The weekend finished very fast. Julian got his uniform cleaned up and visited the nurse to check on any injuries. Luckily (mostly thanks to his undetectable demon physiology), Julian was not harmed too much, and even if he was, it was healed before he reached the nurse.
"Today's the day, Julian."
"Huh?"
Ian, Cera, and Julian all sat at a lunch table.
"As the first semester nears its end, there is a school festival. Nearby schools also attend it. There's a lot of competition, stuff like that," Ian informed Julian.
Cera spoke a bit quietly, "Whoa. I didn't know that either…"
It must be like the sports festivals back home…
I wonder if there will be fireworks.
Julian glanced at Cera before staring back at his food.
"I don't think I'll be going," Julian spoke, "I don't want to be dragged into some type of event with people that I don't like."
"That's loser mentality, Julian. Don't you think it'll be fun?" Ian asked.
"…"
"He's not a loser, Ian."
"I didn't say that. I said loser mentality."
"I'll see if I can attend it."
Julian stood up.
. . .
. .
Anore
Oscar tightened his light armor, fastening it around his body. He stood beside several other cadets, albeit older than him. He had proven that he had both the intellectual and physical capabilities, and was beginning his first test.
The instructor stood in front of them, behind him a thick forest with varying terrain. He explained it: you would run in there with three teammates. Out of the thousands of people who would enter the forest, only about one hundred could exit, and only after three days.
"To exit, you would need to leave with the necklace given to you. If someone takes it off you, you're done," the instructor added.
Oscar looked to his side.
"So you're the oh-so-great Oscar? I've heard a lot about you…" The one on his right spoke in a coveting manner. His hair was dark, and his face was incredibly bland. Someone like him was very forgettable.
That's… Kai Veloz. Oscar recalled the name he had heard during the roll call.
"Don't be jealous, Kai. We'll make it, with or without him."
The one on his left spoke much more calmly.
And she's… Leah Kernesk.
Her hair was a deep auburn red, and she had black eyes. Despite the dark color of her eyes, anyone could see the passion almost over the brim within those eyes. The type of passion that made Oscar feel bad about his indifference.
Out of nowhere, the instructor blew his whistle. Everyone ran for it.
"Come on, guys."
Oscar grabbed Leah and Kai by the back of their collars, and they both were caught off guard.
"Whoa!"
"Gah!"
[Cast: Verglas Rising Pillar]
A sturdy pillar of ice shot from beneath Oscar, sending him and the two he was holding onto into the air.
"Whaaaaa!"
"Whoaaaa!"
They both yelled out. One cheering, one wailing.
"Oscar, you're amazing!" Leah exclaimed.
"Oscar, put us down!" Kai also exclaimed.
They landed in the middle of the forest.
. .
.
Night was beginning to fall. This did not matter, of course, as several fires of different colors were lit to announce to everyone that the school festival was going on.
It was conducted on the campus, considering that it was very spacious. Thousands of people entered, creating a bustling vibe. Among those thousands of people, Julian was one of them.
Beside him was Ian, holding a stick of cotton candy. Beside Ian was Cera, who clung to Ian, which was understandable, as no one would want to get lost in such a packed crowd.
"It's invigorating, isn't it?" Ian's usual straight face was replaced with a light smile as he looked around. Julian's eyes did not stay in one place. He replied with some hesitation.
"Yeah... it really is. All of this movement is hard to... focus."
"Did you hear? They're gonna be shooting fireworks... I don't want to miss it," Cera raised her normally quiet voice to be heard.
"Don't worry, Cera. We won't. I'll make sure of that."
Cera looked at Ian and smiled.
Gross...
Seriously gross.
Julian sighed. His eyes continued to wander, not because he was trying to see if there was anything particularly interesting to him, but because of the unsettling feeling that stained his conscience.
Woozy.
His vision faltered.
He clenched down, staring straight. Then, his eyes caught notice of something.
It's... a contest. A race of the sort. Students participate, while the visitors watch.
Normally, I wouldn't want to do anything like this, but these two... it's really sickening. I'm not jealous, I swear.
I only want to get away from them. Hearing them feels like it's speeding up the turnification. Physical activity might slow it down.
"Hey, you two. I'll be joining the race."
"Really?" Cera looked surprised.
"You're gonna join? Good luck, Julian," Ian added.
"Thanks."
He slipped through the crowd, reaching the gate that led to the race.