Tavaline Academy Vol.1; The Uprising of a Heroine

II

Kora brandished her sword with a flourish.

The goal of the first segment was to survive as long as you could. She guessed that once a reasonable amount of potential students were wiped out, they would then move to the next segment of the test.

She needn't worry about the other test partakers since of the rules that were announced, but one couldn't be too cautious. Who knew if there would be someone who was foolish enough to disregard these rules?

Kora glanced at her sword, swinging it skillfully to get a feel for it. She hasn't used this sword in a while.

This sword was personally crafted by her mother. She had given it to Kora for her 13th birthday, and specifically told her to take special care of it once she brought it to Tavaline.

Kora decided to use it as her main sword.

It was a beautifully crafted longsword, with the words 'Το αίμα της διαθήκης είναι παχύτερο από το νερό της μήτρας'** etched onto its side. The hilt was an elegant ivory, with carvings of lilac flowers dragging around the start of the blade, twisting around it like some sort of vine.

The blade was made of a shiny, clear metal, and it was slightly purple under the sun, gleaming sharply.

Sheathing it, Kora looked forward. She couldn't hear any creatures in the trees.

Kora moved her fingers forward.

"Bolt Print, Third Configuration."

Her murmur was soft and quiet.

Suddenly a crackle of lightning spread through her figure and she dissapeared.

Emerald eyes gleamed in the dark. They narrowed, but relaxed once more. A light of interest shone in those forest-colored eyes.

¿

Kora was swift, moving like a hurricane. Wherever she went a long draft of wind came with her, spooking her fellow test partakers as she drifted past them.

Sooner or later the spell she had cast wore off. She was once again in a red forest clearing, not looking tired at all. It was as if she hadn't traveled 5 miles in the short time of fifteen seconds.

This time, she wasn't alone.

A few seconds after her spell wore off a beast roared in the vicinity. Kora unsheathed her sword and moved nimbly. She didn't want to be caught off guard later, it was better to chase off any future dangers that were in her reach.

Her animalistic instincts kicked in, her blood pumping with excitement as she neared the 12 feet tall beast. It was standing upright, dripping like a candle wick. Its very presence was blazing. Fire seemed to drip off it, like hot liquid with fiery flames.

"Gale Shift, first configuration."

Kora jumped swiftly, her sword in hand as she emanated a soft, green glow. Her movements were quickened, almost inhumane.

The beast turned its plump head to see Kora's sudden figure. It raised its hand in time to catch Kora's attack. The sword pierced through its tough skin.

It let out a yowl of pain, as Kora hung onto her sword, completely unaffected by the beast and it's natural affinity. Her strawberry blonde hair came undone from its tie.

"Ma kutsun relva." came Kora's soft hiss.

A dagger formed in front of her, glowing with a blue aura.