"I will... fight you guys?"
Hermes had never been in an actual proper duel with someone before. That brief fight with Magnarok earlier was a rude awakening. Even with S-class powers, he could not match someone with more experience.
He was still learning how to harness Cryoshift too. Though paired with Sirentone, he might actually have an advantage.
Still, he shouldn’t underestimate his co-workers. Somner called them ’the best of the best’ after all. They may all be A-rank users, but sometimes even A-rankers can defeat S-rank if they are smart enough.
And he can only use 72% of both abilities, so he had to be mindful of the possible limitations.
Somner started giving rudimentary instructions for the dueling. "We go to the guild’s training grounds and pair up randomly. Once you are paired, you are allowed to do anything as long as it’s not an insta-kill move. We have Mr. Curacio from HR to watch over us and be the medic. His healing abilities are the most effective because it’s instantaneous."
Hermes furrowed his brows. "And how do you determine the winner?"
"Whoever gets totally knocked out or rendered powerless and unable to fight is the loser." Somner gave him a sly wink.
With his Power Thief ability, this would be very easy. All he needs to do is to get close enough to absorb their DNA. Since kissing or biting may be too much, he should probably aim to steal their hair strands and eat it.
It’s still weird, but it’s more discreet.
Hermes formed a strategy in his mind while they were eating in the cafeteria. Most departments have a lot of employees, but the Ninth Department only has 6 including him and Somner.
They have their own dining area and lounge. So...
"Why were you in the sixth floor’s cafeteria last Friday then?" Hermes asked Somner.
Fiero chuckled, elbowing Cam. "Cam and I were checking out this hottie. The boss said he wanna check her out too, but she’s so hard to get so we thought we’d impress her by snagging the rarest booze in the world!"
Cam nodded. "Her name is Mixxer. Her whole thing is bartending to form cocktails and drinks with different capabilities, like potions. Do you know her?"
"Ah... I do." Hermes recalled the D-class girl who told him to lick his bully’s shoe to turn into mud.
Somner narrowed his eyes. "Oh really? Are you two close?"
"I wouldn’t say that..." Hermes scratched his head.
His new boss leaned even closer, a wild look in his eyes like a predator about to pounce on its prey. "Are you telling the truth?"
Victorina decided to mediate. "Whoah there, my Lord! I believe our newcomer has made it clear that he does not know this woman. You do not need to be so jealous! That’s so not fab!"
"Ugh, I hate when men get territorial." Vera said, checking her nails.
Somner snapped at them. "I wasn’t being jealous or territorial! Me? The great Somner? No way!"
"You totally were, dude!" Fiero put his arm around him and gave him a nuggie. "Chillax! Girls prefer guys with higher ranks and more molla! Hermes may get you beat in the height department, but that’s it!"
Hermes just ate his food quietly, not wanting to start shit. They didn’t know their boss was actually jealous of the girl, not him.
Somner composed himself. "Right. I know that. Like I said, I’m not jealous. And I couldn’t care any less about some D-class girl, pfft! I have higher standards. Like..."
His hand slowly reached down on Hermes’ thigh under the table, where no one could see.
"A hero with soooooo much potential and a big, juicy, long... Future career."
Hermes just kept his head down as Somner started feeling his big, juicy, long ’future career’ up, chanting mantras to keep himself calm.
"Speaking of... I’m really curious about what the boss sees in you, Mr. Potentia." Cam said. "I prefer to know everything, and you’re an enigma. You came from some remote village near a Danger Zone, right?"
Hermes immediately became guarded when his origins were brought up. "Yes, Sir. Is there anything wrong about that?"
Cam shook his head. "No. It’s just really rare for someone who’s not from any hero family to be accepted to the Golden Apple, not to mention to gain the favor of a director in the span of 8 months."
Somner gave Cam a pointed look. "I have an eye for the good ones, Cam. You don’t trust my judgement?"
"Of course not, Som. That’s not what I’m saying." Cam calmly rebutted. "I’m just really nosy, you know? Everyone’s got secrets..."
Cam raised his hand to make a ’taking a picture’ gesture at Hermes.
"And it’s my ability to learn them."
A surge of panic rose to Hermes’ chest. An ability to learn secrets? Can he read minds or something?
What if he learned the truth?
"What exactly are your abilities, by the way? Just so I could prepare myself for later." He asked the squad.
Somner nodded. "Ah, silly me! I haven’t properly introduced you to the Cloud Nine Squad, huh?"
He started with Fiero. "Fiero is Ironcage. He can turn things that ’cages’ into iron. A house, ribs, a box, an elevator... He can turn those into pure iron and block any entrance and exit."
Fiero grinned. "I can also use these bands of mine to enlarge and capture objects and people! Pretty sick, right!?"
’So I just need to stay away from things that could entrap me.’ Hermes thought to himself.
Somner then pointed to Cam. "Cam is called Snapshot. He has the ability to capture hidden truths with his camera. He can see people’s weak points, their strengths, hidden illnesses... All sorts of stuff. He also sends out blinding flashes every time he ’takes a picture’ to learn someone’s secrets."
Hermes was relieved. ’Then I need to make sure he doesn’t take a picture of me. Thankfully it comes with flashes. I can avoid that.’
Cam noticed it, and sneered. "Don’t think I can’t capture you discreetly though. I have ways to sneak up on people. Snap!"
Somner then gestured to the two girls. "Lastly, we have Necromagia and Knightmare. Necromagia has the power to command the dead, while Knightmare has the power to summon and command unicorns."
Hermes nodded, their names do make sense for their aesthetics.
He finished his meal and gathered his courage. "Alright... I’m ready. I think."
Somner clapped his hands. "That’s our newbie! Let’s head to the training grounds and du-du-du-duel!!!"