x

A tall green hedge quickly appeared before me, blocking Katarou. I had to think of something quick, and I noticed the hedges that stood on either side of the dirt path. I extended their leaves and tiny branches to make a tall and thick hedge. Katarou bumped right into it on the other end. I should have added thorns as payback.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPVgNTnOE2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcpSdwHRwx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf68GsrRUh
I quickly ran up the corridor, heading to the east side. The hedge isn't going to keep Katarou for long, and I had to think of something quickly.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6mc50arIT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z8i3JoW6d
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAexzIOQT8r
At the end of the hall, I made a turn to the left and found part of the silk ropes of the spider web at the center of the dorm area that stuck onto the roof, poles, and walls for support. A loud noise behind me was a warning that he was fast approaching.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA25omiB6T
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbxjjcWeoP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV95CqgSRn
I jumped off the corridor and hid behind the hedges on the lawn. Katarou was much quicker than I had anticipated, as he came around the corner where I had been seconds ago. If he had caught me, I don't know what he would’ve done. I can't run away from him forever. As much as playing defense looked favorable, I still had to find a way to knock him out.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYIQ3AvJkI
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOkDmhkUpp
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDup0QnuzP
As I continued to hide, I saw him turn his head, looking around. He started to chuckle.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOkX3YDXTd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHVb1l9Ewq
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIofsaq8Zu
"Playing defense, aren't you, Diana?" he asked as he took a few steps on the corridor. "That's no fun. How are you going to free your friends if you can't fight me?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGaghERj3W
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeJ8OteZa9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMC1pxz1C
The sudden ache in my head almost knocked me out with dizziness. Moreover, from where I hid, I felt like my knees would give in. I felt like falling, which I didn’t. This isn't good; I have to think of something fast.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEwga0yzNa
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboyezMHuuT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9IZbuSyGX
The pain slowly subsided, and I focused on Katarou as he looked around the corridor. Then he drew out his left hand, and quickly I moved away from the hedge, standing out in the open. He had cast something on the hedges I was using for cover, and looking at them now, I noticed the green leaves and branches start to wither, and they died in an instant. Who is this guy?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfU6kTZa4H
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT2ogJMwlr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuezdFfb9ls
"You can't do whatever you like, like you own the place," I said to him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn49pPYHIl
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHWRbUUa47
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wi7wQ4rQL
"And how do you expect me to fight then?" he asked with a crooked smile on his face.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uL24tG8tK
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1h6MYlQWh
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFQLwEs9d1
I looked at his left hand, which he used to cast the spell, and noticed the black swirling cloud of aura around it. There's something about his aura that doesn't seem right at all. It's strong, yet there's some malice in it. Why didn't I detect it sooner when we met? Moreover, how can he focus a massive amount of aura around one part of his body? There must be a trick to it.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVWtjHFduQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC1P2goVrc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcARV5n8w2
"I don't know; spare the plants at least," I answered him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWo7Dzkljb
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr80wtvZ9Lq
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe6z6fDpBI
"Whatever gets in my way, I will destroy. That's just my specialty."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcrpjOU1M1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQW3iegf2s
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4EJSwy8Pa
He didn't have to mention it to make me understand. What he did just now is living proof.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZvIYsn3wr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpSsyfAUyE
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGDHEoxQcB
Katarou soon came at me, jumping over the hedge with his leg extended out like he was about to kick me. I moved out of the way just in time. As soon as he landed on the ground, he threw another spell at me. The swirling black aura came at me like a small fireball. This reminded me of the fight I had with Pug when he threw fireballs at me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlgVzC6B4E
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQRGJOXKpj
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdHscjONKa
He threw another dark spell, and then another. I dodged each one, even when I was sloppy. However, I noticed that each spell he threw at me came faster than the last.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRdElFgE4R
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV0SKPZwyS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhZHs21L7s
Knowing that I couldn’t keep up with his speed, I summoned a green vine from the ground to try and defend myself from the spells. Just as the vine came into contact with it, the vine quickly rotted from the point of contact and fell apart. Damn! I should have learned from what he did to the hedge earlier that natural things like vines aren't immune to his spells.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesxtldQ5L9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfRgvyyreV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1MMMUCPIC
Katarou smiled at me after reading my face, leaving me wide open for a second. I was a little quicker when he threw another spell at me. I dove and went for cover by the tree on the lawn that had the metal rod hanging from it. That was close. I breathed so hard, relieved to get away from him for a while.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS60sFgbFc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsypaCZd5nn
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjpUq0wANz
"You're quick," said Katarou. "But you aren't quick enough yet."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrZpPjAHUv
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgBJ5PZRyq
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSVRlB3861
I sucked my teeth. I know that I’m not; he didn’t have to tell me. Likewise, I had to think of a way to attack him, or else I might rot to death.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG7bvx0LOd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgMreNLdIo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMhkYQszxN
Footsteps approached the tree, and I knew he was close.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh1BjVOMZR
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ1lw7Fzr4
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJzZCdTaoh
I didn’t realize at first that I was now on my knees with a sharp pain in my head. My ears almost felt like they were ringing. The pain is only getting worse.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMf2gjgDkT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJijSiOOmV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaCaJ5gbPp
"Mmm, judging by the looks of things," said Katarou as he stopped approaching. "You aren’t so experienced with using all elements yet. I shouldn’t have expected much from you."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQK4LNaWql
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLswM5mS7Mi
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQr5vnugQ
I leaned my back onto the tree for support as the pain in my head subsided. "Something tells me you knew about it but still decided to fight me anyway," I said.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr9sP6CkWj
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpOkZV5U09
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJYG1sVkNF
"Because I’m a curious being. And I just want to know how strong you really are."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDspFBWixZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8CgWKO8Yj
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8F62YmcsN
I quickly stood the moment I felt him ready to fire. Strange. Even when I couldn’t see him, it’s like I knew what he was about to do.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD7MhiZ7d6
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyivVgvHpI5
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf10hmw5Vl
Before he could fire his spell, a large wall of water sprouted from the ground like a fountain, forming a circle around me and the tree. Before that, I had fallen to my knees again to summon the water underground. I hadn’t been taught how to do that yet, especially with the green nature and earth in the way of things. To have pulled this off was impressive when I had a moment to think about it.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zQtSOAWR1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiEpJKhYor
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGmNgtyf4K
Katarou had thrown his spell at me seconds after I put up the wall, and I realized that his spell dissipated as soon as it touched the water. I think I found what I could use as a weapon and a shield.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ8SJtjEeK
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m0hpz8nDl
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XWIJj9N82
"Impressive," said Katarou. "But don’t forget that you’re open."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDg2tTneTt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPTp41nz8J
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY61eQ9S5yq
I knew what he meant. The wall might have covered my sides, but there was wide-open space above me, and he quickly came into view, flying in. I moved aside before his feet touched the ground. As soon as he landed, I drew back, flying out of the water barrier. He saw me moving away, and just as he was about to raise his left hand, a vine from the ground wrapped around his arm, drawing it back and stopping him from throwing a spell. Before he could do anything with his right hand, another vine sprouted from the ground to wrap around his right arm as well. As long as the vines don’t come into contact with his hands, then I should be fine.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXv2s4uNvD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqqT8WJNAV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1HbYhtjwE
The water barrier fell as I had been standing outside it, summoning the vines. I realized that using two elements at the same time was taking a toll, hence dropping the water barrier. As Katarou struggled to get out of the vine’s grasp, I pulled out more vines to tie up his waist and legs.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSlCECPglr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63vzvnDbue
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAIm8T1ftE
He looked annoyed at first, yet he couldn’t help but smile. "You were ready for this, weren’t you, Diana?" he asked, with a hint of irritation in his voice. I bet he is the type who doesn’t like to lose.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKwDnTaNhe
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWkWI2MrNJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99BLCbxeZe
"I had to do what I could," I replied.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBCekqnw1b
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO370YFgfP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rs8SF2F4J
He struggled a little. "You know this isn’t how it's supposed to work. You’re supposed to knock me out if you want the poison to dissipate. And also, I can just attack when I feel like it."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUpBNHoOZ0
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL8XYkuEpU
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ep9EsdUy
The feeling I felt at the back of my neck made me realize there was danger behind me. I turn around and find two black spiders, the size of small cars, appear up the roof of one of the dorms. This is what he meant. I needed to knock him out completely for him to stop using his spiders. Is there more to it than I realize?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7wMoh59iC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQsdITJNYa
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBtfGUPMwU
I need a weapon. I’m not sure if water will help ward off the spiders, but I found myself forming a weapon in my right hand using water in the air and shaping it. Furthermore, I solidified the water, turning it into ice. I recently learned this from Stella. Likewise, I created a sword with a very sharp edge. A sword made of either earth or fire would have sufficed. However, I have a long way to go in controlling those elements.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOTG16rt1B
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVkIukbHll
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZR1B9mmL3
A sharp jolt of pain shot through the back of my head, almost causing me to lose focus. I fought the urge to fall to the ground. Katarou scoffed behind me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZERfhaPRwr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VtVrsNCij
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hrDOWT7kn
"You can’t fight off the poison for too long," he said. "You’ll have to fight me, Diana."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zfzmlEs4F
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95fB2Z2D0r
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXjtehCLe
"Yeah, but your spiders here are more like your backup," I said. "I’m not going to lie, but I would rather fight them than you."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUUGRnHAf7
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K9tY0bzCM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvOzwOFxkW
"Oh, really?" He clicked his tongue. "But the only way you can stop them is if you knock me out."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Dh85wvAJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUZOByB4Tm
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSfD55iZOl
"Don’t play dumb with me, Katarou. I know you’re lying. And I have a feeling you’re lying about the poison too."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIL0zMnfGN
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujHCCOeEkx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXKd8keTHP
He didn’t say anything afterwards, and that’s when I knew I was right. I have to think of something other than knocking him out before the effects of the poison get worse.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSMLHRkvxT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRNWRTaPFV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrUuG2ddWe
The two black spiders were hairy and sort of terrifying as their black, beady eyes stared back at me. Not to mention their claw-like mouths that would tear me in half if I wasn’t careful. They started to make their way down the roof, and I backed away a bit, sword in hand. I could hear Katarou chuckle behind me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR2c9e6sv5
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKTvHVoEFo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiXCyUKaDP
"Give up, Diana," he said. "You still have a long way to go with your training. You’re just no match for me."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RJdr43FeG
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuLsqVZz8S
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTL3rqSNVt
"Then you should have thought twice about having this pointless match, don’t you think?"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN6BCGhvgG
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63U42lrUo1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MNyrzAKKk
The spiders were now edging closer as they soon reached the ground. One of them had already gone over the hedge. I couldn’t help but notice their long, black, hairy legs as they approached.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lesNcBeDL
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHu5rtFdhr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fSnhJ956k
I suddenly put up a water barrier around Katarou. One of them is likely to go after him to set him free. I don’t know for how long I would fight them off, because I can’t hold up the barrier for long either.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtcV8ILrpK
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80tMVmzS61
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBOfOvEWk
One of the spiders quickly charged at me, but I was quick enough to slash my sword at it, slashing at one of its legs. It gave out a painful squeal, then it came at me again, this time attacking with another leg. I backed away quickly to avoid it. I should be careful. Not only that, but I didn’t want to back away too much from the lawn, for I might find myself far away from Katarou or might get caught in the huge spider web with my friends on it.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztg3xGJuPJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUws4HNq3r
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaSvj0OSJD
As the spider approached, I also came running at it. Before it could catch me with its mouth, I made a big leap into the air and landed on the spider’s back. The spider partly lifted his front legs off the ground to try and shake me off, but I plunged my sword deep into its back to hold on. It let out an ear-splitting scream.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C6ARENlKL
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdCfHn8rvN
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW0qfbgucH
I turn my head to see the other spider approach the water barrier. With its large claw-like leg, it would easily break it. While the spider I was on shook itself to get me off it, I went on one knee to balance and keep myself from falling over. As I held on to the sword’s hilt, my left hand started to form another weapon using water. When the water hardened, I held the weapon steadily. It was difficult to balance on top of the spider moving to and fro. Still holding on to the sword, I now stood with my other weapon, which was slightly bigger and heavier than my sword in hand, and steadied myself to throw. Apparently, timing also mattered.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ul1IUyKW
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYigEmJesX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HREQLgePN
As the other spider was a few feet away from reaching Katarou, I threw the large spear I had formed in my hand with all my strength. I strained the muscles of my left arm, as it was my weaker side, and the spear was heavy. I got lucky, as the spear pierced through one of the back legs of the spider, and its sharp end went straight into the ground, pinning the spider in its place. It let out a shriek.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8buJp8WaeC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd213vFNrx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgCWCFYN3Y
I now turn my attention to the spider I’m on, as it soon lifted its front legs again. This time, I was sure to fall off. But I hold on to the sword etched on the spider’s back. As soon as its legs touched the ground again, I pulled out the sword from its body and started to make my way towards its head. All of a sudden, I got pushed aside and off of the spider’s back. I crashed into the hedges. I quickly had to catch my breath as I looked around to see what might have knocked me over. Before I could even get the chance to move, I found myself stuck in the hedges. It was then that I realized that half of my body going downward had been wrapped in a white, thick form. It was a spider web. How?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV5Rs9wRUP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jVEhqSIgP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfXnirIhwq
I turned to see the spider I had struck the spear at. It had squirted out the spider web as it had its back facing me. Even with its legs pinned down, it could still move. Now I see it trying to move towards Katarou. It’s attempting to tear its leg from its body. I've got to stop it.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCQO6tg2jD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCc3sefll8
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgYYccYkTD
I tried to move my feet, but they stuck like glue under the web. The other spider I had climbed on came towards me. This is bad. I could hear a silent growl from it, as if ready to attack me for what I did.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReqJdZ5Eao
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uFyaOPU57
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOrG96JEZb
I see the other spider finally tear out its pinned leg, and white ghoulish liquid ran down its detached leg as it slowly made its way towards Katarou. Likewise, I quickly started to look around for my sword and found it lying far away from the spider that was approaching. It’s too far for me to reach. And if there’s even a summoning spell out there to bring it closer, it's sad to say that I don’t know one. If I’m going to get out of this mess, I’ll need to act like a spider.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cU8vWN8jd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpGMzyOeGv
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYICJB7166
When the spider got close, it raised one of its legs to strike. My arms were still free, so I quickly stretched out my right arm upwards and summoned a vine that quickly shot up from the hedge, and it quickly wrapped around the pole up the roof. I quickly grabbed the vine and pulled myself upward, releasing myself from the clutches of the web just in time before the raised leg of the spider hit the spot where I had been earlier.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05xs5wgsUE
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXRsSvw1BX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmK6X6aeWA
As I flew in the air, I quickly did a backflip to land myself on top of the roof. Wow, I didn't think I'd actually pull it off. Using the vine to pull me up worked like a charm. But I had a more pressing issue to sort out.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy6zCVO07Y
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ5PKAxZUy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGg8VHQUUb
The spider with a detached leg was etching its way ever closer to Katarou. I thought of creating another spear, but I was stopped short when I found myself on my knees close to the edge of the roof, holding the side of my head. I had to be careful because I was close to slipping off. When I looked below, the other spider was looking at me, ready for my fall. Luckily enough, I still had my hand wrapped around the vine. I wasn’t going to give Katarou the pleasure of seeing me fall to my doom. He could see me from up here, and I could only imagine the smirk on his face.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ydVPiQcz
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1I6zCmpbG
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9R8H9fERV
I slowly stood, catching my breath after the pain and weakness in my knees subsided. Time is of the essence. I need to finish this quickly. But how?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEuaqH5Lmi
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aLAvF0SUs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5weB9BdFh
The spider below was starting to make its way up the roof, and the other spider was almost reaching Katarou. I have decided, but I don’t know if what I have in mind will work.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUtglH0uRY
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1Iq7wIZRK
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLoCxbEVrw
I detach the vine around my hand and back away from the edge to give myself some room for what I’m about to do.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBgHGVVxPe
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTwNVGjW4v
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtnXT3kcbk
After taking a deep breath, I started to run down the roof. Everything happened so fast afterwards. I jumped off the roof just before one of the spider’s legs reached the top. I jumped over, avoiding the spider. The distance between the roof and the ground wasn’t so big. But I had to be careful with the way I landed. I did so with both feet lightly pressed onto the ground, and in a squatting position, I rolled over so fast that later I was up on my own two feet.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdnWY55K2Q
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwuL1S7BmA
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d8oC3lM4m
I first ran for the sword on the ground and made my way towards the spider, trying to free Katarou. Not only that, but I had to be quick, for I could hear the other spider behind me quickly land back on the ground and start to follow me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tv2MiqxuQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHHko9f13H
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wcdGHdZ0C
The spider ahead knew I was coming. Before I could get close, it lifted its large abdomen to a certain height, ready to fire another web at me. This time I was prepared, as I quickly went down on my knees, sliding on the green grass to avoid it as the web flew above my head. Still sliding on the grass, I quickly reached the spider and went straight for its other two legs at the back with a quick swing of my sword. It screamed in pain, and the noise echoed all around the school.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRADLN52ubb
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOvQ8zfHhn
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qpi8Jt0sx
Still on my knees, I went underneath the large spider to cut off its last remaining legs. I had to hurry though, as the other spider was close, and if I’m not careful, the spider above me might try and attack with its remaining legs.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jkvlCbZ1Q
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeQo2pO380
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5EUdvxOjY
As I slashed one leg at a time, ghoulish liquid splattered all over me, and the spider continued to scream in agony. It turned around trying to find me, but with me underneath, I had the upper hand. The spider’s abdomen hit the ground first, as most of the legs had been cut off. I made my way to the front, and I had to be careful to stay away from its mouth. I slashed the last remaining leg and ran off to prevent the now-legless, screeching spider from falling on top of me. It landed on the ground with a thud. It should be grateful. If I wanted, I would’ve plunged the sword straight into its head. With the way it's bleeding profusely, it would probably die anyway.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJJbakXj97
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLfSlQPF08
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzGaPVxeSm
I started to make my way towards the water barrier. The other spider, seeing what I had done to its comrade, let out an angry roar. It’s really pissed.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDutCQjxsni
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i7GJjvNxi
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN852R0yh7n
"You’ve angered it, Diana," said Katatou.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrHbNgjmj2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrX0TBjmIU
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4EuoAwiJq
"I can hear that," I said.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IQ9vLuKp1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSHSgUrGpr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGgrUywZMg
"Let me go, and we can talk this through," he said. "Taking it on will be dangerous. This one gets really aggressive when angry."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BYNKdwckV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWEea2Jaf6
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK27s878mn
I drop the water barrier and turn to look at Katarou, who is still tied up with vines. He looked at me as I got a little closer to him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH17FGbV5R
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsM4gPDras
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV1F3HmKsZ
"No," I told him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5KgT6vlle
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7OuxdWdLA
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRlYnRZ8ev
Before he could protest, I put up the barrier again, this time made of ice, surrounding him in a closed sphere. I was getting so used to using water that I could now harden it to form ice instantly. Katarou looked at me, confused that I had refused his offer and imprisoned him in a much stronger barrier.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBrsDvyp3Y
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj68Yy8je1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSxQWauLxq
"Let me out, Diana," said Katarou, as he struggled under the hold of the vines.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSotAO1pfb
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkHD2jEPRG
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthzL7CILzS
I turn my back on him. If I wanted to, I would have shut his mouth up with vines. I brushed the thought away as I turned to look at the spider in front of me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBbzq1x7DN
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5qkoWz2fT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6Ax6XhY9r
The spider soon charged, and I knew this was it. I've got to end this once and for all.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa2AC4Ghcw
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJTV2anKD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9H8TcgPJg
I knelt and placed both my hands on the ground to summon the water from underground, but then a sharp jolt of pain shot through my head, throwing me off guard and breaking the flow.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoDQmc5tpx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukFemO5hA7
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwkSXPNXZz
The thumping sound of the spider's feet made me aware of its presence, and as soon as I opened my eyes, I found myself getting out of the way just in time. And that gave the spider an advantage.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FPCsh4fv2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GcQUzgpO4
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel4WlEe2nO
With me out of the way, the spider easily reached the ice barrier. With its legs, it started to hit the barrier, trying to crack it open.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzHQgfRvlz
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ7RIbto9k
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36kBHISGL7
I stood to get my stance straight, and with the spider's back facing me, I started to summon vines from underground, first wrapping themselves around the leg that was hitting upon the ice barrier.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fcAtAYQ8i
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjp4XxMRUG
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdn2FCdKmw
Just as it was about to raise its other front leg, I brought out another set of vines to wrap around it. It did all it could to pull away at the vines, but I kept it at bay. It wouldn’t be too long till I felt weak in the knees and lost my guard, knowing that the spider would soon have the advantage. I have to be quick.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNTGOzNXwI
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGau3BzIky
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9cT4sAChF
I pulled at the vines, bending the legs of the spider outward. It screamed in pain, and I bet it knew what I was planning to do. Either break or rip its front legs apart.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiwKfmjZ8g
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNNeOLBZ7Q
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicMNl8buIH
The spider soon settled itself on the ground as it adjusted its abdomen to fire a ball of web at me. But I was quick, as vines from right underneath it shot up from the ground, wrapping themselves around the spider. The spider struggled as it tried to keep itself up, but the vines wrapped around it started to pull it downward. Doing this was taking up a lot of my energy, and somehow it didn’t surprise me how many vines I was able to control at the same time to trap the spider.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0brso4Zz2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyvL6XsH37
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvHgAFnkgz
Finally, the legs of the spider gave in, and it soon found itself tied down to the ground. It tried to pull itself up a little more, but found it useless. It soon stood still, realizing that it wasn’t going to go free any time soon.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd10prt3Oc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR2PGPRmvb
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dhz5UnyzO
I wiped the beads of sweat on my forehead, glad that the trouble was over. But not quite yet.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeOWFcPuoo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX1mpbhD80
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aPUmaAYn6
I walked around the spider, making my way to Katarou. It growled at me a little, and I turned to look at its big, black, beady eyes. It fell silent. The expression on my face that reflected in its eyes was one that didn't want to mess with its impudence at the moment. As I looked at myself briefly, I also came to the same conclusion: I wouldn’t like to mess with myself right now.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahLlbHhBrc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhA2hBsRGi
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwhV5cET8g
I reached the ice-dome-shaped prison and raised my hand. I slowly started to bring the ice down, revealing Katarou.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIqm7neyPg
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ0l1VK6BB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxphgJXhALL
“Well,” he started to say, still trapped in the hold of the vines. “That was impressive.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NwTwEdA6
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTPHfdoxKr
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzCCOdYfzY
“The antidote, Katarou,” I said. I wasn’t in the mood for praise.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslAl75YO7y
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwCzo8RntX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwArSlTeZE
“I will give it to you. But you have to let me go first.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyHnrpjJH8
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cIPzsgPr2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmOFtwzJMw
“I knew you would say that.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaE4LPlqyu
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy2vpbB6V3
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg7Ma3uDLg
My fingers clenched into a fist, and the ice that happened to be going down slowly and quickly changed shape into pointed ice shards, aiming at Katarou from all sides. He gulped, and I noticed that he was slowly starting to sweat a little.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf1CfvUJpg
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOJKaCYKD2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWW1BjooVW
“Are you trying to scare me, Diana?” He asked as he raised his voice a little to sound confident. “I know you can’t even kill me.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52OcHqadlB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitDnzfcOty
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAWUHkkeOV
“I know, but I can torture you if I have to.” I made sure I meant it as I edged the pointed tips of the ice slowly towards him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lB2qaJ39a
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvxZQxnB1l
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYIVqXOaGJ
"Okay, okay, you win," said Katarou as one sharp shard of ice almost reached his throat.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jCcjMuNcy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7mdBTspgs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVVEcRFrne
All of a sudden, the shiny, purple spider appeared out of his sleeve. It started to make its way down the ice shards toward me. I stretched out my left hand, and it bit me. The sting was just the same as before, hurting like hell. But soon enough, I felt a sudden sensation run through my body like cool, fresh water.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1p2YB619s
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9kC0Ar8tn
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6UHj3ROIP
"There, I did as you asked," said Katarou. I watched the purple spider walk away, back to its master. "Now let me go."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mc0ul1Vnt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgh4iVq8i9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GjBsrCeIz
"Not yet," I told him. "I've got to be sure that the antidote you gave me is genuine."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1LurcHxWZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBGUtLypI
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV6Vk3IcR8
Katarou rolled his eyes at me as he scoffed. "Seriously?" he asked. "It's like I mentioned before. When you win, I give you the antidote. And if you hadn't noticed, time is almost up. The entire school will be awake. You don't want them to see this mess."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4TMyzwYUQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EtOQx7K1V
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbJnCWcGgz
He's right. Thirty minutes were almost up, and the dorm area was covered with a huge spider web with my friends on it—an almost dead spider and one trapped in vines. Luckily enough, there was no damage to any of the buildings. That would raise concern. But the mess in the middle of the dorm area would also be a huge talk, as there isn't enough time to clear it all up.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1VhGE0fa6
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pAxrbmIVx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWsI4ZprZM
"But you're sure that you've given me the antidote?" I asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32k5tBV0HQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKRVukejm0
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuon2OeNfFq
"You haven't had a headache, have you?" Katarou asked. "I've kept my word, Diana. Now let me -"336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ynWwXdkS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftM8rIeiBd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBkZM8PlZp
Before he could say the last word, the sharp ice shards disappeared, and so did the vines wrapped around him. Strange. I don't think I did that. I noticed that the vines wrapped around one of the spiders also vanished.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vj7i9i6w5
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjKC0e2owQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CB2ogR7W9
"Well, you really know how to cause drama, Katarou," came the voice of a male behind me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g5xyzX8KB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ISM30OMo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNFlXLCOvA
Without hesitation, I turned around with a sword of ice already in my hand to face this newcomer. Standing there was a man of dark skin, also wearing a similar outfit to Katarou’s, but it was a dark blue and white robe. There was something about him that felt familiar, but I couldn’t point it out. Standing on either side of him were Stella and Bob. I lowered my weapon. It seems he isn’t a threat after all.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJWTv58zMZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGJ8jKhSwP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2pRo59mLU
“Who are you?” I asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4P0vgazS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3VcwPiSaO
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b6yjQfDmf
“An acquaintance of the Butterfly Sect,” the man answered so calmly. “My name is Kasonde."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW8K0Lr0uJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCVG48bqUt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc8SYSrFsx
It's no wonder he felt familiar. He’s Zambian. I never thought fellow citizens could be involved with other sects. Well, there was that one girl back at Butterfly Island whom I also felt was my fellow compatriot. Siphiwe. I might be mistaken, and she probably could be South African.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ1gOPySFf
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwRU3Dyvs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHpZUyFzNM
“I’m guessing you know Katarou here,” I said.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b3IM1Zv6C
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUAD5J0EyX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jjf24UiDg
Kasonde gave a nod of his bald head. “I’m sorry for the trouble he has caused, but..."336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXXUrK9z0g
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7SUt12gtB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEkLWqfim0
“You couldn’t help but watch everything from a distance.” I interrupted him by finishing his sentence.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8h8fDJd2l
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fYyKyzMOC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUiIsMZckt
Stella and Bob shared a look. They clearly know that I’m not happy with how all this played out. Kasonde, on the other hand, looked surprised that I was spot on with what he wanted to say.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SfK6dDRqy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ES8DFwzLU
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebcGbKtNwd
“Uh, yes,” he replied. “Rest assured that we were going to intervene if things went a little too far.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYXbaKwIo5
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eha9nEX3v
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s2GuYoXXv
I scoffed, then muttered, “That’s what you all say.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjRmPpJyRs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKZg3jmps2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNvjNVfdwm
Stella stepped in. “We only got to know all this was going on when Kasonde paid us a visit, warning us that Katarou was interested in meeting you. Everyone knows how crafty he could be, and when Kasonde couldn’t find him at their headquarters, he came to the Butterfly Sect looking for you. But that was after you had already left.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvTZz2hEfl
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCAPbxCizT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93yHAICLdI
I didn’t say anything. In fact, I didn’t want to.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQvZNkckJc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZlkkXaiz
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XiDgZgVym
“For someone who has only managed to learn water and earth elements, she’s excellent," said Katarou. “Mei wasn’t lying when she said she has good fighting abilities too.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2D8rUSR4X
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW071tq4eTo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeE1rT0yjC
I turned to look at Katarou, who now stood beside me. He was in contact with Mei. Are the two of them friends?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJazOAUKedy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9fu3HGZ5K
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkhDpF2wX1
“All the more reason why you shouldn’t have come to test her in the first place,” said Kasonde, sounding upset. “You can’t be where you aren’t supposed to be to do whatever you want.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5hE7y0GgV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXW6OsEagJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330bOusNm3
“But it was worth it.” Katarou gave out a devilish smile. “The girl has potential, as you all saw. She’s unlike any of the other rookies I’ve seen. The Butterfly Sect is quite lucky to have her, especially for someone who can control all six elements.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPXz98L6vc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPEpEaKXQR
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLdaJ0cNCk
“We know,” Bob said. “Next time, please give us a heads-up. We don’t want other sects to know about Diana just yet. It’s already too early for her to be receiving so much attention.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0imhr6at2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNNi6TcEcv
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSReJRfPID
“Oh, I don’t think they will be hearing about Diana from me,” said Katarou as he playfully scratched the back of his head. “The same way we got to know about her existence, I bet many supernaturals already know if they were paying attention.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGvdSAMMz2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTayf1RzT1y
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ0SXrLmjT
I raise an eyebrow at Katarou. What does he mean by that? Does that mean there was some sort of sign that showed that there's someone who can control all six elements?336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1drOrh7pl
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQGhHZNLJs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedTEDaYAF0
Before I could open my mouth to ask him, Stella soon said, “Now is not the time to discuss this. I hope you’re satisfied with your fight with Diana.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d9wFHo6yC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj98WYEJhDy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHA41bNskw
“More than satisfied,” Katarou said, turning to look at me with a smile on his face. “She fought like her life depended on it, which was impressive. Who has been teaching you combat skills?”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDVLHMiv4O
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrptwOFHtOI
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQdG4nZWVy
“No one,” Bob answered. “The first time she was tested, she fought like she knew what she was doing. And it was the first time using the stones for a boost, so she was sharp enough to know what they were used for.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8mVt3OFTd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp59NCNUAQq
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0uoVtp3Ab
I almost gave Bob a glare. I can answer the questions meant for me, thank you very much. My eyes were still fixed on Katarou, though. If I let my guard down for one second, he might let another spider bite me again.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFFZoERKRZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrRK5bo7Ys
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd8ogHQp0P
“Impressive, indeed,” said Kasonde. “Have you checked if she had any ties to the supernatural in the family?”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BksGttX5W
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXnHbYLOYw
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpFCdCz4dY
“We’re yet to find that out,” Stella answered. "Now, if you don’t mind, you and Kasonde better clean up this mess and leave. We don’t want to wipe away a lot of girls’ memories upon seeing giant spiders around here.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmwz0XYFEl
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6x2JBGWkH
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtNlmpDrGU
“Ah, yes, I almost forgot about that," said Katarou. “I’m glad you’re here to help, Kasonde.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoqfJLhpVp
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4u1gWYpE3
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6cXuCHiWO
“Don’t look at me,” said Kasonde, throwing an annoyed look at him. “This is your mess, so you clean it up. Our superior is going to be furious with you after all you’ve done.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr65XaD3xCD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnBpzNUOGX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZs917v2BV
“I know. I’ll face any punishment that comes my way.” I noticed that Katarou didn’t seem to care. It’s like he’s been through it before, so he’s already used to it.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAWJWwlAyA
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u6Pkkn47C
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt3ih0lWqv
Bob came over to me. “Let’s go, Diana,” he said. “Let them clean up while we wait outside. You need a little clean-up as well.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn9hcmil5P
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTtH3y0yp
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgAPWIl7HH
“That’s fine with me,” I said. I was eager to get away from Katarou. Not forgetting that I needed to get this ghoul off of me after the messy fight with the spiders.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl6cp7Pivo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKcbaAoygT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQRX7OZnu2
“Oh, Diana,” Katarou called out to me.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj250TNGB9F
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJw2Mtr3vI
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrxk5Wz3a
I turned to look at him.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDlj5qkreo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsgbOy6tY9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMr0XOPiQs
“No hard feelings, okay?” He said this with a smile. “I just wanted to see what you were made of. Hopefully, the next time we meet, you’ll be a lot stronger than you are now.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2sWacGqAM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwDpBLTOeD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglqDTi8H9s
I don’t know how to respond to him, but I said, “The next time we meet, I’ll behead you.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HAKqsVfyV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxSmsFfTVZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCJWmBGdHS
Katarou gave me that mocking smile. “Oh, I’ll be waiting. And just know that I’ll be watching you.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz35FsvaF9e
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Vc8dyCoD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjbFcuTM1S
I gave him a nod of my head and followed Bob out of the dorm area. Stella followed slowly behind us after we passed her. I had to admit that I was now less angry than I was at first.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb3N3NF8bS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EQJFY2XYJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewZl0fWE6e
As I waited outside the wall of the dorm area, after Stella cleaned me up with her water magic, I started to hear the sound of a few students' talking and footsteps. Good, they were awake. And I hope Katarou and Kasonde have done a good job clearing up the place.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCHPpa44Mp
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98O3g4cagf
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwnVzXIXdI
“We better be going now,” said Stella. “Don’t forget that you've got training tomorrow.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrZEnQn03L
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxK7ieVuiW
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mdQTksobw
“Okay,” I said. I started to turn around and head towards the dorm area when I felt Stella place her hand on my shoulder, stopping me. I turn to look at her.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZTtJA7Jnt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh06H6OCKT
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzufJTaFJpL
“We’re sorry for what happened today,” said Stella. “We should have taken extra precaution when it came to your safety.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXySHa5ZRRD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYcdW3qLsM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo67JXiO7QJ
"So what Katarou said about other sects knowing I exist is true?” I asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBR6BFvtWf
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97J8Trz0ae
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrdpUwBbZH
Bob answered this time. “Yes. And we overlooked the fact that, just like Lord Vandell came after you, something similar would occur, like we’ve seen with Katarou. Though, unlike Lord Vandell, Katarou had good intentions. It’s also clear to see that you’ve improved so well with the elements. At some point, you even managed to use two of them at the same time.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqC2gp7v2K
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb7jbWYoe1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtadDpVM4gL
“But you still have a long way to go,” said Stella. “We’ll set up a barrier around the school to inform us of any supernatural beings that might come here with the intention of meeting you.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll4ZYSUlGX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5cvgHoWbB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviXZ38ZqL5
“Why can’t I just summon you guys for help when I need it?” I asked.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVa6DXsVAy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O7aF17CF5
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8Czf3kAKy
“You’re not quite there yet with learning the summoning spell. With the barrier, we would be alerted if any danger happens. We’ll see you later, Diana.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjjK9mrWWs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJqXGt3EEC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cWfrwOQHv
I wanted to mention that the next time we meet, they are going to have a lot of explaining to do. But I kept my mouth shut, telling myself that it was best not to tell them. They would hear from me soon enough.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIMo94sFcX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWCNLsPS20
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Xritcc16
Stella and Bob started to make their way towards the garage area, and I made my way to the gate. When I turned around for a moment, they were gone.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1O96xPqft
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6owdXQAqZS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpglhpYsJmA
As I entered the dorm area, I found a few girls walking around. There were some with confused looks on their faces. It was best not to ask and continue on my way to the dorm. It’s almost supper time, and someone would ring the bell any minute.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltB0Aaa7I2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBiBf2d1Q6
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMA9lOcboy
When I entered the heart and center of the dorm area, I realized that the lawn that I had been fighting Katarou and the spiders on was back to normal. No loose vines and spider webs; no ghoulish liquid and spider legs everywhere. The hedge that Katarou destroyed was whole and green again. It was like the fight had never happened.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQp5e5pwQp
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ltrmVWHJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5pp0koAKt
As I continued to look at the perfectly made lawn, two students came my way, one asking the other if they had somehow fallen into a sudden sleep and then woke up. The other girl didn’t seem bothered, as she mentioned that she had been tired and deserved the sleep. It seems there is nothing to worry about.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfTtVaCN3O
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosX7mKC2JS
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaNE0OxjAV
I start to make my way to the dorm when I meet Christine and Amanda, who are walking out with plates in their hands. Christine apparently had mine.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSKUlx5IoM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtO2NI2uXv
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS6a6eNp7U
“Here you go,” she said as she handed it to me. “We better get going before the bell rings.”336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgex5iYTjNg
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX7cZVqjIa
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzU2QfMvAe
“Sure,” I said, and the three of us walked down the hall, heading out of the dorm area, talking about what happened during class like everything was alright with the world.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbFoTqAgUN
8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gvLrbqWzX 維尼

216.73.216.146