Time passed: 19 minutes

Survivors left: 8

Impostors: 4

Lextor's score: 3

Emma's score: 2

….

In these past few minutes, many things have changed.

Kevin and Natalie had been hearing a lot of movement from around them and many people screaming in the distance.

A few minutes ago, they saw massive illumination from a spell from a little far and following that was a loud grunt before someone was taken down.

They couldn't tell who it was but whoever that rule breaker was has paid the price.

Kevin was working relentlessly to control how much aether he was pouring into his sword to not generate too much illumination and have to face a council member.

He might handle the other students but council members? There was a very slim chance.

"We have failed once…and are advancing towards our second option. There wouldn't be a third, I suppose." Natalie muttered in a low voice but Kevin heard her clearly.

The entrance they reached wasn't usable. That's why, they were following the wall to reach the next exit point and get out as soon as they could

However, considering the time left—the hourglass on the stage was illuminated enough for everyone to see—they only had a chance to inspect another door.

After all, most of those chaotic noises were coming from the direction they were moving to. So, avoiding a battle was impossible.

And as they thought,

"Huh?" Kevin's eyes widened as he found a certain pink head being lifted into the air, her throat being grabbed by the other person as she choked the pink head in a strong grip.

"Isn't she Anna?" Natalie voiced but Kevin's focus wasn't on her.

The pink head turned her gaze towards Kevin and said, "H-Help me…"

Natalie wanted to stop Kevin given they couldn't trust anyone here but before she could utter a word, Kevin was already standing there, his sword coming down towards Venessa's shoulder.

"Tch!" Venessa clicked her tongue and twirled on her heels, releasing her grip from Anna's throat and tossing her away.

Kevin knelt beside Anna and supported her.

Venessa scoffed as she muttered, "She is an impostor. Tried to ambush me."

Anna's neck was red, her eyes wet as she cried, "She is lying! She is an impostor and has already knocked out two people! I saw it with my own eyes, Kevin!"

Natalie frowned…she saw her knocking people out and yet she went for a confrontation?

Kevin wasn't as thoughtful as her. Anna's tears, the way she was breathing roughly, broke something inside him.

Venessa gritted her teeth, "Why do I need to lie? I could have easily knocked these people out rather than lying if I really was an impostor."

Anna clung to Kevin's shirt and muttered, "I swear…Kevin…she…she is lying…I would lie to anyone but you."

Kevin cupped her cheek and told her, "I understand, Anna. Don't worry, she will pay for her sin."

He slowly rose to his feet and faced Venessa.

His eyes cold and his aura instantly filled the space.

Then, he stepped forward, his black eyes steady, fingers tightening around the sword hilt. The ceremonial hall was dim, lit only by the hourglass. Absolutely no sunlight. Hardly any aether.

Venessa glared at him—cold and dangerous. Her black hair framed her red eyes like a warning.

Darkness rippled over her skin.

Then the serpents came.

Several shadowy serpents burst out from her arms and shoulders, hissing as they curled around her like living smoke. Whenever they touched the stone floor, it sizzled and cracked. A single drop of that corrosion would end him.

Kevin exhaled once and dashed.

His sword sliced out in a blur. Venessa slid sideways, her body almost gliding. A serpent lunged. Kevin tilted his head; it skimmed past, burning a line through the pillar behind him.

Another serpent snapped at his waist—Kevin parried with the flat of his blade, but the steel began to corrode instantly.

"Tch—"

Venessa rushed in. Her kick slammed into his ribs. Kevin staggered back, choking on air.

The serpents swarmed again—faster, meaner. One brushed his shoulder; his blazer burnt in a heartbeat. Pain hit him late as the skin beneath burned.

She was overpowering him.

She knew it too.

"Running out of light, Kevin?" Venessa taunted.

Kevin gritted his teeth. He didn't answer. Instead, he planted his feet. The faint beam of sunlight he has been preserving shone from his chest.

He gathered the energy.

The air around him rippled as his blade trembled with the leftover solar energy—small, weak, but enough.

Venessa sensed the shift. All her serpents lashed out together.

Kevin moved.

One step. One swing.

Aether burst through the sword, turning the strike into a clean arc of light. It cleaved through the air like a silent explosion. The serpents evaporated before they could touch him, splitting into ash. Venessa's eyes widened—too late.

The impact hit her chest like a hammer.

She flew back, crashing into the far wall, dust erupting around her.

Everything went quiet.

Kevin lowered his blade, breathing hard. The last bit of sunlight faded from the steel.

Just then—

SQUELCH

"Agh!" Kevin gasped as something stabbed into his side.

Natalie froze, eyes wide. Anna—who she had been watching closely the whole time—vanished into a black smog and appeared right beside Kevin, her dagger buried in his ribs.

Shock hit him harder than the pain.

"A-Anna…?" he breathed.

She gave him a small, guilty smile. "Sorry, Kevin… I had to. Without your help, beating her would've been impossible."

Kevin groaned, "But… my… truth detection… I used it… on you…"

Anna stuck her tongue out. "You told me last year there was a loophole to trick that skill. I just used it. Don't be mad."

DHAK

Her palm slammed into his neck. Kevin hit the floor and blacked out.

"You bitch!"

A roar exploded from behind.

Anna tried to leap away, but Natalie's shield shot through the air and slammed into her head.

"Guh!"

Anna fell sideways with a grunt.

Natalie charged, not giving her a chance to get up.

But before she could reach her—

"CALAMITY FIST!"

A burst of air shocks hammered into Natalie's side. Blow after blow struck her ribs, stomach, shoulder—one after another—before the final hit launched her across the hall.

She crashed hard, skidding to a stop.

Anna weakly smiled at the boy who approached her, "Thanks for the help…even though I didn't ask for it."

Lextor coldly looked at her and said, "Don't misunderstand. I only helped you because of the points."

Anna shrugged, "I am aware. Anyway, can you deal with her? I need some rest."

Lextor didn't say anything and turned towards Natalie.

The girl was barely able to pull herself up, however, she knew one thing—she couldn't win against him alone.

'I need reinforcement.' She muttered before rushing away, using every ounce of consciousness to bring herself away from the blond boy.

*Thud*

Suddenly, she crashed into someone and nearly lost her balance.

Natalie's eyes widened and then a sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw the person.

She hugged the girl and said, "Oh, thank God it's you Emma….I really needed some help."

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Bruh…thanks for reading.

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