Chapter 45: Chapter 45 : Unsettled Business

==Leaderboard==

1. Saelyz- Violet Flag- 96 points.

2. Zeres- Violet Flag- 89 points.

3. Aeliz - Violet Flag- 88 points.

4.Feilres - Violet Flag- 72 points.

4. Helize- Violet Flag- 65 points.

5. Vairel- Violet Flag- 54 points.

6. Haslien- Violet Flag- 46 points.

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Feilres’ hands tightened on the hilt of his sword while he stared at the arcane screen hovering before them.

’This is the worse’ he clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to admit it, but those three were just on different levels compared to them.

"So much scheme for someone who ended up ranked four." A voice he hated the most echoed behind him.

She stood there amidst the gazes of countless cadets. Her lips tugged upwards in a provoking manner.

"Aeliz" He said, then his gaze went towards the side where Zeres stood.

’It would’ve flowed smoothly, if only Zeres haven’t yet reached the northern plains too early.’ He thought.

’No, it’s just me thinking I could outplay them all.’ He shook his head. ’Perhaps I’m getting impatient because of that damned brother of mine.’

"All students. Board! " a deep voice bellowed above the ship as all students gaze drifted towards the sound.

"Let’s go." Students then walked towards the extended staircase.

Arriving at the ship, professor Elyssa’s eyes scanned all of them, standing on the podium. She spoke.

"The reward ceremony will take place within the academy." She said, her gaze drifting at the gloomy students.

________________

"We still have an unsettled business" Saelyz said, her brows furrowed. "We’ll continue our duel after you’ve mastered your affinities."

"Haha, I thought it was done already? " Zeres scratched the back of his neck.

"It.is.not."

"O-okay" Zeres nodded, his expression sullen.

He thought he had finally managed to escaped from her curiousity—but it was the opposite. She beckae more curious about him because of his own foolishness of teaching her the way to track gifted with multiple affinities!

Zeres looked at Saelyz’s departing figure as she went inside of the ship. Leaving him alone staring at the ocean.

"Jeez what put you in such a state? " a woman’s voice echoed behind him.

"The Zenith hunted me." He replied without turning, his shoulders dropping.

Aeliz chuckled beside him, her head resting on the railings on the starboard side if the ship.

"That woman is a monster after all." She said, then her gaze went to his face. "Are you going to attend the banquet? "

"What for? "

"Idiot, it’s where they’ll give the awards for the trial. It’s scheduled within two days." A dry laugh escaped from her mouth.

"I’m not a fan of massive crowds, but if the food is good—then I’ll be there." Zeres turned, his eyes narrowed.

Aeliz was being weird. She wasn’t her usual self, her usual spark gone. She looks exhausted, her hair was also disheveled.

"Are you okay? It looks like your mana has dwindled." Zeres asked. A crease on his brows.

Aeliz stilled for a moment, then she sighed "That fucker Feilres didn’t give me a rest, all of his dogs keep intercepting me."

"Then why didn’t you punch him in the guts? Haslien did."

"Really? I’ll do it later then." She nodded weakly.

"Hey, just go inside the cabin. You’re already pale." Zeres hands sprang up to her forehead.

"W-what are you doing!? " Aeliz staggered back, heat creeping out on her neck.

Aeliz eyes widened, Zeres was too close! Their faces inches apart. She could feel his breath in her skin.

"At least you’re not in the state of absolute depletion." Zeres removed his hands, stepping back. He mumbled, barely audible.

"Just rest on the cabin."

"Fine, I’ll listen to you just this once." Aeliz huffed, glaring one last time at Zeres, she turned around.

Zeres sighed softly, a wry smile on his face.

"Yeah, you should act like the child you are~" a sweet voice made Zeres turned around.

Professor Elyssa was walking towards him. Her long wavy red hair cascaded behind her back, crimson eyes staring sharply at him.

"What is it professor?" Zeres tilted his head to the side, his long white hair fluttered messily. A smear of blood was there in his shoulder.

"I heard what you two were talking about. And you have to absolutely attend the banquet! Or else you won’t get rewarded! " she flicked her finger on his forehead.

"Ouch! " Zeres winced.

It made a loud sound as a bulged appeared on his forehead.

Even though it was only a flicked, she was at monarch rank, Zeres felt like he’d been hit on the head by a massive tree.

"You’ll attend right? " professor Elyssa smiled, though she was still glaring at him.

"Yes, as if I have a choice."

"What is it cadet Zeres? " Professor Ellysa smiled sweetly, too sweet it sent chills down to Zeres’ spine.

"Nothing professor"

"Good"

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In a place devoid of any signs of light, a figure stood above a shattered temple, his cloak fluttering behind him.

His gaze remained fixed on the faraway place, and on his hand was a severed head. Blood continued to drip on the ground while the future stayed there standing motionless.

Just then, a figure materialize out of thin air behind him. It dropped on one knee, then it spoke reverently.

"Great Hollowed One, the day has come—the mole we have planted within the academy gave us a message." The figure remained kneeling, not daring to raised his own head.

"Great, then I shall confirm if the prophecy was right." The figure who stayed motionless suddenly moved. It raised it’s hand in a reverent gesture, then the figure’s eyes bled.

"Ahhh, I will do my best to deliver the punishment you deem right for that wretched being! " the figure dropped on it’s knees.

Just then, something happened.

The figure extended it’s arms towards the decapitated head rolling on the cold ground the air trembled, then the head lying on the ground melted like a liquid, it turned into a an essence.

The figure then devoured it.

The figure’s body jerked, his bones cracking and extending in an impossible angle, his skin shifted. The figure’s screams echoed across the dilapidated temple under the illumination of the red moon.