CHAPTER 15

SHRANAIA’S POV

After a few days of recovery, I was finally allowed to attend their academy. I was strolling around, smiling at everyone I saw, and I had no idea where Vixen was. I’m curious since he’s not there every morning, and when I ask Ron and Ran where he is, they simply shake their heads. I saw something while walking and was shocked as I looked at a statue in front of me.

“W-what’s that?” I wondered to myself.

There is this strange figure that I seem to have seen before, but I can’t identify where. I don’t know how many minutes I stayed there like an idiot just staring at that statue. There is something different here that I feel. I simply sighed before turning to see what the kids were up to. They were so cute, I smiled. From the academy, I saw Vixen holding a book in his left hand and one hand in his pocket.

“I didn’t realize he looked better in a polo shirt,” I said, smiling and glancing at him.

When he stared at me, I snapped out of my trance, spun around, and my entire body was flooded with nervousness. “Shranaia.”

“Oh? Rara!” I exclaimed, then she approached me, asking, “What level are you?” I ask.

“Hmm, level 8,” she said.

“What is the highest level in this place?”

“Level 10.”

“OMG!” I exclaimed, looking at the person who had suddenly spoken behind me. “The hell, Vixen, you have a tendency to surprise me,” I shouted angrily, holding my left chest.

“Sorry,” he just replied before smiling at me.

I don’t know if it’s just me or if he’s attracted to me. I shook my head, then closed my eyes and looked away immediately. “W-what…” I’m at a loss for words with him.

“Why do I stutter when I’m talking to him?” I wondered.

“Huh?” I looked at Rara, then shook my head.

“N-nothing,” I said, and he winced.

When I turned to face Vixen, my mouth closed, and my lips were almost touching. “Wow, I’m going to see a different scenario this morning; I wasn't aware that a partner was required?” Rara said, and Vixen grinned.

I instantly shoved it and snorted. “Why come your face is so close to mine every time I come?”

“Did I scare you?” he inquired.

“I’m just asking how to know what level I am?” I remarked, and he took a deep breath.

“You will know your level according to what skills you have as a wolf. As I said, level 10 is the highest, and the lowest is level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. But before you can enter the academy, you have to go through each level, so we know what level you deserve,” he explained, and I just nodded.

Rara and I exchanged glances before she nodded, and I took a deep breath to prepare for the day ahead. Vixen said he’d accompany me so I wouldn’t feel afraid. When we walked inside, I noticed how huge it was and how messed up all the wolves were. They are also similar to dogs who congregate in the same area, and to be honest they are rather attractive. When we arrived at the registration place, I filled out my information.

Some people remember me, while others don’t since I'm new to them. It’s just wonderful to meet new people, and I'm not sure if I should be joyful or afraid. There were a lot of individuals that signed up, and I didn’t anticipate them to be the ones I could keep up with anyhow, because these wolves are from another pack.

“Perhaps I’m not going to fight with the kids, am I?” I asked, looking at Vixen.

“No, they’re at level 3,” he replied, and I nodded.

“Now we’ll start figuring out what level you owe, but that doesn’t mean you won’t follow any rules as your level rises. Still, you should know that strength isn’t just based on what you put out as a wolf, but also on who you are and what you really want. The one with a clean heart and a good vision will win. It won’t always be agitated. No one conquers a heart that only desires revenge.”

The woman’s final words were, I have something to think about. I don’t know why, but I believe there is something in what she said that I am alluding to. I took a deep breath and turned to face Rara. She smiled at me and told me we needed to head to the field to get started. When we arrived at the field, I saw how large it was and how few people there were. Some appear to be here only to observe or catch a peek at what is going to happen. There are also Alpha, Luna, Omega, and Beta. They will decide what level you are qualified to.

“I’m nervous,” I said to Rara, who took my hand in hers.

“You don’t have to be worried about this. Perhaps you’ll be troubled later,” she joked. “Yes, Vixen is one of them who decides what level you are. But don’t be anxious about what’s going to happen today. Your main worry is how to cope with your opponents and the person who decimated your entire pack,” she stated, and I found myself instantly filled with determination.

I nodded to her, then she told me that she could just sit on the side and watch me. I tallied how many of us there were after standing in line, and there were twenty of us in total. I’m not sure where the others come from, but I believe they are aware of their abilities as wolves and work hard to improve them.

I couldn’t shake the uneasiness in my chest while waiting in line, and even though I didn’t admit it, I was afraid. I don’t want to be at a low level, and even if I have the expertise, it is insufficient. Apart from my fight with Samantha, I don’t know how to fight others.

“Ok, we’re focusing on your wolves form. As a wolf, you need to control your emotion, and increase your sense of smell, sight, and the most important, your hearing,” the woman, explain to us.

I don’t know if I will be happy or not. I have a strong sense of smell, senses and clear eyes. The things the woman said are not my case. Even so, I can’t be confident. Because I know they’re not just a peace of ant that you can beat easily.

I can see their enthusiasm and see the fear in their eyes. I could hear their hearts beating, but the others stayed calm as if nothing bad would happen to them. There was a mirror in front of us while we waited in line. You can see yourself, but it isn’t just a mirror. In any case, we waited to hear what the woman had to say and what mechanisms we needed to follow.

“As you can see, there is a mirror in front of you that you will enter so that we can see what abilities you all have. Aside from that, you have to be careful because what usually comes out of that glass has severe scars. If you are able to come out with no injuries on your body, or even if you have a wound, that will also be our basis for what level you deserve,” she explained, to which we nodded.

“Nothing will be eaten within the mirror. Whatever food you see is a fiction of your imagination. Your mission is to pick up and locate the red flag. Because those flags will show your powers and where you are stronger,” a man next to Alpha stated.

If I’m not incorrect, he’s the Omega. I took a deep breath and saw the lady signal, and then we all entered the mirror at the same time, and we’re in wolf form, which we’ll stay in till we come out of the mirror and collect the flag.

“I didn’t expect it to be this dark here,” I whispered to myself when I got inside of the mirror.

Something was close by, and it wasn’t just one or two. I realize there are a lot of them, and I wasn’t expecting so many. But first, I need to hunt for red flags. I closed my eyes, then opened them again, searching for the aroma of the flag to determine its whereabouts.

When I spotted it, I raced so fast that I didn’t know I was practically flying. I also leaped on the nearby trees, and every step I took caused a peculiar discomfort in my leg. Anyway, all I need to do is get it out alive. I sensed an impending attack and promptly confronted it before opening my jaws and striking it.

When I did that, I looked up and noticed something that didn’t belong in this game. “I’m not sure whether the trespasser is permitted here,” I thought to myself.

I fled until another beast appeared in front of me, and then it strangled me. I instantly closed my eyes, swiftly changed forms, and then attacked him as a wolf again. But I hadn't even gotten near when it abruptly leaped out of nowhere, and I came to a halt as a result. I looked at the man in front of me and noticed his smile. As a result, I swallowed and diverted from the course.

He chased me and every tree he passed, and I didn’t care about him since I needed to get out of here as soon as possible. “It’s bothersome; it appears that I need to do something before taking this test,” I muttered to myself before stopping and changing my form again.

He’s not a wolf, and he’s certainly not a witch. I don’t know why the vampires are after me, given I have no other ties to them. When I looked at the person following me, he grinned and said he was happy with what he was doing.

“I will assure you nothing awful will happen to anyone else inside the mirror if you go with me,” he said, and I fist my hand.

“Stop me, Joel,” I snarled, evilly looking at him.

“I’m not going to stop you until I have what I need from you,” he said.

“You can’t get what you want, Deacon. Even if you have a different name in the mortal world, I don’t care. I’ve met you before, and I honestly didn’t expect to see you again now. But since I don’t care, you’ll die before you get what you want,” I said and crossed my arms.

When I saw an opponent was coming, I swiftly altered my form, and the thing was no further near me when I confronted it. I could see the fear in his eyes and the way his ears folded. I just make it scared, and it sat down, then I looked at where Deacon was.

“If you don’t intend to leave, it’s better if we just go through it the hard and bloody way,” I challenged him, and his smile widened at me as if he liked what I said.

“Why not? It’s my pleasure to fight with you,” he said smiling, and I wasn’t happy with that smile.

I don’t know how many minutes or hours it takes before we come out to this mirror. But I think everyone needs to get out before nightfall, or it won’t last for a few hours. I quickly formed my body, and the dog, who had before been aggressive, was now observing what we were about to do. Even if I don’t inquire who he is, I know that he was Ran. I also suspect Ron is nearby, and I think Vixen dispatched them to ensure my safety. Nonetheless, I am irritated by the presence of a moron who has come to interrupt my solitude.

“You’ll regret fighting me, and I’ll make sure you leave here covered in your own blood,” I muttered, feeling my nails grow longer and my fangs grow longer.

I instantly came to a halt, turned into a wolf, and rushed at him. He instantly ducked, and when I felt him on my side, I pulled out the blade of my nails and touched him, wounding him on the cheek and leaving four lines. He quickly fixed it and grinned at me.