Self-Proclaimed Princess

Huuuu...

Standing on the top of the ship and leaning on the railing, the girl with long brown hair sighed. She carefully gathered her hair in a messy bun before looking at the island in the horizon.

"We are almost there, I thought I'd be happy about this fact, but here we are."

She mumbled to herself, her green irises reflecting the vast ocean with a slightly melancholic shimmer as she thought about her reason for coming here.

'I came here to get stronger, to fight my greatest enemy and to defeat all of my fears.'

She clenched her fists, looking down on herself as she murmured, "What am I even doing now, being all gloomy over a single dream?"

'Was your resolve this fragile?' She scolded herself and rebuked repeatedly, how can she be as weak as to be helpless in front of a dream?

It was not even a reality or an illusion magic, which made her both grateful and irritated.

Grateful for the fact that it did not happen, meaning everything was in fact safe and sound. But also very irritated as she was easily swayed by a mere dream.

This simple dream was like a slap to her face, telling her that she is never going to escape her past's shadow and making her unable to face her upcoming future with happiness and excitement.

'Ariana! Who allowed you to bring someone here? In my house, in the place I've been keeping you at for free?!?!'

Flinch–

She flinched as that voice from her past shouted in her head, but she forced herself to stand tall as she reminisced about another part of her wonderful past.

'Heh, a filthy thing like you hanging out with someone of that status? No wonder that I never felt this kingdom was worthy of being one of the most powerful. It will never be worthy to hold me back..'

That haughty and hateful tone, sometimes she could not understand why that person was so disgusted with her.

That person really had nothing against her, as far as she remembers, she was an obedient child who never acted in a 'naughty' way like the kids of her age. She was an obedient, smart, sensible and considerate child, so why did that person treat her as if she was an eyesore?

This girl did not know any reason, and could not think of any behavior that made her so 'despicable'.

Unconsciously, her fox ears drooped and her fox tail hung down, betraying her dejected mood despite trying to put on a bright smile.

Noticing the people around her starting to gather in groups, she approached them with a moderate smile and listened to them as they excitedly chatted with each other.

"O-M-G! Guys! The Zinin Royal Academy is in our sight!"

"Oh hell yeah! It looks absolutely gorgeous!"

"Mah Gosh! It's so grand and makes me feel kinda small– but that's to be expected from a place that was made by the First King."

"I agree, its style is quite fascinating, just look at how it shines even from this far."

True to their words, the place was stunning, or bluntly, breathtaking. Everyone could not stop themselves from appreciating its beauty.

The Zinin Royal Academy was a small island that is located 50 Miles away from the Ziniana Kingdom, it was made by the First Royal Household's, 'Zodiac's, Head to train any person who is willing and has enough potential.

As the people of this world were blessed with various 'abilities', they had many ways to train and the potential was basically endless, making the room for improvement amazingly huge.

The First head of the Zodiac Royal family, or the First King of the Ziniana Kingdom, was a fighting maniac. He liked to fight, not for killing nor for any grudges, he just liked to test his strength against other worthy opponents.

Therefore, the Zinin Royal Academy was the result of him not finding enough worthy opponents.

Although some people were indeed strong, he couldn't help being regretful as he was able to see that there are some who could not enhance their abilities to a decent extent

He wasn't satisfied with that at all.

Per his words, 'My heart bled whenever I saw someone who held an amazing ability yet did not use it properly. I do not say I am the greatest, however, I do admit that I can help enhance everyone's potential and provide the best training methods. I do not ask for a difficult deal, everyone can return to their homeland after finishing their study, but on one condition.'

Everyone was clearly hooked onto such a tempting offer, but the word 'condition' made them tense, while everyone was ready to negotiate, they did not expect the First Head of the Zodiac's next words.

He was grinning widely as he shouted, his eyes flushed in excitement, 'I only want us to engage in a friendly tournament! Let us fight each other, test each other and get stronger! I promise upon my name that no one will die, and I am going to spend all I can to treat any injuries of the players in the tournament.'

The world went into an uproar.

All the Kingdoms in the Crizal Continent clamored to negotiate with the Zodiac's First Head, everyone wanted to join as this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance despite being a bit wary as well.

Eventually, the Zodiac Royal Academy was built and many people from different kingdoms joined its classes, with the 'Abilities Tournament' being their final exam.

The Zodiac Royal Academy was made of pure white pearls that were grinded together with some Spiritual Beasts' bones to make the sturdiest construction materials.

The building was in the middle of the island, surrounded by a magical forest which was the home for many Beasts' Tribes and dangerous Animals, making it a suitable training area.

The Academy itself was built like an Imperial Palace, and had few parts of outbuilding, for example, the Grand Library, the Training Arena, the Alchemy Lab, etc.

"Don't you think it's pretty wonderful? It glows faintly if you look at it."

Grip–

Suddenly, the brown-haired girl felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked back at that person before mumbling, "Ah, that's right."

"Hello, it's been a while, Ariana Aldish."

The brown-haired girl, Ariana, looked down at the young girl with short raven hair standing in front of her, the girl's silver eyes shone a dangerous light despite the gentle smile playing upon her red lips.

Although, no malicious intents were on those irises.

"Indeed, it's been a while since I saw you last time, Diane."

Diane Mer, a young witch who specialized in using complex spells with the weirdest results ever, used to cling to Ariana while they both were younger.

'And the weirdo who keeps following me like a mad woman...'

Ariana wanted to treat this silver-eyed girl as a friend at the start, because they had some similarities and she seemed to be an intriguing being.

'But maybe it's because of her bloodline...'

Due to Diane Mer's bloodline, being a Snake Beastwoman, she had that dangerous and sharp glint in her eyes, making it hard for people to trust her.

And Diane's own nature was not any better, she was a girl who followed her desire, never caring about the consequences and marching ahead to her goals.

She indulged in her own lust so much that no one was able to stay close to her, especially because her lust was not a normal one, instead, it was for blood.

Ariana still remembers how this girl sneaked into her room with a syringe, her silver eyes were shining and her pupils appeared as only a thin line due to her excitement.

"Ariiiii~ please, pleaseeee~ some of your blood on my face~?"

'Crazy bitch.'

Ariana smiled softly before reaching her hand to pat the girl, completely different from her comment in her mind, she opened, "You're coming with me here, Diane?"

Her ears were slightly twitching, and Diane quietly observed them as if fascinated, in her head, she was already wondering, 'Excitement?? Curiosity?? Something else??'

Hearing no response, the green-eyed girl cleared her throat to get the other girl's attention.

Ahem-

Diane smiled sheepishly at being caught staring, she then tried to answer but stuttered a bit, "O-oh yes, Ari, I'm going to enter the academy today, too."

"To follow me?"

"Mhmm~!"

'Yup, crazy bitch.'

The brunette smiled gently and turned around, just as she was ready to continue the conversation–

Hoooooott–

The horns were blown, prompting them to make a loud, deafening noise, announcing the ship's arrival to Zinin Island.

'Wow...'

Ariana gasped to herself in amazement, her greenish irises shimmering with fascination as she gazed directly at the Zinin Royal Academy's main building.

Clap Clap–

"Everyone, please pay attention to me."

A man clad in black cloak appeared in front of the young students, he clapped his hands to get their attention before adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his piercing eyes swept along each one.

"You are now going to take your first step into Zinin Island. I am not here to yap about how it will be an honorable experience, but rather, about what you are going to face soon."

Chatters–

After appreciating the students' tensed faces for a bit, he finally dropped the bomb.

"With your first step on this island, your 'real' entrance exam is going to start."

"What?!?!"

"Huh??"

"Excuse Me???"

A sudden burst of confusion erupted between the students as they looked at this man in disbelief, making him smirk at them contemptuously.

"O' naive, O' so naive children. You are not here to play."

He threw away his cloak as two large wings appeared from his back, they weren't feathery or soft, instead, they were made of bones.

"Do you think that funny written exam was the real thing? Do not joke around with me, I beg you~"

The red pattern on his boney wings made everyone shudder as it emitted a fierce bloody aura, the aura clearly showing the true identity of this man.

Demonic subrace.

Although most people here were shuddering and panting under his overwhelming presence, few were able to stay composed, Ariana included.

She noticed a pair of yellowish irises staring at her, as if to observe what her next move was going to be, and after not seeing any signs of her taking charge, a young man suddenly emerged from the crowd.

His light blue hair swayed gently in the wind, his lips opened slowly.

"Sir, would you please try to restrain your presence? Even though I'm not sure about the current circumstances, I suppose that every test needs to be completely fair."

Shaaaa–

He flicked his arm, and magically, the occasion's water answered his call and immediately flew to cover anyone who was struggling under the demon's fierce aura, helping them to breathe easier.

Whistle–

The demon whistled before giving an even more arrogant smirk, "Eh~ interesting concept, however, I think you misunderstood something."

Hahaha~

"The exam is going by my own rules as I am going to be responsible for you in the future. So~ here is the catch."

Snap–!

"I do not adore teaching some wriggling weaklings."

With that snap of his fingers and his leisurely smile, everyone felt their surroundings fading before waking up in the middle of the forest and hearing the devil whispering in their ears.

"Survive, little children, I at least will not allow you to die~ get into the Zinin Royal Academy before sunset, and you will be accepted~"

Huuuu...

"I think we just got a mischievous teacher playing around with us."

Ariana smiled cooly after sighing, she swiftly took off her jacket, staying in her sporty shirt and tight leggings, then tossed it carelessly to the side while gathering some power in her body.

Paaahht–

Her body was strengthened due to that and it faintly gave a warm glint.

"Well, using the Fire Fox's abilities in a forest is somewhat calling upon a disaster. I think I can only use my Pearl Fox abilities."

As she said that, her appearance changed a bit, her eyes having some bluish in them while her hair turned lighter in color, her fox ears and tail turning to beautiful white as she took off while observing her surroundings.

Ariana Aldish is a pure Fox Beastwoman, her bloodline was one of the purest, allowing her to use two kinds of foxes abilities.

Fire Fox and Pearl Fox.

One was easy to guess, while the other was somehow mysterious, not everyone could gather information about it, and they were almost extinct as a result of that.

Rooooarrr–

While walking, a deafening roar came from behind the vixen, but she only gave a casual glance at the large Spiritual Dog, which had its fangs dripping with some strong acid, and its claws leaving marks on the ground beneath it.

Ariana extended her hand towards the beast before muttering softly, "Huh, first opponent? Come here, little pup."