Villain Retirement

A few minutes ago, Katherine was carefully watching all of the students having their own unique matches; she initially thought that something bad had happened since Bella called for her, but when she saw that Riley's opponent was struggling against him, she just shook it off.

If it was before, then maybe Katherine would be extremely worried; but she knew how abnormal Riley's control was with his telekinetic abilities-- nothing was going to happen unless he willed it so.

And so, she just gave Bella the thumbs up and continued to watch the other matches. Her eyes, thoroughly looking at potential trouble… but everyone was careful, even with the lessened restrictions regarding harming your opponent.

It would seem the training that they have been doing all these months was working. But Katherine was sure that most of the merit should be given to the tragedies and events that they have experienced first-hand.

Their friends getting kidnapped and killed; then watch as thousands of people die in front of them while they were absolutely helpless to stop the situation… It truly woke them up to the reality of the world; of what it means to have the lives of millions of people in your hand… of what it means to not be able to save the people you want to save.

In a way… all those deaths helped them become better people, Katherine thought.

Even those that were on the Potential Villain list were now trying their hardest, seemingly more eager to learn.

"..." Katherine's eyes then wandered towards the Telepathic group. The one who was able to induce dreams, Hypnos, was no longer there. He was also on the Potential Villain list…

...was he one of the students in the Dark Millenium ship? Riley did say he wanted to kill him since he could be dangerous in the future-- but to think he would be one of the students that died there.

Truly, Riley works in mysterious ways. There--

"What did you do!?"

And before Katherine could finish her thoughts, a familiar voice reached through her ears, causing her eyes to widen and slightly tremble. She didn't want to turn her head towards the scream as she was afraid of the scenery that awaited her; but alas, she has no choice.

She could only take in a deep breath as her eyes slowly turned towards the Telekinetic group, only to see Riley's opponent hung like a marionette; skewered by a spear that was tightly penetrated through the ground.

Did… Riley just kill someone in broad daylight? Why!?

Is this some part of a plan? Was she supposed to do something?

Katherine then flew towards Riley, the weight on her mind dropping her straight in front of him.

"W… why did you do this?" Katherine then stuttered as she slowly looked at Riley.

"I didn't."

"W… what?" Katherine then saw Riley blinking a couple of times, and although it was not obvious on his face, he truly did look quite confused, "Then--"

"Medic! He… he's still breathing!"

Katherine glanced at the panicking students, before looking at Riley then once again returning her eyes to the gathering crowd of students. And after a few moments of deliberation, she rushed towards the commotion.

"How is he!?"

"M… Miss Scarlet Mage!" Bella quickly made way for Katherine, "He… I think he's still breathing."

"..." Katherine squinted her eyes; and true enough, she could see Shomari's fingers still moving,

"Don't move too much, okay?" Katherine then breathed out, "Just a few centimeters, and the spear would hit your heart. We're going to do our best to help you, okay?"

"U…" Shomari's eyes then slightly trembled as he looked at Katherine straight in the eyes. He was about to say something, but before he could do so, the spear suddenly moved.

"Wh… Riley!?" Katherine quickly turned her head towards Riley, only to see him just standing there with his hands raised.

"I'm not doing anything," Riley muttered, his eyes still blinking in confusion.

"Y…" Shomari's breaths still whispered in the air, using whatever strength was left in his body to lift up his trembling head to look at Riley. It was a good thing that he didn't even have the strength to laugh, because if he did… then he would certainly be laughing right now.

That's right… Riley did not do anything because it was Shomari himself that caused all of this. He knew from their exchange that he could never hope to defeat Riley Ross… but he at least needed to do something.

This was his other plan-- to sacrifice himself so that the people would know what Riley Ross is.

Shomari's eyes then started to palpitate as the thoughts of glory echoed in his mind. The cheers, the dozen wives… he might have lost the chance to experience those things; but for his tribe's cause…

...then even death was worth it.

And with those thoughts, Shomari breathed out his last breaths.

"He… he's dead," Bella stuttered as she lightly backed away from Shomari's corpse, "He--"

"What's going on!? Riley, what happened!?"

And soon, Hannah arrived; followed by Tomoe and Katrina, as well as the other members of the Elemental group.

"Shomari died," and without even any pause, Riley pointed towards Shomari.

"Wha--" Hannah was about to say something, but as soon as she saw a student hanging on a spear, her words became slightly sedated, "W… what happened?"

"He killed him!" One of the students then suddenly shouted.

"What!? No! Who said that!?" Hannah quickly waved her hand as she looked towards the direction of the shout, before blocking Riley from the view of the others.

Tomoe, who was quietly watching from the side, also started to move. The grass beneath her slowly froze as she looked at Katherine, who shook her head in response as if signaling that they shouldn't do anything.

"W… wait, everyone!" Bella then stood between Hannah and the gathering crowd, "I… I'm sure this is just an accident!"

"What!? You say that but didn't Riley also send you to the hospital!?"

"That's--" Bella slightly bit her teeth as the image of Riley smiling suddenly appeared in her mind. She quickly shook her head off the thoughts, however, as she stood her ground, "That's because I was too weak to--"

"Then are you telling us this is Shomari's fault for being weak!?" One of the students from another group then stepped forward. And judging by his accent, he was also from the South African branch-- it was just not obvious as he looked closer to a European.

"He died…" The African continued, "He died and you're telling us it's his fault!?"

"That's…"

"W… wait, I think what my sis is trying to say is that--"

"Are you defending him right now!?"

Ben stood by his sister, but before he could even finish his words, another student roared-- and soon, a lot more people joined in, their voices almost reaching the skies.

"E… everyone, listen!" This time, it was Katrina who stood between the crowd, "Why… why does this need to be anyone's fault!? Don't any of you remember when Riley saved us before!? What about when he helped during the Festival when some of us were causing troubles!?"

Katrina's loud words, however, seemed to have reached no one as everyone was busy creating theories of their own.

But perhaps the most worried and at a loss as to what to do out of all them was Katherine. With all the clamoring whispers and roars that were being pointed at Riley-- who is literally a bomb waiting to be set loose.

Everything… everything was in chaos.

What…

....What was she even supposed to do!?