Chapter-17

After the death of the Chief, the villagers held a ritual for his soul and others who have lost their lives in war. I helped to dig the grave for those dead bodies and even for rival parties. Also, I prayed for their souls. It took me more than fives days to finished. Marina's mother was having a hard time but she quickly acknowledges the death of her husband and accept her fate. When everything was finished and maintained, Marina was chosen as the next village Chief. Marina accepts her duties and responsibilities promising her people a peaceful life and always look after the village-like her father did. Marina's mother was standing beside her and supporting Marina like she always did to her husband. It was both a sorrowful and joyful day for everyone in the village. And It was already time for me to depart from the sunny village. The time I spend here was both sweet and bitter. Before leaving I had my last dinner with Marina Family. 

"I will be leaving tomorrow" 

"You are leaving?" They stopped eating.

"Yes, I am thankful for your kind hospitality toward me. I would like to spend my time here for some more days but I have to return"

The room was filled with silence. They didn't say anything for a while and Marina's mother broke the silence.   

"I understand, you might have your task to do. I hope you can visit us in the future too" She smiled. 

"Thank you for understanding" I smiled back at her and look at Marina. She didn't say anything or even take a glance over me. She hurriedly finished her dinner and went out. Daisy run over my lap and started crying. She didn't let me go until I gave her a small twinkling ball as a gift. Daisy smiled and kept it in her pocket as a precious gift. The other small boys also cried and asked me to promise to visit them in the future. And the dinner night spends like that. Before returning to my room, I searched for Marina but I couldn't find her anywhere. I wanted to thank her and say goodbye properly. But at last, I give up and return to my room. I started preparing to leave tomorrow morning. In the night I couldn't sleep even for a while and it was already 4 am. I heard a knock on the door and I opened it. Marina was standing there. I invited her inside but she refused. 

 "Have a safe journey" She handed me over the necklace she usually wears and left at once. The necklace was in the lengthy black thick thread attached of a small size beast tooth in the simplest design. The necklace refers to her. I left the village at 6 am. Everyone was there to bid me farewell but I couldn't find Marina in the crowd. 

John left the sunny village and Marina who was standing on the hill was watching him leaving. The tears fall from her eyes and she stared at the necklace John had worn during the feast and his stay. "Goodbye," Marina whisper and kissed the necklace. She couldn't hold herself anymore and she cried out like a child. She knows it's already too late but she won't be able to forget John. Marina was already in love with John. 

After traveling for days I finally reached the city. I needed to fresh up before entering the Academy. So, I checked in the nearby hotel from the academy. After taking a good warm shower, I believed I have reached heaven. I lay down on the bed and recall everything that happens in the past three months. It was a crazy and unpredictable event. I thought it will be hard to spend three months but in the blink of eyes, three months was already ended. For the last time, I looked over my progress screen. Everything was the same as before nothing improved. But at least I was satisfied since my star level and others had increased than my first time. I won't be laughing stock anymore. I want to see their facial expressions in re-test who have bullied me. "This is the only beginning" I murmured and fall asleep. 

The sleep was sweet and relaxing. I woke up being fresh and changed my clothes in a plain white shirt and black jeans. I attached the academy badge on the shirt and check out from the hotel. I walked toward the gate of the Academy. Before I didn't notice the main gate of the academy but it was huge painted in gold color with the symbol of royals and similar as a badge. Seven security guards were standing outside of the gate and checking on every student. The number of students was lined up outside the gate. Everyone was sent inside after checking their badges and registered number. And soon it was my turn. They checked my registered number and the badge, then only did they let me in. 

I was back at a similar lavish hall, The Crystal Pillar. But the atmosphere in the hall was changed into more anxiety than before. The students in the hall were chattering and discussing how they spend their three months of tests. How they saved someone or how they increase their star level or how they encountered some masters and so on. When I enter the hall, everyone's gaze was over me. They changed their topic to me. They started laughing and mocking and watch me like I am some part of the circus. I didn't mind their gaze or mockery, I already know my report and it's better than anyone in the hall. 

"Welcome back students. I hope a three-month test can accept you as an official student of The Royal Academy," instructor Daniel walked on the stage. 

"We will soon start the Crystal Pillar Test Again. Come over here after hearing your name"

Beto Perez's name was called first. He walked toward the Crystal Pillar proudly, showing how great he is. Looking down to others. Ah, what a clown I thought. After waiting for hours finally it's my turn. I walked toward the Crystal pillar and I was thinking why no one has pulled my leg until now. And Beto showed up. 

"Hahaha what trash can do? You should not return to the academy. You should go back to your house and cry like a baby" Everyone laughed with Beto.

Here goes the bark of a madman I thought and ignored whatever Bento was saying. I touched the Crystal Pillar. I felt the same energy and sensation when I touched it for the first time. The burning feeling on my palm and the hotness filled inside me but there was something new flowing inside me. I sense the spreading of freezing coldness inside me trying to collaborate with the burning fire. The pain I start feeling was familiar. It was being difficult for my body to control it. At that time I thought, l will train my body until it won't be able to feel any kind of pain. The pillar glows up radiantly and reached the two-level of the star. I quickly removed my hand from the Crystal Pillar and look at everyone's face. Their expression was a feast for my eyes. There was a surprising expression in everyone. More than a surprise, they were shocked. I wanted to laugh but I put on my gentle and cool attitude. I walked down of the stage and waited to end the test. At the end of the test Instructor, Daniel told us to wait for the result and he added, "the one who passed will join the Academy from tomorrow and failed ones will return home." 

Everyone in the hall was speechless. They keep thinking if it's reality or dream. Even though there was different thought about John in everyone mind but there was a similar question going among between them "how did John increase his star level in short time?". The news about John's drastic improvement spread all over the city like air. 

Soon, they published the result and I was passed with the third-highest mark. I was stunned to see my result. I knew I would pass but didn't visualize passing with the highest mark. First was the Male lead, Seth Collins and the second was Ariana Smith, daughter of Summer Clan. I heard Seth was the only one to raise the level four-star. Well, what can we expect from the male lead?. I heavily signed and continue looking over the result. Only a hundred students were passed from that numerous students. Bento was also passed but with the lowest rank. " hmm, I still have to repay Beto" I grinned. I walked outside of the hall and phoned Mike. "Mike I have returned." 

Mike came over to meet like a storm. He congrats me for passing the exam and he was about to cry. He was happier than me. I chuckle and patted his back. I took him for the dinner and said I will be living in the academy dorm. At first, Mike was not accepting but he remembers the condition of the Great Red Dragon Clan family and nodded his head. I won't be able to meet mike for a while I thought since bodyguards aren't allowed in the academy dorm.