CHAPTER 187: THE RETURN OF THE WITCH

Arc 3, Chapter 187—The Return Of The Witch

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HOME.

It’s always peculiar how vastly different it feels sleeping in a new territory compared to one you now consider as HOME. These days on the train were enjoyable, but not as gratifying as it would have been if they were at HOME.

Sleeping on the beds they had long been used to, just hit them differently.

Last night, they finally arrived home, sleeping and snoring till late morning. Even though the accommodations on the trains were heavenly with enormous comfy beds, they still felt more at peace sleeping on the beds in the mansion.

2 nights ago, the group of New, Old, and Older Bloodren 10s all marched to the Mansion. But here’s where things got tricky. There were too many of them, leading to a full-blown war for who gets what rooms again.

Levon had expected much. The older Bloodren 10s began fighting against the new and Old Bloodren 10s for accommodations.

One must know that the number of rooms and beds available was too small compared to the total population of those who passed the Phase 2 competitions.

Well, fighting indoors was Prohibited, so they took the fight outside, fighting for hours till the victors emerged.

—Stupid.

Levon, Victorio, and several others didn’t join the so-called war, letting their auras do the talking for them. Several people walked around Victorio as if he was covered with leprosy.

Damn. His aura was so choking they dared not go against him. That was how Levon and several others kept their rooms. But the next day, those who missed the train earlier, finally arrived, causing the place to become jam-packed and crowded.

...

Cockle-Dadaadaodoo-Foo~

The strange roosters were singing their odd music again.

Levon felt the sun’s rays slap his cheeks, forcing him to scrunch his brows.

"Why is it so bright this early?" Shugo kicked his sheets like a child, glaring at the window hatefully.

Normally, the sun only hits them this much around 6:20-ish am. But what was this?...How could jump an entire hour this fast?

The time was only 5:20 am, and the sun was already shining its golden butt too clearly in the skies. Warmth spread through their faces as they annoyingly allowed the sun to slap its rays on them time and time again.

"We need blinds..." Leo muttered with a hand now over his squinting eyes. Since mother nature decided to wake them up early, they decided to take an early bath.

Stepping out of their room, they paused for a second, leaning on the ratings that overlooked the entry Hall below.

It was terrible.

There were hundreds of Bloodren 10s sleeping all over the place. Some were older Bloodren 10s, some were Old tens, and others were new tens.

One should never forget that there were a total of 377 people who passed the Phase 2 competitions.

Many without rooms now slept on the hard floors of the Entrance hall. Some were fast enough to secure the cushioned couches and seats scattered about the place. It was also funny to see some use the carpet as blankets, rolling underneath and snoring away.

Levon shook his head wryly as he led Shugo and Leo to the Baths.

Artilla and Rayna weren’t up yet. It was too early to disturb them.

In the baths, the trio were taken aback to see Gorgendoyle and his group in a distant corner.

There were others they also recognized. It seemed that just like them, the sun’s early emergence forced them to wake.

In the pool of steamy water, Levon tried contacting Yaeger again, but failed.

Zzzzzz~

Yaeger was still fast asleep, slumbering in a deep spell that couldn’t be broken... at least not yet.

Levon knew that the only way to wake Yaeger up was for him—Levon—to get stronger.

"Ugh~" Shugo sighed. "Why do I feel like we’re living like sardines these days?"

Even the hallways have become too clumped with so many people now residing here.

Make no mistake, this mansion was grand enough to host tens and thousands of people. There were hundreds and thousands of available rooms. Sadly, the Order hasn’t unlocked any more rooms.

What’s more, none dared not sleep in any place other than the Entrance Hall.

Are you sick? What if they go to some lone corner to spend the night, and then the Night Drill begins?

Isn’t it better to sleep in one big group so they could defend themselves, rather than sleeping away in far distant corners?

No WAY!!!

No one would be stupid to make such a mistake. Even those who were slow-thinkers could see the benefits of sleeping together in one spot!!!

...

Soon, the gang returned to their rooms and dressed up.

They chilled in their rooms and we’re soon met with the girls who rose not too later than them and surprisingly decided to take their baths too.

They stayed in Levon’s room sitting cross-legged and practicing their Origin Breathing Techniques.

And just when they were thinking of heading out for Breakfast, a group of visitors everyone was now more or less familiar with.

—CLARA.

The Witch was here... the bearer of bad news. Many felt a shiver crawl up their spines. It was funny how she could cause everyone to flinch with her mere presence.

There was a coldness about her that often remained in the room even after she was gone.

Perhaps it was psychological, or maybe... It was just the many past experiences they had with her that made everyone feel she was a curse carrier.

What better way to explain it if not that?

The group swore that even if they spotted her in the bushes while out, they would still feel she had appeared to them on purpose... (even if it’s by accident.)

With their eyes closed, they knew the specific rhythm her wheeled boots often made. It was the way he walked. Even if they had the back of their necks facing her and were blindfolded, they would still know it was her.

Surprisingly, the Older Bloodren 10s also seemed to recognize her too. They just couldn’t help it. For you see, Clara... was quite a memorable figure. Don’t you think so?

—And following behind her were her ever faithful lap dogs who showed no expression no matter what

"Gentlemen... ladies... It has been far too long since we last spoke. Don’t you think so?"

No, not really.

The inward retorts of many showed too well on their faces. Clara’s smile coiled with venomous intent,as she waltzed into the space, as if she owned the place.

"Well now, boys and girls... I must say, congratulations to you all. And as usual, after every victory, comes an upgrade."

An upgrade? Levon sensed what her intentions were, as did many others.

It was about goddamn time!

"That’s right, it’s Moving day.... What? Did you expect we’d keep you all cramped up here after becoming official 10s?"

Clara shook her head innocently. "No, no, no, no. How dare we?"

She acted as if she didn’t dare, but with the way the Order spew it’s evil from time to time, who is to say what is possible and what is not?

"Come now," Clara continued. "Don’t be so distrusting."

"Since you’ve all become official Bloodren 10s, then it’s only natural that you live in the same place where the rest of the Bloodren 10s reside."

With that, the group of 377, found themselves running through the woods in the wee early hours of the morning, following behind Clara and her goons.

Some were hungry, some felt they were in need of a good shower, and some still felt very sleepy. But what could they do?

They weren’t even allowed to take anything from their lockers or rooms. The moment Clara finished her little speech, they were sent running without a care in the world.

—And so it began.

...

Din-Din-Din-Din~

Their rhythmic stumps echoed across the space.

Some leaped through the trees, and others preferred to chase on steadier platforms the ground offered. Then, there were those who activated their shards and decided to chase after Clara’s group.

Levon didn’t activate his shard seeing as Clara and her goons were on foot,leaping through the scene like ninjas. And after what seemed like an eternity of running, they finally came across a swarm of canoes perched up a river bank.

There were 377 of them and a total of 38 canoes... this meant each canoe could only fit 10 people.

"Well, what are you waiting for? A pat on the back or something? Hey on the canoes before I change my mind."

Clara and her goons weren’t on canoes like them, but actually stood on a small ship. They used their shards to release the anchor, letting it move along the lazy river.

The current was neither strong nor weak. It was just the right current to store the ships and boats in the right direction.

Levon narrowed his gaze, looking at the far distance ahead.’That sound... what is it?’