Reincarnated as a Villainess: All Eyes on Me

Chapter 16 [Part 2]

[Chapter 16: Attack]

•>>———∘◦❁◦∘———(Elora / Brianna)

"Hey did you hear?"

"What?"

"They say we have a free-lecture today."

"What?! Really??"

"Yup. We're only going to—"

The bustling chatter around me were cut off when the professor came in. 

"Attention, class." The class leader said quieting everyone.

"Good morning, sir Crowell." We all said in unison as soon as the professor stood at the center in front. He just nodded his head before placing them on the table in front of him.

"Today as you can see, I don't have any teaching references with me today." He started and I immediately noticed that he indeed didn't have anything with him today when usually, teacher's would be bringing along handful of papers and books in hand.

One student raised a hand and professor Crowell nodded his head, "Sir, is it true that we won't have lessons today? What would we be doing then?" One guy with shoulder-length sapphire blue hair said.

"That is correct, however you won't be free in doing just whatever you want. In fact, you may not have lessons but you would have to watch the seniors in combat training. This would serve as a guide for you youngsters since combat training is one of the main subject in the upper years." He explained and I couldn't help the giddy smile that spread on my face.

That's one of the things that differs Arcane Academy to other schools. Combat training in other schools is kind of a course you'd have to apply, and those who aren't interested in them doesn't have to apply in them. However, combat training is one of Arcane Academy's main class since it's a good thing to learn a few tricks or two in any case of danger that would befall on the future.

"The girls are exempted though and are either free to roam about the halls or watch along with the guys." The professor added making my smile drop.

"How lucky of them."

"Why are you sulking? Isn't this a great opportunity to train earlier on our combat skills?"

"I know, but still."

"Silence." The teacher said with a loud booming voice and everyone was quiet at that.

How can I forget? This is 'that' kind of era after all. *sigh

"Are you okay?" I turned to my left to look at Vanessa while my cheeks were placed on top of my hand. 

"Yup. Totally!" I said followed by an exasperated sigh.

"Why are you sulking? Are you finally feeling enthusiastic on learning that the reason why you're all grumbly is because we're not gonna have one?" She said with a giggle and I playfully glared at her. She didn't budge, however, as she just kept on laughing so I squeezed both of her cheeks in annoyance.

"Stawp, ith hurtss!" She whined and I can't help the giggle that escaped my lips.

"Vanessa, Elora!" I looked up the front in shock at what the professor called me but then quietly sighed in relief when I realized that there wasn't anymore students left in the room. It seems that Vanessa was quite startled too as she just froze in her seat.

"What are you two still doing? Everybody has left already." He reprimanded and I quickly stood up from my seat and dragged Vanessa along with me.

"I'm sorry, sir. We got distracted." I said and hurriedly followed him. He just shook his head and both Vanessa and I shared a look before quietly laughing.

That startled me. Well, I know for a fact that the teachers teaching my class know me, it's just none of their business to randomly call me and point out that I'm the princess right? However, they are still informed of my request of not revealing my identity to others with an excuse of not wanting to get disrupted with my studies so they don't call me by my real name or my last name. I guess he just didn't feel the need to call me by my alias/nickname since there are no other students around. I just hope he doesn't accidentally call me by my real name if there are other students around.

I don't know what I'll do once everybody finds out I'm of royal status. That's the only thing I have yet to prepare myself.

The sound of swords clashing and grunts caught my attention making me snap out of my thoughts and look up front. 

And there I saw the class of my dreams...

I stared with my mouth forming an 'o', amazed at the different ranges of their skills and capabilities. Brother Ali may have thought me the basics and some foundations of swordsmanship but seeing multiple people with varying skills made me stare in awe.

"Elo— Ella!" My vision of the men combatting were blocked by a familiar figure running towards me.

I wasn't able to comprehend anything when he suddenly wrapped his arms around my body. No words, no indication, nothing. He just hugged me out of nowhere completely making the entire combat training halt to stare at us with shocked expressions.

I didn't understand their reason to be shocked at first until it hit me and I quickly swatted brother Ali away.

"What do you think you're doing hugging me out of the blue like that?!" I snapped and he just smiled cheekily. 

I just rolled my eyes until a grin spread on my face and I looked at him with a mischievous look, "Did you miss me that much?" I teased and his face was beet red at that.

"Who misses you?! Tsk tsk. Perspiration is healthy you know, so I just wanted to share it with you." He said with a chuckle and my brows were furrowed in confusion at first, but when I finally got it, he was long gone.

"YOU JERK!!" I shrieked and he just laughed louder at that, continuing to walk away.

His short-term fun were halted, however, when his combat instructor signaled for him to come closer. He looked at me and I just smirked making him turn red from embarrassment. 

Serves you right, loser.

Hmm, but indeed I do feel the same way as him. Many days have passed since we last saw each other. Now that I think about it, I wonder if he heard about me collapsing and coming across a fight? Hopefully not. He's gonna act all overprotective again if he were to find out; it's cute but him acting all aggro just makes everyone suspicious and even leads to disgusting misunderstandings. -_-

"Is... is prince Alistair your lover..?" Kinda like that.

"What the heck?!" I turned to my side to see one of my classmates named Jeniffer looking at me with awe-filled eyes. My disgusted look, however, were enough indication to what my answer would be so she didn't have to wait for a verbal response before shooting me another question, "Then what was all that about?" She asked genuinely confused and I just sighed and looked at brother Ali who I guessed was having the same conversation as me with his classmates based on the look of horror he got on his face.

"We're just..." I trailed off without looking at Jeniffer and brother Ali locked gaze with me.

"Best friends." I said and I read his mouth saying the same. He gave me a sad look and I looked at him apologetically. 

What a boastful brother. I guess he's that type of brother where he really wants to brag me with his friends. How cute. I guess he really adores me that much.

Soon brother Ali. Soon...

Once I find enough courage to face the onslaught of attention and the biased attitude they'd give me. He might be okay with it and is turning a blind eye, but I hate two-faced bitches.

Hopefully, I'd find courage in turning a blind eye like most people here do.

Well, I'm not from this world so it would surely take some time.

My trails were cut off when I felt a hand graze my arm and I turned to my side to see Vanessa giving me an understanding look. Does he have an older brother as well?

"I know what you're thinking, and yes I do. He's annoying most of the times but, in the end, he's still my brother and I love him." She said with a longing look on her face, "Don't tell him I told you that though!" She said followed by a chuckle.

"Now come on! Let's go sit at the benches. My legs are starting to cramp." She said and pulled me towards the benches.

Now that I look at it, there are more girls here than what I had expected. Some are missing, probably roaming about the halls and doing whatever they're doing but most of the women in my class are here.

"I thought less girls would come here and watch." I muttered more to myself with furrowed brows and I heard Vanessa snicker beside me. I turned to her and raised one brow up and she just gave me a sly look before finally laughing at whatever she had on her mind.

"Oh, dear Ella. You truly are one of a kind pfft.." She chuckled and my brows furrowed even further.

"What are going on about?" I asked and she just laughed yet again, "I'm serious here." I grumbled and she just pinched both of my cheeks with a giggle.

"They're here because of.. them." She trailed her eyes up front and I followed only to see the Academy's seniors combatting.

"Mkaayy? And then?" I asked with my brows still furrowed and she just laughed.

"Don't you see anything?" She asked and I shook my head, "Like at all?" She pressed and I shook my head yet again with a frown.

"They're here for the guys, silly." She said with a cheshire grin and I only looked at her with a confused look and she pressed her lips in a thin line before interlocking her arms with mine.

"Just look at them! They're so cool..." She said and my eyes widened in realization, so it was that, I thought while internally shaking my head, "..and handsome.. and—"

"And hot?" I finished off with a bored look and she blushed at that.

"So you do get it!" She exclaimed turning to look at me but when she saw my bored face, her brows knit in a frown, "You're so weird." She said while shaking her head and I scoffed acting like I got offended.

"And how come I'm the weird one?!" I said and she just giggled.

"A good kind of weird." She smiled and I looked at her with raised eyebrows signaling for her to continue, "Well, for starters, you're not finicky. You don't get disgusted nor scared over the simplest things— like the bug incident." She said and I nodded with a chuckle.

"You don't obsess over your looks even though you're very beautiful. You don't care about other people's negative opinions. You're a very good friend. Nice. Humble. Kind. And overall just a really cool person!" She exclaimed with admiration in her eyes.

"Now you're just changing what you said. First I'm weird, and now I'm cool? Make up your mind!" I joked and we both laughed.

"It's the truth though. That's why I truly admire you.. I wish I could be more like you..." She trailed off, her tone turning glum and I furrowed my brows.

"Hey, people are different y'know? And there are a lot of good things about you that I don't have in myself as well. Instead of wasting your time whishing to be someone else, why don't you focus on why you're just as good as that someone else you're admiring, or in other words, me?" I said with a smile and she looked teary at the end.

"Aww! You're so nice!!" She said, suddenly hugging me tightly, and even surprising me by giving me a kiss on the cheek. 

My eyes widened, and I can feel my cheeks heating up.

"Oops, sorry hihi. I just saw my little sister in you just now and I couldn't help myself." She said and I was barely focusing on what she had said.

"*sigh, I miss my little sister." She said, "Hey you okay? What's wrong? You're red, are you sick?" She asked worriedly and I quickly shook my head and turned to give her a smile.

"Yup, fine and dandy." I chuckled nervously and both of us didn't say anything after that.

Can't believe I got flustered over that. 

Neither of us spoke anymore as we both just watched the combat training in front of us. It's a shame that girls are exempted in this. If it were the modern era then this wouldn't be a big deal. Heck combat training wouldn't even be a thing unless you take separate lessons from it. The good thing in this era is that combat training tackles all the other aspects like swordsmanship, archery, hand-to-hand combat, and a lot more. It really is a shame I wouldn't get to join in on all the fun.

It was quite peaceful but not until I felt this weird ominous feeling suddenly creep its way towards me. Goosebumps ran up my arms and I suddenly felt this weird chill.

Something's wrong.

I looked at Vanessa to see that she had the same uncomfortable expression as well.

"What's going on?" She asked quietly while her head was tilted upward, and I looked up to find a strange dome had emerged in the sky, blocking our view of the once-blue sky. I looked around and saw that everyone was looking up as well, their expressions were that of fright, confusion, and alarm. Some were whispering amongst themselves, and some were just completely frozen.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Everyone gasped in shock from the sudden boom of voice that echoed, it was deep and psychotic, "You all must be wondering what is happening right now." As the voice kept on talking, everyone was looking around to find its source, "You won't find me there so forget even trying, HAHAHHAHHAHA!"

"What is going on?"

"Is this some kind of exam prepared by the principal?"

"I don't think so."

The students started talking amongst themselves, trying to figure out what was happening.

"Anyhow, I'll cut to the chase. I only need one person among all of you... So if you all want to live, then give that person to me." The voice sounded sinister and I felt a shiver crawl up my spine.

"One person? Do something like this just for one?"

"Must be someone of high status.."

"But to do this is just--"

"WHO IS IT THAT YOU WANT?!" One of the seniors shouted and a creepy chuckle was heard coming from the dome's perpetrator.

"Ah! It seems you understand the situation you are in right now. Very well then, all I need is the princess." The voice stated and its as if I could already see him smiling.

Everyone looked around searching for the said person at first, but their expressions turned to confusion after a while.

"Her Highness, Princess Catalina, isn't here though?" One guy said and the voice started laughing hysterically, as if he found the statement really funny.

"I'm not looking for Her Highness of Sequoia Kingdom though..." I could feel the owner of the voice smiling eerily, and I felt my heart begin to accelerate. 

"Among one of you is.. princess Elora." My heart stopped and I felt like running but I knew there was nowhere to run.

"By Elora, you mean..."

"Oh yes! Princess Elora.. Zandria.. de Alder... Aeanthra." He said each word slowly, as if toying my name with his tongue.

"He must be joking."

"Pfft, I know right? There's no way!'

I looked at Vanessa, the same time she looked at me, with a nervous look. She looked at me worriedly with eyes that says 'What are we gonna do?'.

Suddenly, a loud boom resonated in the area followed by a scream and I abruptly turned my head to see one guy on the ground, holding his leg that was bleeding.

"If you don't give her to me, then I'll finish all of you one by one until I get to her." The voice said, his tone sounding lunatic.

Then one by one, people started getting struck by what seemed like lightning, and five people were down on the ground by now. I knew for a fact that what he only wanted was me, and I could just step up to save all of these people, but its as if I was frozen on my spot, unable to move as sweat started dripping on my forehead.

"What do you want from my sister-- AGHH!" My eyes widened when brother Ali dropped to the ground.

"So it's true.."

"Princess Elora really is here then?"

"How can she just let all of these people get hurt? Are the rumors about her true then..?"

They're right.. What am I doing just sitting here, when I could save all these people by just simply surrendering myself? Although, the worst-case scenario that could happen to me is death.. would that even matter? I'm not even from this world so why am I valuing my life in this world this bad...? I never used to feel this way.. even as Brianna... 

Have I gotten too attached here?

But is that a bad thing..?

Just as the yellow light began gathering for the next attack, I finally decided to step up.

"STOP!!" I shouted and I saw Vanessa from the corner of my eye look at me abruptly in shock. She held my hand to stop me but I placed my hand in hers, smiling reassuringly as I removed it.

"I'll-- I'll step up so just.. just let all of these people go." I said with a firm voice and everyone was looking at me with wide eyes. But the widest of them all is brother Ali who was even shaking his head in disapproval, I didn't look his way but just looked out straight ahead, fearing that if I even meet his gaze just for a second, I would break.

"So it was her..?"

"Wait.. so Ella.."

"I'm so stupid! Of course she would be here! Her brother is here after all!"

"HAHAHHAHAHAH! Good choice. Follow my man then." Just as he said that, a guy with black cloak appeared from thin air. My eyes widened upon examining the cloak. It was the same type of cloak from the sorcerer casting some weird magic on princess Catalina's room. So the guy that's responsible for this targeted princess Catalina first, and then me? Is he targeting all the royals then? But why?? For what reason???

My trail of thoughts were cut off when the cloaked man grabbed my arm with force and he started pulling me away and towards the white swirling portal that also appeared out of nowhere behind him.

"WAIT!" I yanked my hand back with force, making the cloaked man glare at me. I ignored the pain as I glared back at him as well.

"I won't come until I see every last one of them away from here." I said as I took a few steps back.

"I knew you'd be such a nuisance." The voice grumbled making me roll me eyes, "FINE." 

Just as he said that, a small hole appeared at the side of the barrier, just the right size for a person to pass through.

"Hurry you insignificant fools! Or else you all would be toasted." Just as he said that, thunder sounds resonated inside the barrier and everyone hurriedly started to get away. Some looked at me with reluctance and I only gave them a firm smile making them bow their head from shame as well as gratefulness.

It might be scumbaggy of them to run away and save their lives, but everyone would've done the same. And even if they had abilities, someone who can cast a barrier and produce thunder strikes at the same time this easily is obviously that of higher level. Much more higher than simple-minded high schoolers, so it's safe to say that the only rational thing to do right now is escape.

It's okay.

This much is fine.

At least brother will be sa--

"What are you still doing sitting at the floor like a fool?! Do you truly wish to die?!!" My eyes snapped to the side to see brother Ali at the ground looking at me with sad eyes. I felt a lone tear escape my eye at the broken expression he was giving but I had no choice but to slowly nod my head telling him that it was okay.

He slowly stood up, looking up with a now steady expression on his face.

"NOW!!" He screamed and everything went fast at that point. But I was able to make out the silhouette of Grayson attacking the cloaked man as brother Ali hurriedly carried me away.

Brother Ali must've used some type of speed magic as he ran away from the area in a speed of light. Everything happened fast and just as he was putting me down on the ground at the farthest side of the school did I slowly realize what had happened.

I quickly stood up and I looked back at the direction where we had come from with fear and worry. 

"Grayson..!" My words were cut off when I heard my brother panting heavily and I looked down to see him holding his right leg that was now bleeding profusely.

I dropped down to my knees and looked around for any person to ask for help but there was none.

"B-brother..!" My voice broke and he looked at my face with a smile before reaching a hand up to place at my cheek.

"Don't cry." He said with a pained expression.

"Don't worry about Grayson, he's a skilled soldier. And regarding the situation, I'm sure lots of reinforcements had already come." He said with a smile and I shook my head.

"What about you then? We need to go to the infirmary brother! I--" 

"Shh.. It's okay, help would eventually come this way. Besides, It's not that bad." He reassured and I only cried harder upon seeing his leg that was entirely covered with blood. I looked up at his face to see him closing his eyes as he slowly started to lie down on the grass and I sobbed even harder.

"Don't die brother!!" I wailed and he abruptly opened his eyes with a shocked look.

"Hey... shh, I'm not dying. I'm just resting." He said with a chuckle at the end before closing his eyes slowly yet again.

How can I help brother Ali? 

Should I do chest compressions??

No. His heart is beating and he's conscious so that would only be futile.

Hmmm...

My eyes widened and I quickly ripped a piece of the skirt of my dress before hovering my shaky hands unto brother's right leg.

"What are you doing?" He asked and I looked up at him with a firm expression.

"This much, I can do." I said with a firm voice and ripped off the fabric covering his right leg. I winced upon seeing the huge cut the lightning strike catalyzed before slowly cleaning the blood at the surrounding wound using the fabric I tore from my uniform. After that, I tore another piece and situated it behind his leg before tying a firm knot around his wound to stop the bleeding.

"Sorry.." I whispered when I heard him grunt in the process and when I was done, I lied beside him and hugged his waist.

I started crying silently as I thought of the events that had transpired.

"It's my fault. I should've come out sooner.. maybe then this wouldn't have--"

"Stop saying that!" He said angrily and I shut my mouth.

"It wasn't your fault. None of it is other than that damned psycho who caused this. So don't ever say something like that." He said and I sniffled, not uttering a word after that. 

He's right, but there's still this ill feeling at the pit of my stomach telling me otherwise. 

He may be right, but had I surrendered myself sooner, none of the students would've gotten hurt.

If I hadn't come to watch their training then none of them would've been involved.

The what if's and If only's...

I cried silently at those thoughts that I won't ever tell to brother Ali.

Soon, I fell into a sleepless slumber.

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