BOOK 1 - Destiny (Shonen Anime Style)

Chapter 9: Guardian Type

The arena went silent. Everyone present; spectators, applicants, and even Ikora were shocked and without words for what had just happened. Ravi and Leah really managed to defeat Derek. Both of them were totally exhausted and with their clothes torn apart, but they did it nonetheless, or so it seemed.

In any case, everyone shouted in emotion. Almost as if they had just witnessed the most amazing match in the century. And of course, the applicants couldn't have been more happy than they were at that moment.

"THEY DID IT! YEAH!" One of them said.

"AMAZING!" Another one claimed.

Parallelly, Ikora felt even more curious about both Ravi and Leah. However, this last one didn't really have time to worry about the other's excitement given that she was holding tightly an unconscious Ravi.

"Ravi! RAVI!" she screamed with concern and teary eyes as Ravi's body was so hot that it was even burning her as well, though she didn't really care. "Please... please wake up! It's over now! We won!"

"YOU HAVEN'T WON AT ALL!" Someone yelled from among the rubble that Leah's attack caused.

"No, it can't be"

That's right... Everyone went silent again and watched in disbelief as none other than Derek himself was standing up with anger once again. He was very injured and had blood falling down from his forehead, but could still fight despite of all that.

"You 2... sure are tough" the bully muttered in a menacing tone. "To think a pair of weaklings would damage me this much. I can't allow that... you hear me!? I WON'T ALLOW IT!" he finally shouted while rushing to attack Leah and Ravi once more.

The young girl on the other hand, closed her eyes as she held Ravi even tighter in her arms. But then, Ikora stepped right in front of them mere moments before Derek could reach them.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" the bald woman yelled while crossing her arms.

"Ggh" Derek groaned as he stopped just before his punch reached Ikora.

"This exam is over"

"Huh? Of course not! Just because that girl said it, it doesn't mean they've won!"

"Really? And what if the rules say it?"

"The rules?" Derek asked, puzzled, only to then notice that both of his arm protectors were more than just cracked. "It... it can't be. When did these break?"

"I saw it. The right one broke when yours and Ravi's punches hit my barrier. And the left one broke when Leah's attack hit you directly"

"Tsk!"

"As I said, the exam is over. Or perhaps you wanna try punching me for real? You know what would've happened if your attack just now reached me, don't you?" Ikora was intimidating Derek. She must be really strong, because otherwise, there was no way that gorilla would even fear her. "It's time you fulfill your part of the bet. Now go ahead!"

Derek had to swallow his own pride, and as Ravi and Leah were being taken to the infirmary, he finally proceeded to announce the long-awaited results of the practical exam: everyone passed.

The applicants were euphoric after hearing this.

"OH YEAH!" One of them yelled with excitement.

"THIS IS GREAT! I'M FINALLY IN!" Another one added with tears of joy.

"JUST YOU WAIT MOM, I'LL HELP YOU AND MY WHOLE FAMILY FROM NOW ON!" The one who spoke to Ravi during the exam said.