Chapter 128 - 164- Thalia Crimwell
Chapter 128 - 164- Thalia Crimwell
"How dare you think that Zeph was interested in you, huh?" Thalia’s visible frown, accompanied by her emerald eyes reflecting Jia, whose eyes instantly became wet due to the mana-filled punch, made those words even more chilling.
"MFFF.....!" Jia struggled to reject the green tablet she was just fed, moving her tongue violently in hopes of throwing it outside, but all was useless due to the pressure applied by Thalia’s palms.
"Don’t waste my time, just swallow it." Taking a peek from the tree shades, Thalia noticed Zeph engaged in conversation with Valeriana. Of course, she doesn’t doubt him, but her heart can’t stay focused.
"Mmm!?" Jia struggled to throw it out while clenching Thalia’s arms, but somehow it was hard for her to retaliate any further given the strength she was feeling from the pressure on her face, and the pain assaulting her abdomen played a role too.
All things together, with her eyes becoming teary, led to one thing.
GULP
She swallowed the medicine, unable to withstand the pain and being pushed against a tree like that. Seeing her like this, Thalia finally nodded while removing her hands, stating, "Clear your tears; you look pathetic for a third year."
With those words, Thalia turned and left the place, a soft smile adorning her face, having already accomplished her mission, with only her reward remaining.
Thud
Jia fell on her knees, with wet eyes and clenched teeth, which was nothing but humiliating for her. Being a third year, she should have been stronger than a second year, but ’I will not forgive you for this humiliation, Thalia Crimwell.’
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Valeriana’s POV
’Is that the girl?’ While standing at a distance from Zeph’s group, I noticed the girl named Laila standing beside Estelle, while the other girl whom I saw luring Zeph seemed to have followed Thalia somewhere.
From Zeph’s thoughts, I was sure that he was here to save that girl for something, but again, how does he know something that hasn’t happened yet?
It seemed confusing and unbelievable if I think about him being reborn.
But to confirm if his thoughts were true, I need to keep an eye on him.
"Valeriana, it seems we aren’t in the same group."
Hearing that voice, I turned my attention to Zeph, who was not thinking anything in particular, more like his mind was calmer than others.
"It was expected, since they placed members with seniors," I took a glance at a senior who had engaged in a fight with Zeph a few days ago, named Bruce, while conveying about the arrangement being made to keep the overall balance of teams.
"Pity."
’Is he wanting to be with Thalia?’ It seemed feasible since Thalia was also in my team, which could be a reason for him to act like this.
Whatever, but where is she?
It’s already some time since she went to meet with that girl, and soon the Practical will begin once Professor Liamian orders.
Did she do it intentionally?
After yesterday’s issue when she condemned me with false allegations of caring about Zeph, it all felt feasible.
"Valeriana, why are you wasting time here? Are you trying to lose intentionally?"
’!’
"Thalia, you are the one to talk." I turned to the direction where Thalia was approaching our direction with a thought which was definitely confusing and made me doubt my kind intentions to help Zeph.
"’Was this Hedrian again trying to stick with him with some excuse like last night?’"
’Now I regret intervening between Estelle and Zeph.’ It was clearly understandable that Thalia, whose relations with Zeph seemed more vivid now, would feel jealous of everyone.
’sigh’, I can’t help but find all this overwhelming.
First, Aunty proposed me to see Zeph as an eligible candidate for marriage, and now, knowing how troublesome this girl is, I don’t think I am going to study in peace for some time.
"Heh, Valeriana, at least I am not goofing like you."
Again, that smirk. Is Thalia in a bad mood due to something?
’By the way, where is Jia?’
.....
"It was Zeph who arrived here, Thalia," Valeriana said with her composed demeanor, looking towards Thalia, not understanding her aggressive approach.
Unaware that, due to being inside Black Forest, unconsciously, Thalia’s mind was filled with thoughts of that day’s trauma, images of her own helplessness, and Zeph’s half-dead state.
"I’m sure I was just here to inquire about the test," Zeph’s golden pupil reflected a sharp blank expression as he stood with folded hands, while looking at him blankly but sighing before helplessly shaking her head.
"Students! Line yourselves with your teammates."
Suddenly, a voice attracted all of their attention, causing Zeph’s carefree expression to turn into a cold demeanor. ’It is starting,’ he thought.
Things were just going in the way he anticipated it to be. Professor Liamian’s announcement was also at the same time.
SWOOSH
A loud sound filled the area as mana started to gather at four centers from some distance from the students, on the forest grounds.
SWISH
Within a moment, four dimensional gates materialized in that place, slowly opening their doors while revealing a completely different space.
"Now, each one of you should enter these portals according to allotted numbers," Liamian’s eyes observed twelve teams, each one of them prepared to leave while carrying a badge of numbers written on the portals.
"Zeph! What number did you get?" Thalia called out, looking at Zeph approaching Estelle and the other members of his team.
’Heh’ Halting in his way, Zeph turned towards Thalia, already aware of the minor changes made inside the whole plot of portals. After all, among all the teams who got the same numbers, only his team got Number 4.
"It’s Number 4! We will meet soon." With those words, Zeph joined his group while Thalia, Bruce, and Valeriana moved inside the 2nd portal.
Arriving at his team, Zeph’s eyes fell on Jia, who seemed to have just arrived with gritted teeth, making him understand that Thalia did her job. In a mocking tone, he said, "I guess you enjoyed that candy, Jia."
"Y-you!?" Jia burst out due to her anger, hearing Zeph’s mocking tone while still thinking of the way to deal with Thalia after this test.
"Team 11, it’s your turn," Liamian’s narrowed eyes observed Jia pouncing on Zeph while he clenched her wrists, a small fight which was delaying things for him.
"Aye Aye, Professor!" Zeph tilted his gaze while clenching Jia’s hands and pulling her towards the portal, while she kept retaliating but not able to do anything against his strength, which seemed surreal.
Normally, demi-humans were able to manifest mana much faster and utilize them for different spells, and normally body enhancement spells were common for Jia to use, but seeing how even after that, it all seemed worthless.
All four of them—Zeph, Jia, Estelle, and Laila—finally entered the portal, the only team who got number 4.
Looking at the disappearing backs of all of them, Liamian, in his lazy gaze with dark circles, holding a plant in his hand, turned to leave the place while thinking, "Sigh, hiring me for killing mere children, don’t know what Valley is thinking."
"Exactly me too, I don’t understand what Valley is thinking by going against me."
’!?’
Suddenly, a voice resonated inside the place, causing Liamian to swiftly turn towards the figure with glimmering silver hair and deep crimson eyes with a composed demeanor.
"P-Professor Adriannel, what are you doing here?" Liamian could not understand how Adriannel was here instead of being busy in Valeria Academy, making him clench his fist, feeling something amiss.
Adriannel’s cold gaze was fixed on the dull man in front of him, eyes glancing at the portals before turning towards the man. With a cold glint passing through his eyes, he announced, "Liamian, it is time for you to take retirement for eternity."
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