Chapter 84 A Score to Settle

Chapter 84 A Score to Settle
Skylar
“McKirby and Chattarak.”
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stood right in the middle of the dirt arena.
I caught the loud chatter coming from the crowd of heavily made-up she-wolves cheering for Kareena as she stopped in front of me.
At the edge of the pitch, Professor Wildner was keeping a close eye on us, stopwatch in hand.
"This test isn't just about raw brute strength!" Professor Wildner’s voice boomed, cutting through the students' racket. "An A grade is only awarded to those who can strike a balance between emotional control, combat precision, and wolf form dominance! The highest marks go to how quickly you can control the arena and take down your opponent without killing them!"
I could feel her burning hatred. Kareena was utterly obsessed with Michael, and the fact that I was his mate made me her number one target.
\[She’s just trying to wind you up,\] Iven murmured in my head.
“I know. I need your strength, and I’ll keep my temper in check.”
Iven let out a low growl. She was completely on the same page.
I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. The conduit energy inside me began to spark. I pictured Michael and our bond to keep it under control.
\[Stay calm, Skylar. Let me take control of your claws. Let’s show this arrogant girl what we’re really made of,\] Iven said firmly, cheering me on.
Without wasting time on talk, I let Iven take over my human form.
My bones cracked and shifted, a wave of warmth rushing through my muscles, and within seconds, my perspective shifted.
Still in her human form, Kareena crossed her arms and let out a sneering laugh.
"Look at this white wolf. Pretty, but soft. Did you think your lovely fur would scare me, Split-Fang?" she taunted condescendingly. "Go on then, attack me first if you’ve actually got the guts!"
I didn't take the bait. I wasn't there to prove whether my fur was pretty or not; I was there to prove I deserved my place at this academy.
I got into a pouncing stance, the muscles in my hind legs coiled tight.
\[Now, Skylar. Push her!\] Iven commanded.
With a powerful spring, I burst forward at moderate speed. Before Kareena even had time to take a step back, I slammed into her chest with full force.
Kareena’s eyes widened in shock as she was knocked backward, her heels landing right near the outer boundary of the arena.
Pure panic flashed across her eyes. She was cornered and overwhelmed by the sheer force of the Alpha blood running through my veins.
Left with no choice, she let out a muffled roar as her body expanded, shifting into a brownish-grey wolf.
Kareena growled loudly, trying to shake off the pressure of my claws. With a desperate effort and heavy breathing, she managed to throw her body to the side, barely breaking free from my hold.
Using my sharp wolf senses, I picked up the thick scent of fear and shock coming from her.
She never expected the Split-Fang she always put down to actually pack a punch.
“She’s scared, Iven,” I said in my head.
\[Use her fear against her. Coordinate your moves! Circle left, trap her near the edge!\] Iven replied firmly.
Kareena tried to counterattack with her front claws, aiming for my neck. I dodged with quick agility, ducking low before slamming my shoulder straight into her ribs.
A loud thud echoed, followed by a yelp of pain from Kareena.
The difference in our focus was night and day. Kareena was fighting on blind rage and revenge, whereas Iven and I fought with cold, calculated strategy.
Getting a firm grip on the scruff of her neck, I spun around and slammed her hard to the ground.
Kareena rolled a few yards straight past the boundary line, crashing into the wooden fence and snapping it.
"Match over! Winner: Skylar McKirby!" Professor Wildner bellowed.
Kareena shifted back into her human form, gasping for air on the dirt as her claw marks started to heal over.
Her face was bright red with absolute embarrassment. She’d been utterly humiliated in front of the whole year.
"This isn't over, Skylar!" Kareena spat raspy-voiced, pulling herself up with her friends' help to get dressed. "I'll settle this score with you sooner or later. Just you wait!"
Shifting back into human form, I took a deep breath. I couldn't care less about her empty threats.
All I cared about was securing that top grade for this semester's evaluation. Without bothering to reply, I turned on my heel and strolled off toward the changing rooms after taking a coat.
The girls' changing room was fairly quiet when I walked in, though the peace didn't last long.
Heavy footsteps came marching up. Kareena burst in with three of her mates, cornering me from behind.
"Think you're a big shot now, do you?" Kareena snapped, her eyes wide with rage. "You're just a Split-Fang messing up the pure werewolf blood in this academy. Know your place!"
As Kareena stepped forward, boiling over with rage and trying to yank off the shirt I was putting on, a soft whistling sound cut through the air.
"Ouch!" Kareena shrieked, clutching the back of her head. A clear glass marble bounced across the tiled floor.
Before they could figure out what was happening, a faint purple spark flared up in the corner of the room.
Elroth appeared with his usual mischievous smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe holding a bag of marbles.
"Ow! What on earth?!" her mates yelled as the marbles—controlled by Elroth's magic—poured down like a hail of tiny bullets, pelting their foreheads, shoulders, and knees.
The floor instantly became lethal, with hundreds of marbles rolling around everywhere.
Kareena tried to lung at Elroth but lost her footing completely, taking a hilarious dive and groaning in pain.
They swore loudly at Elroth, who just chuckled, not feeling guilty in the slightest.
I couldn't help laughing at the ridiculous sight. I burst out laughing watching Kareena and her gang frantically crawling away to escape the room.
“You bloody demon! I’m telling the Profes... ”
“Learn to walk properly first before you go snitching, or shall I just turn you into a frog so you can hop instead?” Elroth laughed out loud.
Once the door shut tight and the room went quiet again, I shook my head and tried to fix my clothes.
Just as I reached up to button my shirt, my fingers suddenly went stiff.
Elroth snapped his fingers again, freezing my hands with his demon magic. I tried to push the button through, but failed every time because his spell held my fingers back.
"Elroth, cut it out," I muttered, annoyed.
Elroth sauntered over in his typical cheeky fashion, tilting his head and looking at me with a playful glint in his eyes.
"Not a chance. Help from a demon doesn't come free, Skylar. Where's my 'reward'?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed, giving in to his endless messing about. "Fine, fine. You'll get your 'reward', we can hang out the night after tomorrow. Now let me get dressed properly."
"The night after tomorrow is way too long," Elroth interrupted quickly, stepping in so close his face was only inches from mine. "I want you tonight."
"Can't do tonight," I said flatly. "I’ve already got plans, I can't break."
Elroth raised an eyebrow. "What plans? Another date with banana-pants?"
"It's not a date. Michael and I got detention from Headmaster Fischer," I explained, buttoning my shirt. "We've been tasked with helping Mr. Barnaby check the underground tunnels under the academy building."
At that, the playful spark in Elroth's eyes suddenly shifted into intense curiosity.
"The Arcanum basement? The old ruins that are supposed to be haunted?"
I nodded. Elroth crossed his arms, a secretive smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Well then, Little Wolf... looks like your detention is going to be interesting."