World's Best Protagonist [BL]

"What are you dawdling there for?"

That sharp tone tore my eyes from Etienne. I looked ahead and found Claude walking to the stairs leading to the entrance of the training dome.

I turned back to Etienne and waved shyly, before following him behind. I could even hear Noir whistling, teasing Etienne about my behavior. Well, I couldn't help but behave differently in front of a possible celestial being.

"That's a guy."

Claude pushed the door open. My brows furrowed.

"What?"

He yanked my arm and threw me inside without warning. Grr. I really wanted to smack that face of his even once. Don't even mention not thanking me for saving his life, which I just remembered now, and he's back to his cranky, arrogant attitude again.

"Etienne is a guy. Do you like men?"

"What the fuck?"

I received a glare. I ignored him. My gaze just flew up to the viewing deck where the team was sitting like they were inside a cafe, sipping their coffees. My eyes met Etienne, but even if I stared for too long, I couldn't find any masculinity in him.

He just waved back and Allen mouthed the word 'Goodluck!'

"Stop staring and focus on me."

My head spun toward Claude. He looked annoyed, but I didn't forget to answer him. "No. I'm not."

He just rolled his eyes at me, then pointed at the four points of the dome where a tall, black, stone-like slab was erected. They are like huge speakers molded in the shape of a curved dome.

"Those are Adaptation Cores. They can simulate various environmental conditions like extreme heat, freezing cold, or even gravitational anomalies, allowing the awakened to train in any imaginable scenario. You will train with them first."

"How?"

"The goal of this training is to help you develop awareness of your ability and learn to sense when it activates."

"How?"

"You will remain in a controlled environment while getting exposed to different levels of power. It is to observe whether your nullification is automatic or if it triggers under specific conditions."

"Ho—

"One more how, and you will see yourself in a fire pit."

"—Holy, that's insane."

Claude glared at me. I think he developed a habit. I cleared my throat and showed him a serious face. "How do I start? And where is the fire pit—woah!"

I hadn't even finished speaking when the entire dome turned into a volcano's interior.

"Captain, wait—!" I stumbled back after a wave of molten rocks came at me. As I looked up, my eyes widened seeing the viewing deck was gone, and so was Claude. Damn him!

The door where we entered disappeared as well.

I inhaled deeply, but all I breathed in was sulfurous fumes that made me choke and feel hot in the throat. I feel like dying and undressing from too much heat.

The walls of the training center turned to crater walls surrounded by jagged rock formations, some dripping with fresh lava that hisses and crackles at its cools. I stood in one of those rocks that slowly melted from the river of lava.

Soon, the spot will vanish and I will be next. Yet I have no idea how to activate my goddamn ability and get out of this hell-like place.

"I swear if I succeed, I'm going to land a blow in that arrogant prick's face!"

I shouted angrily. Who in the world trains at this extreme level already?!

-----

[3rd Person's POV]

"Hahahaha!"

Noir's laughter reverberated in the hallways. He wiped his tears away as he watched the poor newbie inside the simulated volcano.

"Did you hear that? Did no one tell him that we can hear him from here?"

Allen answered Lexie, "Only because we turned on the speakers. Captain, why did you do that?"

Claude, "..."

"It's to know what the newbie's train of thought is in this kind of situation. To see what will trigger his ability."

"But if he doesn't talk, then there is no knowing how," Etienne commented softly.

Claude narrowed his eyes. "Anyone will express themselves openly if they think they are alone. He doesn't know we hear him, so he will certainly speak to himself."

"Damn you, Vander–whatsoever!"

Those words echoed in the hallway.

"You think you're all that?! You're just good at glaring, and your face looks sketchy! Just like the boogeyman! You're a booger! A big one!"

Noir slammed the table with his fist, while hugging his stomach with his other hand, and almost curled in his seat.

"Ahahahahaha!"

Terrius looked away, but the reddened face was a sign of his restrained laugh. Etienne's shoulders shook tenderly, while Allen and Lexie quickly stood and grabbed Claude's shoulders.

A dark voice accompanied by a dark mist erupted.

"Let. Me. Go."

Allen quickly shielded himself and Lexie.

"Calm down, captain. I'm sure he's just trying to find a way to trigger his ability. If cursing and insulting someone will do it, then we just need to watch and wait, right, Lexie?"

"Well, seems to me like he really is just annoyed with the captain though?"

Allen shot Lexie a warning glare, his eyes widening in silent reprimand. Lexie just whistled and looked away, but her grip tightened around Claude's shoulder, refusing to let go.

Their struggles were only broken after Etienne commented again.

"Oh, it seems it's working. The simulation is starting to vanish."

Claude freed himself from the two and focused on Jade, who was sweating a lot from the heat. He didn't believe that Jade's ability was triggered because of his venting. There must be something more than that, but because Jade's back was turned on him, he failed to see what his expression was.

-----

[Jade's POV]

Surviving the highly toxic and dangerous poisonous volcanic gases made me somehow unperturbed by the captain's toxicity.

I meant his poisonous ability surrounding me. I have no idea why he was mad, but that face really shut my lips off in fear.

Not only his piercing glare was bothering me, but the five pairs of eyes watching me like hawks. I slowly turned to the side and found Etienne smiling at me expectantly. Looking at him closer, I can now notice the small bone protruding in his throat.

He really is a man. What a pretty guy.

"So, when will the blow land?"

My gaze flickered to Noir grinning like a madman.

"Come again?"

"Ooh~ he's playing dumb! Hahahahaha!"

Allen shrugged his shoulders when I turned to him with an inquisitive look. Lexie laughed along with Noir, but then she suddenly acted like punching someone and pointed at me.

"You said you'll punch the captain if you succeed. We're waiting for you to try."

I gulped. Terrius didn't need to say it because I already got it. So, I was heard. Then, that means, everything I said was caught... oh, I see now why the captain was fuming.

Without looking behind me where needles kept on coming, poking me in the back, I faked a cough and replied, "What do you mean? I said nothing about punching the captain. I only said landing a blow to that... arrogant prick's face!"

I laughed nervously.

"The captain isn't arrogant at all. In fact, he's very kind! He even trains me himself, and he...he...o–ow, sir....you're grabbing me too hard...!"

I winced at the vice-like grip on my nape. If I forcefully lift my head, I feel like my neck will break.

"My last name is Vanderheinz. Remember that."

A warm breath hit my ear despite the cold voice. I stiffened. I could feel him close to me. If he decided to blow toxic gas, I'd be dead for real.

"...y–yes, sir..." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

I was dragged again. But when I noticed we were heading to the entrance, my fear of the man vanished and I spun my head to look at him, confused and a bit guarded.

Claude grinned deviously. He pushed me inside the training center again, and left me with haunting words, "We're not done yet."

Then, he slammed the door and locked me in. I should have knocked him down.

Fuck him.

I hope he wet his bed tonight.