Six Warriors

Bad Reputation - (Jack)

It was Monday now, two days after the skirmish of the woods, the dispute between Phantom Lord and Iron Fist, and the rumors were running wild. Jack was broken, he was in pain all over his body when he woke up, he was tired and unwell. At least he was better off than Fenrir, who was now in bed again, although he didn't need to stay in the infirmary, a nurse would come to visit him throughout the day. He wouldn't have to go to class…hey was really better than Fenrir? The problem was that ugly nurse. Jack laughed, imagining she visiting his friend. As he made his way to the main building, he saw students from the Journalism Club selling their copies. He didn't often see the school paper, so he decided to do it that day. The line was huge, he had never seen anything like it. The news should be very good indeed

"Extra! Extra! Club fight and hiring a new teacher!" Announced the boy.

Jack picked up a newspaper. He read:

- The academy's newest unofficial club (read g**g), Phantom Lord, had a nasty run-in with one of the oldest, most influential and traditional (though never recognized as official) clubs in the academy, Iron Fist. Many members were badly injured, including the leader of the Phantom Lord, known as the Black Wolf aka Night Wolf.

They had many healing potions and first-aid supplies, which Inspector Skirp said were stolen from the institution's infirmary and also smuggled in by other unofficial clubs. According to Student Council Vice-President Monique, these groups can't even be called clubs, as they are actually gangs that tarnish the school's image. The two clubs, knowing how useless they were, decided to team up to try to seize power over the Academy. The Management Nucleus did not want to talk about it. - 

"You will buy?" asked a boy with a slow and unfriendly face, with a nasal voice.

"Uh… I was just taking a look." Jack justified himself.

"This isn't a library, buddy. If you want to read it, buy it. It'll only cost you 12 DP."

The school's main announcements were given through official pronouncements that arrived directly on the Student Bracelets or were announced by the principal or something like that, however, gossip, specials and rumors, those things were with the school newspaper. Jack didn't want to spend twelve Duel Points on this.

"How about seven?" Jack smiled sympathetically to try to convince the boy.

"Get out, loser!" The boy scolded in response.

"Hey you" someone called him "boy with a little ears hat." Jack looked back, assuming it was with him. He was called by a boy with long, straight hair, which fell over his face and went down to below his ears, in a purple color. He had big eyes and slightly slanted upwards, a shrewd look. His face was serious. It was Dominick, with a Student Council brooch on his chest. "Can you join me, Jack?" He asked. "The board wishes to speak with you."

"Oh sure" Jack replied "What do you want?"

"Nothing special. Our vice president wishes to speak with you."

"Who? This Monique girl?"

"Yes, come." He turned and Jack was forrced to follow him. The entire council was there and not just Monique. They sat on a kind of tiers of bench and in the main chair was the oldest prince, if Jack remembered correctly, his name was Siegfried, a young man with long indigo hair.

"Sit down," a girl from the council asked gently. Jack sat down. "Would you like something? A tea, a drink, a glass of water?

"Oh no, no thanks." Jack politely declined.

"You are one of the closest friends of that boy named Fenrir Silvster, aren't you?

"Yes, why?"

"Because he came here to ask me to found that club" Monique said, "Phantom Lord, right? Where is he? Probably hurt, no? Nobody fights Gartham Brutebear and gets away with it."

"He's sick" Jack lied.

"Sick" the other girl repeated, with some doubt "is it true that he is the founder of this new g**g? Are you a member? Is he the guy they call the Black Wolf?"

Jack looked at the council members. Ten of them in all, the one who looked most intimidating was undoubtedly Siegfried, who just stared at Jack with a serious look, not saying a word.

"No, I'm not aware of his name as Black Wolf." Jack wondered how the Council and how the Journalism Group had discovered that information, he figured they already knew Fenrir was, but they wanted confirmation. "Look, about this Phantom Lord... all I know is the information given in the school newspaper."

"Still, I see some bruises all over your body. Have you been fighting, Jack? An unofficial fight, as far as I'm concerned."

"Fighting? Yes. Isn't life a constant fight?"

"Spare us this cheap philosophy, you're lying" Monique accused.

"Tell the truth, Mr Jack." She asked the girl to "tell us the truth and you will not be punished. Instead, you will be graced."

“You are asking me to betray my friends. I would be graced while they would be punished.” Jack thought.

"I don't see myself lying." The chosen one answered.

"This is useless" Siegfried finally said, "first of all, I see that this man would never let down one his friends, am I right, Jack Zaek?" The prince looked him in the eye which somewhat bothered Jack, he said nothing, "secondly Monique, you made a mistake by ripping up the request of the boy named Fenrir, now there is no proof that links him to Phantom Lord beyond from a report from you and from some 'witnesses'. Although you are the vice president, it is not enough for us to reach such conclusions. You are free to go now, Jack Zaek, but know that the Council and I will be keeping an eye on you and your friends."

"Obviously he's lying" Monique protested "for today you're off, chubby boy, but it's only a matter of time before you guys are discovered." She gave a wicked little laugh.

Jack then walked past Dominick, opened the door, and left the room.

"Dominick, you are going to lead a team of prefects and inspectors who will investigate them," said a voice, who Jack thought was Monique's, "I want these actions duly punished." Jack could almost see her perverse smile as she said this.