ZINLESTER'S POV

Shortly, Bam finally came along with Xiaxia. Xiaxia looked hella tired while Bam looked like as if he didn't just kick a guy over to the fence.

"Good job." Novick complimented the two, or maybe just Bam.

Novick then began to deadpan at Bam. "I told you to take it easy...but you blew up a guy to the audience." Said Novick. Bam only chuckled and lightly apologized in response.

"Hey Neon, let me pass. I'm super tired. I wanna go and get some rest." The girl with bunny ears, Xiaxia, told towards Novick without any glint of respect.

The boys then began to tease Xiaxia about her ears while Bam just laughed. Xiaxia looked extremely annoyed. Her gaze then looked over to me.

Immediately, Xiaxia's expression turned into an embarrassed one. She looked away, staring at her fit as she bit on her lower lip, like her way of coping rejecting situation.

I'm honestly not bothered, nor do I feel guilty because I kind of rejected her in a harsh way. I know that I should have at least listen her out, but I'm not really interested in making friends, at least making more friends. Especially since she is from FUG.

Our situation is risky, trusting people fast will obviously be a bad move. Not to mention, I am at stake, my brother is at stake. Who knows what will happen if I actually befriended Xiaxia, what if she betrays me too then lure me and Zon?

'Plus, her personality...is too similar to him.'

I shook my head out of frustration.

Besides, considering my popularity, my background might be revealed. Until this very day, I still haven't told anyone about my past, and I don't plan to either.

Novick seemed to notice Xiaxia's uncomfortable attitude and then soon decided to just shut the hell up. It was soon then announced that Novick is one of the next participants for the next round.

"Cassano, Helmet, and....me." the Spear Bearer muttered lowly. "Where Mr. Cassano and Ms. Yuto?" Bam then asked. "Probably getting ready already." I answered Bam.

Novick then began to lightly stretch his arms. "Alright, time for some exercise." He commented as Bam wished him good luck.

As both Novick began to walk out along with Ran, I first turned to Bam with a small smile playing on my lips. "I'll be going with them," I pointed at the 'David and Goliath'. "See 'ya later, Bam." I grinned at him.

The brunette nodded at me with a small smile of his own as well. "Take care, Ms. Zin."

Nodding my head back at him as well, I took another glance at Xiaxia only to see her eyeing me at the corner of her eyes in utter disappointment in herself. Once she realized that I've noticed her gaze on me, she quickly looked down before clenching her fists.

Pretending that I didn't noticed, I calmly walked back and caught up to Novick and Ran.

"Guys, wait for me!" I called as the two halt on their steps to let me catch up to them. Once I reached Ran's side, we then again began to walk.

There was this some sort of awkward silence surrounding us. It's as if Ran and Novick want to spill something, like wanting to say something that is at the tip of their tongue but not really. I don't know, but they did look like they were suspicious of something.

'Have they already noticed?' I questioned myself in my head.

"Did you two notice?" Novick couldn't stop himself from refraining and decided to break the silence. "This battle is a bit odd." He added.

Ran then answered calmly. "Yes."

'Huh. So they have already noticed. Well, it's not a surprise. The people from Group 1 did talk some very questioning shit back there.'

Trying not to look obvious, I stile a glimpse of Novick at the corner of my eyes before shoving my hands into my shorts' pockets. "Considering the participants who talked about taking back Viole, yeah it is pretty odd." I replied, smoothly lying by calling Bam with his alias.

"Viole?" Novick turned to me with a questioning look.

"What?" I ask back and also turned to the ravenette with a questioning look of my own.

Novick stared at me for some time before then spilling. "Now that I've noticed...this is the first time you ever called Viole...'Viole'. These past days, you've been calling him, 'Bam'." He bluntly revealed.

I stopped on my tracks. My eyes widened as I stared at Novick who had a deadpanned look.

"He does have a point," My eyes shifted down to Ran as he along with Novick stopped walking and completely faced me. "You've been acting very odd. For some reason, you're quite close with Viole. And just as Novick said, you address him as 'Bam' which no one has ever called him except you." The younger bluenette continued on his statement, a total blank expression plastered on his face yet stoic and fierce.

'Shoot. I'm busted.' I mentally strangled myself to death.

Gulping the lump that has formed in my throat, my eyes stared back at Novick and Ran seriously.

"Tell us..." Ran trailed off. "What the hell is going on?"

Licking my lips in anxious, I gathered up the courage to make a response. "That....is none of your business." I replied, fearlessly.

Ran cocked a brow at me. "None of our business? Huh, I wonder..." the dwarf then began to tauntingly approach me, and obviously, I wasn't faced by this even a tiny bit.

He stopped right in front of me feet and looked up with me with a taunting gaze, as a response I furrowed my eyes at him. "I wonder what would A.A. think of you giving random guys an endearment, especially a Slayer Nominee like Viole."

O__O <------- Zin

'What? :D'

"H-Huh?" I stammered, feeling flustered by Ran's unexpected words as a blush then travelled to my pale cheeks.

'I-Is he pissed that I'm giving Bam an....'endearment' instead of his brother? But it's not even an endearment!!' I internally screamed.

>___< <------- Zin

Ran shook his head side to side, showing his utter disappointment. "I can't believe that you're easily swooped by good looking guys, Zin." He interjected catching me even more off guard!!

"H-Hold on a sec! There is misunderstanding!!" I instantly denied all of this stupid little shit's assumptions. Does he think I'm a girl that is only after boy's looks?! Oh hell no!!

"We've been betrayed." He suddenly said out of nowhere!! Ran then turned to Novick who seemed unaffected by all of these. "Come on Novick, let's leave this traitor here and go by ourselves. Girls like her are a total turn off." He fucking insulted before walking out, his hands in his pockets.

O__O?????? <------- Zin

Looking like holding in his laugh, Novick did a peace sign to me before following Ran.

"....that prick." I muttered under my breath.

Puffing my cheeks in embarrassment, I didn't even bother to follow the two in order to clear up some things as I was too annoyed of them. With my fists clenched, I marched my way out into the opposite direction of the way Ran and Novick went.

'Those two won against me this time...for the very first time. Hmph.'

☂☂☂

THIRD PERSON POV

"Hey, Ran," Novick called out to Ran as they continued to walk together side by side.

"Hm?"

"I know that Zin didn't notice, but were you actually serious when you asked her what the hell was going on right??" The Ha questioned the Khun.

A short moment of silence was Ran's first response before he actually gave in and admitted his actions. "....yeah."

"Then why? I know that we know that Khun and Zin have a thing, but why use that as an excuse? It's pretty obvious that Zin is hiding something from us," Novick revealed his suspicion to the younger one. "Well, at least she's hiding something related to her relationship with Viole. Wonder what's that about? But don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't trust Zin." he added.

A sigh left Ran's lips before he replied. "She's Zin. Sure, she has secrets and everybody does, even to Khun who she obviously trusts the most out of all of us. But I don't think that we really have any right to question her about that stuff."

Novick was silent for a few seconds. The Spear Bearer thought that Ran had a point, everyone who came into the Tower had a past that is not delighting to hear. Zin, is also probably one of those people. Novick then decided to just follow what Ran has said. "Earlier when Viole was fighting the Princess' Team, it seemed like he was trying to hide his identity. Could it be that Viole has a connection to them? I mean, it's not unknown that Zin is friends with Princess Endorsi and their team."

"What's for sure is that FUG is hiding Viole's past." Ran commented before continuing. "The question here is 'Why did FUG make Viole take part in this battle?' This isn't a good place for them to control Viole. And people who know Viole's past may gather here."

Novick then stated his conclusion as e bit his fingers for this is his habit. "Saying they did it to show off their Slayer Nominee's powers....is not a good enough explanation."

"I also think that taking Zin as a hostage is part of their plan."

"Why do you think that?" Ran questioned Novick as he eyed him in the corner of his eyes.

Novick continued. "When we came to the Hand Of Arlen, Zin was being carried by that other FUG member before he was killed by Zin herself, right? It's pretty obvious that she got ambushed, meaning that kidnapping her was a part of their plan. Unlike us, when we survived that incident, it looked like they were just forced to let us join them because if they let us go, we will likely spill their scheme or give them even greater problems."

"Hmm..." Ran hummed as he thought deeply into Novick's statement. "You got a point," the Fisherman nodded in acknowledge. "Not to mention, that weird guy who called Zin his 'sister' appeared out of nowhere, they looked pretty similar too. Zin immediately denied it though, but I'm sure there's more into it." The bluenette added.

The two stayed silent for a moment, briefly examining all of the gathered information in their heads.

"Those FUG bastards...must be hiding something." The Spear Bearer mumbled.

Novick spit as he continued. "Well, we'll find out soon enough." He reassured but then noticed that Ran was paying attention to something else.

That something that caught Ran's attention seemed suspicious.

Both stopped on their tracks, as the Fisherman looked back at the man that just passed by that gave him a suspicious feeling. "What's wrong, Ran?" Novick then asked him out of concern and curiousness.

The bluenette's eyes remained glued onto the back of the walking figure before he responded.

"He's not human."

☂☂☂

ZINLESTER'S POV

Arms crossed, a deadpanned look on my face, leaning my back onto the railings, and tapping my right foot aggressively on the floor, as I looked unamused at Novick who was shirtless.

His participation for the tournament has already ended. Unfortunately, it ended as him as the winner. Since he won, I hope Ran will lose. They did me dirty earlier.

"Congratulations," Sarcasm was obvious in my tone as I greeted Novick with a bored look. "Come on, don't look at me like that." He slightly frowns at my expressions and I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Let her be, Novick." I glared at Ran who just spoke while he just stuck out his tongue at me. I could only release a growl of frustration before turning away from him, avoiding both of the males' gazes.

Although, I won't lie, relief immediately washed over me when I heard Ran's wrong assumption. Yes, it was embarrassing and really hurt my respect for myself, because I don't just like boys for being pretty you know?

But still, going back, I was really glad that Ran didn't think of anything about Bam and me being friends. No one obviously still knows that he is an Irregular. However, I still have my doubts. I feel like Ran and Novick has some suspicion about my relationship with Bam, but asking them about it will only do no good, so I decided to just stay quiet. They will soon know it, hopefully.

"Here is the list of the last three groups that will determine all!!" The host hyped up everyone. I took a glance at the screen and take a good look at it, reading each names of the participants.

Slowly, my brows rose up in amusement as I stared at two certain participants.

"Anaak Jahad, Khun Ran...." I mumbled under my breath. "Well this is certainly interesting." I commented to myself as I completely leaned my back onto the railings, stuffing my hands into my short's pockets. My face had a small smirk plastered, I looked extremely interested and amused.

"Two of the top five E-Rank Regulars are in one group!!!!" The hosts hyped up the audience even more. I only listened to the loud cheers as I closed my eyes, and then stealing a glance at Ran who looked surely determined.

'I kind of feel bad for the Gamblers, though. Imagine betting on Anaak or Ran? I'd rather try solving the world problem about which comes first; an egg or a chicken?'

The hosts then continued to explain that the Gamblers about the new added rule, that they can go 'All In'. To sum it up, it's betting all of their points for this last group because....it is the last. Obviously, if a Gambler went 'All In' and lost, they will lose all of the points they've gained throughout the whole Tournament. But, if they've managed to win, the winner gets and extra three million points.

"Dude..." I couldn't help but let out surprised sound because of that new added rule. Just imagine the temptation of wanting to get that three million points, the greediness. I'd probably not go for it though if I have enough points. Three million points sounds sweet...too sweet for someone to actually get it.

'Now I also kind of want to see Ran winning this and defeating Anaak. That lizard has always been too cocky and I hate it. I think the only cocky persons I could actually handle in this Tower are the Khuns.' My face scrunched at the thought.

"Break a leg, kid." A smirk formed on my lips as I eyed Ran who immediately froze on the spot. He was just about to leave to begin his battle, but my tease at him pissed him off.

The bluenette Fisherman slowly shifted his head to me like a robot, taunting me. His eyes pierced my soul but I was obviously not fazed by this as I only gave him a smug look.

"After I finish off that lizard, I'm coming for your head next." Ran threatened with his eyes glaring daggers at me.

Normally people would have peed in their pants just seeing Ran's intense and scary glare, but since I'm taller than him, all I did was give him my best innocent closed eye smile, looking all princess-like. "Looking forward to it."

~END OF CHAPTER 14~

Yooo school is finally over and I survived!!! Are y'all proud of me??? ^^

I seriously thought that I won't survive school holy crap I was so stressed out.

Anyways, I'm back lol yeah and I'll make sure I will laze of so much after all those hard works I did just for something like sChooL.

For those who also survived school and reached 'till the end, I'm proud of you!! ^^ For those whose school still hasn't ended keep it up and I'm sure you'll also survive!!

And for those who died well, RIP I guess (.__.)

Anyways, here's a double update lol. For the next chap I will be skipping Ran and Anaak's fight because that thing takes too much time and I don't think you'll want to read it all over again since probably you guys already read it.

I'll try to update as fast as possible again. Thx!!

K that's it lol byeeeeeeeeeeee