
When I agreed to take the entrance exam, I kept telling myself: just take the exam and pass it peacefully. I want to apply what our father taught me, there's no need to interfere too much on the matter, unless I've got a resolution to get involved to the end.
From the beginning, Ansel had warned me who the enemy would be. Not ordinary people, not ordinary extremist squads. They are LOST, a terrible organization that once made Thalia restless. I don't know what conflict is going on, but I swear I will face anything for one purpose: to see Lizzy live happily.
Ansel, from a week before the exam began, had warned me of DiMichelle. Don't ever get involved with them, or I'll get unlucky. At that time I just agreed, but from the beginning I did not know who DiMichelle should be aware of. If they're in trouble, then I should stay away from them, right?
The warning was confirmed again when I met Senior Sean, making me even more convinced that DiMichelle was indeed the person I should stay away from. Get involved with them, then I'm done. At least that was my mind all along, before I was perplexed by what was really going on.
The girl, the lightning controller from DiMichelle, doesn't look like someone who likes to bring trouble.
Doesn't look like someone who likes to approach problems.
Doesn't look like a troubled person, unlike me.
He is the one who approached the problem, who chased the problem until it disturbed him in the practice exam. He threatened me from the first day we met, because he had trust issues. He knew how dangerous his enemies were, but could not determine who they were. Even after assuming that Will and I were just regular participants, he warned us to stay away from him, or else we would get into trouble.
In the dust and the dry ground flying, I saw him fighting.
Why fight so hard?
Because he has a purpose.
Why defend a purpose?
Because he has the will to achieve it.
What does a determination mean?
It means he has a reason. A good reason why he should keep fighting.
From the beginning I knew what and why, I was just trying to be selfish. I don't want to get into trouble, I don't want to fail the exam. But seeing the blue haired girl who was trying hard to maintain her determination there, I felt a strong desire to beat myself up, to curse myself.
"No, there's no need to call Avid first." I said unconsciously, making Will glare.
This one step will keep me from coming back. One step that would determine whether I would be a selfish coward who just kept quiet to see what I felt was not right was going on ahead, or being a fool who is too crazy to be involved in other people's problems when I myself have problems to deal with.
I'd rather be called a lunatic.
Those words were ringing in my head.
Well, after all at a glance, me and the girl have one thing in common: our enemies are the same. He was targeted by the guy who also made Wild Dogs dizzy. That is, the one who is after him, the one whom the Wild Dogs hunt, and the one whom I consider enemies are the same.
"There's water?" ask while extending my hand.
"O-oh, there's."
Will grabs a small bottle full of water tucked in his belt. After he opened the lid, he immediately gave it to me without hesitation.
"It's emergency supplies, but just take it all. I owe you for the fireball." Will.
"Thank you." My heart grabbed the bottle. I sipped a little water until my throat was wet enough to speak normally, then I spilled the rest of the water onto my right arm red from the burn.
Bemoan. It doesn't make me good at all, but it's enough to bring my consciousness back. I also spilled it on my head and face. It feels fresh to cool the head after being hit by a giant fireball.
"You too." I said as I thrust the bottle at Will, but Will refused.
"Ah, no, I have one more bottle." He said as he grabbed another bottle of water from behind his jacket. "If you feel better, let's run! You said you didn't have to get involved, did you?"
"Right, I'm so stupid." I admit it, it feels so satisfying. I sipped the water again while spilling the rest on my head until it ran out. "Let's go back there."
"What?"
"We warmed up a little bit before going up against the final boss. We'll get that girl out of there."
"You're wrong there, there, and there." I cut, a little glancing at Will. "Disposing of my purpose? Know what you know about my purpose? The previous me was the one who actually threw away my main goal. It's not about exams, it's about being Helder's student, it's about being what I want to be, about being who I really am. I have a purpose, and that is to see my sister living happily. For that, I need to make the world around him a safe place, a place where people laugh while living there. Then that means I need a resolution to protect the people who are there. If I'm currently acting indifferent, running away from the problems that exist for what I want, then what is the meaning of my purpose all this time?"
I'm saying. I really said it. That's what I was thinking about, what my resolution is right now. Although, I know I may not have the strength to share what I believe in people.
"You don't have to come, I don't force. You and I each have their own goals, their own way of thinking. I'm just embarrassed. The girl tried hard to fight for the goal with her determination, while I tried to run away from the challenge. What will I be?"
Will frowned, looking down, staring sharply down. His mind was stirring, I know. Unlike me, Will has a higher level of sympathy. He would think of my words more deeply, very clearly visible from his facial water.
"He doesn't know us, we don't know him. Do you at least know what his name is?"
"That might be true. He doesn't know me, I don't know who he is. We, we are just examinees who happen to meet each other. But what is it? Why do I need a name? He and I have something in common: we have a goal we want to fight for. That's enough, I fought, he fought. What's wrong with helping each other?"
Will is speechless, increasingly confused by the choice he wants.
"I told you I wouldn't force it. You and I both want to graduate. The difference is, I took a detour. You don't have to come along if you have a shortcut, just follow your path. I'm just a fool and a lunatic who happily takes a tough detour."
I clenched my hands, reducing the shaking. This is enough, adrenaline will help the rest later. I'm taking steps. Shit, my feet hurt. My stomach is throbbing, my breath is blocked. Naturally, if remembered again, my body was hit by a thick log from the bar earlier. There may be a broken bone, there may be an injured muscle. The pain is not as severe as the real world, but it still reduces mobility. Hopefully my regeneration rate will also increase here.
"Come, I'll help."
When I turned my head, Will was stepping in the same direction while helping me walk. He looked annoyed, but his eyes were fiery. I wanted to ask, but he went to explain.
"Don't you think I'm not ashamed to leave a girl in trouble alone." Tutored firmly. He snorted annoyedly, but did not stop stepping. "To be honest, I was impressed with your ability to analyze the situation against the Eastern Bear. All this time I have always faced the enemy by attacking in front and improvising according to my ability. But you made me realize that strategy is also necessary. Therefore, I am counting on you. I'm dealing with a long-range attack, just tell me what I need to do."
Ha. hahaha, I didn't expect. I guess my words are a mess. It's good if others can understand.
"Heh, you're too flattering."
"I said according to the facts."
"I'm flattered."
Even so, I haven't got any strategies to deal with them. From what I can see, there are four types of long-range attacks launched: fireballs, plasma, ice, and those annoying illusions. If there were no illusions, the blue-haired girl there would not be easily pushed around. Close range fighters number three. One person could turn his body into dust, one person made a sword out of his blood, another person made some kind of shield.
Now that I think again, it's also great that the girl can still survive. He looked exhausted, but could still fend off any attacks. He had obviously gone through various levels of heavy training, which I myself found difficult to imagine. He is agile, able to use his hands and feet although dominant in the legs, able to change the direction and intensity of his lightning, also able to set the target of lightning strikes. He was probably one of the strongest participants here.
I pulled my arm from Will. My legs are starting to feel again. It's quite. Time to get serious. Still not thinking how to beat them, but what's wrong with gathering information first?
"Will, you take care of it remotely. Look at the direction of the attacks coming, then just arrow there. No need to find the assailant's whereabouts, just get them out of hiding."
Will nodded. Expressions change. "I understand. You alone?"
I honestly don't know what to do either. Is it my job to just analyze first? Or directly help the girl at close range? But then I thought of a good idea.
"So bait. Fighting close quarters while analyzing the situation."
Will's eyes widened as soon as he heard a shady answer. He grinned awkwardly, chuckling in disbelief. "Huhah.... Haha.... I get it." He looked around, looking for something, then pointed at a building with his index finger. "Educating from there is okay, isn't it?"
The building in question is a bit far from the fight. Probably about two hundred meters. I don't know if the arrows can reach the points I want from there, but if it's Will, I believe.
"That's good."
Will nodded again. He held out his fist with a big smile. I was stunned for a moment, not expecting to see her again now, but I also grinned. I fist his fist proudly.
"Hopefully lucky."
"Yes, you too."
...* * * * *...