Chapter 77: Exam
The duel was about to begin. Riven and Mathias stood against Noel and a blonde boy with a spear.
The instructor looked at both sides, and when he was certain that they were ready to begin, he raised his hands, and the arena immediately changed into a thick forest landscape, with large trees that covered their views.
’So this is where we have to fight. Well then, I have to find Noel first.’ "I’m going after the one with black hair, you go after the blonde," Riven said. She charged in. He ran at top speed, climbing up the side of one tree. He looked for Noel and saw him running in his direction.
"Bullseye," Riven said and was about to move, but suddenly a spear came out of nowhere toward his head. He reacted fast and dodged the spear—it blasted into the tree behind him.
"Shit, he found me first," Riven said. She pulled his blade, then leaped to another tree to put some distance between them.
He looked at the boy. The boy pulled out his spear from the tree and pointed it at Riven. "Sorry, but I have to win," the boy said and leaped off the tree. Air blasted from beneath his feet and pushed him forward after.
He came in for a stab, his aim right for Riven’s head, but Riven parried the attack easily. He slid to the side, then kicked his guts.
The boy arched upward, coughing blood. The pain shot through his body, but he refused to stop. He gritted his teeth, spun midair, and went for the slash.
Riven dodged the attack and put some distance between them. He leaped down from the tree and landed on the ground.
"This was not the plan. Why did he come for me so fast?" Riven wondered. The boy came from above with a slash, his spear coated in wind.
Riven moved to the side and evaded the attack, then immediately drove for a counter, but the boy blocked and took a few steps back.