"I'm back! Anyone miss me?" Mr. James's voice rang out like a bad ringtone, regaining consciousness with dramatic flair.
"Mr. James, I bet you don't exercise much. Your stamina is so poor. Look at how many times you have fainted." I nagged, hands on hips.
"I don't think he needs to look to know." Isaac muttered dryly without looking up.
"Mr. James looks so unhealthy. His face is so green like an alien!" Rona laughed.
"Maybe he needs some ginseng to boost his energy and stamina," Ronald offered helpfully.
"You have no rights to nag me when you guys are the ones who made me faint! And alien? How can you compare me to an alien? I'm so much more handsome than some puny alien! And you, bunny no.4. Don't you dare feed me that bitter plant. I don't care how good it is. Bitter is a NO for me!" Mr. James screamed, flailing his arms like a drama queen on the verge of collapse.
We didn't get a chance to argue.
Mr. James stood back up again. This time with a mischievous grin.
"Moving on, it seems the ceremony will start in 5 minutes, so we better hurry!"
His hands struck together with a crisp sound, and suddenly—
Shiing.
We were teleported.
A red translucent curtain loomed above like a stage veil, casting eerie shadows across the space.
"...?" I frowned. My eyes scanned the surroundings. Then it clicked.
"Ah… This place…" I whispered, my voice echoing faintly off cold stone walls. Behind me, the cage still stood—though Munchy was gone.
The final trial.
"What about this place?" Ronald asked, confused.
"Where your final trial was held, right?" Isaac's voice cut in, calm as ever.
"You read my thoughts? Scary!" I gasped and ducked behind Rona.
"Why would I waste my time reading your thoughts? They're probably empty anyway. Besides, your face shows everything. Literally everything." Isaac shook his head, exasperated.
I quickly touched my face. "Did I scribble something? Is there a sign or something?"
Rona giggled and shook her head.
"Liar. You totally read my thoughts."
Isaac facepalmed. "Talking with her shortens my lifespan."
Suddenly—
A voice echoed through the dome.
"Congratulations to the remaining survivors, and welcome to the Grand Ceremony. Tonight, we celebrate the Masters acquiring a new disciple. While we wait for the Ten Masters to arrive, we shall provide some entertainment. Please welcome—Lady Saska and Mister M!"
The crowd applauded as lights flickered and a theatrical stage emerged from the misty ground.
"Rona knows that voice. It's Mr. Gregory! He was Rona's host during the final trial. He's super shy and doesn't like to show himself." Rona drooled. "Makes Rona want to eat him."
"Oui. I think the reason he doesn't show himself is because he knows you'll literally eat him." I patted her head with a nervous smile.
But my thoughts drifted.
So… only the four of us left. The other two didn't make it…
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Rona asked.
I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing."
Bzzt.
That annoying noise again. I frowned. A blue screen shimmered into view.
Mr. James's face popped up like a used car salesman commercial. "Hello, hello again!"
"What are you doing here, Mr. James? I thought Mr. Gregory was the host?" Ronald asked.
"To see you all one last time, duh. And did you say Mr. Ogre is the host now?" Mr. James turned his screen camera, panning around. "Yep, size fits. Looks like you guys might finally see what Mr. Ogre looks like."
"Mr. Ogre?" I tilted my head. "I thought his name was Mr. Gregory?"
"Oh, that's what everyone calls him. You'll understand when you see him."
"Mr. James turned into a perverted demon!" Rona gasped dramatically.
"Pervert?! Bunny no.3! How could you call me that?" Mr. James clutched his chest like he'd been stabbed.
He's okay with being called a demon, huh?
I sighed.
Rona pointed at Isaac. "TsunTsun said when Mr. James smiles like that, he becomes a perverted demon!"
Mr. James glared at Isaac. Isaac—completely unbothered—glared back. "What? I'm busy. Speak fast."
"Eek!" Mr. James shrieked and clung to someone off-screen.
"Bunny no.2 hates me so much!" he sobbed.
The stranger beside him comforted him gently. "Maybe he's just going through a rebellious stage?"
Mr. James gasped. "You're right… I never thought of that! He just turned thirteen this year, so maybe it's his turbulent phase!" He turned toward us, grinning wide.
"Oui… I don't like that smile," I muttered, stepping back. Ronald and Rona nodded in sync.
"Here! Behold the holy grail!" Mr. James shoved something at the screen.
"…Pervy magazine? Really?" I deadpanned.
"Not just any magazine! This one's a one-of-a-kind, top-rated R-rated classic! Think Isaac will like it? Eh? EH?"
Dead silence. Ronald puked in the corner while Rona patted his back.
Mr. James pouted. "Why aren't you guys saying anything? Are you guys too stunned at the holiness of the magazine. I understand. I do, too, sometimes."
"Nope," I replied, emotionless. "He'll tear it, burn it, and then try to burn you."
Mr. James blanched. "So… that's a no?"
"How about… kidnapping the world's best hacker and making him teach Isaac everything?" I joked.
Ronald lit up. "Oh! That's brilliant!"
"Yes! Rona thinks so too!"
Mr. James's eyes sparkled. "YES! I SEE IT NOW! It's genius. Thank you, little bunnies! Hacker Kitty, here I come!" He waved like a lunatic. "Goodbye! And tell Bunny no.2 I said goodbye in the most loving and gracious way!"
The screen vanished.
Ronald chuckled. "Mr. James really adores Isaac, huh?"
"Rona thinks so too!"
Then Rona turned to me. "Hmm? Rona thinks Lil's face is paler than normal. Is Lil sick?"
Ronald gasped. "Whoa! Llyne, what's wrong? You look like you're going to fade away!"
I chuckled weakly. "Why not die peacefully than horribly? Ha… ha…"
"Why would you die?" they both asked.
"I'll protect Lil!" Rona declared and slapped my cheeks. Hard.
"OWWWW! What kind of protection is THAT?!"
"Rona doesn't know. Rona just knows—Rona doesn't want to lose Lil!" She hugged me tight.
I broke down, crying. "I'm sorry, Rona! I didn't mean to snap. It's just… I'm scared. Really scared Shorty might kill me."
"Kill you?" Ronald blinked. "No way! Isaac's sweet and innocent!"
Wow. What spell did Shorty cast on him?
I scoffed.
Suddenly, the music and lights snapped off.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
Mr. Gregory's nervous voice echoed.
"Ehem… My apologies. The Grand Ceremony will be delayed indefinitely due to Master Intel's… last-minute appointment."
"…What's with the pause?" I tilted my head. "Master Intel…? Short for intelligence? That… fits Shorty."
"Rona agrees!" she raised her arms.
Isaac smirked. "If I'm under a Master of Intelligence, I can access more data. More data means faster enemy elimination."
We stepped away. Far. Far. Away.
"Sweet and innocent?" I whispered. "He looks like a villain plotting world domination."
Ronald nodded gravely. "I see it now…"
"Now you get why I think Shorty will kill me if he finds out?" I asked.
Ronald gulped. "Yup. Good luck. Rona and I will pray for you."
Isaac's ear twitched.
"Oh? What did you do this time, jinx?" he asked, voice soft and spine-chilling.
His eyes gleamed behind narrowed lids as he stepped forward, smiling darkly. "Come on. Don't be shy. I won't hurt you, JINX."
"Rona can feel the burn from here…" Rona whimpered and ducked behind Ronald.
"Rona, I thought you were going to protect me?!"
"Nope! If both of Rona's besties are involved, Rona is out!"
I leapt onto her and tugged her cheeks. "You traitor!"
Ronald pointed in panic. "Uhh… Llyne? Shouldn't you be thinking of an excuse? He's coming!"
"AAAAH!" I screamed. "Right! I forgot! I have to make up a bullsh—"
Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my shoulder.
Cold. Tight.
Delicate shoulder—bruised instantly.
"AAAAHHH! I did nothing wrong! I just called you a demon wearing human skin! That's all!"