Chapter XVIII: Cheater

"How did that happen? She doesn't even have a scratch?! Is that monitor fooling us!?” Amalia fumingly added as she throws deathly glare at the screen.


“What magic did she cast?”


“Yes, she’s beautiful but that’s weird! Amalia is right!”


“That’s unfair if proven inefficient!”


“She doesn’t deserve the title! She doesn’t even look strong!”



Amalia’s rage was followed by various comments from the students here inside. I don’t know what to feel anymore. I don’t even desire this title so I don’t need to prove myself to anyone.


"Silence!" Someone growled from the back and everyone immediately calmed down.


“I don't want to hear any comments if it’s not needed! Shut your f*cking mouth, if you don't want to taste my wrath!” Caden stood at the center and I could sense dangerous aura from him. He looked around and at the same time the students lowered their gazes.


He turned his attention to me and I didn’t know how to meet his eyes. Fortunately, he was the first to avoid it.


"Let's ask July if her data is accurate," headmaster said and look at the monitor. “July, would you please tell us what is Ms. Amaris' battle information?”


The monitor lit up again and it spoke using her deep voice.


“Ms. Amaris Atkinsons got a perfect kill of two thousand SS+ ranks and got an incredible score of twenty thousand points!” a robotic voice announced. “Congratulations, Ms. Amaris!”


Silence prevailed for a few minutes before the headmaster had the courage to speak.


“Twenty-thousand points and all those you killed are in the SS+ rank? Wow! That's first in history!” He couldn't believe his words as he looked at me and the monitor.



“Damn! I really can't believe it!”


“I am not dreaming, right? He really got twenty thousand?” Ashton amusingly looked at Stephan who’s just next to him, but he immediately covered his mouth when he saw me looking at him.


I just smiled at him and saying that’s fine.


"Alright, let's move on!" Headmaster Laurent seems to have recovered and faced the students again.


“I just want to introduce to all of you our new Best Hunter, Ms. Amaris Atkinsons!” He has a big bright smile as he said that. He looked very proud and I got a round of applause because of that.


I may have got negative feedbacks from the others, but almost majority were very happy for me. Their faces show admiration, but I can't do the same for myself. My conscience still bothers me even when I force myself to think that those I killed were evil.


I bowed my head for them not to see the tears that fell down from my eyes. They wouldn't understand the pain I'm feeling right now.


***


"Hi, I'm Jasper Muller." The second in rank approaches me with a wide grin on his lips.


“I am Amaris. It’s my pleasure meeting you,” I answered and gladly took his hand.


His both cheeks up to his ears suddenly turned red.


"You're so beautiful…" He scratched his head as he looked at me.


I smiled shyly. "Thank you very much, Jasper."


I heard someone cleared her throat. My attention immediately went to her.


“I am Carmel Nermain, Amalia’s cousin. I'm glad to meet you two,” Carmel said and took my hand from Jasper's grasp.


"I am glad that you already knew each other…" The Headmaster interrupted our conversation.


I smiled at him and bowed my head to acknowledge his presence.


“Starting from now on, the three of you will join Elites' mission. But first of all, I want to congratulate you guys. You did a great job!” he said and was smiling from ear to ear while talking to us.


The three of us were here inside his office. We went here immediately after the announcement earlier. Other students were allowed to go home to rest and heal their wounds. Everyone’s definitely tired. I'm just glad that no one was deeply injured.


“I will leave the three of you here, I still have a meeting to attend to. Let the Elites orient you about what you have to do next.” He bids goodbye before disappearing into thin air.


I forgot to say that the Elites are here as well. When the headmaster left, the height of the tension here inside suddenly arises. They all look serious. I smiled at Drake when I noticed he is staring at me. He looks stunned for a second before smiling back.


Why are they so serious? It’s just good that Ashton has that big smile on his lips, even his eyes were genuinely happy for us.


I let out a sigh when Amalia broke the silence. Finally, I thought we will have a contest on being the most silent creature here inside.


“Do we need to include the three of them? Wouldn't it be better to just choose one of them who can be included in every mission?” Amalia said. She went poker-faced while eyeing me.


We sat in front of a long table, which I think they use whenever there is a meeting. The three of us stood side by side as they were in front of us.


“We already talked about that, Amalia. Haven't we discussed that whoever the winners are, they will automatically be included in the mission?” Drake replied to her which was immediately agreed by the members.


“What I am just trying to say is we will be too crowded if we included them all. Maybe instead of helping, she will just be a burden!” she said still looking at me.


Does she have a problem with me that she can’t tell directly? I am willing to listen to her.


“They got impressive points from the Hunter’s Game, especially Ms. Amaris. I am very sure they won't be a burden.” Stephan tapped her shoulder because he was the one sitting beside her. “Loosen up. You are thinking too much, Amalia.”


“You are one of those who suggested that we take the winners of the Hunter's Game to be included in the mission. Why did you suddenly change your mind, Amalia?” Tanya said without a hint of smile on her face.


“I’m just asking. Why do you seem so angry with me? I didn't say anything bad!" she exclaimed, her voice is starting to rise. Her face turned scarlet, veins popped out in her neck.


"My gosh, Amalia! Calm down!" Tanya exasperatedly looked at her.


“Don’t be mad, Amalia. We are just explaining to you what we've already talked about," Ashton added.


“Okay, fine! I'm always the wrong one! My opinion didn’t matter at all! When have I done right in your eyes, though?” She folded her arms and glanced at me but aver it right away.


“Shut up, Amalia! What you are saying is all pointless! We are getting lost from what we should be talking about,” said Sanya while frowning at her. "Let's just stick to the plan!"


“And if you think of Amaris, don't worry because she won't be a burden to you. Sanya and I will stake our ranks if she fails!” Tanya added with finality.


Oh, good heaven. I'm just busy listening to them but why is my name was mentioned all of a sudden?


“Oh please, Tanya! I didn't mention a name!” Amalia gritted her teeth. She was about to stand when Stephan stopped her.


“Did you hear me mention her name? You are the one who included her name here!”


“Oh, really?!” Sanya let out a sarcastic laugh. “I know who you are pertaining to, and where this conversation is going. Your bitterness is stinking!” Sanya snorted.


“Move on, Amalia. Your attitude is getting out of hand!”


We were just watching them as they throw lines with each other. Even the boys can’t stop them.


“I am not bitter, and why would I be? You make it too much of a problem, Sanya! I am just suggesting and here you are trying to be someone's hero!” Amalia rolled her eyes. She is like spitting venom through her mouth.


“Am I really the one who started this? So if you were to choose among the three, who would you like to include in the mission, huh?” Sanya challenged her.


Everyone suddenly gets silent, waiting for her to answer.


“I don’t know. Maybe, Carmel. She’s my cousin and I know what she’s capable of!” Amalia proudly said.


"Uh, thanks?" I heard the woman beside me whispered.


“Or Jasper, he is a good hunter. Marcus knows that!” she added and turned to the man next to him—Caden. But the latter just closed his eyes as he leaned back in his chair. He didn't seem to care but I knew he was listening to what was being said.


“There! Your hypocrisy showed up!” Sanya sarcastically clapped her hands. “You just admitted that you are bitter! You didn't include Amaris knowing the fact that she got the highest points. She should be the first on your list!”


Sanya looks like she is going to burst in no time. "What's the purpose of Hunter's Game, if we can't follow what was discussed?"


What am I going to do to stop them from fighting? They will not understand each other if they keep doing this.


“She got a f*cking twenty thousand points yet you are underestimating her capabilities. What do you think of the score she got, twenty?!” It was Tanya and I saw how she signaled her twin sister to calm down.


“Do I know if the data that July showed was accurate, and what if she just cheated to get that score? I didn't see her fighting those creatures and she didn't even get a f*cking scratched! So how would I believe her? Tell me!” She almost catches her breath after that.


Just like Sanya, she looks like she will burst and devour someone because of too much anger. Amalia looked at me like I am her most hated creature here inside.


I understand where she's coming from, but I never thought of cheating in the game. I'm not a cheater and I will never be. My Mamita taught me how to be fair. And I didn’t even want to get that title in the first place.


But yeah, how will I make them believe if I have no trace that I came from a fight? Why is this so complicated?!