Chapter 41: My plan

’Did none of them really not think about this?’ It was at this moment that I realized, changing tho outcome of this event was going to be a lot more tedious than I thought.

“So what do you propose?” Alistair asked.

’Hmmm, it seems he’s trusting me a bit.’ Which I kind of needed him to do even though I said I couldn’t care less about their opinion of me. Gosh, I was such a hypocrite wasn’t I?

I leaned back against my chair.

“Well, the logical thing would be to go back and report it to the institute….” Though I wasn’t hoping they’d do that.

“You want us to run like some little cowards?!” Fabian who has been silent since the time he called me a sissy barked.

Even though I kind of wanted them to vehemently refuse, this guy’s outburst, and name he called me before still managed annoy me.

I glared back at him.

“But seeing as you all are not willing to, I happen to have a better plan that does not include us rushing towards our deaths.”

“First would be reconnaissance, and knowing their numbers. If we’re going to fight them on their turf, we have to know it’s ins and outs. Lucky for us….” I smiled. “I already have that part covered.”

“You’ve been to their den?” Alistair looked skeptical.

“Yes I’ve been there.” I replied. That was a lie, I was currently there, but they didn’t need to know that.

“And you expect us to believe you.” Rose glared at me, probably still furious I called her dumb.

“Oh, you wound me dear sister. I thought you’d be the first to believe me.” I placed my palm on my left chest in a hurt motion.

“You’re seriously asking me why I don’t believe you?” Oh, I forgot my reputation as a coward was the highest in Rose’s eyes. So me willingly entering a den of heretics was nigh impossible for her to believe.

“Believe it or not, I did, and by my estimates, there should be at least thirty of them….”

“What?! thirty?! I thought you said there were only a few of them!” Turning to Alistair, one of the extras, a brown haired girl exclaimed.

Even the other students frowned.

In the novel, when Alistair sneaked into the base, he foolishly counted only those he visibly saw. So when he brought his so called ’intelligence’, the group agreed with no hesitation.

But when they sieged the base, they were met with numbers that overwhelmed them, around thirty if I remember correctly.

“Dude, when did you have time to do all that? Weren’t we together all day?” Just when the tension was escalating, Dion whispered to me once again.

I sighed.

“Dion, you do know they can all hear us right?” At my words Dion turned and saw the entire group looking at us both.

“I’m also curious though,” a sharp gleam passed through Delilah’s eyes. “Pray tell, If you were with him the whole day, when did you get the time to figure out all that?”

I smiled. Finally, someone had asked the question I was waiting for them to ask. Just then, the bell at the cafe’s door jingled, signifying it had been pushed open.

And in walked… another me.

“…”

“…”

It was thrilling, I had once again left everyone gobsmacked.

“Well, miss Whetstone, this is the answer to your question.” I gestured to my reflection that had now reached the table.

“Everyone, this is my unique ability, I can make reflections of myself.” I announced.

It pleased me dearly as I watched Rose’s eyes widened. I could probably guess her current thought process. She was probably thinking along the lines of: ’How is that possible? I thought his ability was being able to make his reflection invisible?’

“That is such an incredible ability to posses.” Alistair praised.

Now for the last part of my little show. “Transfer your memories to me.” I said to the reflection. He moved forward, and placed his palm on my forehead, then I proceeded to shudder as if suffering from a seizure, before my reflection took his palm off, and cracked into motes of light.

There was no need for anyone to know I had a hive mind was there? And less of a need to know I could swap places with my reflections.

“So, how many can you make in total and how strong are they compared to you? Surely an ability like this has to have some sort of drawback.” Delilah’s eyes practically gleamed as she shot one question after the other.

Right, I forgot she was a nerd that was quite curious about everything.

“At full capacity, I can make five clones, each with twenty percent of my strength.” I replied.

“If you had such an amazing ability, why were there rumours that you possessed a kappa ranked physique spreading throughout the human domain? Mind explaining that to me?”

“….” I blanked out. What was I supposed to say? that I upgraded my physique? That was simply asking for death.

’And why the hell did this girl have to ask me that?’ I glared at none other than Anastasia.

The personalities of the main casts were already accounted for, so I was ready for any question they’d throw at me. But I hadn’t accounted for her, and she just had to ask the question that’ll stump me.

But she was wrong if she thought she had me. “Ahem, I don’t want to talk about it.” I put on a hurt expression. I was shameless enough to do that, even though most of them realized I was faking it.

“Anyway, back to the plan.” I quickly changed the topic. “From the additional memories I had just gotten from my reflection, It’s been confirmed that there are indeed at least thirty heretics in the base, not to mention some strays outside.” I paused taking everyone’s expression.

“Though, the good part is that I sensed only one at Eta+. Most of the rest were either Eta, or Eta- ranked. There were even some kappa ranked among them.”

“So you’re saying we can easily take them.” Alistair muttered.

I shook my head.

“We are forgetting something,….”

“The captives.” Anastasia completed my statement.

“Bingo.” I nodded. ’She’s surprisingly smart. I like her.’ Not in the way you’re thinking of course.

I turned back to Alistair.

“With a good plan, yes, we can easily take them. But we’ll also have to take account of the captives.”

“So here’s my plan if you’re up for it?” I continued. “We split into three groups. The vanguard, which will include our strongest heavy hitters, the support group, and finally, the rescue group.

The vanguard would consist of Rose, Alistair, Anastasia, Elsa, and Fabian.” I pointed at each one. “And the support would consist of everyone left. While the rescue will consist of me.”

“Tsk, I’m not taking orders from you.” True to his personality, Fabian immediately scowled, and voiced his disagreement.

And it wasn’t only him. I could see it the the expressions of some, and in the eyes of some, that they didn’t like the fact that I get to give them orders.

But it was already in my calculations. If they immediately agreed, I’d doubt if they were sane. It was a given, they were kids, and everyone of them was either a noble, a royal, a student of the Astral Mystic Institute, or all of the above. So it was kind of expected.

“Given his reputation, I also don’t think listening to him is a good idea.” The bitch spoke with a subtle smirk tugging at her lips.

The nerve of her, the audacity. At this moment I genuinely felt unadulterated fury coursing through my being.

’Calm down Captain, your emotions are in the negatives down here.’ Bubbles voice rang in my head.

’Sorry, it’s just that, this bitch really is asking for it.’

“Well then, since my words can’t be trusted, I guess I should be on my way back to the institute.” I stood up. “Dion, you coming?” I asked.

“Oh… yeah.” he also stood up.

“Wait!” Alistair exclaimed. “It’s only Damon that knows the enemy’s number and where they are stationed. So please, I implore everyone, let’s work together, put aside our differences, and save this city.”

Oh shit, his protagonist halo was brightly shining now, and was influencing everyone at the table. “…Wow” A short wow couldn’t help but escape my mouth. He talked just like a certain blond ninja.

“Fine.” Fabian grumbled. He was the first to agree. Seeing that, the followed.

Though, make no mistake, Fabian still had his pride and arrogance. The only reason he agreed, I believe was because I also used to be a prince until recently. Were it to be a commoner, Fabian would have never agreed even if hell were to freeze over.

“No.” Just when everyone was agreeing, a flat voice cut through the air.

I frowned. It was Anastasia. Seriously what was wrong with this girl? First she asked me that question, and now this?

“What do you mean no?” Alistair asked, puzzled.

She turned towards me.

“I’ll be in the rescue group with him.”

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WE’VE GONE PREMIUM. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT EVERYONE.

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