Blue River Academy

Finals - Part 1

3 weeks later:

All the students had gathered in the main hall for an assembly. Professor Collins was stood on the stage. She wore a sophisticated, black and white polkadot silk corset dress. Which she wore buttoned all the way up, with a heavy black statement necklace It was old, clearly from when her childhood. It had lots of diamonds and chains, that hung dangling over her chest. The lower half of the dress clung to her body like it was skin, she wore it proudly. Like she belonged in it. She wore her black stilettos matching perfectly with the dress. Camilla cleared her throat, gaining everyones attention.

‘Morning students. In a few weeks time it will be the end of term finals to see who will be continuing their education, at the academy. This week you will have your mock exams. This is so we can see who will be needing extra support and in what areas. We will be putting on extra classes to help those who need it. Does anybody have any questions?’

The hall fell silent as every student took in the information. A hand shot up a few seats behind me. It was Rose a wolf from the river pack.

‘What if we don’t make the pass grade? What happens to us then?’ She questioned. Obvious nervousness in her voice.

‘If you do not pass the final exams, you will be sent home. I will warn you now. Students have died participating in the finals. If you want to withdraw from the academy please come to my office after todays mock exams. You will be sent home, withdrawing from any further participation in finals and academy events, also halting your education at the academy. You will not be judged for withdrawing.’

Everyone in the hall was shocked that no one had said this before. There had always been rumours around the academy that students have died, but there was no evidence to prove this. Each student has to sign a non-disclosure contract before they start their exams, meaning that they weren't allowed to talk about the exam or what happened during or after it. This meant that there was little information on the exams and what they entailed. Only what the teachers decided to tell us.

‘Each of you willing to carry on your education at the academy, please listen out for your mock exam allocations. Students from A dorm, your first mock exam will be in combat. Please follow Mrs Robinson to the training area to start your mock exam. Students from B dorm, your first mock is english. Will you please follow Mrs Potter, to the library. Students from C dorm please follow Mr Lozinski for your skills exam, in the forest. Students from D dorm please follow Mr Watts for your Math exam, in the gym. Thank you.’

The tension in the hall was intense. Every student was nervous and anxious at the announcement just made. The fact that students have died in the final exams made us all nervous. There was chatter in the hall each asking one another if they were withdrawing. Not that anyone would say in fear of being made a fool of. All the students started following the teachers to the designated test areas talking in their groups. Which left Me, Theo, Tristan, Callum, Thomas, Mace, Benji and Jed, the Council. Camilla approached us, her heals clicking on the marbled floor.

‘You guys are doing your final tests now as I have a task for you. Please follow me I will be assessing you.’

My stomach started to churn. Nerves started to rise within me. Im not ready for this, I haven't learnt much since being here. I have been too worried with Viktor and my brother. I took a breath and swallowed my anxiety and followed Camilla along with the other council members. We sat an english test. I completed it quickly. Maths test, I also completed quickly finding it easier than expected. History I did in record time, also easier than expected. It was more like a general knowledge test.

‘Camilla, can I ask you something? Why are these exams so easy?’ I questioned.

‘Because I wrote it myself. I have made it easier for you because you are the best students that the academy has. I need you to pass and pass quickly with flying colours. As I said I have a task for you after the exams.’ Camilla explained

Our next was combat. We all would find this exam easy, we are the best fighters at the academy. This exam was just a formality, we all knew we were going to pass this test without any problems.

‘I watched your class the other day Valentine. You have already past this test. You will be helping me grade the others.’ Astonishment filled my face as I looked at the boys. They all nodded their heads agreeing with Camilla’s statement.

‘You are the best fighter out of all of us Val. You know that.’ Mace called out.

‘Yes, she is.’ A chorus of voices echoed.

‘Thanks guys. It means a lot!’ I blushed.

‘Right everyone line up. I am going to pair you up. Tristan you are with Benji. Callum you are with Theo. Thomas you are with Jed and Mace you are paired with me. Valentine you will assess us. Ok, lets get started. Benji and Tristan you are first.’ Camilla declared.

‘Right then off we go.’

Tristan and Benji circled each other. Benji leapt hurling himself in Tristan’s direction. Tristan side stepped as Benji flew past changing and landing in his wolf. He growled at Tristan letting him know that his wolf was out.

‘Well, that isn't fair now is it.’ Tristan snarled at Benji. Benji’s head low, ready for Tristan to make his move.

Tristan jumped flying towards Benji’s wolf, landing on his back. The wolf jumping and twisting trying to dislodge the attacker that was gripping tightly onto his back. Tristan lost his grip and fell off the wolf landing with a thud on his back. The wolf took a minute to adjust to the lack of weight on him. This was all the time that Tristan needed to ready himself for his next attack. The wolf snarling at Tristan, urging him to change. It looked like there was an unheard conversation being had between the 2 fighters. The wolves were mind linking each other.

‘I will not be changing, Benji. I do not need my wolf to beat you!’ Tristan replied out loud, not wanting to have this conversation in private.

Benji bound towards Tristan, grabbing his arm throwing him across the grass. Then grabbed his legs flung him back to where they started, right at my feet. This was the point that Tristan knew that he would need his wolf to win against Benji. Benji is too strong for him to be able to take him in human form.

Benji grabbed Tristans leg again. Throwing him across the grass, Tristan shifted into him wolf, changing mid air and landing the throw perfectly on all fours, without a fault. He lifted his head up high asserting his dominance, standing proud then lowered it with a growl. Getting ready to fight.

Tristan ran at Benji. The 2 wolves were tangled together, nipping and scratching each other. It was a blur trying to see who was winning. Benji’s wolf was bigger and stronger however Tristan was a born wolf an alpha, he could out fight any wolf. Benji started to tire, his stamina not at high as Tristan’s. Tristan got the upper hand pinning the chocolate wolf to the floor, his teeth digging into Benji’s throat. Tristan had won the fight.

‘Valentine, Who won that fight?’ Camilla questioned.

‘Tristan won, he was the one that his teeth around his opponents throat. However it was a good fight, it was very exiting. One minute I thought Benji was going to win then Tristan. I could barely keep up. Well, done to the both of you.’ I applauded.

Clapping my hands at both participants, along with the other members of the group.

‘Callum, Theo your up next, You ready?’ I addressed.

Both nodded and get into position, Callum was stood on one side Theo on the other. Theo charged at Callum. Callum Jumped out the way and used him vamp speed to get behind Theo. He pushed him. Theo fell on the floor. He forced himself back to his feet. Callum planning his next attack. Theo was ready for Callum’s next advance. Theo had to be smart and use his brain for this fight.

‘Are you ready to be beaten by a human, Cal?’

‘In your dreams mate!’

Callum launched at Theo flying threw the air. Theo was ready and braced himself for impact. Sliding to the side as Callum Sailed past, he then flew on top of Callum. Theo grabbed him around the neck chocking him, Callum was rolling around trying to remove the grip that Theo has around his neck. Theo squeezed tighter, Callum began to lose consciousness, his vision started to blur, he stumbled around and then Callum was out cold, being lowered to the floor gently, he led on the grass peacefully. Theo won the fight!

‘Theo, well done, a human against a vampire. Who knew that you had the skills to win!’ Camilla cheered.

‘Yes, Theo, Well done!’ I hailed.

‘Thomas, Jed you ready?’

They both circled each other waiting for the other to make the first move. Jed launched at Thomas changing into his wolf mid air, pinning Thomas to the floor snarling at him. Thomas trying to use his vamp strength to push Jed off. Jed had his paws on Thomas’s arms pinning them to the floor. His saliva dripping from his mouth onto his opponents face.

‘Jed you win. Now get off me !’ Shouted Thomas.

With that Jed climbed off Thomas. Still in his wolf form, he prowling over to me. Standing in front of me on the grass, his head held high. Part of me wanted to stroke the wolf standing in front of me, his fur looked so soft. The other part of me knew better than to pet a wolf, you might get your hand bitten off.

‘Jed, well done. You have one this fight, Mace and Camilla, You ready?’

Both started staring at each other silently challenging the other. Mace was quick to attack but Camilla was even quicker at dodging his advances, she was side stepping and diving. It wasn't much of a fight but more of a dance. Mace would lunge at Camilla, who would so gracefully without any effort, danced away.

‘Stop dodging me this is meant to be a fight not a dance Camilla.’ Mace shouted angrily.

‘I like this dance, Mace, I think It is funny watching you fail at catching me!’

Then the tables turned. Camilla took on an offensive strategy, tackling Mace to the floor punching him in the side of the head. As the fight went on he was getting more and more unstable on his feat. Camilla picked him up using her vampire strength and threw him into a nearby tree.

Mace was now led on the floor at the base of the tree, his vision clouded.

‘What was that about a dance Mace? One thing you need to learn is not to goad a centuries old vampire who could kill you in less than a second.’ She said while advancing ruthlessly to finish the job she had started.

‘I…I.…I concede.’ Mace bellowed as loud as his voice would let him. He managed to get the words out just before Camilla had reached him.

‘Pussy.’ She called behind her. Her words filled with venom.

By the time we had finished all the fights it was nearly dark.

‘Your next assessment will be tomorrow morning. So please meet me outside the house at 8am. We will be doing your survival skills tests. Tracking, Hunting, Fire making and shelter building. There will be other subjects included in this so please refresh you memories tonight and I will see you in the morning.’

With that Camilla vanished into the night, we headed back to the house everyone but me moaned about aching. I didn't get my ass handed to me in the combat exam. I chuckled to myself at the thought of this. We walked in silence to the house, over the grass and towards the front door.