[Club House Competition] [9]

"Hey Az!!"

I snapped back to reality upon hearing Oliver yell at me.

"What happened?" he asked, frowning as he looked around. "What did you see?"

"...Nothing." I mumbled, hiding my distress, and walked away from the crowd.

[...Az.]

'...What should I do, El?'

If I really saw Delwyn, the situation is even more fucked up.

Bradyn is already a pain to fight against, and if Delwyn jumps into the chaos, Christina's father will have a hard time.

[...But his target is you, right?]

'...That's the problem.'

I don't know what he will do.

Best case scenario, he will try to kill me right here.

.....If that happens I can find a way to save myself or stall enough time for help.

It's not like he would kill me instantly—he would try to make my death as painful as possible.

...And worst case, he will try to kill those who are close to me.

'..Fuck.'

Cursing, I bit my lip tightly, trying to figure out what his goal might be.

'... Christina?'

There is a chance that he might kill her.

...No, on surface she isn't that close to me.

...Same for Ashlyn. He shouldn't attack an innocent girl.

[...Never trust those driven by revenge, Az. They can go to any length to get what they want.]

'...Right.'

And Delwyn is more like my mother—he likes to make other people do his bidding.

So, there is a low chance of him attacking personally.

'....But I still can't trust that either.'

"Hey, you two!" I called out to the two soldiers patrolling nearby.

They pointed at themselves, and I nodded, making them walk toward me.

"Do you know who I am?" I questioned as they approached.

"Yes, sir," one of them replied hesitantly.

"Good," I replied, pointing towards Tiffany. "You see that girl? Go and protect her."

"Pardon?"

"Was I not clear enough?" I asked, irritation lacing my voice.

"W-we will, sir." They nodded before walking towards her.

"And one more thing." I called them again, my voice devoid of any emotion. "If I see even a single scratch on her body, I will make sure your entire family gets executed."

They both trembled violently, a dreadful expression on their faces, but they nodded nonetheless.

....Good.

In case something happens, that should force them to keep her safe even if they might lose their lives.

"Azariah!!" Grabbing my shoulder, Oliver yelled, turning me around. "What the fuck are you doing!?"

"Stay away," I mumbled, jerking his hands off.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"I said, stay the fuck away!" I growled, pushing him aside before walking away.

"Why, you!?" He grabbed my shoulder, turning me around. "Why are you acting like before all of a sudden?"

"Fuck off." I jerked his hand off as I walked away.

"Don't fucking meet me on the ground!" he shouted, but I ignored him.

I hope he doesn't try to do anything funny.

[....Pushing him away won't change anything.] 'It will.'

It will keep him safe.

[...Why keep that girl safe?]

'She is important.'

For Ashlyn and as well as the saintess.

...And if she dies, Ashlyn might just drop out of the academy, and I can't let that happen.

But first, let's end this fucking competition as quickly as possible.

Moving through the crowd, I walked inside the hallway, making my way back to my team.

"Huh?"

But my steps slowed down as I saw the blue-haired girl standing beside the door.

"Azariah." She smiled softly, turning towards me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, slowly approaching her.

"I just wanted to see you," she replied, messing with my hair.

"Don't do that," I grumbled, taking a step back before walking past her. "If you've seen me, then go."

"Alan said he had a talk with you." I halted my steps as she whispered, "You didn't bully him this time."

"When did you meet him?" I asked, frowning.

"Just now," she replied, looking at me.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, or I might let my anger consume me.

Didn't I tell that idiot to stay with his father?

"Where is he now?" I asked, masking my emotions.

"He just returned to Father," she replied, observing me. "Did something happen? You don't look good."

"I'm fine." Shuddering, I replied, opening the door. "...Do me a favor and stay close to your father and brother."

"Why?" she probed, squinting her eyes.

"Just do it," I replied, opening the door.

"Az," she called, making me turn around. "I will be there if you need help."

I remained silent and just looked at her for a while before mumbling, "...I know."

As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by my three team members.

"You good, chubby?" Walking towards him, I asked.

"It still hurts," he grumbled, rubbing his chest. "Avenge me if you can."

"Yeah, I won't." Smiling, I refused.

Arianell went easy on them. If I were in their place, she would have definitely used a sharp blade.

"Why are you still alive?" I smiled, shifting my gaze towards Tristan.

He glared at me but kept his mouth shut.

"Come out, guys." Athela's voice echoed as she called us to the ground.

I was the first to walk out, followed by the rest of my team.

Shyamal skipped a few steps to arrive beside me, but I didn't say anything to her, nor did she.

Looking around, I noticed other teams also walking out of the rest room, assembling on the ground.

The sun was high in the sky, making me check the time.

'11:15.'

Forty-five minutes before the explosion happens.

"Haah."

I exhaled softly, calming my emotions as I closed my eyes and lowered my head.

If things had followed the game's route, I would have had a better chance of surviving.

....Do I regret not following that route?

No, I don't. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Does that make me selfish?

"Ladies and gentlemen, the second round of the competition will start in five minutes!!"

The announcer's voice echoed, making me look up.

"And now is the time to reveal the theme!!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs as the announcer continued.

"Glideball!!" '...That's the same.'

For a while, I thought it might be different, but it looks like it's not.

The crowd's interest piqued as they listened carefully.

"Let's talk about the area and rules."

The display hovering over flickered as a map of the stadium and its surroundings emerged on it.

"Somewhere within one kilometer around the stadium, eight pieces of a single glideball are placed.

The first team to combine them and place the glideball in the goalpost will be the winner And as for the rules—there are none!!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement before another round of murmurs started.

"Oh, and if you're wondering where the goalpost is, it's right here."

The display hovering over flickered again, showing the goalpost hovering mid-air between the four screens about a hundred meters from the ground.

'That will be a pain.'

I grumbled, looking up and squinting my eyes from the sun.

"Uh, but how will we reach that place?" Chubby grumbled, looking up as well.

He got his answer soon as a translucent shield started to cover the roof of the stadium.

From every edge of the stadium, it connected with the four display screens, making a pathway to reach the goalpost.

To reach the goalpost, one has to climb the translucent shield from the outside.

Four exits were already opened up for us.

"And since I'm being generous, for five seconds let me show the teams where the pieces of glideballs are."

The screen changed, and a map with marks appeared.

'..El.'

[I already memorized it.]

Cool.

"Now, the second round of the competition will start in the count of three!!!"

Without much thinking, I silently prowled towards him.

:44

I should take him out—not because I want to alleviate my frustration, but to make sure he is safe.

"Listen here, both of you." I turned around, looking at Chubby and Tristan as I took out a pen. "I will make a map leading to one piece bring that here."

"What about the others?" Chubby asked as I pulled Tristan's hand to draw the map.

"We will snatch them," I replied before hesitating as I looked at his hand.

.....The map will be barely visible.

I slowly lowered his hand before grabbing Chubby's hand.

"You!?"

"Shut up, I don't have time for this." Grumbling, I made the map in Chubby's hand.

"Three!!"

The announcer declared, and the crowd followed suit.

"That should do it." I mumbled, looking at the rough map.

"Two!!"

"Let's move now," I said, looking at them as I walked towards the northern exit.

Shyamal walked behind me without saying anything.

"One!!"

All the teams rushed out of the exits, some in teams, some in pairs, while the rest went solo.

As soon as I reached the exit, I dashed towards the closest piece, Shyamal following closely.

"...Liam?"

I mumbled as I saw the boy from Arianell's team, his back facing me.

Without much thinking, I silently prowled towards him.

I should take him out—not because I want to alleviate my frustration, but to make sure he is safe.

As soon as I closed in, I jumped at him.

"Amun-Ra's blessing...."

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