Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

“I understand what you are saying when you ask us to train Horas. He indeed has the innate talent of both his parents but I don’t agree with how you are approaching this topic. Horas Spencer is still too young to be pushed into this world.”

Principal Marble knew she was at a disadvantage but she had to make her point known. Jack Hollow was a man who had a plan but no one knew what he was thinking.

“Ah, I see. So even a cold demon like you feels compassionate for a kid you have taken under your wing.”

Principal Marble did not find the way Jack’s tone even a single bit relieving. He was not interested in her relationship with Horas, but rather, in how he could use it to his advantage.

‘Calm down Marble. There is no use getting angry at a scum who had an upper hand. I cannot let it show how I truly feel.’

“Think what you might but I am not in the mood to entertain you today. Hurry up and say what you want to say and leave.”

Principal Marble was getting annoyed by Jack Hollow now. He not only dared to come in here and make a fool of her, but he was also trying to unnerve her in her territory.

And she, for one, will not stand for it. Let it be known that principal Marble did not fold easily in front of the advisory.

“Huh? Why are you looking at me like I am a devil? I don’t want much from you. I just want to take Horas to see his brother since it’s been a while. I am sure that the kid misses Howard Spencer as well.”

Principal Marble had no refusal to give Jack Hollow this time. It was a good idea for Horas to meet his brother and to ensure that his brother was alright.

Especially since they were both too young, it would be easy for them to drift away and forget that the other existed.

Principal Marble was sure that there was a reason Jack Hollow was suggesting this. And it was not because of his heart’s goodness that he was offering this.

There has to be another reason behind this.

“Jack Hollow, just because I cannot see the angle you are playing at does not mean I trust you. But for now, I will allow my charge to go with you.”

Principal Marble hoped that she would not regret her decision in the future as she handed the command over to Jack. And the man smiled at trump as he got what he wanted.

“Don’t worry, Principal Marble. I will take care of my golden goose well.”

………………..

Horas had a bad feeling ever since he had woken up that day. He felt like there was a stone rolling in the pit of his stomach and there was also an itch in the back of his head.

“What’s wrong kid? Do you feel sick? Do you need me to ring the doctor for you?”

Mark poked his head inside Horas’s room, only to see the kid look disorganized and out of it the whole time. Horas was trying to pay attention, but his brain was zoning out the whole time.

“Horas, are you alright? You are beginning to look sick. Maybe we should rush you into emergency and -”

“No, I’m alright. I just woke up late so I am feeling dizzy.”

The more awake Horas felt the more he could shake off the uneasiness he was feeling. A child had scary intuitions and Horas was no different in that regard.

“Alright, if you say so. In that case, can you help me with something today? I packed the most-” *ringgggg*

Mark was cut off for the second time that day by the phone ringing.

It was a surprising event since physical phones were a thing of the past and only fancy people used them. And Eseper’s academy was nothing if not fancy. So of course it had hand-held phones.

“Hello, Mark speaking. How may I help you out?...... Ah, Principal Marble, it’s nice to hear from you as well.”

Now that Mark had gotten busy with his phone call, Horas knew it was time to wake himself fully. He needed to get himself together somehow and face the day.

Horas’s bad feelings became even worse when he noticed the unnatural silence around the room. Mark was not usually talkative but he at least made some kind of noise.

This silence was not promoting good feelings inside Horas.

And his bad feeling turned out to be true when Mark entered the room back. He had a pinched expression on his face as he looked at Horas and that was how Horas knew it was going to be bad news for him.

“Now, before you jump to conclusions, it’s not as bad as you think it is.”

“Lay the news on me, old man. I am sure I can take it.”

“First of all, I am not old so don’t call me old. I am only 21 years old. And second, Principal Marble said she wants to see you. Jack Hollow is here and he wants to take you to see your brother.”

If Horas had been older, he would have raised his eyebrow to ask why this was such bad news.

While Horas might not have remembered that he had a brother now, he was quick enough to realize that Jack Hollow was doing him a favor.

But the look on Mark’s face said that he did not like what he had heard.

“Ugh, I don’t like Jake Hollow. He’s a treacherous man who only thinks about himself. I don’t know what he will do to a kid like you if I allow you to go with him alone.”

Mark had an annoyed look on his face. He did not like the news of Horas going alone with a man like Jack Hollow. Even adults did not like to deal with Jack Hollow since he was an ambitious man.

But it was Principal Marble’s order and he did not want to have a conflict with her.

Horas did not reply to Mark’s worry but his bad feeling seemed to be worsening by the second. He was afraid that something bad would happen once he went out with Jack.

‘I should just get ready to face the music now. The faster I get to Principal Marble’s office, the faster I will be able to put an end to my anxiety.

………………..

It turned out that Horas’s bad feeling did not go away as he approached Principal Marble’s room. It just got worse as Horas’s foot crossed the threshold of the room.

“Principal Marble, we are both here. Sorry, we are a little late, but Horas wanted to have breakfast before coming here.”

Horas wanted to defend himself and tell them the truth - it had been Mark who caused them to be late. But he was going to be the bigger guy and not say anything about it.

“I can see that you both are here so there is no need for you to be this loud in front of me. Hurry up and take your place, Mark. and Horas, you can leave with Jack now if it is alright with you.”

Horas looked toward Jack, who had already stood up to walk out. He has his coat and everything on as well to leave now.

The man had an ambiguous smile on his face as he walked toward Horas with his exaggerated footsteps. He wanted to make his presence known to everyone.

“Horas, it’s nice to meet you so soon again. I heard about what happened to you from Principal Marble and I wanted to make you feel better. So how about we go and meet your brother? I’m sure he missed you as well.”

Horas very much doubted that his one-year-old brother had missed him. Children that young tend to forget people quickly.

Not to mention, this man always had an alternative objective for whatever he did. That was how Horas had written this man to be.

Jack Hollow had been an intriguing character to read and write about, but he was a downright terrifying one to meet in real life. Especially when you were stuck in the body of a helpless child.

‘I just need to smile and go along with it. I just need to ensure my nervousness for a few hours.’

“You are taking me to meet my brother? Where is Howard? Is he alright?”

Horas remembered being an only child for most of his life. But the instincts of being a sibling came naturally to him. He could not help but be certain that the feelings he was experiencing belonged to the body he was occupying.

Jack looked taken aback by Horas’s strong front and questioning. His eyes flashed with calculations before his business smile was plastered on his face again.

“Why, of course, Howard is alright. Since your brother is so young, I had to find a caring couple for him. You should meet him once to make yourself feel at ease.”

Horas wished he could not care about Howard Spencer, but that seemed to be impossible.

Howard Spencer was not only the brother of his current body but also the end product of all his attention at one time. Horas has attached to him anyway so it was too late to worry about it.