32 This Lord

Eventually, we came to a conclusion during the next few days.

I was aware my vials had a time limit and mother... Well, she will die soon.

If I did have all eyes on me, when that vial faded, I'd have more issues than anything else.

I will not worry now though; it will not solve anything.

Instead, for the time being I've concluded that I have around four decades left to find a solution and, knowing myself, I'm sure I will.

The contestants were down to exactly one hundred and ninety-four students. Winter had finally passed, with the temperature climbing daily.

It was not until two days ago that the school sent a mass message informing us that we would be picked up via air transport and would be brought back to the school.

I suppose they had no desire to lose any more students.

We had already packed up; the house was stored in my private storage, for safekeeping.

I had then selected a few of my stored kills from that ring to first Cehn and then Wincu. The last day before estimated pick up day we discussed among ourselves for the final time how we will act during the school year.

"Since Cehn is the first male and has progressed a lot I will pass on enough of my kills to him so that he will be able to score among the top three enrolled students."

"How do you know that what you gave to him will be enough for him to be among the top three enrolled students?" 

"Think of it as hindsight. Each of you has your own kills and has not sustained any injury... Ah, anyway, just trust this Lord here and you will never fail."

They laughed. Watching them I wished that I could join in but I could not allow my emotions to fluctuate.

"Alright, Wu Jie, this Lord will listen to your proposal; in any case, if not for you we would have been fertiliser or nutrients for some beast."

"Ah, I want to ask, why is it that you both call me by my full name always, while I continue to call both of you by first name alone?" 

"I want to answer.. Ah... Erm... Right. Among us nobles, we call those above us or as etiquette dictates by your last name. In school, it will be Student Wu Jie in the school while at important gatherings the name will be said as. First family second-born daughter Asientes Wincu."

I blinked at her excited look, leaning back a bit when she came closer, sigh still this girl had no idea of personal space.

" Oh," I replied.

" Wu Jie, you seem to have forgotten our first meeting."

"Of course, I can't," I muttered. Cehn paused before stating "...my family name is Cehn, first name Sie.."

"Oh,"

"Sie? It is like 'yes' in Spanish," I snickered inwardly.

We spoke a little more, deciding that whenever we leave, we can co-ordinate with each other and meet up outside or in a semi-abandoned area.

The next day our transport was ready. Fully prepared, we followed the location sent, taking note that we only had four hours but we made it on time. When we entered the transport we were scanned for any abnormalities then transported to the school grounds, which was separated by gender. I was no longer able to see Cehn, but I still had the little leech Wincu.

"What do you think they will do with our data, Wu Jie?" 

"Rank us. From what I have heard our kills will be what they will use for our ranking." 

"Do you know how?" I shook my head at her question, keeping my head down seemly meek while Wincu portrayed nervousness, exactly the same as when I had first met her.

"Step aside losers!" 

A group of girls shoved their way through the crowd, grabbing Wincu. We slipped aside, avoiding being pushed by the passing girls.

"The results will be posted soon." 

"Yes, I can't wait!" 

"This will help with organising classes." 

"… but the number of survivors were so few!" 

"It doesn't matter. We have four groups and those who are the best will be selected for Grop A." 

"Sigh …I just hope I don't get  put into the D or C group," 

"We will see. This contest was quite brutal!"

"Yes..."

"Truly…"

While they talked, I listened in, checking the time. I had placed the beasts I had caught in a coma in order to put them in the bubble, which had three days' worth of air. Time was of the essence.

"Look, Wu Jie, we are in the B class!"

I sighed in relief, dragging Wincu away.

"It's sad we will not share a room." 

"It's good; just make sure you are not killed off when I'm not around." 

"Wu ... Jie..!"

I laughed as we walked down the pathway through the pretty well-kept garden; we spoke about how and where we will meet up before separating, wishing each other well and encouraging each other to stay safe. After all, you can die so quickly in this world; caution is always better.