World's Best Protagonist [BL]

The warning I almost forgot because I overslept was reminded to me by a sudden call from the person I least expected.

Terrius.

I don't know how he got my number, but his voice wanted me to discard it and get a new one instead. I shivered just talking to him, as though I was always facing a block of ice.

Come to think of it...Terrius has snowy-white hair, snowy-white skin, and sparkly bluish eyes. He's like an ancient vampire preserved inside a coffin made of ice, because of his complexion. Does it mean his power has something to do with ice?

I inhaled deeply before I pushed the door to the training center. I was expecting Terrius, given that he was the one who called me, so I was surprised when someone with a leaner back was waiting for me.

"Ah! You have finally arrived!"

A cheerful greeting welcomed me, accompanied by an enthusiastic slap on my back. Ow.

"Judging from your expression, the captain didn't tell you about me? Heh. He really couldn't be bothered when it comes to entering vortexes."

Noir, if I remember his name correctly, pulled me to sit.

"He entered a vortex?"

"Yup. A VS Class - C. Usually, C class vortexes, no matter what type are often handled by lower-rank teams, but because it's a VS, he was asked to accompany the team to protect them from poisonous gases inside." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Noir folded his arms before him and watched me like he was watching a kid tasting ice cream for the first time. He looked excited, observing my face and my movements. What is this feeling? I feel like I just met a stalker.

But what did he say?

"I didn't know his power can be used to protect?" I ended up voicing my thoughts loudly.

"Ah. Maybe because you've only seen him emit toxic gases before. His ability isn't just about poison. It's something about mist. There are different types of mist, right? He often uses the cursed one because he doesn't want people casually approaching him. Because of that, people are wary whenever he walks by."

Noir looked up at the big wall clock and grinned. What was he grinning about? He gives off a happy-go-lucky vibe but sometimes, the way he smiles creeps me out.

I smelled trouble. I was going to bring up the training when he tapped his finger on the table and continued.

"He can create a powerful gust of mist that pushes the toxic mist away, dispersing it before it can harm the team. Every team entering a VS is required to wear a gas mask, but sometimes gas masks are useless in the face of stronger toxic gases, so they still ask for the captain's company. Since the UAO still has no means to check what's inside of every vortex before entry."

VS or Venomous Spiral is a deadly, toxic vortex swirling with noxious fumes and acidic vapors, poisoning anything that comes near its malevolent core.

Among the six types of vortex, VS is one of the two that seldom appears other than the four remaining.

If ZT has a whitish color, VS has a purplish one, and the shade differs according to class. The darker it is, the higher the class.

"Of course, it is to be expected that a poisonous vortex is filled with toxicity inside, so every time a VS appeared, the captain went, since he was the strongest in the mist department."

I would have felt sorry for Claude, but then, I remembered his face when he received the call last night. He looked very eager.

I was certain it was the call asking him to go, but instead of getting annoyed because his rest turned to another work again, he even hurried to leave. As if he couldn't wait to enter the vortex.

"He doesn't seem like he enjoyed working that much..."

"Hm?"

I blinked. Noir tilted his head, waiting for my reply. Did I speak it out loud?

"Captain Vanderheinz doesn't seem to enjoy working, so I wonder why he would go to a mission his team is not in charge of. I guess he's really kind. He couldn't bear to see the team go alone without his assistance."

The other side of the scale where my respect for the captain is placed just got heavier.

Noir chuckled. His doe eyes squinted as he grabbed my hands and shook them as if he were campaigning for the presidency.

"Kind? Are you serious? Hahahaha. Kind is the last word I will use to define him!" He wiped his eyes and continued, "You're funny! I like you already."

Please don't.

"What do you think about becoming my exclusive Minder?"

My body stiffened. Literally. It feels as though the floor I stood upon caught me in an invisible quicksand, that if I dare to move, I will be swallowed.

What's happening?

I could feel my body, but I lost control. I tried to move my left foot, but I only did it in my head. Even just lifting my gaze a few inches to look at Noir used almost all of my strength.

Noir was smirking. The gleam in his eyes made my forehead break into a cold sweat. This guy is dangerous. What the hell? Why did Claude leave me alone with him?!

Noir leaned forward. He moved his face just an inch away from me. Fuck. Is he going to kiss me? I swear if he does, I will hunt him to the ends of the earth!

"You came out fine even after absorbing the captain's dark energy. I don't care how you did it, but it was more effective than several Minders. After you counseled the captain, even I, could feel the changes in his body."

What the heck is he trying to say?

"Be honest, you were secretly providing counseling to the captain in his Sanctum, right? It's unfair. So unfair. Why only the captain? Despite his temperament, there are plenty of Minders fighting over him. So, he doesn't need you. You should come to mine. I also have my Sanctum. I'll treat you better."

My body shuddered uncontrollably when he touched my chin and lifted it. Oh, fuck, it's coming. Someone—

"Ilya Noir Rozentine."

A voice that literally froze the entire place reverberated through the walls all of a sudden.

"Ah, Terrius Lincoln."

Noir's hand on the table that supported his weight turned frozen, and the creeping ice did not stop after reaching his shoulder, it moved until his fingers touching my chin became solid ice.

"What do you think you're doing?" Terrius asked.

I was able to move properly again, so I quickly stood and tried to step away from the two madmen. However, the strength left my knees and I buckled, almost stumbled on the cold floor if only Terrius hadn't stretched his arm and caught me by the waist.

Have I ever touched a corpse before? No. But damn, I'm certain this man is colder than one.

"Thanks." I immediately steadied myself and pushed his arm away.

Terrius did not even glance at me. I simply and quietly moved away from them, since it seemed like they were ready to go at it.

"You said you're not coming, so I'm training the newbie instead. You should be grateful, man." Noir knocked his frozen arm, but nothing happened. "Aw, come on, vice-captain! I really was just trying to train him. Hey, newbie, you learned something, right?"

"I'm not sure."

Noir gasped in disbelief. "I taught you that time is of the utmost importance! I showed you what would happen if you couldn't use your ability in a blink. If the vice-captain hadn't come, gosh, you would have become my puppet."

"So, you plan to control me to counsel you?"

"Oh, please, that was just a joke, newbie. Don't take it to heart! I'm just really curious about how you manage to release your contaminated energy after absorbing the captain's—

"Ilya Noir—

"Alright, I'll stop. Cease calling me by that name already. Geez, you're so annoying, vice-captain. Hmph. I'm leaving then! Bye, newbie! See you again!"

Noir hopped away like a bunny, waving his hand at me. I almost showed him my middle finger if only I weren't afraid he'd do the same thing again.

What did he say, that I could have been his puppet? It was terrifying to imagine myself moving my body out of my willingness. So, his ability is something like that. I must admit, it's an ability worthy of being in the top ranks.

But...where did I hear that name again?