NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: According To The Rules It's Not Wrong
The battlefield was already a warzone, arrows flying in every direction as students turned on each other.
But Leon's team was falling apart before the real fight had even begun.
Felix crossed his arms and sneered at Tanya. "You're useless."
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You're dead weight." Felix scoffed, adjusting his bowstring. "You can't even shoot properly. You'll just slow us down."
Leon gritted his teeth. "Felix, don't start this."
Felix ignored him.
"You two should just accept reality. This isn't about teamwork. Only two of us are going to qualify in the end. I'm not wasting my chances protecting trash."
Tanya's grin twisted into a smirk.
"Huh. So that's how it is?"
Before anyone could react—
SHNK!
An arrow pierced Felix's neck.
His eyes widened.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
"You…" Felix choked, stumbling backward.
Tanya twirled her bow, watching as Felix collapsed.
She chuckled. "Oops. Guess you were right."
Leon and Elise froze.
Felix's body twitched, then stopped moving.
Elise's hands shook. "T-Tanya… you just…"
Leon's stomach twisted.
Felix was an arrogant bastard, but
He hadn't deserved that.
Tanya tilted her head, still grinning.
"Relax, Ortez. Only two of us get to qualify anyway."
Leon's fists clenched.
"She's serious."
"She'll kill us too if we're in her way."
Before he could move
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the battlefield.
The sky turned black as smoke and flames erupted from the Academy gates.
A voice blared through hidden speakers.
"FOR THE FREEDOM OF MARS—WE DECLARE WAR!"
Leon's heart stopped.
No way…
Figures in black combat suits stormed the exam grounds, carrying illegal firearms.
Students barely had time to react before—
RATATATATATATA!
Gunfire tore through the battlefield.
Arrows were useless against their assault rifles.
Some students tried to fight only to be gunned down instantly.
Leon's breath hitched.
"This isn't part of the exam."
This is real.
Elise grabbed his arm, her voice shaking. "L-Leon—w-we have to go—"
A tank rumbled onto the field, its cannon rotating.
The barrel pointed
Right at them.
Leon's eyes widened.
BOOM!
The ground erupted in a fiery explosion.
Everything went white.