Chapter 122: Cliff’s Real Hardships

While there have been several confirmed Aragarian's that have infiltrated school, there hasn't been a student as young as this. The greater mystery was that the Diamon's weren't Aragarian's in Seeker's future.

Cliff was still in a daze when Lara noticed him looking at her. Did he sense incorrectly? His Realm Somatotopy was far weaker than that of Seeker. What if he got it wrong?

"Cliff, Charm will get jealous if you stare." Lara teased as he noticed Cliff's drifting gaze.

This awoke Cliff from his stupor.

"So-Sorry!" Cliff immediately turned to Charm and apologized.

"Wha-why are you apologizing to me!? Apologize to Lara!" Charm reacted.

"Sorry!" Cliff realized his error and apologized to Lara.

Lara simply laughed seeing the two panic.

"Relax. I'm just teasing. Still, you two make a cute couple." Lara continued to tease.

"I'm so sorry! It's just… I've been through a lot lately. And now that I managed to secure one of the more dangerous deals with the Diamon's I just got so relieved. My adrenaline is constantly pumping to ensure my fast survival. So I am constantly on the edge and sometimes I just… blank out."

"Wait. Why is your adrenaline constantly pumping?" Lara asked.

Cliff realized his mistake.

"I-It's fine! They made me go through some experiment which forces me to constantly pump adrenaline. They planned to use if for Seeker but tested it on me first!"

"That's illegal!" Charm was shocked.

"Oh! I'm not supposed to say that! Please keep quiet about it!"

"But… you could die!"

"They were doing it for me. They said that the constant adrenaline can ensure my survival… I won't feel any pain, and can get away faster." Cliff's voice fell silent.

Charm had a worried look in her eyes and almost hugged Cliff but somehow felt ashamed at their peering guest.

"At least… things would get better now." Charm consoled.

"It's alright. I've lived quite an illegal life. I sold drugs and even abused a lot of Regulars and Rising here. I deserve this. I am thankful for this operation they did on me. The only side effect is I'm always at the edge and my heart pumps faster than normal. Here. Take a look. Compare it with your heart." He offered to Charm.

Charm held Cliff's chest with her right arm and used her left arm to feel her chest.

"Cliff! This is dangerous! It's pumping dangerously fast!" Charm screamed in alarm.

"No. I'm alright. Really!" Cliff insisted.

"Let me see!" Lara immediately reached for Cliff with her right hand while feeling her right chest with her left hand. She felt Cliff's beating heart and compared it with hers.

Lara was shocked. She continued to observe the speed of the heartbeats. A few seconds passed and the heartbeat continued to remain at the same pace.

"It is dangerous. Alright. I'll tell my dad to accede with their request and ask them if they could support the Covenant. They were planning to do so anyway. But now, I'll make my dad add another clause and that is to make your life a lot easier." Lara frowned.

Cliff was shocked.

"Really, Lara? Thank you! I wanted to do that, but my influence is not good enough!" Charm complained.

"Anything for my new found friend and her boyfriend." Lara teased.

Charm was turning red.

Cliff ignored Lara's tease and wept.

"If you can do that… please. Thank you. Thank you so much!" Cliff cried ignoring Lara's tease.

"You can't imagine the pressure I have. The truth is, in a few moments I will be going in that room to report to Seeker. Since they are limiting the number of people that could get close to Seeker, I have to make this report. But Seeker's not making my life any easier. He keeps going after crazy gambles that are making a lot of enemies. I keep pleading to him to stop, but he said he has to do it and I should pay for my past crimes." Cliff sighed.

Charm couldn't help but sigh.

"Well… He is doing a lot for his country. But we can't deny the actions he is making are causing turmoil in the business world. He did ask these companies to align or help them but many refused."

"His demands were crazy!" Cliff defended.

"His demands were necessary. Do you really believe that Pangea can defeat Australia now?" Lara countered.

"Wow. You really are a Casual." Charm couldn't help but interrupt.

A knock was heard on the door.

"Miss Charm? We have the food ready." A waiter announced on the outside.

Charm pressed on the button and the door was opened.

Several waiters carrying several plates walked in and placed the courses of meals on the table.

"My my… how lavish. This school is really top-tier." Lara commended as the food was being brought in.

"Anyway Cliff… I support Seeker but I'm biased because I am a fan. But don't worry. I'll see what my family can do to make your life a bit easier. So forget about the next meeting. Whatever they talk about, tell us. And I'll do what I can to help. For now, let's eat and enjoy good food!" Lara laughed.

Cliff smiled and nodded.

"And remember… the one helping you isn't me… but Charm who is clearly falling for you." Lara teased.

"Lara!" Charm shouted.

Lara simply laughed but went ahead and started to take her fill of food.

The three ate and had a merry time. Cliff originally had a poor look but his countenance improved as the conversation went on. Cliff's pitiful countenance slowly became more and more natural as they continued to talk about various topics.

Lara kept teasing the two that they should be a couple and Lara could even use her influence to protect them. The two were extremely shy with each other and couldn't stare at each other for the remainder of the meal.

Suddenly, loud cheers were heard outside of the door.

"I got to go." Cliff finally said as he glanced at his watch.

"Oh? Based on the cheers, it should be Meryl, right? Almost everyone cheering are boys." Lara giggled.

"Yeah. It's that Snow Goddess again." Charm sighed in jealousy.

"Thanks for the treat. I really appreciate it. Sorry for the pitiful sight. I'll be leaving now." Cliff smiled.

Charm stared sweetly at Cliff and smiled back.

"Anytime. I'll be here tomorrow. And I think Lara will join us as well. Right. Lara?"

"And intrude on your privacy? Why would I? Say… how many times have you two met like this these past months? Don't tell me that…" Lara laughed.

"LARA!" Charm screamed as Cliff left the room with an embarrassed expression. The opened doorway allowed Lara to view the scene outside. Her sight followed Cliff and her gaze finally rested at Meryl.

There she was. The young teen with nearly a dozen titles. The Snow Goddess, the Song of Winter, The Ivory of the Orient.

"That…" Lara was stunned as she closed the door and sat beside Charm. Her face was just shocked.

"What was that?!" Lara couldn't help but exclaim.

"I've seen her photos but they were right. Seeing her close and personal really just…" Lara kept exclaiming.

"Take your time. Most of us here had the same reaction. Many already gave their bid to try the failed skin alteration that Meryl went with. But the Covenant had remained unmoved deeming it too dangerous." Charm sighed.

"I heard Doctor Charles Lindmitt and several other renowned surgeons gave their two-cents in the operation," Lara added.

"Yes. Doctor Lindmitt reported that Meryl's brain was severely damaged during the process. It was as if her brained deteriorated and had Alzheimer's. That's scary." Charm shivered at the thought.

"It's just funny how nations can get jealous. I was even embarrassed to know that the EAA also demanded the Covenant to reveal the procedure of the operation claiming it was bordering the science of creating super soldiers." Lara gave a dry laugh.

"Well, I doubt those accusations will get anywhere. There is just too much going on in the world right now to care about some cosmetic operations about skin enhancements. But I wonder if it's true. I mean, look what they did with Cliff. I hope that since information about his procedures has been leaked to us, he won't get in trouble. Can you...?" Charm tried to ask.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure my dad can think of a way of using that information against the Covenant and ensure the safety of your little boyfriend." Lara laughed.

"Thanks." Charm ignored her tease and simply nodded.

Lara was caught off guard.

"You… really like him, don't you?" Lara asked seriously.

"I guess I do. He's really a nice guy. He used to be notorious in this school. I remember meeting him on several occasions. He used to threaten and blackmail several Rising students. But I can only imagine what horrors he faced to make him turn into that kind and gentle guy."

Meanwhile inside the other room where Cliff and Meryl went into…

A lean, confident and laid-back teen sat in the middle of the seats. Surrounding him were three other individuals. Meryl and Cliff were among the people around him.

"Zeek." Cliff greeted with an exhausted expression.

"First to report is our beloved Cliff. Oh… and be honest if you've fallen for her." Seeker teased.

Meryl grinned maliciously. She was a small and beautiful girl with white beautiful skin that made her the medias center of attention because of her unworldly flawless skin. News and reports of her would only be surpassed when Crazy Casual Carlean would do something earth-shaking. She was usually timid and reserved, but her true comical and playful character would resurface when she would be around her close friends.

"You know... I actually thought you would be all over Eva? I mean... she is a Programmed Slave. I thought considering your erm...  previous reputation you'd take advantage of that? Didn't you show interest with her back then?" 

"Well, I called it. Charm Novelty-Blastoise is a sweet and kind girl."  A tall, and well-built man smiled. Despite his tall frame, he had a gentle expression and a casual smile. Lynd Peters Indigo's reputation was also growing making him popular with girls of various ages. Because of his size, even older and more mature women had the hots for him.

Cliff didn't know how to retort.

"It's not that."

"Really? You do know that we've been listening to your previous conversations? Although your little get together earlier was impossible to hear because of the loud crowd outside, I remember that two weeks ago, you two have been awfully sweet with each other." Seeker sneered.

Cliff was stunned. They were listening?

"I guess... I guess... I was just trying... I knew I was a Regular and I did everything to reach for things that were beyond me... But I'm glad that now... I can finally... Finally, reach..." Seeker imitated Cliff's words which he uttered to Charm when the moment was ripe a few weeks ago.

"Finally reach what?" Meryl imitated Charm's then response.

"Finally reach a girl like you." Seeker said with eyes full of moisty tears.

Lynd and Meryl started laughing so hard that they were turning red. Even Seeker broke to laughter after imitating Cliff.

Cliff was also red but for a different reason.

"What- Whatever. I'm slowly gaining her trust!"

The laughs continued.

"Anyway... Although Charm Novelty-Blastiose hasn't yet talked about her older brother, she mentioned something about a family trip to the Netherlands years back. Her brother's disappearance seemed to have occurred at the same time of that trip. If her brother went with them, then he could have disappeared in that area." Cliff dove on to a subject that Seeker treated with extreme seriousness.

"Netherlands…" Seeker immediately frowned.

"Doesn't fit the bill… But regardless, it's a good thing if he disappeared there. Arthur can check."

Meryl, Lynd, and Cliff gave a relieved sigh.

"Finally, something that Cliff won't be sent to." Meryl smiled.

"See? You get to go on dates with a cute Royal and you don't have to be sent out anymore.

"Yeah."

"This only means that Cliff can proceed with another mission." Seeker answered back.

When the trio heard of Seeker's arrangements, they were petrified. Suddenly, Meryl and Lynd felt guilty for teasing Cliff.

"Zeek… I'm not that busy with the…"

"No Lynd. You have to maximize building your reputation. The WGP could repeal the sanction of the disallowing of international travel at any time and reestablish World Games. Focus on that. Meryl, you have another espionage task on the next trip. A modeling agency has been granted approval to send you to Antarctica. Of course, this is a cover-up. Someone has finally agreed to purchase you for one night. Details of your mission will be given by a Programmed Slaves based there." Seeker's orders were firm.

Despite Seeker's shocking words, Meryl wasn't in anyways worried or disgusted with her task but turned to Cliff in pity.

"Zeek… what about Mann? Isn't he still after Cliff?" Meryl finally asked.

"Already taken care of. Alean's team along with Meng's assassins are making sure that the breadcrumbs won't end back here."

Meryl kept quiet. They no longer had anything they could use to save Cliff from the upcoming terrors.

"Now Cliff…"

Cliff was tightly clutching his arms.

"Good news… Your next mission doesn't involve a potential Overcomer who died too early in my future. So you don't have to test your next target's potential."

Cliff sighed in relief.

The battle against the Amir Mann was Cliff's most brutal battle yet. He constantly would wake up in the middle of the night as his extremely accurate memories brought the terror of that battle again and again.

Amir Mann, the Great Common Man was not so human. Nor was he so common.

The battle that ensued when Cliff met was extremely terrifying. Despite Cliff's own preparations, he received a lot of wounds and even Typical had to aid them.

Yet, even so, Cliff barely escaped and the battle had cost him his right leg. The reason people didn't notice that Cliff's legs were plucked off was due to the tech that Lennox had which could reattach the lower portion of Cliff's original human leg with the upper prosthetic leg. And since the data that Charles received from Meng and Seeker's body, breakthroughs to allow regeneration of limbs were being developed. Cliff's leg had grown by half of what was sliced off.

Lynd and Meryl also smiled at hearing Seeker's words.

They knew how strong Cliff was. With his strange memory, his performance always was at its peak.

"Now… little Cliffy… He He He… You will be facing Grant Hermes. He is one of the Overcomers in my future. But right now, he shouldn't have manifested his Overcomer's Will yet. So I guess we can call him a Near-Overcomer. So he's probably at the same level as Amir Mann. But I know his Path is stronger so, go all out from the start. Luckily, you already have the experience of fighting a Near-Overcomer so this should be easier." Seeker smiled.

Cliff's eyes went blank. The nightmares returned as he recalled the battle and could only visibly shiver at the thought that he would face someone of that power once more.

Meryl and Lynd's mouths were wide open at Seeker's declaration.