In disbelief, she shook me vigorously, desperately trying to comprehend the surreal situation that had unfolded before her. "Cipher, tell me! Why is one open just inside our house!? Especially inside the closet?"
"I-I opened it…?" Well, four days ago, I discovered a way to bring the portal from the abandoned warehouse into the mansion and lessen its size to fit the closet. But it cost some abyssal points on the act. "But relax! It's safe. You'll know once we head inside."
Despite her hesitation, she mustered the courage to follow me through the small rift. To our astonishment, on the other side, we were greeted by a fully furnished cave, touched by modern civilization. The stark contrast between the rugged exterior and the surprisingly cozy interior left her in awe.
"Hey, isn't that the couch we bought last week? And that freezer too! Why are these here!" she shouted then glared. "Don't tell me the missing solar panels are here as well!?"
"Kinda?" I laughed as she just sighed in disbelief.
It was supposed to be Simon, Carl, and I who only knew of this place and made it our little fallout shelter in case things got too out of hand. But Ellie soon learned of it upon stumbling when caught us going in and out.
"It's not really done yet. We prioritize security first and will add other things later."
"Oh, you can't be serious. What's next, you gonna build a kitchen and put air conditioner as well?" she asked.
"That's… not a bad idea…" I pondered as she shook her head. "I'm kidding. Just the kitchen."
She still isn't convinced by those eyes but drops the topic as she sighs "Can we just start? I still have to babysit Sam."
The location of the previous gate, which had led to the chaotic events and dangers, was now securely concealed behind a layer of sturdy steel alloy. Simon had taken the initiative to add a small metal door, ensuring that no one could accidentally stumble upon it or tamper with it unknowingly. This precautionary measure aimed to prevent any further unforeseen mishaps and protect the safety of those within the cave.
As we opened the metal door leading outside, a large space where the truck rests covered with metal fence and dried blood had stained barbed wires. Corpses of roasted winged wolves lying dead near the fences and some of the live ones were just outside, growling but couldn't take a step closer.
"Look's like the electric fence is working properly... Let's not try getting too close to it, shall we?" I warned as I took a stance in the middle of the guarded field. "Now, show me what you got, Gabby"
Once again, she closed her eyes, and the pressure around us intensified compared to the last time she demonstrated it. Her aura within her became more prominent and denser, yet it moved gently, resembling smoke easily swayed by the wind.
"Ready when you are," she claimed.
"Just start already"
She started running towards me with a closed fist at a much faster speed than her previous performance but her punches could barely make contact with my skin. Either it misses or gets parried, all her attacks were pretty much in vain and she started to breathe heavily.
"My turn" I claimed then started attacking. But before I could land a hit, the shape of her aura changed abruptly and her speed started to slow down but her reaction time increased.
Every assault I throw is being successfully evaded. Although barely, she could dodge a kick from behind without even looking and sensing my sudden shifts in tactics.
But little by little, her evasion rate dropped, and eventually, her stamina couldn't keep up with mine. In just an hour, she started staggering and threw up on the ground from exhaustion.
"Aside from the lack of stamina, you suck at offense" I jested, getting a firm glare from her. "But you have great potential in defense. My fast fist couldn't keep up with your ability to detect it, and if you could master basic self-defense or martial arts and if you improve your vitality, you'd be more than capable enough to survive on your own."
"Ugh… I can't just defend all the time!"
"Didn't you know the best offense is a good defense?" I could remember someone telling it to me but I couldn't remember whom. It was probably a person in the previous timeline yet the memory becomes vaguer the more I try to remember it. "What I'm saying is your aura is leaning more on the defensive side. If you can evade an attack properly without getting unbalanced or tripping, you can counter it or return the force the enemy sends you back to them."
"Yeah, but I had to focus my aura on my extended senses of feelings and your every assault felt like a bullet trying to sear towards me, it's awful…" she complained.
"Really? Strange, it doesn't feel that way to me." Indeed, my fist is fast yet compared to a bullet, it's overestimating my ability. I still had too much to reach such capacity or maybe I won't, knowing most of my limits had already reached their end. "Your sense is probably just sensitive so that's why. But if it helps you dodge better, think of it that way."
"Enough rest, let's focus on training your defense instead of offense," I added.
"W-wait, I still haven't-" once again, she dodged my attacks one after another even in her exhausted state. The more we fight, the more she gets the hang of my attacks.
She was starting to evade without moving too much from where she stood, but it was still not enough. She still hasn't gotten used to how to counter or dodge sudden pre-emptive attacks, and with her vitality, we frequently rest inside the cave and drink the refreshments stored in the freezer.
"Sweets do taste better after a good exercise," I claimed, taking my second cup of ice cream.
"... I'm beat. Let's call it a day…" she groans as she collapses onto the couch, sipping a box of juice she grasps in her hands before throwing it into the small garbage bin. "But seriously, do you have to do that? Even though I'm already tired, you kept on attacking."
"It's to improve your skills. And besides, in real battles, the enemy won't spare you just because you're tired or can't move. You might end up dead or worse. It's better to be cautious."
"Ugh, fine. I'll accept that reason…" she replied. "But can we go back now? I want to check up on Sam."
"I agree. I think we've been in this place too long. Let's head back before other notices we are gone." Just as previously observed, the clock runs much slower in this world and the moment we get back, a lot of time has already passed and it is already near sunset.
Gabby went to check up on Sam who was still sleeping, and Simon already had the sealed envelope in him downstairs as I descended.
"I see you showed her the secret hideout," Simon claimed. "Anyway, here. These two are for you two. It's much faster than I had expected but that's the prestigious academy for you."
"Thanks. The earlier the better."
Simon handed the envelope sealed with the symbol of the academy. The face of a girl with a laurel wreath on its head is stamped within the wax seal and inside, the letter holds more symbols. A hammer in front of a volcano on the left side of the academy's logo, and on its right, a shield decorated with the four card suits.
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To whom it may concern,
Congratulations on being chosen as one of the candidates for the special enrollment exam for the prestigious school of Saint Andrea's Academy. As per the school's protocol, the student shall partake in an exam of three parts; Academic, physical, and unnatural talents.
The exam will take place at the school grounds on the 21st of May, 6:00 a.m. in the morning. Those who will arrive later than the said date shall be removed from the list of possible enrollees and will have to wait for the next examination.
Sincerely,
Saint Andrea's Academy Admin
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"Already in three days?" I complained as soon as I read its content. "Dang, that's fast. We won't be able to use the rift at this rate…"
I changed my mind. I wished It had been sent a bit later.
"That can't be helped. Too much time goes by in this world when you stay in that place. That's why I told you that place isn't suited for training." Simon claimed. "So, how was she? I know you'd come up with your own way to pass the exam but can she pass it?"
"Although her physicality attribute is lower than I had expected, her ability should compensate for her lacking it," I replied. "So, to answer your question. In three days, she will. I'll make sure she'll get accepted."