23 Athra 1 (1/2)

The young reporter moved her pet.i.te body away from the crowd using her dainty legs. Then she ran her brittle nails through her mahogany brown hair, pus.h.i.+ng it all back. Lastly, she fixed her clothes and when she felt she looked presentable, she tapped on her genome watch, ”Call boss,” She said with a melodic tone. The watch began ringing, as it did her heart palpated until, ”What's the report? Do we have any threats?” A disembodied voice sounded out of the watch.

The reporter took a deep breath, ”Unfortunately, we do sir. In addition to the number 5 and 7, Revera Bancroft and Ethan Cohen. The number 3 and 10 have joined too. This is Lexi Montreal and Kai Adler.”

There was silence for a minute then the man said, ”Good work. We will do something about it on our side; I suggest you do the same. Because this joint expedition is only for those at Beginner rank 2 and below, as well as those that have never taken part in one before. So we can't interfere much once it's underway. This fight is the first string in ensuring the fire clan gain the biggest portion of the surpa.s.ser budget this year too. The investors will be watching very closely. Also, this is my sons first joint expedition, he has to come first to show the splendour of the fire clan. The investors need to see that should I resign, my son has the potential to surpa.s.s me as the 4th prince.” Then he said in a cold tone, ”Oh and Aby, should things go south: your reporting days are over...! So you know what you have to do,” Then he hung up.

The reporter gulped at those words, ”Work for the fire clan they said. It's easy money; all you need to do is s.h.i.+ft the news in the Fire clans favour.' She thought shaking her head. Then she put her hand on her creased forehead and sighed, 'As a reporter, the only way I can fight is by using the media... How's this for a front-page, 'The Lightning Clan Shamelessly Sends Four Elites!' Now they will have to drop two otherwise even if they win, it won't be seen as a win. Because all the other clan can only send in two! And when they do it won't matter who stays; the fire clan has the number one female and number two male. There is no way they will lose!'

The reporter known as Aby nodded her head in satisfaction at her idea. Then she went on to her Genome watch and started typing her article. Once it was written, she clicked post and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She was relieved that she had dodged a bullet, however, her troubles weren't over yet. Now she had to deal with her superiors at Surpaser News 5. She had just posted an article without it being okayed by an Editor, 'At least, I won't be fired.' Aby took a deep breath and braced herself for the call she was about to receive when they saw the article. She didn't need to wait long because in less than a minute her watch rang.

Aby composed herself and then tapped the b.u.t.ton to receive the call, ”h.e.l.lo, Sir,” She said in a voice rife with sycophancy.

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In front of the lighting clan, Alexander had just delivered a fine speech to those that were supporting them. He felt proud of it as his golden hair blew in the wind. Then he pumped his right fist over his brown wide-set eyes and herculean body. Whether those watching were at home or if they came in person, the speech was for them. As he came down from his portable podium, the mood, in the crowd changed after they checked their Genome watches. He could see the hunger in the eyes of the reporters. His years of experience as the clanmaster told him he would be devoured by a pack of wolves if he stayed here any longer. Without deliberation he retreated into the clan's building much to everyone's dissatisfaction. They wanted to know his take on the article, ”How do you plan to move forward!?” The reporters screamed at him as he ran inside.

Alexander ran inside the clan building, ”What is going on!?” He said to his a.s.sistance in a deep and brash tone.

The a.s.sistant pursed his lips, ”It's the article Surpa.s.ser News 5 posted. It ridicules us for sending in four elites when the other clans only have two.”

Alexander flung his arms over his head, ”s.h.i.+t! These people are always finding a way to suppress us! We already have a smaller number of people yet they still not satisfied!”

”Clanmaster, I think this is the reason,” The ginger-haired coltish a.s.sistant said showing him another article, ”The Fire clan's 4th Prince's son is about to take part in his first-ever joint expedition. Morals are high in the fire clan. n.o.body doubts that with the help of their elites they will win.”

Alexander sighed, ”So this time it's personal to the fire clan. I wish I could stick it to them and send the four anyway but the previous interview painted the lightning clan as confident. If we don't make the necessary cut then it will not look good for us.” Tsk, he clicked his tongue, ”Call everyone inside and then send the four Elites to the testing area.”

The a.s.sistant nodded his head and then opened the clan's doors. When the reporters saw the door open they got excited. They thought Alexander was about to make a speech. But instead, they got some n.o.body. The a.s.sistant ignored the disdainful stares and called everyone inside then he told the four elites to go to the testing room on the second floor.

Hearing what they had to do, Kai and Lexi looked at each other. It was just as they expected. They too had read the article. They knew that they were being called to sort out who was going to represent the lightning clan.

They walked behind Ethan and Revera until they reached the testing room. Once they got there, the sharp white colour of the room blinded them momentarily until their eyes adjusted to the light. Then they looked and saw Alexander standing with his legs open and his arms crossed, ”Sorry to call you all like this but we have to settle something before we can go. I don't know if you have seen the latest article from Surpa.s.ser News 5. But because of it, we can only send one Elite pair on the expedition. My humblest apologies.”

This news was no shock to Lexi and Kai, however, to Revera and Ethan it was.

Ethan looked at Alexander, ”So how do we settle this? Who gets to go and who gets to stay?”

Alexander unfolded his arms, ”Well for starters, do both pairs still want to go?”

Standing a horizontal straight line, ”Yes!” Both pairs said in unison.

”If that is the case then one way to sort it out is to t-”

”Fight!” Ethan said speaking over Alexander, ”We fight, this way we can tell who is more fit to join the team.”

'I was going to say something else but this works too,' ”Then it has been settled, you two will fight for the position.”

Ethan Cohen grinned and then he looked at his partner but her reaction was different... Revera looked at Lexi and then she remembered all the times she had faced Lexi at school. Each time she thought she was strong enough and each time she would be shown she wasn't. Remembering her losses left a bad taste in her mouth. One she would rather not remember.

”Don't you want to fight?” Ethan said to Revera.

Revera gulped, ”I'd rather not.”

'I've never been able to beat Lexi when it came to fighting and academics so fighting is pointless. But there is one area she has never been good in,' She then looked at Kai, ' If I can take him, I will deal a fatal blow to Lexi and get a partner with better talent. Two birds one stone.'

Seeing how reluctant Revera was to fight Lexi, Kai looked at her and whispered, ”What did you do to her?”

Lexi lifted both her shoulders nonchalantly while rotating her hands from the backhand to her palms.

Ethan Cohen coughed, ”I guess it can't be helped.”

”Okay, then that is that. Kai and Lexi will be the ones to go.” Alexander said.

”No!” Ethan cried out, ”My partner doesn't want to fight but that doesn't mean that I don't.”

Alexander furrowed his brows, ”You plan on taking them both on? Even for you, that's impossible.”

”I won't fight both of them just one of them.” Then he stepped forward and looked at Kai who was standing next to Lexi, ”Come let's settle this like men!”

Alexander laughed, ”Good, good. I agree, let's have the men sort this out.” Ethan's proposal made him happy, 'Ethan will win this and then the stronger team will take part in the expedition. My heart almost gave up when the one girl decided she wasn't going to fight.'

After seeing it had been decided, Kai walked forward, ”But this isn't fair.”

Ethan laughed, ”Of course it isn't. I am the number 7 and you are the number 10. But it has already been settled so either you resign or you fight me?”

Kai shook his head, ”You misunderstood me. When I said it's not fair, I wasn't complaining rather advocating on your part. You see there is no way I am going to lose.”

When Kai said that, the whole room was shocked. Even the doctors and scientists inside. The only person who wasn't was Lexi. She stifled a chuckle and then fanned the fire, ”Go easy on him.”

Kai winked at her and then looked at the seething boy in front of him. Ethan narrowed his eyes, 'This guy dares to look down on me! Huh, I'll show you.' ”We have a funny guy here, hha... I'm going to beat you and show Revera, I am stronger than you. She keeps gus.h.i.+ng about how strong you are. Saying she can see the mark of the talented in you. Honestly, it's annoying! But if beat you, she won't be so hung up on you and will take me seriously.”

'What? She still speaks about me... I hope she didn't misunderstand me, I did say that I like her but I also said I don't like-like her. Either way, winning this fight might put her in my path. Also, Ethan might blame me if she leaves him. I hope she doesn't, things between Lexi and I are just getting good. Lexi seems interested in me, somewhat... So we don't need this!... Sigh, but if it does happen, I will let her know I'm not interested,' Then Kai looked at Lexi with a worried expression.

Lexi smiled at him. Then she glared at Revera, 'He chose me, get over it.'