"Today will be held the exam to enter the elite of the Bike-Race team of the Royal Eden Academy," Professor Jeremiah said in a loud tone.
BikeRace was another club I had joined with Skyball and Familiar Clubs. It had been nearly six months since I started and I could say that I could handle a futuristic bike really well.
Anyway, after parting ways with Simon and the others, I ate with Milleia, Jayden and Lyra like usual. After that, classes ended but I, Milleia and Jayden had BikeRace training so we left for that.
Since we had reached the conclusion of the first semester, or half of the first year, it was time to evaluate the BikeRace club's first-year members. The elite squad was largely made up of third years and a few rare brilliant second years, therefore first years in the top teams were almost never heard of, but the evaluation exam was still there to uncover prospective talents among newly enrolled students regardless of their year.
"I already have a few students in mind but this test is needed therefore if you want to one day play in the elite team and in continental or even world scale, you will have to give your best," Professor Jeremiah's words motivated more than one of us.
"Ohhhh…I'm so nervous…" Next to me, Milleia muttered uneasily. She was also in the BikeRace since she loved that sport. It was really a stark contrast compared to her soft personality. Currently she was in a dress-like uniform which wouldn't hinder her legs when she would drive the Bike. As a matter of fact, I was also in black tracksuit.
"Don't worry, Milleia. We will do it." Jayden, who was also in the club, spoke reassuringly to Milleia.
Milleia looked at Jayden before smiling. "Yes."
"No, you are never going to join the elite team," an arrogant laugh broke the friendly ambiance.
Jayden furrowed his brows and turned around. "C-Carla?" He stuttered when he saw Carla.
I looked behind me and saw a gorgeous flaxen-haired girl with green eyes. She was a sub-heroine of the First Game and current Jayden's crush.
"D-Don't call me by my first name, y-you are just a commoner!" Carla's cheeks flushed slightly red when Jayden called inadvertently by her first name.
"Ah, Lady Carla, sorry," Jayden quickly corrected himself.
These conversations happened at least fifty times now. Despite Carla's retort, she liked when Jayden called her like that directly. In other words, yes. She is a tsundere.
"Yes, you are a commoner." A contemptuous voice rang.
It was Thomas and he didn't look happy at all.
"Carla is the daughter of Duke Roger and my fiancee, how dare you call her so informally in front of me?" Thomas approached Jayden threateningly.
"H-Huh, I'm sorry…I mean…" Jayden's face sank when he heard that Carla was Thomas' fiancee. He already knew it but it was still disheartening to hear that from Thomas' own mouth. From the beginning he knew that he should just forget whatever feelings he was developing. He was a commoner and Carla was the only daughter of Duke Roger, someone whose influence was just below royals.
"Enough Thomas!" Carla shouted before Thomas could try anything.
Thomas stopped his steps and looked behind him. "What? You are defending a commoner, Carla and over me? Your fiancee?"
That guy was sure a pain in the *ss when he was angry. He is usually calm around Alfred but when it concerned Carla, he was overreacting a lot. Well, he had loved her for a decade now and after begging his father, formed an engagement between him and Carla.
Maybe he wasn't sure but I think he might have concerns and doubts about Jayden's and Carla's relation. From the outside, their relation seemed rock bottom but if you had good eyes, you could clearly see that they were both interested in each other.
"It has nothing to do with that, Thomas." Carla replied calmly. "And I don't think you, being my fiance, give you the right to decide with whom I speak to."
She handled it very smartly, without hinting that she was defending Thomas in her expression, tone and words. As expected of a Duke's daughter.
But for someone like Thomas who was already suspicious, it wasn't sitting well.
"I see…then you shouldn't disturb me when I am just taking care of my own business, right?" Thomas said and reached out his hand toward Jayden.
"W-Wait!" Milleia stepped in front of Jayden and spread her arms. "L-Lord Thomas, I-I'm sorry if we bothered you in one way or another b-but please…"
"Thomas, it's enough." Alfred finally intervened but I was pretty sure he did only for Milleia.
"Your Highness…"
Alfred put his hand on Thomas' shoulder and whispered. "Later."
Thomas was surprised at first but then nodded and silently stepped back.
Man, that guy is really Alfred's puppy.
"Thank you, Your Highness…" Milleia thanked Alfred with a pretty smile.
"Don't worry. Tell me if you have another problem, Milleia," Alfred smiled back making the girls around blush.
He still doesn't have enough?!
What is Layla doing?
"Silence, please." Professor Jeremiah clapped his hands to get back our attention. "The test will be a group race. You will be divided into groups of four. The groups are already made, you can check them on the board behind me. You have ten minutes to be ready." He said before leaving.
We all headed to read the members of our groups.
GROUP 7:
-Edward
-Milleia
-Jayden
-Carla
"..."
Bruh.
It was just like in the Game but instead of me, it was a random mob.
I could see from the corner of my eye, Thomas clenching his fists. His fiancee was with his worst enemy after all.
Speaking of the others…
GROUP 3:
-Alfred
-Thomas
-Tituan
-Nisha
GROUP 6:
-Layla
-Ronald
-Elona
-John
Hmmm.
Alfred is with Thomas like usual…
And Layla's team is strong as well. Ronald, Elona and John out of everyone.
I could see from afar Elona waving her hand at me before following Layla and her group.
Anyway, the groups are really unbalanced. My team, Alfred's team and Layla's team are the strongest ones without doubts. We will probably be in the top 3 but who will be the first? That's the question. From the look of it, Layla's group seemed to have the advantage.
"We are together, Edward! Jayden!" Milleia said happily.
"Yes, I think we can win together," Jayden smiled.
Well, he wasn't wrong as I and Jayden were strong. Milleia had a good defensive ability and the last one…
"Hmph. Why did I end up with you out of everyone?" Tsundere Carla complained but couldn't hide her happiness in her tone. Hope she won't dare to flirt with Jayden with Thomas driving around.
I couldn't help but smirk at Carla. "I was pretty sure to have seen a big smile on your face when you saw Jayden's name right above yours, though?"
"W-What?!" Carla lost immediately her composure and glared at me, "Why would I smile for being with that co-co-commoner?!" She pointed at Jayden, truly embarrassed.
"Well, I wonder as well, WHY?"
Carla glare intensified and she smiled. "It must be a shame that you didn't end up in Layla's group, right? Ronald is currently flirting with her, shouldn't you defend your loved one?"
"Who is the loved one?! I don't like her!" I retorted back.
Why are they all thinking I am in love with Layla?!
Ronald is annoying me everyday on that no matter how many times I'm denying it!
I'm sure Layla is the one fanning the fire.
As we prepared to face the upcoming battle, Milleia spoke up with a nervous smile, "More importantly, what formation will we take?"
After giving it some thought, I suggested, "Milleia should be at the center. She can protect us with her ability."
Jayden agreed, "I think that's a good idea. Milleia should be at the center."
Carla, who didn't know Milleia very well, shrugged and said, "I don't know her, but if you're sure, then okay."
Milleia was determined to do her best and clenched both of her fists, "I will do my best!"
Jayden then asked, "What about us?"
"I'll be in the front," I replied confidently, "and you two can both flirt peacefully at the back."
Jayden and Carla both denied the suggestion vehemently, "No way!"
"Alright, alright," I waved my hand. "In that case, Jayden can take the left flank while Carla can take the right. That way, we have all angles covered."
"Got it," Jayden nodded.
"Sounds like a solid plan," Milleia chimed in. "I'll do my best to protect us all."
"I guess!" Carla harrumphed, still angry at me.
"Edward."
"Hm?"
I turned around and saw Alfred.
"I will not hold back just because Milleia is in your group," He muttered so only I could hear.
What the hell is he blabbering about?
"I will win and prove to Milleia that I am better than you, then I will invite her for a date."
I grimaced at his 'challenge'.
He is still thinking that I like Milleia?
Damn…what a stupid Prince…
Is he really Aurora's brother?
