“That test was absurd…” Stu muttered, collapsing onto the lunch table. “I’m not even majoring in herbology!”
“Oh, c’mon, you know that’s totally on you. Teacher said it would be on the test for the last few days.”
Audi chimed in, chewing on some fish.
“Still crazy how they made me take a test on my first week...”
I was for sure certain that the headmaster would pull some strings for me since I'm basically a star student recommended by a star adventurer, but I guess I'll have to live like a peasant.
“We had a test?”
Elise popped her head up from a tray of pumpkin pie, wiping her mouth.
...
Rest in peace, little one.
“Uh… by the way, how’s your Volleybomb stuff going? Big tournament coming up soon, I heard.”
“It’s just like my sweet angel to care even the smallest things in- what? I’m sorry, come again?”
“You didn’t hear? There’s a big buzz about it.”
?
“Alright, everyone! This is it!” Captain Tomas shouted, standing in the center of the Colosseum. “The final week before our face-off with those Preparatory kids!”
They all started cheering and began to run laps around the arena. I was left behind to do my own exercises since being a searcher was different.
I made a promise to bring this team to nationals, so I'm not gonna put in half-effort into this. I've been honing my darkness powers, and as a result, I had to seal my left arm in bandages yesterday since it was surging with magic.
"Alright, here we go..."
I said, untying the knot of a leather bag.
Captain gave it to me earlier, but I don't have a clue how this works. Apparently, he set the beetle to "easy" mode during tryouts. In that case, this one should be more legit.
At first, nothing happened. I peeked inside and saw the golden beetle, motionless, until it was hit by a ray of sunshine. The creature whirred and leapt out of the bag, scurrying around the grass. Every slow, long step that I take is a hundred for the beetle.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"DAMN! I guess my training will end if I catch that thing..."
I tried to get it from an angle, but it was surprisingly agile. It made sudden turns and stops that made me nearly trip numerous times.
I have to think. I can't just keep going like this.
Trying to fake it out wouldn't work since it's just too quick. I can't just use brute force to chase after it, either. It might be a bit too early to be saying this, but I think I'm completely outclassed in terms of all things speed and motion.
...
ARGHHH! Why even think about it if it won't do me any good?!
Screw it! I'll just rely on my sheer, stupid luck!
It was dark outside. Almost everyone left practice by now.
Except for me.
"STUPID BUG JUST COME OVER HERE!!!"
I tripped and landed on my side. It hurts, but I really can't be bothered. It's actually just making fun of me now, chirping and running circles around me.
I probably shouldn't be yelling. I should save my breath for now.
...
It's right in front of me. It's just staying still. Maybe...
Hrnkk!
...
Yeah, I didn't even want to catch you anyway.
"Well, would you look at that?"
There was a mysterious voice coming from the Colosseum stands.
"Aren't you the team's searcher? And you're struggling to catch a medium mode beetle?"
"Who are you? How long have you been watching me?"
Swoosh.
"You are not worthy of knowing."
The voice came from behind. There's definitely someone right behind me.
I quickly turned to see who it was, but there was nothing.
"Over here."
The voice beckoned.
I caught a glimpse of the person. He was a student, just like me, though he was rather tall (but I'm basically like 6'4 for anyone interested), and his hair was a dark, spiky mess. His face was pale and wracked with either sleep-deprivation or poorly added makeup. There was something scurrying between his fingers.
"I forbid you from playing in the tournament. You are simply too slow as of yet."
"As if! I made a promise to my (self-reported) friends! You can't tell me what to do, especially since you're not even in this team!"
"Then... how about a game? A game of Volleybomb Search?"
This little rat doesn't even know the sweat and tears and pee I put into this sport. I'll teach this ingrate a lesson...
"Alright, sure! What count should we use? Starting from three, or-"
"Now."
He released the beetle.
Damn! That was cheap! I was talking, but fine!
I followed the path that it was taking. For a brief moment, I saw the man standing still, as if he were waiting.
Okay, just focus! It's either gonna move left or right... or it'll keep going forward... or...
"Or maybe it won't move at all."
He said, suddenly appearing in front of me. The beetle was in his hand.
This was totally my fault. He literally caught it right in front of my eyes before this, too. Why did I act like an expendable background character used to show the protagonist's strength?
"Okay, I guess I admit that I-"
"And just like-"
"Can you stop cutting m-"
"And just like that, I have proven you are too slow."
...
"I don't like you."
He shrugged and pressed a button on the beetle's underside, shutting it off.
"Remember this moment well. This is the only time you'll ever catch a medium mode."
He chucked it at me, but it was too dark for me to react quick enough. I think it landed somewhere near my feet.
"Who even are you? How are you so fast?"
I tried to ask him, but my questions were lost to the wind. He was gone.
Another weirdo, huh?
I need to get stronger.