novelraw Chapter 371 371: Final Test
Chapter 371 371: Final Test
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~Valerie's POV~
"Ace."
He'd been quiet for the past minute, eyes trained on the way our hands were linked between us. The breeze carried the faint scent of pine from the west woods, brushing against my face, and for a brief second, everything almost felt… calm. Almost.
Then his voice broke through. "Valerie."
The sound of my name from his lips sent an involuntary shudder through me. It wasn't fear; more like my body reacting before my mind caught up. His tone had that steady warmth I'd grown too comfortable with.
"What?" I asked, trying to sound normal, though my heart gave me away.
Ace smiled faintly. "You spaced out."
I blinked and looked away, realising I had. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he said softly. His thumb slowly brushed the back of my hand in a reassuring way. "You've had a lot on your mind lately."
That was an understatement. Between Principal Whitmore's accusations, Dristan's storm of emotions, and everything else I was trying to hold together, my head was a mess.
"I didn't mean to make things worse," I muttered, my eyes dropping to our hands again.
Ace's grip tightened, just a little. "Valerie, you don't make things worse. You just… attract chaos." His smile didn't reach his eyes this time.
"Funny," I said weakly. "That's what Dristan said, too."
That name shifted the air instantly. Ace's smile faltered, replaced by quiet tension. "Right. Dristan." He released a breath through his nose, looking away for a moment before turning back to me. "You've been around him a lot lately," he said, too calmly.
"It's complicated," I admitted. "He's just… trying to make things right."
Ace huffed quietly. "Is that what you think he's doing?"
"I know it doesn't look that way, but yes." My tone came out softer than I meant. "He's trying, Ace."
He looked at me for a long moment, his gaze searching mine as if he wanted to believe me but couldn't quite allow himself to. "You keep trying to fix people who are already breaking you," he said at last.
I swallowed hard. "Someone has to."
"Not you," he said firmly. "Not always you."
I didn't know how to respond. The tension between us wasn't anger; it was something heavier, more dangerous.
"I told you about the deal," I said quietly, breaking the silence. "Two weeks with each of you… to understand, to choose."
Ace's jaw flexed. "And how's that working out so far?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Every time I think I understand one of you, something changes."
He gave a humourless laugh. "You think you can balance six people, Val. But you can't even balance yourself right now."
The words hit harder than I expected. Because deep down, I knew he was right.
He sighed, voice dropping low. "You're going to break if you keep this up. And when you do, you'll take all of us down with you."
My throat tightened. "I'm trying, Ace."
"I know you are," he said, softer now. "That's the problem."
Silence settled again.
Finally, Ace turned to me, his gaze steady, almost pleading. "Pick a side, Valerie. Before the bond makes that choice for you."
His words lingered long after he walked away, burning like a truth I couldn't escape.
And deep within, I felt Astra stir restlessly. Because she already knew what I didn't want to admit… the choice had already started making itself.
*****
By the time I got back to my room, after the day's activities—class, training for the Alpha Forge, then just relaxing in the field alone—Ace's words were still echoing in my head like an unwanted rhythm.
I did not want to head to my room on time to give myself time to think and avoid my roommates guessing what was wrong with me, even though I knew that not being there was enough to draw attention.
Pick a side, Valerie.
I dropped my bag onto the chair and leaned against the door for a second, breathing out slowly. My thoughts were a tangled mess: Ace's disappointment, Dristan's temper, and Principal Whitmore's suspicion.
It all felt like too much, and I hadn't even begun to process half of it.
When I finally pushed myself to move, my gaze caught something on the desk.
A thick envelope… the same deep purple colour I'd come to dread and recognize like the back of my palm.
My stomach tightened. Nightshade.
I crossed the room, my fingers brushing over the seal.
It wasn't addressed to anyone as usual, but I already knew it was meant for me. That specific shade of purple, the faint metallic scent of ink, the heavy parchment; it was impossible to mistake.
I sat down, pulling the letter closer. For a moment, I just stared at it. I hated how familiar it felt, how my hands didn't even tremble anymore before opening one. Then I tore it open.
Inside, I found a folded piece of paper. It was straightforward; no greetings, just a clear message.
"Final instruction. Come to the east courtyard. 9:20 p.m. sharp. Last test."
That was it. No name, no signature. Just those three short sentences.
I glanced at the clock, 8:50 PM.
"Perfect," I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair.
Because, of course, I already had plans at ten with Dristan.
My chest tightened again as I remembered. He'd been the one who'd asked that we meet. Said we needed to talk. And knowing Dristan, that probably meant another round of tension and probably half-truths.
Still, I couldn't skip this. The Nightshade trials weren't optional. If you ignore one summons, you don't get a second. You disappeared.
"Just don't take too long," I whispered to myself.
I took a quick shower, trying to wash away the unease, but it clung to me like damp air. I dressed simply: black hoodie, leggings, and boots. Nothing flashy. I braided my hair loosely and slipped my knife into my pocket.
At 9:05 p.m., I was out the door.
The school grounds were quieter than usual. The night carried a soft chill, the kind that hinted at rain, and the faint glow of the moon stretched thin shadows across the courtyard.
I followed the path past the old fountains until I reached the east courtyard. When I got there at 9:19 p.m., it was empty.
For a few seconds, I stood there, scanning my surroundings. The air was still, too still.
"Hello?" I called out softly.
No answer.
A crow screeched somewhere on the roof, and I almost laughed at how cliché it sounded. I turned, eyes sweeping over the tall hedges and stone archways. My pulse started to quicken. Maybe this was part of the test… patience.
Then I sensed something, a subtle shift behind me, like a presence that made the air feel heavier and thicker. I turned sharply to see three figures standing there, cloaked in deep purple robes, hoods drawn over their faces.
My breath caught.
Even without seeing their features, I knew they were Nightshade members. The aura they carried was unmistakable: cold, controlled, and dangerous.
One of them stepped forward, the leader judging by the way the others held back. He extended a gloved hand, holding out another envelope.
"Your final test," he said. His voice was low, distorted slightly, like he was speaking through a spell.
I hesitated before stepping forward and taking the envelope. The parchment was warm, like it had just been sealed.
I turned it over in my hands. "Can I…?"
The man gave a short nod.
I swallowed, tore it open, and pulled out a single photograph.
A man's face stared back at me.
The name was written neatly on the back.
Target: Eliminate.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring. The air seemed to thin around me. My pulse pounded in my ears.
Eliminate. That word had never hit me like this before. It wasn't a test anymore; it was a command… a death order.
I forced myself to keep my face calm, even though my stomach twisted. Subconsciously, I found myself checking my watch.
9:26 P.M.
"Have a better place to be?" one of them asked, jolting me from my thought.
I shook my head once, keeping my expression neutral and exhaled. "No."
"Good."
I slid the photo back into the envelope. "How long do I have?"
The leader's head tilted slightly, eyes unseen beneath the hood. "Three days. When it's done, burn the picture. Someone will confirm and collect the body."
Three days to kill.
That was the standard time. But it still made my throat feel tight.
"Understood," I said quietly.
"Dismissed."
The word felt heavy, final, and cold. I hesitated. "Wait—"
Before I could finish, one of them stepped closer and blew something into my face.
A fine, silver-grey, and faintly sweet-smelling powder.
I coughed, stumbling back as my vision blurred.
"What…"
The world around me spun, and my knees gave out. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision. I fought to stay awake, but my body felt heavier with each passing moment.
And then nothing.
When I came to, the night was colder. My cheek was pressed against the damp stone floor of the courtyard. I blinked hard, pushing myself upright.
My head throbbed faintly. The place was empty again: no purple cloaks, no trace of anyone, just the envelope lying near my hand.
I groaned, rubbing at my temples before glancing at my watch.
9:50 PM.
My heart jumped.
"Oh, shit," I hissed, scrambling to my feet.
Dristan.