Chapter 25: Voice Within
1206 Words
“What happened, Zachia?” Ada confusingly asked her friend. She only zoned out for a few seconds, and then the battle has already ended.
Zachia shook her head as she answered her. “I don’t know! It’s like a vicious wind blasted them outside the ring. I don’t know why the magical mark didn’t work.” Zachia scratched her head in confusion about the outcome of the match.
Ada looked back at the center to see if Zeya’s squad were fine. However, what she saw was Zeya’s threatening glare directed at her.
Is she angry with me? I think there’s something she wanted to say...
“Zachia, I’ll be right back!” she said before she dashed her way toward Zeya’s direction, leaving her only friend behind.
“Ada! Wait!” Zachia called out to her, but she was already bumping herself to everyone as she squeezed her way towards Zeya’s squad, who are now leaving the arena. They already transformed back to their non-demon form, and they are currently blended with the human crowd, and she’s starting to lose sight of them.
Sh*t!
The announcer went on to explain to everyone about the disappointing result of the fight. It was said that an unforeseen situation has occurred. Then, she suddenly stopped in her tracks when the announcer said something that caught her interest. “And for everyone who wanted to participate in this year’s new hunters’ competition, it’s the last day of registration, and everyone in Wicceros is encouraged to join!”
Ada couldn’t believe how her heart fluttered upon hearing the announcement.
What’s with me? Why am I getting excited? Could it be… No! I can’t even look at Zeya’s team! Jesus Christ! How could I think of…
She clutched her chest to feel the rapid thumping of her heart.
But there’s no harm in trying, right? It’s just a test. It’s not as if you’d be getting killed for real.
Then how the f*ck will I pass if I can’t even wield a knife? And, duh! I still have to find my way home!
How will you get home if you don’t even know where the h*ll you are! The easiest way to learn about this realm is to join that exam.
Oh, come on? Who are you fooling? I don’t want to get my head chopped during a mission! Why would I join? Plus, I hate commitments! And I’m not good with teamwork!
You’ll never know what you have… not unless you try. And for your information, this is your home now.
Ugh! Wait? Who am I arguing with, by the way?
Ada looked around and found herself in the middle of the thinning crowd. Who’s talking with her? Could it be a telepathic user like Ni’mula? And, since when can she hear someone else’s thoughts?
She tried to open a conversation again, mentally.
Who are you?
I’ll tell you... if you join the exam.
She has the same voice as her.
As of now, proceed with finding Zeya…
Oh, sh*t!
She completely forgot about Zeya’s squad because of that voice.
Damn you! Where should I go now!
Then the voice stopped answering her.
Hey! Ugh! If not for you, I wouldn’t lose them!
But no one replied.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped her arm and started dragging her out of nowhere. She resisted at first, but when she saw whose hand is pulling her, she stopped resisting.
“Cloy!” she uttered in surprise. Cloy stopped dragging her and let go of her arm. Then, he looked at her with apparent fascination in his eyes.
He smiled and gazed at her tenderly before he spoke. “It’s nice to hear you say my name, Ada.”
She sweated profusely as her heart started to drum rapidly against her chest. He’s also into her! She could feel it.
Wait? Did I just admit to myself that I like him?
She could feel her face burning from the uncomfortable situation she’s in, and she could only wish that her current face won’t flush in embarrassment. She swallowed hard before she managed to reply. “Um, I need to talk with your captain.”
“Yeah, she’s waiting for you. And, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Ada,” he informed her in a flirty way. She bit her lower lip in confusion, and Cloy’s face brightened up as he saw her reaction. She almost forgot that they still need to question her. “It’s nice to know that you’re already fine.”
“T-thank you,” she stammered. She looked away and avoided his gaze. She’s afraid of what she might do if she continued to engage in a staring battle with him.
Then, Cloy tilted his face toward her, and he’s only inches away from her as of the moment. He looked at her closely as if he’s examining her. “You’re getting lovelier each day, Ada. Why is that?”
She shuddered at his words. This man is seriously dangerous. It’s as if he played with women all his life that he knows how to make a woman fall for him instantly. Furthermore, his girlfriend just died a while ago. And, what? Is he moving on to his next prospect? She didn’t stay single all her life just to get her heart ruined by some demon-shifting man.
Additionally, this isn’t her real body. This isn’t her real face. She doesn’t have the right to feel giddy whenever someone adores her because of her borrowed looks.
She grunted in frustration. “Just bring me to your boss, okay? I got some things to ask her too, a lot of things, actually. ” Cloy’s entire face wrinkled upon seeing her change of mood. It seems he wanted to say something more, but he just nodded at her before he started to walk, and she followed behind him.
They soon entered the castle, and she couldn’t tell which wing they entered. They walked through endless halls and climbed several stairs still they haven't reached their destination. She was hoping to find Zachia once again, probably after her talk with Zeya. If her plan doesn’t work, she’d definitely search for Zachia. She doesn’t want to become a beggar in this realm, for goodness sake. Maybe that voice is right all along. Becoming a huntress would be the easiest way to find her way home. The problem is how she will be able to pass the test.
I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there.
- Writer
