Chapter 240 Truth nonetheless
As chaos erupted within the Arena, students and faculty alike rushed to assist the injured participants. The arena echoed with a blend of confusion, concern, and shock, accentuated by the sporadic shouts and murmurs among the audience. The professor hastily summoned healers and medics to tend to the wounded, while others tried to calm the increasingly agitated crowd.
Vexa stood at the center of the commotion, her eyes scanning the area with an unreadable expression. Her clenched fists and rigid posture hinted at her unease, yet her face remained composed, betraying no emotions.
And as for her opponents? Not a single person other than herself was standing on the stage; it seemed like she had tossed others outside the stage, rendering them unconscious.
I focused my eyes and, for a flicker of a second, turned on the elemental vision and saw that the mana was still flowing through their bodies—so no one was dead, at least not the four of them. However, the one who got tossed to the other side of the stage—I couldn't confirm their condition.
The professors attempted to restore order, but the mood lingered on the edge of frenzy.
Blaze's voice resonated in my mind, a mix of concern and curiosity. "What was that? Why did she do that?"
"I have no idea," I replied, feeling equally perplexed.
"Today's Trials have ended; please return to your dorms!" With this, the professors began pushing the students out of the Arena.
My eyes remained locked onto the girl who looked confused but was still trying to understand what was happening around her—Vexa looked... unapproachable.
As the students exited the Arena, I noticed Erik among the crowd, his face pale and his eyes wide with disbelief. He caught my glance and hurried over to me.
"Did you see that? What just happened?" Erik asked, his voice trembling slightly.
I shook my head, equally puzzled. "Nah,"
Exiting through the gate, they immediately closed it behind us, leaving the main cast still inside.
'Well, I can spy inside for you,' Blaze suggested.
'Don't do it - the professors are not dumb. They would notice your mana signature, and yep, they'd kick you out immediately. They are overly cautious, even with cats,' I replied.
The sun was setting, and it seemed like the trials had just become more intriguing.
Returning to the dorms after the chaotic events at the Arena, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink as the day drifted into dusk.
Entering the room felt like stepping into a sanctuary after the turmoil outside. The familiar space, my haven, provided a sense of calmness. The events of the day spun through my mind, each moment from the intense matches to the unexpected chaos replaying in my thoughts.
Laying on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired. The images of Vexa wielding her powers and the confusion that followed lingered in my mind, leaving a sense of unease.
The room was quiet, the only sound being the gentle rustle of leaves outside the window carried by the evening breeze. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, trying to relax and let go of the tension that had built up throughout the day. The events of the trials would surely spark conversations and speculation among the students, but for now, I needed some peace and solitude to process the whirlwind of the day.
"..... Smokeball," I called out amidst the silence.
'Hm?' He leaped onto the bed.
"I won the bet," I informed him, meeting his gaze.
'...haa I was going to teach you even if you didn't win, but okay. This is a spell that every phoenix must learn when they enter their puberty, but since I was a dragon, I can't demonstrate it. Well, I can't even now as a cat, but I know the theory. And I know that you're not that dumb, so-' He sprang off the bed and swiftly climbed through the already open window. 'Let me teach you something that can determine the flow of battle in the most crucial moments.'
The window welcomed the evening breeze, allowing it to dance through the room as the cat's fur shimmered in the fading sunlight. His eyes held a particular intensity, resembling an ancient being who had lived through millennia and immersed themselves in magic.
"Show-off," I muttered with an eye roll as I rose from the bed to join him.
***
[Third Person View]
The confusion waned, leaving a somber air within the arena. Vexa stood, her eyes fixed on the scene before her. Murmurs and whispers crisscrossed the crowd, laden with speculation and a tinge of fear. Professors gathered, their discussions hurried, their expressions etched with concern, silently sharing a sense of solemn agreement.
Suddenly, a forceful voice pierced the tension. Isolde, a usually composed member of the student council, stepped forward, her voice resonating with fiery determination. Her demand for an explanation echoed, seizing the attention of all present.
The professors exchanged uneasy glances before one, adjusting his glasses nervously, stepped into the forefront. "We are currently investigating the incident," he declared. "Rest assured, we will provide a comprehensive explanation once we have gathered all the details."
"What about the students?" Isolde pressed, gesturing toward the motionless figures. "Will they be alright?"
"Our healers are attending to them at this moment," the professor assured, striving to maintain composure amid the mounting tension.
Meanwhile, Vexa remained silent, her countenance inscrutable. Lost in contemplation, an underlying tension enveloped her stance.
While the professors endeavored to restore order and usher the remaining students away, an unsettling blend of fear, confusion, and curiosity lingered in the atmosphere. Speculations and whispers continued among the students, casting an aura of unease and enigma.
Cecelia swiftly navigated the space between the professors, closing in on Vexa. Adam and a group of others, shadowing Isolde, followed closely behind her.
"Madam, are you alright?" Cecelia's gaze, filled with concern, meticulously scanned the noble girl, registering every detail of Vexa's demeanor.
Vexa, her voice trembling ever so slightly, directed her query toward Cecelia, someone she had known for several months. "Hey... is it true they're offering Ocean Pulse as the prize for this competition?"
Her inquiry not only startled Cecelia but also drew the attention of Isolde, who nudged Cecelia aside and stepped forward. Vexa's eyes swiftly shifted toward Adam, who hesitantly took a small step backward.
Isolde, frustrated that Adam had leaked the information to Vexa despite her instructions, intervened quickly, attempting to offer clarification. "It's just a rumor," Isolde interjected, compelled to explain despite Vexa's apparent lack of interest.
With a deep sigh, Vexa allowed her ice spear to dissipate, her posture straightening as she murmured with a hint of resignation, "Rumors may be composed of half-truths, yet they carry truths nonetheless."
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