Chapter 15: Red Falcons Academy

"Do you think you can qualify to enter the Red Falcons academy you trash?" The dark voice reverberated down the hallway, sending an unsettling shiver through Chiffu and Andrew. Even in their dreams, that voice was unmistakable – a source of frequent trouble, owned by one who had disrupted their lives more times than they cared to count.

Turning around, they were met with the sight of a handsome young man, casually picking his nails. Jet-black hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall, framing ink-black eyes that seemed to pierce through the very soul.

His flawless, white skin and typical masculine jaw only added to his undeniable charm. Even Austina, Valerie, and Christine, usually unfazed, couldn't help but feel a flutter.

The young man was none other than the son of Chiffu's master, a spoiled brat who basked in the favoritism of his father. Numerous times had Chiffu faced reprimands solely for the sake of this troublemaker.

"Zinedane, you're back again. Wasn't the lesson you received last time sufficient?" Andrew's voice was laced with a hint of defiance, and he didn't hesitate to provoke further, raising a finger as if daring Zinedane to engage in another clash – a silent reminder of their previous encounters.

"Wait, Andrew, you struck him?" Chiffu's stern order reflected not fear of Zinedine but rather fear of the repercussions from his father.

"Uncle Chiffu, it ain't fair at all, even Master Kuo didn't chastise me since I wasn't in the wrong in the first instance." Andrew pouted his lips, reminiscent of a little kid's.

"You mean Master Kuo let it slide?

How strange" Chiffu was ridden with shock, he never thought that the master he always knew would be reasonable in matters regarding his son.

"Andrew, since you are so unwilling to acknowledge you are trash, why not strike a deal with me," Zinedine said with a smile that felt innocent and malevolent at the same time.

"Hmm, go on with it, let me hear whether it's another one-sided wager of yours again because the smile on your face says you are scheming something evil." Andrew looked at him with a mix of curiosity and a hint of suspicion, he was anxiously waiting for the foul deal Zinedine wanted to strike.

"Well, it's not something that should be hard, and it's highly reasonable, I'm afraid you'll be unwilling to take it though.

Whoever successfully passes the exam would have the full right to call the other trash, it's that simple isn't it?" Zinedine still had that smile on his face.

"Hmm, I know you won't pass it, but what if we both pass the exam, who would be called trash then?" Andrew inquired with a raised brow.

"It's not gonna happen, but if lady luck comes your way and you by chance pass the exam, then the person with the highest points would be deemed victor, sounds good right?" Zinedine still held the smile on his face, his body exuded arrogance all over.

"Ahem please can you tell us about this Red Falcon academy you guys speak about and why does passing the exam seem to be something you guys should brag about?" Sarah finally couldn't get used to being left in the dark, so she had to ask the question.

Zinedine was so engrossed in taunting Andrew that he didn't notice the presence of the others. His gaze also darted between the two sets of people in the hallway with him, seeking answers to his unspoken question.

"Ahem, they are with me" Chiffu coughed.

"Ohh" Zinedine didn't even spare them a glance after Chiffu's explanation, he was so full of himself.

Christopher and the others felt disgusted by Zinedine's rude behavior but they remained silent as they were not in the position to speak, of course, Christopher and Sarah just remained quiet for their reasons.

"I would have wanted them to give it a try, but their auras seem too trashy for my liking talk little of the exam itself, they'll all probably fail miserably." Zinedine snorted out of contempt.

"Hey spoilt brat, weren't you taught to bridle your tongue?

You just want to drag us into this even while we are on the sideline, I must say do not underestimate us or you'll have yourself to be blamed for it." Christopher was already irritated by Zinedine's rude behavior and he couldn't take it anymore.

"Uncle Chiffu, can we partake in the examination, and what would be the benefits of successfully passing through it." Christopher turned to Chiffu to make inquiries of what he was about to enter.

"Chris, you can partake in it, formerly it was only people with some certain level of connection that were qualified to take the examination, but now for some reason, they made it open to everyone and it's an opportunity for people of your ages."

"The Red Falcon Academy has been known to be among the top ten academies in our continent, and they are enriched with so many rare resources that would be of great benefit to nurture young ones like you."

"Even an average student there is far stronger than me," Chiffu explained with a wry smile that spoke of how embarrassed he was of himself.

Christopher and the others were so shocked about Chiffu's last statement, because for them presently they looked at Chiffu as someone with unlimited might. Just from the bit of strength he displayed on their journey here they believe he hadn't displayed his true strength yet.

So how would there be even people of their ages who are even stronger? And he claimed that they were only average and not the outstanding ones, so how strong would those be? That was the question that rang in their heads.

This just spoke about the measures of the Red Falcons Academy. It's said that of all the academies, the founder of the Red Falcons is the most mysterious and the most powerful of them all, although it's just something rumored.

Chiffu didn't know a lot about the Red Falcons, all he said was just general knowledge known to everyone.

"Uncle Chiffu, what level do you think one must reach before one would be able to pass this examination you speak about." Christopher didn't even know when he started calling Chiffu 'Uncle', he had already picked so much interest just from the little details about the Red Falcons he had heard.

It wasn't just Christopher who had picked interest in it, but all of them had.

"From what I know, the Red Falcons have a knack for talent and not one's present level, I believe their reasons for making this move is because of their rivals; Nightingale Academy who have picked rare talents from the mass population and were lucky to have found three mighty geniuses."

"Now they should feel that some talents out there didn't just have the resources to be nurtured and so many talents have died undiscovered," Chiffu said what he felt it should be.

Christopher, Andrew, and the others felt what he said to be sensible.

"Andrew, when would the exam take place, even if our levels aren't required, we should at least have some bit of strength so we won't get tossed around once we are enrolled." Valerie suddenly posed a question that the others also nodded in agreement.

"Pahahaha, you guys are just hearing this for hearing's sake, do you think with your shitty talents, you'll be qualified to be a disciple? Wake up, y'all dream a lot."

As Andrew was just about to respond, that dark voice that disgusted them to the bones interjected with laughter. Who else could it be apart from Zinedine?

As if they planned it out, they all just ignored him causing him to be a bit dissatisfied.

"The exam would take place in just 10 days, it's up close already," Andrew answered with a smile.

"Cool, that's enough time for us to level up considerably." Sarah, Victony, Valerie, and Scott all said in unison. This caused Andrew and Zinedine to look at them in confusion.

They felt it was just some empty words, they didn't know they and reached their present level in the space of just 3 days.

Chiffu just smiled in this regard, this smile caused them to rethink a bit more.

"Uncle Chiffu, please can we stay with you for a while we a far away from home?" Evangeline asked with pleading eyes. It was at this point Zinedine and Andrew noticed the aura of the little girl in their midst.

Their mouths were kept agape when they felt that a little girl below 16 could be a soul evolver and not just that, she looked to be around 11-12 years and she was already a level 6, although she was too weak compared to them they have never seen someone below the age of 16 that could improve soul power.

Their minds were battered with so many thoughts and instances that they couldn't wrap their minds around.

Watching their expressions, Chiffu just smiled while Christopher and the others were left confused about their expressions.

"Don't worry, I'll let Andrew prepare your rooms, you guys can rest today and get ready for the adventures tomorrow." Chiffu rubbed Evangeline's head with a smile on his face.

"Wait what adventure?" The others asked in unison and this just caused Chiffu to smile again further putting them in the dark.