Chapter 194: Chapter 175 : True Introductions (Part 1)

“I’d still come out on top,” Charlotte couldn’t help but say as the group arrived in the corridor.

“No way no way,” Ralf shook his head dismissively. “Ignorant, you would lose hands down, no contest. Now that you know though…it’s a different story. Even if your combat skills are as mean as your face right now, those high CAT scores of yours should carry you to victory.”

“My face isn’t mean…and if it is, it’s because of you, you ass-” Dropping her voice and stance, the wound-up Onic Master wound up and fired off a kick at Ralf’s rear.

“Ooowwww…”

The kick was light, no different from a pillow strike, but Ralf’s antics didn’t reflect that. After letting out a pained cry, he stumbled forward until he fell atop Skye.

“Ralf, you’re heavy.”

“Bear the burden, brother,” Ralf said, letting his feet drag on the floor as he clutched onto Skye like a piece of driftwood. “At least till that tree in the distance…also no Psi,” he quickly added as he felt the winds stir around him.

Skye made a face but didn’t argue. Someone who could trade words with his sister and even come out on top wasn’t someone he dared to contend with. He steeled himself to take the necessary steps. Also, the tree was just fifteen metres away. Ralf noted the air Mimic’s resolve and fully climbed on board.

“Anyways, enough nonsense,” Ralf, said perpetuating the nonsense. “I don’t have much time left, so I’ll run through everything. Two things. Firstly, about the get-together tonight. Since it’s our first time, making it special is a must. I’m thinking of renting a room in one of those expensive hotels in the commercial zone. I’m swimming in points right now so I’ll pay for it. Everyone is to gather at Prime’s entrance at eight sharp. From there, we’ll head to the hotel together. Is everyone okay with that?”

“Works for me.”

“Me too.”

“Sure.’

Following the Mimics, Charlotte and Lane nodded. Ralf blinked in approval before looking forward, as the others did. At his direction, the group passed through the entranceway and moved to the previously mentioned tree. Ralf gave his ‘steed’ one last pat before making good on his words. Alighting from Skye, he took a few steps forward and then turned to the group.

“So, what’s the second thing?” Charlotte questioned as a curious glint flashed in her amber-coloured eyes.

“The second thing is,” the Transmigrator paused then flashed a cheeky smile, “…I’ll be cashing out on my requests right now.”

“Huh?!…What about the chains of debt stuff you were talking about earlier?” Skye asked, incredulity clear in his and the others' expressions.

Ralf shook his head as though it was a foolish question. “Chains of debt, hmph, compared to what I’ll entrap you with, those things are fragile. Behold, the ultimate prison.” Saying this, he orientated himself rightward and then, under the curious gazes of all, circled the group.

“The Circle of Judgement?” Violet spoke up, recognising the ‘ritual’.

Returning to his initial spot, Ralf moved to correct the princess. “Nope, it’s called the Circle of Friendship or the Friendzone, and it’s similarly inescapable.”

“Friendship,” Yuki repeated with a soft voice, many emotions leaking out from her lips as she uttered.

“That’s right, Snowball. That’s the chain that now binds us, now till forever and even beyond. It’s both unbreakable and inescapable, so dismiss all thoughts of fight and flight, for they are equally pointless.”

The group stayed silent at the words, unsure of how to react.

Ralf took their reaction in stride and continued. “Now, about my requests. I request that everyone gives me a…hug.”

“A hug?...Just that?” Charlotte said, dropping her shoulders slightly.

“Don’t underestimate its value. A hug a day keeps the doctor away, it’s a well-known saying,” Ralf said, defending his desire while showing a rare seriousness.

The group’s faces turned wry at the display.

“Hurry up, the clock is ticking,” Ralf urged with open arms. “Let’s go left to right.”

Charlotte took her cue and approached before wrapping herself around Ralf. At the same time, she threw out a telepathic link and connected her and Ralf’s minds.

[My boobs feel great, right-]

Ralf didn’t entertain the vixen’s thoughts and immediately cut the connection; though telling, he didn’t end the hug. A smug smile surfaced on Charlotte’s face at the fact, which she made sure to show with a wink when they separated seconds later.

Violet was next. The princess showed none of the tension, nervousness and apprehension she had displayed yesterday. She closed the distance only slightly slower than Charlotte did, before embracing Ralf in a snug hug.

{Can you understand me?}

“Ah,” Violet jolted in place, confusing the others but not Ralf, who suddenly smiled.

{Squeeze tighter if yes?}

Ralf’s eyes flickered as Violet just did that. His eyes brightened as a slew of wondrous possibilities swirled in his head.

{Excellent, this could come in handy. Let’s keep this between us, princess.}

Ralf ended his communication and sent off the wide-eyed princess with a mischievous gleam in his eye. Next was Skye, and after that, Lane. Ending his hug with the latter, the Transmigrator’s gaze moved to his last target.

“You’re up next, Snowball.”

“Huh, but I wasn’t part of the bet.”

“That’s true, but bet or not, I still want a hug, so better not leave me hanging. Now, bring it in, Snowball.”

The ice Mimic melted before his burning desire. After a slight wiggle, she moved her feet to Ralf’s liking and the two embraced.

“Mmm, truly the best for last,” Ralf uttered softly, putting a sweet smile on Yuki’s face.

The pair parted ten seconds later and the ice Mimic returned to her original spot in the half-circle.

“Okay, I’ll be off to the Communication Centre, my mom’s waiting for me.” Ralf summoned his Psi Bike and hopped on. “Lane, follow me, I need you for something, and everyone else…prepare yourself for tonight.” Delivering the words, Ralf didn’t linger a second longer.

Twisting the handle, he sped off. Lane gave the others a parting look before summoning his own Psi bike and catching up to Ralf.

“Off they go…now what?” Skye asked, turning to the ladies. “I’m down for whatever. What do you guys want to do? Want to hang out for a bit? Sis, Yuki, Violet?”

“I’ve got the energy but what about you two?” Charlotte asked. “No offence but Yuki, you look like you could do with a few nights’ sleep.”

“None taken,” Yuki shrugged. “I haven’t been sleeping properly since coming here. I started the day exhausted, and now, after enduring the CAT, the Event and most draining of all, Ralf, I’m seconds away from dropping. I’ll head back to Prime to take a nap.”

“A shame, but understandable. The party will no doubt be a lengthy and exhausting affair, so getting some shut-eye beforehand sounds like a good idea. Might have a short nap myself,” Charlotte nodded at her words before turning to Violet. “What about you, princess? Want to hang out for a bit?”

“I’ll pass on that. Have a meeting with my PA in ten minutes and don’t want to be late, sorry.”

“I see, that’s too bad then. Guess we split here. Till tonight then.”

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“Till tonight.”

***

After reaching the Communication Centre, the duo didn't fuse like last time, but instead, as two, spent long-distance time with their mother. The session wasn’t as long as yesterday’s, though saying that, it lasted an hour. While this was going on, Lane was nearby playing Psi games happily.

When the family meeting concluded, Ray made himself scarce, returning to the Mental Space to work on ‘stuff’. Ralf didn’t pester him to stay and sent him off with a smile.

He and Lane left to meet up with the former assassin’s PA, Dario, a blank-faced middle-aged man, and then Lane began his first Psi combat training session while Ralf observed and recorded from a distance, capturing the former assassin from all angles. The PA cast Ralf a queer look but didn’t care to interrupt the two’s arrangement. After ten minutes of this, Ralf relented.

“Okay, I’ve got more than enough,” saying, Ralf separated his hands, breaking apart his rectangular camera lens into two ‘L’s’. “Anything you want to add?”

“Hmm, no, I’ve thought of everything.”

“I see, then, I’ll be off…but before that, a hug.”

Lane complied without a word.

“Mmm, not as soft and squishy as the girls, but still lovely nonetheless. You’re the only one I can really squeeze without breaking bones.”

After a few seconds more, Ralf released his friend.

“Anyways, will see you tonight, buddy.”

On these words and a final pat, Ralf made his exit, leaving Lane to continue his training session in neither peace nor quiet.

Ralf headed to the commercial zone next. First, he stopped at the local Enviso branch to transfer over the backlog of anime Ray and - to a lesser extent - he had made since leaving Zudrad.

After making his escape from the rabid staff, he moved to rent a room for tonight’s party. Ralf didn’t limit his budget on this matter and in the end, rented a penthouse suite from a fancy twenty-five-floor hotel.

It was costly at 500 credits a day, but Ralf didn’t mind. Credits wouldn’t be an issue for him going forward. It turned out that anime creation also earned him credits…and a hefty sum at that. With the recent drop-off and his previous points from the CAT and Paintball Royal, Ralf was sitting cushy at just over nine thousand credits.

The Transmigrator was happy with the purchase. He explored the spacious suite with an approving smile on his face. After doing a few rounds around the place and arranging some stuff, he left to ransack the nearby stores and shops of their delicacies, snacks and beverages.

He brought his haul back and arranged it appropriately. He had plans to get some other items and food but would do so later, closer to the start of the party. Till then, he made himself comfortable on the king-sized bed in the living room and entered a long deep sleep.

***

Time ticked away slowly for Lane, Charlotte and the Mimics as they waited for the party, though the group couldn’t compare to Ralf. In the Mental Space, he toiled away, continuing yesterday’s work. Ray joined him again, and together, the duo worked their magic, creating marvel after marvel after Marvel vs Capcom.

Six months later, Ralf thanked Ray before heading out. He made a second trip out to buy items and all kinds of food, making sure to include salavora as well. After filling the place, he headed to the student hotel to pick up Skye and the others. The group made their way over with a union technique Psi vehicle and were now stepping inside the room.

“Whoa, you really went all-out,” Skye commented with sparkling eyes and wet lips.

“Of course, tonight is a special occasion after all. Now, don’t hold back, help yourselves to whatever,” Ralf said, plopping himself down one of the couches before bringing his milkshake’s straw close.

“Hmm,” Charlotte eyed the assortment of goods with a suspicious look. “These wouldn’t happen to be poisoned, right?” she asked, yet couldn’t help but approach the many temptations on offer.

“They’re poisoned…in the same way Draco’s sweets are,” Ralf replied before resuming his sipping.

“I see, then, I’ll risk it,” Charlotte smiled as she got the reference and moved to choose her poison.

Following the exchange, the others moved to empty the tables as well.

“Find a treat and then a seat, you’ll need it.”

Ralf’s words were taken to and the group joined him on the couches.

There were three three-seater couches, positioned to form an incomplete equilateral triangle, with metre-wide gaps between them. The comfy cream couches adorned with many thick colourful pillows sat atop a fluffy grey rug and encircled a large circular glass table, which was where most items could be found.

Ralf occupied the base of the triangle and prevented others from joining him by summoning two Psi Clones to his side.

The group noted this and moved to the other couches. From left to right, Ralf would see Lane and Yuki on one couch, and then Violet, Charlotte and finally, Skye on the other.

His gaze moved over the group; on each face, he noted anticipation as clear as his image reflecting off their eyes.

“Brother, stop torturing us, show us the real goods already.”

At Skye’s pleading, Ralf raised his free hand and waved his pointer finger back and forth. “The night’s still young, brother. I have many extraordinary things to reveal, but that will come later. Before anything else, I wish for everyone to give their introductions.”

“Introductions…again?” Yuki said, both her and the others raising their brows at the words.

“Yes, again,” Ralf replied with a nod, “but this time, we’ll do them thoroughly. Right now, I have a name, a face, and a rough understanding of all your natures,” he said as his gaze swept over the couches. “That’s all I need but not all I want, hence why, we’ll be holding introductions. You can go on for as long as you like, the longer the better. I want nothing short of your whole backstory. You can reveal anything about yourself, major or minor. Your favourite food, your favourite colour, your first crush, your reason for coming to the Academy, your sexual orientation, your favourite movie, your favourite type of music…whatever you like.”

“I’m all for it,” Charlotte voiced her agreement at once, before narrowing her eyes and following up with, “You’re doing an introduction as well, right?”

“Of course, I am. I’ll spill enough to fill a dam, so prepare yourself.”

Ralf’s response caused the group’s eyes to collectively flicker and brighten, all were interested to know more about him.

“Everyone on board?” he asked for confirmation.

“Sure.”

“Of course.”

“Yeah”.

“On board.”

Ralf smiled at the responses before floating a biscuit to his front. “My account is pretty lengthy so I’ll go last…who wants to go first? Should we roll for it?”

“No need,” Charlotte interjected. “I’ll go first, well, Skye and I will go first, our story is basically the same,” she said, Skye nodding.

“Very well, take it away then.”

Charlotte nodded before getting into it.

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