Chapter 13 - Hopeless

Mersa had a worried look as she tightened her grip on Vorst's hand. The monitor displayed the progress of the battle. In the span of a minute, three of the Alliance's M-Gods were defeated. Just as the Red Lion was about to pierce the Elf's M-God's chest, she suddenly buried her face in the boy’s immature chest.

[Vorst: It's fine. Mistglan-sensei made it.]

He spoke with a reassuring voice as he embraced her. Hearing that, Mersa, like a scared animal, first took a small glance at the holo-monitor. After confirming the truth from the green-eyed boy's words, she gazed at the silver Liger with great interest.

[Mersa: That's Principal-sensei?]

[Vorst: Uh-huh.]

With her in his arms, they watched the unfolding events...

[Mersa: Will he be okay?]

He had saved the Elf, but the situation was still 1v3. A worried expression painted her small face.

[Vorst: It's fine. He is strong. Way stronger than those six...]

Mersa didn’t know why she completely believed Vorst's answer. Even if it was baseless, the way he spoke it had a force that made it sound like the truth.

Marc didn’t have a method to directly measure power. No, he didn’t need it. He could easily determine a target’s power level just by looking at them—by observing how they moved, how they breathed, how they stood, how their eyes moved... Their confidence. Their aura.

The instant he saw Mistglan’s relaxed expression this morning as Rankers appeared from the shuttle, he knew that the former principal was an extremely strong person in this world...

***

The sudden appearance of an unknown Ranker was shocking! After all, in the whole universe, there are fewer than two hundred of them. Out of thousands of billions, there are fewer than 200 Rankers. Piloting the M-Gods, all of them are well-known. Every single Ranker knew of all other Rankers, their M-Gods, their abilities, their skills, especially in the military. For example, the Kollos Alliance knew all the positions of the top Rankers of the opposing side in real time, and the same applied to the Crimson Empire. Top Rankers are classified from 'C' and above, and officially, there are only 19 of them—one 'S' rank, two 'A' ranks, eight 'B' ranks, and eight 'C' ranks.

At this moment, according to the official records, the Alliance had a 'C' rank and two 'E' ranks, while the Empire had two 'E' ranks and one 'F' rank. At a glance, there was a considerable difference in power, but no one expected the outcome! A 'F' rank completely dominated the battle!

The truth was that Redwan/Erdia was considered an 'F', but his real power was that of a 'C' Rank!

After the Crimson Alliance took him in, he was carefully hidden. With a forged background, he enjoyed a life free of struggles and full of pleasures. The only rule imposed on him was to keep up with his training and at least retain his previous rank. According to the official record, Redwan was born 500 years ago and achieved Ranker status less than a hundred years ago but never advanced from the 'F' rank and rarely participated in any wars. He was the Crimson Empire's trump card! And they chose to let him act now to eliminate the White Wolf Princess...

A hidden ace that had been nurtured for the past 700 years was played.

[Redwan: Mistglan...]

[<Redwan>: MISTGLAN! You bastard! How the hell are you alive?!]

A thunderous voice boomed from the Crimson Lion's God mouth.

[<Mistglan>: Huh, Erdia, I’d love to repay you for a favor from the last time...]

Mistglan was (or is) a War Hero, a legend from history. An outstanding genius raised by Athena’s Institute, he was one of the youngest to attain Ranker power and the youngest in history to gain a 'B' Class Rank.

Once, the Kollos Alliance clashed with the Elzeath Empire, and in one battle, they suffered enormous damage. Over 20 Rankers were injured, and their fleet was fleeing. Just as the pursuers were about to catch up, Mistglan made a decision to secure their escape.

No fleet could seriously ignore a Ranker, even a single one.

The silver M-God unsheathed his white blade and charged straight at them, and he was met by 10 other Rankers! In that hopeless situation, desperate Mistglan performed a miracle—six Rankers fell by his hand, and three M-Gods were incapacitated, which he traded for his M-God and supposedly his life. Thanks to this sacrifice, the Alliance’s Rankers had time to recover, and in the end, they won the war.

Redwan couldn’t believe his eyes because he was one of the ten who fought and killed that war hero. But now, once again, that imposing silver Liger appeared before him with that unique aura.

That was the Kollos Alliance's trump card—Mistglan!

Redwan immediately switched to a private channel.

[<Redwan>: You two, prepare for retreat.]

[<???#1>: What are you talking about? We have a mission to accomplish.]

[<???#2>: Redwan, it’s three versus one. Are you afraid?]

[<Redwan>: F*cker, do you even know who he is? Before we could take him down, he KILLED two 'B' Class and four other Rankers right before my eyes, and f*ck, he’s still alive.]

[<???#1 & ???#2>: ... *cold sweat*]

Redwan/Erdia completely lost his composure as he focused all of his nano-photons on his movement system.

Meanwhile...

[<Mistglan>: Victor. You there? What’s your M-God status?]

[<Victor>: Wh-wha? Is that you, former Principal of Heran? H-How?]

[<Mistglan>: Explanations can wait. Your status?]

[<Victor>: 23% operational, weapons systems down, most of the armor gone, but the movement system still works... a bit... somehow...]

[<Mistglan>: Good. Provide cover for those two. They should switch to their M-Colloses and move back to the hangar.]

[<Victor>: But it’s three against...]

[<Mistglan>: Move it.]

[<Victor>: ... Roger...]

The Elf noticed that the enemies weren’t moving despite having a number advantage. In this situation, he decided to follow the directions of the mysterious silver Mechanical God.

Redwan was watching the charging bar.

[<Redwan>: Remember, as long as he charges at us, fire at those white wolves. That will force him to go back.]

[<???#1 & ???#2>: Roger.]

70%...

80%...

90%...

92%...

95%...

96%...

Victor and the White Wolves suddenly started moving towards the hangar.

97%...

The Elf immediately moved in front of them and created a psychic barrier.

98%...

[<Redwan>: F*ck! But we can make it! Fire! Fire! Fire!]

99%... Pew Pew Pew... Three super-charged lasers pierced the space but were repelled by either the Silver M-God or the Elven psychic barrier.

100%

That’s it! Redwan was overjoyed, and all three of them started an escape sequence.

Just as they were about to turn into blurs and appear hundreds of light-years away, a terrifying sight entered his vision. In a blink of an eye, the Silver M-God appeared in front of one of the other M-Gods... And with a white flash, it was cut open...

[<Redwan>: ... No way... No way... An 'A' rank? IMPOSSIBLE!]

With eyes full of disbelief, he and the other M-God disappeared from sight.

***

According to the rules of the Alliance, the tapes of all the battles were released to the public. Although it was prohibited to show them to children, all adults were free to watch them unedited. Most people preferred to watch them after the media polished them up thoroughly into a child-friendly version. But in this special case, it was completely different.

[Have you seen the Silver Liger?!]

[Wow, he was so good!]

[I bet he’s handsome.]

[Silver Liger! Silver Liger!]

[Silver Liger protected the White Wolf Princess. He’s like a white knight appearing when the princess is in trouble. Silver Knight-sama!]

[Silver Knight-sama~~ I need rescuing~]

Billions of citizens swarmed through the official government site to see the rumored Silver Liger. A new Ranker suddenly appeared and saved the day! And he was extremely powerful too!

In the span of a few hours, thousands of fan clubs for Mistglan were created, and toys of his M-God were already in production even before the Alliance released his official name...

***

[Mersa: Hehehe, I never would have thought that Mistglan-sensei was a Ranker.]

The White Wolf Princess was in an excellent mood. As Mistglan returned, he found that the relationship level between them had increased even higher. Right now, the wolf girl’s head was laying on his lap, and the emerald-eyed boy was leisurely petting her. Her wolf ears and fur on her head were truly a pleasure to touch.

A giggle escaped her mouth with

a "That tickles~~ Hehe~" The pink space created and painfully stabbed all of the singles on the board. Naturally, only Mistglan, who was sitting next to them, suffered...

The Liger rolled his eyes as he stared at the ceiling... He would have to endure all those stares from the ship crew for the next seven days! He was completely exhausted, and the trip had just begun a few hours ago. It wasn’t because of that battle—it was his spirit, his spirit was drained...

***

The rest of the journey went without a hitch. With the four Rankers, including the incredible Silver Knight, the Crimson Empire completely gave up on the White Wolf Princess. Since boys weren’t allowed in female quarters, nor females in male quarters, the children spent most of their time in the 'public' space... Belien could only grit his teeth as he watched the 24/7 pink space occurring inside the Arcadia Warship every day. After all, they were accompanied by that 'A' Class Ranker; what could a mere Upper Circle Tier like him do? A man cannot go against a God.

Well, not only him. 98% of the male ship crew cursed them with words similar to "Why that powerless?!" Mistglan could nearly see all that malice materializing around the boy, who simply ignored it all.

***

[Time: Seven days later]

The silver-haired Elf was a picture of beauty. Gallant with a gentle note to her, her slender figure and delicate facial features were highlighted by her brilliant smile as she greeted them as they left the shuttle...

***

Mistglan fell onto the sofa. He was in the private room of the Headmistress of Athena’s Academy.

[Mistglan: So tired...]

[Claire: You made a big show out there, but I don’t think it would seriously tire you. Are you perhaps growing old?]

[Mistglan: I don’t want to hear that from a woman who is several thousand years old.]

[Claire: Woman's age is a forbidden topic. In that regard, you lack a lot. At least try to get it on the level of that boy.]

[Mistglan: *critical damage* Geh.]

With a gentle smile on her face, she knew exactly where to hit to make it hurt.

She recalled the image of the 'powerless'. As they were leaving the shuttle, she received the reactions she expected. Except for one.

***

As one of the three (formerly two) 'A' Class Rankers, she was received with full admiration and respect. The true legend. Pilot of the first Collos, and also the first to reach the peak of power and utilize the very first M-God. Definitely the strongest in the Kollos Alliance, so powerful that Mistglan knew that despite having the same rank, he would lose 10 out of 10 tries if he dueled with her.

Respectful bows from four Rankers, a look full of admiration from the Wolf Princess... then... then was he. In contrast to everyone present, he walked with carefree but steady steps. Claire was especially sensitive when it came to seeing through people’s true nature... And the boy... He wasn’t just showing off. His aura was full of arrogance. At first, she brushed it off as childish pretentiousness due to his support from the White Wolf Princess, but then she realized... It was confidence. That overwhelming confidence. Confidence in himself. And with every single step, it simply poured out of him.

As their eyes met, he simply nodded as a greeting. Not in a subservient way. No, it felt as if they were on the same level.

***

[Claire: How was it?]

[Mistglan: The Wolf Princess experienced the sub-trans as she saw the boy.]

[Claire: His core reformed, right?]

[Mistglan: Yes, but reforming the core won’t be much use. You saw the results; he lost all of his power and his aptitude also decreased. If the price for reformation is those two, it’s not worth it.]

[Claire: Indeed. Hmm, how was her reaction to the battle?]

[Mistglan: At first, it was usual, but thanks to the boy, she overcame the initial fear. I’d say his presence is incredibly beneficial to her.]

Boy again, huh...

[Claire: I see. The boy himself is still hopeless, huh?]

[Mistglan: It can’t be helped. He’s powerless, and his aptitude decreased even further after that incident...]

[Claire: I see... "That confidence he showed though..."]

[Mistglan: Although he has a great influence on her, are you sure about this arrangement?]

[Claire: I don’t see anything wrong.]

[Mistglan: Truly, this is an all-girls' school...]

[Claire: Mist, dear Mist, you need to start looking at the larger picture. Mersa will one day definitely become a Ranker, and with her aptitude, she might even surpass you. For her to have a pet or two is nothing.]

Mistglan, hearing the comparison, frowned... but it was the truth. Athena’s Institute has several classes, each for every major Power level: LST, HST, Lower Circle, Mid Circle, and Upper Circle. Among those classes, there is a clear division between an A class where the most talented are gathered and the rest (B, C, and D) who were enrolled thanks to connections or because a family member is currently attending Athena’s or Mars’.

Just as she said that, inside Claire’s mind, the picture of a master/pet relationship appeared, and surprisingly (or not) Mersa was put in the pet position. Her intuition told her something, but hard facts are hard facts, so she decided to ignore it.

[Claire: Here is your assignment. LST D-class.]

[Mistglan: This is intentional, right?]

[Claire: Right, we need someone to protect him. I will keep an eye on the Wolf Princess myself. If by any chance he advances to HST before she becomes a Ranker, I’ll promote you too...]

[Mistglan: ... That’s very reassuring...]

[Claire: Train them well...]

[Mistglan: ... Please excuse me...]

He received the worst bunch of them all!!! Among the children attending the academy, D class only had Mid-tier subs! They were all children accepted into the Institute thanks to their siblings who had something close to UHigh aptitude. To let the most promising students train without worry, the academy also took care of their siblings. D class was known as the Failure class... Sigh, the reality was too cruel...

***

Meanwhile, Vorst and Mersa were sightseeing the academy city, completely oblivious to the misfortune that befell their former principal...

All of the student body was warned by Claire-sama herself. No one was allowed to bully the 'powerless'; breaking the rule meant immediate expulsion from the academy...