The sun hung high in the sky, casting its light over the vast training ground.
Rows of students stood at attention, looking towards the stage that stood a meter tall.
And within those students, I stood leisurely with my hands in my pockets.
'...Time sure flies when you are busy.'
I mused, looking around the place filled with students from all the classes.
It's the third month since I entered the academy.
...And a lot has happened in the span of three months.
...But most importantly, I grew stronger.
If things are right, then I should rank up and reach 4th Primeval soon enough.
'Hey El, isn't it weird?'
[...What?]
'...It took me the same amount of time to reach from 2nd Primeval to 3rd as it took me to reach from 3rd to 4th Primeval.'
[...It's not weird...It's your body that is adapting to the runes.]
'...But at this rate, won't I reach 7th or 8th Primeval before the end of this year?'
[...You should, but...That won't heal your body.]
'...I know.'
Anyway, it's not like I expect my body to be healed.
...Not to mention there is nothing in this world that can heal a broken life source.
...And I will most probably die within a few years.
[...Azariah—]
'...I am fine, El.'
...I just have to make sure I don't die this year.
...Especially because of Shyamal.
[...Remember you told me about how the first game ended?]
'...Yeah.'
[...Are you going to interfere—]
'...Nope, not my problem.'
Leaving the part where I don't want to get involved with the Angels after what happened to me.
...Saving this empire and its future is not my fucking problem.
...I just have to make sure those close to me are safe.
[...And how are you going to do that?]
'...I just have to ask them not to be anywhere close to Moshel's tomb.'
...Pretty sure most of them will just agree with me.
But the only problem will be—
Shifting my gaze, I looked around until I found her.
From here, I could only see her back. With her white hair tied in a waterfall braid, she stood in front of her class.
...Arianell.
...I don't have what it takes to save her.
And from the game, I know...She has the highest chance of dying.
'...I shouldn't interfere with her from now on.'
From saving her, that's the only conclusion I can come up with.
I should just let it be and let the events of the game follow naturally around her.
...Let Ethan do his magic and hopefully he can save her.
[...That won't work, Az. You have already interfered enough—]
'I know!'
But what was I even supposed to do!?
I made the world hate me just to make sure they are safe.
And out of nowhere, I got memories of them dying again and again because of their own stupidity.
I just—
'...Sigh...Just let me bet on this...That's the only way I can see her not dying.'
[....]
"..Hey, Az!" I shifted my focus away from her as I heard a concerned voice from the line standing beside me before feeling someone grabbing my hand, "..What are you doing!?"
"..."
I relaxed my clenched fist while my nails nearly dug into my palm.
"...Are you alright?" Rubbing my palm with hers, Ashlyn asked, trying to alleviate the pain.
"...I am fine." With a gentle smile, I replied.
"...What are you guys doing?" My brows knitted together as I heard an irritating voice.
"...None of your business, Miley." I rebuked, glaring at her.
"...Stop doing that." Jerking Ashlyn's hand away from mine, she grumbled, glaring at me.
"Attention, everyone!!"
We all looked at the stage simultaneously as Lauryn came to the front, instructing us.
Instantly, the murmurs stopped, making the ground turn silent.
"...I don't have much time, so I will make it short."
Scanning around, she said, her voice reaching everyone, "...The clubhouse competition will happen next week, and now is the time for the teams to be revealed."
"..But first, let me introduce all the team leaders." Clapping her hands, she informed us as four students started to walk towards the stage.
Clap Clap Clap Clap
The sound of clapping echoed in the training ground as all the students welcomed them, their gazes mixed with awe and excitement.
"....."
But my gaze remained on the girl with her hair tied in a side-braided ponytail as she walked with confidence.
[...How do you know the names of whatever she did with her hair?]
'...Avril liked hairstyling, and I was the one who got forced to learn them.'
[....]
Well, they did come in handy to soothe crying girls.
"...You guys can disperse now, and whoever's name is called, only they will come forward." Lauryn instructed, and immediately all the students started moving, forming their friend groups.
"Az—"
"...Let's go, we should find Ruby and Aaliyah." Before Ashlyn could try to talk with me, Miley grabbed her hand, dragging her away.
She looked at me with moist eyes, waving at me before she vanished in the crowd.
"...My brother!"
"...Argh, fuck."
I cursed, reaching back to rub my back, feeling the stinging pain of a slap on it.
"...Don't fucking do that, Oliver!" I groaned in pain, glaring at him.
He grinned widely, shrugging nonchalantly, "...That's for what you did before."
"...What did he do?" Asked Aimar, standing beside him.
"...Not coming to my roo—"
"...Yeah, fuck off." I interjected as I looked around, only to find two more people coming towards us.
"...Yo." Oliver greeted them with a smile as Ethan and Chubby arrived beside us.
"...I hope we are in the same team." Smiling lightly, Ethan remarked, looking at Oliver.
"...Sure, man. I want to be in any team except this fucker's." Pointing at me, he replied, earning a middle finger from me.
"...Anyway, aren't you guys anxious?" Chubby mumbled, looking at us, "...What if I don't get selected—"
"Of course you will, buddy!" Oliver assured him, wrapping his hand around his shoulder, "...By the way, when are you going to invite us to your home?"
"...Why?" Chubby asked suspiciously, looking at him.
"...I want to see your mothe—"
"...Father." I interjected sharply, glaring at Oliver.
"Y-yeah, father." He corrected himself, smiling innocently.
"Azariah."
I turned back, hearing a somewhat familiar voice calling me.
Only to find three boys standing there with a handsome chocolate-skinned boy leading them.
"...Tristan." With a bright smile, I greeted the boy I hadn't seen in a while, "...You still alive?"
"...You will pay for what you did." His eyes blazed with anger as he threatened me maniacally.
"...Cash or card?" Oliver interjected with a smile, walking beside me.
"...That's a lame joke." Keegan, standing with Lucus, came forward, rebuking.
"...Ohh, Az." Slapping my chest lightly, he asked, "...What does a girl say to a guy with a big banana?"
"...It's too big?" Confused, I replied, tilting my head.
"...Keegan, what do you think?" Oliver asked, looking at him.
"....I don't know." Frowning, he replied with a confused expression.
"..Yeah, I knew you wouldn't know, SHRIMP!!" With a mocking expression, he replied with a gentle smile.
"...Pfft." Chubby was the first to laugh, barely able to control himself.
"...You—"
"And yeah, Az knows the answer only because he saw mine—"
Slap!!
Before he could finish his sentence, I slapped his chest so hard that the sound echoed even in the bustling crowd of students.
"...Ouch, my boobies!!"
He whimpered, massaging his chest with both his hands.
"...You guys sure are close." Lucus remarked, making me look at him, "...Too close, I would say."
"...I agree." From behind, Aimar nodded as well, "...Sometimes I wonder if they like—"
"...Oye, little brother." Oliver interjected before me, glaring at him, "...One more word and your ass will be in danger."
"...Figuratively?"
"...Literally."
"...Shut up, all of you!!" We all focused on Tristan as he shouted, glaring at me, "Azariah, just remember—"
"...Come on, man, just go absorb light or something." I interjected, not really interested in listening to him.
"You—"
"...Attention!!"
We all shifted our focus towards the stage as Daphne walked forward with a gentle smile, "...Alright everyone, whoever's name is called, please come forward."
All of us quieted down, listening closely to her.
"...For the yellow team with the leader being Prince Johnathan." Taking out a piece of paper, she announced, "...His team members are—Aimar, Linda, Lucus, and Ashlyn."
...Well, I kinda expected this to happen.
...My luck isn't good enough for me to have Ashlyn around to protect me.
"For the green team with the leader being Ivan." She continued as the said students moved towards the stage, "...His team members are—Oliver, Aaliyah, Liam, and Princess Arianell."
"...For the blue team with the leader being Christina."
Glancing at me, she announced, "...Her team members are—Keegan, Miley, Ruby, and Ethan."
...Ahh, Christina seems pissed.
But that's team was expected as well, Ethan is the protagonist, after all, and Christina is the [Main Heroine]
[You don't seem concerned about it.]
'...About what?'
[...Ethan being around your fiancée.]
'...So what? It's not like he could do anything.'
[...You seem confident.]
'...El, you are forgetting something. I am the [Villainess Maker] and no one can take what's mine if I don't want them to.'
[...So, you don't plan to leave her?]
'...I don't know.'
"...And for the last team, red, with the leader being Althea."
I shifted my focus as the last team got announced.
"...Her team members are—Azariah, Seth, Tristan, and...
...Shyamal."