Soon, Melanie found herself in the largest stadium outside the main gymnasium. At the center of the track ring was a deadly obstacle course with flying spikes, a pool with a radioactive shark, and much more.
"This is your obstacle course?!" Melanie asked incredulously. "Someone could get hurt!"
"But of course!" said Bulltrunch cheerfully. "But since our students are still training here, we don't allow that. However, injury is just as helpful a learning tool as long as it isn't too permanent. Our alumni are the elite, able to endure anything, but also flawlessly avoid the dangers of hazards to themselves or from pesky heroes."
"How horrible," replied Melanie.
"This obstacle course over there is our most difficult obstacle course," explained Bulltrunch. "It's only open to seniors in certain programs. "Anyone who passes this course gets a grant for their evil schemes and a scholarship to the Black Hat Institute or any other associate villainous universities."
"Have we any new athletes that show new talent?" asked Black Hat.
"Oh, yes," Principal Bulltrunch answered. "Several dozen in the upcoming freshman class alone. There are a good number of superpowered children like Melanie who show great promise."
"It would be nice to see them cross this course, if they don't perish in the process," Black Hat said with a wicked grin.
"Before it's time for Melanie to graduate, you will. It will be their final exam," Bulltrunch explained with too much enthusiasm.
"I figured you had public executions or gladiator fights to the death," Melanie said sarcastically. "I guess I wasn't that far off."
"Would you be interested in this program, Melanie?" Bulltrunch asked.
"Not really," Melanie said. "I prefer learning martial arts and not whatever this is. I did it in my other school."
"They have that here," informed Black Hat. "Demencia makes appearances here at times, to make them scream."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Melanie asked out loud.
"Those she doesn't eat anyway," Black Hat added.
"You let Demencia eat the students?" Melanie asked incredulously.
"That foul girl eats everything," Black Hat shrugged.
"I'm going to be sick again," complained Melanie.
"Anything you wish to show the girl, Principal?" asked Black Hat.
"The rest of the school, of course," Bulltrunch said. "Come along, Melanie. Let's keep going."
Melanie summoned her scythe, sat on it, sipped on her water bottle, and said, "Okay..."
"That reminds me," Bulltrunch said. "We have training facilities for villains with their weapons. Right this way..."
"Hold on," Black Hat said, looking back at Melanie.
"Yes, sir?" Bulltrunch asked.
Black Hat looked Melanie in the eyes and held out his hand. "Melanie? The scythe."
"What?" Melanie asked annoyedly.
"Give me the scythe," ordered Black Hat.
"What?! Why?!" protested Melanie. "I didn't do anything!"
"Now!" Black Hat growled.
Knowing she had no choice, Melanie hopped off her scythe, threw it towards Black Hat, and yelled, "Fine! Ruin it like you're ruining everything else in my life!"
Black Hat easily caught the scythe, gripped it, slammed the end on the floor, and said, "I'd do that with pleasure, but that's not what I'm planning."
He then turned to Bulltrunch with a sickeningly fake smile, "As you can see, miss, she is rather defiant. But she understands orders. Now, Ms. Bulltrunch, why don't you show us one of your training facilities?"
"Of course! Of course! Right this way!" Ms. Bulltrunch replied, enthusiastically leading the way.
"Hey! Give it back!" Melanie demanded as she summoned her wings and flew behind them.
Soon the group entered another training facility. Inisde was a large room with cushioned floors and training dummies scattered about for the students to use.
In the center of that room, Black Hat stood and telekinetically spread all the dummies to the edge of the room except one.
Principal Bulltrunch waited on the side.
Melanie dissolved her wings and landed on the ground impatiently.
"What are you doing with my scythe?" demanded Melanie.
Black Hat snapped his fingers and one of the dummies immediately came to life. It looked around the room, seeming frightened and confused.
Melanie's expression softened as she looked over the creature.
"I'm about to give you another test," Black Hat finally replied, handing the scythe back. "Strike down the dummy."
Melanie looked at the faceless dummy both confusedly and in wonder.
"It's alive," Melanie said in amazement as she took the scythe back and pulled back her hair in a low ponytail. "How did you do that? You're not God. You can't make life out of nothing. Did you put another soul in there?"
"I have others to use at my disposal, many, many, many more," explained Black Hat. "Perhaps it was a client or one given to me by a client or one from another planet."
Melanie looked at the creature up and down and got up close to it.
"What are you waiting for?" asked Black Hat impatiently. "It won't speak, only worm around like a frightened bug."
Melanie took a deep breath, muttered an apology to the dummy, and struck a fatal blow with her scythe. But while she landed her blow, she sliced open a portal to heaven. When the soul was struck down, he looked at Melanie, smiled, and flew through the portal. Feeling satisfied in her heart, she shut the portal and turned around.
Black Hat stared down at Melanie, growling.
"There, granduncle," Melanie said with a smirk. "I struck it down."
"Yes. You did." With one swoop, Black Hat snatched away her scythe. "And by that one foolish action, you have made it clear that you have not yet earned this."
"What?! Why not?! Give it back!" Melanie protested.
"Silence!" Black Hat roared, his face brimming with claws and razor blades.
Melanie stepped back and froze in fear. She felt tears poking in the corners of her eyes.
Black Hat's body shifted back as he grinned. "Be thankful I am only taking this and not 'talking' to Lucy."
"When can I get it back?" Melanie asked sheepishly.
"When I've decided you've earned it," Black Hat replied.
"When will that be?" asked Melanie.
"She should have it back before the school year starts in late August so she can be enrolled in this weapons program, Lord Black Hat," said Principal Bulltrunch.
"Hmmm, perhaps that would be best," reasoned Black Hat.
"But I can't wait that long!" Melanie complained.
"But you will for your defiance and failure," informed Black Hat coldly.
Melanie sniffled and turned away.
"Don't worry, dear," Bulltrunch tried to reassure her. "I'm sure you can earn it back before then. Maybe you'll pass one of Black Hat's other tests. Now, are you ready to continue the tour, Black Hat?"
"My life is no better than Oliver Twist's or Pip's," Melanie said to herself.
"Oh, you're a literature buff. Excellent!" Bulltrunch gushed. "Let me show you to the library!"
"Yes, maybe the library will keep her quiet for once," Black Hat quipped.
Melanie glared at Black Hat and sniffled again.
"Okay, here we go, off to the library!" Bulltrunch chirped.