Chapter 37: Chapter 37 : Luminary Trial: Prodigy
"I’m surprised, I didn’t know you have sharp senses" a teasing voice echoed before a woman appeared, her long red hair tied in a bun.
"I am Almira from class-B" the woman introduced, she holds a staff in her hand, the flag hanging on her back.
Aeliz tilted her head, lips curling into a faint smile. "Don’t care~" she said, hands shoving them away, deliberately provoking.
Almira’s hands on her staff trembled, clenching her teeth, she snapped "Say that again you bitch! "
A low and dangerous glint passed Aeliz eyes for a second, smiling faintly, she said "I don’t know who’s the bitch here, from my perspective, it looks to me you just wanted to curry favor from that fucker of a prince."
"You dare! " Almira’s red hair fluttered on her back, the surrounding leaves between them turning into ashes immediately.
"Almighty Phoenix, embodiment of flames; roar to life once more! " she chanted as a huge magic circle formed before her expensive staff. A Phoenix made out of a blazing fire appeared—then it charged straight at Aeliz.
The air trembled faintly, the scent of something burning drifted between them like a signal of two wild beasts letting loose
’Urghh, it really drains my mana! ’ her legs wobbled, strength leaving her body, but she forced herself up.
’It’s now or never! Or my family won’t ever get a change to enter the High-Noble’s faction!’ She gritted her teeth. ’Even if she’s from the class-A, my spell should still work!’
Almira’s gaze never left Aeliz’ figure. Just then—the Phoenix charging straight at Aeliz dissipated, smoke erupting around them.
Her eyes widened. ’Huh? She nullified it that easy? ’
"Pathetic" Aeliz scoffed. "You think a spell of that level can harm me? Maybe your prince but not me."
’Did that fucker Feilres really sent a flame-affinity mage against me?’ Aeliz rolled her eyes before extending her hand.
’He should know that lightning affinity is the most violent affinity, fire is only at second’ her eyes narrowed. ’If so, what’s his purpose? ’
"Oh malevolent thunder, lend me a piece of your might to strike this peasant before me~" Aeliz laughed mid-chant.
’Idiot, why are you changing the incantation?’ A faint hope emerged deep within her. Altering a fixed incantations was like a death sentence— like trying to bend the foundations and laws that made up this world.
But— ’How is she fine? ’
Almira’s whole body froze, if Aeliz can twist the incantations on a spell but it still work, that just meant one thing; a true prodigy.
Her eyes carefully drifted at Aeliz standing there, her long white hair swaying from the strong wind, lightning mana crackling around her extended hand.
"Hey bitch, I’ll give you a chance; Is that fucker’s plan just to delay me?" She asked coldly, the crackling of mana around her stopped as her sapphire-like eyes stared straight at Almira. "Or else sending a gifted mage of the fire affinity just doesn’t make sense—and you’re even alone, are you bold or just an idiot? "
’I need to fight back! ’ Almira but her lower lip, a tear escaping her eyes. ’But how? How can I win against that monster? ’
From the moment Aeliz released her mana, she felt utterly miserable. ’Is the ranks between gifted just like heaven and earth? ’ she squeezed the wooden staff on her hand.
"Hey, answer me—I can’t waste my time on a trash like you; there’s still two people I need to catch up to."
Almira stared at Aeliz, cold sweat had already formed on her back. Her presence made it hard for her to even cast a spell.
"Never mind, looks like you’re not planning to talk" Aeliz sighed, the air around her stilled, before a violent sound of thunder echoed as it striked Almira’s whole body.
Aeliz stared at Almira’s unconscious body, then she crouched down slightly to take the flag on her back. "I’ll be taking this~"
"You’re quite competent, it will be a waste to eliminate you." She said quietly, staring at the on her hands merging with the other one—then the number changed.
______________
The scent of a roasted meat drifted around a secluded place.
"Looks tasty" smiling go himself, he stared at the flag beside him. It was still green, he hadn’t hunted much—he’ll begin once the other participants started to accumulate points.
"A night operation would be nice, after all I have night vision" staring at the moon, he leaned backwards, his long white hair spilling through his shoulders.
The quiet atmosphere around him was broken by the sound of someone stepping into dried leaves—though Zeres had already heard the sound of their heartbeats.
"What is it? " he asked calmly, his pale hands twisting the stick to roast the meat.
"Is this a good decision? I heard his fast"
"What’s that gonna do? There’s five of us! " the tallest man thundered, the greatsword hung on his back, his bald head shone under the illumination of moonlight.
"I’m tired you see" a faint smile tugged at Zeres lips before he snapped his fingers.
"Huh? "
"Hey, wha—!" The five students screamed from their lungs out, the ground before them trembled before a massive and deep hole appeared.
"That fucker! " the tall man named Leo tried to brandished his greatsword, but the space was too narrow!
He gritted his teeth, his head snapping downwards—it was a hard boulder!
Zeres turned his head. "Idiots" a grin appeared on his face as soon as the group fell on his trap.
Standing up, he stretched his arms. "Didn’t think that would work"
"Maybe they’re too inexperienced? "
Zeres stared at the unconscious body of the five students, or rather—the flags they each have.
_________
"Your Highness, the one you sent on the class-A students have all been taken out." A boy with short blue hair bowed his head.
"Good, they all took the bait" Feilres smiled while plunging his sword deep into the massive wolf.
"A handkerchief, your highness" one student stepped in, kneeling on one knee, he offered a handkerchief adorned with intricate design.
"Thanks"
"Now the main event will begin"
