Riding with fate

chapter 3

Carl materialized in the forest behind a tree where he could watch Amber and Ivy. His focus was mainly on Ivy. The more he saw her face, the more his heart skipped bits and his body trembled.
He stood there watching the two fight the half snake half human.
"You'll meet her again. All you have to do is be patient " a voice ran in his head. He was almost taking a step forward when a hand grabbed his shoulder pinning him to the tree
"It can't be her, that's a guy " said Lens.
Carl drew in a deep breath and slowly his trembling stopped.

*****
Amber and Ivy fought together until they defeated the snake.
"Yah" both said as they fist bumped.
Once the creature died, a path was revealed to them. They followed the path and ended up in the academy hall where they found some other  examination takers.
"Here, for your wounds"said a guard on the door handing each a medicine box and motioned for them to enter.
"I'll take a nap, am tired from all the fighting" said Amber as she sat in a corner.  She looked up through her closing lashes when she got no reply.
"What's disturbing you"she said tiredly.
"When we were fighting, I felt someone watching us and the aura felt so familiar" said Ivy.
"You must be tired, or it is the forest effect. Get some rest."said Amber closing her eyes.

Soon, all examination takers were back. Some were badly injured and being carried by their fellows.
A drum was struck to capture all their attention. A teacher from the academy came forward and lit some candle. A weird smoke was produced and it materialized into a projection of all of the names of the examination takers, their marks in every task, totals and their positions .
"If you are below the total of 250, you are requested to try again next year."said the teacher.
Amber and Ivy were among the top  five.
"If you have passed, you are requested to come back tomorrow with all your belongings, late coming is punishable" said the teacher.