CHAPTER 52: DING! DING! 2

"Sir, there is an interesting development in the academy entrance." A middle aged man in fitting suit, called out to a blonde man, who was dressed casually, and lounging on a long, velvet cushion.

"Hmm? What is?" The blonde asked, a little surprised, but quite disinterested.

"There’s a Storme participating in the exams, and he is leading."

"How’s that an..." The man’s eyes suddenly widened, and his demeanor changed in an instant. "Did you say Storme?"

The middle aged man, felt the cells in his body cry from minor shock, as with just the change of the man’s demeanor, the charges in his body, seemed to want to attack him, should the man so wish so.

"Yes Master," the middle aged man confirmed.

"Well then, let me see him," Henry, the blonde said, his expression easing somewhat, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

A 3-D holographic screen manifested, showing Sean in accurate, live detail, as he faced a Stage-2 out-worlder.

"Is he the rumored little brother?" He asked.

"It seems so. According to sources, he indeed lives with Miss. Richelle Storme in the inner sector, and the both of them, along with another student, were spotted at Dukes Haven earlier today."

"I see..." Henry — the blonde man muttered thoughtfully. "Perhaps he is as shrewd as his sister hmmm? This could be a problem."

"Sir, about that..." The middle aged man hesitated.

"What is it?"

"He..." The man swallowed. "...I think it would be best you see for yourself."

The scene changed to a crowded area before a black gate, before focusing on two groups of individuals. Well, to be more accurate, a group of youths, and one white haired young man.

Henry Croft watched in silence, as Sean and Emma had what one could only interpret as a stare down. But for him who was so adept at controlling lightning, despite the visualization not capturing anything, he could see and feel the static currents that attacked the boy, yet he didn’t as much as flinch.

’Is he a lightning enhanced too?’ Henry thought.

The situation escalated, when other Crofts began to jump in, pressuring him openly.

Henry’s expression darkened somewhat, but he didn’t say anything.

The electric static field that was imposed on the young man skyrocketed, when all of them, placed their attention on him. This time around, it was even possible to catch faint flickers of lightning that licked off his skin, if one was perceptive enough.

And even with the now oppressive but subtle field, the young man still did not react to it, standing as though he was on shore, appreciating the washing tides of the sea.

The surprise knocked up even higher, when one of the youths, one who seemed relatively strong, and one of the more talented bunch amongst them, but still average in the grand scheme of things, stepped forward, openly questioning him with authority.

His carried himself with pride, like a streak of lightning in the sky, undaunted and unforgiving... The demeanor of a true Croft.

Henry appreciated his demeanor... the young Croft carried himself well. But if his secretary was this nervous, then there was something else.

In fact, he could already tell how it would end, but decided to keep watching, because although it was bound to be humiliating and would be a blow to their family, it wasn’t that bad.

Amongst their geniuses, the fifteen year old whose name he did not know, could only be considered barely above average. While his defeat would land badly for the family, it wouldn’t be that bad. Still, to lose to a commoner...

His expression however changed the next second as Sean opened his mouth.

"No wonder you’re where you are. You are as foolish as you’re untalented. Was it ass kissing or perhaps your parents that enabled you to come this far?"

Henry was stunned silent for a few seconds, before a small smile curled his lips. His blue eyes however, held a dark light.

"Moose?"

"Yes Master," Moose, the middle aged man responded, his heart pounding.

"Who is that boy?"

"Errr... Master his name is Sean Stor..." Moose suddenly cut his sentence short, his spine shivering from Henry’s gaze.

Realizing instantly that he was talking about the wrong person, he quickly changed his words.

"His name is Julian sir... Master Dominic’s son."

"Oh... He’s Dominic’s?" Henry muttered in surprise, his eyes flicking back to the screen, watching as Sean made light work of Julian, slamming him unto the hard ground, without effort.

"Good. Summon Dominic and his wife here... I want to know when we started raising clowns in my Croft family."

---

#Thirty minutes since the start of the test...#

Seraphina raced through the dry caked ground, her goal focused, and perception locked on a single individual, fighting an out-worlder.

The moment she was in range, she flickered, appearing by the side of the out-worlder, where its shadow fell, and struck.

Her blade found its neck, almost entirely slicing the creature’s head off its neck and torso.

The foul blood erupted like a geyser, spilling on the floor, and the young woman who jumped back startled... while Seraphina on the other hand, was nowhere to be found.

"Press that red button and give up." Seraphina’s voice came suddenly, and with a slur, her lips almost brushing the young girl’s ear as her breath blew softly against her sensitive ear.

However, rather than feeling ticklish or disturbed by the soft breathing against her ear, the girl felt only utter dread, as a blade rested against her neck.

"Wha-what?" The girl exclaimed, her brain short-circuiting from danger and panic.

She didn’t even feel her presence... In one second the out-worlder she was fighting, suddenly had its head almost looped off entirely, and the next same bloodied blade was pressed against her neck.

"Are you deaf? I said...."

DING! DING!

Their watches beeped.

"Who is it this time?" Seraphina’s expression darkened, hoping the notification, wasn’t what she thought it was.

[ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to participant, Blaze Hilton for being the first to eliminate another participant.]

[Reward: +100% to all current points]

[LEADERBOARD]

[1. Sean Storme — 26 points]

[2. Thorne Hiddleston — 19 points]

[3. Blaze Hilton — 11 points]

[4. Emma Croft — 8 points]

[5. Seraphina Hemlock — 6 points]

[6. Andrew Cane — 6 points]

DING! DING!

[ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to participant, Blaze Hilton for being the first to eliminate multiple participants at a go.]

[Reward: +100% to all current points]

[LEADERBOARD]

[1. Sean Storme — 26 points]

[2. Blaze Hilton — 22 points]

[3. Thorne Hiddleston— 19 points]

[4. Emma Croft — 8 points]

[5. Seraphina Hemlock — 6 points]

[6. Andrew Cane — 6 points]

Suddenly feeling something was wrong, the girl in Seraphina’s grasp, immediately pressed the red button and vanished instantly, narrowly avoiding the blade on her neck, from finishing her off.