Serene’s POV

Soon werewolves left the ground and went inside the institute to change back and clothe themselves. Half an hour break was announced so everyone could eat and then proceed with the last event of the day.

Ralph brought us some food while I tended to Zeph’s wound. It wasn’t very deep so I cleaned it and bandaged it.

"So who do you think will win the next one?" Ralph asked while trying to hand us our plates.

"Our witches and warlocks are pretty good too. So I am hoping our team will win." I replied as I took a bite from the chicken piece.

"Yes, I hope so. Especially for Ayrden’s sake. It’s good to see that all five of us were selected for this event." Zeph added.

"You people are the strongest team in our Institute. I wasn’t even surprised that all of you were picked." Ralph chuckled.

"So, this is her. Doesn’t look like she can even kill a fly let alone bring about the destruction of our world." Someone snickered behind us and all three of us turned around to see. Vampires from Red Valtire Academy stood behind us, three boys and a girl.

"What do you want?" Zeph said angrily as he stood up and pushed me behind him.

"Just wanted to see what the fuss was about. Seems like she hangs out with useless Folkels who can’t even defend themselves, let alone her. How pathetic?" One of the boys who had raven black hair and piercing blue eyes spoke again. His gaze held an intensity and I couldn’t look away no matter how much I tried.

"Why don’t you come closer and find out if we can defend ourselves or not?" Zeph glared back at them, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Leave it, Zeph. They are not worth the hassle." I told him quietly, my eyes still fixed on the boy.

"Your bullying days haven’t ended, seems like some people never change and learn." I heard Arlo’s calm voice from my right side but I still couldn’t stop staring at the boy in front of me.

"Close your eyes, Serene," Arlo whispered in my ear and closed my eyes with his hand. I instantly felt relief. This must have been that boy’s power.

"Arlo, seeing you here proves my theory that this Institute is for losers." I heard his harmonious voice. He spoke as if a melody was playing.

"Better to be a loser than to be a bully. Although tomorrow’s match will decide who is the loser." Arlo replied calmly. So he was someone whom Arlo knew and probably was one of the bullies from his fast. This enraged me and I opened my eyes and stared at the boy.

Before he could use his powers on me or my friends again I put up my shield and covered all three boys with me. The green aura radiated and pulsated around us and I saw a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

"Leave, before I hurt you. And don’t you dare use your powers on me or my friends. You are a guest here so I was trying to be nice. But if you bully any of them, I will forget that." I spoke while glaring at him. Everyone around us started to stare at us.

His friends began to laugh while he spoke: "Ahh, such fierceness. Let me see you try." He gave me an evil smile.

I pulled out my bow and started to aim at him.

"NO," Arlo grabbed the bow from me. "We will face them tomorrow in battle. Don’t let them have the satisfaction of riling you up."

"What in the hell is happening here?" All of us turned around to see Shumal Sensei march towards us.

They quickly dispersed seeing her approach us. He gave me one final look before walking away.

We explained what happened and Shumal Sensei was furious.

"Stay with Serene, I will go talk to their Sensei. I am gonna disqualify their asses. How dare they attack my student." She stormed off after instructing the boys.

Zeph was protectively shielding me with his body though I reminded him I was alright. Arlo created some distance between us but stayed close as well. He had a very serious and pained look on his face. I wanted to talk to him but I didn’t want to do it in front of Zeph. What had that boy done to him?

I spotted Ayrden with her team. They had just arrived on the ground. So went over to her and wished them good luck for their match.

"Serene, I am so nervous." She was literally trembling.

"Don’t worry, I am sure you are going to ace it in there." I offered her a reassuring smile. I wished Canios and Frila good luck along with others and moved back. It was time for their battle to ensue.

Witches of Tomorrow had entered the battlefield as well when Mariela Sensei took the podium to announce the rules and commencement of the next battle.

"Good afternoon everyone. Congratulations to the werewolf team on bagging the win. It is time for witches and warlocks to shine. This battle is about capturing the opponent. Both teams have been given 5 silver ropes, each. Your task is to capture all the members of the other team and bind them with these ropes. Whichever team will be able to capture all the members of the opponent team first will be declared the winner. The only rule is to not kill your opponent, other than that use any means possible to achieve your goals. Good luck."

Mariela Sensei made her announcement and both teams huddled together for one final discussion. The horn sounded and the battle started.

"Serene, I have to use the restroom. Ralph and Alvene are here with you. I will be back in a few minutes." Zeph whispered to me and I nodded.

I looked over and saw Arlo sitting a few seats away from me. I walked over to him and sat down. He smiled to acknowledge my presence.

"You knew that boy, didn’t you? What has he done?" I inquired softly so others won’t hear.

He turned to glance towards me and said: "It’s in the past, stop worrying about me. You have too many of your own troubles to handle. Don’t let me become a burden to you." His words angered me.

"A burden? I thought we were friends and shared stuff. I want to know." I was watching him closely, instead of the battle pursuing in front of me. He sighed at me.

"We were together in school. He used to bully me with his friends. Dria was the one who saved me from them." His eyes were pained, remembering how much he had endured. It hurt my heart to learn this.

"I hope you are going to kick his ass tomorrow. If you don’t, I will." I told him with determination. He slightly chuckled at me and added:

"I am planning on doing that." His voice was still calm, I had no clue how he remained like that.

"Good," I wanted to smile but I couldn’t, anger flooded me.

"Go back to your seat before your Mr. Angry comes along and losses his mind seeing you sitting with me," Arlo added with a hint of sarcasm which made me slump my shoulders.

"I wish both of you will stop hating each other."

"Serene I don’t hate him. It’s just..." he didn’t finish and left the sentence hanging.

"Painful for you..." I added to his sentence before getting up and walking away from him. I knew he would be still watching me. My heart was hurting, this was something I had no control over. Why he had to suffer on my behalf?

I focused on the battle now and saw two members of our team had already been captured by the Witches of Tomorrow. Frila, Canios and Ayrden were the only ones left as they fought them.

Frila was trying to trap a witch with her vines who threw small bolts of fire at her.

Canios had summoned a giant centipede which was attacking two witches simultaneously, while Ayrden had called her Eagles which were trying to capture their team leader. Who seemed to possess abilities to manipulate sound.

She opened her mouth and screamed and then waves her wand to amplify the effect. Her scream turned to screech which hurt the ears of everyone around them except her and her teammates. Who had cloaked themselves under some kind of purple shield?

I brought up my shield to protect everyone around me and extended the range to Arlo. He smiled at me, seeing what I had done. I nodded at him.

But our friends on the battleground were not so lucky. I couldn’t help them and they felt the full brunt of her scream. I gasped when I turned my attention toward the ground and the sight that awaited me...