Character : Lilyanna Valkaria, Battle Tournament
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And yet another two weeks has passed ever since our arrival back at the academy. The time for the final exams has arrived.
The final exams weren't just one singular exam. It is formed out of multiple steps of examinations held and oversaw by the teachers of the academy.
For starters, there is a written test for many of the subjects. The topic of the tests only revolves around what was taught during the semester, which shouldn't be that difficult for us since we're still in the first year.
After the written test comes the more practical test. Just like the entrance exam, multiple tests were conducted at every class to see our growth ever since the last time we had the exam. The test began with the crystal ball test to see our origin capacities, then aiming test, firepower test, and finally the agility test.
A week after the five tests have been conducted, the time has come for the most important exam of all. This part of the exam will decide 40% of our passing grade, which is the highest out of all the exams.
A tournament-based sparring contest. Students will be pitted against each other randomly in a tournament manner, in a one against one where they can use any technique or weapon. The rules were the same as the sparring test during the entrance exam: if your opponent is out of bounds, couldn't continue, or surrendered, then it shall be your victory.
It is also the event that everybody is looking forward to. Strength is everything in the world of Avenor, and everyone wants to contest their strengths, to see how they fare against others at their age.
"It's been three weeks… No luck?" A voice of concern came from our dear friend Jonah, who is mostly concerned about his roommate. However, the person he questioned can only shake his head.
"That bastard did not visit Fiordall the past three weeks." The crown prince of Fiordall, Rejulus, can only shake his head. He couldn't locate his own brother since his reach only revolves around Fiordall.
"That damn guy… he really just likes going wherever he wants to go."
"It's possible that he never really cared about the exams to begin with. We shouldn't be surprised if he never showed up until the very end." Rejulus reminded a possibility, and Jonah only let out a sigh.
From the side, Nyssa and I arrived at their table, and we placed down our tray filled with snacks on the table. Seeing snacks being put in front of him, Jonah's eyes grew wider.
It has been three weeks since we separated from Nathan. Three weeks ago, he told us that he had somewhere else to be, and that he couldn't come to the academy just yet. But, he did mention that he will come to the final exams, which has gone on for a week now.
Soon, it will be the last test. The battle tournament, one that Nathan has been asking about multiple times.
"That's not possible. Nathan is too much of a competitive addict to be missing such an event." I pointed out as I sat down next to Rejulus, while Nyssa sat next to her boyfriend.
And hearing my words, both Rejulus and Jonah chuckled randomly. The two realized that I was right, and they knew that Nathan would never miss such an opportunity.
"Damn right. But, where would he be, then? If he wants to join the tournament so badly, then where is he?" Jonah asked after realizing, and Rejulus began wondering.
"That's… also where another problem arises. What if he can't make it because it's something out of his control?"
"Then, that's his fault. Why bother asking?" I answered quite coldly to the two, and both Rejulus and Jonah looked at me weirdly.
"… What?"
"Nothing. It's just… out of everyone here, you seemed to be the least excited to be seeing him." Rejulus pointed out, but I only chuckled hearing that.
"Why wouldn't I be? It was his decision to stay away." I reasoned, which made Jonah look quite troubled.
"Yeah, but… what if he doesn't want to be away? But, he had to, because it's an obligation?"
"Then, that's his responsibility for choosing his obligation over his own people."
"Lily… you're not making much sense."
"I just don't see why we should worry about that guy at all, Jonah. You know what he is like. He just does whatever he wants."
My words may have come quite cold, but it was something that was forged due to Nathan's constant behavior towards me. Towards us.
Nathan is… selfish. Incredibly, utterly, selfish. He will do anything and everything to achieve the goals that he wants. He wouldn't even bat an eye to anyone if they don't have any value in his eyes.
I think it's only right that we keep our expectations low when it comes to Nathan. That is the only way we can deal with a guy like him.
"I think she missed him more than anyone." Nyssa suddenly blurted out, which made us all turn to her.
"… Now that you mention it,"
"No. That's not at all the case--"
"The one who asked me to look for him in Fiordall was you!" Rejulus pointed out, and I lifted both hands to cover my face.
"And the first one who asked the question just now was you as well." Jonah said regarding who actually started this conversation in the first place, and I cannot handle the embarrassment any longer.
No… that is not at all what happened. Please stop.
"Screw that guy. Screw that guy to hell." I kept on muttering, which made everyone wear an awkward smile seeing me trying to accept it.
Hah~… I miss him so much I'm going crazy.
I can't believe I survived three months without him before. I can't believe I've lived my entire life before coming to the academy without him.
I'm just… endlessly worrying for him, I guess? And it's making me lose my mind.
"Nathan isn't the type to be skipping on competitive events like this. He even attended a swordsmanship tournament under a disguise once before, and competed against my sister. He is far too competitive to be missing out."
My statement was easily understood by them as we all enjoyed the snacks, and everyone knows how impossible it is for Nathan to be skipping this event.
"And yet… he isn't coming. After everything that has happened, it makes me very worried." Jonah said with concern, and I nodded. Rejulus only stays silent as he ponders by himself, and only Nyssa looks like she doesn't really understand.
The four of us continued to eat our morning snacks for a bit before heading out. And right when we came out of the cafeteria, we were greeted by a familiar face.
"Oh? You guys are here." From the class building, Eric came up after recognizing us coming out of the cafeteria.
"Morning, Eric. Have you had breakfast yet?" Jonah asked friendlily, and he is one of the few people in this world who can converse properly with Eric.
"Don't need it. I do need to know about that guy's whereabouts. The tournament starts today, and… that guy is not going to show up, is he?" Eric's question was halted midway because he saw our expressions, and we all just nodded to him silently.
"It is what he does, I think we just need to get used to it. On the other hand, I'll see you at the finals, pal." Jonah said while lifting a fist towards Eric, and the guy only chuckled.
"So, you've seen the groups. I don't care who will be facing me. I'll easily take the top spot." Eric said coldly as he walked away, and his last words really did rile everyone up.
I turned to Jonah who seemed to be grinning as well, and I bumped my shoulder to wake him up. "I didn't know you're that competitive."
"W-Well… Eric is the strongest, you know? It's only natural that I wanted to beat him."
"Really? I thought Nathan was the strongest."
"I think Nathan is strong too, but Eric is just… on another level. You've seen him. Also, we'll be facing each other in the same group, Lily!" Jonah pointed out after remembering, and I too was reminded by that.
"R-Right… I guess we'll see each other in the top eight, won't we?"
"If we do get to top eight, which we will of course!" Jonah said with a wide grin, and a certain crown prince let out a sigh next to me.
"Too bad I'm not on the same group as you guys… I had to face this scary girl on my fourth match." Rejulus pointed his thumb to Nyssa, who was only smiling coldly to the crown prince.