Chapter 40

Mistress smirked as she saw the two walking in the aisle toward her throne. Well, there's no palace, her throne was outside and tall. It is made of overlapping layers of dead Lunaphiles. And her royalty chair was on top of it.
"Reports?"
"The M.A. Councils have not yet taken any steps together with the headmaster." the healer reported.
"And no signs of the headmaster, I roamed the M.A. but ... no signs of the headmaster office, too" the princess reported.
The Mistress balled her fist. How could it be? That's impossible! M.A. is quite mysterious and good in hiding secrets.
"Go back to the M.A. Improve your surveillance." she command. The two immediately bowed and left.
"I can't wait for a war" and then, the Dark Spirit named Aos popped out like a mushroom.
"Don't worry, Aos. Coming soon" the mistress said as she evil grinned.
~ M.A. ~
Back to the Moon Academy, location at the Moon Forest, where Devon is unconsciously lying at the ground.
No one can saved her because the forest was prohibited by the headmaster.
The scary creatures are close to the destination where Devon is. They smell her blood flowing down on the ground.
Suddenly, a different bear appeared infront of her. It's not a typical bear. It's fur is black, same with the eyes. It has a claws, color black. And it's sharp nails.
A combination of Raven and a Bear. A Ravear. One of the dangerous creatures in the Moon Forest.
It was salivating and very hungry. Perfect for lunch.
He's ready to attack and eat Devon. When Ravear suddenly flew away due to the handiwork of a creature that suddenly appeared in front of Ravear.
An air gold cloak creature. He removed the net that wrapped Devon and lifted it like a sack. Even before the monsters arrived it immediately teleported to the lowest of the Moon Academy.
The pointed edge on the middle of the floating island.
There, there was a place like home, made with a tinted glass and obsidian blocks.
That won't be noticed because it's wrapped in huge vines that are obviously really custom -made.
That place called, the Headmaster Office.
But why was Devon saved? That wearing gold cloak secretly roaming the island and the academy. Until he saw Devon, fainted and wounded. Ready to eat by the Ravear. If he hadn't seen the maiden Ravear would probably be full now.
And yes, Devon is now safe. 'Cause she was saved by the ruler of the M.A.
The headmaster .....
* * * * *
While Devon's mate, is now furious. He's mad. He should have saved Devon if not just preceded. He felt his mate was in danger, by Devon whisper. It was as if the word 'Save Me ....' and their strings on its right pulse had entered its ear. Their red strings aren't that vivid because Devon doesn't know about it yet, maybe he should tell it, at the right time. Where Devon will be worthless because of love.
* * * *
Lunch time, Crush decided to visit Devon and surprise them for lunch on the rooftop. The suggestion of his expert advice, Blessary, made him anxious to hear it, but it made him smile, and he was excited when he invited Devon.
Blessary was a good Adviser. When he was still stupid, he asked Blessary for help. Although the girl demands a lot of compensation, her gimmick for Devon succeeds. He's inlove.
But his shoulder dropped and his face could not be painted as Devon probably went to the forest and until now has not returned. So he also went to the forest and looked for his beloved maiden.
Devon Solaire's POV
My spirit was awakened by a voice. That voice again, when will he tempt me?
I slowly opened my eyes. At first it was dim but gradually I could feel the light. I immediately turned a blind eye.
I felt myself first. I'm lying down now and I'm wearing different clothes. Someone was also holding my hand.
I feel trembling and weakness in my body.
I opened my eyes again and looked around. I'm in a different room-a clinic room. So, I got hospitalized again .... What was happened? Then, a memory just popped on my mind and I remembered. I went to the forest to get Cooler's bag but someone attacked me and I lost consciousness. Then, how did I get here? Did, Crush save me? I sigh deeply and looked who's holding my hand.
It was Crush. He fell asleep and didn't even notice me waking up. I stroked her hair with my right hand. I can't help but smile because Its curly hair is so soft. It's fun.
My eyes landed on the entirety of his face. From her narrow eyes, to her sharp nose and to the rosy color of her lips.
What does that taste like? It's kinda .... tempting ...
I rolled my eyes at my own thought. What the ?! Gosh! I took advantage of him ?! Erase! Erase! Erase!
I can't even see my face is already blushing. St-pid thoughts!
Does it mean, that I crush him? No! I close my eyes with a strong and deep sigh. Stop being green minded, Devon! You're embarrassing! You've been hospitalized, you're still flirting! Geez.
"Hmm" I was surprised when Crush suddenly moaned and I just realized that I was holding his hair tightly as if it was being tweaked. I immediately deleted it because of the panic.
I held my breath thinking it would wake up but it didn't. He just removed my hand he was holding and adjusted to the throbbing.
I sighed and slowly got up. Removed the dextros from the hand I grinned at.
I went to the bathroom and locked it. I looked in the mirror and looked at myself. I have a band aid on my forehead and a scar on my cheek. I also have a small scar on my arms.
My emotions were so heavy that my heart was beating fast. I let myself out and took a deep breath.
The temperature in the comfort room is now cold because of my ice. I need to calm myself down and put aside the things that are bothering my mind.
First, who saved and brought me here?
Second, how many days have I been lying down and what date is it now?
Third, will I tell Mom and Dad what really happened to me? That I was attacked by unknown Lunaphile?
Fourth, do I like Crush? Why am I petting him? How fast is my heartbeat? Is it because of Crush? Or because I'm nervous?
But where? Where am I nervous? To the mate" supposedly Shawn says? What if .... What if he's just lying and pushing me away from Crush because he's jealous and angry at what Crush is showing me differently?
My prediction may also be true because he has also said for a long time that he wants me.
But why is there a bias between Blessary and Rein?
Why is someone retaliating from the past? What do they need? Who are they? And how is there a traitor in the Heal (Clinic) Building?
I closed my eyes tightly and tightened my grip on the sink. It's cooler here in the bathroom.
Hayst. I'm confused. I have so many unanswered questions. Where do I start? Where do I look for an answer? I do not know! Annoying!
I immediately waved my hand and broke the glass. It broke the things that were here in the bathroom until all the pain I was feeling was released. I'm confused.
I gasped as I leaned against the door and sat down then closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
I already feel weak in the body. I forced myself. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.
Then looked at the entirety of the bathroom. Everything was ruin. The glass scattered on the floor was shattered. The bowl was also damaged as well as the faucets and shower leaking too much water.
The smell of ice was wrapped tightly and there were spiky ice well on the side edges. I sighed and then let go of the ice in the bathroom.
I turned the doorknob and bent over to open it then exit. I slowly turned around and Crush's emotionless face appeared on me.
We just stared, no one beating. Until I felt my vision blur because my tears were starting to flow.
"C-crush" my voice cracked as I called his name and sobbed.
His expression softened and he immediately hugged me tightly. I sank into its chest and burst into tears.
"I'm sorry" he said sincerely.
"I'm sorry because I was not there to protect you"
"I'm sorry because I'm forcing myself on you"
"I'm sorry because I want you" he said. He keeps sorry even though he is not at fault.
"I-I'm sorry because I'm scared .... N-I'm scared g-like k-you p-back. Crush, I'm a coward. And n-I'm scared of what will happen next. A-a lot of k- question in my mind n-with no k-answer. N-disgusted a-with s-myself. N-I'm confused "I let out my resentment at him.
"Shhhh, just rest Devy. Let me carry your pain, your doubts. It hurts me more to see you struggling." he leaned over me and touched my shoulder to make me stand up properly and wipe away my tears.
He touched my cheek. "Let me remove the fear and apprehension there from your heart" he said and in an instant. Our lip applied which I did not expect. My knees softened as my tears flowed and then I slowly closed my eyes and held his hand.
"Ready the first medical team. As I was said before, this will be going your performance output and remembered all you've learned"
"Yes, Mrs. Solaire"
"Good. Healer Ivory, off you go"
Ivory and her teammates immediately obeyed Mama's orders and ran to the side of the Arena, where there was a black glass cube and two clinic beds and other items. You won't be noticed there.
In the center of the arena is a very large battle circle and there is a cylindrical dun that serves as a barrier to protect the spectators.
There are only a few Lunaphiles here and the others are staff and emcee at the top. Preparing.
I sighed and shifted my attention to my colleagues. We are at the beginning of the battle circle.
We're divided by 20 groups. Batch 1 they are Ivory and each group has five members.
We are in batch 14 and my team mates are Savannah, Courtney, Emerald and Heaven who are anchored in my arm again. Earlier it was gossip gossip case, he was excited, nervous, hayst. Mix emotions together.
"I'm really nervous and excited at the same time, Devon" I sigh again on what Heaven's line .... again.
"It's the 30th times you've said that, Heaven, Calm" I cried here. He took a deep breath and exhaled then smiled at me.
"Better?"
"Better !!"
"Good. Then shut up. I'm tired of your voice. I don't know if I can stand your sharp voice" I said directly to it which made me sigh.
To tell you, It's the day of Leveling Up. And as usual, we are still in white uniform. I adjusted my mirror and took a deep breath.
I was confined just yesterday and yeah, I don't have any sensible training. Yesterday I also found out that they saw me lying in that room and unconscious.
I am still not satisfied with their answers. How could it be I end there unconscious and healed if I was in the forest then. Obviously I was saved but who? Isn't it my mate?
But Crush says, Healers don't have mates, even magicians or users. If I had a mate, I would have seen a red string like a bracelet on my wrist, but nothing.
Well, I just asked him yesterday even though it was weird because we..kissed. I don't know but I felt nervous when I closed my eyes and let him kiss. It was like, I've committed a sin.
I was just shaken by the thought and focused on my colleagues. I shouldn't think about those things. Crush proved that I had no mate. I should've relief. I look paranoid. Hayst.
"Okay. More and more people are coming in. It's about to start" said Mama so we arranged and she and her group gathered.
"We can do it, girls" Savannah cheered up smiling and nodded as we agreed. Well, she's our leader in our group.
"Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!" the screams of the students resounded. Everyone is excited and nervous because this is their way to level up. Who knows, maybe someone will release dinosaurs or dragons, right?
"I am Ms. Moiselle as your emcee. Today, is the day we give our best to level up, to be the top." the students shouted louder. I frowned, Ms. Moiselle was really alive. He was on high and on a floating platform holding a microphone.
"The mechanics are simple. Each fighter has a gold flag. Just take the flag but of course with a twist. It's up to the fighters how they protect the flag they hold, the first to get the opponent's flag is the winner and of course, with percent are the scores that will be available in the ranking. You are better at fighting, smart and fast moving, 100%!. And then the ones who got big scores for the final ranking will be honest again. " explanation of it.
"And also, we also have judges. They are the one who will score you." he added and held out his hand among the bleachers. They are five, diffirent nations and kinds. We see them here through holograms.
"The First Judge was came from the Seleno Village. He is one of the young shapeshifter's leader, Let's give him a round of applause, Mr. Shin Park!" stood to the left a man who looked like you were just Raven's age. Well, indeed, He's young, tall, and tan skin and handsome. The students shouted and they shouted even louder as it smiled. The cuteness of her dimple.
"The Second judges, was came from Favia Village, profesional teacher in M.A. Let's clap our hands for Mr. Edward Schoenberg" everyone applauded along with the shout.
I frowned at the second judges. They have a resemblance to .... wait ... Was Mr. Edward is the father of Crush? I rolled my eyes at the realization. It just stood up and nodded. He's serious, really.
"Our third judges, was came from Flurry Village. Former boss of Heal Building. Mr. Denis Solaire!" Papa just stood up and sat down immediately with a poker face. What do you expect?
"Our fourth jugdes was came from the Packs. The former council leader, Alpha Zero Taylor!" everyone applauded again, and his facial expression was blank.
"For the last judges, was came from the Zeex clan, Vampire Nation, Mr. Code Zeex!" I sighed at the sight. Geez. So, he is a vampire? He is Naicel's cousin. Remembered them?
He smiled and as usual, the screaming got louder here in the Arena. Did he wink and smile? I just sighed and shook.
"Since, you know them. Are you ready, Lunaphiles ?!" cried Ms. Moiselle. The scream resounded.
"The two pairs I'm going to draw will immediately go to both tunnels to get ready." said Ms.Moiselle and a fish bowl appeared in front of her. He stirred the meat until it stopped and grinned. He has already pulled out two.
"Let's begin with ..... Princess Miami and Prince Aki"
The two name royalties called and went to the two tunnels and prepared. They have 10 seconds on how to hide the flag.
"Do you know?" we turned to Courtney as she spoke.
"That Prince Aki and Princess Miami are the same ranks?" we sighed at what it said.
"This is exciting! One of them will go up and one will go down." said Savannah but Courtney nodded.
"Nah. Did you also know that they are couples?" we were even more surprised by what it said.
"What ?!" Heaven's exaggerated cry so Emerald and Savannah beat him up.
"Your mouth, Heaven" Emerald growled.
"But really? Where did you get that gossip, Courtney?" Savannah's words seemed unbelievable.
"Tsk. Didn't you see? The audience is already talking about him. So watch the hologram. Floats!" Courtney was sick so we kicked her.
I just shook and sighed as the bell rang and the tunnel gate opened. The Students shouted. The cylinder opened and the two were in the battle circle and I was even more amazed that they were not holding a flag. They really hide it well.
*Ting!
The fight begins. There was no tension between the two and immediately rushed. Suddenly a root grew where they stepped on it and it rushed at the man. The man immediately released fire and burned the veins but at the same time the woman holding a whip suddenly attacked. The man turned away and waved his hand then fired a lot of fire shuriken and waved it in the direction of the woman.
She dodge it fastly and while doing that she waved one hand and suddenly rained green beans in front of the man.
The man immediately made a shield in conjunction with the explosion of beans.
"Bomb beans, eh?" Heaven grabbed her attention without noticing.
Its impact was already strong and produced thick green smoke inside the battle circle.
Everyone became quiet and looked forward to what had happened to them. The bell rang loudly signaling that the fight was over.
The smoke disappeared and we all sighed as we saw them kissing while holding the flag in their hands. It means, they exchanged flags and ...
"It's a tie !!" Ms. announced. Moiselle as the students shouted in excitement. Imagine, that they balance their ranking and love without hurting. How lucky them.
The two left the battle circle and immediately repaired the interior due to the great damage that had been done. Ivory's team immediately attended the two and rested and treated the scratches.
Ms. pulled out two papers again. Moiselle. Two girls and another bestfriend.
They started fighting. Same water user but better one. In the end, the other one cried and threatened his bestfriend who was useless.
Many have been called as couples. Sometimes tie, sometimes both lose, there is a win. Some even sneeze time case taboo.
Batch 12 that the medical team is going and those who have finished the performance are returning to our tambayan to watch.
As I guessed, there were 50 more students and it seemed like it was meant to catch the good and smart ones.
"Prince Sockey and Prince Hunter" Ms.Moiselle announced.
Immediately the bell rang. They enter the battle circle, but it suddenly gets dark inside, Sockey made an Illusion and no one knows how Hunter got Sockey's flag.
"Princess Novel and Prince Scale"
Scale smiled as Novel frowned as he entered the battle circle. We sighed and the others couldn't believe what Scale had done. He just throwed away his flag to Novel and left the battle circle. Novel was still gaping and it didn't seem to be expected either.
"Prince Kindred and Queen Demi"
Of the two contenders, it is obvious who will win.
There are only ten players left and batch 13 is the next medical team.
"Whoo! Let's go next!" Emerald said incredulously and drank some water.
To be continued...