Chapter 273 - Ruckus Outside The School

Claire was attentive in all her subject. She completely ignored the gossip surrounding the news about the wedding. Since Sofia had reminded them to study for their exams, she decided to sit in the second row just so she could focus on listening to her teacher.

In her classroom, there were really too many distractions every time the teacher would elaborate or explain their topic. Most students sneaked their way to check their social media during discussions. Others were also daring to play games. Some would also read stories...

Because the teacher is already old and would not bother to even lightly scold them, students had become like this.

Every one seemed busy with their own separate business in this class. However, during the time when the video clip interview of the Gallant Gamer Squad started to spread among students, Sofia's classmates were very eager to tell her about the ongoing provocation. How could they not be excited? Both parties involved were in the same school as them! Such matter was indeed very interesting to them!

"Psst! Claire! Claire! Pssst! Psssst!" the student who sat three seats away on the right side started calling her. This student was regarded as their number one class gossiper.

Claire turned in her direction and whispered, "Shen, I'm listening to our teacher. Don't disturb me."

"AHHH--Look! Watch that video... here, use my earphone. Listen what this man is saying," Shen sneaked her hand to the next student and let her pass her phone with a white wireless earphone placed above the screen.

"I will watch that video later," Claire directly refused and turned her attention back to their teacher.

Shen only rolled her eyes after hearing Claire's refusal. She gather her gadget on her desk and did not also insist. "Later and it is late to react in this video. Don't blame me... I am just trying to make you updated!"

"Claire, the video is about your squad. Someone is calling your squad leader a coward in an official interview. Now it's trending!" another student at her back whispered.

"Claire, is the Chronos squad not participating in the regional tournament? Your squad leader is being taunted because of this issue. Can you confirm if you will play?" Claire's direct seatmate spoke too. His last question was what everyone wanted to ask from them. Even on the internet, the netizens had been tagging their personal accounts just to verify if they would participate in the said tournament.

"Bro, we have an exam in the first week of March, don't we? Or could it be that you have an exemption? This time, I am doing my best to focus here so I can answer our exam. Don't ask me about the tournament. The registration of participants is still ongoing. Nothing can be certain. And knowing our squad leader, even if someone would call her coward, she won't be affected by it," Claire grumbled.

The boy sitting next to her was the top student in their section. Somehow, she is close to him. In the past, she would copy assignment answers from him. But, during their exams, the distance of their seats would be two meters apart. And there are faculty members that would facilitate the monitoring of the examinees. Even if their teacher is old, it would still be difficult for her to copy.

"So, your Chronos squad can't decide if you would participate?" her seatmate still continued.

Claire sighed and looked him in the eye. "It's already decided. We just have other things to do. And don't go on the internet and feed this gossip! Our group has an exclusive press. Whatever will be our decision, it will be announced at the right time."

"Well, if your squad won't participate, just play with us. It's a waste of your skills if you won't join this tournament," the boy grinned.

Claire helplessly shrugged and did not speak anymore. The times when other squads approached her and tried to invite her to join them were too many to count. 

"This ends our discussion. Class dismissed!" their teacher announced and slowly walked out of their classroom.

The moment he left, the loud noises quickly erupted in the four corners of the room as if the students had been suppressing their speeches for a long time. Instead of going home, they formed into a group and started talking about the trending topics online.

Only Claire sneaked out and rushed towards the school gate. She wanted to wait for the others there.

After halting her steps outside the gate, Claire took her phone and planned to chat in their GC. However, before she could even start typing her message, a reporter with three crew members was also walking towards her.

Based on their movements, one could tell that they were filming. And then, the group formed a circle around Claire...

"Our dearest online viewers who are watching us right now, we have finally located the assassin user of the Chronos squad! Come and join us as we interview her! Miss Claire, have you seen the trending video from the Gallant Gamer Squad online?" the reporter rushed her words the moment she saw Claire in the gate.

Being cornered like this, Claire instantly panicked! If it was just inside the game, she would not be afraid no matter how many opponents would rally towards her. But, in real life, she is not as fierce as her character in the game!

"U--uhmm... h-hello," Claire gulped and tried to tidy her hair. The crew member that held the camera was quickly positioned in front of her face.

"Miss Claire, our audience could not wait! Let us know if you have seen our interview of the members of the Gallant Gamer Squad?" the reporter repeated. It turns out, they were the same crew who posted the certain interview online!

"No, Miss... I was in my class. I-I did not go online, yet," Claire softly responded while her right hand gripped tightly on her phone. Her expression turned dark and she tried to move out from the circle. But, the crew really cornered her.

Claire looked around to see if she could return to the school. But, a wave of students was already blocking her way too.

"AHH... is that so? Then, can you tell us your opinion about the Gallant Game Squad?" the reporter probed with full of enthusiasm in her voice.

"T--that... I haven't met them. B-but if there is an opportunity to play against their squad, best of luck!" Claire replied and turned away. "P-please excuse me, I h-have to go now."

"What's the rush? We are just starting with our one on one interview?! Could it be that the assassin user of the Chronos Squad is a coward in real life?" the reported joked. Obviously, she wanted to draw Claire's attention back to her.

Hearing this malicious statement, Claire freeze in anger. She gritted her teeth and she could feel that any moment, her tears would fall. For some reason, she could not control the sudden surge of her emotion.

Before Claire really lost her composure, the sudden shout of demand resounded a few meters away from them.

"Excuse me!!! Don't block the gate!!!" 

Students who had formed a group to watch the interview quickly moved their feet and give way.

The voice also caused the interviewer to look in its direction. And then, the figures of Stephen, Joey, and Clark marching out of the gate emerged from the crowd of students.

Given their attitude, there was no need for the crowd to guess who shouted at them. It was obviously Stephen. His notorious character had long been known to the students that they won't dare offend him. 

"Ohh... now we have the other members of the Chronos squad! My dear audience, let's talk to them too!" the reporter beamed with excitement after recognizing them. 

Clark went to Claire and gave her a reassuring smile. "Are you okay? You look pale."

"I'm okay," Claire finally relaxed.

"EXCUSE ME!" Stephen repeated when the reporter blocked them. This time, his tone was even more terrifying. Those students who could recognize the danger in his tone involuntarily flinched and started to disperse.

"Hahaha, brother, this is already outside the school. If you still care for your face, I suggest you move away. Move, move," Joey slightly laughed as he warned the stubborn crew who still stood firmly.

"Bah! The Chronos squad members had really grown big heads! How arrogant! This is a live broadcast! Your fans are watching! Don't you think that your attitude is very disappointing to your fans?" the reporter angrily commented. She looked smug and wanted to reprimand the group for their behavior.

"Now you are scared? It's too late! Your fans had seen your true faces!----"

Just as the reporter wanted to continue her rant in the camera to teach them a lesson, another voice, calm yet it held the same threatening tone as Stephen sounded from the other side.

"If that certain fans of us will support your channel for harassing my members, I am really disappointed with them. It's better not to preserve toxic vibes around us lest we might get poison someday."

Hearing this, the Chronos members subconsciously curled their lips into a small smile. With the familiar voice, even if they don't look in its direction, they knew that it was Sofia. There is no need for them to worry!

The reporter was also taken aback and looked at the side.

Sofia was indeed on the other side of the road and was crossing the street when she spoke. The students who remained a few meters of distance away to maintain a good view of the scene had blocked Sofia's figure. Yet, she continued to speak calmly...

"Calling my member a coward publicly is tantamount to defaming her public image. How nasty."

"..." the crew members were even stunned. They moved behind the reported. Only the camera man continued filming.

"Since you are doing a live broadcast, then, with so many witnesses, aren't you afraid that we would sue you for the damages? Harassment and oral defamation... ahh, what do you think?"

Sofia finally reached beside her group and smiled at them. 

The reporter completely lost her words and stared blankly at them.

"I-- Well...." she stuttered while looking at Sofia. The lady wanted to embarrass the group for acting arrogantly towards her. But, she had never expected that Sofia would mention serious matters such as suing her with harassment and oral defamation!

Initially, she just tried her luck to see if she could get a statement from them to boost their views. Now, she felt that it was truly unfortunate for her crew to go to the school! Who would have thought that they would actually be in trouble?!