Capítulo 210: [44.2] No One Likes Tunnels
As he continued to nag me, we came to the end of the path where tents of various colors and symbols were hung up to announce the owner of the tent. At the very edge of the path was a tunnel carved into the side of the mountain wide enough for several carriages to go through. There were also magic stones to illuminate the walls so it wouldn't be dark inside. Only contestants were allowed inside and the support crew would have to wait outside.
I made a face, "Why do we have to walk through a tunnel when it's large enough for a carriage?"
Cyrus answered me calmly, "The villagers here believe this tunnel is sacred so we can only walk through it. Anything else would be considered a grave insult."
I hummed, "So what's on the other side?"
"A perfect arena for today's test."
I gave him a cautious look, "Will you be okay?"
His hand squeezed mine as he hummed indifferently, "It's not that cramped inside."
"But still…"
As I stared down the tunnel, I had this strange sinking feeling in my gut that I couldn't ignore.
I don't even want to go inside, so I don't understand how Cyrus can be this calm.
He gave me a smirk, "I think I will be fine since you'll be beside me. If I get scared, I will just have to hold you in my arms to feel better."
I giggled and immediately forgot about my misgivings about the tunnel. I snuggled up to him, "That's right, and I'm not going to leave your side at all."
Just as he went to wrap his arms around me to snuggle back, the temperature around us abruptly dropped and we were suddenly pushed apart. The Headmaster glared at Cyrus as he stood between us, "Captain Lou."
Captain Lou looked visibly anxious at the sight of the Headmaster, "H-Headmaster Marlow… Sir…"
The Headmaster never looked away from Cyrus, "If this boy touches my daughter, I give you permission to cut off his hands."
Cyrus's face paled at this threat.
Captain Lou looked around anxiously, "I-I will make sure they maintain a safe distance-"
The Headmaster finally turned to glare at him, "There is no such thing as a safe distance."
Thankfully, my mother stepped in before things escalated further. She gave the Headmaster a look, "Aldrich. I keep telling you that she's not a child anymore. If you keep treating her like one, then she's going to live as a spinster for the rest of her life."
He smirked proudly, "Even better."
My mother rolled her eyes and pulled out a few snacks to store in my bag, "I made you some snacks to eat during your test."
I raised an eyebrow, "The test shouldn't take too long. Why do I need snacks?"
She smiled at me, "Oh, Reika. Don't act innocent. I know you'll start snacking as soon as you walk inside the tunnel-"
I paused, already holding a cookie in my hand.
My mother kept smiling, "-Or even before that."
I flushed in embarrassment and stepped over to feed Cyrus the cookie, "I-I wasn't getting this for me! I was giving it to him… Honest!"
Cyrus went to take the cookie from me, but the Headmaster quickly intercepted it. He glared at Cyrus threateningly, "Captain Lou. If he dares try to eat my daughter's snacks, you have my permission to remove his tongue."
Captain Lou averted his eyes, "H-Headmaster Marlow… Isn't that… Unnecessary?"
The Headmaster's eyes narrowed, "You're right. I should just do it before he has the chance."
Cyrus gulped as the temperature around us started to drop.
I pouted, "Mummy…"
My mother gave me a comforting pat, "Don't worry. I have your father under control."
She straightened her back and dramatically pretended as if she was about to faint, "Ah~"
The Headmaster immediately panicked and jumped to her side to catch her, "Della! Are you okay!?"
She fell into his arms and looked up at him with a fragile expression, "I… I will be okay… If I lay down…"
The Headmaster continued to hold her gently and anxiously looked her over, "Let me take you back to the tent to rest."
My mother gave me a wink as she was carried away, "Good luck today! We will be cheering for you."
My face twitched.
Cyrus watched them leave together, "They have been getting much closer lately."
Captain Lou noticed my stiff expression and snickered, "I imagine soon they will be married… I wonder when they'll decide to have another child?"
I turned to glare at him.
This only made him smile more, "What? Do you find it uncomfortable knowing that they have been-"
I kicked his shin with all my strength.
"OW!" He bent down to hold his shin, "DO YOU KNOW IT'S A CRIME TO HURT A ROYAL GUARD!?"
I scoffed and crossed my arms, "I didn't hurt anyone. Right, Goldilocks?"
Cyrus forced on a smile and let out a weak laugh.
Captain Lou glared daggers at me, "You-"
"Excuse me, everyone." Chief Gonza's voice boomed, capturing everyone's attention.
The crowd gathered in one area and patiently waited for Chief Gonza to speak. Zephyr, Hazel, and Felix were standing in the crowd with looks of encouragement. As I stared at them, I couldn't help but notice that Zephyr and Hazel were standing so close together, their hands were brushing against each other.
Is everyone hooking up behind my back?
Chief Gonza looked around at everyone and continued once he was sure everyone was listening, "Unfortunately, the King was unable to attend today's competition, so I will be filling in for him. This test is dedicated to uncovering your ethics and dependability. Once you travel through the tunnel, you will come to the village that has since preserved the tradition of morality by the keepers of the Holy Light. They will give you a scenario to see how you would react, then judge you based on it. As you travel through the tunnel, you are allowed to use minor magic, but you are not allowed to attack others. Any violence will result in your expulsion."
Chief Gonza pulled back the rope that had been covering the opening. He smiled at everyone with a heartwarming look that caused women, and even men, to swoon. His eyes crinkled as he spoke, "Good luck everyone. If there are any concerns, feel free to find a Royal Guard or a M.I.B. officer. We are here to help."
A snowy owl flew through the trees and landed next to Chief Gonza. It transformed into Caldwell who leaned down to hug Chief Gonza from behind, "Oh! I need help, mister officer! It's so cold at night, if you could just hold me in your arms-"
Chief Gonza's smile stiffened, "...Get off of me."
Caldwell grinned happily, "You want me to get you off? Okay! If you insist-"
Chief Gonza elbowed Caldwell in the stomach so abruptly, he collapsed in a gasp. He looked up with tears in his eyes, "So rough~"
Cyrus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in exasperation.
I giggled, "I see that Caldwell still hasn't given up his pursuit."
Cyrus turned to me with an unamused expression, "Let's leave before this gets any worse."
I laughed and held his hand, "Let's go and get first place!"
The corner of Cyrus's lips slightly curled into a smile as we both walked to the entrance of the tunnel together. Before I stepped inside to follow everyone else, there was a nagging sensation stabbing at my periphery. I turned to look at the crowd anxiously.
I could feel a suffocating killing intent.
Alarm bells went off in my head, signaling me to run.
As I scanned the crowd, a single cloaked person stood in the back. Although I couldn't make out their face due to the hood obscuring it, I knew I had encountered this person before.
When have I felt this gaze before?
But just before I could place it, the figure disappeared in the crowd. The killing intent disappeared with the person, but the lasting effect of the glare caused my heart to race uncontrollably.
Cyrus tugged on my hand, "Are you okay?"
I gulped as I faced the tunnel, "Y-Yeah… Fine."
Captain Lou went to follow us but turned to the crowd with a strange expression. He also noticed something strange and didn't have a good feeling about it. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the crowd but he didn't notice anything amiss. Although he was still suspicious, he quickly followed after Cyrus and me to keep a close eye on us.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Nekoru
Nekoru Does anyone actually like Captain Lou?
Asking for a friend...
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder