Crystalline Cavern: The Brigaders

Chapter 10

Tyler

      I've realized that there's been some tension between everyone in the group this past couple of days. Ever since the awkward encounter between Nicole and Andy, things have been a little quiet between them. Now Rose looks a little flustered, the same goes for Violet and Ruby.

      I talked to Forest the other day, and he told me a few things that happened between him and Violet. Apparently, he's starting to fall for her, but not completely since he still has strong feelings for Alina. I can't believe that all of these things are happening between everyone. Especially now when TNT is right around the corner, not to mention some of our birthdays are coming up. My sixteenth birthday is a few months after Dark's. I'm actually the second oldest right after Dark, whose birthday is December twenty-sixth. Forest's birthday is a month before Dark's being on November fourteenth while mine is April sixteenth. The girls are all younger than us by up to three months, like how Rose's birthday is May thirty-first, and then Violet on July eleventh, and Ruby twenty days after on July thirty-firstst. Aside from Dark, everyone was born the same year. Dark was born the year before so that means he might be the first out of all of us to find his Aura Núte.

      As I walked down the academy halls, I looked to my right to see Jane putting some books into Afterward. Afterwards, she slammed the door shut, and made her way towards the Training Facility. She looked both pumped and frustrated, something tells me she was caught between the tension as well. I wonder if she knows about what happened between Dark and Rose. Who knows?

      I decided to follow her and made my way into the TF as well. I just wanna make sure she's ok. Maybe I could even train with her if she lets me. I saw Ruby go into her neon form, watching the way her fiery red hair and illuminated light red eyes glistened in the light. Her red eyes don't seem scary or creepy as one might think, they compliment her nicely actually. She started practicing some defensive moves with her katana. I could tell she was fired up and ready to take on TNT. I guess she's alright so I might as well leave her be. I walked out of the Training Facility when I spotted Andy drinking some water at the nearby water fountain along with Kai. Maybe one of the girls have tell them about what's been going with them recently. I approached.

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Andy

      I was walking with Forest and I just happen to notice Ocean standing next to the entrance into the Training Facility. I decided to get a drink of water before making way towards. I guess I didn't have to as I saw him approaching out of the corner of my eye. Kai spoke first. "Hey Tyler, everything okay?" Kai spoke to him while raising his brow. "I actually wanted to ask you guys something." I wiped the water away from my chin and lips before responding. "What is it?"
"Do either of you know by any chance know as to why the girls have been acting so strangely lately?" I let out a puff of air and looked at Kai. He was giving off a similar expression. "It might have to do with the fact that TNT is only a couple of months away. They usually act like this around this time." He rolled his eyes and took a step forward. "I meant besides that. Like they've been acting like someone is about to come from behind and slit their throats." Kai spoke up. "I did notice that they were a bit on edge but it's nothing different as to how they usually act during TNT season. Although, Nicole was murdering her food the other day."

      Tyler took a step back and leaned against the wall. "Which means neither of you have valid reason other than the tournament then. I guess I'll just leave it at that for now." Kai perked up stood taller. "Good call! I guess I should be training too, with this month's Rank Rage coming up and all. I'm planning on crushing everything!" I crossed my arms and leaned on my side. "Please, I'm de-ranking you this month, Forest." Tyler just laughed and looked at him dead in the eye. "What about your actual education?"

      "What do you mean?"

      "I'm sure that you've studied for the English test we have tomorrow."

      "Crap! I completely forgot!" I looked at him in surprise. "How could you forget? The TI kept repeating it in class for like a week now."

      "Well, let's just say I've been a bit distracted. What was the test about again?" Weird. That's very unlike him. "It was about the possible vocabulary words that could be on our Cirisse Exams. He plans on reading the words out loud and then he wants us to write the definition next to it. He even sent a review through email."

      The Cirisse Exams tests us on our aptitudes and senses regarding our mental and physical knowledge. At least that's how my TI likes to put it. They test us on our basic education and gives us example scenarios we could come across during professional missions, including special situations if we get selected to go to the surface. Depending on how we do on this test also determines if we qualify for level 10 and access to the surface. There's also a physical portion of the test, similar to a Leveling Course. It's considered to be the most important part of the test. This test is specifically for level 9 warriors of course, but we begin preparing the minute we start the Advanced Division of the academy. "I suggest you start studying unless you wanna be stuck underground forever." I just laugh as he looked at me with annoyance. "Whatever! I'll just study with Eliza like I always do. She always seems ready to help me." He then stood there in slight shock and his cheeks turned slightly pink. "Now that you know she has a thing for you, you know why she does it."

      "I guess..." There was a bit of an awkward silence until Tyler spoke up. "Why don't you ask Violet to help you study now?"

      "After all that's happened I just feel nervous now just to ask her if she could help me study." I let a small chuckle escape my mouth and turned to him. "Why? You guys study together all the time."

      "Yeah but still, it's a bit awkward now."

      "Just text her. I'm sure she's in her dorm studying right now. Don't worry about it." He looked towards the ground and sighed. "Alright then, I'll go and see her now. See ya guys later." Me and Tyler said goodbye and watched him go towards the girl's dorm building while typing something on his phone, probably texting Eliza. "What an idiot." Tyler looked at me in confusion. "What? Why?"

      "Because he doesn't wanna admit that he really has feelings for her. I mean the poor guy's known her for years. He's only gonna end up hurting her if he keeps leading her on like this."

      "Although that may be true, I don't think he'd actually hurt her. He just needs to realize that they could be closer than he thinks." We all know that Eliza has feelings for Kai. What we don't know is if he likes her back. You be careful Forest. Eliza is like a sister to me and if you do something to hurt her then I'll beat you to a pulp. I can guarantee that.