CHAPTER 133: BOOK 2 | CHAPTER 133: HOPE

[What’s up, my n—my people! It’s a me, the Metal Dancer! And today, the Mega Academy of US and A is privileged to be hosting the official trial of the Hope Guild to choose their next and newest member!]

"Bell... is that your brother?"

"Oh, shit! You right! Benjie! Benj! Where the dude even at?!"

Like always, the classes of Mega Academy were canceled to make way for another event. And as Benjamin announced, today was the day the Hope Guild was choosing their newest member. None of the students were required to attend this event, as this was only for the freshmen, but of course, everyone was present.

How could they not be, when this was a chance for them to see the members of the Hope Guild, as well as potentially meet the candidates?

They didn’t even care that they were being flashed by the blistering heat of the sun, none of them hid in any of the available shade the Academy’s Mock City offered.

Yes, they were all in the faux city where the freshmen had their mock battles with the other sections.

It looked completely different now, however—unlike before, where most of it was dilapidated, filled with cracks and debris, it truly looked like a city brimming with life... minus the actual lives, of course.

[If you don’t live under a rock, then you know about the Hope Guild!] Benjamin’s words reverberated throughout the entire city, the newly installed glass windows trembling at the boom of his voice.

[The Hope Guild was established in the year that it was sorely needed, when everyone, and I mean everyone, needed hope. They became the beacon of right when everything in our world had become wrong. It was the year 1944, and the unrest between superabled people and normal people was at its highest in history... it was the time where we, those who were privileged enough to be born to save and help people, used our powers for greed and oppression.]

Benjamin’s loud voice faded, turning somber as he continued his address.

[Yes, Megawoman was able to stop the war before it began—but the war wasn’t the issue. It was the idea. The idea that we, those who have power, are higher than those who do not. We’re not better. We’re not. We’re all just people... and that was when the Hope Guild was born. The very first superhero organization that didn’t belong to a single people, to a single nation, but the entire world as a whole. And right now, ladies, gentlemen, and other creatures... they are here, right now, in this very city you are standing on!]

"WOOO!"

The students’ screams completely shook the entire city. Their excitement was completely uncontained, and the instructors and staff allowed them to be.

[And my fellow freshmen, they aren’t the only ones here—our dear upperclassmen are here too! Give them a round of applause!]

"What the... we’ll have an audience?!"

"We don’t even know what we’re going to do! No one has told us anything!"

The freshmen all looked at each other in shock. Fortunately for them, their instructors soon gathered them to tell them what their role was.

"Alright, listen up!" Spectacular Mustache Man stood in front of Class 1-V, crossing his arms as he scanned the faces of his students. Benjamin was still saying something, but it was mostly history that the other students had already learned in class.

"Today is your chance to learn and work alongside the best and most outstanding of your generation!" Spectacular Mustache Man said.

"Are we... are we going to be doing the same thing as them?"

"No." Spectacular Mustache Man smirked, trying to contain the laughter trying to escape his mustache.

"All of you are about to do something better—I told you that this was your chance to learn from them, and what better way to learn than to be there at the moment?" He said, no longer able to contain a chuckle.

"No, my students. Today, you will be extras. You will all be playing a role in this, and you’re not allowed to do anything else that is outside your respective role."

"Ha! Imagine if we’re playing a hostage!"

"Exactly," Spectacular Mustache Man hollered, pointing at the chubby student, Katrina. "And since you opened that up, I’ll assign you as one of the hostages—that would hopefully remove some of that fat of yours."

"Wha—that... that’s rude."

"I’m not shaming you, Ms. Collins. I’m telling you to lose some weight."

"Excuse me?!" One of the female students stood up for Katrina. "That’s verbal abuse and fatphobic!"

"What’s abuse is what Ms. Collins is putting in her body. Ms. Collins wants to be a superhero. You can’t be more unfit than the people you’re trying to rescue."

"You do know there are people with medical conditions!"

"Medical conditions contribute to less than 30% of the conditions why she is fat. A sedentary lifestyle, diet, and discipline will always be the leading cause of obesity. Stop being fat!"

"Jesus..." Hannah’s eyes widened, slightly covering her face as she glanced at the rest of the Baby Crew who were also wincing the same as she was, "...What’s gotten into him? We should also probably say something. It—"

"You’re right, Sir!" Before anyone else could stand up for Katrina, she raised her voice and stood up straight. She wasn’t crying at all, not even a single hint of red in her eyes as she puffed out her chest—her clothes almost tearing apart.

"I will dedicate my free time to losing weight and being physically fit from now on!" She bellowed.

"That’s what I want to hear!" Spectacular Mustache Man pointed at her, finger and mustache. "You’re still playing as a hostage."

"Oh."

"Now, these are the roles—"

[And now, introducing the members of the Hope Guild!]

All of the students pulled their eyes away from their instructors, even Katrina and the student who stood up for her, completely disregarded whatever their feelings were as soon as they heard Benjamin’s words.

And all of a sudden, the blistering heat of the sun above them disappeared, replaced by a soft golden light that covered the entire city. And from that golden ceiling, a circular light started to dance, carving out a platform that slowly descended to the city.

And on that platform... were the five current members of the Hope Guild.

[I wanted to include Bulwark, but he was adamant that he is no longer an active member of the Hope Guild! And so, let me introduce you to who is! Our very own Whitek—]

"Okay, let’s focus on our activity today!"

The students of Class 1-V found their view of the city suddenly blocked by a black dome. A black dome... entirely made of Spectacular Mustache Man’s mustache—they couldn’t even hear what Benjamin was saying anymore.

"Well..." Gracey said, gasping as she looked at Spectacular Mustache Man. "I guess we know why he’s in a bad mood."

"Of course..." Hannah sighed. "...Whiteking, again."

"All of you will have a chance to see them later!" Spectacular Mustache Man bellowed. He was now in the air just below the ceiling of the dome he had made, being carried by the mustache that was twirling above him.

"Remember, your upperclassmen may have no classes—but you guys are still on the clock and being graded!"

"Wait, what..." Gracey’s eyes widened. "...Since when were we being graded?"

"Bro..." Hannah squinted at her. "This is still a school."

"Stop talking and listen up!" Spectacular Mustache Man clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. "These will be the roles allotted to you, and they will be completely random to be fair to everyone!"

"..." Katrina blinked a couple of times.

"Your main role here is to cause chaos. As I already said earlier, Hostages! This is pretty self-explanatory. Do not do anything that would endanger you and the other hostages and compromise your rescue. Do not even attempt to play hero, especially if you’re easily seen!"

Spectacular Mustache Man glanced at Katrina.

"Second, Citizens! You will be playing the role of a citizen. Hide, run, panic, and do whatever the citizens do in the scenarios that would fall upon you. Now... I did say do not try to play hero, but we were specifically told by Hope Guild to tell all of you that you could. But remember, if you cause the Hero to fail because of your actions... that would go to your grades.

"Secondly, Citizens! You are to act as citizens in the upcoming scenarios. Your roles involve hiding, running, panicking, and generally behaving as citizens would. While I previously advised against playing the hero, the Hope Guild has specifically instructed us to inform you that you are permitted to do so. However, remember that if your actions lead to a Hero’s failure, it will negatively impact your grades. Even the hostages can do it!"

Spectacular Mustache Man raised his finger.

"Third. Law enforcement—now, you really will play as a supporting unit. Be useful, and don’t get in the way! And lastly, perhaps the most exciting role...

...Villains."

***

"My god..."

At the same time, right in front of the Hollywood sign, specifically the letter D...

...the corpses of Tomoe’s family were displayed.