The SSS-Rank System: From Outcast To Overlord
Chapter 31: Recruiting And Prospecting.

Chapter 31: Recruiting And Prospecting.

Kieran was furious, obvious by the way his face constantly beaded with sweat from frustration, his teeth grinding as he glared at the so-called principal of Wisteria High.

Of course, the authorities were by all means—active. Watching and ignoring the violent façade that was going on in the school. The principal was a middle-aged man with brown silk hair and a bushy beard. The disconcern in his lemon-green eyes expressed how unmoved he was by the domineering presence of the hero.

"Come again, old man," Kieran growled. "What’s your major function in this school?"

The principal—Mr. Bradford—had arms calmly rested on his table. His fingers drummed with boredom as he stared coldly into the hero’s eyes.

"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Kieran. But I must assure you, Wisteria High is highly esteemed among others," Bradford explained. "Here, we go by different beliefs."

Kieran clenched his jaw. "The belief to let students beat the crap out of one another?!"

"Rather, the belief to let students settle their disputes amongst themselves," the principal replied with a smirk.

"A student almost died on your watch, Mr. Bradford. You could be placed under arrest for institutional negligence," Kieran sighed. "What do you have to say about that?"

"I believe there is a reason why I still sit here, right, Mr. Kieran?" Bradford replied. "I believe in my processes and how they can impact this school—"

"For worse," Kieran finished.

Bradford paused, looking blankly at him.

"Why are you here, Mr. Kieran?" he finally asked.

Kieran paced around the room, taking deep breaths. Then he scurried through to a seat before the principal.

"You have heard, haven’t you?" he started. "The gates have been reappearing."

Bradford didn’t reply, quite aware of the situation. It still was news being confined by the government, but it wasn’t limited from those who had curious ears.

"We could take the risk of sending all our forces, but we still aren’t sure if there is a brain behind all this," Kieran continued. "We need to take careful steps for the safety of all humanity."

"In other words, you need me to release my students to you?" Bradford asked, matter-of-factly.

"Don’t act like it’s a request, Bradford. The president ordered it," Kieran frowned. "We need all the recruits we can get."

"And if I refuse?"

"Over here, we call that a crime." The hero’s eye was starting to glow with a devilish purple. "And I never hesitate to put criminals behind bars."

Bradford was quiet, his head rested on his hands as though he contemplated the situation.

"You could agree and put a leash to this sky-high confidence of yours," Kieran continued regardless. "Or I could just arrest you now for a pending crime of environmental negligence."

Finally, the principal spoke. "I would agree. But on one condition."

"I would accept any condition that doesn’t directly affect the authorities."

---

THE ASSEMBLY HALL

"I know you might be wondering why I gathered you all here today."

Bradford stared at the crowd of students before him, all looking like they had cold feet. This was that boy’s doing—Michael. Ever since he beat up his first bully, the principal should’ve suspected that nothing was going to get better.

And then, what was the latest news again—? He had transformed. Into a six-winged at that. It was a thankful thing that Kieran hadn’t caught Michael using Necromancy, or the principal would definitely have had a lot to explain.

But again, the seraphim power was a divine one too. And as long as Bradford knew it, Michael wasn’t just going to get away with that. If anything, they would seize the boy and have him go through forced therapy.

Not that Bradford would blame him anyway. After all, he’d been bullied just enough to get his payback. The principal had been watching every story, looking through every plot. He’d been patiently waiting for Michael’s uprising.

After all, it would’ve been a show worth paying for to see the hierarchy’s ass get kicked by a single student.

Bradford paid with his ignorance to watch that happen, and yet, Kieran had interfered.

Curse these heroes!

"Mr. Kieran here paid us a visit quite abruptly," the principal spoke in the mic. "As many of you may know him, he’s the famous hero of the void."

"He’s handsome," a female student flecked her eyes as she studied the hero’s manly features. Indigo-colored hair, charming purple eyes and a chin sculpted for perfection.

"I wonder what his rank is," another student said.

The principal coughed when the whispers became noises, and he once again earned the students’ attention.

"Anyways, Mr. Kieran here has an important information from the empire."

He moved aside, and Kieran took the stage. "Um... Hi, I guess."

The students were silent, looking at him and yearning for more information than just a greeting.

"I would like to go straight to the point," Kieran started. "The world is in trouble, and we need your help."

"You may be wondering, what’s happening with the world? Everything seems fine. But I’d like to show you something."

The hero approached a large projector and tapped a video. The video was thirty-two seconds long, but it did just enough to reveal a menagerie of monsters coming out of a yellow portal.

"What’s that?" a student asked amidst them.

"That there, is a gate." Kieran stopped the video. "Long ago—a century back to be exact—a strange chain reaction was accidentally caused by a group of mad scientists. This reaction caused many dimensions to be linked to the Earth.

At first, we contained these portals, trying to find a way to reverse the reaction. But the situation became worse when these strange creatures began coming out of them. These creatures—literal monsters—tormented the Earth, and brought disaster to the world.

But before things could get out of hand, the horsemen interfered—all seven of them. They destroyed the beasts and the gates, and before long, we were safe again.

But however, lately, these gates have begun reappearing in unstoppable amounts."

"Then just send the SSS ranks again, right?" the pink-haired girl spoke, and they all started to agree with her.

"It’s not that easy. The horsemen—for reasons unknown—have turned away from the government’s favor. Only one still remains in our service, and even still—he acts only when he feels like it," Kieran replied.

"And what do you need us to do?" another student asked.

"The government needs a capable team, a group that would clear the path for ease and also bring terror to the enemies. I was present when the president spoke of his description a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t have thought of anyone who fits the picture better.

Wisteria High. This is your chance to prove yourselves, not only to the other academies, but also to the world. You’ve had your reputations caged in this environment for too long. This is your time to become real heroes. No more novelty. No more fantasies. This is the real thing before you.

And you’re only one decision away from having your lives change. So, what do you say?"

The hall became quiet, fear portraying in almost everyone’s faces. Others had a spirited look, their determination now obvious.

"I say yes." A male student raised his arms in the air.

"I say no." The pink-haired girl nodded, folding her arms.

"I say we have a poll." Someone said from far behind. A girl with deep blue hair and eyes. She stood and stared into the hero’s eyes, daringly. "Let’s have a vote. If we decline much more than we agree, then you can as well call this a failed mission.

But if we agree much more, then you’d get to recruit those who agreed."

Kieran looked towards the principal. When he nodded, he looked back at the students.

"Alright, we’ll have a poll," he paused. "But not until tomorrow. For now, return back to your homes and tell your parents about your intentions if you do intend to join us."

"Dismissed."