The second round and the secret weapon

Well here we go, it’s Monday again. Eve seems to have adjusted to her new life, or rather she seemed adjusted to being a shut-in.

“Eve, you forgot to wash your dishes again!”

“You can clean them just fine, now shut up! I’m about to reach my favorite part.”

Eve was rewatching her new favorite anime, it was a boxing one. Well whatever, I don’t really care what she watches as long as she keeps it down while I sleep and does her chores!. I decide to go over and bully her, I pick her up by her shirt collar and bring her to the kitchen. I then watch over her washing the dishes, as she begins voicing her grievances.

“YOU COWARD! HOW DARE YOU! I SHOULD USE THAT ONE MOVE ON YOU-What was it called again?”

“You mean the super smash?”

“Gods no, that guy was so yesterday! I’m all about that cute Russian guy now, so I’m gonna hit you with the white fang!”

Like I said, she really loves this boxing anime. Including whenever they get into their “mara” humor. Eve continues complaining and saying the smell of the dish detergent stings her eyes, but I don’t believe her crap. After ten minutes she finishes cleaning her plates and runs back into the living room to continue her show. I notice she forgot to dry her hands and sigh as I start walking back to my room. I was planning to hole up in there, but fate had other plans.

“Hey, isn’t there school today?”

“Maybe there is, why do you ask?”

“Because you’re going to school today no matter what.”

Huh? What is this girl on about? She does know what she’s asking me right, especially after what happened on Friday.

“Eve, you do realize what’ll happen if I go right?”

“Of course! However, we already went over this didn’t we. You have nothing to be ashamed of, so don’t hide from that guy who beat you.”

I don’t feel ashamed of my heritage anymore, but that doesn’t just mean that I’m ready to take on the world. Especially when the headliner for the world seems to be Bernard, someone that even the seniors don’t mess with. I stood there silently, the result was Eve giving me a few words.

“Let me tell you something kid, guys like those aren’t gonna stop until you make them eat dirt. Even if you fall, at least that’ll act as a spark for people to know that they don’t need to be afraid.”

“Eve…”

“Besides, if it were me personally, after getting my ass beat I’d want to get it back in blood.”

I watched Eve as she spoke, that’s when I noticed something. At the very same moment she spoke to me, the anime she was watching had a pep talk moment. The big bro character in the anime she was watching told the main character the same thing, albeit using the context of the main character’s situation.

“Let me guess, you want to create a scene from an anime don’t you?”

“Sh-SHUT UP! Anyway, take this and gear up for school!”

She tossed me my uniform, it was perfectly ironed and the dirt from the other day was all washed out. She actually fixed my clothes for me, this brat can be surprisingly sweet sometimes. I took my uniform to my room and got dressed, the moment I came out Eve smiled and gave me a retort.

“Told ya, you’re ready to take on anything!”

“Funny how you say this when I’m walking into an ass beating.”

“Oh don’t worry, I got you covered!”

Eve immediately pinched her side, and started making weird faces.

“Uh, are you okay?”

“Urgh, Gack, Buurrr, Blergh!”

She immediately spat out a translucent pearl, what is that thing! It came out her stomach, so maybe-

“Is that solidified oil from your stomach?”

“Why certainly good sir, I the beautiful and Brilliant Eve present to you the finest of all lantern oils-ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is one of the ward stones that was sealing my power.”

“Oh, so that’s wh-Wait, it’s a seal for your powers!”

No way, don’t tell me the reason she’s been so passive despite being a so-called “Dark Lord” was because of these seal stones! Is she gonna become more evil now-

“No, I’m not gonna become more evil. The stones are useless now because over time my power was siphoned. I pale in comparison to my old self, so now these things are basically kidney stones.”

“Oh, are you in any pain?”

“Thanks for asking, but I’m fine. Although spitting these things out will be annoying. Anyway, time to set this thing up.”

Eve began making some weird gestures on the stone, soon enough a teal colored symbol glowed as it was imprinted on the stone. This was followed by a red symbol getting imprinted, after that Eve pulled out a strand of her hair. She turned her hair into thread and stuck it into the stone, Eve then walked over to me.

“Dadadada! Behold, a makeshift goodluck charm!”

“It’s clean right?”

“Yes you little prick! You are so ungrateful!”

I took the necklace from Eve and put it around my neck, I hope the thing really is clean. Eve then tapped two of her fingers against her temple. She then put those same fingers on my temple, and for a moment I heard static passing through my ears.

“Uh, Eve what did you just do?”

“Just some suggestion magic, now then quit standing here and get to school!”

I decided to take Eve’s advice and walked out the door, I got her blessing so maybe this won’t be so bad.

****

After the usual fifteen minute walk, I made it to school. I spotted Nina and Stacy walking in, they looked surprised to see me there. They probably expected me to wait a day before coming back, without saying anything we made our way to the classroom. Surprisingly, we were the last ones there today. All the other students were in their seats watching the front of the classroom with dread, the reason being because at the back of the room was the classroom tyrant. Upon seeing me, Bernard’s cronies shook him awake. He wasn’t happy about that, and upon seeing me he was even more pissed. I could imagine that before I walked in they told the class that I’d be out today, so me coming in broke the sense of dread they set up. As Nina and Stacy headed for their seats, some of the girls went over to talk to them. Meanwhile some of the guys bombarded me with questions, primarily why did I come back to school just to my ass beat again.

Soon enough Mr. Maxwell came in, and after a short lesson he left us to our devices. The first half of class went as expected, however I could feel eyes boring into the back of my head. That guy really must want to have a fight doesn’t he. Eventually the class broke for lunch, and after that hour we all began to head back to class. That’s when it happened.

“Move nerd!”

“Guhh!”

Bernard punched a student from another class right in the stomach, the poor guy started vomiting right on the floor. I looked around and of course no one wanted to lend the guy a hand, when I noticed the lanky one of Bernard's goons looking at me with a chuckle. I see so this is a bait I walked up to him from behind.

“Bernard, cut that crap out!”

“Well well well, looks like you actually showed up!”

Bernard turned around with a deranged look in his eyes, immediately his two cronies broke out into laughter, they probably think I’m dumb. Nope I came here on purpose, even if I’m a martyr I’ll make sure to get a couple hits this time. I watched as one of the students from that guys class finally grabbed him and pulled him out of the fray. Now it was me, Bernard, and our spectators. Alright time to ask this jerk what’s been on my mind.

“Where is my necklace?”

“Ha, of course you’d ask that! It’s at home with the rest of my trophies!”

“Of course it is.”

Bernard has a disgusting hobby, whenever he completes a conquest he claims one of his victims belongings as a trophy. He must have a mountain of people’s belongings at home, and my necklace is now part of that collection of his. I couldn’t help but glare at him, this asshole I swear I’m gone rattle that brain of yours.

“What’s that look for, you lost it fair and square. Although you must be dumb, after you got your ass beat last time you brought another trophy for me to pluck. What’s more is that it looks pretty expensive, you must be trying to draw some attention your way!”

I could hear his cronies burst out laughing, but I didn’t let it bother me. Instead I decided to join in and start laughing as well, this threw off Bernard and his crew. What’s more the spectators of our conversation watched in horror at what I just did.

“What the hell’s so funny!”

“What’s funny is that you’re calling me a loose guy when you got all those “presents” guys gave you.”

The hallway went silent, only for that silence to be broken by Bernard's rage.

“YOU LITTLE CRAP! I’M GONNA KILL YOU!”

“You can feel free to try, and when I break you make sure to give back everything you stole. You naked ape.”

Bernard’s eyes went white, he immediately rushed at me with the intent to kill. For once his cronies actually looked scared, I breathed in waiting for the impact. That’s when I noticed a warm gaze watching me, I turned back to see Stacy and Nina watching. Nina looked like she was shouting for me to run, and Stacy looked pale. They cared enough to come watch this time, I couldn’t help but smile. I then turned back to receive Bernard’s warm welcome, well Eve you even gave me this good luck charm. The least I could do is give everyone a good show.

Just like that Bernard’s right fist came at me with twice the force as last time, with speed like that I doubt I can-

“Eh?”

“...Eh?”

I reacted the same way Bernard did, without me noticing it, I dodged his punch.