CHAPTER XX: Group Meeting

“Good morning, little doll. Eat first before I take you to Laurent.” Mr. Bear is smiling at me while waiting at the end of the stairs.


“Good morning to you too, Mr. Bear.” I smiled at him and looked around to see if Mamita's already awake.


He guided me to the dining area, and I thought I would see her there but I was disappointed to see no one at our huge dining table.


“Where’s Mamita, Mr. Bear?" He pulled the chair for me and I immediately thanked him.


“She is still sleeping, little doll…” He also sat in the chair opposite of me.


I was sad because of that. This is the first time we haven't had breakfast together.


"Uh, I'll just go to her room.” Or I will greet her before I leave to school.


I was about to stand up when he stops me.


“Let your Mamita rest first. Maybe she was a little tired last night.”


I fell silent, remembering what just happened last night. We had a little misunderstanding and I hope it won’t last long. I badly want to talk to her.


“Do you think Mamita is still mad at me, Mr. Bear?” Thinking that she's still mad at me made me even sadder. I hardly slept last night thinking about her.


“Your Mamita loves you so much. Maybe she just felt bad so she didn’t keep up with us today. Don't think too much, little doll. Madame wouldn’t bear being not in good terms with you." He gave me a reassuring smile.


I just nodded, still worried that we will not fix it any way sooner.


“I'm just sad, Mr. Bear. Maybe I really went too far and took advantage her kindness. Am I becoming rebellious?”


I'm getting worried. What if I didn’t notice that I am really being hardheaded and stupid just like what Mamita told me last night?


He dropped his spoon as he gave me a look of sympathy. “Of course not, little doll. You are the most obedient creature I know and the kindest. Everything will be bad, and you will be the only one who stay good.”


I sighed. “This is the first time we had a misunderstanding. I hope we will be fine later.” I feel like I can survive even everyone can be mad at me, but not my grandmother.


“All right, little doll. We will figure it out later, okay? For now, finish your meal so I can take you to your school,” he said as he pours water on my glass.


I nodded and forced myself to finish the food. I need to go to the university today to attend the meeting with the Elites. There was no school for a week as a break from the Hunter's Game, so I also couldn't see Mathilda for a week.


***

"GOOD MORNING, AMARIS." Sanya smiled at me. She was the one I found outside the headmaster’s office.


“You are very beautiful, my gosh! The dress you are wearing suits you so well!” She has this wide smile while eyeing me. I am wearing an off shoulder yellow dress and white pumps.


“Thank you, Sanya. Good morning to you too,” I greeted and kissed her left cheek. I felt her` slight pause.


“Shocks! I don't know but I get really giddy every time you kiss me on the cheek!” she said as her face turned red.


"Expect more kisses from me every day." I giggled.


"You are so sweet, Amaris!" She clings her hand on my arm. "Let's go inside, they're all here."


She opened the door and ten pairs of eyes greeted me. I didn’t know how to greet them because they suddenly fell silent when Sanya and I entered.


“Good morning beautiful,” Tanya greeted me with a smiling face.


“Hi, Tanya!” I approached her and kissed her on the cheek as well. And just like Sanya, she was stunned by what I did.


"You are blushing, twin!" Sanya teased her and her giggles almost echoed the whole room. I even saw her hit Tanya on her shoulder.


I just smiled. They are so cute.


"Good morning to you too, Amaris," Drake greeted me and I smiled at him. I appreciate him for making it less awkward for us. I know we haven't talked much yet.


"Good morning, Drake."


"He is waiting for a kiss as well, Amaris." I heard Ashton said followed by Stephan’s loud laugh.


I was about to look at him but someone caught my attention.


Caden was looking at me with his famous blank face. I thought he would avert his gaze when I looked at him but he did not even bother. I don't know where did I get the guts to smile at him.


He looks so undeniably handsome today. I don’t know why in the days that go by he becomes even more handsome in my eyes. I was just disappointed when he suddenly averted his eyes. I always dreamed of talking to him but I don't know where and how to start. He could effortlessly make my heart throb.


"Can he get a good morning kiss, Amaris?" Ashton repeated and from a far, a flying book hits his head.


“Don’t give her ideas, d-mbass!” Sanya irritatingly said.


She's the one who threw the book. She then guided me to sit in next to Carmel and Jasper.


“That hurts, Sanya! You really are sadistic. I am just asking for a kiss for our stupid friend!” He laughed heartily as he looked at Drake. Only his loud and teasing voice could be heard inside.


Ashton was busy teasing Drake when someone growled and I saw how he immediately shut up. The women giggled. I looked at Caden again giving deadly stares at Ashton.


“I’m sorry, I am now shutting my mouth." He scratched the back of his head nervously.


Someone tapped her fingers on the table and it immediately got our attention.


"Let's start!" Amalia simply said.



I looked at her but she just avoided her gaze. It snorted and clung to the King’s arm.


"Congratulations again to the three of you!" Stephan happily greeted us. "As the headmaster said yesterday, you will be part of every group’s mission. You can elaborate something that you can do for the group.”


"You start first, Carmel," Amalia said while seriously looking at her cousin. The woman beside me confidently stood up and smiled.


“Hi, I am Carmel Nermain. Everyone known me as Amalia's cousin. I am good at fighting with my katanas.” She spoke with confidence and I can’t help but to admire her.


“Even if I won’t transform into my wolf form, I can be relied on to fight. I could take on the battle even if it was a whole day. I could also help on making a research about our enemy. I can even enter a territory without them feeling my presence.”


Wow! She is that great!


“She is also good at hand combat. Garnering two hundred and sixty-five points last Hunter’s Game was a good start,” Amalia added. “She’s great, right? A very nice addition to the group.”


I nodded in agreement. Hearing what she is capable of makes me adore her even more. In fact, I respect everyone’s inside. I could feel their dedication to help the university and the students here.


“Well, no doubt at that. I know that you really have good fighters in your race,” Stephan said.


“Of course. And I'm sure Carmel will have a big contribution to our group. She is not just a pretty face!" he said emphasizing the two last words she said.


“I am sure she won't embarrass me. Right, cousin?" She then looks to Carmel.


"Of course, Amalia," Carmel answered before going back to her seat.


"It's your turn, Jasper," Tanya said to the man beside me.


He cleared his throat before speaking.


“Hi. I am Jasper Muller,” he said with a wide smile showing his perfect white teeth. He has this cheerful aura around him. “It’s my pleasure standing here in front of the well-respected Elites. I've always dreamt of joining your group missions and I can't believe it would happen now.”


The smile on his face didn’t left him. I could clearly feel his good intention. That this is what he really wants to do.


“Well, they say I am great at using bow and arrow, and an expert at long-range battle. I could be the group's eye every time we have a mission. I am also good at planting traps and making weapons. In fact, the bow and arrow I'm using were made by yours truly,” he added and bowed a little.



"That’s great!" Ashton replied in amazement. Everyone gave him a round of applause, even I can’t help but clapped my hands.


"Uh, thanks!" he said while scratching his left eyebrow.


“I saw him once and can’t help but get amazed with his fighting skills. Jasper also has strong senses so he can quickly sense when an opponent is coming. I am sure he would be a great addition in our group!” It was Amalia and her voice was full of joy as she praised the man.


Well, at least she knows how to appreciate someone.


"Transforming into a wolf form or not, I know I could contribute to the group's success," he added.


Based on what he said, it was really impressive. He has big body built just like the men of the Elites. Perhaps the training he underwent was also intense.


"Jasper and Sanya would be a great tandem since they are experts at long range fight," added Vulcan, the third in command of Caden.


“Hmm, yes. And Carmel can go with any of us!” Amalia snapped her fingers. Excitement is visible on her pretty face.


I notice that she’s often the one to comment, well that’s good because she’s very hands on with the group. Caden, on the other hand, remained silent and observant.


“Alright, Amalia. Now let Amaris speak. Is it okay?" Sanya sweetly smiled at her. She then turned to me and winked.


"Go on," she replied shrugging her shoulders off.


“Uh, hi. I am Amaris Atkinsons,” I started.


I am so nervous right now. I’m not used to speaking in front of a lot of people.


“Honestly, I don’t know where I am good at. Last Hunter's Game was the first time I encountered those kind of creatures—”



"That's your first time?" Ashton exclaimed, cutting me off.


I just nodded.


“That was your first time killing two thousand SS+ ranks? Wow! That's fantastic!” He still can't believe it.



There was also a trace of shock in all of them so I don't know if I will continue to speak.



"Uh, thanks?" I think that's a compliment so I thanked him.


“I've been participating in the Hunter's Game for few years and I haven't met the highest ranking yet. I can kill up to five hundred S ranks… let’s say that I can also kill one to ten SS+ ranks, but with the number of people you killed I can't do that and I'm definitely not in this world after that. When it looks so easy for you?” Stephan's eyes widened as he explained.


I don’t really know what to answer to them, I thought it was really normal to get such big points. If I only knew…