Hell University-Chapter 11 - 10: Accepted

Chapter 10: Accepted

Zein’s Point of View

I walked out of Madame Principal Carmie’s office in daze. That damn president! He’s giving me headaches.

I didn’t pay much attention to what he said. For sure he’s only saying that to make my mood sour and wanted to give me a headache from overthinking. Hmp!

"Ms. Shion!"

I looked toward the person who called my name from not too far away. I quickly walked over to him.

"Why, Sir Alvarez?" I asked.

He was holding the three books he usually uses, with his black shoulder bag slung over his arm. I’d say he really has a certain presence, and I guess he’s in his mid-20s to 30s too.

"Can we talk?" He said seriously.

I don’t know what’s there for us to talk about, but it seemed very serious and looked so important that I said yes.

We went to the cafeteria and he ordered two orange juice for the two of us.

We sat on the farthest seat in the cafeteria where we couldn’t be easily spotted with the newly arrived students.

"I need your help."

I bit the straw on my orange juice without thinking because of what he said. He was so serious and you can’t even see traces of emotions in his eyes except for eagerness.

"For what, sir?" I asked.

I leaned against the chair and stared into his serious eyes. I have a bad feeling about this, do I have another problem coming my way? I already have so much on my mind.

"I am not just a teacher. I am also a detective. They sent me here to rescue you all. Help me."

I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth because of the shock. I never thought he was a detective because it didn’t show at all. But what does he mean by saying he’s going to rescue us?

"What are you trying to say?"

"Listen, Zein, I am a detective and at the same time, a secret agent. We’ve been monitoring this place for a long time, but we haven’t been able to gather any information. We also can’t interfere with this university because it isn’t under government jurisdiction, that’s why what I’m doing is covert. I’ve been here for a month already, but I still haven’t found any possible loophole in HU. I want to save all of you, but I can’t do that by myself, that’s why I’m asking for your help."

My eyes stayed still on his serious eyes. I wanted to shake my head and say no, but I also wanted to help.

"There’s nothing I can do to help you," I said honestly.

I am just an ordinary student. I don’t know much about HU, I don’t have any information to tell him. We’re only newbies here.

"A lot Zein, you can help us a lot. Accept their offer."

My brows knitted before I even realized what he was trying to say.

"Secretary... you want me to accept it?" I asked.

Sir Alvarez nodded his head meaningfully before sipping on his juice.

"If you have the position, it would be a big help. You’ll know something that others don’t. Know the way to their Hidden Laboratory here."

"Laboratory?"

He leaned closer.

"Yes. They are hiding their laboratory, where they are learning the formula before Dr. Quizon died."

Everything became more complicated after I heard that. "I thought they hadn’t obtained the formula because Dr. Quizon died without anyone knowing it?" I asked.

That is what Celine had told me. Dr. Quizon died together with the formula and no one else knows about it, except for only one person. How did the formula get to their hands?

"Dr. Quizon didn’t die naturally. They killed him to get the formula," he whispered, sending chills up my spine.

Once again, anger slowly built up inside me. They’re so greedy, they were able to kill someone just to get an idea that wasn’t even theirs. How cruel! They really are demons.

"They got the formula but it’s missing something. Dr. Quizon didn’t note down everything. There is one crucial ingredient they still haven’t found, which is being hidden by a student. That’s why they’re searching for it now, but at the same time, they’re also looking for a substitute ingredient, which they’re developing in a secret laboratory."

I could only stare at my glass of juice, which wasn’t even half-finished yet. Why is it like this? The stories are so confusing, there’s always something wrong! Is it possible that there’s something wrong with Sir Alvarez’s story too?

"Zein, we need to find the laboratory before it’s too late. We need to stop them before it’s the end of everything. I need your help, Zein Shion."

I walked back to our dorm in daze. A lot has happened today. I accepted the help Sir Alvarez asked, I need to help. This is for the betterment of everyone.

"Zein! What did they do to you?! Did they torture you to confess? What? Did you confess?"

I glared at Vanessa with her over reaction. I sat on the sofa and leaned my back against it.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Went to class. I stayed behind so you’d have someone with you." She handed me some water.

I put the glass on the corner and released a sigh. This is too much for me. Can I really finish all the things that I started? UGH!

"Zein, what now?" She looked excited as she asked me.

"What we talked about wasn’t connected to what happened earlier. They were forcing me to accept the position."

"Then did you accept it?" She asked.

"Not...yet." I answered that made her eyes widen.

"Doesn’t that mean you’re planning to accept it?! OMG!"

I released a heavy breath. What will happen to me if I accept that position? How can I help Sir Alvarez?

"Here. This is your new uniform. Wear it now and I’ll show you our office."

Reluctantly, I accepted the paper bag Ace handed me, which contained a secretary uniform.

I went into the restroom to change. I grimaced when I realized that the mini skirt was even shorter than before. The white blouse had turned ocean blue. I also had a nameplate on the side, showing my name and the position, which, obviously, was secretary.

Once I was satisfied with my looks, I came out of the restroom, where President Ace was waiting and obviously very impatient.

"Nice. Suits you. Let’s go."

I frowned as I followed him. Everyone we passed by was staring at us and shifted to the corner to make way for us. That’s what I hated the most.

"That uniform... is she the new secretary?"

"How come? She’s just a newbie! That’s unfair!"

"Right! She probably charmed Supremo."

I couldn’t hold back anymore and approached the women who had been whispering earlier. At first, it was obvious they were going to fight back, but their tongues went silent when they saw something on the side of my uniform, written in blood.

"N-Number 9?" Her friends trembled.

"Y-You’re part of it? S-Sorry."

"Forgive us, miss. We didn’t realize you were the ninth one."

[ Original word is ’Paumanhin Binibini which translates to I am sorry, my lady. They are using a word from Spanish colonial times to address a woman respectfully. It shows that they must have really respect the Highest 10 a lot. ]

My eyes remained serious as I stared at them. Their heads are all dropped now, and they were obviously already scared.

"All of you, take my command. Get the hell out of my sight!"

They quickly rushed to run away from me. I wanted to laugh out loud.

"That’s my line. Tsk. Let’s go." Ace dragged me away from there.

The smile in my lips disappeared when I realized that he was holding my other hand. It’s not even just a simple holding but our fingers are literally intertwined with one another.

I avoided my gaze and forced to remove his hands but I couldn’t do it. He finally let go of it before we enter d an office where there’s a sign SSG OFFICE outside.

Onel Ty was sitting at a table and stood up when he saw us. Teacher Kath was at the end, now raising an eyebrow at us as well. My gaze landed on a woman sitting in the Secretary’s chair. Bitch.

"The new secretary is here." Onel exclaimed."

Fritzy asked with a raised eyebrow, "And why is she dressed like that?" was her next question.

"Get out of her chair," Ace said in a low voice but with emphasis.

"President Ace, I’ve still chosen Fritzy as secretary," Teacher Kath replied.

We were shocked when Ace slammed the desk next to him, causing a deafening noise to echo throughout the area. The table he hit nearly broke as well.

"All of you, take my command. Sit on your respective chairs and get out of here Ms. Fritzy Saldivar."

Teacher Kath and Onel could do nothing but return to their positions, while Fritzy walked out, but not before bumping into me.

"Bitch," I muttered.

President Ace had me sit at the table that Fritzy Bitchy had been occupying earlier.

He stood in front of us, looking serious again. What’s his deal, and why couldn’t even Teacher Kath do anything?

"Never.Question.My.Decision." He said.

His aura was intimidating, screaming her position and status as one of the highest-ranking. Number 2 was stitched on the side of her polo.

"From now on, Zein Shion is the new secretary of HU, and I don’t want any questions about that. Respect her as you respect me. She is now in the 9th Power of Highest 10. Lower if compared to yours Mr. Ty, who’s in 5th rank, but you must still respect her. This is my decision and it’s FINAL."

I bit into my hamburger with a scowl. I casually glanced at Ace, who was busy eating rice, while Onel and Fritzy were just eating ice cream.

"I don’t even know that there’s a rule like that." I whispered to them with an emphasis.

Onel chuckled slightly, while Fritzy gave me a subtle, glaring look. I didn’t know that once you become a member of the SSG, you’re supposed to be with them all day. I’m not allowed to talk to my friends. UGH!

"Well, now you know."

"Fuck you."

I lowered my head when Ace gave me a piercing look because of the curse I muttered at her. So annoying!

I glanced at the other table where my friends are currently there, quietly eating. Dave and Jerome were stealing glances at me while Vanessa and Mia were staring at me with their brows knitted, while Matt doesn’t even spare me any glance.

I released a heavy sigh before putting down my burger. I’ve lost my appetite.

"Fine!" I turned to Ace when he suddenly spoke. "You are allowed to be with your friends, but when I call you, you must come quickly. Are we clear?"

I smiled before nodding. I quickly sat on my friend’s table who was all frowning.

"So, you decided to finally join us?" Vanessa didn’t even try to hide the fact that she’s sulking.

"Yeah, right. We didn’t know that you already have new friends, and now you’re snobbing us." Mia added. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"That’s the rule of SSG. Once you’re a member, you are not allowed to talk to your friends the whole day unless the president lets you. That’s why I didn’t want you to accept the offer." Matt finally spoke, who’s obviously sulking too.

Why is it like this? I just wanted to help out but why do I have to sacrifice? Just like this one?

"Sorry," the only thing that came out of my mouth.

Mia and Vanessa hugged me.

"Psh. It’s okay. We’re just not really used to it." I felt Matt’s hand brushing on mine with a smile.

"Let’s go." I almost jumped when Ace suddenly appeared.

I frowned once again before standing up. Even my friends couldn’t do anything about it.

My eyes widened when a boy suddenly bumped into Ace. His orange juice were spilled on Ace’s who still had no reaction in his face.

The whole cafeteria fell into silence, and I instantly felt fear and worry, fear for Ace, and worry for the boy who was already frozen like a statue.

"S-Sorry, Supremo." He asked for forgiveness.

Ace didn’t answer, instead he fished out the notebook he was carrying the whole time.

"Name." He said with no emotion.

Oh shit! This is bad. His demon side is showing again. "F-Ferry Marcos."

Ace turned the page in his notebook before circling his whole name. Only one thing is running through my mind right now: this man is about to say goodbye

"Follow us. The Dark Hell Jail is waiting for you."