5 Chapter 5

Reina had ended the past 2 days eating rabbit in Fang's lap, whom had been hard at work at firmly planting the idea "it's completely natural to sit in Fang's lap" into Reina's mind. Today was no different as she sat down, ignoring the feeling of being the other girls pet and savoring the rabbit meat while Fang stroked her hair.

"Hey Reina, when are you going to leave for Acacia?"

"In a day or two, the exams will be held in 2 months so it's necessary if I want to arrive on time"

"Aren't you cutting it pretty close?"

"Yeah, but I can always cut through the Bloodroot Forest, it would save 2 or 3 weeks of travel time"

The vastness of the Bloodroot Forest is only met by it's danger, not only are the beasts that dwell within the forest extremely blood thirsty, so are the plants. Yet where there is danger, there is opportunity, many have ventured into the forest looking for mighty beasts to tame and priceless treasures. Few who ventured in returned, fewer still came back with sound body and mind, yet those who survive the ordeal come back with enough to fuel a steady stream of hopeful bodies into the forest's gaping maw. The tales of mangled bodies that inevitably lay strewn across the forest, periodically bathing the floor in fresh blood is how the Forest gained its name.

The mountain range surrounding Suncup is a one of two reasons why the travel time is so long. After making your way through the winding mountains, the journey is relatively simple: Travel around the forest, making a large arc until you reach Acacia, but perhaps the only thing that rivals the deadly nature of the forest is the sheer amount of land that it covers, making the journey around the forest nearly as long as the one through the mountains.

"Can you even defend yourself Reina? I've checked your body everywhere and it's all pretty soft you know?"

"T-that's besides the point! I know some martial arts, and isn't the point of the academy to gain strength?"

"Besides, going through the forest is a death sentence for people like me, if I won't make it on time I'll just come back." Reina lied while smiling sweetly at Fang. There was no way she could come back here once she left, the Cult's presence was too strong, and they had long since listed her as a unofficial candidate to become the Saintess when she bonded with Shadow. The candidacy became official in 2 days when she turned 16, and is when her life turned into a living hell. The cult placed significant importance on the position of Saintess, whoever took up the position would hold power second only to the master of the cult. Even candidates held a significant amount of influence, gaining access to the cult's vault of weapons and were trained under the guidance of the many experts to be skilled with every type of weaponry and learn techniques exclusive to the cult.

Reina had not lied about knowing martial arts, but she had not been trained, "beaten" would be a more accurate assessment, the masters who train the saintess candidates were ruthless in their teachings, and did not play favorites. If one did not understand, they were beaten until they did. Reina had spent many sleepless nights wincing in pain, only having aptitude for swords and unarmed combat. Once she turned 16 and became an official candidate, her name would known by every single candidate in the cult, and make countless enemies who would hunt for her head. The position of Saintess has not been claimed, and will not be claimed until there is only one candidate left breathing. She wouldn't have to worry immediately, the majority of candidates had entered a silent arms race as they gathered strength to ensure their victory, yet she would have a target painted on her back.

Reina didn't want to live like that, she never wanted to live in the cult's umbrella. She had been a normal girl with a normal family, with normal friends and mundane dreams. All gone, taken away by the Daemon Cult when they had snatched her away from her home, she didn't even know if her parents were left alive, she was too young to have remembered what country or province she lived in so tracking them down was impossible at the moment. That is why tomorrow was important, when she turns 16 the Cult will hold a ceremony to officially put her name into the pot, if she was able to leave before then the target would only be half painted. She could have a semblance of a normal life in the academy, and it was worth journeying through the Bloodroot forest thousands of times over.

"Thank you for the meal Fang, and don't worry, I'll make sure to say goodbye before I set off"

"Good, and remember: If you ever find yourself in trouble, the Jade Boar will welcome you with open arms!"

Reina glanced down at the jade bracelet with a smile, "I will, thank you". Reina got up and forced her money for the meal into Fang's hands and began to make her way home. She looked up at the stars with a complicated feeling in her heart. She was surprised at how quickly she became attached to Fang, being met with so much affection was something she had no experience with, and the warmth it brought was addicting.

"I really do hope I can say goodbye in person...."