The afternoon of the time has passed and all of the candidates equally took their break within their rooms. Exhausted as they were, it was a complete success to finally manage their time while also saving their energy for the upcoming Triathlon event. With those time, getting a monitoring system for their field is needed for the sake of security and for the walls to make some obstructions accordingly. Since it is a large base function for a lot of viewers and audiences, they really need to extend the walls and the venue.
A few knights and some members of the scouting legion went on an expedition on the west. Seemingly capable of bringing in a few horses and some required weapons for their extended adventure. After configuring out the area and taking a quick overlook of the map, they eventually reached the farthest side of the location. Since most of them are equipped with armors, they are gradually fighting off the scorching heat of the dazzling sunlight.
Among the peers were a leader of the group and some other knights and guards who are evenly skilled with their offset of monitoring and revisions. They are heading towards the long road of a grassy field and eventually reaching the part where the ground is submerged with a few stones and sands. The color and the saturation turned into a grey color and the weather calmed down.
The blazing sunlight and the rays were eventually covered within the clouds, forming up a different shape than the usual. There is no news about a weather update nor any kind of specks of hints if it is going to rain. But still, the nature of the location began to turn into something that is gloomy and graved. But they didn't mind it, instead, they continued to go further down the west until they stumbled upon a weird dark forest.
"Hmm?" The leader and the other knights stopped on their tracks and hold their fort for the time being. It was silent and there were no other sounds other than the howling wind, expressing its chilly environment.
"What is this place?" One of the members of the knight asked as he goes over next to the leader.
"Are we still in the right direction?" The leader asked. One of the scouting legion members opened up his tab of the compass and the map to see where they are currently heading. The numbers were equally right and it doesn't seem like they went off the other direction.
"Yes, Sir. We are in the right direction. But I take it that this place is completely new to existence as there is no drawing of it in the map." He reported.
Weirded out by the location they stumbled in, they continued to go further with the cavalry. The fog was thickening to such a degree and the atmosphere dropped into the place. The hotness of the day began to dissipate as they felt the matching cold of a blank nature lurking within the place. Despite the eerie sound, they still ventured inside the dark forest.
"I haven't seen this place, did we literally just delve further?" Someone asked among the knights.
"Most probably, no one has seen this location before. That is why there was no indication of it on the map. We might be the first cavalry to ever stumble upon this weird place and I really have a bad feeling about this." The leader responded with his basic knowledge of the expedition.
Most of the adventurers would go downhill, but to think that there was no one in the central capital to actually discover this weird forest is pretty much an utter overkill of what they are expecting. It is crucial for the other adventurers and it is also dangerous for the civilians to know about this cryptic place that is filled with grievances and a depressing environment.
"Keep up your guards, I smell something... We should take the defensive form and get ready. This place is still unknown." He followed.
They continued to veer throughout the course but after a few intervals, nothing was happening. It just keeps on getting extended throughout the whole forest.
"This place, should we report it to the commander?" The second in line asked.
"I would rather investigate this one first before we jump into the department and tell them that we discovered a secret location that is hidden within the fog. I am not sure what to make of this but if they knew that something like this exists without any reassurance of its safety, it will be disastrous assembly. We should probably leave this to the higher commander and ask him to have a deeper execution of exploration." The leader responded.
Moments later, they all turned back to the direction they went in. Seemingly composed of the situation, while they were heading back with their horses, a reeking sound of the rustling leaves crouched among the place. The rear of the whole group managed to hear the sound of the bushes.
"Hey, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, it sounds like it came from there..." He pointed out the direction of where he heard the sound. Which is slightly on the right side.
Not paying any heed, they decided to continue. However, as they tried to reach back to the entrance of the whole forest, the audacity of the rustle began to grow and the sound of a lurking movement aggravates their composition.
"Keep your guards up! This might be an ambush!" The leader noticed the sound as well and they all drew their swords and spears from within the range of the sound. After that, they all started to compact each other with the defensive formation, trying to overlook and see where they are all coming from.
Seconds have passed and the fog that was hiding this forest momentarily dissipates into the thin air, giving a revelation to several human-like figures and shadows that were apparently making the sound in the leaves. Soon enough, the whole fog disappeared and their faces were finally revealed. Their body resembles a human but their faces and color are completely the opposite of the standard.
With its ugly and disfigured proportion, blood coming out of their heads, and scattered spurts of flesh wailing over their deadly eyes, there is no doubt of what it is... It is an undead type of monster raising from their graves.
A zombie.
"Zombie, huh. As expected of this gloomy place. It is been a while since I saw one." One knight has formed a stance.
The horde was finally packed and they were trapped within the circular formation of these zombies. The growling was directed over them and finally, they started to attack.
"Raise your weapons! We're going to engage them!" The leader empowered their position and they all started to cry with their mighty deep voice.
The zombies approached them and so did they. Using their weapons, they slashed a couple of this slow fellow and the others stabbed them using their spears. It is drawing blood all over the place and gradually covering their armors with the splatter. The blades that they were dwelling upon also stained some blood coming from the undead.
"Tsk! There are so many!"
"Don't stop, they will come here with a pack and will try to outnumber us!" The leader instructed.
About ten minutes have passed and another horde of zombies came up. It was an unstoppable feat between hope and despair. And as the horde grew larger, the more energy they need to use. They feel the tensing heaviness of their body alongside the constant flux of air getting out of their lungs. It was a race, nor a particular duel of stamina.
"There's no end to them!"
As they tried to conceal them all together, a few knights, as well as the other scouting members, had their luck culled by the hands of the undead. Spewing over their bodies, the zombies devoured most of them and it was unfathomable.
One knight tried to slash its head but it was so hard. There was something wrong with the difficulty of how they can kill these kinds of monsters. Realizing that he failed his slice, the zombie gauged upon him and immediately ate his face, leaving a deadly mark.
"What's happening? How did they get so strong?" Someone from the knight wondered but they were all out of options. There was no room for air and their legs are shaking up. It is only up to their adrenaline to finally put the show for its ending.
"We don't have a choice, we can't get out of here. We need someone to go back to base and report about this place." The leader said.
"I'll do it!" Among the other survivors were the only scouting member left. They all glanced at each other and nodded in agreement.
"I will leave it to you!" The leader responded.
"Yes, Sir!" He responded with a great might in his voice, still believing that they will make it out alive. He grabbed a horse from the entrance and started departing from the creepy forest.
"Let's finish this!" Still, with his unwavering motivation to keep up, the resiliency of these knights overcome their potential weakness and they all started to kill the zombies one by one even though some of them are overpowered.
Within the course of thirty minutes, all zombies are finally dead however, only three of them were left unscathed. It was one of the most tyrant battles. With an overwhelming intensity from their heart, they took the time to rest near the trees while also keeping up their formation. They start out the breathing strategy to conform themselves and calm their nerves.
"Wonderful..."
As they inevitably reached the ground, a woman's voice from a slight distance echoed on the entire place. A clapping sequence of sounds was also made as she reached the battle area.
"Who's there! Show yourself!" The leader called out to her.
"My my my... That was a wonderful show... You killed my babies and you even sorted out the rest of them. You are wonderful subjects to me... How strong..." She giggled in a weird and dark tone and they all started to make defensive formation once again.
The wave of air took out the rest of the plunging clouds and the woman who was talking finally revealed herself. She wears a long black dress that extends through the ground and she also carries a wooden staff from her right hand. Aside from this dark content, she also wears a hat with a design of linear tone, a touch of the color red. Her staff also carries a red gem that seems to float on the course of the indented shape.
Tipping her hat off, she showed her womanly figure and face. Her eyes are brimming with a red and violet compartment. She is like a devilish kind of nature and has a smile that contorts your perception. A disciple who is meant to rule an entire entity. Also known as witches who serve the demons. Their power is a constant wave of magic from three subsets.
"Y-You! Who are you!?" He screamed.
"Oh me? I am just a nobody..." She answered. "Oh please do not look at me like that... Fine, I will introduce myself... My name is Thalia Bloodworth. I am the Witch of Mirror Realm" She formally introduced herself.
"A witch?"
"Yes, and it seems like you have played with my babies or rather... You killed them, that's rude you know?" She exuded enjoyment from the way she talked.
"Don't mess with us! Why are you here?! Why did you summon a lot of undead!?" He asked.
"That's quite rude..." She glared.
Not thinking about listening, the two other knights began to overthrow their fatigue and started approaching her with their swords ready to swing. However, as they flail the blade, Thalia waved her hand in a second and the two were blasted by a strong intensity of the wind, making them flinch around the area and hitting the big tree. The leader stood out but he can't move his body.
"Y-You..." He muttered.
"What? I just punished them for not listening to me. You seem like the perceptive type, I like you. You decided to just stand there and watch all of your comrades die." She chuckled as she destroys him mentally.
"What's your plan? There's no way that a witch like you will be here! There has to be something wrong!" He rambled.
"Hmm? You think so?" She walked slowly over to the left side of the forest and stomped over the knights that were eaten by the zombies earlier.
"Hey, I will answer all of your questions, but first... I want to play a game!" She then brought up something elusive and unnecessary.
"A game?" The leader waved.
"Yes, the rules are simple. If you manage to overcome this without falling to the ground, I will tell you the reason why I am here and if you fall down, you will lose and I will take your soul. Is that clear?" She asked.
What is she thinking? Throwing up his pride as a knight, he clenched his fist, gritted his teeth, and responded.
"Fine!"
"Very well..." Thalia opened up a path near him and using her staff, she imbued a lot of mana. The red stone on her staff began to glow and display an illuminating particle.
"Conjurarmus..." She chanted a spell that is bestowed on a particular area of choice wherein it is a gravity type of magic that transpires pain and invokes a hex to anyone who drops on it or even steps on it.
After that, a wall of some kind made out of a streak of red and black lines dragged the leader's body downwards while also receiving pain.
"Now then, if you hold this off for one minute without dying, I will answer your question." She made a horrid look on her expression with her tone dropping out of hand.
"AGGHHH!" The leader screamed in pain as he tried to balance himself. The heaviness keeps on going and the pain keeps on swelling, however, with his determination, he managed to successfully reach one minute without getting himself falling to the ground.
"Oh my, you actually reached one minute. As expected! You were one of a kind to be a subject!" She raised her arms upward and enjoyed the view of the exhausted knight.
"Y-You scoundrel! I played your games! Answer my question!" He then started to scorn her.
"Alright alright, calm down..." Thalia smiled. "The reason why I am here is that... I wanted to go to that place. I heard that everyone there is young and they are filled with such delicious blood and pure souls!" She answered.
"The academy? No way! I won't let you go over there! What are you planning?"
"Go over there? Nonsense! Even if my presence is not there, I already sent someone disguised as your kind but in reality, it was undead. Like I told you before, I am the Witch of the Mirror realm. I made that puppet to secure the cursed book and bring it to the mirror dimension. Now, do you understand what will happen if that cursed book were to activate?" She asked.
After a second interval, he finally realized what she was talking about.
"No way! You are planning to call the zombies on the academy!" He shouted.
"Ding ding! Very good answer. As expected, you are very perceptive. And using that mirror dimension, I will transcend over to that place and rule it. And like I said, I want their juicy blood and soul! But I'm also looking for someone who has a high affinity for magic... Hahahahahahahaha!" She chortled.
"Tsk! Damn it!"
"Those drops of blood, with that amount... I can finally call upon my Lord, the demon who once perished will now be resurrected within my hands. Oh, how lovely! I really love it! I really really really really love it!" She laughed like a maniac.
"A demon lord?"
"Yesssss and once again, I want to see how this world of a paradise turns into hell. I will kill every single one of those young people and offer them their souls and mana to my Lord! Just thinking about it makes me excited!" She followed.
"You snake, you don't know how capable they are! You won't stand a chance!"
"Oh, you think so?"
"Yeah, and that's because you gave me some time to recover, I will stop you here right now before you even reach the academy! AAAAAAA!!!" Setting up the timing, he procured a sword from the ground and started approaching her with his might.
However, as soon as he gets closer to her, Thalia opened up a hole in his abdomen, destroying his bowel, ribs, and stomach. A gallon of blood spurted to the entire ground and all of the flesh scattered within the field.
"Hmm, how lame... Do you really think you can stop me? Very well, as for atoning your sin, I will let your soul, blood, and mana be offered to the lord. You will not regret it!" After the stabbing, she tortured his mind and it all turned into hell.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" A horrifying scream dispersed all throughout the dark forest.
The bloodshed was finally done. It was a supreme battle, a menacing drop of blood. Who knew that this witch is actually plotting something from the very start.
After killing the man who tried to scrutinize her, Thalia walked away from the battleground and glanced over the wide field of view that is far from the elusive mist. She gave a rare smug, often an indication of her plan being aroused in her favor. She raised her two arms widely onto the air and laughed.
This is the best... I can't wait for your resurrection, my Lord... Don't worry, everything is going to be fine... I will offer you everything! Every drop of blood! Aaahhh... I can't wait to see you soon! She was exuding a dark aura while offering up an inevitable plan. The witch of the Mirror realm can transcend over to different dimensions including the demon's place.
"I love it..."
***
The day goes by and Aran suddenly woke up from his dream. He fell into the void of nightmare and disturbed his peace.
"Aaaa!" He shouted in distress.
"Aagh!" Mahrisse was also startled by the sudden scream. "Aran! You scared me!"
Aran was seen as capable of displaying such a palpitating expression of despair and a horrid outlook. He was sweating profusely and he was panting really hard. The constant breathing that he was holding on to for a while was not stopping. Noticing this, Mahrisse poured some water onto the glass that was on the desk and offered it to Aran.
He places his hand on his face and covered it for a while as he recovered and compose himself once again. After that, he opened his eyes and grabbed the water from Mahrisse. He drank it very fast in one go and dropped a heavy sigh in his accord. He is still worried about the dream that he had, but the fuzzy static memory wasn't able to condone the correct premises of its nature.
"Are you okay? You looked like you have seen a ghost or something?" She asked with a worried look on her face.
"I am fine, I think it was just a bad dream? I don't remember." He smiled as he gave her the empty glass.
"Well, if you say so... I am going downstairs, I will meet you there. Breakfast is already served." She said.
"Alright, got it. I will be right there." Aran replied. Mahrisse left the room and closed the door on her way back. She seems to be worried about the fact that Aran woke up on the other side of the bed.
Aran stood up from the cushion and started stretching his arms and legs. He managed to stay awake for like two hours last night in order to watch Mahrisse. He thought about all of the things that she has said and made a realizing remark. After stretching for a few minutes, he fixed his hair and clothes while looking at himself in the mirror. A few of the sand has gotten to his eyes which he gets rid of it.
Last night, Mahrisse opened up something to me about the future that she sees. It was inevitable. It was kinda scary, to be honest, and I am not really looking forward to it. I realized that there is more to this world and I am preoccupied with the idea of revenge. Thanks to her, I have figured out another way of a long-term goal. She cried about it last night and fell asleep on my shoulder. I carried her to her own room. It was quite large so I decided to sleep on the couch near her bed. I want to watch her for a while but then I fell asleep. Seeing the things, knowing the thoughts, it is hard to assume something that you won't know. I am not being honest with myself, I was scared too, and I have millions of doubts about how the world will turn out in the near future. What kind of death will humanity have to face? These questions are still boggling my head and it is nasty. He thought with a serious expression while looking outside.
The morning arrived at the place and it was the first that he has seen it with so much light. All of the dazzling and charming gardens around the mansion have started to get some screentime over his encouragements. It was quite the view for him and it is peaceful. The water fountain in the center was also stationed to have many different statues. With this, he got excited to take a stroll around and sighed.
"Two days left, huh... I wonder how all of them are hanging up? I hope they are okay with the training that William is giving them. I am excited about the event but somehow, I have got a bad feeling about it. " He mumbled to himself.
Still, though, that dream that I was in earlier looked real and there was so much blood on it. I have a hunch that something like that will happen. I need to talk to William but then again, it is kinda pointless to tell them all of these to him. He sighed again.
He goes downstairs and met Mahrisse again. She was drinking coffee.
"Good morning, are you feeling okay now?" She asked while taking a sip.
"Good morning, Mmm! Yeah, thank you. Anyway, where are the others?" He asked as he took a gaze around the house. The room is once again empty, almost feels gloomy all of a sudden. The luxurious shade of the lamp was overlapped by the rays of sun coming out of the large window. Illuminating almost every corner of the house.
"Oh well, you know, work. My family is always busy with noble work. So yeah..." She responded but her tone seems to be erratic and stressed.
Aran took a seat on the opposite side of Mahrisse and took a slice of bread. He took a bite and it was good. The fillings are like a combination of chocolate and some cream. The puffy and sweet delicious taste permeated throughout his tongue and swallowed it.
"Anyway, Aran umm... About last night can you umm... Please forget about all of that? It is really embarrassing and it was out of character for me to think about all of that stuff." She brought up the topic about last night with a flustered look.
"It is all right, I don't mind..." Aran smiled and took another slice.
"Huh?" Mahrisse made a confused look. She placed her cup of coffee down to the saucer and looked at him.
"It is okay. I am really glad that you opened up to me last night. I was really happy to hear your side. I didn't even realize that you were holding off about that..." Aran replied.
"Well umm... It is not really..." She averted her gaze, feeling embarrassed. But then again, no one can blame her for bursting out loud with her expressions.
"And thanks to you and all of that, I managed to rethink my goal. Back then, I realized I was just being foolish and selfish about revenge and I have forgotten about the goals I have maintained ever since I was a kid. You are an eye-opener and I really need to be grateful for you. And that's why for this time, I will change my goals... I will save and uncover the truth about this world. I want to be free as well you know? And thinking about the future you sought, it is like a dream and it is charming. I want to save the world and free everyone. I want you to live the future that you wanted..." Aran smiled widely with his eyes closed. It was another chance that he had displayed such a charming and attractive face in front of someone. A happy– somewhat joyful remark that symbolizes his true self.
"Aran..." Mahrisse cheeks blushed with her widened eyes, directly staring at him.
"Also umm... Thank you for listening to me and umm... Thank you for carrying me back to bed. It was kinda embarrassing..." Her beet-red cheeks started to overflow, mortifying herself even further. But Aran didn't seem to mind her initial and embarrassed reaction. The malice was not included and he feels comfortable with it, to say the least.
"It is okay! I don't mind. I like how you sleep, hihi!" He teased her with a giggle.
"Come on!" Mahrisse pouted, but then she started chuckling as well.
"Oh yeah, by the way, I scheduled our depart later in the afternoon. I talked to my parents earlier that we will leave as soon as we fixed ourselves. Why don't you take a stroll for a while around here? I am sure you will like the other place!" Mahrisse suggested.
"Oh, that sounds like a great idea! I have totally forgotten about this place! But I have a favor to ask of you..." Aran leaned back.
"Hmm?"
"Can you go out with me? I mean, I want to spend the time with you. I am not really good at directions you see? Also uh... I don't like to be alone in such a crowded place so... Maybe a little company will help." He rubbed his head feeling nervous and shaking.
"EH? YOU SURE?!" Mahrisse slammed the table as she dragged herself up from her seat., Her breast jiggled for a little and her eyes were starting to blossom with sparkling motivation and excitement.
"Yes, if that is okay with you?"
"OF COURSE! I will go with you!" Mahrisse didn't even wait, her eyes were filled with such a sparkle of joy.
"Really? Thank you so much, you are a lifesaver!" He smiled widely and exhaled.
W-W-W-W-W-What is this?! Is he asking me for a date?! KYAAA! N-N-No! It is not like I am really looking forward to it! No! This is not a date! He just wanted me to show him the other places! Yes! That might be the case! Yes! Calm down, Mahrisse! She wandered her head and shrugged.
"Well then, I am going to wait for you outside, I feel like getting some fresh air." After that, Aran stood up and left the table.
"Oh, sure! I will just go fix myself..." Mahrisse responded. Aran disappeared from the area.
What should I do? Should I wear fancy clothes? Does he like it if I am just casual! No! I need to think about this! What does he like anyway?! I think I should also fix my hairstyle and give it a little touch. Also, my perfume is running out as well! Aaaaaa!! Why of all times? I am panicking really hard! Is he for real? Mahrisse tried to shrug it off but then she can't help it.
"I need to fix myself! This is one take chance!" Feeling motivated, she went to her own room and started doing the process of making herself even more attractive.
***
Back in the academy with only two days left of preparation, everyone has started their individual training for the day. The sections were pretty busy with the development and some of them are now planning for the strategy that they will use for the relay race.
Inside the infirmary, Huck, Lisa, and Eunice were standing inside while William is taking cover of Nikki's situation.
"How is she now?" Lisa asked.
"Well, we are indeed lucky. She is getting better now and her mana is now stable. Her heart rate is fine and her fever is gone. She might wake up anytime soon." The nurse that was taking care of her reported to them. Everyone felt relieved as they heard the good news.
"To think that this will happen during the training, do you guys know any idea of what happened?" Lisa asked them. She then shifted her gaze to William who's thinking deeply with a serious expression. It was a new look to him.
"I have no idea, either," Huck answered.
"William?"
"I have a few answers, but none of them add up. I am just making a baseless conjecture so I wouldn't really explain the situation very well. It is not a normal leech, it wasn't something that she would do beforehand either. It is something else that is troubling her." William answered with a straight face.
"Do you think she would be able to participate?" Eunice asked.
"It depends on her condition. I will take responsibility for this of course, but then again, I don't want to ruin the formation. Miss Shimizu might need to talk to us if she is feeling well and ready to go again. Whether she chooses to participate or not is up to her decision. I will accept her decision in any way as possible." William responded.
"I see, but then we need a replacement for her... She is a viable player for this event," Huck replied.
"You're not thinking about forcing her aren't you?" Eunice stared sharply at him.
"No, of course not... I was just worried for both the game and her as well, like... I don't know what the others would feel if someone like her were to withdraw. We might lose some chances..." Huck countered.
"Yeah, but then again, that doesn't matter if life is on the line. We should talk to Aran about this." She followed with a sigh.
"When will Aran come back anyway?" William asked.
"Probably this evening, it is a long trip for a day because of how far the place is. But I am pretty sure he will come back early." Huck answered.
"Hmm, I wonder how is he making progress with that beautiful princess." William made a cliche pose with his hands placed on his chin.
"Shut up!" Two glares came from two girls with their cheeks blushing. William raised his arms in a defensive mode.
After a few talks, Nikki made a subtle sound. She regained her consciousness and started to move slowly.
"She's awake..." The nurse said. Everyone approached her beside.
"Nikki? How are you feeling?" Lisa asked while leaning forward to her side.
She opened her eyes slowly and recognized everyone. Though it may seem like she didn't know what happened back then.
"Nikki?"
"W-What happened? Where am I?" She asked while holding her head.