We walked back to my team with Adel hugging one arm, and at some point, Sophie had taken the other arm. Neither her nor Sei or Sally said a word. Grace walked behind us with her head lowered, seemingly lost in thought. When we reached the group, I slipped out of the two girls' embrace and bowed my head. "I apologize. I lost my head."
"Hey! Faith, don't bow to us!" Steven suddenly stepped forward and helped me up. I looked up at the faces in front of me in confusion. Were they not scared just now? Didn't they think what I did was crazy?
"What is with that look? Did you think we would be affected by you beating the crap out of some ignorant people? You think too low of us, leader!" Leo said with a chuckle which made me lower my head once more. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. I had expected them to shun me, but they were all still smiling and being friendly to me. Does this mean I will be able to have more friends even after my outburst just now?
"Yeah, Faith, while you may have gone a bit overboard and a little crazy, we all know you did it for a friend. There is no need to think we would think less of you. Actually, we think that what you did was quite cool." Hailey said as she walked up and jokingly elbowed me.
"Yes, to be honest, when I saw Grace like that, I wanted to go over myself and beat them up. I mean, Grace can be a little bitchy at times, but she is actually quite nice once you look under that front she puts on." Amanda said teasingly as she stuck her tongue out.
"I am standing right here, you know! Amanda!" Grace suddenly yelled out. I guess these two knew each other. "Faith, don't listen to her! I am very kind hearted! And…." Grace lowered her head once more before stepping forward and hugging me. "Thank you. Thank you for getting mad on my behalf."
"Hey, you have been hugging my Faith for more than a few seconds. Let go, thieving cat!" Adel yelled out while grabbing Grace by the waist, but Grace seemed to not want to let go at all. Seeing these two acting as usual, I couldn't help but laugh. I am truly blessed. I think with this group of friends, I can finally come clean about myself and who I truly am.
After a while of resting and me calming down, it was finally time for us to move out. Although things have happened, it did not change the fact that we were still taking a test. However, I am not sure how my score is at this moment. I probably failed after what I did. But it doesn't matter. After all, I was already accepted in the academy, and this was just for show. Whether they will kick me out after is another story.
"Alright. Now that we have more teammates, we have more coverage. So I will change our team formation. Sei, Sally, and I will be upfront. Adel, Sophie, and Blake will take up the rear. Steven will be on the right side with Brad. Leo and Rick will be on the left. Casters and ranged will be in the middle. Any questions!?" I asked as I looked at the group. No one stepped up to say anything, so I nodded my head and clapped my hands.
"Alright, let's go! Remember what I said before. One person gets hurt, we retreat. One person gets taken, we chase until we get them back. Otherwise, we push forward and clear this place." I said these words once more. Because if goblins were like they were in the stories I read, then they will definitely go for the girls first. This was why I arranged the team the way I did. Three girls up front to draw their attention, boys to the side, and one boy in the back. I am hoping they will avoid the boys at all costs and go for the girls, although this is only speculation. I mean, they could be goblins who like men….
As we stood in front of the barrier, I took a look back to see both of those teams healing each other in one of the corners. Some were even looking at me. I sneered as an idea came to mind. "Since you are all healed, you can just have a picnic at the entrance." Right as I stepped through the barrier leading inside the dungeon, I cast a spinning barrier around the group of kids.
"Hey! You bitch! Let us out!" I heard a voice yell out from behind me, but I ignored them as I continued forward.
The other side of the barrier really smelled bad. I was not sure what that smell was, but it made my nose want to run away. Everyone else did not seem too bothered by it, but my nose was extra sensitive.
Luckily after a few minutes of walking down the narrow dungeon passage, the smell began to grow on me. Although It still stank. "Keep your eye out for side passages. We do not want to be ambushed." I reminded. There were dark corners everywhere in this dungeon, and the last thing I want is to be surrounded.
It was pretty quiet where we were. I did not smell anything different from when we first entered. And I could see quite well even in the dark, so I did have some decent advantages. "Hmmm? I hear fighting up ahead. Let's go!"
I could hear the sound of a battle further into the dungeon. We picked up our pace while still keeping our eyes peeled around us. But as we made our way towards the area where the battle was taking place we heard a girl yell out: "Stacy no! Let her go!"
What I walked into made all my worries come true….
