Chapter four
Chapter Four.
Selene's POV.
Two weeks.
That's how long I'd been here at Howlspire Academy, and it had been the most grueling two weeks of my life.
I was almost starting to run ragged from all the physical training, and all the lessons on politics and strategy were leaving me mentally and emotionally drained.
There was no way I was giving up though.
If anything, the stress only served as a motivation to me, a means for me to push myself harder and prove to everyone that I had every qualification to rule.
After all, I was going to pass the toughest Alpha training there was.
“Alright class, that's it for today. There's gonna be a test on Friday on Sparring and Tactics, so everyone better get in top shape before then.” Instructor Durran announced from the front of the class, giving me a pointed look towards the end of his statement.
In the short time I had spent here, I was convinced that the man had made it his life's mission to make my life a living hell.
The man seemed to derive pleasure in seeing me suffer, and I wasn't ready to give him that satisfaction.
“The list stating your opponents will be up this afternoon, so do well to check early so you all know who you're up against.” He continued.
I gathered my things and left the classroom, intending to head straight to my dorm room and get a little sleep before heading out to check the list.
I pointedly ignored the giant that was staring me down at the corner of my eye, not wanting to have anything to do with Kai Draven either.
If he wasn't taunting me to all levels of hell with his brainless pack of cronies, he was watching me intently, determined that I had something to hide.
Unknown to him, he was right. But I couldn't let him know that.
I disappeared before he could call out to me, quickly making my way to my dorm.
I couldn't keep running forever. But I knew that it was only a matter of time before I had all of them bowing at my feet.
Peeking out of my dorm room later that night, I made sure that the hallway was empty before heading to the classroom area and looking at the list that was posted earlier in the afternoon.
I could've come to look at it earlier, but I didn't want to risk running into anyone.
I scanned it until I found my name at the bottom, right against…
You had to be kidding me.
Kai fucking Draven.
How the hell was I supposed to win against him?
I wasn't a fool, I had seen him on the mat. He was quick, efficient, and ruthless, a perfect counter to my fighting style.
Which meant I had till Friday to figure out a way to take him down.
Time moved fast, and before I knew it, the day of the test had come. We were all gathered in the pit, and a few other instructors, as well as some members of the academy's management, came to witness the event.
Just great. An even bigger crowd to not mess up in front of.
“Good day everybody!” Instructor Durran called out from the center of the arena, “We're here to witness our students’ progress, and for them to prove why they're worthy to be students of Howlspire!”
A deafening cheer rang out after his words.
As the cheers of the crowd died down, he continued, “Going up first is our very own Kai Draven, up against Leon Shadowbrook.”
Goddess of Lykaion.
I was certain that the same bad luck that paired me up with him in the first place was responsible for us going first in this challenge.
I took a deep breath and walked into the arena, my eyes fixed on my opponent who currently stood on the mat with his arms crossed, a condescending smirk on his infuriatingly handsome face.
“Been ignoring me, Shadowbrook?” he said as soon as I got into position.
“Shut the hell up and let's get this over with,” I muttered, trying to look for an opening in his stance.
His smirk turned predatory, “We'll see, Shadowbrook.”
I lunged for him at those words, making the first move and seizing the initiative. That was the only chance I had at beating him, and I wasn't willing to let it go.
I dodged a few hits from him, fully aware that he was just toying with me.
“What's the matter, Shadowbrook? Why are you running?” He teased, landing a painfully solid jab to my right side.
“Stop trying to distract me, Draven. It won't work,” I said, trying and failing to tackle him to the ground.
We continued to tussle, with him getting the upper hand most of the time. But I wasn't just taking it either, I had managed to get in a few good hits too.
I saw an opening and took the opportunity to land a sharp right hook on his jaw, which left him reeling a bit.
“Oh, you're definitely gonna pay for that.” He said, clearly pissed off, and launched his massive body towards me.
He was done playing, and I knew that I had to get more serious. Going on the offensive now would be futile, so I focused on defense and tried to evade his hits.
“Quit running like a girl and goddamn fight, Shadowbrook!” he raged, his voice making me falter a bit.
My brief moment of hesitation caused a wide gap to open up in defense, but when I realised it, it was already too late.
Draven had my left arm in a vice grip, and I felt the world spin as he manhandled me like a rag doll.
Time seemed to slow down as I felt myself being thrown across the arena, landing on the mat hard with a very audible thud.
I heard a crack, followed by a blinding pain that radiated out of my left shoulder.
Agony like I had never known spread outwards from my shoulder, which after turning my head to see, I noticed was sticking out at a very unnatural angle.
It took everything in me not to scream.