2 In an obnoxious manner

My heart skips a beat at the sound of the shrill voice. I race to the beach faster and faster, wishing that my worst fears weren't coming to life. As soon as my bare feet touch the sand, my eyes rake over the waves and dunes before I spot a little girl with green hair. She runs as slow as a snail in the white sand while two urchins chase after her.

I grit my teeth at the sight of Dasche and Robuk. They've always picked on Asha and me ever since we bested them at battling. On our eighth birthdays, we are given a chance to show our strength and abilities. We're ranked on three things: will, strength, and strategy. I ranked sixth out of all the kids of our year, which is only fourteen.

A fire consumes my emotions as I watch the two shove Asha into the shallow water. A spark flares at my fingertips.

How dare they!

"Hey, you scum!" I scream at the top of my lungs.

I jump from the rocks and land four feet down. The sand burns my feet but I can't leave. Asha needs me. My feet pick up where I left off and I notice the two boys glance over their shoulders at me.

"Leave her alone!"

Dasche smirks. "Hey, look!"

He shoves the orange-haired male. Robuk looks back. "It's a little bug," Dasche sneers.

"Ugh, why can't she mind her own business!" Robuk turns around to face me. His hands are blazing with a bright fire.

There's a nasty expression flashing over visage.

My eyes blink, shifting between the two nuisances that know nothing but insults.

"What? She can just be more fun," Dasche grins while cracking his knuckles. A baby blue icicle shakily forms while he holds his ground.

"Let's take this rat out!" Dasche snarls.

My eyes watch his form as he waves his hands around in an obnoxious manner. Robuk is in a fighting stance as he forms two balls of fire in each palm. Both boys' eyes are narrowed and glaring at me in hatred.

I tried not to mind the two idiots and glanced down at Asha. I wanted to know if she was okay. Her face was covered with sand and she looks up at me with hope and fear. I give her a faint nod and stare back at my two opponents. Even though they are seventh and third rank, I can still try to take them.

I square my shoulders and fix my feet so that I could face them properly. "Ya mangy mutts couldn't even beat me at the battle! What makes you think you can beat me now?" I shout, laughing at them.

The scowls tormenting their expressions only bring a grin to mine.

"Get her!" The dark-haired rascal snarls.

Robuk took the first attack, throwing two of his dastardly [Fireball] attacks at me. I twirl to my left, dodging his blasts, and dance in the water. Robuk groans at the failed attempt.

Dasche swipes his arms back and unleashes a stick-sized icicle my way. The boy cheers himself on a bit early. My eyes widen for a moment, then at the last minute, I duck. A cold gust of wind rushes over my head.

My eyes narrow on the two unintelligent idiots before I take my strike.

"Ha! Is that all you've got?" I laugh at them.

Their anger fuels my enthusiasm while I'm zipping past them. I use the first power one of my uncles and my father taught me: [Viper Sprint]. I slither past their rambunctious attacks and stand right behind them.

Dasche glances around, loosening up on his stance. Robuk does the same, yet he keeps his guard up on the defense.

While they're too busy distracted by my sudden disappearance, I take this chance to conjure [Tiger Claws] and rake my nails down their backs. It's strong enough to rip their clothes, but not enough to leave a mark on their skin.

"Argh!" They scream and fall to their knees. Dasche's head whips around and a nasty expression masks his face. "Where'd you learn that from? You didn't do that earlier," he spits.

I smile down at the two boys with their heads stuck in the sand. After a small giggle, I shake my head. "I told ya you couldn't take me," I snicker.

Robuk growls, blushing in embarrassment from being beaten by a girl. Three ranks lower than him at that. A vengeful smile crosses my lips.

Dasche, on the other hand, begins to rise to his feet with a disturbing gleam in his eyes. I almost flinch away at the sight, but I had my own and glower down at him. His black hair hangs down in his eyes while he fumes at me.

I barely spare him a glance. "Take your leave before I knock your rank down further." My arms are crossed over my chest and I don't even show mercy to his best mate. Both boys deserved a darker look than what I could give them.

"Now, scram!" I stomp my foot.

Robuk shows no signs of protest, but Dasche is different. His scowl is enough to have me on the offensive. Dasche takes a single step towards me, and as he goes to raise his fist, Robuk catches his wrist. The noir haired lad glares over at his friend with anger.

"Why are you-"

"She's not worth the energy," he spat. His dark chocolate eyes stare at me for a moment before glancing away. "Mom's looking for me anyway." I vaguely see the blush his cheeks carry.

Dasche opens his mouth to rebuke when his mate snatches his ear and drags him away.