Chapter 180: Beginning of the Contest
Soon, Taylor returned to her dorm.
“What are you doing?” Taylor asked when she saw Aether sitting at the table, engrossed in some notes.
“Well, reading a few things,” Aether mumbled, glancing at notes written by Selene and Lia.
Seeing their hard work just for him made his heart flutter with happiness. Today, he had been receiving so much to make him happy.
Taylor nodded, removed her disguise, and stood behind Aether, looking at the notes as one hand wrapped around his shoulder, “There are lots of things written on it,” she said.
“…” Aether glanced at her sudden closeness and replied, “Yeah, they were working hard for me.”
“…. ” Taylor paused before saying, “As a friend, right?” She tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the small, cute purple stud earring…. A gift from Aether.
Aether stared at her ear, noticing how well it matched her purple eyes, and mumbled, “… M-Maybe.”
“Hmmm,” Taylor nodded and said, “I also worked hard,” placing a small wooden box and a spell scroll on the table.
Though Aether wanted to see what was inside, he felt something off about Taylor… she was unusually clingy.
“So?” She then slowly turned to face him, a small blush on her cheeks and a longing in her eyes as if she were scared of losing something.
Aether closed the book, wanting to ask what had happened.
Before he could move, Taylor kissed him, her lips pressing firmly against his.
“~hmm~”
Though Aether was surprised, he immediately reciprocated, pulling her onto his lap as their kiss deepened.
Taylor’s hands moved to the back of his head, her fingers threading through his hair as she pulled him closer. She pressed her body against his, feeling the heat of his skin through their clothes. Her lips were soft and insistent, parting slightly as she sought more intimacy.
‘~ssrr~’
‘~mm~’
She then bit his lips gently, sucking on them with a hunger.
Aether raised his eyebrows, surprised by her boldness, ‘What happened?’ he wondered but continued to suck her upper lip and lower lip exchanging. The room filled with the sounds of their passionate exchange.
“~aahff~”
As their kiss continued, Aether’s hand moved up her back, tracing the line of her spine, feeling the slight shiver that ran through her. He loved the way she responded to him, the way she seemed to melt into his touch. It was intoxicating, a heady mix of sweetness and heat that made him want to never let go.
“~mmff~”
Taylor could feel something getting hard under her butt, she unconsciously pressed her butt on his lap tightly.
“~ha~”
“~ha~”
After a minute, they finally separated, both panting heavily.
Taylor, hoping to see a turned-on expression on his face, instead saw only concern. She then took his hand and placed it on her ample chest, making Aether flinch, but he didn’t pull away.
“I-I don’t know why, but when you’re with me, my heart always races,” Taylor said with a gentle smile, “I never felt this before… Everything is new to me. I am supposed to be a tool, and yet… I… I… I don’t know… Please make me forget everything.”
“….” Aether remained silent, he could feeling her racing heart and he was an idiot to not understand what she was telling him.
“~hmm~”
Aether suddenly kissed her lips again, his hand gently fondling her breast. The softness of her curves, the heat radiating from her body, was driving him wild.
“~Mmmfff~”
Taylor moaned louder this time, her body arching into his touch, her guard completely lowered. The sensation of his hand on her breast, coupled with the deep, sensual kiss, sent waves of pleasure through her.
She felt herself getting lost in the moment, her thoughts scattered, her only focus on the man holding her so tenderly yet passionately.
Thud
Aether gave her a sudden chop on her neck, knocking her out. She fell unconscious on his shoulder. Aether then picked her up and gently laid her on his bed, staring at her peaceful face.
“Sigh…” Aether sighed. As much as he wanted to continue, he wasn’t scum to take advantage of her while she was in unknown emotional turmoil.
Though he didn’t know what had happened, he knew all Taylor needed was a simple, long rest.
Seeing her frowning face, Aether held her hand tightly, which made her relax, a small smile forming on her lips.
“… What are you? A child?” Aether smiled back. Though he was going to become a scum soon due to his mission he need to seduce others but still… he was a somewhat good guy in his heart.
_________
Next Day, The Day of the Capture the Flag Contest
“Everyone’s really hyped up… ah,” the Principal mumbled as she observed the students, all brimming with competitive energy.
They were gathered in the stadium. As the Principal glanced at the chosen ones standing with their teams, she nodded at Alaric, who stepped forward and announced,
“As you already know the details of the contest, let me reiterate them for clarity:
This contest is called Capture the Flag.
Your objective is to capture the opponent’s flag while protecting your own. The victors will be determined and ranked based on the number of flags they capture.
The students accompanying the chosen ones shall receive a one-rank boost by default, regardless of whether their team wins or loses. If their team wins, they will receive a three-rank boost from their current rank. However, if their team loses… there are no direct penalties for you since the team leader will bear the consequences.”
Hearing this, the students were elated. Even a single rank boost could significantly enhance their chances of securing a prestigious position in a noble or even a royal household, ‘Yah!!’ they were screaming inwardly.
Suddenly, the professors handed each student a small red crystal embedded in a crystal golden badge, instructing them to attach it to the upper sleeve of their uniforms.
“Oh!”
The students were surprised when the crystal golden badge automatically attached itself to their sleeves and could not be removed afterwards.
Alaric continued, “If your body reaches its limits or you suffer a critical injury, you will be immediately teleported to the healing department and eliminated from the contest.
Now, pour your arcane energy into the badge!”
As the students followed his instructions, the red crystals glowed brightly before settling down.
Soon after, the professors distributed detailed maps to the team leaders.
The Principal suddenly snapped her fingers, causing the entire stadium to tremble as its surroundings transformed into a vast, endless field with a white sky, filled with trees, rivers, and mountains, creating an entirely…. new world.
That’s the power of this Academy it could literally create anything upon Sovereign’s wish.
Alaric then continued, “You will all be teleported to a base located farthest from each other, and you will be given a map detailing the locations of other bases.
The contest duration is ten hours. Once the horn sounds, you must stop immediately, even if you are in the middle of a battle, and return to this stadium…. Here!!”
For those who do not wish to continue the contest, you may return here to end your participation. You will still be ranked based on the number of flags you capture, so there is no need to wait for the full ten hours. Is everyone clear?”
“YES!!!!!” the students shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the transformed landscape.
Alaric nodded and looked up at the sky, where a huge hologram appeared. He said, “Look at that image; it will display your team’s live ranking in the contest.”
Everyone turned their heads and saw the enormous hologram in the sky.
But they soon, Frowned…
The chosen ones frowned, as did the professors, while the Principal smirked because:
/
Raven Noir : 100 Points
Kaelen Darkfang: 200 Points
Aria Zephyr: 300 Points
Jack Sparrow: 400 Points
Leon Dragonheart: 500 Points
Helena Sunfire: 600 Points
Kai Frostblade: 700 Points
Finnian Sunfire: 800 Points
Nyx Shadowfall: 900 Points
Aqualina Naiadia: 1000 Points
Ashara Nightfire: 1100 Points
Aurelia Scarlet: 1200 Points
Thalia Crimsonclaw: 1300 Points
/
There were three extra members!
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