Exam VIII

"Why do I have to be the only one who faints. - Alan said as he bent down to drink the water flowing cleanly over the stream. - Next time we shovel you'll be the one to pass out."

I ignored Alan's mutterings and concentrated on observing my surroundings. A habit I had picked up from this exam.

But before anything happened the only thing around was quiet and the sound of running water.

"Pretty quiet for a fifth day, - Alan said, getting back to his feet. - I guess that's what they call the calm before the storm."

After those words we set off again on a hike heading towards the center of Aute Mountain, the town of Dawnwinter.

Currently the sun was about to set and the orange color of the snow was reflecting slightly on the snow, coloring it with different variants of orange.

And just as Alan had said, we had not encountered a single person all day.

The only battle we had had was for food against a couple of rabbits, which we killed and cooked.

After that we had decided to set off for the center of Aute, looking for people along the way and in the end taking over the center where all the people would gather at the end of the exam, as far as I believe.

The walk went on for a few hours and by the time the lights of the town came into our view the sun had completely disappeared.

The darkness of night enveloped us and following the leftovers we slowly entered the town.

Alan had said that all residents had been evicted for the examination and that any damage would not be our responsibility, we soon arrived at the white tree located to the east where we stopped to take in the scenery.

"The east gate is the closest to the sunrise tree - will the Swords training building be our target? - Alan said, pointing to a large Japanese-designed building behind the centrally located tree, which I call the Dawn Tree. - Follow me."

I followed Alan's footsteps, who knew this place like the back of his hand and soon we arrived at the huge building.

-Haa...

Alan let out a heavy, tense breath as we approached a window from which light was escaping, a sign that just as we thought this place had already been occupied.

We slowly peeked our heads out and looked carefully inside the wooden building.

1, 2, 3... 10 people are the ones I managed to find in my scrutiny.

Each and every one of them involved in a fight in which it was not possible for me to distinguish sides and companions.

"Announcement. - A voice resounded from deep in the mountain, stopping the 9 people who were still alive. - The casualty count of 150 people has been reached. We wish luck to the remaining 50, we look forward to the five new DawnWinter Style members."

The echo of the voice slowly disappeared with time, which we used to run along the west side of the training ground until we reached a small water hole.

"This is it. - Alan said as he looked at the water hole. - I used to use it to escape from training. The only problem is..."

His words stopped as I moved my hand closer to the well and as if it were part of my body the deep cup of ice that covered it molded to my liking, revealing a deep pool of crystal clear water.

"Just swim a few feet down. -Alan positioned himself over the foot of the well, stowing his coats in his storage. - Then to the left until you see the light."

-Splash... -Splash.

The water splashed twice as we rushed into the well.

I swam through the cold, comforting icy water for a few minutes until I saw the light at the end, by this time air bubbles were already escaping from my mouth, a sign of how little time I could hold on underwater.

-Splash... Huaa! Haaa!

My Alan's breaths echoed as we stepped out into a small garden, where the water well was.

My body temperature was so low that I had to activate Ice Heart, Alan for his part had to put on both my sweater and his, all while lighting a fire in my hand near him.

A few minutes were enough for his body to allow him to move and we instantly moved into battle.

***

-Clang!

The sound of clanging metal echoed throughout the wooden walls inside a huge training hall.

8 boys were fighting each other dodging both attacks and the lifeless bodies of the victims they had accumulated.

A boy who looked to be about 17 years old raised his sword and swung it at his opponent, who responded by ducking and thrusting towards his stomach.

A sword blocked the enemy's advance and swung protectively over the 17-year-old boy, saving him.

The saved boy and the savior gave each other a smile and fixed their gaze on their opponent who was fleeing back to his team.

The escape of that boy seemed to have initiated a joint retreat and the 8 boys stopped fighting and rejoined their companions.

3.

2.

2.

1.

That was the number of people who joined in groups, except of course for the pink-haired boy who stood alone with his sword as a companion.

Not one person said anything, but everyone focused their gaze on the pink-haired boy.

"You have survived longer than I thought Ansiel. - Said the one who seemed to be the leader of the group formed by the 3 people. - But you won't make it any further than this."

The pink haired boy named Ansiel did not respond and instead raised a pink colored Aura about to leave the translucent.

But just before he moved an icy Aura blew across the field and in a shiver ran through everyone present, including him.

-Traaaka!

A rattling sound echoed, warning of an unknown presence, instantly everyone started to scan their surroundings, but they cut the act short when a light footstep reached their ears.

Their eyes only caught a lightning bolt running to their side and followed by a head flying through the air.

-Ziiiing~.

Before they understood the situation a golden light flashed and momentarily mowed them down, when they opened their eyes the flying head was already rolling on the ground and a pool of blood was generated underneath two lifeless bodies.

Still in shock all eyes fell on the two people responsible for this.

Which resumed their movement towards their enemies.

***

Comfort.

It was the feeling that flooded every part of my body at this moment.

My mana was moving like never before, my steps were light and my attacks heavy and accurate.

It was as if that icy water had awakened something in me, something I knew about but had never been able to use.

It was a phenomenon that was read in the encyclopedia of Mana.

And one that only those chosen by Mana could manifest.

The link.

-Thud.

A thud resounded as I punched the shoulder of one of the boys who tried to get in my way, sending him flying a few meters.

I instantly followed him and from the icy Aura protruding from my body a small ice bullet was generated.

The speed was high and it left a cut on the ribs of the boy, who groaned in pain.

He seemed to realize his mistake and tried desperately to attack me swinging his sword.

I responded by ducking, dodged the sword and spun around on my low axis and still looking back I lifted my leg in a kick to the boy's chin, dislocating his head, followed by that I pushed myself up with air and stabbed Rose in his heart.

I took a step back and removed Rose, then turned to Alan, who showed to be in good condition and turned my attention back to the five people who were still alive.

Especially on the boy with the deft swordplay who swung his lank pink hair with each attack.

He was Ansiel Graham.

A villain in the game who was allied with Adad at the end of the third year.

I hadn't expected to find him here, but it would be a lie to say it wasn't a pleasant surprise.

The fight I was having with another muscle boy looked like fun, but I still had a few things to do before I went.

My gaze was fixed on the two guys who separated and surrounded me.

The Aura around me grew icier and in one motion I unsheathed Rose, which I moved premeditatedly towards one of the boys.

His sword was thrust to the left just after blocking mine and conjuring ice on my feet I spun around on my axis.

My sword swerved quickly, but was blocked by the other boy, who backed up a few steps from the momentum.

I didn't stop and followed the first boy, who still destabilized tried to conjure a fireball, but I directed it to the ground conjuring air.

Surprise spread across his face when he saw my way of using mana, something that in our ranks could only be done by a Mage, he opened his mouth and tried to warn me.

But before he could do it, I used air and generated lightning in my foot, which I used with a kick as soon as I entered the boy's attack range.

-Gafhu.

My kick expelled all the air from his lungs and made him kneel down in pain, his eyes trembled, fearful of his fate.

"Giaarr"

-Spurt.

A swift and swift cut went through his head, it continued to advance thanks to Rose's edge until it split it in half and only stopped when I swung it at the other boy, mid-attack I ducked and spun, cutting his right foot.

-THUD -Spurt.

His cry of pain choked in his mouth as my sword pierced him mercilessly and casually.

Almost like a programmed robot I conjured a rag from my storage and wiped Rose's pure white blade clean.

Meanwhile I fixed my gaze on Ansiel, who had a clear advantage against his opponent, the muscular boy who was full of cuts and wounds especially the conspicuous lack of left arm.

A pink Aura filled Ansiel curved sword, who like a soundless bullet moved and cut with a long swing towards the boy, who could only watch as the cause of his death approached imminently and without pause.

While this was happening I began to walk calmly towards them, still cleaning my dear Rose.

-Spurt.

A spurt of blood came from the headless body and where the blood formed Ansiel knelt down with heavy, tired breathing.

-Tap -Tap.

My footsteps echoed in the silent field, which contained only three living people.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Alan approached, staring in disgust at the lifeless bodies.

Finally my footsteps stopped in front of Ansiel who tried to stand up and grab his sword.

But he stopped as ice formed into chains over his hands and feet.

My eyes met Ansiel's pink ones that once sparkled like a gem, now losing their luster from exhaustion.

"You have two choices. - I said as I ran Rose's blade over her neck. - Either you join us... Or you die."

-Tap -Tap.

As Alan and I waited for her response the heavy sound of footsteps echoed outside the training ground.

"I..."

** ** **

Tomorrow the images will be published.

I was just waiting for the introduction of new characters.

Thanks for reading~.