"What? How the hell are we supposed to defeat the ’Head of Slayers’?" Ralph showed his exasperation while holding his head. "This is not going to be an easy task." I shook my head, Zeph also seemed to be lost in some deep thoughts.

"Zeph, you are up first. Grab a sword from the pile and head to the marked area." Sarim Sensei called him out. "Good luck," as he nodded toward me, his eyes were cold today yesterday’s warmth was missing. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Zeph grabbed a sword and sauntered over to where Rizar was standing with his hands on his hips. "Show me boy what you have got." As he drew his sword from the scabbard in one swift movement and attacked Zeph without any delay. Although, Zeph was the most skilled when it came to martial arts and swordsmanship but he was struggling to hold his ground against Rizar.

Rizar’s attacks were unpredictable and too swift, he moved so smoothly and elegantly as if gliding on the ground. Zeph hardly lasted five minutes against him and was forced to yield as Rizar got him in a chokehold and made him lose his sword.

"Pathetic, and I had heard great things about you. Is this the best you people can offer? And here I thought I will be entertained." He then pushed Zeph so hard that he would have fallen face down on the ground had he not blocked his fall with his arms. Zeph gritted his teeth, his whole face was as red as a cherry while his eyes had taken on that murderous look. As he got up and swiped his black clothes elegantly to remove the dust and turned around to face Rizar.

"What an asshole?" Ralph murmured angrily beside me. Anger was piling up inside me the way he was humiliating Zeph, how would he treat us?

"Phase 2, Zeph. Leave your sword and switch to combat style." Sarim Sensei instructed. Rizar gracefully placed his sword back into its scabbard and faced Zeph empty-handed. Zeph tried to punch him but he blocked it with his left hand, got hold of Zeph’s attacking arm and pulled him forward trying to land a knee strike but Zeph elbowed him just in time to avoid being hit. Although he dodged Zeph’s elbow, in a split second he let go of Zeph’s arm which helped him to get free and step back. A twisted smile appeared on Rizar’s face as if he looked impressed. They continued for a few more minutes in which Zeph was able to land two hits on him but in return, Zeph was totally worn out. He had taken too many hits from Rizar on his face and abdomen, and the former showed no mercy as he beat him up until he coughed blood.

I closed my eyes as I balled up my hands in tight fists, anger and frustration coursed through my whole body. Everyone else watched on in bewilderment and disbelief at the scene unfolding in front of them. They called Zeph first on purpose, to break our morale by beating the best to a bloody pulp.

Sarim Sensei then stopped the fight. Rizar stepped back with a smirk on his face. Ralph and I quickly went to steer away injured and battered-looking Zeph. His face had multiple bruises and his flawless skin was bruised and bloated. "What the hell are they thinking beating students up during the exams, we have more after this." Ralph blurted out angrily.

"Hey, you alright?" I asked him apprehensively, although it was a stupid question considering his state, still I wanted him to say something. He didn’t speak and just sat down on the boundary line with his hands covering his wounded face. I grabbed a bottle of water and helped him to drink it, he gulped it all down in one go. "Let me take you to the infirmary." I offered but he just shook his head. Why does he have to become so difficult at times?

Sarim Sensei said something in Rizar’s ear to which he nodded sarcastically. " Well, you people have disappointed me so far. I hope someone can bring more challenge." Rizar addressed us while Zeph gritted his teeth in anger. I placed my hand on his shoulder trying to calm him down but it didn’t seem to work.

One by one our names were called to face Rizar. After Rizar toned down his fighting and didn’t severely injure anyone but no one lasted for more than 2 minutes. Zeph was still the only one who had lasted more than 5 minutes against him.

It was Arlo’s turn to face Rizar. Although, Arlo was not as skilled with a sword as Zeph was he was pretty impressive as well. He gave Rizar some trouble with it, though his martial arts skills were more impressive and he landed quite some blows on Rizar making everyone cheer for him. He wasn’t using his vampire speed but even his normal speed was extraordinary. He lasted a long time than Zeph in simple combat. Besides, there was not a scratch on him, he deflected or blocked most of the attacks. Arlo was beyond impressive in combat as I watched him with awe. Rizar seemed impressed as well because he had a genuine smile on his face this time.

After, Arlo, it was my turn to fight. Though my sword skills were not as impressive as my archery skills. But, I had been practising and was hoping that I would hold my ground at least for a few minutes and not make a fool of myself. "Serene, don’t let your emotions blind you in the fight. Use your head if you want to last a few minutes against him." Zeph instructed me in a serious tone. I nodded before making my way to him.

"Ahh, Princess Serene. Thank you for gracing us with your presence, let’s see what you are made up of now." Rizar addressed me ever so politely but that smirk never left his lips. I wasn’t sure if he was mocking me or being genuine. I detested this man, he was giving me creeps.

I took my position raising my sword above my head as I rushed in to attack him. He ever so effortlessly blocked my attack and lightly pushed me back without attacking me. I tried to land many attacks on him but he blocked them all without much effort, there was no damn opening and I was feeling more and more frustrated. I attacked again aiming for his upper torso, instead of using his sword to block my attack he just dodged it with one swift movement of his upper torso and let my body collide with his as my sword pierced through the air instead of his torso.

I quickly stumbled back in embarrassment about to fall backwards when he broke my fall with his hands, steadying me. He was toying with me instead of fighting as he was way up from my league but it didn’t mean I was going to give up. As he flashed me that crooked smile of his moving closer to my face, I headbutted him just like I had done with Zeph in past. He was clearly not expecting that because he stumbled back, letting me go as I stepped back from him, ready to attack that asshole again. He laughed wholeheartedly seeing what I had done. "Good job, Princess Serene." As he turned towards Sarim Sensei; who had a grim expression on his face and declared. "Sarim, my evaluation is complete." And walked away laughing.

But, but he was supposed to test my martial art skills as well. Although I was glad that it was over and I didn’t have to be in his proximity again, my heart was racing at the thought of him failing me. I walked back to my friends with heavy feet and solemn expressionsssion.