World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Okay. I wasn’t supposed to be here.

Like, really wasn’t supposed to be here.

The air in the meeting room was intense—thick with seriousness and filled with a few baffled faces, one beaming look, and one giving me a death stare. It’s the kind of atmosphere that only life-or-death conversations bring.

The Seekers—Claude, Allen, Terrius, Noir, Lexie, and Etienne—sat around a long metal table, some leaning forward, others sitting back with arms crossed, all of them focused on the holographic map floating in the center of the room.

It showed the details about a vortex, its type, class, location, possible terrain inside, and what kind of monsters to expect. I didn’t know that Seekers study the vortexes first before they raid them.

I thought they just rushed in without any plans.

Claude, ever the control freak, was standing at the head of the table, his arms crossed, explaining strategies in his usual ’everything must go according to plan or I will personally strangle the universe’ tone.

And then there was me.

I stood at the entrance, staring at them. They stared back. I took a step in, trying to avoid the captain’s gaze and seeking encouragement from Noir who pushed me in that situation. Well, at the end of yesterday, I made the choice, so I should stop blaming him.

Claude exhaled like he was already regretting waking up this morning.

"You entered the wrong room. This isn’t the training center."

"Who am I going to train with when all of you are here?"

"I asked Patrick to supervise your training today. Get out."

That’s harsh. They train me to the bones, but they don’t include me in their meetings. I feel a bit hurt.

I opened my mouth to state my purpose, but I was shot down immediately.

"No."

I blinked. "I didn’t even say anything yet."

"No."

"I still didn’t—"

"No."

Alright. That was fair. I was about to say something he wouldn’t like. His senses are sharp so he probably knew all along. Still, I was not going to back down so easily.

"Isn’t it time for me to use my ability in a real fight? My control is perfect, and I increased the range by two-fold. I won’t be a dead weight."

The captain pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jade. This is a high-rank mission. It’s an AM Class - A vortex. Do you even understand what that means?"

Of course, I do.

"AM stands for Abysmal Maelstrom - a vortex of churning water, capable of drowning and sweeping away anything it touches, with waves crashing into its center. Everything that resides inside is probably aquatic beings. Need me to explain more?"

The room fell silent.

Allen, bless his soul, choked on his water.

Claude’s eye twitched. "I didn’t ask you to explain—."

He stopped. Took a deep inhale, and exhaled calmly. He closed his eyes for a moment, probably praying for more patience. Then he opened them again and pointed a firm finger at me.

"You are not going. End of discussion."

My eyes darted to Noir. He was playing with his water bottle, spinning it like he was playing truth or dare. Once it stopped pointing at Terrius, he grinned, then looked at me and winked.

"Actually, captain. It’s probably best to bring the newbie along."

Lexie frowned, unliking the idea. "Your ability works with everything that has mana, right?"

I nodded. What’s she getting at?

"A vortex is filled with them, so can you nullify a vortex?"

"No."

That’s something I haven’t tried, but if I can, then the first time I encountered one, that time back at my old home, not only the Aetherlock spheres should have malfunctioned, but the vortex should have disappeared too.

Or is it because I’m still weak? I don’t even know if an awakened ability can level up. But at the rate of mine, I don’t think I can nullify a vortex’s power even if I try. A simulation is different from the real deal after all.

"Then, what’s the point of bringing you with us? You can only use your power against Seekers, but we’re not your enemy. We can’t even guarantee that you can use it against monsters. What if you can’t? Then, you’ll just be in the way."

Terrius nodded in agreement.

"I still think we need him," Noir insisted. I glared at him. Instead of just telling them that, why don’t you try explaining why I’m needed?!

Claude snapped his head toward Noir so fast I was surprised he didn’t break his neck. "Do not encourage him."

Noir leaned his chin on one hand, looking far too amused. Amongst all the members of the team, Noir seems to be the only one not afraid of the captain. Well, Terrius did seem to, but he’s not as bold as Noir when answering Claude.

"Come on, captain. The newbie’s got a unique ability."

Everyone’s attention was focused on Noir. The guy beamed.

"We can’t bring a Minder inside a vortex, but there are instances where our dark energy level increases at a frightening speed, especially when we are fighting a boss monster. Jade has a similar ability with Minders, and he’s a registered Seeker, so we can bring him without the NMA interfering. Isn’t it perfect?"

Claude scowled. "There’s a reason why Minders aren’t allowed inside."

"And Jade is a Seeker. What he has is just similar to them, not exactly it. He won’t die inside."

What are they talking about? I did read in the book about Minders that they aren’t allowed to enter a vortex, but it doesn’t explain why. I thought it was just a rule created by the NMA to protect them since their numbers aren’t as many as Seekers.

Terrius gave Noir a suspicious look. "Why do you want him to join us that badly? What are your intentions?"

Noir rolled his eyes at him. "It’s just unfair. You guys train him so hard he broke bones and sustained injuries, and yet you still don’t want him in the team?"

"We’re looking out for him," Lexie explained.

"Well, he certainly doesn’t feel like he belongs here. Captain, you could have asked someone else to train him, someone not active in vortex raiding, but you insisted. Isn’t it because you find him useful? When else are you going to try him out if not this chance? You all know we don’t get low-rank missions. But you wouldn’t want him to be part of a lower-rank team, would you?"

I almost clapped my hands in Noir’s convincing ability. The captain was speechless, brooding over what Noir said.

"Unless you only want the newbie for yourself, captain. Having experienced his unique ability, it felt good, isn’t it?" Noir added, his tone challenging.

Claude looked one second away from flipping the table. Allen, sitting to his right, lightly touched his shoulder like he was diffusing a bomb.

"Captain. Deep breaths. Remember your blood pressure."

Claude growled under his breath but did not, in fact, flip the table. Progress.

I decided to push my luck while Allen’s pacifying him. "Look, Noir’s right. I can help if someone starts losing their mind. I know how to control my ability now. I’ve also been researching how Absorption works. I am confident I can be of help."

Claude narrowed his eyes at me. "It seems you’ve forgotten how many days you were out after absorbing my dark energy."

"It was uncontrolled. Now that I know how to, I’ll be able to lower your levels without compromising my consciousness. And you can continue to fight without worrying about the limit."

Noir, "It’s a win-win."

Allen, "Still dangerous."

I replied, "I’ll be careful."

Claude stared at me for a long moment. Then he rubbed his face and let out the most exhausted sigh I’d ever heard. When did this person become this expressive?

"Why am I even arguing with you?"

Yeah, why?

"Because you care?"

"I don’t," he deadpanned.

"Then, you’re wasting a lot of energy on someone you don’t care about."

Allen physically restrained Claude from lunging at me. The rest of the team, who had been watching like this was prime entertainment, collectively held their breath.

Noir clapped his hands together. "So, it’s settled! The newbie’s coming."

He got what he wanted.

"It is not settled—."

"It’s settled. I’m in."

Claude looked at the ceiling as if asking some higher power why he had to suffer like this. Then, he turned his gaze back to me, eyes burning with frustration.

"If you get yourself killed, do not haunt me."

I grinned. "I can’t make any promises."

"Damn you."

Allen sighed, defeated. Terrius stared at me as if telling me silently I made the wrong choice. Lexie shook her head in disbelief. Noir was beaming, while Etienne looked at me with worry.

Claude did not stop glaring at me. I immediately occupied an empty seat, making myself comfortable and part of the team, ignoring the captain’s deadly stares.

If I die inside, then I die. I made this choice despite knowing that. But hey, at least it’d be interesting.