The Author's Playground

Chapter 3: Elijah (2)



C H A P T E R 1 . 2

Chapter Name: Elijah (2)

______________________

'Executors'

A noble title given to those blessed with rare abilities from birth.

It was said that when Adam and Eve stole the apple of Godhood, humanity received mana and magic. But in exchange, nightmares began to manifest, a result of their greed.

Only those with mana could defeat nightmares. But those with mana were also prone to becoming nightmares themselves.

A double-edged sword.

The stronger you were, the greater your mana—and the higher the chance of succumbing to madness.

Thus...

'Swing!!'

Yellow hair fluttered as Victoria's arrows impaled each wooden dummy one by one.

Applause erupted, including from Elijah.

"As expected of the Princess of the Fleur Empire."

"They say the Fleur Kingdom is truly blessed with wind affinity."

"But still... she's just a B-class..."

"Hush, shut up. If she hears you..."

"Man, that bow would sell for a fortune."

The murmurs stopped as everyone side-eyed Elijah, who had randomly blurted out the last comment.

"What?"

"Nothing, we realized it's just Elijah's thing."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"..."

Elijah simply shut his mouth, turning his attention forward.

Several students showcased their abilities, but none drew much attention. 

After all, it was just a test for Class B. Lower ranks were allowed to watch, and higher classes didn't even bother to attend.

Among all the Class B students, Victoria was undoubtedly the strongest.

Any other students except Victoria, isnt worth to watch.

Then suddenly...

"Elijah Noe, Class F," the instructor called.

Elijah blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. 

"Hm?"

The instructor continued. "You are asked to be a sparring partner."

Elijah's face twisted in confusion. "What?"

The murmurs began again.

"Ah, he's cooked."

"Lol, F-class against B-class?"

"It's obvious that guy just wants to beat him up."

Elijah's gaze met Fellow Human A's. He immediately understood.

Bullies never let anyone rest, do they?

He snorted, trying to hold back laughter.

"Aiya, instructor~ my weak body can't handle a fight."

"It's just a spar."

"Instructor, I have the right to decline, right?"

"If you agree, you can skip Phys Ed for a week."

"Aye! I'm coming!"

The students shared the same thought.

(Wow, he accepted fast.)

(Well its Elijah thing...)

(You need to turn off your brain to understand him)

Who was Elijah exactly?

Anyone in higher classes, or those who lived under a rock, wouldn't know his name.

Aside from those people, he was quite famous.

Infamous for being an odd pea.

Weakest in stamina, speed, strength. If a normal blessed has 10 mana capacity, he has 3. Yet, somehow, he always survived whatever challenge he was on.

Most F-class students would keep their heads down.

But Elijah? He wasn't like most students.

As Elijah headed downstairs, a fellow student stopped him.

"Bro it's a suicide"

Elijah simply smiled unbothered.

"Nah, I'd win."

He stepped down, back straight, hands in his pockets. All eyes followed him.

Fellow Human A sneered. 

"Yo, F-class, ready to get beaten?"

"Woah typical side villain attitude" Elijah commented.

He does have a knack to annoy someone, everyone compliments him for that.

Meanwhile, Victoria sat silently, chin resting on her hand on a front row seat. 

A classmate nudged her. "Aren't you going to help?"

"Help?" Victoria repeated.

"Well, you always interfere when he's in danger."

"..."

Victoria's gaze lingered on Elijah.

"You must not judge a person by its cover" Victoria replied. "I've always had a feeling he's hiding his true strength."

Elijah stepped onto the front stage, hands still in his pockets, holding a light sword, acting as casual as ever and Fellow Human-A strolled in his greatsword with an exaggerated swagger.

The instructor stood between them with a whistle in his hand.

"This is a spar. No fatal injuries are allowed. Both of you, get ready."

"Don't worry, F-class," Fellow Human A spat as he let a jest. "I'll make sure you survive"

Elijah in response raised an eyebrow and clapped his own hands.

"Ah instructor I don't feel safe, you gotta refund my tuition if I die here."

The instructor sighed annoyed. "Focus." as he raised the whistle to his lips.

'Tweet!'

The fight began.

Fellow Human A lunged forward, swinging his sword in a wide arc. "I'll beat the crap out of you, weakling!"

Elijah briefly saw the moment in complete slow motion.

(What a fool, by completely exposing your chest, anyone would easily reach out from your shoulders, chest, abdomen, and lastly... neck)

Yet despite knowing that, Elijah simply smiled and did nothing, letting the attacker completely slash his body, blood splattered around like a river.

At that moment, everyone gasped, even including Victoria who didn't expect that to happen at all.

The instructor chimed in checking his wounds, with a deep voice he immediately called upon.

"The test ends here, please pick up Student Elijah Noe in the nurse's office."

****

"Ah... Professor Machthan, how is he?" Victoria asked worriedly, clutching a paper bag filled with freshly baked bread.

Light green hair, and golden eyes, the professor in lab coat replied in a monotone.

"Fortunately, the wounds weren't too deep. He'll be fine."

"Oh, thank God," Victoria sighed in relief, handing her the paper bag. "If I'd known that would happen, I would've stopped the sparring idea in the first place."

She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Could you please give this to him when he wakes up?"

The professor nodded silently, accepting the paper bag.

"Thank you," Victoria said with a small bow before leaving the nurse's room.

As the door slid shut, the professor opened the bag, pulled out a piece of bread, and casually took a bite.

Walking over to a certain bed where Elijah lay nestled, she spoke with her mouth slightly full.

"Wake up. She's gone now, so quit pretending."

Elijah's eyes fluttered open, a grin spread in his face.

"Didn't she ask you to give the bread to me? Why are you eating it?"

"You can't taste anything anyway," the professor replied, chewing as she sat on a nearby stool. "It'd be a waste to give it to someone who can't appreciate it."

"Fair enough."

Silence settled over the room.

Then suddenly...

'Crash!'

A loud tremble, rumbling, shaking the entire floor and some glass broke in impact.

The morning sky outside the window turned a fiery red, streaks of crimson tainted the clouds like spilled ink. Thunder rumbled, breaking the stillness and the clock completely stopped from ticking.

Through it all, the professor remained calm, still nibbling on the bread. The same goes for Elijah, who simply rested in bed.

After a few minutes when the earthquake finally ends, the professor finally spoke.

"You planned all of this, didn't you?"

Elijah chuckled softly as he quietly called her name.

"Dull."

"..."

"Didn't I promise you a story you'd never get bored of reading?"


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