51: Day One

Ayuna dashed and swung her right leg, sending Minerva off through the walls of the nearest house after she protected herself with a water sphere. The debris flew everywhere as she let out a giggle. "Oh Lady Minerva, you survived~!" She clasped her hands, her gaze meeting Minerva's, who just stood up inside the house.

"You should know I don't like being addressed with 'Lady', Polymorph." she sneered, releasing a giggle of her own.

The former raised a brow. "Oh? And here I thought I'd give you a quick death." She cracked her knuckles, walking forward. "Alas, I forgot that I love battering STRONG PEOPLE!" She dashed forward, thrusting her fist and sending Minerva off through two more houses, the latter forming another water sphere before she attacked.

Minerva puffed. Had I not been anticipating this whole time, both my bones and organs would've been crushed by the sheer impact!

Alas, she wasn't given a rest for she was thrown around with her water sphere here and there like she was some ball. They were no longer in sight of the mountain of bodies, going through houses, vacant or not.

They stopped by a thick wall, Ayuna instead punched the sphere repeatedly, her widened grin and eyes disconnected from any sanity.

Minerva struggled as the former managed to sink her sphere deeper as if she was going to bury her. This is exactly like what Acheron did to me. A meek smile formed from her mouth. I know exactly what to do!

She transformed to water as Ayuna thrusted her fist again, the latter turned around with a knowing smile, her right hand grabbing Minerva by the neck as she resurfaced. "You think that's going to work against me? I've seen you use it before."

She threw Minerva across the street like a small and weightless object, the latter regaining control amidst the chaos and landing on her two feet. She knitted her brows, glancing left. I hope those guys ran away, because it's my turn!

Submerging to water again, she floated away as fast as she could. Ayuna stood still, amazed. "Oh, the Second Undefeated turn tails just like that. Am I that strong?" A pleasant sigh escaped her mouth. "But, I can't let you go now." bracing herself, she sprinted as fast as a leopard.

Her feet grinded the roads, forcing off its distinct bricks. Her gaze shifted left and right, uncertain. To split up like this and keep precise control as water.. You're something else, Ms. Minerva! That said, which side do I chase!?

.

Men and women with dark armbands stood frozen, their eyes wide and jaws dropped, they all looked at one thing–a big blackboard in-between more which were filled with chalked texts: Silver, Crimson Girl, and One Shot among ninety-seven other names. Right before said board stood Sanguinex and the One Shot, the latter's mouth curved to a smug.

What was it all about? Beside their names were a dash and a number: Silver – 174, Crimson Girl – 132, One Shot – 97.

"That One Shot girl joined just a few days ago.. How could she have this many confirmed kills!?" asked a man who was one of them, confused.

"Yeah! Not even the fourth highest stands close!" A man beside him added.

The One Shot turned around, giggling. "Oh, maybe I just love killing impurities when given the chance, not just when I accept missions~"

The first man from earlier sighed and shrugged in resignation. "I guess so."

"Crimson-senpai," the One Shot turned to her, "would you enlighten me by telling how Silver's like? Well, where is Silver anyways?" her curiosity was obvious as much as her awe to his record.

"The guy's scary," said the first man, "first time I saw him, I thought my eyes would get plucked off."

The man beside nodded. "Guy's not much of a talker, we know nothing of him besides his pretty face and skills.. I'm pretty sure the women here have a similar view."

"I see.." She clasped her hands behind. "Well then, I'll check if there's any other free missions for me."

"Hey! Leave some for us, would 'ya!? We'll be penniless by the end of the month." The men laughed, echoing throughout which briefly grabbed the attention of some.

.

"A measly little chestplate is all they give to us students," Keahi sneered, "while I doubt I need it, those beneath me might need full gear!"

The five students behind him tagged in silence, allowing him to ramble as much as he wanted. At last, he shut his mouth, halting as well.

Keahi turned around and gestured to their right. They caught on to his message and carefully drew their weapons–three arming swords and two muskets. Keahi pulled out his dagger, taking a quick peek beyond the corner.

His eyes widened for before him stood a rugged-clothed man who swung his arming sword at his face.

The former ducked and forced a step back, throwing his dagger right at the man's stomach. Behind said man were a swarm of even more, carrying similar weapons. "PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" yelled Keahi, who pulled the dagger out and kicked the man on the ground.

His team revealed themselves: two female musketeers; the left was black-haired that spanned to her shoulder, the right was identical, physique and looks-wise, though her hair was longer and tied to a ponytail.

Three male swordsmen; the left was the tallest, his cashew brown hair being the shortest and most neat out of the three, the middle was the shortest, his blonde hair as long as the first musketeer's, and the right stood in-between height-wise, bald.

"Hanna!" said the left musketeer, her glance meeting the right who nodded. The two cocked their muskets and aimed straight. "GRAN CANNON!" the two exclaimed in unison, a violent surge of fire escaping their barrels as soon as they pulled the trigger.

Mage bandits stood upfront, conjuring water spells to null the huge fire, yet they were overrun and absorbed by its sheer power. By its disappearance, all that was left were toasted and unrecognizable bodies. The guys of the team turned to the two, smiles planted in their faces.

"What a spell.. Good job, Hanna, Euna." said Keahi, pride leaking from his voice. It seems like I have some powerful subordinates.

The blonde guy walked to the nearest body, eyeing it with intent. "We just have to grab whatever valuables they've got and send it back to the academy, right?"

The question caught Keahi's attention, who turned around and nodded. "That's right, it serves as our kill count. The higher we have, the higher our exam scores end up." He glanced at everyone. "Therefore, all of you must do your best to exterminate as many bandits as possible."

They all nodded without any complaints, on-board with his intent.

.

The sky was as grey as stone, the cracks of roads as white as snow, standing high were three students and a plethora of bandits, both their intentions just as low as their fallen comrades, who we don't know.

The bandits surrounded the three students, their eyes deprived of life, their bodies as wet as sponge, and their breaths as brief as blinking: they were two guys and one girl, their backs pressed against each other.

"Anna.." said their black-haired teammate, panting. "Me and Bryan will make an opening.. You run for it when we do–"

"Shut up! I'm not leaving both of you here!" Anna protested, wide-eyed and just as exhausted.

"Our team can't be annihilated, Anna! You're the most agile here, therefore you have to be the one that survives!" Bryan argued, turning to the black-haired. "George, are you ready?"

George nodded. "There's no time to be always ready anyway.. Remember that, Anna–you have to go, even if you're not ready."

Although silent, Anna gulped and feverishly nodded, her hands trembling. "I.. I got it."

"Are you three finished with your chit-chat? We'll be killing you guys off if so!" Upon the dash of the bandit, the rest followed and yelled their battle cries.

"NOW!" George announced, aiming in one direction with Bryan. "GRAN RADIUS LUCIS!!" they exclaimed, wiping off a wide line of bandits. Anna sprinted down the gap with all her might, tears escaping her eyes.

"KEEP RUNNING, DON'T LOOK BACK! I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU DO!!" yelled Bryan before the gap was closed, a detachment splitting and chasing Anna.

Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT! WHY DID THIS HAVE TO BE OUR FINAL EXAM!? Her heart pounded and lips trembled in horror and anger, images of the three with their other fallen comrades roaming around the streets, their smiles as joyful as their friendships. Curse you, Director! Curse you, professors! She turned a sharp left to an alleyway, still tailed by a line of bandits as she glanced behind. But even so, I have to return to the academy.. For their sake!

At long last, she escaped the alleyway to a wider road, bumping into a girl of the same uniform, alarming everyone else who drew their weapons. She looked up at them as she stood up, her nose and cheeks flushed, marked by dry tears. "P–P–Please help me! Th–There's bandits chasing me!" she cried. The team looked straight and spotted the bandits getting closer from the narrow alleyway.

A black-haired man stood in front, his sky blue eyes staring them down. "Leave it to me." he extended his arms. "Mound this aperture in the name of Bravo." his hands glowed yellow for a brief moment. The front bandits sprinted faster with a yell, a loud thump erupting as they hit what seemed to be an invisible barrier, rendering them unconscious. The bandits behind halted and withdrew.

The black-haired turned around. "What's your name and year?"

Anna gulped, her hands still trembling as much as her mouth. "I–I.. An–na.. 4–2.." Her tremulous voice managed to utter.

"Bravo. Felis Bravo, 6-1." He stepped closer, extending his hand. "We'll get you back to the academy safely, do you trust us?" his demeanor was composed as much as it radiated command all throughout. His eyes, sharp, yet not a hint of malice within, his frown evident, yet not a hint of anger within.

Anna could only say what made sense to her. "..Yes.."

"Good. Let's go, team."