EXCEL -Volume 1: The Beginning-

🔹Chapter 5: The Echoes Call🔹

"Say, do you believe in fairytales?" Alpha questions as she flips the magazine. Ylona stared at the woman before her and returned to the book she was reading. "A bit childish for a question?"

"I say too stupid. We already have magic how much more for fairytales?"

Alpha couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed, the girl never fails to amaze her. 

Soon after their long conversation, Ylona took her leave.

"You sure love irritating the young miss, don't you?"

"It's not like she's affected by it. It's also fun."

"Sounds like you're the only one having fun." Marie placed the stack of papers on the table inside a small box. "She sure is taking long."

"I expect it, considering the state of that place, I predict she would be gone for at least 2 weeks." Alpha signed the paper and moved to another one. Marie excused herself to deliver the box to the finance and left. "Whatever it was the one we were looking for, I hope she will find something."

Alpha put down the pen and rested her chin on her palm. Seconds later, her eye glowed in bright gold and numerous projections appeared before her. Marie, who had just come in after the delivery, went towards the principal and together, they observed the contents of the screens.

"Just a little more..."

- - - - - - - -

The third day of the examination started and everyone was asked to place a circle-shaped device on their chest.

"This chest piece serves as the indication that you are still on the test. The third examination is all about elimination, I highly predict this was the part everyone is looking forward to. The rules are simple, eliminate your opponent's device, and they are declared disqualified, very easy. The time limit of this test is 2 hours. After the timer ends, only those with the device shall move to the next challenge. This time, everyone will be at the same location for the sole purpose of elimination. There are no limits to what you will do except to kill. Injuries are valid for this test but death is not."

74 students remain in the test. As soon as Alpha finished the discussion, she placed her hand in front as her eyes glowed in bright gold. The ground began shaking uncontrollably and soon after, the scenario in front of everyone changed from the school stadium to what seemed like an abandoned island. Everyone was scattered across the island per Alpha's enchantment.

A big timer appears on top of the island, counting down 2 hours before the test ends.

"Good luck everyone and may the best remain." Then disappeared from the scenario. Just as Ylona looks to her left, a big explosion emerges on the opposite side of the island.

Kiarra who was on the other side of the island, immediately made her move. From left, then right, and another right, then left again, Kiarra was able to find her first opponent, an ice-caster mage. Kiarra prepares to defend as the caster moves quickly in her direction. The caster raised his hands, unleashing a blue flame and throwing it at Kiarra. The attack caused an explosion to the ground, leaving Kiarra in the middle of a smoke.

As the opponent was about to go down, he instantly moved his head to the side, avoiding the arrow of blue flames. The smoke cleared and showed Kiarra firing the arrow.

"Not bad. I thought I was the only one who could use blue flame." he went down and instantly sprinted to Kiarra, his hand forming into shards of ice. "But I'm not done yet!"

The two opponents exchanged attacks and defense, moving quickly in every direction found. As soon as Kiarra found an opening, she charged her bow and three arrows appeared in her hand. She charges the arrow to her opponent but he unfortunately dodges it. However, Kiarra aimed to reach a different target. As her bows flew forward, it suddenly took a U-turn and charged back at her opponent.