Chapter 35: Virtual Simulation [7]

Chapter 35: Virtual Simulation [7]

Tak— Tak—!

Walking around the halls of Astrea Academy, Belle's heels clicked against the marbled floor.

"Good morning, President Belle.

"Greetings, President."

Along the way, she'd be greeted by the students. She'd then return their greetings with a nod.

She had heard–that the first year students' Battle Royale was scheduled today.

Particularly, Brandon's Combat Class.

The session was streamed live, and from a distance she could see the students gathering to watch it from a screen.

Battle Royale was a session that every first year student had to take.

She took it as well when she was a first year, placing first.

Belle was quite interested in this year's session, but she refrained from watching.

The reason for this was because she didn't want to see Brandon killed.

Though, it would only be a simulation, just the sight of her own little brother dying before her eyes would be terrifying.

Tak— Tak—!

The hall continued to echo by the clicking of her heels. But the sound was immediately drowned out by the chattering of the students.

It was then when the students' words caught her attention.

"Does anyone know who that student is?"

"No, but he looks familiar."

"Doesn't he kind of look like President Belle?"

"Oh, now that you mention it they do look alike."

"That's President Belle's younger brother, Brandon Locke."

'Brandon...?'

Why were they talking about Brandon?

'Did he lose already?'

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

She had to know why they were talking about him.

Tak— Tak—!

She approached the group of students.

"Ah."

"P-President Belle, good morning."

"Good morning, President.

Belle then nodded at their greetings, but didn't spare them any glances.

Tak— Tak—!

It was then she could finally see the screen.

What caught her attention was the boy displayed on the screen. Pale-white hair, ice blue-eyes, and...

'Lightning..? Ice..? Wind...?'

She was surprised as her eyes shot wide open.

'Is that really Brandon...?

Truthfully, she never knew just how capable Brandon was.

The two siblings were quite close growing up. But when Belle awakened as a Deviant, she moved overseas to pursue her education.

Thus, the two siblings drifted apart.

But at 16-years-old was when the Academy called upon her.

She was given the offer to become the Student Council President in exchange for attending Astrea Academy.

Of course, she accepted the offer and returned to the country, reuniting with her family.

But shortly after, she moved to the city to attend the Academy.

It was only recently when the two siblings reconnected again.

Though for some reason, the Brandon that she knew was quite different to the Brandon currently.

But she didn't mind it, concluding that it must've been because of puberty.

This was the first time Belle had actually seen Brandon use magic.

At Vanessa's question, Belle tried to recall why she entered the room in the first place.

"Ah."

"Ah?"

She redirected her attention to the screen, only to find Brandon, lifting an ice sword up.

The girl in front of him seemed to be doing nothing about it as she stood frozen.

It was normal for the students to kill each other during the Battle Royale.

But...

'Those eyes...'

They were cold.

Detached of any warmth.

Was this really the sweet little boy she grew up with?

Just what happened to Brandon in the six years that she was gone?

[I'll kill you now. But I'll come find you after all of this is over.]

Brandon then proceeded to mercilessly thrust his ice blade into the girl's chest.

"Eh...?"

The three women in the room tilted their heads.

They all thought of one thing.

'Did Brandon just flirt with her?'

***

After Brandon killed Sarah, Amy exited the cave and made her way to Brandon's side.

She knitted her brow and pursed her lips to say,

"What the hell did you do to them?"

"Huh?"

What was she talking about?

"Don't 'huh' me. They came to me completely terrified. They didn't even put up a fight."

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

"Haa... Whatever. So what do we do next?"

Brandon pondered for a while, until he realized he had yet to check the map.

Click–

As he opened the map, his eyes shot wide open.

There was three minutes left until the convergence zone would close.

And...

"...Amy."

"I know..."

They were out of the safe zone.

It was quite far too.

Though he was quite reluctant about the idea, there was only one option if they wanted to make it to the safe zone as fast as possible.

Woosh–

"H-Hey!"

Brandon picked her up.

A Princess carry.

"Hold on tight."

"Put me down! What are you planning on d– AHHHH!"

Tszzzzz—!

*

*

*

[AN]

Server is out now!

https://discord.gg/yzbHWQ8sXW