Chapter 54: Sarah’s Arrival
Sarah’s POV:
At the same time, a short distance away from where Alden and the Bishop fought, Sarah, Elara, and Lucas were making their way toward Spot 4. They had felt the overwhelming shake in the earth earlier when a massive horde of monsters charged right past them! The beasts destroyed everything in their path, but thankfully, the team survived by dodging just in time.
As they continued to walk, they felt something was definitely off. Without wasting time, Sarah led her team faster toward the location. She wanted to know if anyone was hurt or if someone needed help.
They took a different, winding path rather than the straight route everyone else might take. They guessed that the more they walked on the main road, the higher the chances of falling into a nasty trap. So, they chose the longer, safer path.
Since Sarah was a Light Magic user and possessed high-tier detection spells, she could easily sense the students around them from several meters away. She knew Edwin might have already reached the spot, so she simply marked him as her primary detection target to guide them there.
When they finally reached Spot 4, they stared at the silent, empty ground. The earth was broken apart, and debris scattered everywhere. Huge trees were snapped in half, and clear signs of a fierce battle marked the area.
Her gaze fell on two figures lying motionless on the ground. One was a boy with violet hair—undeniably Kaelian. The other was a black-haired boy, probably Alden.
"What happened here? Why are both of them laying in the ground? Where are the others?"
Lucas asked himself as he looked at Kaelian’s unconscious figure.
"Hey, look over there. Are those Sion and Leon?" Elara pointed out.
Sarah’s gaze shifted to the other two unconscious figures. Her heart hammered against her chest as she thought of Edwin. She looked around frantically, searching for his familiar figure. Closing her eyes, she increased her senses to trace the lingering trail of his mana.
Her eyes snapped open, and she rushed forward, searching among the broken tree trunks. It did not take her long to find him.
She dropped to her knees and pulled him closer.
"Edwin? Edwin?! Open your eyes! Please wake up!"
Her eyes moistened as she shook his shoulders fast. Just as panic started to set in, his eyelids flickered. He grabbed her hand and looked around the destroyed clearing.
"Sarah...? Where are we?"
Sarah looked at him, feeling relieved that he was alive. She quickly checked his body for any serious wounds.
"Ouch... Don’t touch there." Edwin winced.
"Hmph... Your ribs are broken! Who did you fight to end up in this state?!" she asked, snapping her eyes at him with a stern look.
Edwin swallowed hard, unable to answer her. Sarah knew that not just anyone could harm him and actually knock him unconscious. He stood at the very top of the academy for a reason. He was not just a natural genius, but also incredibly hardworking. The person who hurt him must be far from ordinary.
Without wasting another second, she channeled her mana and started healing him with her Light Magic.
[Golden Waves Technique: Rapid Healing!]
A warm, golden light emitted from her hands and flowed directly into his chest. His wounds started to heal at a rapid pace! All of his pain vanished like it was never there. His broken bones took a little more time to mend than his flesh, but as she continued to supply her pure mana, his ribs finally knitted back together. He looked at her with a thankful expression.
"That is enough, Sarah... I am okay now."
He tried to stand up but stumbled back. Sarah quickly supported his weight. He looked up, taking a long look around the grim battlefield. His eyes landed on the two figures lying in the center of the clearing, and his gaze stopped specifically on Kaelian.
’How did he become so much stronger in such a short amount of time? Did something happen to him?’ Edwin thought to himself.
"Sarah... You should go heal the others. I can manage myself now," he said.
Sarah looked at him, unsure of what she should do. Should she stay with him or help the others? Seeing her hesitation, Edwin gave her a warm, reassuring smile.
"Just go. I am okay."
She nodded and walked over to Alden and Kaelian to heal both of them before it became too late.
...
Outside the Forest:
Meanwhile, the six professors sat on comfortable chairs behind a long, half-arc table. They were seated according to their class serial order, from Class A to Class F. Since each class contained two hundred students, the instructors had a lot to keep track of.
The professors discussed among themselves about which team might emerge first. Almost all of them expected Edwin’s team to reach the finish line before anyone else. He was considered one of the strongest students and possessed excellent leadership skills. He was their primary bet.
A few others suggested Kaelian’s team might come first. Since both Sarah and Kaelian were the children of famous SS-rankers, their overwhelming talent might give them the edge they needed to win.
While everyone placed their bets, Professor Carasina sat a short distance away in the very first seat. She was the youngest among all the instructors. As a former genius of her own generation back when she attended the academy, her overwhelming talent was undeniable. Yet, for some unknown reason, she chose teaching as her career rather than participating in dungeon raids.
Most of the professors present had already reached their talent limits. They were strong, but they could not push beyond their current boundaries. So, they decided to help the younger generation grow stronger by passing down their valuable experiences.
Carasina sat there stiffly, waiting. For some reason, she felt like something was terribly wrong. The test was not that difficult to complete. At least one of the groups should have arrived by now!
Just as she waited, feeling increasingly unsure, students suddenly started rushing out of the forest!
All the instructors looked confused. They did not expect such a large crowd of students to come out all at once!
"Professors! A massive horde of monsters just stampeded through the area! There were thousands of them, probably even more!" a student yelled in panic.
The professors stepped forward in caution. One of them asked the students to explain the situation clearly. When the instructors found out that a sudden monster horde passed through the forest without actually harming the students, they exchanged confused glances.
Just as they wondered what they should do next, another team emerged from the dark woods. It was none other than Alicia, Syrene, and Ronan!
Carasina stepped forward quickly, noticing their grim expressions.
"What happened? Are you three okay? And where is your fourth member?"
Ronan stepped forward and spoke nervously.
"Professor... We were at Spot 4, and then someone possessed Kaelian’s body and attacked us!"
Carasina frowned at the mention of possession. All the other professors turned their heads, focusing intently on the conversation.
"Professor... I think a Bishop possessed Kaelian’s body and attacked us. Alden stayed behind to fight the Bishop in Kaelian’s body! He told us to inform everyone and go find the real body!"
Carasina’s eyes narrowed. Without wasting another moment, she sprang into action!
"Everyone, search the perimeter of the forest and locate the Bishop immediately! Someone notify the Association right now! I will go to Spot 4 to check on the students."
Without waiting for anyone’s answer, her body dissolved into clear water! The liquid droplets evaporated into the air as she vanished using her signature magic!
The remaining professors looked at each other, but they quickly decided to listen to her orders. They all scattered around to search the forest borders.
Alicia stood still, staring back at the dark, looming forest. She clenched her fists tight as a single, quiet sentence slipped from her lips.
"This was never supposed to happen..."