I don't know why Laurent hid everything from me. I don't know why he's too afraid of bringing me to a place that feels like a second home.
I don't get him.
We were scattered in front of the Academy's huge steel gate as several eyes started to glance at me. I can feel bewildered stares everywhere. I pouted and keep my head low, cursing at whoever made this white suit. I was the only one wearing it and it was too flashy on top of that!
"Hey, keep your head high. You're a celebrity here." Levy held my chin up and linked her arms at me as we walked like fashion models around. I don't know what in the world we are doing.
"Tier Three, please line up!" Levy and I quickly lined up. My forehead creased as I saw a mysterious floating door ahead. A guy with specs was waiting beside the door, a bunch of keys hanging on his arm. The line moved as students started to enter the door.
"Why not just go straight inside the academy? What's with the weird door?" I asked Levy who was in front of me.
She chuckled as she started stretching. "We can't go inside that easily. Starting from the gate, there's a wide barrier surrounding the academy." She suddenly picked a pebble and played with it, a mischievous grin pasted on her face. "Do you want to see?"
"Ugh, maybe?" She threw the pebble in the air and my eyes widen as an iridescent wall started to resurface, stretching widely until my eyes couldn't see.
"Levy Howl! You, again?!" The guy in specs yelled angrily at Levy, making her frowned.
"Sorry, I got too excited!"
Levy feels like the type of student who always breaks the rules.
As we got nearer in front, I started breathing heavily as my heart thumped wildly. My hands started to get cold. I don't know why, but I was feeling nervous.
"By the way, why do they give us different keys?" I asked as the guy in front was handing the keys one by one and I could tell they were all different from each other.
"The keys will lead us where we're meant to be."
"What?"
"Of course, Levy Howl." I didn't even realize we were already in front. The guy gave Levy a brown key as he stared at her intensely.
"Hello, Sir Vein. Looking hot today aren't we?" I stared in awe as she still have the guts to give the guy a flying kiss. She even winked at him! I can't help but burst into laughter but I immediately shut my mouth tight as he glanced at me with a deathly glare.
"Sorry, sir" I glanced at him from head to toe. He really is good-looking.
"Hey, stop checking me out." He mumbled making me avert my gaze as fast as a lightning.
Levy was already holding the doorknob when she turned at me. "Harper, goodluck!" She cheered on me and went inside the door. I took a peek but all I can see was darkness.
"Name?" Sir Vein I presumed, asked.
"Harper Williams." I responded as I smiled widely, nervous but excited as to where the door will lead me. He handed me a white key, my surname 'Williams' was carved on it. I was about to enter when he mumbled something.
"Don't be too excited, you could die."
"What?!" I was about to retreat when he pushed me inside.
I found myself swirling inside a whirling vortex. The next thing I knew, I was kneeling on the cold ground, my stomach churning as I started to vomit.
"Ooh, that's gross!"
A familiar voice made my head turn. It was Levi Howl. He was wearing a brown suit and black pants.
I stood up and inhaled all the fresh air I could inhale.
That was torture!
"If Killian and Levy were here, the gang would be perfectly complete." I turned my head and saw disheveled hair, a pair of emerald eyes. Flynn Silver. He was wearing a dark violet suit and the same black pants.
"Where are we?" I asked.
There were huge tall pillars everywhere. It looks just like the Parthenon, but the place was completely intact. Our eyes simultaneously darted in front as three students walked inside. My eyes widen as I saw Levy, leading the two boys behind her.
"Levy!" I waved at her and was about to go near when Levi grabbed my arm. "You can't befriend the enemies! Be professional, Harper!"
My eyes furrowed as I looked at him with a what-are-you-saying face. "Last time I checked Levy was your twin!"
"Harper, we're in a battleground, this is a bloody war." He lazily responded making me more confused.
"The test will about to begin, now listen to me closely. I have a plan." Flynn whispered.
"Test?! I didn't even revie-" Levi put his arms around my shoulder as we leaned closer to Flynn.
"Just listen to the smart guy." Levi complained as he covered my mouth.
///
"You better do this right, Harper." Levi mumbled making me roll my eyes.
"What if we lose?" I asked Flynn as my heart started to beat fast. I was soaked in a cold sweat as anxiety devours me.
He explained briefly that this is an exam to test our abilities. The three of us were designated as a team, means we're going to be in the same class after this, along with three other students who are currently being tested right now in another place just like us.
"If we lose, we'll be left stranded inside the dark dungeon for three days. There are beastly monsters there, we need to kill them if we want to avoid getting injured. We'll feel the pain but they can't kill us there. The dungeon was supposed to strengthen weak students in a violent way." I gulped as he explained.
"And one last thing," Flynn sat on the cold floor and closed his eyes.
"you will lose your ability inside the dungeon."
It felt like a cold bucket splashed at me. One step inside the dungeon, I'm certain I will die.
Laurent told me that what makes me keep living was my power. My first chamber already closed making me die, and if my second chamber does,
"and so will I." I muttered under my breath.
"What?!" Levi asked as he started to focus on his right hand, a pebbled started to move rapidly on his hand. It shifted into a huge hammer as he swung it, making it rapidly move in a circular motion.
Why does it look familiar?
"I'm the King of Asgard!" He yelled and lunged at the enemies.
I started running towards the corners and let a dark chain come out from my right hand. I was doing my role perfectly fine, running here and there, trying not to get caught when Levy popped in front of me.
"Hi, Harp!" I screamed at the top of my lungs when she threw a metal spiked ball at me. I quickly crouched down and my eyes widen the moment I saw it hitting the wall, making a huge crack.
"I AM SO DEAD!" Screaming, I started to run around every corner, my dark long chain making a low screeching sound as I dragged it around. Levy was behind me, grinning as she pull the metal spiked ball behind her. I was almost finish running around on every corner when she suddenly tug my chain, making my body slammed on the ground.
"Oh, no!" I got dragged along with my chain!
I used my left hand and released two chains to attack her. Using one of my chains, I slap her hand which kept pulling my chain from my right hand.
"Ouch, Harper!" She complained irritably. I ran backward as I let my chains from the left move rapidly, attacking her. The chain from my right just made faint noises as I drag it around.
My eyes darted on my team as sweat covered my face. Levi was in the middle, fighting the two guys alone and Flynn, the busiest among us was quietly sitting on the ground, his eyes were completely closed.
I exhaled heavily as I finish my long quest. I stopped running and focus on Levy. I waved my left hand and my chains wrapped around her.
"I caught one, threw the others at me!" I yelled at Levi. His huge hammer shifted into a rope and he managed to tie the both of them. He tossed them in my direction, I caught the guy with pointed ears but failed to catch the other one. He shifted into a rat, making it harder for my chains to grab him.
"A shapeshifter? Oh, come on!" I complained. Levy and the guy I caught started to squirm and move. Levy was using a saw, trying to cut my chains while gritting her teeth, the other guy using a sharp vine formed like an ax as an attempt to escape. My clenched fist started to tremble as I was nearly reaching my limit.
"I'm done!" Flynn announced as the three of us regroup in the middle. But we were left dumbfounded when the rat stopped his tracks in front of us, his eyes glowing silver. From a little rat, he slowly shifted into a huge dragon. It roared loudly, our hair flew violently with the harsh cold wind, the place shaking slightly.
"RUN!" Flynn's voice echoed, making me run for my life. I left Levy and the guy still bounded in a corner, the chain in my left hand getting longer as we dashed towards the exit.
"Run, Harper, run!" Flynn yelled at me as he and Levi started getting ahead of me. The distance was getting larger, the dragon almost reaching me. I was feeling weaker and weaker as time passes.
The marble floor cracked continuously as the huge dragon behind us ran his way towards us. It made me stumble on the floor, my head turned and saw the dragon, its mouth widely open.
I screamed at the top of my lungs and I almost got grabbed if not for Levi who quickly carried me like a sack, dangling on his shoulder. I saw his hammer quickly turned into a cart and he hurriedly put me inside, pushing the cart as fast as he can.
"The dragon's going to spit fire!" Panic took over me as I scream as hard as I can.
"Flynn, do something!" Levi desperately yelled as he pushed the cart. I covered my eyes but my fingers were far apart as I witness how the dragon exhaled heavily and expelled a large mass of fire.
We almost got burnt alive when Flynn waved his hand and a barrier emerged, shielding us from the intense blazing fire. I gasped for air as the scorching heat was still reaching us.
"Harper, now!"
We made it out alive, but the dragon was about to leap in our direction. Flynn's signal made me move quickly, standing on the cart, I let go of the chain in my left hand, the one binding Levy and the other guy.
While standing outside, I saw a full vision of what Flynn had planned. My chain were all tied on every corner, on every pillar, creating a rectangular shape enclosing the whole place.
Flynn started chanting, the dragon about to get outside, roaring intensely making a deafening noise.
"Faster, Flynn!" Levi shouted, tensed by the whole situation.
Just as the dragon was about to step outside of the temple, Flynn finally completed his chanting and a huge barrier surrounded the place, making them caged inside. The dragon's body slammed on the barrier as it tries to escape.
Levi slumped on the ground as sweat covered him. He chuckled crazily as something slowly materialized in front of us. The floating door.
We made it.
We won.
As soon as I got out from the floating door, I was sprawled all over the floor, my stomach churning. I quickly shut my mouth to stop myself from vomiting.I will never get used to that freaking door!When I finally recovered, I look around and scanned my surroundings. I was in a place which looks like a studio apartment. There's a small kitchen, a bathroom and two beds. There were also two brown closets. I opened both of them and can't help but to stare with amazement as I saw different kinds of clothes. The other closet has spare brown suits while the other has white. Obviously, the latter was mine.I think I'm currently in the girls' dormitory. Maybe Flynn and Levi got transported in the boys' dormitory.I wonder who's my roommate?While waiting, I quickly freshen up and changed my clothes. I decided to wear a white trouser, tucking my navy sweater in. I used to tie my hair every time but decided to let it down for a change. After an hour of fumbling through things inside the room,
I stood frozen still as I looked at him with surprise. Mother of cow! My CEO just turned to be my my classmate and on top of that is my freaking partner?! How am I supposed to be all friendly with him?! "Stop staring." His words made me quickly avert my gaze as we walked on the hallway. Students were glancing at us as we pass along, whispering things I cannot comprehend. "Why are they looking at us like that?" I asked as I look back at every students looking at me with weird faces. I mimicked every expression they made making them avert their gazes. No way I'm going to let them make me awkward. "It's expected. The only Alpha and the only Chamber just happened to be a team. Of course it will make a ruckus." He answered with his emotionless face. Professor Goodbye dismissed us quickly after telling us about our first assignment. And yes, his name is freaking Professor Goodbye. There's a lot of weird names going on here. Anyway, our first assignment was to make a healing potion.
Laurent quickly made his way towards me. He wrapped me in his embrace, hugging me tightly. I was unsure of what to do so I patted him gently on the back. He was panting heavily as buried his face on my neck, his hand holding my head gently. "Do you know how scared I am Harper?" He whispered, exhaustion was heard from his tone. I couldn't help but to feel guilty, his hair was still unkempt, he was not wearing his usual clean suit. He was wearing a white shirt and a plain black pants. "Who brought you here?! I went looking all over for you!" "Ooh, I smell a love triangle." Elixa giggled while eating. My forehead creased when I noticed she already had popcorn on her lap. My heart thumped nervously when his eyes darted on Killian. If looks can kill, my CEO is totally gone right now. Laurent put me behind him and faced Killian. "Why did you bring her in this world?! Who gave you the right to decide for her?! You should mind your own business Lake!" His voice roared within the room.
"You're seriously choosing him over me? Are you for real, Harper?" "It's not that I'm choosing him! I just want to stay he-" "Do what you want." I felt a pang of pain as I saw Laurent walk away. I couldn't help but clenched my fists as guilt started eating me. "He's just jealous." I heard Killian's cold voice from behind. Why is he smirking by the way?! Does he think this is funny?! "Stop grinning." I remarked before walking away. And I didn't choose Killian! I told Laurent I decided to stay here at Claw. As to why my CEO is suddenly in front of the door, I don't know. I just went to where my feet brought me and found myself inside a garden. I didn't even knew something like this exist. Little fairies fly around as they played with each other, the green shades of leaves being lighted up by faint glowing orbs. It was magical. But I can't find myself smiling right now. "You all right?" A guy's voice came from behind. "Probably not." "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to talk w
Murmurs were heard all over the room. I even notice Neville secretly pinching Grave in the arm. Looking at her blushing as she stared at Laurent. Well, Laurent surely is attractive. That's also the reason why I got easily swayed by him on that mysterious grand ball. You can't blame me, blame his face. "Harper, you should focus on what he's saying, not on his face." Killian whispered making me go back to my senses. Since we were required to seat with our partners, my CEO obviously is my seatmate as of now. "I was listening attentively. Maybe you're just imagining things," I glared at him, but then I got intimidated again. "Sir." Tsk, of all the people in the room why should I be partnered with my CEO?! What if I got annoyed? Then I cannot strangle him with my chains easily thinking he might deduct my salary! "We'll be having the Excipere Tournament next week." The announcement made everyone thrilled. They started chatting with each other while I was left dumbfounded, unsure of wh
"A man?" For unknown reasons my chest started to pound heavily, the soft wind felt too cold against my skin. For a moment the atmosphere felt too thin it was hard for me to breathe. As if an impending danger was right in the corner. "Harper," My body instinctively went into a fighting stance, my power suddenly in a surge, But the tension I was feeling died down when I saw who it was. "Killian." I sighed, my shoulders slumping down at ease. "I found his mother." "John!" A woman in her mid-40s went dashing towards the little boy, hugging him while tears started to well in her eyes. There were a few gray streaks on her hair, some wrinkles starting to form on her forehead. "I told you to stick with me, you naughty boy!" She cried, carrying her child in his arms. "It was you who went missing mother! I kept following you but you suddenly went gone!" John was about to cry again but he tried to hold back his tears. "Oh, my poor child! It won't happen again, all right? Mother won't
"Are you kidding?!" I know by now my face is as red as a tomato. I can't help but blurt out nervous laughter when I saw Killian staring intently at me. "What, you don't want to do it? How can we build mutual trust if we can't even be used to getting intimate with each other?" "I mean, what does that have to do with fighting enemies?! It's absurd!" But he suddenly cupped my face, my whole body tensing up as we sat on the grass. My instincts kicked in and I leaned back, my arms holding at the grass but he pulled me close by the waist and my chest started thumping wildly. I'm afraid he might be able to hear it. He tilted his head and stared at my lips. I gulped, slowly closing my eyes as my heartbeat went into a frenzy. I could hear his heavy breathing, his addictive scent, and the tip of his nose brushing against mine. "I'm kidding. Look at you closing your eyes." My eyes flung open and I saw him already far away, throwing daggers at me. He crossed his arms, throwing me a skeptical
Killian was panting heavily when we finally stopped. "We're here. You can drop your things." I roamed my eyes where he brought me. Tall trees surrounded us, but the best part was, orbs were lighting around us in different colors, floating, making a soft whirring sound as they slowly hover around. This is a mystic forest indeed. It was magical. Killian started parting the huge leaves and there I saw a cave finally showing itself. At the far corner on a steep slope, there is a hidden cave we could stay for the night. "How did you know of this place?" I said, amazed. Killian grinned and took the backpack I placed on the ground. "Connections." He went inside the cave and I followed. Both of us started gearing ourselves to gather some wood to make a fire. Wait, fire. "Killian, if we make fire, won't that tell the enemies where we are? That's basically suicide!" I am really grateful I have watched Hunger Games or I would've been butchered now. "Then we make some sort of spell to hi