Chapter 7

"I just realized that I haven't told you my name. It's Xavier and the other guy is Ezra " Loki (Xavier?) told me

I looked up at the guy. I pointed towards his scars on his face.

"My scars? Oh, well...I used to be reckless a few years ago. I've calmed down now but I guess this is the price I got." He said

His face didn't look normal. I wasn't sure what it was but he had a faraway look on him. I didn't like it.

I grabbed his face and tried to get rid of it.

"Wah a yu oing?!" He yelled out

When I saw that he looked back to normal, I let go of his face. He stared at me with a bewildered look. I gestered at him to continue walking. He hesitated for a bit before going up ahead. Scared that I would attack from behind, he would often look back at me.

His blond hair was messy so I tried using wind magic to fix it. Since he didn't like me touching him.

A huge gust of wind whirled towards Xavier and knocked him over. Oops...my bad. I was still getting a handle on these new powers. Maybe I should stay away from this guy. For his own safety.

We finally made it to a room filled with people.

"Hey! This is the new girl" Xavier yelled out

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over.

Oh gosh…

I lifted my hand and gave a small wave. They all bursted out in laughter. One of the guys calmed down and asked "Where did you get such a small girl?"

Huh?

"Is she really going to join us?" Another asked

Yes?

"What's she going to do? Cheer us on in the battlefield?" And other yelled

I'll cheer for the opposing team.

Loki- I mean Ezra, came into the room.

"What's with all the noise?" He asked

"Xavier brought his little girlfriend" a guy yelled out with a laugh

Ezra looked over at me and said "This isn't his girlfriend. She is the new recruit"

The guys made a lot of commotion and whined. A girl who had been standing in the corner of the room walked over towards me and asked "You are the new recruit?"

For the millionth time, YES!!!

I nodded

She looked at me up and down with judging eyes. "Fine. Then prove it to me."

The guys looked excited and cheered.

I tilted my head. What did she want from me?

She headed out the door and the guys followed suit.

Ezra sighed and said "Did that really just happen?"

He pushed me out the door and into a courtyard where everyone had gathered.

I looked towards Xavier. He saw my confused gaze and explained the situation.

"That's Leah. I'm not sure what her deal is but she is very serious about her position as a guard. I guess this is like a test"

I looked over at the girl. Leah pulled her bronze red hair into a bun. She had dark blue eyes which were staring daggers at me. Geez…

Xavier pushed me towards the middle of the circle where Leah was waiting. Someone threw a sword at her which she caught with elegance. Me? Not so much.

Xavier tossed a sword towards me but the hilt hit my head and it fumbled down onto the floor. Such grace.

The guys surrounding us laughed at me and waited for the test to begin.

I just had one question, what is the test? It must involve the swords but what am I supposed to do with it? I was too embarrassed to ask and now it was too late.

Leah ran towards me with the sword ready to pierce me. At the same time, time slowed down. Everything and everyone had slowed down and I easily dodged the sword. She looked back at me with a shocked face.

I was still confused on what the objective was, but I dodged every strike she gave.

Honestly? I was getting really bored and my stomach was hurting. I remember this feeling when I was still with Julia. It was hunger.

I completely stopped time and left to find some food. I walked around the castle for a while until I smelled the most amazing aroma. Food!

So this is what smelling feels like. I like it!

I ran towards the scent and saw the chef in the middle of baking some sweets. There were some cupcakes on the counter so I asked the chef for some. It's not like anyone could hear me so it was safe to speak out loud.

"Oh dear chef. May I taste the gentle taste of the sweet bread with wonderful sugar pasting that blesses the top of said yummy bread?"

No answer.

"I'll take that as a yes!" I said and helped myself to a couple twenty.

I went back to the courtyard and was ready to dodge some swords. Leah had looked so tired and I started feeling bad. So, after time started up again, I handed her a cupcake. She stopped dead in her tracks. Does she not want it?

LEAH'S POV

What is this? She has been dodging my sword with ease, not even breaking a sweat. While I'm drenched and trying my hardest to even skim her skin even just a little. How is she so fast? Super speed? What?

I was about to attack again when she handed me a cupcake. I finally realized that all this was pointless. I could do this all day and not even get the tiniest bit closer to her.

I dropped my swords and ignored all the commotion around us. I grabbed the cupcake and before leaving the courtyard I said "This is not the end. Just wait"

I looked down at the cupcake. When did she get this? It's not smushed so she couldn't have hidden it. And why? Why would she give me a gift? Is it a bribe? Pity? A peace offering? My face got warm.

Warm? A blush? No, it's not!

...She didn't even swing her sword at me.

NIKO'S POV

I sneezed. Is someone talking about me?