Unlike the sensation of warp gate, Mel merely blinked before the smell of greenery protruded into her nostrils.
Mel found herself in the middle of the forest. Lush greenness surrounded her with serenity, wind swaying and caressing her cheeks with gentleness. If it's a formal occasion, she would have closed her eyes and imagined herself embracing Lila within the grassland.
Mel examined her surroundings more, hearing warcries that echoed off the bark of the trees. The 'three open seats' battles from the Academy have already started, and many have initiated their assaults without waiting.
It is a free-for-all, after all. There are no rules other than eliminating others as soon as possible, or at least hiding until the last man stands.
[ Three enemies on the Right, Host! ]
Alas, her romantic delusion was broken as she tilted her head, her golden eyes following a glowing bolt of lightning that passed by and put a dent in the grass. She eyed her attacker, or attackers. One mage at the back, her fingertip pulsing with mana. The other two held a sword and a warhammer for protection.
Like her and her Lila, others have also teamed up immediately upon the news.
"System, could you evaluate their ranks?"
[ Appraisal is difficult, but these noobs should be around Novice to Apprentice ranks! ]
"Wow. How unfortunate." She mused as the two warriors rushed at her. "
The two leaping warriors stilled, their eyes emptying with no hint of consciousness, their holds on their weapons frozen mid-air. The mage in the back held her head, shaking it back and forth, before her arms limped, her gaze dangling onto the ground without strength.
Mel knocked on the arm of the frozen student, ensuring her mind-bending spell was working. "System, report to me the top 3 and total elimination counts in real time."
[ Got it! Don't be surprised, Host! ]
[ Elimination Ranking: ]
1. Rosana Winterscourge: 7
2. Calina Forgevein: 4
3. Lila Vexara: 3
Total eliminated: 24/123
"Not 1 minute passed, and about one-forth was eliminated, huh?" She glanced at the System panel, after confirming she could order them without any surprises. Some must have been attacked as soon as they teleported, others were mainly cut down by the bloodthirsty Rosana, who was either surrounded by others for a gank or-
[ 1. Rosana Winterscourge: 7 -> 12 ]
"Never mind." Mel sighed exhaustedly. "As expected, looks like she's actively hunting."
The Witch of Greed's competitiveness knew no bounds. Based on Mel's understanding, Rosana knew her spot in the Elite Class was guaranteed. Despite that, she was unwilling to lend anyone the throne for the 'First Place'.
[ 1. Rosana Winterscourge: 12 -> 16 ]
[ The Witch of Greed's Distance: 84m North from you! Careful Host! ]
"Oops." Mel raised a brow. Unless she was absolutely ensured of a victory, a direct confrontation with Rosana in her
There is no time to waste. Either she stalled Rosana, or risked Rosana clearing every examinee before her or Lila. So what better method of stalling than pairing her against another equally strong force?
"System. Calina's location?" Mel yawned, the breeze too comforting and relaxing. Despite this being her only chance to enter Elite Class, her body didn't have a bone of tension.
[ Calina Forgevein's Distance: 124m South of you! ]
"A little too far, but..." Her curved eyes swept over the trio who had just attacked her. "Nothing could beat the power of friendship, right?"
The three nodded 'willingly', their insides scolding each other. What luckiness do they have when their teammates spawn near them? They met a hidden boss right off the gate!
"Now, go ahead and distract the Heiress to the south of here. Good luck!"
Ha?! Their minds screamed at the crazy command. Everyone knew the Heiress was famous for being the only Expert-ranked examinee among them, and confronting her is a suicidal move!
Yet they dashed off between the logs, ready to fulfill the mission they were meant to complete. Such obedience and quickness to action would have sparked Lila's jealousy, with Mel proud of making their friendship prevail at the most challenging times.
"Alright." Mel stretched her arms. "Where's Lila now?"
[ The Witch of Envy's Distance: 34m Northeast from you! ]
"Very convenient placement." She walked to the forest. "Let's try to meet up."
----------
The trip to Lila was a quiet, uneventful one. Many examinees hid in the bushes and the trees, avoiding to attract the attention from the Heiress of the North.
Mel's eyes blinked as her skin tickled at something, something she was all too familiar with in Saria's practice sessions. She smiled when she saw small snowflakes dripping down from leaves, the sign of an Adept ranked
The snowflakes eventually piled on, sharper in their edges, and more densely packed on the leaves' surfaces. Mel stopped upon spotting a familiar blue head peaking out of a bush, a 'perfect' spot for hiding since their childhood.
She patted Lila, chuckling as her friend winced at the sudden touch. "Tough luck?"
"...very." Her blue bun popped out, revealing a pouting Lila. "I got ambushed right as I was teleported."
The examinees were all fast in their reactions, but not fast enough. Lila initially thought she would hesitate at 'killing', but she feared being abandoned by Mel more.
And after a brief exchange of spells and slashes, she lodged three
"Yes, yes. You did very well." Mel's hand ruffled Lila's hair, eliciting a startled, embarrassed moan.
[ The Witch of Envy felt pampered by your praises! ]
[Favourability: 69.5 -> 69.8 ]
"Of course, I...I trained hard with Saria." Lila glanced at Mel, brushing aside her messy hairlock. "You seem quite relaxed."
Lila observed her friend's curl-up smile showing no signs of faltering, unlike her, who could still envision the nerve-wrecking battle that occurred to her with a blink of her eyes.
[ The Witch of Envy felt anxious! Turn that pressure into pleasure, Host! ]
Lewd. Unbeknownst to Lila, Mel's smile slightly strained at the absurd joke, before continuing to headpat her. "Well, there aren't many that can threaten me or you except two. And..."
She eyed behind them, with two examinees poking out their heads behind the trees, hiding for an opportunity.
"
The two heads froze, before falling over with a plop. Lila jolted and swiped her gaze behind her,
Her eyes widened a little at the unexpected sight. "I don't recall you ever having
Mel flicked Lila's forehead. "It won't work against Adept-ranked
"I see..." Lila sighed, hanging her head. "How unfortunate."
"But." Mel grasped Lila's trembling hand, her cheek already nudging against Lila's. "Don't worry. It won't be us doing the fighting."
System. You know what to do.
Mumbling in her thoughts, the System drew a '\o/' sign on the panel.
[ Task loud and clear! Compiling all locations of the 'top-performing' examinees! ]
Eying the two 'corpses' standing, Mel and Lila watched the two dashing away, marching off with a 'Grand Invitation'.
"...come to think of it, you mentioned cheating in this exam, right?"
Mel grinned arrogantly, a perfect image instantly earning the Witch of Pride's approval. "The power disparity between the top two in the examinees and everyone else was quite huge, after all. It would be remiss of us not to make use of it."
"Oh..." Lila's eyes squinted. "Are you luring the 'Elites' to clash against each other?"
[ Hehe. Confirming the clash between the Protagonist and the Witch of Greed begins! ]
"Something like that." Mel shrugged, as if she didn't drag others into two 'walking nukes'. It's the explosion that 'murdered' them. What does it have to do with an innocent Witch in love?
As she was about to explain her plan further, a loud explosion reverberated in her ears.
Mel glanced at the South, to the battlefield where the protagonist and the Witch clashed. Brief dusts could be observed kicking up in the wind, and with a flash of light reminiscent of a blade's edge, trees flopped helplessly to the soil.
She could hear the Witch's laughter bouncing off the trees briefly, as if this battlefield belonged solely to her as a playground.
"Regardless." Mel pulled the shocked Lila, heading deeper into the forest. "I'll continue mind-bending the mobs. Clear any Adept ranked on our way, and we will be headed to the Mountain to hide till the smokes are clear."
"Al-alright." Lila blushed at the steady grip over hers, her drumming heartbeat calming to a lull at Mel's reassurance.
Her eyes darted to Mel's cheek. Unlike her soft, puffy one, Mel's cheek was smooth and milky, as if the World's sweetest juice could be oozed out with one squeeze.
Unable to control herself further, Lila leaned in.
A wet smack echoed in Mel's ear, as the Witch of Lust's eyes blinked in confusion. Before she could register it was a peck by Lila, her friend, who strolled ahead of her, hand no longer trembling.
Lila's grip tightened. She did not know where this courage inside her came from, but she felt that Mel was distracted, even fascinated, by that battlefield just now, or maybe even the women fighting in that battlefield.
And that petty jealousy purged all insecurities within her. She had to take action now.
So, the Witch of Envy declared, her tone assertive as if not allowing a speck of dust occupying her lover(?)'s mind. "I'll lead. Remember that you're weaker than I now."
[ Favourability: 69.8 -> 69.9 ]
An excited giggle escaped Mel's lips, her steps falling in rhythm with Lila's, firm in their shared comforts and intent to protect each other.