Forum Thread

Soo-ah shrugged, unfazed by Andreal's overly polite attitude that screamed 'Please stay away from me.' Soo-ah knew that everyone has their own secrets, just as she has hers, it was just that everyone had their own way to hide it that's all. But, sometimes, teasing people who have the same character as Andreal is just amusing in it's own way.

"Ah did I? My fault then~ Sorry!" Though the apology didn't sound sincere at all, Soo-ah still tried. Playing her pitiful act again, knowing that the results won't be in her favor, but that was the fun of it wasn't it? It's not fun if everything went as planned, in Soo-ah's opinion.

Sure, Andreal may be a tough walnut to crack, but that was the joy of prying into other people's business!

---

Andrael sighed inwardly, recognizing that Soo-ah was relentless in her attempts to break through her guarded exterior. While she appreciated the amusement others might find in teasing her, she wasn't one to easily open up or be swayed by such antics. Soo-ah's insincere apology and pitiful act didn't fool her, and she knew that dismissing her would likely only fuel Soo-ah's persistence.

With a grumpy expression, she simply nodded in response to Soo-ah's attempt at an apology, not bothering to engage in any further conversation. She walked with a steady pace, making it clear that she had little interest in entertaining Soo-ah's prying antics. Andreal was used to being the one who observed and analyzed others, but she wasn't keen on being the subject of such scrutiny herself. For now, she decided to focus on the upcoming combat test and preparing herself to showcase her true abilities to the class.

---

A few moments later, Saeha had caught up. Somehow, the Professor was heading the group, even though he had stayed behind to talk to Saeha.

He led them through the halls, before leading them into a blank white room. The walls and ceilings were all pure white.

The Professor sighed, looking at the 5.

"...who wants to go first? No, Saeha, I will not allow you to go first."

Saeha deflated at his words.

"You're so mean, hyung..."

---

Andrael stood there in the white room, observing the interaction between Professor Wright and Saeha. It seemed like the professor was quite familiar with Saeha, referring to her as "hyung," which suggested a close relationship between them. And while Saeha seemed deflated by not being allowed to go first, Andrael couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the dynamics between the two of them. She wasn't sure if she should be worried, jealous, or indifferent.

As the professor asked who wanted to go first, Andrael took a moment to assess the situation. She didn't mind being one of the first to take the test, as it would give her a chance to demonstrate her abilities and get it over with. With a subtle shrug, she spoke up in her usual grumpy manner.

"I don't mind... going first," she said, a curious lilt to her voice.

---

THe interaction between the Professor and Saeha, was interesting, but it wasn't something that especially caught her eye. Afterall, their relation towards one another, wasn't any of Soo-ah's business. Instead, Soo-ah glanced at Andreal in curiosity.

Surprising, is what Soo-ah thought.

She thought that Andreal would wait for others to step up first, as she acted like the type of person who liked to observe the situation first, rather than initiating the action. Rather, doesn't it seemed more fitting if the air-head Soo-ah initiated first instead?

Now the opportunity was taken away by the out-of-character Andreal.

Soo-ah rested on of her hand on her smiling bottom lip, acting like she is seriously thinking. "Mmm.." There was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. That was never good news, when it came from Soo-ah.

Like the bad omen only spoke truth, Soo-ah stepped up and raised her hand and waved it toward the professor.

"Yo Prof! Mind if I go next?" Soo-ah smiled enthusiastically with her teeth shown, as she swung her hand energetically left and right, back and forth.

---

"No, no, no." She said with a dramatic flourish of her hand. "By all means, Soo-ah," Andrael replied with exaggerated sarcasm, raising an eyebrow at the ridiculously energetic display. "Please, do go ahead. I wouldn't want to rob you of the opportunity to shine in front of everyone. After all, your enthusiasm is just so... contagious."

With a second dramatic flourish of her hand, and a scathing smirk, Andrael gestured for Soo-ah to take the lead.

---

Soo-ah waved her hand at Andreal and shook her head with a carefree smile. "No, no! You called it first, so it's only natural if Andreal goes first after all~"

Soo-ah's eyes narrowed slightly, as she declined Andreal's gesture with a flourish wave of her hands. Soo-ah's narrowed eyes, glinted enigmatically as she dead-eyed stared at Andreal, as if she was trying to gouge out the other's motive, only for a moment later to return to her usual prankster, dramatic self. Smiling brighter at the sarcastic provocation the other sent her way, Soo-ah winked glamorously.

"If Andreal says my enthusiasm is so contagious, then it must be true! Then, it makes even more sense, if Andreal went first, no?" Soo-ah giggled oh-so innocently.

---

Andrael let out an exasperated sigh at Soo-ah's incompetent attempts at stalling. She found the girl's dramatic antics a waste of time, and her patience was wearing thin. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she cut through Soo-ah's playful act.

"Fine, fine. I'll go first," Andrael said, her tone laced with disdain. "But let's be honest, Soo-ah, you're just stalling because you're scared to face the test yourself, aren't you?" She raised an eyebrow mockingly, taunting Soo-ah with a condescending smirk.

Without waiting for a response, Andrael stepped forward confidently, ready to take on the combat test. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and she was eager to prove her strength and abilities to the rest of the class, even if it meant enduring Soo-ah's incompetence along the way. She wanted to punch this girl. All of them really. They were expending far too much effort in putting their fronts on.

At least Andrael didn't hide the fact that she didn't belong here. She didn't hide her annoyance, her exhaustion, her disdain. She was matter of fact, and hungry for improvement.

---

Soo-ah shrugged, that wasn't what she meant. But she supposed that how people with too much in their head function Soo-ah guessed. She didn't bother fixing the misunderstand that Andrael was having, there was a point too. It wasn't as if they were going to become close anyways.

As long as she keep up on her facade, whether if people find out if it was a facade or not doesn't matter. As along as she keep her act going and graduate. That was her only goal. So if anything, Andrael is only a small stepping stone in the long run that Soo-ah has to entertain.

---

Kinoko, who had been lagging behind, not wanting to interfere with Soo-ah’s and Andrael’s conversation.

She noticed the hostility between them and stepped a bit closer. Just in case. She hadn’t yet decided which classmate she liked best yet. But maybe their fighting habits would show everything.

“I guess I’ll go third, after Soo-ah.”

She smiled at Andrael, excited to see her fighting skills.

---

Alea looked towards Saeha, did she want to go after Kinoko? Alea decided to speak up. “Um, Saeha, do you want to go fourth? Or…” She trailed off, but her meaning was clear and obvious.

"Ye-"

"She's going last."

Saeha huffed angrily.

"Oppa! You're like a damned ahjussi! Stop interrupting!"

The professor put a hand on her head.

"My classroom, my rules."

The professor nodded quietly, pulling a remote out of his pocket.

"Alright. Andrael, tell me when you're ready."

---

If Alea was late, then Celine certainly was. The pitter-patter of footsteps echoed through the hallways, before the door swung open and a messy, bluish hair girl stepped in, bowing embarrassedly to the professor, apologising before taking her place behind everyone, hiding behind her blue fringe. This was the second year in a row that she’d showed up late for the first day of school. Why? Well honestly, Celine herself couldn’t answer it either

---

Andrael took a deep breath, momentarily pushing aside her annoyance with Soo-ah's antics. She turned to face Professor Wright with a determined expression.

"I'm ready," she said firmly, her voice steady and resolute. With a nod of acknowledgment from the professor, she got into a ready position, her body tense and focused. "What shall you have me do?"

---

"What weapon do you specialize in?"

The Professor handed Saeha a knife, before looking back at Andrael.

"No questions. Just tell me."

Saeha was whooping quietly in the background, running around with the knife ready.

---

Andrael's response was direct and unwavering. "I specialize in a pair of Khopesh," she replied, that strange audible lilt in her voice again. She knew that her proficiency with the Khopesh was one of her greatest strengths in combat, and she was ready to demonstrate her skill with the curved blades.

As the professor handed Saeha a knife, Andrael watched her fellow classmate's reaction with a raised eyebrow. Saeha's excitement and eagerness with the knife in hand seemed to be a stark contrast to her usual... ditzy demeanor, indicating that she was skilled in combat despite her low rank. Andrael made a mental note to keep an eye on Saeha during the test, curious to see how her combat prowess matched up to her enthusiasm.

---

"As not to rig the test, you'll be using school-commisioned weapons."

He mumbled something under his breath, a pair of Kopesh appearing in his hands. He handed her the blades.

He snapped, and a glass wall separated Andrael, and the rest of the students.

The Professor pressed a button, and immediatly, the form of a Goblin flickered into existence.

The professor smiled.

"Good luck."

---

She activated her [Queen of the Overlooked Spectres] Edeya, feeling the power surge through her. Her form seemed to waver slightly, as if she was blending into the surroundings, becoming elusive and ethereal. Andrael's eyes sparkled with intensity as she prepared to showcase the full extent of her Edeya and combat skills in the test.

Her [Queen of the Overlooked Spectres] Edeya allowed her to turn invisible, move through shadows, and phase through the air in a tangled flight. But for now, she chose to remain visible.

Andrael nodded as Professor Wright clarified that they would be using school-commissioned weapons for the test. She took the pair of Khopesh he handed her, feeling the familiar weight and balance of the blades in her hands. Though she was initially surprised at the sudden appearance of the glass wall, she understood that it was to prevent any interference from the other students during her test.

As the form of a Goblin materialized in front of her, Andrael's eyes narrowed with focus. She knew that Goblins could be agile and tricky opponents, making them challenging to deal with in combat. But she was confident in her abilities and her Edeya, which would allow her to maneuver and strike with precision.

Andrael's movements were swift and deadly as she faced the Goblin in the confined space. With a fluid grace, she darted in and out of the shadows, making herself nearly invisible to the creature's sight. The Goblin lunged forward with a wicked grin, but Andrael was already behind it, her Khopesh slicing through the air.

In a single, precise motion, she severed the creature's arm, causing it to howl in pain. Without hesitation, she followed up with a sweeping kick that sent the Goblin crashing into the glass wall. As it staggered, she took advantage of its momentary vulnerability, delivering a powerful strike to its chest with the hilt of her blade.

The Goblin crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath. Andrael stood over it, her eyes cold and calculating. With a calm and practiced motion, she brought her Khopesh down, ending the creature's life with brutal efficiency.

---

"...9 points. You should have ended the creature's life as it stumbled back. In real fights, with real opponents, they'll use that one second of mercy to counterattack. Well executed otherwise. Moving on."

He pressed the button again.

This time, a Troll appeared. It was vaguely humanoid, a mass of green flesh, with tiny pink eyes, standing tall, at over 10 feet. It had a huge, bulky frame.

It roared, opening its' mouth-equivalent.

The professor clapped.

"The Troll. This is an adolescent one. Let us begin."

---

Andrael winced as she listened attentively to Professor Wright's feedback, absorbing his words with a nod of understanding. She knew the importance of decisiveness in combat, and she mentally took note of his advice to finish off opponents without hesitation.

As the illusion of the Troll materialized before her, Andrael's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the massive creature. It was clear that this would be a more challenging opponent than the Goblin she had faced earlier, but she didn't let fear or doubt creep into her mind. Instead, she focused singlemindedly on the task at hand, determined to face the Troll head-on.

She activated her [Queen of the Overlooked Spectres] Edeya once again, allowing her to blend into the shadows and move with stealth and agility. As the Troll roared, she swiftly darted around it, phasing into her surroundings, using its large frame to her advantage. She struck at its legs, aiming to weaken its stance and hinder its movements.

The Troll swung its massive arms, but Andrael was quick and nimble, evading its attacks with calculated precision. She continued to chip away at its defenses, finding openings in its attacks and exploiting them with deadly accuracy. She analyzed the Troll's movements and behavior, seeking out any weaknesses she could exploit.

With a well-timed strike, Andrael delivered a powerful blow to the back of the Troll's knee, causing it to stumble and lose its balance. Seizing the opportunity, she moved in quickly, slashing at its vulnerable spots with her Khopesh. The Troll roared in pain and frustration, but Andrael remained relentless. With each strike, she calculated her moves with precision, chipping away at the creature's strength until it finally collapsed to the ground, defeated. A final slash to the neck ensured it wouldn't bother her again.

Breathing heavily, Andrael stood over the fallen Troll, her Khopesh still in hand. As the illusion of the Troll dissipated, Andrael turned to face Professor Wright and the rest of the class, her expression calm and composed. She awaited the professor's evaluation, ready to learn from any feedback he had to offer. Her mind of course, was already in overdrive, attempting to predict what he was going to say.

---