Chapter 33: Simplicity

“The superhero name I chose…

…is Riley Ross.”

“Eh?”

Once again, an awkward silence covered the entire classroom as the students’ eyes looked at each other; wondering if they all heard the same thing and if they heard it right. But seeing as Riley was already on his way back to his desk, it would seem that truly was the case.

“W… wait!” Even Spectacular Mustache Man was perplexed, “You do know what this activity is all about, right?”

“Yes, choosing our superhero name.”

“But that’s just your name. What happened to Silver Moon?” SMM was extremely excited when he heard a glimpse of what Riley’s superhero name could be, but now he was saying that he was using his own name?

“It’s not for me,” Riley shook his head, “I would much rather prefer to use my own name.”

“You can’t,” SMM also shook his head, causing his long mustache to slightly wave in the air, “There are many security risks in using your own name, not to mention your actual full name.”

“I do not mind the risks, they are… trivial,” Riley said as he once again started walking towards his desk, but halfway through there, he paused. And after a few seconds, he returned to the front of the stage, “I see why you are confused, I did not tell the reason why I chose it. I apologize, fellow classmates and Spectacular Mustache Man.”

“That’s not really what–“

“I was initially going to use Silver Moon, as I feel like that would be fair to Silvie. But when I remembered your simple-minded speech earlier, my mind began to wonder,” Riley eloquently said as he slightly turned his head towards SMM. His eyes, however, were looking behind him,

“You said that names could be stolen. You mentioned that when someone greater comes along with the same name, then they will surely take it from you,” Riley continued, “My name was bestowed to me by my family…

…Therefore, I am the only one allowed to use it.”

“Based on statistics, there will always be someone with the same name as you,” SMM replied as he brought up his tablet, quickly searching for the name registry in the US, “42 people have the exact same name as you in our country alone, with most of them being women.”

Most of the students let out their own gasps as they heard SMM’s words. Some, however, were curious as to how SMM was able to quickly search that kind of database.

“It doesn’t matter,” Riley shook his head, “The name will be mine alone in the future.”

“Okay, let’s say I like your enthusiasm,” SMM let out a short but deep sigh as he approached Riley, “And let’s say you may not see anything as a threat to your family’s security, but what about those who have the same name as you? What if they come for them thinking that they are you?”

“It’s simple,” Riley said before once again stepping off the stage, “I won’t wear a mask.”

SMM wasn’t done with Riley. He was going to ask him if he really does care for his family since they were going to put him at risk; but remembering who his father was, he could probably erase any trace of Riley’s existence in the world if he wanted to.

“…Very well,” and so, SMM could do nothing but give up. The Academy did not really give them any strict guidelines with the naming of the students, so it was not like it was against the rules. Now he was starting to understand why Scarlet Mage wanted to put Riley on the Potential Villain list, he could be quite…. spontaneous. But still, that doesn’t warrant one to be on the list; perhaps it was just Scarlet Mage’s way of denying her feelings to the boy.

Truly… truly quite dangerous. Just because he was Whiteking’s son; what happened to not giving any students any advantages and favors? If he asked special favors for his son from Prophet, would he also permit it?

Most likely not, he was no Whiteking– he thought.

As Riley sat back on his seat, Silvie did not really make any sound or movement; whether or not she was upset that Riley didn’t choose her name in the end, was not yet to be determined. Gary, on the other hand, could not help but frown.

“Shit, man… why didn’t I think of that?” Gary muttered.

“I think you could still change your chosen name, Gary,” Riley said.

“Pft, and be branded a copycat? No way, man. Dragon Monarch for the win.”

“Alright!” And as the two were talking, Spectacular Mustache Man clapped his hands, garnering the attention of all the students, “Now that all of you have your chosen names, the next step is choosing your own costume. But that would not be until a month from now.”

The students’ excitement was short-lived. Most of them surely thought that they would be designing their costumes now, but to think they would still have to wait.

“The details about it would be discussed by your supervisor. Now, before I leave, I would like to once again leave you with some parting words,” SMM said as he once again walked around the stage,

“Even more so than your names, it would be your actions that would decide on what kind of hero you will be. One wrong move and your name will forever be tarnished. You could change your name, you could change your costume, you could even change your identity… but what you are deep inside, will forever remain with you.

Mega Woman is currently being cared for right now by the government. I am sure most of you have seen the video; she was returned to us by Darkday in a very… critical condition. But still, do you see the citizens talking about it? Do you see people talking about her violent defeat?

No.

Because people remember her as the world’s strongest and mightiest hero. Even death can never take that away. Mega Woman… lives–“

“Do you know where Mega Woman is being kept, Spectacular Mustache Man?”

“…on,” SMM’s mustache quickly dropped down as his speech was suddenly cut short. Just a few more words and his speech would have been over. But before he could do so, class 1-V’s trouble-child, Riley, rose his hand.

“Do you know where Mega Woman is being kept?” Riley once again repeated his question, “Is she really being cared for by the government?”

“…I don’t know,” SMM’s eyes started twitching, “Her location is being kept secure by the government. Now, if no one has any further questions, then I shall take my leave. I believe you still have another class after this.”

A lot of students raised their hands. However, SMM ignored all of them as he already had enough of dealing with this class.

Class 1-V’s next class was a normal one. Now that the school year truly was starting, it would seem that the first half of the day was reserved for teaching and training them to become superheroes, while the other half was a study in history, general sciences, and law.

Which suffice to say, bored most of the students to death. How did they expect them to still have the energy to do other stuff after training?– an answer which was quickly answered by their history teacher.

“Because being a superhero is not your life,” he said, “Once you take off the mask, you live with the rest of the world as a normal citizen.”

He mentioned that the lectures were also part of their training, teaching them how to balance their life as a superhero, as well as a normal citizen. Of course, some of them still had qualms about their situation, but most of them understood what the teacher was saying.

But still, it didn’t change the fact that it was, indeed, boring. And so, as soon as the bell rang, they could not help but rejoice that their suffering was over. There were, however, three people in the front that remained seated at their desks.

Silvie has remained quiet all throughout the rest of the class, not even uttering a word. Gary was inherently noisy, but even he could feel the dry awkwardness lingering in the air.

“Look, Silvie… you could still change your name if you want to,” Gary then let out a long and deep sigh as he stood up from his seat and approached Silvie, “At least apologize to her, man.” He then said as he turned his attention to Riley.

“You are upset, Silvie?” Riley then also stood up, If so, then I apolo–“

“No, I’m not!” Silvie suddenly stood up, “I like the name you gave me, Riley! And you also said you like the name I gave you. But I can understand that it wasn’t for you. I’m not upset!”

“Girl, you’re clearly upset,” Gary widened his eyes before letting out another long and deep sigh, “…Why don’t we just spend some of that Mega Student money and let loose for the day? I know a steakhouse near–“

“Let’s go!” Silvie stomped away before Gary could even finish his words, “But Riley will be the one treating us!”

“Oof. She mad, bro,” Gary shrugged his shoulders before following Silvie out of the room. He also wanted to invite Ben and Bella, but they refused as they had something else planned.

As for Riley, he remained standing at his desk for a while before proceeding to follow the two out. He only had 100 Mega Points, how was he even going to treat anyone with that kind of money?

Well, the answer was simple–

“…Seriously?”

When in doubt, turn to your older sister. Although Riley hasn’t made contact with her for almost 2 days now, he was sure that she was the one who won in their group activity.

“You guys invited me just to make me treat all of you? What sort of fuckery is this?”

“Ask your brother!”

Hannah could only widen her eyes in shock as Silvie’s voice rang through her ears, almost piercing it completely. The four of them were once again at the mall, with her being dragged away by the three as soon as she stepped out of her class.

“What’s up with her?”

“Long story to be talked over steak,” Gary giggled.

“I apologize, sister. But please let me borrow points for now,” Riley muttered as he looked his sister straight in the eyes, “I will pay it someday.”

“Seriously? What did you do? Does this have something to do with the rumors going around with you and Scarlet Mage? The fuck, bro. Isn’t that pedophilia? If this was the other way around I am sure people would be crying outrage!”

“Yo. It’s not about that,” Gary quickly got in between the two, “But we’re going to talk about that as well… over steak.”

“I don’t have a lot of time, you know!”

“…You seem to have plenty of time,” Gary muttered, “You were alone when you walked out… so I assume you don’t have any friends in your class?”

“I have friends!”

“Oho, really? Where are they now, miss popular?”

“You… you fucking bitch!”

***

“It’s here.”

“Put it on my screen.”

“…It’s not connected, just walk.”

“…”

In a dark room, brightened up only by a set of screens hanging on the wall, a tall shadow moved. The silhouette moved closer to the screen, slightly illuminating its eyes; even as the light reflected on them, their red hue still remained.

“Are these all of them?” The shadow then spoke.

“I would think so, he hasn’t sent us anything else.” Followed by another shadow nearer to the screen.

“I see. This is quite a lot, isn’t it?”

“Humans are innately evil, after all.”

“Speak for yourself, you midget.”

“What did you say!?”

“Shh, quiet. I am concentrating. This is truly fascinating… to think the Academy would be so kind as to…

…compile us a list of candidates.”