Vixen

[Was that my doing?]

Shut up!

===

Dr. Vedra's country was ruled by a twelve grade zodiac system, ranked into the four elements.

Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces).

The position the sun occupied at your exact moment of birth was known as your sun sign (sometimes referred to as your stars' sign).

Your sun sign determines your date of birth, represents your core personalities, sense of self, basic preferences and how you move in the world.

Here the Earth signs were first class, Air signs coming in second, while fire and water were third class.

In Planet Vedra, a unique payment system, "Astral Credits," is tied to the Zodiac Signs and their respective grades.

*Earth Signs (First Class): 100-150 credits/month (depending on sign)

—Taurus: 120 credits

—Virgo: 110 credits

—Capricorn: 130 credits

Air Signs (Second Class): 80-120 credits/month

—Gemini: 100 credits

—Libra: 90 credits

—Aquarius: 110 credits

Fire Signs (Third Class): 50-90 credits/month

— Aries: 70 credits

—Leo: 80 credits

— Sagittarius: 60 credits

Water Signs (Third Class): 40-80 credits/month

— Cancer: 60 credits

— Scorpio: 70 credits

— Pisces: 50 credits

It also brought a type of method of payment called the

Sign-based transactions, in which Citizens could use their Zodiac Sign to make payments, with the value deducted from their Astral Credit balance.

Another was the Astral Cards. Physical or digital cards linked to citizens' Astral Credit accounts.

Then lastly Zodiac-based bartering, where Citizens could exchange goods/services based on their sign's strengths/weaknesses.

The academy was undoubtedly huge. Applicants littering the whole place, Blackbird was boldly written with the twelve zodiac sign like dots surrounded a flying black bird.

Ponytail murmured something beside him, dark eyes fixed at the entrance, where there were numerous people.

Turning to her, somewhat confused, his lips in a thin line, asked.

I guess we just pack our bags and go in, right? Because he saw no one offering a trial for the massive applicants.

Opening her mouth with a slight frown, yesterday drama forgotten.

Actually, this is my first time here, and maybe you are right, we won't have to stress ourselves.

More people tripped in, some with luggage so big like they were taking their entire households to the academy.

They both shared a glance. We shouldn't raise horses right now, I am sure there would be trial. No way is this crowd entering going to stay.

A blonde hair boy dragged his suitcase whistling, clumsily dropping his tools here and there. Huffing in frustration and almost setting them on fire.

Shaking his mane slightly and with a nonchalant expression went in, only for a few minutes before tumbling blindly out clutching his heart.

He approached them like he knew they were there and dropped a hand unto Ethan's shoulders.

" I almost had a terrible heart attack that would have sent me to my early grave, whew, at last their plans didn't work.

He swiped the small bead of sweat coating his forehead and gazed up, revealing green eyes, an eyebrow immediately knotting.

Wow, nice hair and freckles. You're both one of the onlookers because if you are not you better start making your journey because it would be a timeous one.

Why so? Ponytail asked mouth turned a fraction of an inch.

Hmph, girl, you better have strong muscles in your leg because use of powers are not available right at this moment.

And you are? Ethan asked.

Smiling but teeth concealed, he stretched out his hands, "Otu, pleased to be an acquaintance.

Ethan.

Silver. Ponytail tail said, her eyes almost at the edge of twinkling. Where's your luggage?

Oh, luggage, luggage refuses to cooperate, so I left it, nothing important, though. Otu schooled his features after saying that.

" Hey, I don't want you guys to go babbling about what I just said, waving a lean hand across their face. The smile came back, let's begin, shall we?

Ethan shrugged, Dr. Alara had drilled failure wasn't acceptable a countless time in their ears, and it was only right that they begin.

The three went into the building.

There were a lot of luggage packed at one side, they sat on the stairs, sweat drenched and panting filling the air.

Behold the almighty heart attack staircase! Boomed Otu to his entourage, arms, and hands pointing to the said something.

Ethan raised his head from the applicants to see that it wasn't an exaggeration, it was a winding staircase that never seemed to end.

[System online]

[Climb staircase without breaking a sweat to be rewarded with +100 Exp which when filled you would be able to level up]

[Current XP: 250/500]

He dropped his gaze from the panel, couldn't help but say, a heinous task.

Scratching his cheek, he needed to see the architect of this marvelous piece, ponytail looked as if she would faint any time soon.

He couldn't talk to system without exposing himself, he took the first step and waited to see if they would follow.

Dude, allow me a time to pacify the heart, the shock it had been just being assailed with, hmm?

Silver?

Ok, alright, let's do this. She took her first step and continued, with Otu following closely behind despite his initial response.

***

Ha! Humph.

They had finally reached the highest peak of the stairs, breath coming out in a whoosh, but Ethan was the exceptional one there.

[Congratulations host, current XP: 300/500]

Ethan smiled at the system antics, didn't quite break it down, did you?

'Welcome dear future Astral hunters to this year annual event. You all have shown tremendous steadfastness for the heavenly winding staircase.

Otu hummed noncommittal, wiping his sweat. Silver legs wobbled.

"For your next task, kill as much as tier 3 beast "the lunatrak and obtain crystals. Each of you would be allowed to choose partners.

"Note, Any loss of life the academy would not be held accountable. The highest four, from this task, would become full members of this academy.

The man paused to let that sink in. After something when he thought it was enough continued.

"But we would relax this grip, the remaining hunters that beat a total number of crystals would be partial members until they can prove their worth.

Wish you all the best, future Astral hunters. We want the best for you and would be pleased to help you.

====

Chatter.

That was one hell of a speech, isn't it? Otu asked skeptical. Aside from that, I am a fire zodiac sign, Leo precisely and you?

Silver hesitated before saying, "water zodiac sign, Cancer.

When it got to him, he repeated what Otu had said, earning a fixed glance. That's true, he affirmed.

A system notification flashing across his face.

[While you are at that, retrieve a rare herb called "moon petal," which blooms under the light of the full moon at black forest]

[The moon petal would help stabilize your beast transformation and also, a boost in leveling up]

That was a good thing. System keep up the good work, Ethan grinned happily, but it was short-lived when the holographic screen displayed the creature.

Gasps filled the air

" The legendary shredding monster, this display is far from what the real thing looks like. It's devilish looking claws, that could shred a human like mincemeat.

"It was also rumored that it loved to defile its victim, with a urine so acidic it eats deep into someone's skin.

"Hump, those are just lame exploits, from the stories I have heard, it didn't outright kill its victims. It traced the victim's veins, slicing it open with excellent precision.

"I had a friend who also went for such mission after the shredding monster had killed a townsfolk which happened to be his wife's.

'Did he come back? A water sign, Scorpio, asked.

''Come back, you say? He didn't. The monster used him to learn its method of dissection, having the guts to send his body as a flag for its achievements.

"Tsk, tsk. It's a pity, came a voice dripping with scorn.

All turned to the newcomer. His long blade sheathed and well covered, brown eyes in a well-structured face. A look of self-confidence oozed from him.

Turning to look at the man whose friend was used as a dissection, his eyes blank.

"You should be happy he was brought back dissected, the monster gave him back for you to get to know your friend internally and all you do is scorn the beasts efforts?

The man bit his tongue looking at the young man, hands balling into fists "and you must be?

The young man pressed a hand across his nostrils. " Do you have to announce that you have such smelly breath? Nose scrunched in disgust.

"What! How dare you! I have a much nicer breath than the likes of you! Who the hell do you think you are? Why don't you make yourself as a dissection sample to the beast?

"Hum... I was conceding making you become its next dissection exercise, pity that you might fancy that. He turned to look at the man.

The stream of fire came for the young man's face almost putting it aflame, but instead of the intended it stopped mere inches from the face, paused and returned.

The man howled as the stream came for him, confused on how, why? His eyes wide with fear. He opened his fists and tried to counter-attack.

No use, instead the flame got bigger and hotter doused the man, immediately burning him.

Screaming rang through the air, the young man made a short walk with his long legs, every movement made the flame burn brighter.

Silver couldn't take it, focused internally and directed a stream of icicles like blade at the young man.

The icicles struck the young man on his back instantly making him lose concentration as the flames extinguished, and the man curled into a ball in pain.

Removing the icicles blade, turned his eyes narrowing angrily, his voice hardening as he spoke "who did this?

… Silence.

He moved to a water sign, Pisces who having a chance to bolt would have but couldn't. "Does this belong to you? Eyes piercing hard like pinpricks.

"Nn..n…oo. stammered the Pisces, fear coiling and twisting in his stomach, though he knew not this man's zodiac sign and skills.

The stream of water blast the Pisces so hard he stumbled backward, his head hurt as if being filled with straw.

He felt someone invade his though and his eyes widened in alarm. There was a telepathy user here and that was not favorable.

He looked at the young man who cocked his head looking at him, it wasn't him. From out of his side view he saw a beautiful girl step out of the crowd.

Her red intricately woven flute twirled in her slender hands, her bosom giggling in the tight dress. Moving to the young man she called.

"Wok! That isn't fair. Sulking she smacked his side lightly and scolded "couldn't you have waited a tiny bit for poor Vixen to join in the fun?

Ugh! The young man pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, he had thought he had lost her in the crowd. But alas didn't.

Smiling, she turned to the drenched Pisces and hooted

"Poor you, did brother soil your clothes? Don't worry I will tell him the answer. Run along and be a good boy now, vixen won't help you next time.

The Pisces looked left and right before starting to smooth his clothes, strode furious from the place. He wasn't a boy!

"Now that you let the man leave, find out who struck me with these. Wok said through gritted teeth.

Uhun. Making a brisk walk towards the three who stood there she pointed to the girl "she!

Silver raised an arch of her perfect drawn eyebrow and gave the girl a questioning glare.

"Stop pointing those twig like hands on my face and make a proper research. Snapped Silver.

Wok strode forward, you are one hell of a busybody, are you? I will make sure you regret this and this… He pointed to her icicles are nonsense.

Saying that he looked down to see it gone. Where did...? Vixen?

"It's cute, brother, so cute. Holding Silver hands she dropped the icicles and making a sweet face "could I get a flute out of it? Just one?

Huh? Wok huffed, snatching the blade but restricted by Silver who collected back her sword, smiled at the girl and out of her hands she turned the blade into a flute.

Vixen squealed, collected the flute, kissed it she put it to her lips and played.

Wok stared at his nut of a sister, hands crossed on his chest glared hard at the three with the red head looking quite different.

He wasn't a commoner.

"I presume you all have found your partners, came the voice, but before we start, please stand in the circle where you would be teleported to the destination.

Vixen turned to Silver "Can we join your team, I and my brother? It would be a pleasure.

"We are not, came in the sharp voice of Wok. Vixen control your blabbermouth would you?

Ugh, come on, it would be following the rules' brother, we would rather not be disqualified. She coaxed.

UN came the muffled voice of Wok, we still have a deal to settle, Silver, is it?

Smiling broadly now, Vixen affirmed Silver she is or would we call her "blade icicles?