"This isn't surprising coming from her…" I mumbled to myself as I parted ways with Celeste. It was no shock that she couldn't sit idly by while I appeared to be 'bullied' by Jiren again. That's just not in her nature to ignore such things.
Recalling what Jiren had ntioned, it seed that Sephira and John were targeted. Sephira aside, John appeared to be a thorn in the side of the Alvara, Lykhor, and Adrian group. He stood alone without aligning with any party, defying their expectations and disregarding their social hierarchy, despite being a Half.
I had intended to deal with the Teraquin group at a later ti, but it seed they were pushing to end my charade of being bullied sooner than I anticipated. It was sowhat regrettable, as it was entertaining to witness the naive reactions of my classmates.
As I stood there, I heard noises and quickly hid behind a corner. In the corridor ahead, Sephira was facing off against a group of five individuals. They had her pinned down, apparently following Lykhor's orders to make Sephira give up on the exam.
Watching from a distance, Sephira had a pained expression, yet she refrained from shedding any tears. She wore a weary look on her face, trying her utmost to stifle any groans of pain.
I crossed my arms and waited for another ten minutes until the group finished tornting Sephira and left her in a pitiful state before vacating the area. Slowly, I made my way over to her.
Her head was bowed, her bangs shielding her face.
"Sephira," I called out.
Sephira flinched slightly before lifting her gaze. Her eyes were slightly swollen from the ordeal.
Each ti I looked at her, it reminded of Kleah—her face when she recounted her childhood in Sancta Vedelia, the bullying she and her sister endured at the hands of the Teraquin's main branch.
"A-Ah… Amael, I just tripped-"
"It's fine," I interrupted, reaching out to take her hand and assist her in standing.
Sephira grunted, accepting my help, though she was bleeding from her cheeks.
I stared at her battered form for a long mont, making her uncomfortable and perhaps even ashad of her condition.
"I will take care of them," I said simply.
"Um?" Sephira looked puzzled.
I offered a faint smile and extended my hand. Sephira hesitated, attempting to step back, but I quickly patted her head, catching her off guard. She stared at with wide eyes, clearly confused.
"You remind of soone close to , Sephira," I explained. "She's like a sister, and I was incapable of understanding her until the end."
Kleah, no.
Gladys.
Gladys was one of my closest friends on Earth, soone I regarded as a sister. Initially, I knew she harbored hostility towards , but gradually that hostility transford into sothing warr. Our relationship mirrored that of my bond with Chloe, my Earthly sister.
Then she revealed that she knew Leon from Earth, and despite that, she chose to spend ti with , the person who supposedly 'killed' him. She concealed so much pain, and I failed to notice any of it. Perhaps, if I had been more attentive, I could have prevented the deaths of all my friends and Ephera...
"You hate your House, don't you?" I inquired.
Sephira just slightly averted her gaze in response.
"Well, no need to hide anything, Sephira, but I promise you, I will bring them down," I declared, eting her gaze with sincerity. "So keep your composure and pass the exam, alright?"
Sephira's mouth opened, but no words ca out. She trembled a little before wiping away her tears. "Yes."
…
…
"It's ti to face so mana beasts," I muttered, dropping my blood on the Location-Card. The card glowed red, and a mana circle enveloped . In an instant, my surroundings transford, and I found myself standing before a serene lake in the midst of an empty prairie. The calmness of the lake heightened my caution. Lacking the motivation to delve into additional books, I remained clueless about the nature of the mana beast I was about to confront. I summoned a sword from my bracelet, holding it poised in front of the lake.
"Co out now; let's get this over with quickly."
A sudden splash disturbed the lake's stillness, and a torrent of water cascaded over . Shielding my face with my arm, I squinted my eyes. Sothing erged from the lake and landed behind .
Surveying my surroundings, I clicked my tongue.
A frog.
In front of stood a giant greenish-white frog, its red eyes glaring fiercely.
A 6-Star Mana Beast, or perhaps 7-Star?
-Burgh!
"...!" I swiftly swung my sword, cutting down the greenish-purple liquid the frog spat, but so substance managed to adhere to my arms and face.
"Poison…" I groaned slightly, feeling the burning sensation spread throughout my body.
With no ti to rest, the frog crouched its legs and lunged toward with surprising speed.
I leaped to the left and drew a mana circle. "Anathemas Fire." Purple flas erupted, and I swung my fist. "Burning Claws of Vysindra."
-GRAAAH!
The frog emitted a pained grunt, making wince at the sheer volu. Nevertheless, I snorted and stomped the ground, rushing toward the frog. "Anathemas Fire."
The frog, upon witnessing the reappearance of the purple fire, flinched. Reacting quickly, it spat out another stream of poison. Halting my charge, I leaped high into the air, dodging the poisonous onslaught. In mid-air, I thrust my sword downward in a stabbing motion. "Burning Horns of Vysindra."
-BOOOOM!
The very air quivered as the intense flas scorched it, racing toward the frog and boring into its stomach. Poisoned blood sprayed out, so of it landing on my face and reddening my skin. However, the Anathemas Fire within swiftly eradicated the effects of the frog's poison.
"It seems like an unfortunate match for you. Anathemas Fire," I remarked, summoning a larger mana circle.
If the frog had a visage, it would likely have turned pale at the sight of the considerable mana gathering before .
In a last desperate attempt, it spewed out a jet of poison, but it proved futile.
I extended my hand. "Burning Breath of Vysindra."
A torrent of purplish fire engulfed the entire area, reducing the frog to crisps within seconds and creating a deep crater in the ground. The lake's water, finding a new course, flowed into the fresh depression, only to evaporate into smoke as soon as it touched the scorched ground.
I smirked slightly and directed my gaze upward, addressing whoever might be the overseeing teacher or staff. "I pass, right?."
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