GL (GalaxyLight): Sorry for not being around for so long! I had to think hard for this while working on other stories. I don't know why I haven't done this sooner. I hope I haven't bothered you while you were away.
This is the last part of the mid-terms exam. In this chapter, a team of four will have to work together and defeat a monster to check their stats and teamwork. Let's hope Elsword, Aisha, Rena and Elesis are good enough with teamwork.
Elsword's PoV
We were inside a big room which is some kind of training room for monster fighting. I looked around and I have a hunch a few people might have not manage to make it past here. Looks like I'll have to be careful in this last test. My graduation depends on it.
"Welcome to the final test!" The Bethma teacher, Stella announced. "For this, you must defeat our finest creatures using your skills and teamwork, and by defeat, I mean subdue it."
"What does subdue mean?" I asked my sister.
"It means bringing something or someone under control." She answered which made sense now.
"Each team that are signed together in the previous test will be called out in numbers. Each monster is different but you are free to carefully observe whatever you can see. Let's begin the first team!"
Rena's PoV
Our team was numbered 13 so we watched the other teams fight various monsters while we wait for our turn to come. Most of the teams did a pretty good job with their skills and teamwork while others just lack the experience of behaviour, strength and strategy. After 12 battles, it was finally our turn to come.
"Number 13, please head to the arena as you wait to face your monster." An announcement was heard from megaphone above us.
I wonder what kind of monster we'll be facing? We walked to the middle of the arena and waited as the door where the monster is, opened. The four of us gasped as the monster was someone we knew. It was the giant Phoru that was loose at the El Forest. We're going to seriously fight it?
"Hey, guys, isn't that...?" Elsword spoke with sweat on his face. He knew what he was facing as well as us, because we're sweating in worry as well.
"Yeah, we know it is him." Aisha replied.
"We should we do? I don't want to hurt someone we've made friends with." I said with worry.
"We'll just have to find a way to subdue him without hurting it too much." Elesis said. "I could just hit him with some kind of sleeping gas if I had one..." I wish we had one because that phoru was so nice and cute, I don't want to shoot him. The phoru notices us and its eyes widen in surprise which surprised us as well. I gulped, not knowing what to do now. It was the moment as the phoru ran towards us, giving us shocks. Elsword, Aisha and Elesis moved away from the side by I didn't move. I want to do something to help him.
"RENA! LOOK OUT!" Elsword shouted to me, I ignored him. I heard murmurs of worry and crazy such as 'What is she doing?' and 'She's going to get herself killed' but I ignored all of that.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET OUTTA THE WAY!" Aisha called out. I slowly walked to the phoru as he was coming closer.
"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN TAME HIM LIKE THAT, YOU'RE GOING WAY TOO HIGH WITH THAT! PLEASE, GET OUT OF THERE!" Elesis shouted to me. As much as I know that she's right that it is risky, but I believe that the phoru will do something that won't harm me. As soon as it was close enough to me, it was time to react.
"STOP!" I shouted out while reached my palm to the giant phoru. The furry creature saw this and did exactly what I said he pulled the brakes and stopped right in front of me. Elsword, Elesis and Aisha were shocked from what I just did as well as everyone here in this room.
"It's alright there." I smiled to the phoru while petting it. It was purring nicely with a clam face. They were any faces of confusion from everyone in the room.
"Did she just tame it?!" One of them asked.
"No way! How did she do that?!" Another one said. Elsword, Elesis and Aisha came to me with worried faces.
"Geez, if you knew that would happen, why didn't you tell us?" Aisha asked angrily.
"Sorry, but you were too loud for me to speak anything." I answered.
"For crying out loud, you made us worry for nothing." Elesis sighed.
"So... what do we do now?" Elsword asked not knowing what to do next, in fact, I don't even know either. That's when our teachers and some soldiers came to the arena with us. Oh, this is gonna be a log day.
"Care to explain why this phoru is attached to you?" Stella asked me as the soldiers kept the phoru away from us.
"W-well, I..." I couldn't just explain to them about the third test, there'll be too many questions and consequences from not just me, but also my friends. I had to think of something, but nothing came to my head. Luckily, my... our lives were saved by Raven.
"Forgive me. I am the one to take the blame for not explaining this." Raven implied.
"Raven, I take it you're also involved with this?" Stella asked.
"That I am..." Raven began explaining about the el shard and the loose phoru and us trying to calm it down and everything turned out great and the phoru likes us as friends. He also explained that we only wanted to save it from going on rampage. The reason why he didn't tell them this was because we would be in trouble because we did something we weren't meant to do, I hope we don't get in trouble. After a long understanding explanation, a few people were moved by this, most were girls.
"Um... Teacher, this may be a selfish request but... could you set this poor phoru free?" I asked Stella. "Please, he only wants to be free in a happy life. Let us fight a different monster we don't know of. I'll take responsibility of what he'll do. Please, let him go." The teacher just let out a sigh.
"I guess it can't be helped." She said. "Very well, we'll let this phoru go to a forest where it can live peacefully with no harm." This made me happy as well as Elsword, Elesis and Aisha, who gave sighs of relief. "Please wait patiently while-" She was cut off as we heard a loud noise from behind the monster door.
Aisha's PoV
"Alert! Alert! A monster has been broken loose! Alert! Alert! A monster has been broken loose!" An announcement was repeated over and over again. It was getting pretty annoying if you ask me.
"What?! How?!" Stella asked in shock. The doors was being banged much harder as they couldn't keep it closed any longer. Finally, the door broke itself apart revealing a big rhino-like monster with two horns. It was growling loudly until it roared, making everyone frightened in horror as they all evacuated out of the room.
"Everyone! Get to the nearest exit!" One of the teachers shouted while the soldiers were holding off the monster.
"Raven! Can I count on you to take care of this?" Stella asked Raven.
"Yes, Ms. Stella. I will hold it off until everyone leaves." Raven nodded as he charged to the monster. Stella then turned to us.
"You four must leave, it isn't safe for you." She said to us. However, some of us didn't want to go because, well... there's actually one thing Elsword and I have in common (which I hate to admit); we hate running away.
Elesis's PoV
"No. I'm staying here!" Elsword declared surprising everyone. "I've forced myself to study hard for this exam and I do not want to let everyone and myself down. I want to fight and keep going, I don't care what punishment I'll get. I want to fight to protect those I love." A few of us were quite surprised by his statement. This is what I love about Elsword, reckless he may be, but he's super brave. Oh, I could just hug him right now if I wanted to.
"I'm sorry, teacher, but I'm with Elsword as well." Aisha followed. "I've worked hard and I don't want to repeat my year, it'll be the worst thing I've ever done."
"I want help too." Rena agreed. "I've missed a lot of things since 3 years so I want to do something that could help the school. Besides, we're from El Search Party Club who helps everyone's needs and keeps the school from danger!"
'Did we established that?' I thought, not remembering that purpose.
"ARGH!" The soldiers screamed out as they were sent flying by the monster as it then saw us and began charging towards us.
"Look out!" Raven shouted out as we all tried to spread out, but I just stayed there as I took my Claymore out. I had a plan.
"Not again! Elesis, move!" Aisha called out to her, but I ignored her. I know this a kind of a contest of bravery or stupidity, but I know what I'm doing. We know that rhino's not going to stop as well. Then I just smirked at the monster and held my Claymore tight to gather my strength. The moment the monster was close to me, I immediately did a strong upper slash with a war cry which was strong enough to flip the monster and fall over. Everyone could not believe I did that.
"Yeah! Show him who's boss, Elesis!" Elsword cheered for me. I smile back at him.
"Hold on... Elesis? As in, Red-Haired Knight Elesis? Former class representative?" Stella asked shocked to see me. Yes, Stella was also my teacher for the exams in the first and the second year of Elder junior High School. She was a good trainer as well with monsters. Of course, I used to be a class representative but I'll talk about that later.
"It kinda has been 3 years, Miss Stella." I scratched my head.
"I am too surprised that you are still here as a third year, and I pity you as you are forced to repeat this year." Stella said. "Regardless, I am glad you are here with us. I can still remember your great results while you were still in your second year of Junior High school." I stopped her before she could say anymore embarrassing things in front of people, especially Elsword.
"Can you please stop? It's embarrassing to hear that." I pouted a little.
"It's not over yet!" Rena shouted as we notice the monster getting itself back up.
"Stella, get your soldiers out of here!" I ordered my teacher. "Let us take care of this! Trust me, we'll handle this!" Stella wondered a bit and nodded.
"Alright, just stay alive or we'll be closing this school for a while." She replied. Yeah, I don't think I want that to happen. After that, Stella and the soldiers left us to our friend as it roared loudly.
Raven's PoV
"Ready for round two? Bring it!" Elesis smirked. The monster attempts to ram us with its side, we managed to dodge in time.
"So... what do we know about this big guy?" Elsword asked.
"I think I've heard about this monster somewhere in the libraries." Aisha explained. "It's named 'Blackhorn' which lives in Bethma. They use their two horns to defeat their prey and their skin is really tough, which means it's going to be hard to hit with melee attack. However, it's not very strong against magic, so that'll be an advantage for us. Blackhorns aren't very smart either but they still know what to do when we're close to it."
"That's good to know." Rena smiled until she saw the Blackhorn reacting again.
"Evasive maneuvers!" I called out to everyone. We all dodged out of the way again. Aisha casts fire on the Blackhorn, it didn't do much but it definitely hurt it. Rena began firing arrows to the monster, it was only slowing it down. The Blackhorn went after her, only for it to miss as the elf managed to get away. Elsword attacked the Blackhorn, only to be pushed back be its side tackle. Elesis became enraged by this and slashed one of the monster's horn so hard, it broke off, making the Blackhorn roar in agony.
"Geez, if you were gonna break that horn, at least don't do that in rage." Aisha shrugged.
"It hurt Elsword! How did you expect me to stand for that?!" Elesis shouted angrily.
"Are you alright?" Rena asked Elsword.
"Gettin' by." Elsword replied, getting up.
"It seems we're in for a rough fight." I said.
"Probably got more than we've bargained for." Aisha said, casting lightning magic on the Blackhorn. I examined the monster's other horn and it looked like it's been damage a bit from the past travels. That has given me an idea.
"Elesis, I have a plan to break the other horn. Care to assist me?" I offered the red-haired knight.
"Oh? What have you got to say?" Elesis asked. I explained what she needed to do and she then nodded in response. "Sounds like an easy thing to do. Okay, let's do it!" She went near the Blackhorn in order to distract it. "Hey! Horn-bumper, over here!" Elesis taunted as the monster's eyes were locked onto her. It attempts to ram her, only to miss and hit a wall. This was her chance to attack, she did a 360 turn while swinging her sword to build power, impact and momentum and horizontally slashed the Blackhorn, stunning it. "Now, Raven!" She called to me.
I nodded in response and immediately ran to the Blackhorn as fast as I can, while it was still stunned. I jumped and created a hard slash on the horn, breaking it. Now the monster has no horns.
"Looks like he's hornless now!" Elsword smiled. The Blackhorn looks weak, we need one more swing to finish it.
"Nice! Now it's time to go to town. Elsword! One time!" Elesis called out to her brother.
"Sure thing!" They came to the Blackhorn and finished it together with a synchronised slash, finally killing the Blackhorn.
"Woohoo! We did it!" Rena cheered.
"That took longer than I expected." Aisha gave a sigh of relief.
"Man! I'm really thirsty now." Elsword complained.
"I have some water for you, Elsword." Elesis smiled, giving him a water bottle. She sure is prepared for a lot of things, especially with taking care of her brother.
Rena's PoV
We all left the room and it was already sunset, how long were we in that room? We also found a couple of staffs, soldiers and even the principal who is named Wally.
"Ah, Raven! I guarantee you have ridden the monster?" The principal asked Raven.
"Yes, the Blackhorn has been eliminated." he replied.
"Very good! I knew I could trust on you. And who are these kids?"
"They are those who helped me in the battle. They were strong, brave and helpful."
"I see... I'll congratulate you four for your bravery." He then looked at me and Elesis. "So you two are still here in this school?" So he still knows us in the past 4 or 5 years, that's kinda surprising.
"Yes... I had an accident which forced me to repeat third year." Rena explained my absence.
"Me too. I was doing a few things which forces me three years before I could come back here again." Elesis implied, though I have this disorienting feeling that she's lying.
"I see... You all must be tired. How about you all go home? We already sent everyone else home so it's time for you all to go too."
"We can go home? Finally, I was getting tired." Aisha yawned.
"Today was very tiring after all." I smiled.
"I could use a bath right now." Elsword began stretching.
"Okay, that's the first thing we'll do! Let's go, Elsword!" Elesis began dragging Elsword home.
"Wait a minute! What do you mean 'we'? HEY!" The rest of us sweatdropped before they were gone out of sight.
"Wait, what about the results?! who will pass and who will fail?!" Aisha shouted. I gasped as I completely forgot about that. Because of the accident that has happened we don't know if we passed or not. I was getting worried until Wally coughed a few times without worry.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. I assure you all will be fine in the next semester." Wally said. "Go on, girls. You need some rest for tomorrow."
"Okay..." I replied. His voice was a little off for some reason, I wonder why? Sliding it off, Aisha and I decided to go back to our homes. Let's hope we all pass.
Wally's PoV
I looked at the fallen Blackhorn that is being taken away by my troops.
'Seems like my plan failed.' I thought in disgrace. 'Those kids are tougher than they look. I must watch myself on them. No matter, that doesn't mean all of my plans will be jeopardised. I will make those brats kneel before me, along with all the students in this school and all others. They will understand the might of Wally!' I smirked as I wanted to laugh, but not in front of everyone around me, so maybe next time, that is if there IS a next time.
Elsword's PoV
"Man! What a day!" I let out a sigh of relaxation as I was washing my body with soap. Elesis insisted that I should take a bath first, I don't know why but I did what she told me to. I have a hunch that something insane is about to happen if I go, but I went in anyway.
"I hope that I pass this semester, I worked hard yesterday as well as today." I said to myself. "Just thinking about it makes me nervous, I don't think I even wanna know anymore." Just then, I suddenly heard a door opening behind me.
"If you don't, how about you let me calm you down?" I heard a familiar voice which suddenly sounded very seductive. Turning utterly pale, I slowly turned around to see someone I didn't want to expect.
"S-S-S-S-SIS?!" I shrieked with my face completely red. It was my sister who barged into the bathroom while I was still in it. She let her hair out which was surprisingly long, though she mostly braided them, which was probably the reason. Luckily she was covering herself with a towel so it was safe for me... wait a minute, it still isn't! Is this why she wanted me to go first?! "W-what are you doing here and why are you coming in?!"
"Please keep it down, Elsword. You'll trouble the neighbours." Elesis said to me which got my attention to cover my mouth. "Let me wash your back."
"I-I'm pretty sure I can do it myself." I couldn't speak more when she was already behind me with a sponge on her hand.
"Nonsense, let your big sister help wash you." I tried to counter again, but she already started washing my back. When she did that, I couldn't say anything anymore. My head was steaming red as I tried hard not to turn around.
"Why do you look so nervous?" Elesis asked me. "We took baths together before, right?"
"That was only when we were kids!" I cried out. "This is totally different in many ways!"
"Oh come on, it's not all that bad. You can scrub my back if you want."
"WHAT?! NONONONONO, I cannot!" She just giggled.
"I was only kidding, oh you are just so cute." Why must you do this to me, sis?
Elesis's PoV
It's been so long since Elsword and I had a bath together. Being here now, warms my heart once more. I wish we could do this everyday. We all sat on the bathtub together, though tub was very small for us.
"W-was our bathtub always so cramped?" Elsword complained.
"It's because we grew, silly." I replied.
"Right..." I remember it being quite spaced when we were young. I guess things really do change when you get older. Elsword was sitting on my lap, which made me hum with joy. I could just hug him if I wanted to.
"Elesis... could I ask you something?" Elsword spoke.
"Sure, what is it?" I asked with a smile.
"Do you... Do you think we're really siblings?"
"...Eh?" Hearing that question made my entire body freeze, despite that I'm in a hot bathtub. My smile began to disappear as well. Where in the world did he get that question from?... unless...
"I know this is sort of out of the blue, but you really care for me as if you see me more than just a brother, do you?"
'Oh no! Has he found out that we're not entirely blood-related?!' I thought with worry. If he founds out we're step-siblings, he'll be devastated and will probably hate me for not telling him sooner. I didn't want that, I had to think of something, fast. I calmed myself and hugged Elsword, embracing him as he blushed (which was cute).
"Elsword, you're thinking too much of things. I am your older sister, and it is my duty to take care of you and keep you safe. After mother and father were gone, you're the only family I have left now. Until you grow up and become strong on your own, I want to help you anywhere I can."
"Elesis... Yeah, you're right. I guess I was overreacting a little bit." I gave out a sigh of relief. Looks like the secret still holds, that was too close for comfort. But I know have to tell him one day. To keep his mind normal, I'm going to try and seduce him a little bit.
"So Elsword, how does it feel to be hugged by a naked girl?" I asked seductively causing the little red-hair to blush.
"W-what are you saying?!" Elsword stuttered.
"This is kind of the first time for something like this to happen, right? To feel a woman's body, surely you must like it. I bet you're thinking of something naughty, aren't you?" Elsword's face was getting redder by the second. I could see steam flowing out of him. Oh, how fun it is to tease him. "Wanting to touch your sister's body perhaps, and probably the most sensitive ones like my-" I was cut off as Elsword escaped from the hug.
"I-I THINK I'VE BEEN IN THE WATER ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY!" Elsword shouted. "I'LL BE TAKING MY LEAVE NOW!" He grabbed a towel and left the bathroom. I just chuckled to how easy Elsword is to deal with. He was never the type for love. But I'll make him love me one day. Even if it means telling him the truth, the question is, when will I tell him? He was getting closer to finding out the truth. The best time would be graduating Elder junior High... yeah, I might set that up.
'It's settled, I'll tell him everything after we've graduated junior high school.' I thought as I made a fist pump. 'Just you wait, Elsword. I will make you mine no matter what!'
GL: I feel like I'm going to rate this story M for the seductive part, I didn't think I'd actually go that for. Anyway, looks like the mid-terms exams are over and Elsword is getting closer to the truth. Elesis needs to big plans to avoid problems for her. Let's hope that truth can last in the second semester.
In the next chapter, I'll be adding another Elsword character, and I'm pretty sure you know who it is. See you in the next chapter!
