Chapter 5 Water Element

Chapter 5

"This is her fourth attempt. I hope she passes this time. It's embarrassing for the Aeris Kingdom that their only princess keeps failing."

"Exactly. And she's the sister of Prince Aaron, who's in the Special Class."

"Looks like Prince Arthur is even escorting her to the Exam Hall."

"He might as well escort her back to their palace gate."

"You're all so mean. I believe Princess Astrid will pass this time!"

Do they think I don't have ears? I can hear them loud and clear. Someone defended me, but they just laughed at him. I was this close to kicking them.

"Don't mind them. I know you'll pass-you already have an Element," Arthur said, messing up my hair. I just smiled. I ignored the stares and whispers. I'm used to ignoring bashers. I had so many of them on Earth-businessmen unhappy with my company's rise. Some even tried to have me killed because it hurt their pride that a 23-year-old woman surpassed them. They must be celebrating now that I'm dead.

The Exam Hall wasn't far, so we arrived quickly. It was like a large dance studio surrounded by a barrier to protect those outside if any test-takers lost control.

Arthur only walked me to the entrance and bid me goodbye, wishing me good luck before leaving. Non-test takers weren't allowed inside. I took a deep breath before entering.

This is it... If I pass, I'll have a chance to change how people see Astrid. I'll show them that the weak princess they once knew is no more

As soon as I entered the Exam Hall, I was immediately greeted by fire. Literal fire. There are five of us here taking the preliminary exam, and one person is already at the front. Three teachers are also present to determine the strength of our Elements. This is important to know which category and section we'll be placed in.

"Middle Class, Section Red," one of the teachers said after observing the Element of the person in front. "Next." The next candidate stood up and, just like the first, showed her Element. She's an Air Element User. She created an Air Ball similar to what Aaron showed me last night, but smaller.

"Bottom Class, Section A. Next."

Two more people went before it was my turn. I stood up with confidence and took my place in front. Thankfully, my stomach wound is completely healed, so I can move freely if something unexpected happens. If I had time, I'd like to find the person who gave me that medicine so I can properly thank them.

Standing in front, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I tried to sense myself while waving my hand. After a few moments, I felt something slowly coming out of my hand. I opened my eyes to check, and to my surprise, instead of air like before, water was coming out of my hand!

'What the hell?!'

Water was floating around me, coming from my hand. I tried to focus and attempted to create a water ball. I probably looked like I was constipated as I struggled to form the water ball. A few moments later, more water started flowing from my hand, surrounding me. I was now inside a giant water ball that I had created! I don't remember what happened next because I suddenly felt weak and passed out.

I woke up when sunlight hit my face. I opened my eyes and slowly sat up. My head hurt a bit, but I could manage.

I still couldn't believe that water came out of my hand instead of air earlier. I don't know if it's possible for people here to have two Elements, but as a stranger in this world, it was shocking to me. Just this morning, my Element was air-it even lifted me off the ground with its force-yet by noon, it was water?

"Oh, a red horse! What the heck, Kuya Ah-Ah-Ron, you startled me!"

I couldn't help but shout when Aaron suddenly appeared in front of me, his cold expression intact.

"I know what happened..." he said. I started to panic.

"I don't know anything, Kuya. I just did what I did last night, and suddenly water came out instead of air," I explained, worried they might interpret having two Elements differently. They might throw me into a dungeon and I'd die again. I don't want to die again-this is already my second life. If they don't throw me in the dungeon, they might use me as a guinea pig for experiments, and I really don't want that.

"The people outside already know that you passed the exam, and that you're a Water Element User," he said, which shocked me. Oh no.

"But Kuya, didn't you tell the Royalties this morning that I could use my Element-"

"Yes... But I didn't mention what kind of Element User you are. Only the two of us know what happened last night. So I want you to stay as low-key as possible. We can't risk telling anyone that you can wield two Elements; we don't know what they would do to you if they found out."

"But, how?"

"Just stick to being a Water Element User, and I'll handle the rest."

I nodded in response but kept my eyes on him. He turned to leave, but I called out to him.

"Kuya..." I called. He stopped but didn't turn to face me, waiting for me to speak. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" he asked, still not turning around.

"This! Before, you didn't even notice me. You used to just pass by me like I wasn't there. But now you're helping me. Last night, you helped me bring out my Element, and now you're willing to help me hide the fact that I'm also an Air Element User," I explained. I couldn't understand why he suddenly started caring. He even told me to stay low and pretend I was just a Water Element User, saying he'd handle the rest. "Why are you doing this? Why do you suddenly care?" I asked again, still staring at his back.

"Because... you're my sister," he said, still not turning around. I couldn't help but be surprised by his answer. "I don't need to say hi or hello whenever our paths cross just to prove that I care," he added before teleporting away, disappearing instantly.

'Whew!'

I don't know what he's thinking, suddenly acting like a brother. I know he's not the showy type, so maybe this is his way of letting me know he cares. I just feel bad that Astrid never experienced this kind of care from her brother. Nothing like this happened while she was still alive.

A few moments later, the door opened, and a woman dressed as a nurse entered, followed by Arthur, who immediately approached me.

"I heard what happened. Are you okay?" he asked, concern clear on his face.

"I'm fine," I replied with a smile to show that I really was okay. The nurse approached us.

"Her body was just shocked by her Element. She's rested enough and can be discharged anytime," the nurse said. We thanked her.

Astrid's body is still too weak, so maybe I should start the workout routine I used to do when I was Jamie to strengthen it. I can't afford to keep collapsing every time I use my Element.

"Are you sure you're really okay?" Arthur asked again. I just smiled and nodded in response. He helped me as we left. When we stepped outside, the sky was orange, and the sun was setting.

I only found out yesterday that I had been reincarnated, and so much has already happened. I only started using this body yesterday, yet I've already managed to release two Elements, something Astrid never did when she was alive. I don't know what's going to happen to me in the coming days. For now, I'll follow Aaron's advice to lay low and pretend I'm just a Water Element User while he handles the rest.

The sun was setting as we left the clinic. There weren't many people outside, so maybe everyone was resting for tomorrow. That's a relief because I didn't want to face their faces just yet; I might end up slapping them. Aaron even told me earlier that they were talking about me since I passed and have an Element.

I was walking with Arthur since he didn't have the ability to teleport. We were heading to the exam hall to find out what category and section I was assigned to.

After a while, we reached the exam hall, the same place where I fainted earlier while using my Element. There was no barrier outside, and the door was open when we arrived, so we quickly went inside. We saw one of the teachers from earlier, Fredrick Rivera, the headteacher of the Academy, organizing some papers on his desk. His position is just below the headmaster.

"Good afternoon, Sir Fred," Arthur greeted, catching the teacher's attention. He looked at us, and his dimples showed when he smiled. You wouldn't notice that he was one of the strongest and most respected teachers in the Academy because of his simple and pleasant demeanor. If he wore a student uniform, you'd really think he was just another student.

He also greeted us and motioned for us to sit in front of his desk.

Hopefully, nothing else happens.

"I'm glad you made it here," he started once we were all seated. He turned his gaze to me and smiled. "First of all, congratulations, Princess Astrid, because starting today, you are officially a student of the Elemental Academy. I'm happy that you finally passed the Academy's preliminary examination. I hope you will do your best during your time here." I just smiled at him. "My colleagues and I who conducted the preliminary examination have decided to place you in the Bottom Class, Section Star as a starting point."

To Be Continued...