The Callous Exams

_09_ (Andrea Jess Collins's Point of View)

The next day, we woke up the moment Lavalee called us on our earpiece.

"Breakfast is ready," Chelsea informed us so we went to the kitchen.

I got confused when I noticed that it's just the three of us there.

Lavalee's not here but usually, she's the first one to come.

"Where's Lav?" I asked the moment I sat on the chair

"Upstairs, she's still monitoring us," Irene answered so I turned my earpiece on

"Lavalee, time for breakfast," I told her

"Ohayo! Go ahead. I'll eat after you." She said and we shook our heads and sighed after hearing it

"By the way, check your metal bracelets." She added

We're used to it.

She would always insist to continue doing the job and covering for us then when everything's sure and safe that's the only time she'll be carefree again.

We checked our metal bracelets and read the new notifications.

'Good day, Students! Those who can read this must've survived while those who can't, condolences to your families. This would be our newest announcement! The Callous Exam is about to commence. The list of challenges will be sent afterward.'

I swiped the hologram to the left side and it dispersed into nothing.

What can I expect?

Last night, I wasn't comfortable so I read the names of the deactivated metal bracelets.

Deactivation means you're no longer breathing because the metal bracelets (according to Chelsea) acquire energy through pulse rate.

I opened the next one and read it.

'Callous Exam Challenges

> Death Maze – Tuesday/ 5 PM - Irene

> Race to Hell – Wednesday/10 AM - Jess

> Chess of Luck – Wednesday/ 1 PM - Chelsea

> Pestillent Tag – Wednesday/5 PM - Lavalee

> Capture the Flag – Thursday/6 PM to 7 AM

May you reach your desires.'

"So what do we do?" Irene asked

"I'll take the Pestillent Tag," Lavalee replied

Chelsea shook her head at me like she's telling me not to say anything and butt into the conversation.

She looked at the food and I realized why.

We're eating and yet these two daredevils are currently talking about the gruesome activities that will lessen the number of students that will go back to school.

"Lavalee, we're eating." Chelsea scolded the two, which made them quiet

"Gomen'nasai, Chels." Lavalee apologized with a cheeky smile

"Gomen'nasai, Mama Chelsea." Irene teased as well making all of us chuckle

After eating, Chelsea went upstairs, and later on, Lavalee descended downstairs.

She's probably eating so I went to the front door and stood there.

"So, what's the plan?" I heard Irene asked

"Choose what event you'll participate in," Lavalee replied.

Is she already done eating?

She and Chelsea are really fast eaters.

"I'll play the Chess of Luck," Chelsea said

"I'll do the race," I said and checked the list again

"I'll take the Death Maze," Irene said so I checked the schedule and my forehead knotted because of the schedule of that challenge.

It's 5 PM now, and it's already 5:30 AM, and Lavalee and I are still awake.

"Then you should rest, Irene. You will be the first to participate." Lavalee said

"I agree, Irene. It's not good to fight when you're tired and sleepless." Chelsea said

"Hai! Hai! I will. " I heard Irene surrendered

"Rest well," I said

"Jess, incoming call for you," Lavalee said

"Connected to your phone, Jess," Chelsea informed so I answered the incoming call

"What?" I said the moment the call connected to my phone

[Andrea!] I rolled my eyes heavenward

This guy.

He's the only one who's brave enough to get on my nerves.

"What do you want?" I asked in irritation

[Icarus told me you're participating in the Callous Exam. Take care, Andrea. I'm still going to marry you.] he said

"You don't have to tell me that, Bryle." I replied sternly

[I know. I know you can handle yourself but I'm worried. Please be safe, I love you.] he said and I sighed

"You don't have to worry, Bryle, I'm a freaking assassin," I said sarcastically

"I love you, Andrea. Please, stay safe.] He said

"Jaega alkiiloneum. Momjosimhaseyo. " I replied to him and smirked

He wouldn't understand because I spoke fast.

[Huh? I didn't understand but I hope what you said wasn't an insult. Bye, then.] he hangs up after that

I can't help but chuckle. Sometimes, he's not irritating but touching.

"Sweet!" the two squealed at the same time

Oh yeah, I forgot to turn off my earpiece

"Shut up," I scolded the two quietly

"Shouldn't you be sleeping right now, Lavalee?" I asked her

"Aniyo, kwaenchanayo. Joneun jal jinaeyo, Jess. I can manage." She replied

"Don't push it, Jess. You know she's stubborn as hell." Chelsea said in a calm manner

"Chelsea, can you activate the traps on the first floor for a while? I want to play." I asked Chelsea

"Hmm, sure thing, just give me a minute. Don't go too far, you'll attract attention if you do." She reminded me

"Yeah, I understand," I said and went out of the building

The sun's rising.

For normal people, it's a new chance but for us who belong to the dark side of the world, it's another round of fighting.

I walked with class like I'm on a runway.

Duh!

I'm walking on the asphalt road that looks like a red carpet because of the crimson blood that had dried.

I'm not that disgusted anymore because I got used to it.

I've been living on this side for seven years now.

Lavalee helped me escape the hands of death when we were just 11 years old.

I encountered a man with a big bulky body.

He still looks like a student but he's too big.

I think this one's working under a yakuza, he seems to be an addict.

"You look so pretty, miss." He smiled maniacally making me scoff and roll my eyes

"I know. I don't accept praises from unidentified creatures though." I said artfully

"Seriously, Jess?" Lavalee asked while laughing

"You can come with us. We can protect you. " He said so I looked at them from head to toe one by one.

Yuck.

So disgusting!

"No thanks, I'm fine." I said and walked past them but the guy held my arms so I disgustedly jerked him towards the ground

They looked at me in shock.

What now? I just dumped their leader and threw him to the ground.

"You're a woman!" the other shouted with his saliva showering so I stepped back to avoid getting showered with it.

"Yuck! You're saliva's spewing." I said and rolled my eyes.

"This is so disgusting!" I groaned in disgust

"I know that I'm a girl, speak of the obvious." I added which irked them more and they attacked me

All of them are holding daggers, kunai, and shurikens.

Aww, this is sad!

No katanas!

They attacked me while the other guys are throwing the shurikens.

I was able to dodge perfectly so I counterattacked and placed gloves on my hands from my pockets.

I took a kunai and ran around them slicing everyone in close contact.

I punched a guy on his stomach and his chest.

I jumped and turned then kicked his diaphragm and chest where his heart is located.

After that, I went to the main battle arena.

The ground in this place is already bathing with the crimson liquid from the cold corpses.

I walked in the middle like a queen.

My head raised high, stomach in, chest out. I smiled with class and when they started throwing daggers at me I elegantly dodged those.

"Are you thinking you're in some kind of fashion show, Jess?" Chelsea asked me which made me chuckle

The path I'm taking does seem like a runway, there are people on both sides, although, they are dead, they're still humans anyway.

"Not quite, Tal." I replied before I started running and attacking

I threw the daggers I picked up in different directions and continued fighting in a close battle.

My gloves are already turning red because of the blood and my pants and shirt are already stained with blood.

"Time's up. Try to lure some towards here." Lavalee said making me smirk

"Time for a test drive," I said and turned my back

"Hey! Come back here!"

"Get back here, bitch!"

"There is no going back."

I laughed amused when I noticed that they are running after me. Too stupid.

When I came inside the building I dashed towards the other side.

"You're just going to run here." They told us

"I want to fight here," I said and they tried to attack me but they stepped on a tile on the floor cause there was a shuriken flying toward them.

Little did they know that they are in the middle of a trap that every wrong step would kill them.

"What's the matter? Scared already? " I asked and walked towards them.

The other one tried to pull me but I pulled her hard then stepped back making her lose her balance and land on a trap so I walked back while hearing them writhing in pain.

Oh my.

I really enjoy hearing people from the underground society beg for their lives because it's considered a rare thing, especially for those who are part of the ranking

It's a very dangerous thing to fight but it is a shame to beg especially since they see themselves almighty.

I took a katana and walked past them. Stepping on the tiles as if they don't bring any danger if I make a mistake.

I pulled one of them outside the building and tied them with a rope I saw with the katana.

"Don't make a mess here, Jess," Chelsea warned me

"Don't worry, Tal. I can handle this. I'll bring them back to the center. The testing is done already, am I right?" I said

"Yeah. Just keep yourself away from any suspicion, Andrea." Lavalee warned

"Roger, Val," I said and turned my earpiece off.

~~~

Jaega alkiiloneum. Momjosimhaseyo. - I understand that. Take care of yourself.

Aniyo, kwaenchanayo. Joneun jal jinaeyo, Jess. I can manage. - No, thank you. I'm fine, thank you, Jess.