Chapter XXI: Bitter Amalia

"I could pay millions just to watch you fight, Miss ma’am!" Xerxes said enthusiastically. He's looking at me like I am a specimen that he's so interested to study.


“I could kill two hundred SS+ ranks, and Marcus could perish eight hundred of those creatures. That’s the maximum especially if the fight is all day long. But two thousand? Even if we all are together, we can't do it, especially in that rank,” Drake said while looking at me.


I squeezed my fingers tightly. I feel like my heart is going to explode with nervousness at the moment. I’m not used to it, especially if they’re interrogating me.


“You can't believe it either, right? So I have a hard time believing that she can kill that much!” Amalia replied.


They are all looking at me like I am a big question mark in their lives. I understand them, because that's how I feel about myself.


“If you want us to believe you, tell us how did you f*cking kill those tainted creatures. If you explain properly, I will no longer doubt your ability,” Amalia added while looking at me carefully.


I sighed deeply, thinking how will I going to tell them that I killed those creatures without even touching them. If they couldn't believe it now, how much more if I tell them that I could kill all the creatures in that forest in the blink of an eye.


“I am highly trained in multiple martial arts and hand-to-hand combat styles—”


“Even if you are very good at martial arts, you can't kill so many tainted creatures. That's unbelievable!” Amalia said while shaking her head.


"You're not sure, Amalia." Tanya is smirking at her.


“What are you again? A witch?” That's Caden. He is also looking at me like he's penetrating my soul.


I gulped and just nodded my head. I was nervous at the looks he was giving.


“You're just a witch and then you were able to kill so many creatures? And a witch who was trained in martial arts? Are you sure about that? What can a witch like you can do?” Amalia butts in once again, emphasizing the word ‘just’.


What does she mean by just a witch?


Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me, and it’s now changing its color.


“I’m a witch. Period. Not just a witch, Amalia…” I didn’t like what came out of her mouth. I maybe not a true witch but it is not right to belittle their race.


“All races are equal here, no one is below and no one is above. You have the right to belittle all the witches or the other races if you already got the title of being the Moon Goddess.” I want her to understand that what she has said was wrong. It is okay to be corrected on the spot than make it as a habit.


“What right do you have to reprimand me like that? Know your place, witch!” She raised an eyebrow at me.


I had no other intention than what I said, I just wanted to correct what she said. I don't want others to be imitate her when they hear about it, because they think that's the right thing to do.


“Stop that, Amalia. You are targeting her again!” Sanya replied but she just got ignored.


“Shut up, Sanya! This woman must know her place!” Amalia then pointed me.


“I know my place, Amalia. I also knew I hadn’t stepped on anyone else. I think it would be nice if you said that to yourself.” I smiled at her, meeting the intense gaze she's giving me. “Know your place, Amalia. No one is under your superiority.”


Her lips parted as she looked at me. When she recovered, her eyes immediately sharpened as well.


"B*tch, you can't even defend yourself how you got the Best Hunter title, so what right do you have to correct me?!"


“I don’t think I need to explain my side, Amalia. I don’t know why you have to question the score I got whereas in the previous two you didn’t do that. I have no other intentions, but I don’t know why you understood differently from what I said. I'm sorry if I offended you.” I gave her a faint smile.


I’m so tired explaining everything to her, when she has no intention to listen at the first fplace.


“And if you think I cheated, I think it would be better for you to think again. How am I going to do that, when at first I had no plans to be the Best Hunter? I just want to have a peaceful stay here in the university and enjoy my freedom. If being Best Hunter is the only reason I can't get it, I'm sincerely relinquishing the title!”


I heard the loud gasps from the others as a sign of resistance. I just bowed to pay my respects to them.


If that’s the only solution to have peace between u s, I will gladly do that.


“No, Amaris. Don't do that!” Sanya protested and now she was standing, so was Tanya.


“You don’t need to do that, Amaris!” Tanya looked pleadingly at me, before she faced Amalia.


“F*ck if you don't want to believe Amaris, Sanya and I believe her! You are not the one who’s going to decide here!” Tanya suddenly burst out. Her face was red as she looked at Amalia. “Stop it, Amalia. Don't blame Amaris for your bitterness in life!”


“She was the one who decided to release the title. Why is it my fault again?” Amalia suddenly became defensive.


“Because you keep on accusing her of being a cheater. Stop it, Amalia! What you are doing is no longer fun.” Drake is now serious as well.


"No one’s leaving." That voice echoed in the four corners of the room. The expression he looked at me was blank. "You will remain as the Best Hunter, no one’s questioning that, and that's final!"


"But, Marcus—" Amalia was about to appeal when the man also looked at her seriously.


"Enough, Amalia!" His dangerous voice brings shivers to my spine.


"Just this once, listen to me Marcus," she pleaded before looking at me.


“I will only stop when Amaris and I faced each other. Tomorrow morning, in front of the Elites… I want to you to show us what you did to the creatures with that streak. Deal with me Amaris.” Amalia is giving me challenge that she will regret for the rest of her life.


“When he proves what her capacity is, I hope you would stop, Amalia. Give Amaris a break,” Sanya said before returning to sit down. She looks tired as well.


I was shocked when Sanya smiled at me. I really wanted to reciprocate that same smile but I couldn’t. My brain is busy now wishing that Amalia would change her mind and withdraw the challenge because otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to stop Ryoko who had been holding her back for a while.


Amalia is digging her own grave…


***


“Let’s go to Starland. Let's unwind! I was stressed out by all of you. Let's have lunch there as well,” Ashton said trying to lighten up the mood.


They ended the meeting and now we are all here outside the university. Some fancy cars were in front of us, maybe it was theirs.


“Count us in, Ashton. Marcus and I are coming.” Amalia is now smiling who’s almost hugging Caden’s arm. Her slim arm seems so perfect around his muscular body.


"Come with us, buddy!" Stephan tapped Jasper’s shoulder who was just smiling at one side. He just silently watches them, but you can still feel the fun in him.


“Come with us, Amaris. You will definitely enjoy Starland!” Sanya invited me with a big smile on her face.


Starland is the center of the whole city. Mamita told me that you could find there the biggest mall, hospitals, colorful parks, and restaurant that offers mouthwatering foods. I promised myself that one day when I have my freedom, I will definitely visit there. But I think today is not the best time for that.


“I'm sorry, I can't come with you. Mamita won't let me, all she knows is that I'm only going to the university.” I could feel the pang of guilt in my own voice.


“We can call her. Do you have her number for us to call?” Tanya said, hoping that it can change my mind but I sadly shook my head.


"Uh, I have no phone."


Mamita never encouraged me on using mobile phones. We could always do mind-links and I think that's more convenient. And I can't just talk to her about it because we still have some sort of misunderstanding.


“Cheap,” someone whispered and I already knew who it was.


"That’s sad... I would be happy if you could be with me us.” Sanya heaved a sigh, her face suddenly gets gloomy.


“I'm sorry. Maybe some other time. Mamita won't let me either.”


We had already discussed that I would go home as soon as the class was over. It should be the mansion and Laurent University only. I don't want to break our agreement.


“Go with them first, Sanya. I will stay here for a moment with Amaris until someone pick her up.” Tanya faces her members and what she told them surprises me.


I hold her arm. “There's no need, Tanya. Mr. Bear is coming already. Sorry for the inconvenience."


I feel like I am becoming a big nuisance to them.


“I think we need to go now. If Amaris can't be with us, let's let him be,” Amalia said still smiling at the Elites, but there is something in her smile that seems so fake.


“Her employer might be looking at her,” she added. “She still have floor to mop and clothes to wash.” She then laughed sarcastically.


My forehead knotted. What does she mean by employer? And what is so funny about that?


“She’s living with her grandmother, not an employer. You are lost again, Amalia!” Drake seriously pointed her out.


“That’s rude! You are starting again. I can no longer understand your behavior!” Stephan irritatingly said and distanced himself from them. He snatched a small stick from his pocket and lit it. I saw him sigh as he shook his head in disappointment.


“You better stop, Amalia. You are being rude. When have you been like that, huh?” Ashton shuddered as he looked at the woman. He looks so disappointed as well.


"I am not rude. She just looks so…” Amalia looked at me from head to toe and snorted afterwards. “Cheap.”


I bit my lips. I can’t stand her anymore.


“Take that woman with you because I might not be able to control myself and I will slap her!” Sanya sighed as she gently grips my hand, as if telling me that I should just ignore Amalia.


“This woman is getting out of hand…” Drake whispered.


What would I trade for Amalia to stop picking a fight on me?