If Yvonne Bright's situation was only surprising, then Vincent Fox's declaration just now was downright shocking.
"Someone actually chose a C-Class hero? That guy's nuts!""Vincent Fox, right? I've got your name madman!""That girl Bright… she just had bad luck. But this guy deliberately gambled on a C-Class hero? What's his angle?""I salute him, I don't bow to anyone else now!"
In the classroom, students buzzed with incredulous whispers. Their eyes on Vincent were equal parts curiosity and disbelief as though they were staring at a lunatic. How could anyone pick a worthless C-Class hero as their bond?
Even Counselor Helena Hayes looked astonished.
Vincent sat unmoved, calm as ever. Let them think he was a fool he knew the real fools were those who passed up the strongest hero in the universe for a chance at lesser powers.
"Cough cough!" Counselor Hayes finally cleared her throat. "Thank you, Vincent, for your… unique introduction. We'll continue roll call with Beau Li."
…
Roll call finished, they elected class officers. The prettiest girl in class became class president; Yvonne Bright was chosen vice president. Both were girls.
Morning flew by. In the afternoon, their first real lesson began.
An elderly professor shuffled in, carrying a stack of heavy tomes.
"Who's class president? Hand out these books."
The president tall, serene, worshipped by the boys stood and distributed the volumes. As soon as everyone opened them, a collective gasp echoed through the room.
Every page bore a horrifying illustration of the undead grotesque zombies that looked like gruesome photographs come to life.
A few timid girls let out shrieks.
The old professor glanced up, unfazed. "What you see are the creatures of the Second Forbidden Zone," he said calmly. "Officially, they're called zombies. They're humans infected by a virus, transformed into mindless predators. Starting today, you have one month to study Zone Two's contents and undertake combat training because a month from now, each of you will venture into Zone Two itself. These zombies will be your greatest enemies."
Vincent frowned in surprise. Zone One had been the One Punch Man world this one was a zombie apocalypse? He'd heard most Forbidden Zones offered choices, Zone One allowed you to select a hero to bond with. What would Zone Two's options be?
Flipping through his book, he spotted more illustrations not just zombies, but ravens, zombie dogs, and other infected beasts. His gaze froze on the image of the zombie dog. It felt eerily familiar, as if he'd seen it before…
Would you like any adjustments or further refinements?