I looked over at Adel, who seemed to have a worried expression on her face, and smiled: “Just in case. We do not know what to expect after all.”
“Mmm…” Seeing Adel’s worried expression grow deeper, I couldn’t help but clench my fists. I did not wish to keep her out of the loop, but it was hard to explain.
I took a deep breath and clapped my hands. “Alright, let’s go!”
We grouped together and stood on the spot that was marked on the ground before I touched the door. It seemed the area marked was the radius of the teleport area. Our views changed, and we found ourselves inside a large stone room. No cave or anything like that but a stone room. It was made of gray bricks that were half the size of me. The ceiling always went up so high that I could not see it. It was blocked by pure darkness. There were even stone pillars made of curved blocks that also rose up into the darkness above. As for the smell, well…. It was a little stale and had a strange scent.
But other than that, where we stood was clearly marked by a large magic circle which was the teleport to leave the dungeon. “Yes! It’s cool in here!” Lero yelled out as he tossed his chubby hands in the air.
It was indeed cooler in here. If I knew the entrance was some sort of safe zone, I would have come in here, to begin with. I only knew this was a safe zone due to the barrier on the only exit besides the door behind me. When I looked around the room, there were more groups in here as well. But one person caught my eye. “Why is Sally by herself?”
“Hmmm? Faith?” Adel turned and called out to me.
“Look over there. Sally is by herself. It’s like her team is…..” As I was speaking, I saw one of the kids who was supposed to be in her group pick up a rock from the floor and throw it at Sally. My body pretty much moved on its own as I appeared in front of Sally and caught the rock. “Do you mind explaining what you are doing to a member of my family?”
“Young Miss!” Sally cried out as she looked at me.
“Sally, you will come with me. I am afraid if you stay in a team like this, they might leave you to die.” I said with a snort before tossing the rock back at the young man who threw it. It was just that my little toss caused the rock to catch on fire as it flew past the young man’s face, burning it slightly.
No one said a word as I grabbed Sally’s hand and walked away. They are lucky that this was a test, or else I would have punched the idiot. But I am sure the Dean would call me to have another talk. “Young Miss, is this allowed?”
“Who cares. I do not want you to be in a team with people who will attack you. If there is any trouble, just blame it on Instructor Telive.” Instructor Telive may not know it, but I can smell him and know he was not far away. Since he did not wish to step out to stop the situation, then she would just blame him if someone said anything.
“Ah! Hell yeah! We got your guard too!?” Brad yelled out. “Haha! We will definitely be alright now.”
“Yeah, with three of the top students taking the tests on our team, I know for a fact that we will do good!” Steven said excitedly.
This was how a team should be. Inviting and willing to party with others. There was no need for people to shun others. Whether it was because Sally was a beastkin or because she was part of my family, I did not know, but I did know that I was glad that I was here to catch it before anything bad happened.
We had all moved off to the side so we would not block the entrance. We had decided to cool off before heading into the dungeon. I was just about to stand up when I heard a voice behind me. Faith! Adel!”
I got up and turned to see Sei walking up with not only Sophie but Grace as well. But something did not seem right. “What happened!?” I looked at Grace and saw she had a black eye and a fat lip. Even part of her hair was burnt. Her leather armor was also a mess.
“Ahh… You see, her team and our team met up outside. We thought things were fine, but the two teams started yelling at us and bad mouthing you. Grace got into it with them, and before we could react, five girls of equal status began beating her up. Sophie and I quickly stepped in and dealt with half of them before the rest ran away. It was pretty bad. Ah, speak of the devils….. Huh? Faith!?” After hearing Sei’s words, I found myself standing in front of a group of seventeen young men and women. Some had their clothes ruffled up, but besides that, they seemed to have been healed.
I scanned each one of them and, in a low voice, asked: “Who was it?”
“Huh? What do you want?” I watched as one boy flinched when he asked me this.
“I said which of you girls hit Grace? Push them forward now!” I was mad. And my anger was really starting to be hard to control. It seems my ancient will triggers when people closer to me get hurt or are threatened.
“What right do you have to tell us what to do!?” A girl yelled out as she stepped forward, she gave me a smug look as she said: “I am also a daughter of a marquess. If I wish to hit someone I can hit them.”
“Oh really?” My eyes went wide as I tilted my head to the side and smiled. “I happen to be the daughter of my mother. If I wish to beat bitches I will beat them.”