A Wanderer's Lies

"Professor Hall?"

Isaac, stepping out of the elevator that led to the floor of his suite, was met with a bald man in a floral shirt, shorts and a pair of sandals.

"Hello, Isaac. I don't suppose I can have a moment of your time?" Xavier asked, to which Isaac put on his usual innocent and clueless facade.

"Yes, of course. Step inside my room, and I'll make you a cup of…" Before Isaac could finish, Xavier raised his hand, his usual smile that squinted his eyes painted on his face.

"No, that won't be necessary. This will be quick." Xavier retorted.

Isaac paused for a second.

"I've only come to get your answer on my proposal?"

Of course, from the moment Isaac saw Xavier, he knew what this was about. But he couldn't make that obvious.

'No, it's easier to manipulate others if they think you're not a threat.'

As for Xavier's proposal to join Onyx, well he'd already made his mind up about that long ago and was only buying himself as much time as possible.

"I've thought long and hard about it, but ultimately, I must refuse."

Xavier showed no reaction; his smile never faltered, and his Aura never changed.

Truthfully, there was a small part of Isaac that believed he would outright assault him on the spot.

But his logical self knew he wouldn't risk blowing his cover to deal with something so menial.

'No, he'd probably have a minion do it.'

"I see. May I ask why?"

Isaac nodded obediently as he soon responded.

"As you know, I'm an F-Ranker. And though this is usually a curse for most, I still have a chance. As a Wanderer."

"I can still change things in my second scenario. I still have a chance. Therefore, I'd like to focus on myself and training to prepare for when the day comes."

Xavier soon nodded, breaking his statue-like stance as Isaac finished his words.

And though Isaac was lying, there was a slight truth to what he said.

He was extremely interested in his second scenario.

Questions like what verse he'd visit and what his quest would be constantly repeated in his mind.

Even obscure topics like what his Timeline would be.

He'd learnt from the only book on Wanderer's the Academy had, that it was completely unknown if Wanderer's Timeline worked the same as Inheritors.

For example, did a Wanderer create a Timeline like Inheritors, or did they simply appear in random Timelines like they did verses, or maybe both?

For all anyone knew, for his second Scenario, Isaac could return to the same Verse as his first, in the same Timeline, even back in the Dark Continent.

There were too many questions.

"Your second Scenario, huh? I can help you with that. Not just in training and gaining power but also in information. For example, do you know what happens when you enter a new verse for your second Scenario?"

Isaac raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, however, before he could think of an answer for this, Xavier continued.

"The additional PS you'll gain…how will your body react to it?" As Xavier said this, it was as if a tinge of emotion seeped into his voice, though Isaac couldn't tell what it was.

Or rather, he wasn't focused on it.

Instead, for once, his expression faltered as he heard Xavier speak.

'What?'

Isaac thought it himself but was unable to reply as Xavier continued.

"You see, there are many ways in which I can help you. We can be of use to each other. Maybe not now, but soon, you will grow to be a capable man. I know. I've seen what's inside you. Your potential. You're a child touched by Nen. All you have to do is trust me. Join me."

'Touched by Nen? What's inside me? He can't mean the Thing, right?'

That was the first explanation that popped into Isaac's mind. The reason for this was the first day they'd met and Xavier was 'opening' Isaac's Aura Nodes.

He could feel Nen being sucked in by the Thing.

He'd hoped the blind man had forgotten, or maybe not have pondered on it.

'But it seems that was one of the main reasons he wanted to recruit me.'

Despite all this…

"Thank you, Professor Hall. But once again, I must refuse." Isaac gave a slight bow as he once again rejected the offer.

Xavier's smile faded as he stared for a few seconds without uttering a word.

However, it quickly returned as he let out a sigh.

"Well, there's nothing more I can do. It's quite a shame, Isaac; I'd have loved to work with you." Xavier spoke in a pleasantly disappointed tone as he walked toward the elevator, past Isaac.

"If you ever change your mind, I'm always near."

Isaac nodded.

"Yes, Professor."

"And good luck with your battle tomorrow. Jett is a Hale after all. He won't be easy to beat." Xavier, seeing Isaac headed to his door and about to enter his suite, spoke these last words as Isaac nodded respectfully, replying with a curt, "Thank you."

Xavier watched Isaac enter his suite, closing the door as the professor was left in the hallway in his lonesome.

Walking toward the elevator, his smile never faltered.

However, it wasn't until he stood before the elevator, two corridors to his left and right, that his lips moved.

"I want him dead by tomorrow. Dead before he can tell anyone anything."

Xavier spoke while moving his head slightly to the right, only to be met with a figure that seemingly appeared from thin air.

It was as if the figure blended in with the shadows, only his silhouette visible as it looked as though steam of darkness was seeping out from him.

"In front of everyone?" The figure asked cryptically.

Xavier nodded.

"Yes. He's a loose end. Besides, everyone else will have their problems to deal with rather than worrying about a pathetic F-Ranker."

Xavier once again faced the elevator.

"Tomorrow, during the Final Showdown, Isaac will die."

***

Meanwhile, Isaac stood in his suite, not taking a step further after entering the room as he stood with his eyes closed.

It wasn't long until a smirk appeared on Isaac's face, his eyes slowly opening.

'This Ki is quite useful isn't it.'

Though he was only able to feel a wisp of a fleeting figure beside Xavier, it was enough for him to know Xavier was planning something against him sooner than he thought.

'I was at least hoping for a little time to breathe.'

Isaac sighed, walked over to a couch, and slumped onto it, pinching the bridge of his nose as he did.

Despite his thoughts, he wasn't scared or nervous.

No, how could he be?

He'd been preparing for this day for a whole month.

He did the beat with the limited knowledge he had, but if everything went according to plan, everything would be well.

'But when has anything gone according to plan?'

Isaac chuckled inwardly.

He'd expected bumps in the road and prepared contingencies, but there was only so much prep time could manage.

All he could do now was wait and hope his anticipation for tomorrow didn't lose him any sleep.

Because with the day that was coming, he'd need every bit of rest he could get.

'Tomorrow. It's finally here. Tomorrow, the Prophecy will be fulfilled.'

***

Around a large coliseum that looked as though it were a Gladiator's arena from ancient times, countless bustling individuals could be seen packed around it like a family of ants.

As the seconds passed, the stands and seats inside the coliseum filled despite its large size.

It wasn't long until most of Ashton City gathered inside the Coliseum, a familiar group of five students sitting in seats within the crowd.

"Where's Daniel?" Ava asked while smiling and stuffing her face with popcorn, her charm seeming all the more adorable as she caught the gaze of dozens of boys around her.

"I tried my best but he refused to come," Cain answered, shrugging his shoulders.

"What's up with him lately? He's been kind of moody and on edge." Heather Oita, who had come with Ava, commented as the others nodded.

"Forget him. As far as we can tell, he's mad after losing an argument we had the other day." Amara chimed in, her tone seeming slightly sour.

Meanwhile, Lucy simply read a book as she and the rest of the viewers waited for the highly anticipated event all year.

The Final Battle of the Dojo Showdown.

Not only was almost all of Ashton City gathered in the Coliseum to watch this battle, but it was also being broadcast all around Spawn.

It was an extremely popular event, one that Isaac could only compare to the Football World Cup.

Cain looked around the Coliseum, noticing a few faces.

Katlynn could be seen standing at the entrance to the seating areas, barely able to see the stage.

"Lucy?" Cain asked, his tone serious.

"Everyone in our class is currently inside the coliseum," Lucy replied in a low voice, only heard by Ava, Amara and Cain as the large boy nodded, continuing to look around.

"Hey, isn't that Jett's Grandfather?" Cain pointed out as they all turned to take a glance.

On the other side of the Arena, one could see a VIP section with far more comfortable furniture and a few snacks, as well as a roof over their head.

In this VIP section sat two important individuals beside each other.

Harrison, the Vice Principal of Aurelius Academy and the Grandmaster of the Hale Dojo.

"I guess it makes sense for Vice Principal Harrison to be here. After all, he's here to see if his puppet wins." Amara hissed, her sour tone only deepening.

"You mean Isaac?" Cain asked, to which Amara snapped her head toward him.

"Isaac? I'm sorry, when did the two of you get so close?" She asked as she squinted her eyes in scepticism.

"What do you mean? I only said his name?" Cain chuckled nervously as Amara's eyes dug into him.

"Besides, he's a pretty cool guy. He helped me pick out an Art. You should give him a chance."

Ava nodded upon hearing Cain say this.

"He's right. There's no reason to have such a strong dislike toward him when he hasn't done us any harm."

"I agree. Harrison was the one to pick him for this fight. If not for him, another student would take his place. It'd be quite wasteful not to take this opportunity seeing as he might not have many others as an F-Ranker." Lucy added, her eyes never leaving the book.

Though this may be seen as disrespectful, it was a greater improvement from a few weeks ago when she would never add anything to a conversation.

"I guess. It still annoys me." Amara pouted, resting her chin on her fist.

"And hey, who knows, maybe this will be an interesting battle."

"Yeah right. Are you forgetting who the competitors are? An F-Ranker Vs a member of the Golden Six. I've never seen such an unfair match-up." Heather giggled mockingly as Cain only stared at her with a straight face.

However, he was unable to retort as a voice rang out throughout the whole Coliseum, so loud that it could be heard from the outside.

"Ladies and Gentlemen…"

A man in an all-black suit stood on the platform of white tiles that the battle would be held on, holding a microphone to his mouth.

"...Welcome to the long-anticipated Final Battle of the Dojo Showdown!"

-CHEER

-CHEER

The audience roared as the ground seemed to shake due to their overwhelming enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, in a small changing room with lockers and a change of clothes, a boy with long black hair that rested on his forehead and bright amber eyes sat on the benches as he raised his head.

'It's started.'

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Next chapter title: Where is he?

NNext chapter title: It all starts now!

NNNext chapter title: He's a Monster!

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