Chapter 40: The end of training

“Who’s dead? Are you talking about me, or are you referring to those who tried and failed, now lying as bones in the forest of death?” Marcelino’s confident voice rang out as he emerged from the shadows, holding the fabled Flower of the Gods.

“Impossible! How could that be?” Victor stammered; disbelief etched across his face. He was utterly shocked to see Marcelino standing before him, alive and well, despite the challenges of the deadly mission.
The teachers and leaders of Venom Hunters were astonished. They quickly approached Marcelino; their eyes fixed on the flower he held. They couldn't believe that Marcelino appeared unscathed, without a single scratch or bite from the deadly creatures guarding the island. In fact, he looked healthier and more vibrant than ever.

“This is only the second time in over three decades that someone has completed the final test! And now, I can see for myself the legendary Flower of the Gods, which is said to cure any ailment, even the most severe diseases, with just a single petal,” the head of the Elders' Association announced with a mixture of awe and excitement.

“Don’t be fooled, Elder! John is deceiving us! That can’t possibly be the real flower. He must have picked it up somewhere else and brought it here to claim he passed the test. John, you’re a cheat! You should be punished!” Victor shouted, his voice dripping with anger and resentment toward Marcelino, unable to accept the reality of Marcelino’s success.

“And how can you be so sure that the flower John holds is fake? Do you have any proof to back up your accusations?” Ms. Anamae interjected, her tone serious, her brows furrowed with irritation.
Victor scrutinized the flower Marcelino held, his eyes catching the detail that there were only six petals left. He saw his chance to defend his claims.

“Have you all noticed the flower? Look closely! According to the legends, the Flower of the Gods has seven petals. Why does John’s flower only have six?” Victor sneered, confidence lacing his words.
“John, please explain yourself. Is there any truth to Victor’s accusations?” one of the teachers asked Marcelino, concern evident in their voice.

“If that's the basis of your judgment, then I apologize,” Marcelino began calmly. “The truth is, I was forced to consume one of the petals. I was on the verge of collapse, bitten by countless venomous creatures. Eating a petal was the only way to save myself. To my amazement, all my wounds and venom symptoms disappeared, and I felt even stronger than before.”

Marcelino’s tone was calm and measured, subtly needling Victor as he spoke.

“That’s not enough to convince us, John. For all we know, your story could be a fabrication to deceive us,” Victor continued, refusing to yield.
“Why don’t we put it to the test, Victor?” Marcelino suggested with a sly smile.

“John, let me see the flower,” the head elder requested, reaching out to examine it. Marcelino handed over the flower without hesitation.

The head elder scrutinized the flower before issuing an order to his assistant. “Viola, fetch the box from the lab containing the preserved specimen.”

“Yes, sir,” the assistant replied promptly, leaving to retrieve the long-preserved item from the laboratory. Minutes later, Viola returned with the box, presenting it to the head elder.
The elder carefully opened the box. Inside was a perfectly preserved flower, similar in appearance to the one Marcelino had brought back, except this one was a vibrant red and intact with seven petals.
Gasps echoed through the room as everyone took in the sight of the preserved flower and compared it to Marcelino’s specimen.

“This is the Flower of the Gods,” the elder declared, holding both flowers up for all to see. “The resemblance is undeniable. John has indeed brought back the genuine article.”
Murmurs filled the room as the students and teachers whispered among themselves, the evidence of Marcelino’s success now irrefutable.

“This flower,” the elder continued, “proves that John completed the final test. It is said that this flower’s healing properties are unmatched. Its petals are a miracle of nature.”

Victor’s face twisted with disbelief and frustration, his accusation crumbling before him. He had no choice but to concede to Marcelino’s victory, though his eyes still burned with unresolved anger.
Marcelino stood tall, a triumphant smile playing on his lips as he gazed at his detractors. The path had been treacherous, but he had overcome the odds and emerged victorious.

As the crowd of students and teachers slowly gathered around him, congratulating him on his success, Marcelino realized that his journey at Venom Hunters had come to an end, but his quest for strength and justice had only just begun.

“Congratulations, John,” Ms. Anamae said warmly, her eyes shining with pride. “You’ve truly earned your place among the legends.”

“Thank you, Ms. Anamae,” Marcelino replied, humbled by her praise. “This is just the beginning.”

And as the celebration continued, Marcelino knew that he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to protect those he loved and uncover the truths hidden in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Aira Jewels Innovation, Marcelino’s mother, was aware that today marked the end of his training at Venom Hunters. Her assistant reminded her of this important day.
“Madam Aira, just a reminder, today is the day of young master’s final test,” the assistant informed her.

“Prepare the helicopter! We must head to the location immediately!” Aira commanded, a determined look in her eyes.

Back at Venom Hunters, Marcelino packed his belongings, preparing to leave for the mansion. He received a call from the office informing him that his family was on their way to pick him up. As he walked through the dense forest area near the Venom Hunters’ gate, he was suddenly confronted by a group of men. There were ten of them, led by none other than Victor.

“Do you think we’ll just let you leave, John? Because of your arrogance, you took everything from me that should have been mine!” Victor shouted; his face twisted with fury.
The men surrounded Marcelino, poised to attack. Marcelino remained calm, knowing that his three months of intensive training had honed his combat and survival skills. He was now capable of taking on twenty men in a one-on-one battle.

“Bang!” Marcelino threw a powerful punch at the first attacker.
“Bang! Bang! Swoosh! Boom!” A series of rapid, forceful blows followed, and five of the men fell to the ground, incapacitated.

The crowd gasped, awed by Marcelino’s display of strength and skill. Victor’s confidence faltered, replaced by a mix of fear and anger.
“You’ll pay for this, John! I’ll make sure of it!” Victor snarled, his voice trembling with rage.

Marcelino simply smirked, taunting Victor with a look of disdain. “Bring it on,” he challenged, his eyes glinting with defiance.

The battle was fierce and brutal, with Marcelino deftly dodging and countering every attack. Victor’s men, one by one, succumbed to Marcelino’s superior skills, until only Victor remained standing.
Victor lunged at Marcelino, but Marcelino was ready. With a swift, decisive move, Marcelino landed a crushing blow to Victor’s midsection. “Bang!” Victor doubled over, gasping for air as the force of Marcelino’s punch knocked the wind out of him.

“John, you animal! I’ll destroy your entire family! I swear it!” Victor spat, his voice hoarse with pain and humiliation.
Marcelino responded with a final, powerful punch to Victor’s face, knocking him to the ground. Victor lay there, defeated and powerless, his threats reduced to empty words.
As the dust settled, a loud noise drew everyone’s attention skyward. A luxurious helicopter descended from the clouds, its gleaming exterior reflecting the sun’s rays. Aira Jewels Innovation and her entourage had arrived to retrieve Marcelino.

“Young master, welcome back,” the pilot greeted as a long ladder was lowered from the helicopter. Marcelino grasped the ladder, climbing aboard as the helicopter began its ascent.
The onlookers, including the students, teachers, and elders of Venom Hunters, watched in awe as Marcelino was whisked away in the opulent aircraft, worth billions of dollars. The helicopter was an exclusive vehicle, reserved for the elite, and Marcelino’s departure was a testament to his newfound status.

As the helicopter soared into the sky, Marcelino knew that this was only the beginning of his journey. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, armed with the strength and skills he had gained during his time at Venom Hunters.

With his family by his side and a world of possibilities before him, Marcelino was prepared to embrace his destiny and carve out a legacy that would endure for generations to come.