Chapter 29

  No One Knows, Right?

  I don’t quite know what I expected to happen the next day at school.

  Would everyone suddenly know of my identity? Would it somehow be obvious that I was involved in healing contestants for an underground fighting arena?

  Would I suddenly stop getting harassed by Mr. Wallace and his stupid dog Narco? Well, of the two Narco did stop harassing me. Though he seemed to be sedated by me yesterday as well, I wonder if my recent class acquisition had anything to do with Narco’s sudden change in demeanor around me? For his part Mr. Wallace is the same instigator as always, but without Narco’s assistance in drumming up false charges on me, he can’t really do much.

  “Good boy!” I coo at the dog, who suddenly melts at my touch, even going so far as to roll over and expose his belly. A belly that I gently pat and make sure to use a bit of Rejuvenation Healing on the pup as well.

  “Stop-stop that!” Mr. Wallace complains, but the damage is done, that dog is one step closer to not being a narc. Or at least not being a narc against me, which is all I care about. “Marco, get up now!”

  Seeing the sudden power dynamic between the two shift, I smile inwardly as I begin making my way towards homeroom. I keep glancing up and around, wondering if anyone notices me, or reacts differently to me. However, much to my surprise and apparent relief, most of the students seem absorbed in their own day-to-day operations. Most either have their feet down, looking at the person in front of them, others seem to be focused on their friends, but so far, I did it. I managed to avoid getting noticed for my participation last night.

  Maybe I’m just paranoid, especially after hearing Ronaldo’s cryptic comment this morning, “good job last night.”

  While it was clear he knew what I was doing, as I was picked up from his establishment to begin my preparations for the Pit. I still found it somewhat odd that he already knew about some of the outcomes from last night. Had he been in attendance?

  I’ll admit, after seeing my mother and cousin in the stands, I did not scan too much further. Looking back that was likely the result of first time jitters, and not wanting to totally mess up on my first day.

  Walking around, still trying to work out the residual adrenaline from between my bones. Adrenaline that almost causes me to feel truly excited by what I did. I mean, I reattached someone’s arm, while slapping him in the face and forcing him to calm down by staring him down. Then I got hit on by the ring girls, which I’m pretty sure is their job.

  Markan did warn me that “they are taught to be extra nice to healers on staff, in particular competent ones that don’t run from the sight of blood.”

  After that sobering revelation, I again felt a little ashamed that I bought the act so readily. That said, it made you appreciate the art that was going on, the way that they all acted as a family. While they went all out on the stage, they apparently were all very friendly with each other backstage.

  That was probably one of the coolest parts about last night, where I got to go behind the scenes and double check that everyone’s injuries were treated properly. It was a complete 180 in perspective, for outside the flaps and tunnels, they were the rocks stars. But back there, in the dressing room area, they all treated me as the hero. I was surprised to see that the boy’s wrist I healed was working just fine. While I would likely need to do a few checkups, as I could tell that there was still a stress fracture just waiting to happen, he seemed fine with the entire experience. Though he did seem to relish the attention.

  “I mean, if it gets you to hold my hand, then you take as much time as you need,” Slovak the Kid called out.

  After that, each contestant came over to make sure I had a chance to heal their bodies and hopefully work on any problem areas. I of course was allowed to stay and work with the athletes as Leah herself swore to protect me. Which was when Mr. Yi and Markan both went into the Announcer’s office and discussed future terms.

  I don’t know what was said, or what price was agreed upon, but Mr. Yi did give me a pouch with my own Mana regeneration tonic inside.

  “This will be part of your uniform from now on, if you use it, just tell anyone and they will help get you a replacement,” Mr. Yi’s confident words echoed.

  “Anyone?” I asked.

  Then as if I opened a flood gate, dozens of people all cried out saying I could go to them directly. Again, it was odd seeing how they all came together as a sort of underground family. Just as my tired mind thought I might get away with not having any fall out from the competition, that’s when I hear the two love birds chirping loudly from their little alcove.

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  “What are you saying?” Icky’s voice cries out, her harsh shrill easily echoing over the crowd of students who are all lost in their own conversations.

  “Look, I’m saying we should just take a break is all,” Johny’s voice called out. Hearing his voice, I remember the one person that I didn’t see last night.

  Hearing him speak, I just shook my head. Wondering if he fell for Leah the Destroyer, or worse one of the ring girls. That poor fool, I think to myself as I realized after being backstage with them last night, that they treat flirting as an Olympic sport. Which is fine, other than the fact that I, as the newest person there, was apparently everyone’s target for the night.

  Not that it was unwanted, but that I could tell they were mostly just teasing the new girl. Still, it did feel nice to be accepted so easily. Better yet, Markan and Mr. Yi both fully approved of my coming back for tonight, a Friday night blockbuster night. Followed by two long tournament days over the long Saturday and Sunday weekend.

  “But why? We were doing just fine,” Icky immediately progresses to level five clingy in a matter of seven words. Hearing her, my heart just goes out for her, not because of Johny being anything to be afraid of losing, but for the exact opposite. For Johny being nothing to lose sleep over.

  Girl, one day I hope you wake up and realize he isn’t that much. I think to myself, as I continue to my class, effortlessly swimming through the oncoming stream of students, getting to the far side of the hall and trying to use the alternating streams of students as a buffer between me and the self-destructing duo.

  “Look, we had our run, and we can still get back together. I just need to explore a few things right now.” Johny speaks and I wonder if he sounds pretentious to himself as well, or is that just a fortunate irony that everyone else gets to experience vicariously through watching this relationship implode.

  “Is it because of that stupid fight club? You finally don’t get injured and what? Suddenly you don’t need me anymore?” Icky cries out, her words drawing everyone’s attention. Like sharks who were happily passing by, all to see a fish explode right next to them. They all turn as one and for a moment stop moving, before their survival instincts kick in and they begin moving again.

  Thinking back, I wonder what the heck Icky is talking about, he was severely injured, two broken ribs, hairline fractures forming on other body parts. I try to think back, but his wounds just kind of blurred into the others. Not going to lie, other than the wrist that nearly got snapped off, and having to roll Leah off the rope, the rest of the night was pretty much a blur of fights, injuries, and repairs.

  “Hey, remember we aren’t supposed to talk about that,” Johny hisses out, his hiss easily cutting over any lingering conversation that might have remained in the hallway.

  Fortunately, they are too lost in their own arguments to see me slip into my class where I go unmolested to my seat. Sitting down, I let out a long sigh, as I think the hard part is over. Best part, so far no one seems to know anything, which is good. I just want to fly under the radar, hopefully finish learning the first of my Skill tomes before tonight and be able to start working on a healing mana regeneration Skill during my down time between matches. That is my goal, at least.

  Even when Mr. Zion comes in, he still looks at me apprehensively, but not with that same cold disdain that he had in the past. Though, I am guessing this is due to my new class. Speaking of which, I am not certain what exactly my bonuses for my Class are.

  My Master, Madame Bloom indicated that this first week is crucial towards flushing out the full capabilities of a Class. Which is why I was forced on my first day to go and work as an unlicensed healer for the Pit. The idea would be the stress of having to heal so many different injuries for a long sustained period in a mostly secure setting could help me improve my Class’s bonuses towards healing and Skill usage.

  That is also why she stressed not looking at the Class or its current description as it could very well change as my body adapts to this new Class.

  Honestly, I’m just happy that I can heal and do anything worthwhile.

  I am almost ready for homeroom to start, when I hear someone running down the hallways.

  SHREEK!

  That all too familiar sound of shoes running and then immediately trying to slide to a quick stop outside the door. While I would almost expect it to be any student, I was surprised to see the massive frame of Mr. Karl pop his muscular torso in, as he entered his head in to the classroom to do a quick scan. Then as soon as his eyes locked onto me at the back of the room, his face brightened with a giant smile as he entered the packed classroom. His large frame pushing desks and students out of the way as he made his way back to me.

  As he gets closer, I just look at him with wide eyed confusion. I don’t need detention today? At least I hope not, not unless Mr. Wallace made trumped up charges against me again, but that can’t be, can it? A myriad of thoughts are running through my mind as to why he would come back to see me in another teacher’s class. The last of which, was the reason why he actually came.

  “That was amazing!” Mr. Karl excitedly hissed out, his voice easily carrying and echoing in the small classroom.

  “What?” Is all I can eloquently come up with, trying to understand what he means.

  “Last night, you were amazing!” Mr. Karl continued.

  “Wait, what happened last night?” Mr. Zion called out from the front of the classroom, though he was already moving closer to no doubt try to hear or see something that might help explain what was happening.

  “You were there?” Is all I can come up with.

  “Heck yeah I was, I wasn’t the only one either,” Mr. Karl bellows as he gestures towards Mr. Zion.

  I just look at him confusedly, and then horror breaks out.

  “Wait, she was there?” Mr. Zion looks momentarily offended, as if I had just been convicted of kicking puppies on the way to school.

  “Yeah, she was,” Mr. Karl states, then he holds up his left hand and begins to swing his hand back and forth in a wild and limp fashion.

  Mr. Zion looks at the odd gesture for a second, then dawning realization hits as his face goes from one of confusion, to one of complete surprise.

  “WAIT? That was you?” Mr. Zion presses, his right-hand shooting over his mouth for realizing that he had spoken way too loudly, out of apparent shock.

  With that, I just nod my head slightly.

  That gesture, my slight head bob was apparently the last piece of confirmation needed to prove that I was telling the truth.

  “Oh that was you!” Mr. Zion comments. As he does, I just lower my head and really hope no one knows what exactly they are talking about.

  “Stop that, you are embarrassing the girl,” Mr. Karl commented.

  “What? Me? You’re the one who barged in here,” Mr. Zion shot back.

  Were they actually friends? Well no, not quite friends, but apparently good enough for work colleagues, which I guess made sense. Still it was odd to see my rival meeting with the teacher I considered to be my best supporter.

  Ding-dong-ding.

  “Gah, I’m late,” Mr. Karl began as he looked like he was about to bolt from the door and run through the hallways. A fact that he likely would do, but soon caught himself. Turning back to me, he asked one last question. “You’re going back tonight, right?”

  I nod.

  “Yes!” Mr. Karl blurts out emphatically.

  “And the rest of the weekend as well,” I respond.

  “The weekend too? They are going to make it an all weekend tournament?” Mr. Karl asked.

  I nod.

  “Oh, lass, you are my favorite of these degenerates,” Mr. Karl noted, patting me quickly on the shoulder, before he pushed his way through the still scattered row of desks before him and dipped to make his way out the door.

  Mr. Zion who had wisely chosen to be on the other aisle that ran parallel to the one Mr. Karl used stood there and just looked around at his now scattered classroom. One where no less than eight desks were misaligned and showing complete disarray.

  “All right then, let’s clean up this place. No reason to look like we are slovenly,” Mr. Zion called out, as he moved the pushed the desk he was next to back into its normal position.

  As he moved to the front of the classroom, I could feel twenty sets of eyes all turning to face me, each one seemingly trying to ask the same question. A question that I myself was trying to understand.

  What just happened?

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