With their conversation concluded, the trio observed the bloody battlefield ahead of them. “Just what in the hell happened over here?” Vex asked Iris and Abudha, though her tone was amused, not at all worried.
“We’re uh… Not exactly sure.” Abudha stated, after which both he and Iris told their recounting of the battle and how they couldn’t see it through, thus they were just as lost when it came to the location of the ‘mysteriously’ disappeared Phenom candidates and their Heralds.
“I’ll check the surroundings.” Raika announced, and she immediately disappeared from Abudha’s sight.
Orianna sighed tiredly while glancing at the retreating form of her youngest ‘sister’. Raika was well over a hundred years old, but she was still like a brash brat in her eyes. With a severe inferiority complex toward her and Vex to boot, making the so-called ‘Flower Queen’ feel like an exhausted senior any time she was forced to be near this black-haired girl whose every cell was made up of overflowing energy.
Indeed, Orianna was old. How old exactly? Well, she would have to kill you if she answered that question, but she was closer to Black Fang in age than she was to Vex, very much so at that – much to the short, pink-haired woman’s annoyance.
For reference, Raika was ~150 years old, Vex ~200, and Black Fang was slightly over 400.
“So I see.” Vex nodded along to them detailing their stories. “Devil and Ambition, along with their teams, just *puff* disappeared while you were having a snooze fest.”
“That’s putting things weirdly, but you understood the gist of it at least.” Iris’ snarky response only made Vex’s amused smile widen.
“I like you, Wrath.” The silver-haired gorgeous woman easily managed to brush off the “Sadly I can’t say the same at all.” response she received, after which she continued.
“As your examiner, I officially announce that you’ve passed the second test. While your plan ended up being a complete failure, it was due to the backstabbing of Soren, which was completely out of your hands. Despite his actions, you still ended up giving the Phantom League a heavy loss by killing so many of their soldiers, which was your mission. Oh, yeah, I can see the rat boy’s severed head just right there. Hehe! Hi, Soren!” She said while waving both of her arms cheerily at the arrogant Geomancer’s head which was severed earlier at the courtesy of Iris.
Orianna couldn’t help but faceplant inwardly at the antics of her weird ally. Vex was a bit of a loose cannon with a very unique sense of ‘humor’ to boot. Since Black Fang left most of her duties to Orianna – who was her second in command – the woman had to deal with both Vex and Raika constantly as these two eccentric creatures were the third and fourth highest-ranked members of the drug department, much to Orianna’s dismay.
She often found herself wondering how she was so unlucky to have her two most important subordinates be like this.
If two out of the three disciples were ‘off’ and Black Fang herself was a certifiably insane person, what was the ‘deficiency’ of Orianna?
Nothing, of course.
She was simply perfect.
(According to the curvaceous pink-haired girl. It was a statement that all three women in question would instantly claim to be a complete fabrication of reality, also known as a shameless lie.)
“What now?” Iris asked.
“Our exam group will travel back to the nearest Consortium outpost, which means in our tragic case that we will have a fun little trip with just the three of us since the others are ‘missing in action’ or deceased, at which point I’ll leave you to your devices. The third and final part of the Trial will be held at a later date, probably in about two month’s time.” *Khm! Khm!* she suddenly began coughing into her palm while making pained throat noises. “Sis, my throat is dry from hysterically laughing at that old bitch Elara so much while fighting her, can you take over?”
“…” Orianna sighed while heavily debating about beating this annoying woman up on the spot, before reluctantly parting her tantalizing pink lips. “The reason we can’t tell you exactly when or where it will take place is due to the fact that we have to wait until all other exam groups like yours have finished with their respective missions, which could take some time. I recommend that you check in with the nearest Consortium branch at least once every two weeks to stay informed about news regarding your final challenge.
We’re also permitted to notify you of the fact that the aforementioned round will be a tournament between the remaining Phenom candidates. No Heralds will be permitted to participate, as you will fight duels. We do care about your ability to form and lead capable teams, but at the end of the day, we are going to be financing you, the Phenoms, in specific, not your teams. You will be the representatives of the new generation in the Consortium, not your Heralds.”
“I can’t find anything.” Raika announced as she arrived at their side with a strong whirlwind following in her wake due to the overeager speed with which she bulldozed her way through the forest.
“I see. Thanks.” Orianna said her appreciation to the newcomer, something she regretted instantly afterward.
“You’re thankful? Ok, then I want ten duels when we get back home.”
“… I was just being courteous.”
“I don’t care, like, at all.” Was the sassy response the poor old woman got.
Raika’s inferiority complex and extreme desire to emerge as the strongest often resulted in her demanding duels. She could put up a good fight against Vex, but she could only last a few seconds at best against Orianna or Black Fang, which irked Raika to no end. However, she wasn’t a quitter, that much was for certain. Even after thousands of losses which often saw her lie limply on the ground with a broken and battered body as she was desperately teetering on the brink of death, she always returned to her aggressive ways once she had a good night’s rest after getting healed.
“Okay, if you want to be bedridden this badly then be my guest, little girl.”
“You’re on, grandma.” As soon as she said that, Raika had secured herself an extremely thorough beating which she would receive as soon as they were done here.