God of Trash

Laurent glanced around, checking that there was no one around. He gestured the two of them on. This was totally out of character for him, breaking the rules like this, and yet, it was so exhilarating. His heart raced with excitement that he hadn’t felt since he’d gotten his Tier 2 core. Sure, all of the other students were out using their newfound freedom to get absolutely hammered, some of them were off pursuing new loves, and the rest were desperate to be anywhere but on their stale old boat, but it still made his stomach lurch. He was breaking the rules. Him! Breaking the rules! He couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t that kind of rebel.

But it was worth it. He got to bask in Rina’s light for just a little longer. Even if that annoying clod Betsy was along for the ride, it didn’t detract from the fact that Rina was here, right next to him, so close he could almost touch—

Something invisible smacked his hand down again. He narrowed his eyes at Betsy. She glared back and turned away, pretending not to know what happened.

Laurent shook out his hand. Rina glanced back, and he quickly smiled, hiding his sour glare. Eventually, he’d get through Betsy. He was the top-ranked sword talent at his academy, one considered worthy of fighting the strongest swordsman of his generation. He could defeat any swordsman or woman of his age in the Empire, and he was confident in taking on the Alliance, with the exception of one person… but it wasn’t like Betsy was the Sword Saint’s apprentice. He chuckled at the very thought. The Sword Saint’s apprentice might have been a mysterious masked man, but he was definitely a man, not a woman. Besides, why on earth would the Sword Saint’s apprentice be selling potato chips? The very thought was absurd. The Alliance’s greatest sword talent had better things to accomplish. In fact, he was probably studying the sword right now, honing his abilities in preparation for their oncoming clash. Laurent smiled, a little smug. In fact, he wouldn’t be shocked if that Solaire fellow wasn’t as afraid of him, as he was of Solaire.

The man in question sneezed, then glanced around. “I feel like someone was talking behind my back just now.”

“Huh? Weird,” Rhys replied. He shrugged to himself a moment later. Bast was the Sword Saint’s apprentice, after all. It wouldn’t be shocking if someone was talking about him.

Laurent cozied up beside them, coincidentally brushing shoulders with Rina as he squeezed by. Bast’s eyes narrowed, and Laurent gave him a smug look back.

Rhys rolled his eyes. Grow up, he thought, but he didn’t say it. They were still kids, after all. A little childishness was to be expected.

“Move quietly. Technically, I’m not supposed to let you on here,” Laurent whispered.

Rhys nodded and gave him a thumbs up. “We can do quiet.”

“As long as no one gets any funny ideas about quietude,” Bast rumbled threateningly, with a glare Laurent’s way.

Rhys nudged him yet again. Now wasn’t the time to scare off Laurent. They still had to see the boat! Ship, whatever.