Chapter 213: Chapter 193.1 : Intense Training

“So you watched the videos, I see I see," Ralf said, a smile blooming on his face at the revelation.

The matter of the trio's earlier strangeness was broached by the Transmigrator as soon as the group stepped into the corridor.

“And...your thoughts?” he followed up, glancing back at the trio with sparkling eyes, shining with the light of anticipation.

The ladies fell silent as troubled expressions surfaced on their beautiful faces. They collectively averted their gaze, looking everywhere that wasn’t Ralf’s smug face before uttering, “Incredible,” as one, as though having rehearsed.

The Transmigrator’s smile widened at the praise. “Happy to hear.”

“Wait, what videos are you talking about?” a confused Skye asked, even raising his hand like a good student.

“Videos of the Combat Arena battles, right?” Lane said.

“Oh, you watched them too?” Ralf shifted his sights to the former assassin as he asked.

“Yeah, this morning. Those showings are beyond impressive. You're amazing, Ralf," the former assassin praised sincerely.

“Thanks, buddy. You’re pretty amazing yourself.”

Lane took the compliment and subsequent shoulder nudge with a smile before returning to his previous thoughts. “Ray and Silver too. They're amazing as well. I’d like to meet them one day.”

The former assassin's desire resonated with the rest of the group. Eyes showing expectation and desire honed in on Ralf, who had to shut his eyes in response.

“Mmm, that would be nice. I’m sure it’ll happen someday…hopefully, sooner rather than later," was all Ralf could say.

The Transmigrator's words pleased nobody, not the group nor himself, but it couldn't be helped. More time was needed. Lane and the others understood this as well, still...gazes dimmed and shoulders dropped. In the subsequent gloomy silence, the teenagers welcomed unwelcomed thoughts and feelings.

The topic of Ralf’s other selves and their continued avoidance put a damper on Charlotte and the others’ moods. Every time it was brought up or thought up, the group were made aware and reminded of the true chasm-like distance that existed between themselves and their vexing friend. The fact pained them greatly. They were moths to the Transmigrator's flame at this point, desiring to get as close to him as possible, so meeting any obstructions was as upsetting as it was disheartening.

“So, where do I watch the videos? The library?” Skye spoke up, feeling the need to clear away the invisible smog that smothered the group.

“Yeah, that’s where we watched it,” Violet said, doing her part as well.

“Me too,” Lane followed up, successfully destroying the last of it.

“Haa, after using the Babel system's interface, I don’t want to use normal ones,” Skye complained.

“Tell me about it,” Yuki nodded, before turning to Ralf. “You should copy those videos into the library.”

Ralf shrugged. “Why would I need to do that, it’s already there after all.”

“Really?” Charlotte's voice jumped.

“Yep, from the start,” Ralf confirmed to everyone’s surprise. “And compared to the collection they have here, Babel's is dozens of times larger...aaand it also contains our personal perspectives, which you won't find anywhere else. I put the Combat Arena videos at the bottom of the front page of the videos section, waiting for one of you to spot it. I imagined your reactions and even practised my smug grins in front of the mirror," he sighed, “but alas, none of you noticed them, too busy dying in video games and watching series and movies.”

“Oh, that’s great,” Skye cheered. “Hehe, I know how I’m spending the next few hours.”

“Unfortunately not, brother," Ralf doused his friend with the cold water.

“I don’t have the time to entertain you - or rather, we don’t,” he slowed his steps until he was side by side with Violet, “right princess?”

“We don’t?” Violet tilted her head.

“Yep, we don’t," Ralf nodded. "We’ll be spending all our free time training for Pair's Maze, just you and me. We can’t afford to lose, certainly, and we also can't afford to win by too narrow a margin either. Our pride as Blessed Bloodlines is on the line. We must trounce the competition, for that's what our lineage demands. To ensure this future, we need training, intense training. What do you say, Violet - nay, partner?”

The lightning Mimic cracked a smile before nodding. She didn't know what she was getting into, but knowing Ralf, it would be fun. "Sure thing, partner. We'll train, grow even stronger and then destroy the common rabble, as our blood demands."

Charlotte’s eyes twitched at the declaration. “Those are fighting words,” she said, eyes narrowing and aura sharpening. "I wonder if you can back it up?"

"Oh, this sounds awfully - no pleasingly familiar," Ralf said, a smile creeping onto his face as he anticipated what would come next. "Another bet, goldfish?" he asked, blowing at his gun hand with a gleeful look.

"Indeed," Charlotte responded after a squint, before moving to the front of the group. After opening up a gap with long strides, she spun around and ground to a halt. A fierce expression emerged on her face as the Onic Master crossed her arms at her chest.

The group, save for Skye, ceased their advance, the air Mimic continuing his steps to join his sister's side. He took a complementary pose and sported the most intimidating look he could muster. Yuki and Lane watched the confrontation from the sidelines, amused.

“Let’s put your arrogance to the test then. Brother and I will kick your butts...then paint them red."

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“Wait, my butt is being painted as well?” Violet asked, pointing to herself in surprise.

“Of course," Charlotte voiced strongly. "You share the reward, so you share the risk, standard stuff, princess,” Charlotte said, her hazel sights involuntarily moving to the other's curvaceous rump, which was merely an inch shy of her own.

Ralf dropped his palm on Violet’s shoulder as he glanced her way. “No need to fret, partner. For others, it's a matter of win or lose...but for us, it's a matter of barely winning or winning convincingly, one or the other. The future is uncertain, but our victory is certain," he nodded at his words before shifting his blue sights to capture the twins. His gaze immediately flooded with faux disdain.

"Their talk amounts to nothing but fantasies,” he said, his voice and demeanour dripping with played-up pretentiousness. “Team Twins stand no chance against us...nor any other pair for that matter," Ralf stole a glance at Yuki and Lane who were each other's partners, before continuing. "We are the best by far and we’ll demonstrate that in due time. Till then, let them revel in their delusions, for it’s all they have. It's sad really, what pitiful creatures, I weep for them," Ralf shook his head with a feigned look of sorrow while wiping away the nonexistent tears that had spilt from his eyes.

"You..."

Charlotte was at a loss for words, even biting her bottom lip as agitation surged in her system.

Skye was the opposite, finding the situation hilarious. His face twitched erratically as he struggled to maintain his poker face and keep himself from bursting into laughter.

On the side, Yuki and Lane showed amused smiles, the latter summoning and snacking on Psi popcorn which he made sure to share with his partner.

As for Violet...

"...Your words ring true, partner," the princess said with a nod, matching Ralf's energy as her tone, expression and posture turned haughty and arrogant.

The others reacted with raised brows and flickering eyes, the princess wasn't known to goof around, after all. Violet's lips curled up at the garnered reactions. Roleplaying was as fun as she expected it to be. Enjoying herself, she continued.

"Fire and lightning course through our blood while dirt and mud course through theirs. The difference is that of Heaven and Hell, perhaps even greater," Violet said in a mocking tone, Ralf inadvertently recalling a certain Zudradian noble.

"To believe they're our equals is already insane, but to believe for even a second that they could be our betters is..." The princess shook her head with a face torn between incredulity and sorrow. "...unfathomably pitiful. What delusion, my heart bleeds for them...as do my eyes," Violet made a show of wiping at her cheeks, again, not a tear to be found.

Ralf's mind eye seemed to spot these invisible tears as a concerned look appeared on his face. He patted Violet's shoulder as if to comfort her, empathising with her emotional turmoil. The rest looked on with incredulous smiles.

"I say we make haste, partner, lest they somehow return to the cruel reality. Their delusion will inevitably shatter, but we can at least spare them a few days."

“My heart swells at your generosity, partner," Ralf offered Violet another pat, before pulling back his arm and bending it into a '<'. "Very well, let's be off. Partner," he said, gesturing with his bent arm.

Violet recognised the old-timey gesture at once, and after a smile, slotted her arm in place.

"Commoners as you were. Farewell."

"Farewell."

Following the words, the pair flashed a joint smile at the others and then as one, linked arm in arm, waltzed away merrily; laughter, both fake and genuine sounding in their wake.

"I swear I'll make that bastard pay...Violet too. I'm going to tickle her until she cries later on. Yuki, you'll assist me with that task, right?"

"Happily," the ice Mimic responded.

"Excellent," Charlotte blinked in approval and then turned to her brother. "Skye, you're coming with me. We'll also be doing some special training."

"Huh, okay, sure why," Skye shrugged, abandoning his plans to chat-up Emma.

"That's what we'll be doing for the next few hours, Lane, Yuki, we'll see you later."

"Sure thing."

The twins said their goodbyes and rushed off with determined faces, leaving Team...Black Eyes by themselves.

"Want to train as well?" Lane turned to Yuki and asked, his blank face running counter to his intention of being humorous.

"If the training involves playing cards and eating snacks, then yes."

The former assassin's face flickered as a trace of a smile surfaced on his expression. "Yes, that's exactly what it entails. Shall we, then?"

"Lead the way."

With these words, the three pairs were of one mind, all dedicating their time to undergo some serious training.

 

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