Published at 29th of November 2025 6:59 pm

Chapter TWO HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN: To Belong

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257

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As the end of MPE approached, Alden hadnt shaken off all his stress, but the reactions of other students to his Winston fight were surprising him in a a good way.

The faculty had avoided pairing him and the speedster for the duels that took place right after Thanksgiving, even though they should have been randomly assigned to fight each other more than once before now. Of course the others had noticed that. But because Alden had been away or studying so often during periods when he could have been socializing with them, he hadnt realized how many of them had been waiting to see how the matchup went. And, it turned out, rooting for him to do well.

Even one person who he would have thought might want to see him lose.

Why wont you fight me with a serious weapon like that? Reinhard complained while he watched Alden try to put together a new Winsterminator in the practice area. Lexi had ended the first ones career in an explosion of sand when Writher sliced open the bag. I wouldnt have any problem with you if you fought me like that.

You would still have problems with me every time I won, Alden thought.

Reinhard had good qualities. He also had a tendency to bury them under his bad qualities when things werent going his way.

Youre one of the only other people in class Ive made a custom weapon for. And it worked. Which is proof it was a serious weapon even if it looked a little funny.

So funny Alden had rewatched that duel more than any of his others.

Reinhard grumbled like Alden was giving him a hard time, but then he said, Congratulations. For Winston. I havent seen it yet, but everyones talking about it. Hes not exactly a brilliant duelist, but he is a rank above you, and he had it in for you. Even if you two had an argument, hes being too swaybrained about it. Maybe this will make him shut up.

The argument was him lying about me to entertain people on the internet and me arriving to make him stop.

Reinhard twirled one of his arrows. Hed done it three times since hed walked up. Alden was wondering if it was some competitive impulse that had developed because hed seen Alden spinning his own weapon a few times over the past hour. Whatever. Hes just getting on my nerves. The other day when your Rabbit friends came to the dorm, after you all left, some of us were joking around about you in my apartment, and he was ruining the atmosphere.

You were talking about me?

It wasnt like we were saying anything youd be mad about. You have to know that two of them have over-Apexed their Appeal, and then there was that super cool girl who showed off her skill by making Mehdis watch look a thousand argold better, and the funny one in the skirt asked us where Pigeon Picture Boy was. They were so flashy as soon as they walked in. And the blonde girl was cooking for us within ten seconds of showing up. So we were talking about it like, Guess Aldens not coming back to the hero program. The Rabbit bosses finally sent in the elite team to lure him home. Well never hear from him again.

Alden grinned. They did look like an elite team, and they did take me away to see the people who come closest to qualifying as Rabbit bosses.

It was normal, corny stuff. But Winston cant hear your name, or Maxs, and stay normal. He made it so uncomfortable that I was shoveling spaghetti into my mouth so that I could use going downstairs for a second serving as an excuse to get away. And it was my apartment. Reinhard shrugged. Anyway. Congrats.

What did Winston say to make it that uncomfortable, though?

Reinhard looked toward the high ceiling. It was something about you going back to MataderoIm not going to repeat itbut you should definitely beat him in duels a few more times. If it wasnt just luck.

Alden imagined Winston butting in with something about how Alden deserved to be killed by a demon during one of his visits to Matadero instead of being carried off by a bunch of fun Rabbits.

The speedster had picked himself up after their duel, but he was staying as far from Alden as possible when they were both in the practice area. And he was being uncharacteristically serious in his duels against people he usually won against. Actually fighting without thinking about how he looked fighting.

So I sobered him up for at least one day. Not sure he deserved the favor.

It wasnt just luck! he called after Reinhard as the archer left. Acknowledge the true power of my contraptions!

He said luck? Ignacio had arrived, sliding fast across a melting ice patch Everly had left behind. No. <<Wrong. I watched the duel against Winston. You were not lucky.>> Excellent. Good duel. Congratulations! <<Fight me like that?>>

But youll just dodge and put a knife to my throat anyway, Shrike.

<<Ill hold still.>>

Dont say that. That makes me feel pitiful. Muy triste.

<<Ill hold still, and Ill focus on attacking your weapon,>> Ignacio explained.

Is the idea that hell send a flock of knives into the sandbag to see if he can redirect it? Or attack the preserved paracord handle while Im flicking it around?

Either would be an interesting experiment. But

If we get a chance to try it at the end of a class, Alden said. Yes.

<<At the beginning, it would be a better test.>>

Alden felt his face scrunch.

<<Dont look like that.>>

The Meisters knew Alden rarely presented them with opportunities to try their weapons out against anything he was protecting with his magic. Writher got more attempts than any of the other deadly tools because Writher and Alden lived together, and he was being a good roommate.

What if I went to Superlatives one day? Alden suggested. Or Meister club. Not to participate in a way that would annoy anyone but just as a training target for you to use? Youll fatigue my skill fast finding out what you can do, and Ill leave.

Ignacio brightened. <<That would be fun. Ill ask Ash.>>

Ash?

<<Hes the faculty advisor for Superlatives.>>

Shrike! Im here! Practice with me! Marshas shout made them both look over. She was shifting her weapon into glaive mode.

<<Id better go before she starts swinging.>>

Remind her that the practice area isnt just a bigger dueling block with human-shaped objects in the way.

<<I dont think it will work today. You heard about Elites?>>

Probably not. I wasnt around for gossip this weekend.

<<They sent Febri a callback and Marsha a rejection.>>

Im a little surprised, said Alden, lowering his voice. I know shes got a one-track mind, but the one track seems to suit what theyre doing.

<<Her dad was an alumni of their program, and he was embarrassing for them. He was caught pretending to be his own nemesis, committing crimes so that it looked like there was a dangerous unregistered for him to fight. Even if she doesnt have anything to do with him, they might not want to have her around as a reminder.>>

SHRIKE!

Poor Marsha, thought Alden. For the first time ever. Maybe shes got that S-rank fighting obsession because in her mind its like the opposite of her dad being a phony?

A minute later, Ignacio sprinted past, pursued by a girl who definitely preferred to interpret practice area as free dueling space.

On the other hand, she looks thrilled to be chasing him down. Maybe she just likes it.

A couple more people came up to Alden to say congrats before class ended. It wasnt like everyone was a fan of his work. He caught some glares and wary glances, and there was one comment from a Brute who sometimes hung out with Winston about how thing would have been different if Winston had a weapon, too.

But finding out so many of them were glad for his success was a boost. I thought it would just be my roommates and Max who appreciated how I did in one duel. This makes me proud I put some extra effort in.

He found himself smiling as he packed up.

On his way out of the gym, Finlay sprang in front of him to declare that he was taking him out to celebrate. Alden protested that it was going overboard to celebrate one single persons duel when theyd all just had several of them. But he didnt protest it too hard with Haoyu making restaurant suggestions and Astrid diving in to say she expected to be taken out for dinner by the whole class when she beat Tuyet.

Since Astrid will never earn that dinner, thats more money I can spend for your meal, Finlay said. Whats a place you like in Apex? Who should we invite?

******

Ten of them crowded around two tables at the back of the diner. The checkerboard floor, the glass-fronted fridge full of familiar canned drinks, and the items listed on the plastic-coated menus were nostalgic for Alden. But the Anesidoran touches were great, too. Their waitress was an Object Shaper who wore harem pants and Artonan jewelry with a cut-off Celena North University shirt. Whatever they ordered left the kitchen and traveled to them through the air under her direction, and dishes that they emptied took flight a minute or two later.

Everyone raised sodas, milkshakes, cups of tea, and decaf coffees to Aldens victory. Then they did the same for various victories the others wanted to be complimented on. And finally they saluted Winstons new roommateswhoever they might be.

They chattered about duels, Christmas, and school while they ate the kinds of meals you could only put together at a place that served American breakfast food and dinner food simultaneously. If their volume and Jeffy popping out of his chair constantly was irritating the other people eating there, Alden didnt really notice it.

I just like wintry-looking things, Everly was saying. She sat beside Kon at one end of the table. They were supposed to be splitting a basket of buffalo chicken wings and an order of eggs Benedict. She didnt seem to notice Kon was scarfing all the chicken. Its the same as people who have a bunch of accessories in their favorite color, but instead of one color, I have a theme.

I want a theme, said Astrid, taking a fry from a shared plate in the middle of the table and leaning across Max to dunk it in one of the sauces Alden had gotten to go with his hash browns and plant-based scramble. Jeffys aquatic theme will be sharks, and his land-based theme will be grilling.

Jeffy lifted half a cheeseburger into the air proudly.

Lexis theme should be that black feather makeup he wore to class the other day. Maxs theme could be

My theme will be asking you why you dont order your own spicy mustard dip if you like it that much. Max was trying to wipe a drop of it off his sleeve.

Next time I will. This time Alden had an ordering advantage. Hes eaten here before and knows whats good.

Kon, Max said, if its not a problem

A stain! Kon gasped. My favorite!

Hed gotten burger grease off of Jeffys jacket a few minutes ago.

Kons the kind of hero people actually want around. I keep waiting for someone to shout, We cant do this without a Dura Brute! in an everyday setting, but it never happens. Haoyu was sitting across the table from Alden. What were you saying about Ignacio?

He wants me to try to hit him with the weapon a few times, said Alden. I asked him if I could do it at Superlatives instead of in class.

The Rabbit has taken out an A-rank Speed Brute, and now he wants to fight the entire S-rank club, Kon said, checking out the stain on Maxs shirt. I look forward to it.

Lexi, Everly, and Max were all giving Alden raised eyebrows.

Did you think theyd actually let you go? Lexi asked.

I did offer to do Meister club, too. Ignacio picked Superlatives.

Meister clubs going to have a reduced number of gym meetings next term, Lexi said.

I dont think it would be a problem. Lucille, sitting at the end of the table with a Cobb salad, had been the quietest member of their group tonight. But shed still been more talkative than normal. Alden was glad hed invited her. People can be overprotective of their floor time, but if its just for a few minutes and Ignacio gets it pre-approved, nobody should be mad about it.

Superlatives is full of normal students like any other club, said Finlay. Marshas the one wholl whinge about Alden being there. And to quiet Marsha down all Shrike has to do is promise to fight her next. You might have to wait for your chance, though, Alden. With all the people volunteering to train us lately its been crowded.

Finlay Everly said hesitantly. Are you staying? Have you decided?

Everyone knew she meant the Elites program.

Finlay winced.

You dont have to answer.

I was excited about being invited. And I thought Id go. But what if its like being with a bunch of S-rank Winstons who I wont have a break from even on the weekends?

Why would they be S-rank Winstons? Alden asked.

The worst thing about living with him is having someone who insists on competing every second whether I feel like it or not, said Finlay. How many followers did you gain last night? How fast did you drink that cup of juice?

How fast can you shower?

Dont remind me. Its been shite like that constantly. I know Elites wouldnt be those little things. But its supposed to be more competition than here. All day. Every day. With them tossing us out if we dont keep up. And if its like that, wont I go mad? I want to be the best, but I cant be the best if I go mad. So maybe not. Ive got until Friday to tell them.

Vandys grandfather didnt like the idea of it, said Everly. So shes not going. I thought Tuyet definitely wouldnt go, no matter what, but she seemed to be thinking about it until she heard Vandy was saying no. Maricels only around for about ten minutes at a time, but Tuyet says she talked to Fragment, and Fragments advising her to stay at CNH. So she probably will?

You mustve worried you were going to lose all three roommates, said Haoyu.

I wondered if I would. It looks like well be together again. She reached for the basket that had held the buffalo wings and saw that it now held nothing but gnawed bones. Kon!

They ordered more wings for Everly and slices of pie for dessert. They all took pens and styluses out of their bags and tried spinning them. Alden and the other globies ended up answering questions about home.

You should tell your aunt to order special wedding supplies here on Anesidora. Astrid was moving the salt and pepper shakers so that a bowl of extra whipped cream could land. And then you can take it all with you when you go. Its one of the perks of having an Avowed relative.

Alden had just mentioned that he expected to attend Aunt Connies wedding sometime next year.

And you should buy your American friendsif theyre realsomething that they cant get at home.

When did you guys all decide my friends werent real? Alden asked.

Right before pie, said Haoyu.

Theyre fake, said Astrid. For sure. You were a loner in your old high school, but then you met us

There are a few pictures of them on my Trime from like a year and a half ago. I told you theyre the reason I like this diner.

A year and a half ago. Max shook his head. Only a few pictures.

Youre getting in on this? Hang on. Ill introduce you all to them. Its only two hours later there, so theyre probably still up.

[Alden: Boe, Im at a diner with a bunch of people from school who want me to prove that my Chicago frinds are real. Thats you. Want to take a call on your cell if youre awake?]

[Alden: Jeremy, you up? Im hanging out with classmates at a diner, and I told them about you. They want proof that you exist.]

They both came through, answering from their bedrooms at home and appearing on everyones interface.

Aldens American friends, our diner has twelve kinds of pie, Astrid said after introductions had been made. Her hair was slowly getting longer and turning yellow blonde.

Seriously? Ours only has four unless theres a special, Jeremy replied. But the coconut cream is addictive. Right, Boe?

Jeremy followed several of Aldens classmates online because they sometimes mentioned Alden, or posted things like the gokoratch song video in which he could be spotted. He seemed thrilled to be chatting with a bunch of Avowed at eleven oclock at night. And Boe was being a good sport.

The coconut cream is human-style magic, Boe agreed.

I got coconut cream. Jeffy was holding up a forkful of it. Alden beat Winston up.

What wonderful news, said Boe.

Youre beating people up, Alden? Jeremy clucked his tongue.

In MPE, Alden said. There was no lasting damage.

I wonder if Winston would agree with that.

He hit him with a fifty-kilo sandbag, you guys!

The fight lasted a few seconds. Aldens improved since we started school.

Winston was so sure he was going to win he bet his room.

He offended the mad Rabbit of Matadero, and that was the end for him.

Send us more giardiniera. Lute ate it all on ramen.

Haoyus ordering groceries from America? Can we?

Why would we? We have stores.

I want a deep dish pizza from actual Chicago.

Ill show you how fast I can freeze a glass of lemon-lime soda if you tell me an embarrassing story about Alden.

Boes polite smile suddenly turned genuine. One time, Alden climbed onto the roof of a strangers house

Dont tell them this one, Alden protested.

Jeremy, who had heard this story before, was already grinning in anticipation.

because he saw a cat up there he thought was his. And he thought it was having a medical issue. We were like five miles from his own neighborhood, so I dont know why he was so sure it was his cat.

You helped me get onto that roof!

Of course the animal ran away from the sketchy guy who was trying to bother it. The owner of the house drove up at exactly the same time, and for some reason, Alden was just standing around where she could see him when she got out of her car.

Because you hid from her and werent there to help me get down! This story is just as embarrassing for you.

He was so nervous that he kept saying, There is a cat here. There is, instead of using the past tense, so basically he was hanging out on some ladys roof in broad daylight, swearing he could see a cat that clearly wasnt there.

They were all cackling and snorting. They were laughing so hard that they were choking on their pie.

And it didnt feel bad at all to laugh until his stomach ached, to accept over-the-top praise for a duel, and to be embarrassed in the middle of this group of people he was growing closer to little by little.

Alden looked at Boe making them all laugh. Maybe one day hell change his mind and come here.

He looked at Jeremy. We havent really drifted that far apart.

It didnt feel bad to belong, for a while, on Anesidora.

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