Painful Memories

I could tell what the animal was thinking, 'She can understand me?'

I calmly locked my gaze into the animal's turquoise eyes. After a bit it regained it's composure and backed a few steps away.

I flashed a comforting smile and bowed respectfully, "My name is Nova Orchid, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The animal looked at me in shock, "You can understand me?"

I responded, "Yes, I would like to help you all since I do not wish to harm you. There are other students like me in the forest that will most likely try to harm you. However, I would like to make a proposal."

The White lion-like animal became more serious, "Since I am the leader of this forest I do not wish to see my own parish. I will listen to what you have to say."

The lion-like animal sat down on it's hind legs, sitting up straight like a poised cat.

I smiled, "Thank you for your cooperation. I would like to minimize the damage my peers do to you spirit animals by suggesting you work with me. All you have to do is gather as many spirit animals as you can and I will lead them to a safe area that will help me and my friend pass the test while protecting your people in the process."

The Lion-like animal looked intrigued at my proposal, "Very well, I will do as you say for now. Although, why is it that you are calling us spirit animals? Don't your people call us spirit beasts?"

I responded, "You are not beasts. I can see that you attack to protect, not to harm. I myself have been in your position where I had to fight to survive. I simply wish to respect everyone of you as an equal and not as a beast."

The animal looked surprised at my statement but quickly regained himself, "My name is Lionel, thank you for your help in advance."

I smirked, "Shall we?"

I casted an air spell which helps me move faster and took off in the direction of my area. Lionel followed close behind gathering spirit animals along the way.

We reached my area after about five minutes of running. I turned around and saw at least 100 spirit animals crowded together.

I pointed to a spot in my area and explained, "Would you all please stand over there."

All of the different creatures moved to where I pointed except for Lionel since I needed his help gathering his people.

I walked over to the tree and pulled the lever, making a blue barrier appear around the many spirit animals.

I spoke calmly, "This barrier will keep everyone safe since the other students can't attack you once you are in the barrier."

I looked to Lionel, "My friend's area is to the northeast, I will lead the way."

I once again began to run with the wind under my feet while Lionel trailed behind collecting spirit animals again.

All of a sudden I sensed another student but it wasn't Melody. I motioned for the others to stop and conceal themselves.

I used Sound Tunnel to communicate with Lionel, "Don't worry, no one except the two of us can hear our conversation. There is an enemy up ahead, I will go alone. Stay here and I will come back when I am done with them."

Lionel nodded and left to conceal himself with the others.

I moved through the tree tops so that I could not be seen, concealing my spirit energy in the process. I moved quickly but carefully using my Ki to find the enemy. Eventually I stopped jumping from tree to tree, spotting the enemy, Cynthia.

There was around two hours left before the test ended so I had time. I watched Cynthia looking for spirit beasts when she suddenly looked up at where I was hiding. I stayed perfectly still, not making the slightest sound or movement. Cynthia shook her head a few times and kept walking.

'Let's start the fun.' I thought to myself.

I used Sound Tunnel to directly speak to her but in the ear that was not facing me, making it seem like the voice was coming from a different direction.

I spoke in a whisper, "Cynthia, can you hear me?"

Cynthia looked surprised but responded, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

I made my voice more ominous, "Why, Cynthia? why did you do this to me?"

Cynthia looked panicked, "I didn't do anything to you! Stop it!"

I replied to her, "You know what you did, admit it. Just admit it Cynthia, you did this."

Cynthia fell to her knees, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Mom, please forgive me!"

She started crying but I felt no sympathy towards her. Although, I now know a weakness of hers, which will come in handy later. I took advantage of her loss of focus and jumped down from the tree landing behind her. I chopped the back of her neck and she immediately passed out. She looked pitiful lying there on the ground. I decided that even if she was a brat she doesn't deserve to die. I picked her up and hid her at the top of a tree so that no spirit animals would attack her.

I headed back to where Lionel and the rest were hiding, "I took care of the enemy, lets move out."

Instantly the many kinds of animals appeared from what seemed like thin air and we continued to Melody's area.

A few minutes later I found Melody's area and the barrier already had a few animals inside. they all were unharmed and seemed to be quite happy. It seemed Melody took my advice to use song magic.

I saw her approaching and stepped out from the thick foliage, "Hey Melody, how's your progress going?"

She looked taken aback for a second, probably not expecting me to appear from the bushes.

Melody looked at me angrily, "Nova, don't scare me like that!"

I laughed, "Don't furrow you're eyebrows, you'll become ugly."

She lightly punched my arm, "Meanie."

She pouted a bit so I patted her head. Her ears turned bright red and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I called out to Lionel, "Come on out!"

The many kinds of spirit animals appeared in groups. There seemed to be a bit less than when Lionel gathered for my area but this did not matter because there was at least 90 of them.

Melody looked at surprised but before she could say anything I took off with Lionel while the animals went into Melody's barrier.