Chapter 23: Promotion

After the frightening ordeal, the three friends had made their way to Sindy's room. However, Sindy was still concerned. She didn't understand how Nathan had gotten himself in a fight in the first place. He was usually the type to ignore negative remarks and keep his cool.

"So, what happened back there?" She asked as she tended to his injuries.

"Well, I was just passing by when I saw this huge crowd! I expected a huge fight, but instead, it was Nate fighting SpongeBob and Patrick!" Explained Andrew dramatically.

Ignoring Andrew's dramatic story, Sindy asked the question again.

"Nate, what happened? I'm surprised to hear that you got yourself in a fight..."

"I'm sorry... It's just that they were insulting Rosie's death. There was no way I could let them get away with that..."

Sindy smiled sweetly at Nathan. It made sense for him to get in a fight for the sake of someone else. He had been like that for as long as she could remember.

"That's just like you..." She said gently.

"Just like me?"

"You're never bothered when someone insults you but as soon as you see someone else being bullied, you're always there to stand up for them. I like that about you, Nate."

"Intimate moment here!" Suddenly teased Andrew with a short whistle.

Sindy, however, ignored Andrew's comment before hiding her embarrassment under a gentle smile. She could only hope that Nathan viewed it as intimate.

"Anyway, how was training with Isabella today?"

Upon hearing the question, a dim look passed over Nathan's face. He immediately remembered how things had turned out between them.

"I don't want to talk about it... I doubt she's going to train me again after today."

"Woah! What's up with you today!? First, you got into a fight with some random dudes and now you're telling me you also fought with Isabella?! Spill the details!" Exclaimed Andrew.

"Andrew, he said he doesn't want to talk about it. Don't force him to."

Just then, a sudden knock echoed through the room door. This immediately placed the three friends on guard. They feared that Marco and Patrick had returned to finish their fight with Nathan.

"Who is it?" Asked Sindy carefully.

"Alondo!" He answered before letting himself in.

"I didn't even say come in!"

Alondo then slowly walked in before seating himself beside them.

"I provided you with these rooms so I'm sure I can come in whenever I like, right?"

Sindy then hugged herself with a look of disgust on her face. She looked one word away from calling him a pervert.

"I didn't mean that in a perverted way!"

"Sure, I so believe that!"

"Sigh... Anyway, Nathan and Andrew, you don't have to be afraid. I'm not here to punish you for the fight or anything. Those other assassins needed a beating anyway."

Nathan and Andrew then released a huge sigh of relief. Over the few weeks they had been at AA, they had become painfully aware of just how cruel Alondo's punishments were. Fighting amongst one another was one major taboo that could lead to severe punishment.

One time, two assassins were caught using their Art Styles outside of a Leisure Dome and Alondo made them clean every bathroom in the base without sanitary protection. This was a frightening punishment given that the base had well over 500 bathrooms.

"Why are you here then?" Asked Sindy.

"To give you an update on your rankings. You've all been promoted!"

The friends could hardly believe their ears. They highly doubted that they deserved a promotion. They had failed their mission against the Beast King and would have failed the Retrieval Mission as well if it wasn't for Instructor Brady.

"Why would you give us a promotion..? We've accomplished nothing since we arrived here..." Argued Sindy.

"Don't worry, you're not the only ones getting a promotion That mission was overkill for any assassin below S-Class. Not to mention that you are all mere D-Classed assassins. Most D-Classed assassins would give up but you all remained resilient even in the face of death. Any good assassin needs those traits if they're to survive. That's very commendable."

"Awesome, Cap! What rank are we being promoted to?" Asked Andrew excitedly.

"To C-Class. Well, CD-Class to be exact."

"Wait... Why are we getting such a big promotion? Isn't the next rank DC-Class?" Asked Sindy.

"Well, yes. However, what you weren't told was that completing missions isn't an essential part of becoming a C-Classed assassin. D-Class is to train the minds and resolve of new assassins so that they don't hesitate when on dangerous missions. With all the trauma and pain you've all gone through, it's safe to say you understand what a mission requires from you. Now, you're all prepared mentally."

The three friends understood Alondo's reasoning. It made sense why they would be offered a promotion after everything they had been through. It was true that they had grown considerably when compared to when they had just arrived in the Mind World. However, Nathan was not pleased with Alondo's decision. He couldn't find himself accepting it.

"Alondo, I appreciate it but I don't believe that I deserve a promotion. Please allow Sindy and Andrew to be promoted but let me remain as a DD-Classed assassin."

Everyone then looked at Nathan in shock. Sindy and Andrew especially couldn't comprehend why Nathan would decline such an offer.

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"Nate, why would you say such a thing?" Asked Sindy.

"On the first mission, I failed to find the courage to kill my enemy. Because of that, many innocent people lost their lives. Again, on the Retrieval Mission, I failed to find the courage to kill that commander. That led to both Amanda and Leo being killed. It was my immaturity that caused their deaths. I have shown very little growth."

Andrew and Sindy were left in shock. They had no idea that Amanda and Leo had died because of Nathan's lack of courage. They didn't know what to say.

On the other hand, Alondo was already aware of this. Nathan had spoken with him privately about the incident beforehand.

"Well, if that's your wish then I won't force you to accept the promotion. I understand your reasons and I agree."

"Thanks, Alondo. I might have failed twice but that's where it's going to end... I won't fail a third time. After my next mission, I know I'll be worthy of such a promotion..!"

Alondo smiled softly. He knew that Nathan had a very rough start since coming to the Mind World but he still had faith that he would become stronger. He knew Nathan would make a great assassin.

"So you're okay then..?" Asked Sindy worriedly.

"I'm fine. But I do apologize for failing to keep Amanda and Leo alive. They're the ones that saved us when we just got to the Mind World, yet, I failed to repay our debt to them..."

"Don't sweat it, Nate. There's nothing you can do about it now. Sindy and I forgive you even if no one else does," comforted Andrew.

Sindy also nodded in approval of this. Though it was unfortunate that Andrew and Leo had died, it was also true that there was nothing they could do about it now. Guilt and sadness would not bring them back from the dead.

"Anyways, I have a question, Alondo," began Sindy. "What benefits do we gain from our promotion? I know we get to go on better missions and all but what else do we get?"

"Well, your upgrade to C-Class means you get a better salary, access to the Video Game Lounge, and most of all a new room on Floor C!"

"Floor C?"

"Yes. Every time you're promoted to a new class, you gain access to a new floor. There are a total of six floors here at HQ ranging from Floors D to S. Currently, you're all on the lowest floor called Floor D. The higher the floor, the better the quality. For example, Floor D only has televisions. There isn't much for you guys to do down here. However, Floor C comes with a Video Game Lounge and a few other cool rooms where assassins can relax and have fun when off from missions."

"So can we go to the Video Game Lounge whenever we want?!" Asked Andrew excitedly.

"Yup. Once you don't have an upcoming mission, you're free to do whatever you like. The only restriction is that you can't enter higher floors without permission. However, you can revisit lower floors whenever you like."

"Man, this is starting to sound like paradise! At first, there was nothing for us to do on this boring-ass floor! But finally, I can party and have some fun!"

"Hey now... Don't get too comfortable. Don't allow games and fun to distract you from training. If that happens and you end up failing missions, you'll be demoted."

Andrew immediately controlled his excitement as soon as he heard this. The last thing he wanted was to be demoted when he had finally gained such a privilege.

"I'm still kinda shocked though... I didn't know that the Floors in AA were set up like this," muttered Sindy.

"Assassins place their lives on the line for the sake of the Mind World every day. It's only fair that they are free to relax when off from missions. Besides, have you never realized that there aren't many other assassins of higher rank down here?"

"Now that you mention it, you're right... I've seen a few other assassins of higher rank but there are mostly D-Classed assassins down here."

"Exactly my point! The higher-ranking floors have more comfort and better offers which is why assassins of higher rank rarely visit these parts. For example, Floor S is basically luxury itself! They have hot tubs, spas, gaming isles, and much more. Truth is that I kinda do it this way so that assassins will be more willing to rank up. It's a high risk, high reward kinda thing."

The friends were impressed. This made them eager to rank up even faster.

Alondo then slowly arose from the bed before proceeding towards the door. He had decided it was about time for him to leave.

"One last thing before I go," he started. "I'm sending you on a mission in two days. I'm sure Prince told you about it, right?"

"Yeah, he didn't tell us the details though," noted Nathan.

"This mission is more of a test. It has to deal with an organization closely tied to the Cliques. If you three can complete this mission then I'll consider putting you on Team Assassin."

"Team Assassin?"

"It's a team made of the most elite Assassins that AA has to offer. It's also the team that Isabella, Prince, and even Brady are originally from."

"So you're saying that if we complete this upcoming mission successfully, you'll allow us to be a part of the most elite team in AA!?" Exclaimed Andrew.

"Well, you all want to defeat the Beast King, right? It's more of granting all of you a temporary place on the team until you accomplish your goal. But first, you'll have to prove to me that you have what it takes!"

 

 

FUN FACT:

Head Nurse Donna's main Art Style is Recovery Art! It's an Art derived from the Light Arts and is more common than Sindy's Regeneration Art.

Recovery Art uses SPIRIT ENERGY to create new cells but can only heal an injury to around 80% while Regeneration Art can replicate and regrow older cells back to perfect health in a matter of seconds, depending on the injury!

 

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