Hanging my cloak on my shoulders but not putting my arms through the sleeves, I walked out of the hotel room, the bottom of my cloak hovering right above the floor.
My main goal was not to allow Liam to defeat the djinns, as in the book; rather, it was to allow the djinns to take hostages.
Enraged by the djinns' actions against his fellow classmates, Liam unlocks a new ability and uses it to defeat the djinns. This ability is used throughout the book, so Liam's not receiving it would pose a massive threat to my attempts to maintain the plot.
By analyzing Lily's past interferences in the book, it was clear that she wanted to protect and ensure the safety of innocent bystanders. So, I was almost certain that she would make a play here to prevent hostages from being taken, inadvertently stopping Liam from unlocking his new ability.
But... what was the play?
Walking down the set of stairs, I finally reached the banquet area, where I could see various luxurious chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, countless tables spread about, and even a dance floor, which was currently empty.
Each table was shared between 2 groups, and with my current luck, I had a decent idea of which group I was going to sit with.
Well, can I really call it bad luck? What if sitting with them is actually good luck?
Finding my table, I saw Irene and Zach sitting at the table next to some empty seats. Zach wore a tuxedo with a red bowtie, and his short brown hair was slicked back, revealing his regular-sized forehead.
On the other hand, Irene wore a one-piece red dress that revealed the pale-white skin on her right leg while the other leg was completely covered. Her red hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her eyes seemed to contain more fire in them than usual.
The empty seats either had bags or backpacks near them, so it seemed that the other group had arrived but left already to get their food.
Of course, Zach and Irene were stuck waiting for Ruby and I.
Glancing at the food area, I saw everyone was either wearing suits or elegant dresses, making me and my cloak, which wasn't even properly on, look out of place.
There was no dress code; what is this!?
Pushing back my hair off my forehead, I sat down on the chair next to Zach and patiently waited for Ruby.
After another minute, I saw Ruby walking into the banquet area in a black dress that sparkled when light reflected against it. Her glossy, long black hair was parted to the right.
Upon seeing Ruby, the three of us got up and headed to the food area, which already had a long line of people. Despite the hundreds of people in the room, I could feel Irene's piercing gaze locked onto me.
Didn't Ruby arrive later than me? Why am I being blamed?
Interrupting my thoughts, I heard Ruby's voice speak out from behind me.
"You know... no dress code doesn't mean show up like..."
Although the cloak was considered a magical artifact, it did NOT look like one. With some burns and rips from my fight in subspace combined with the entire thing being colored pitch-black, it looked like something you could get from a vendor for less than a silver coin.
"You know, fashion is subjective, right?"
Interrupting our conversation, Irene interjected.
"Not when you look like that."
Hearing someone break into laughter behind me, I resisted the urge to retort before finding some familiar faces ahead of us in the line.
Ignoring Ruby and Irene, I walked out of the line and headed towards the front. Upon getting to the front of the line, I squeezed my way in before wrapping my hands around the shoulders of Han and Jin, who were right at the front.
The two of them were wearing jeans, a collared shirt, and an oversized jacket with a logo. I could always count on them!
"What's up, friends?"
"Oh hey Ren, it's you. When'd you get here?"
"shhhh, Han. Look in front of us...!"
Following Jin's gaze, I saw one of the imperial princesses, Kate, scooping some food out of one of the buffet containers only a few feet in front of us.
Nudging Jin's shoulder, I said.
"Oi, don't get your hopes up."
Trying to comfort Jin after he was rejected by a girl was the LAST thing I wanted to do right now.
Grabbing a plate, I ignored the stares of the tens of students I had cut in line and surveyed the food choices.
Heading back to the table, I saw some familiar faces sitting alongside Zach: Kevin, Liam, Lily, and Alya.
Who would have thought that? Oh wait, I did! How does luck even work? Were they originally supposed to sit somewhere else, but my luck changed that and made them sit with me? Isn't that just fate, then? Or destiny?
As I halted a couple of feet away from the table, Ruby caught up and asked.
"What?"
"I think I'll eat on the floor today."
Staring at our table, Ruby replied.
"... that bad, huh?"
By now, Ruby should probably have heard all the rumors about my encounter with Liam at the start of school and the rumors about Lily and Ren.
"..."
"Out of 200 groups in the hall... just how unlucky are you?"
"...you don't wanna know."
Well, it's not like they'll kick me off the ship mid-banquet if I'm not with my group... right?
"What the hell are you guys waiting fo-. Oh..."
Behind us, Irene also stared at our table with a dismayed expression.
As the three of us stood in silence with our plates of food in hand, Irene made the first move as she walked toward our table.
Staring down at the delicious food on my plate, I contemplated just leaving and exploring the ship until the time came, but how could I let this food go...
"Is it really that hard of a decision?"
"... don't rush me."
As I picked up a piece of medium-rare steak, the juices squeezing out, and put it in my mouth, my decision was made.
Who cares about Liam or others?
I was saving the world, too! Why can't I get a break?
Strolling over to the table, I ignored the conversation going on and sat down at my seat, which was next to Ruby and across from Lily's seat.
Picking up my fork, I didn't even acknowledge the others at the table and focused completely on the perfectly cooked and seasoned steak.
"Oh, Zach, what happened at the museum that day?"
"I already told you, Liam; it was nothing big. We just held off some djinns until the actual heroes came in."
At the words "we," I heard a slight laugh come from my right, where Ruby sat.
"Got something to say?"
"*PFFT*, y-you s-said, 'I'm good on that,' then r-ran l-like a- *PFFT* i-i c-can't"
Wait, no, wasn't she in the wrong? Both of us are villains, not heroes!
Letting out a slight cough to cover Ruby's laughing noise, I looked up from my plate of food to immediately meet Lily's gaze.
Entranced by her ocean-blue eyes, I kept eye contact for a second before turning my head to Ruby, acting like nothing had happened.
"Alright, I'm done."
Paying no mind to the ongoing conversation, I got up from my seat, which made a screeching sound and headed to the empty dance floor.
By now, the djinns should be on the cruise ship and making their way to the banquet area; however, Lily had definitely set up some kind of defense system to stop them.
"Well, let's see if the past 2 weeks have been for something..."
I needed a distraction. Neither Lily nor I knew the exact location or area where the djinns had infiltrated, and it was impossible for Lily to defend the entirety of this gigantic ship.
That would mean her plan would be on standby until she noticed something abnormal, and then, once noticing something, she would commence her plan.
Reaching my hand into my cloak pocket, I felt the smooth and cold surface of a small button alongside the hilt of my daggers.
Pushing my hand down further, I pressed the button, feeling it shrink down under the pressure of my hand.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
The sound of 3 explosions echoed throughout the ship, and the shockwaves shook the floor, causing some people to lose their balance and drop their drinks.
Keeping the hand in my pocket, I glanced at my table out of the corner of my eye and saw Lily immediately reaching for her smartwatch.
It wasn't just Lily, though...
Kevin, Alya, Liam, and even Zach were also reaching for their smartwatch.
Ah... the guard and school wouldn't trust Lily if she randomly said there would be a djinn attack on the ship today... but who would?
The main cast.
So, to save the world, I have to go against the very beings who are destined to save the world.
"What a joke..."
Silencing everyone amidst the chaos, Liam's loud voice echoed throughout the room.
"EVERYONE EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY."
ah, not good...
How are the djinns going to take hostages if there's no one even here?
Well, I wasn't completely unprepared. All I had to do was keep everyone here until the djinns appeared.
Pressing further down on the button with my hand, another explosion sounded; however, this one wasn't at the bottom of the ship.
*BOOM*
The roof right above the set of double doors, which were the only exit to the banquet room, immediately collapsed. Debris, brick, and dust now covered up the exit, halting everyone who was rushing towards it.