

It’s alright though, I have a lot of mana potions! Ooh right, you may see more fire spells too though, because I have a high fire affinity.”

Lucas turned to Lacey, “You’re next!”

Lacey smiled and ruffled Lucas’ hair and said, “I am more of an all-rounder type, I can use spears but I prefer alchemy and poisons over everything else. My potions were used to substitute the role of a healer before you came in,” she told me, “I also create potions requested by our team, but it’s mainly Lucas’ mana potions.”

Strange, she didn’t mention her affinity, someone’s elemental affinity is extremely common in introductions, even if she didn’t have an affinity, it would normally be said by now. But the others didn’t find it unusual in any way, so I let it be.

“My role in the team is usually a scout.” Julian revealed, “I wield a bow and arrows and am able to manifest daggers from the wind, laced with mana from my air affinity. I can also ‘fly’ for a short period of time.” He said as he demonstrated his control over wind, then went back to fold his arms.

That’s all? I guess he’s a man of little words.

“Hmph, I’m a close combat damage tank, I use a maul, it’s similar to a sledgehammer but made for combat, or I can use a spiked and chained mace. I have an earth affinity and my strength and power is more proficient than my speed and agility, which is the opposite of Julian.” Amber said, pouting.

Ah, I know why she felt so familiar, she was basically Kaida, petulant and annoying.

‘You…’ Kaida sent me a look of warning, which wasn’t at all intimating.

Asher said, “I’m the captain and the main damage dealer of the group. I use a claymore sword which is close-range and have a light affinity. I also can use clairvoyance to a certain degree.”

Then all of their eyes turned to me.

I laughed nervously.

“I’m a healer…”

“...”

“…With water affinity.”

Damn it, I sounded like I was asking a question.

“And I do healing.” I deadpanned.

“...” 

Ah… Where was an earthquake to bury and eradicate you when you needed one?

Eventually, Lucas spoke up.

“…Alrightt, let’s not waste any time. Off to the training room~~.”

Before I had time to protest, he grabbed my arm and was whisked off to another, more high-quality and bigger training room.

It was really spacious, the tiles were white, though not blindingly so, allowing no distraction.

Although it looked like a normal white big room, my inner beggar soul resonated from within, and was able to realise the quality of the materials and design.

Oh, the perks of being powerful and influential…

Able to afford such a-

“Alright, Elijah, you’re a healer… with a water affinity right?”

I looked up to face Asher, who was obviously confused. 

Right, I didn’t have a water affinity when we were younger.

I had a lot of explaining to do…

But just not now.

“Alright, show us what you can do so we can organise the team formation.”, said Asher

Ah. The moment that I had dreaded all along came. 

***

“Urk!”

I crashed against the wall pathetically.

When I recovered enough to take in my surroundings again I saw Amber with her fist outstretched, though, almost hesitantly. Her usual arrogance vanished, not due to facing an extremely powerful opponent but a weak one.

I could understand why. 

No one liked beating up someone who couldn’t fight back. 

Well, not these ‘honorable’ people at least.

I looked down. 

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Damn. 

I really butchered all the impromptu tests they made me go through so far huh (healing and water control).

I could faintly hear the sound of Julian drinking a healing potion Lucas passed him as well as the faint smell of blood.

I had failed to heal him after all.

Ah…

Damn it! Why?

‘AHHHH ELIJAHHHHH’ She bellowed his name, emphasing every syllable.

‘STOOP BUYING DRAMOTIC, LOOK AT MY OI’M SO GOODUM BOOD!”

Translation: ‘Stop being dramatic, look at me I’m so goddamn bored!’

Right. I had been ignoring her for a while now.

‘Do you know how frustratingly humiliating this is?!?’ I ran a hand through my hair.

‘OH PLOZE! DOOZ IT LEWK LOCK OI CAR?”

Translation: ‘Oh please! Does it look like I care?’

‘At least show some remorse!’ I scolded

‘YA GOIN TO REGWET TOSS YO PIES OOF POT!’

Translation: ‘You are going to regret this you piece of poop!’

‘Like heck I will!’

That was what I said, but I did regret it.

Because Kaida started screeching like a pterodactyl.

“SCREEEEEEEEE-”

Everyone turned to face the source of the noise, very alarmed.

Luckily, a distraction appeared. In the form of a louder noise. 

A way louder noise. As in a freaking EXPLOSION.

*BOOOOOOOOM*

The door. Or rather, the leg sticking out of it. 

The person on the other side pulled her leg out of the hole in frustration before opening the door like a normal human being.

Surrounded by faint lightning sparks, a woman walked into the room.

Her bright yellow eyes seemed to slightly shine as she walked head raised into the room.

Eh? 

I could see my breath in front of me, alongside nearly unnoticeable tiny ice shards.

A dual attribute user? No, wait, my eyes widened in shock. 

I knew who this was.

Margaret Stacy. An elementalist. One who can wield most elements.

The residue of ice and lightning was enough of a demonstration of her strength.

A surge of envy rose from deep inside.

I reluctantly suppressed it as she strode forward.

“…”

An awkward silence enveloped the room, broken by the others.

“HEYYYY, STACYYYYYY!” only Lucas would be that enthusiastic about someone so cold… 

Ah. Despite Lucas’s warm welcome, I could sense unease in his expression. 

It was no different for anyone else.

There was a sense of alienation in everyone’s eyes. Even Asher, although not nearly as much as the others. 

Oh. A brow raised, my mouth which formed an ‘o’ twisted into a smirk.

They bought Stacy’s ice queen act. 

They must have all been fooled. How tragic. Five of the top rankers of Xira have all been fooled by someone’s facade.

I had only seen her from afar in the past, but now? 

My first (real) impression? Utter idiot.

Chuunibyou-like much.

I’ve seen that expression one too many times on Kaida’s face…

As if you can deceive me.

Tch. Overconfident crackhead.

Yet despite that she really had the nerve to stand and tower over my kneeling position, and glower down at me imperiously?

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