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V.I.L.E was going to be everything she wanted. Everything she needed.
It had to be.
The boat ride is annoyingly long, with tons of other recruits loudly talking and interacting. There’s some fights breaking out, some weapons drawn, and the occasional too-friendly pickpocket.
It feels a little bit too much like home.
Regardless, she’s here to make a name for herself. She already has the perfect one picked out.
Now to make everyone else realize it.
-
When we disembark I start marking out the island. There is a long stretch of beach where the dock is connected to. It seems to be surrounded by tall cliffs with plenty of underbrush to hide in. This seems like a spot where you’d constantly be watched; only a few people are allowed in or out, and they have full control over it.
I’m trapped here for now.
No matter, I just need to climb the ranks, to show everyone that I’m the best of the best here.
We’re guided through a large entrance hall, the stark grey and sleek metal giving prison vibes. Ew.
There are some students walking through the hall, some much older, some about my age. They’re all gawking at us.
Time to put on my charm.
I paste a smirk onto my face and put more confidence into my walk. If they want a show, I’ll give them one.
I wave my fingers at one student who’s staring a little too intensely, and he looks away with a blush.
Heh, they always go down the same way.
-
By the time we’re seated at the entrance hall, I already have a target. The guy with dimples and brown hair seems friendly, and a little naive. He’d be easy to sway to my side as a reliable ally.
The tall woman with green hair starts to speak, and I can’t help but feel intimidated. She’s powerful. She has the air of a person who won’t let anyone get in her way, and she knows it.
Better stay away from her.
I’m distracted from my third scan of the room by a small girl pulling the dimpled guy back in his chair. She’s got some spice to her. That could be a problem.
It doesn’t look like she’s too happy with the guy, so I can let her be for now, as long as she behaves.
-
The stupid barrack is too big, and I have to share the room with other people. I just know it’s going to be rough sleeping, which will not help my performance at all.
I wish they’d let us keep a weapon or two, but I guess I can sharpen my nails if I have to.
The best way to establish dominance early is to mess with the one with the most power. The small girl looks like she knows people here, and she’s allowed to keep a personal object. Bingo.
I walk over and pick it up. It’s a pretty mutrushka doll, and I’m tempted to break it on the floor.
Unfortunately, the tiny girl is stronger than she looks, and I have to retreat to my bunk. I make sure it’s in the corner of the room, with visible sight lines to the rest of the group.
Dimples guy seems to have taken a liking to ‘lambkins’, so that’s disappointing. Still worth a shot to recruit him, but it might be better to go after the other ones.
-
Shadow-san is harsh, and he reminds me of an old teacher of mine. I clawed his face off.
But Countess Cleo is magnificent. She is powerful, and deadly. She’s exactly who I want to be, who I will be.
I hate the silent kid, he’s weird. I can’t stand his awkward posture and his greasy looking hair. Pathetic. He’ll never become an agent.
-
The day the results come back may be the best in my life.
I’m finally at the top, or at least out of the gutter. I’m finally Tigress, no longer a soft little cub depending on others. I’m strong, and I’ve shown everyone that.
That stupid Black Sheep failed too. She was acting so high and mighty, and she failed where I succeeded! It’s basically fate at this point. I’ve proved that I’m better, and I always will be.
The look on her face as I drag Grahm away is priceless. She’s not going to get in my way ever again. She’s down there, and I’m up here.
I’m finally on my way to glory.