8 Chapter 7 - A Will to Win
"Syrine Vintage has arrived"
The girl paid me attention as she gave me a murderous smile.
Great. Just Great!
I'm gonna be slaughtered to death.
I made my way next to her but still keeping a safe distance between us.
"Hi I'm Zaima" she announced and shot a wink. Okay?
I forced a smile. Zaima, doesn't sound dangerous. Alright, maybe I can beat her. Yeah...
I looked around and this place is crazy spacious, it shows how serious the school is on trying to choose only the best of the best.
My eyes travelled to the door when I heard a faint creek.
"Two beautiful ladies with powerful talents. Can I tag in?" her soft voice echoed through the room. She eyed the both of us as she made her way in front.
"Venom" I heard the girl next to me mutter.
Venom. She has the ability to inject venom to her opponent using her hair as the channel. She is know as part of the so called BIG 10, the most heroic heroes in the whole world. God, I feel so blessed just standing a couple meter away from her.
She placed her right hand on her hip and manuevered her left arm to the screen just behind her.
The screen lit up and showed information about me and my opponent, Zaima.
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Name: Zaima Scott
Talent: Telekinesis by touch
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Name: Syrine Vintage
Talent: Gravity Manipulation
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"Gravity" Zaima muttered looking up while her pointer finger was touching the tip of her chin "Are you perhaps... Ravity's daughter?" her question caught me off guard when I heard my mom's hero name. I have no idea if I'm allowed to share that sensitive information, my parents always tried hard to hide our existence when their on hero form but judging by the similarity of my mom and my talent it really sounds off it I told her I'm not their daughter.
"Well m—"
"She might be or might be not. Who knows" Venom's voice emphasised. She gave me a wink which I replied with a sheepish nod. I understand. Personal information like that should be kept especially in the hero world, we don't know where that information may get and the possibility of that information to be used against heroes. I should really think twice before I talk.
"Well whoever you are... I'm still gonna crush you to pieces" she glared daggers at me like I'm some evil villain. Dang! this girl is determined... Too bad I'm already bound to win. I have a promise to keep, and this girl ain't a promise breaker.
"As you can see both your talents have similar aspects, that's our goal. To pair examinees that weld the same trick, just to avoid unfair battles" she said while casually rubbing her green hair.
That means Jarred may be battling someone with Ice manipulating talent but his talent is known for being rare and the same with mine. Maybe that's why they didn't face me with someone that has the exact same ability, they just ended up pairing me with someone that has the synonym of gravity, Telekinesis.
"The rules are easy, just pin your opponent to the ground, I count 1 to 5, then boom, we have a winner" she uttered "The battle ends when someone wins" she moved a couple steps back then crossed her arms under her chest.
"Start!" she yelled as both of us were whooshed through the end of the field by a strong force.
So it's officially happening. My first and most serious match and also probably one of the most important match in my entire life. Just thinking how significant this battle makes my nerves twitch.
But still... This is my one way ticket to Paragon, I won't disappoint my family, Jarred and of course myself. I'll just let my talent flow together with my body, that's my plan.
I lightly twisted my toes to the dirt, preparing to run if ever she makes a sudden move. Sure I can just float her up to prevent her from touching anything but I despise having an unfair battle, besides I wanna see how she fights.
She ducked down as her hand touch the ground. I mentally prepared myself cause any attack might happen, she touched the ground... Meaning she can manipulate the land in anyform or whatsoever.
I felt a faint gramble under the ground a sign that something big is coming... Coming for me.
I leaped and floated up then just seconds after a big chunck of land shoots up directly hitting the hard ceiling causing a loud noise to linger throughout the room.
"That was a close one" the brunette yelled while wearing a smug smile. I sighed in relief. If I hadn't felt that quake maybe I'd be squeezed to death.
My eyes widen when I saw a sharp rock heading to my direction. I tried to lean back but I was too late, it sliced through my cheeks causing blood to slowly run down through the open wound.
"Deep... But not too deep" she commented.
"Oh that's it!" I yelled as I draw my hand horizontally. She's taking this personal... Well two can play with that game.
The ground she was crouching on moved up causing her to slightly loss balanced. I eyed her unfazed look but she just shot me another wink. I'm her opponent for goodness sake, take me seriously!
My hands started to tremble when I felt like I was carrying a huge load, she was countering my move, she's trying to reconnect the ground back.
What's the point?
I pulled my hands up to repel her work just causing both of us to play this kind of tug of war. Minutes passed both of us were panting, wasting our ability with this childish game.
"Oh I'm freaking done!" I screamed as a drop of sweat crossed my cheek. With no hesitation I raised both my arms making the platform bolt up along with the brunette.
Debris and ashes filled the spot so I squinted my eyes to see if she's still standing or not.
As the place cleared... my body stiffed when I saw her standing on a much smaller plaform just a couple feet away from the concrete ceiling. I decided to land, if I keep floating I'll end up wasting too much energy.
Zaima flew in a fast pace with a dirt platform under her feet. I smiled unconditionally as an idea popped inside my brain.
I felt her presence from the back so I activated my ability to pull. The invisible energy started spreading and stopped just 3 meters away from me "That should be enough" I whispered to myself.
I didn't budge, I want her to think I'm vulnerable.
Seconds passed and a loud groan echoed across the room indicated that my plan worked like a charm.
I turned around in a jumpy manner, a smile and bubbly expression written all over my face. That was easy.
"Curse you!" she mumbled as she tried to stand up.
I was a little shocked on how near she was from my figure, if she added a little more momentum she could've reached and hit me hard.
"1"
I tilted my head as she cursed the hell out of me. Well, I would too if I were in her place.
Her body was stuck to the ground as her dirt platform was crushed and wreck just behind her.
"I'm not giving up" she mumbled as she tried to push her body up numerous times.
"You can't, you'll just hurt yourself. So stop" I muttered with a warning expression.
"2"
"SHUT UP!" She yelled as she tried to spit on my face but lucky for me it just ended up on her lips. Now she kinda look like she's drooling. Eww.
I sighed at her stubborn attitude. I stared at her blankly as she tries to push herself up.
"What the heck is this?!"
"It's the gravitational pull. I followed the natural direction of the Earth's gravity and just made it stronger inside this 3 meter radius" I explained excitedly "I didn't know it would work this good" I gushed as I placed my hand on the floor.
"3"
"NO, I'm not going to lose!" a vien popped out of her neck as she glared at me with dagger, her sudden change of expression kinda sent chills running down my spine "Specially, by a bitch like you" her jaw clenched in anger as she manuevered her hands towards me like I stole her freaking boyfriend.
"4"
I sighed as guilt crawled into my mind. Her eyes were no longer throbbing in anger but were now glistening ready to release her pleading tears.
I feel like I destroyed someone's dream.
"No. Please, give me another chance, just one more chance. I'll prove that I'm fit for Paragon. PLEASE!"
I glanced back at her helpless state as she cried and begged for another chance.
"5"
"Syrine Vintage Passed"
I diactivated my talent still keeping my eyes on her. I sighed as I walked towards her direction.
"Stay away!" she tried to yell but failed.
I crouched down as she slowly lift her face up. I looked at her unsteady eyes while wearing a comforting smile.
"Hey" I muttered as soft as possible.
"Stay away!" tears started pouring out of her eyes "You crushed my dreams!" she yelled. Her words peircing through my heart like a sword, it's sad but it's true, I was the culprit who snatched her dream but in a fair way. I thrived to reach this level, I want this as much or even more than her... And I had a promise. So I couldn't afford to lose. I'm sorry.
Without thinking my body lunged into her and hugged her tight "I-I'm sorry, but I want this as much as you do" I explained as I gently pat her back.
"You don't understand, I'm powerful, I'm way more powerful than you! I should've won" my eyebrows twitched unconditionally. Gosh how do I reply with that kind of statement.
"I should've won!"
~*~
~Majestinnie~
~End of Chapter~
