I shook my head to rub away my negative thoughts. However, being anxious was part of me before the day started. After witnessing what happened to Firstwen, I can't help but overthink. Nevertheless, we have prepared for the trials that are ready to hinder our victory. That's why we had fun last night. We bonded as good friends because in this game, we will compete as enemies. Even if we don't want to fight because someone is hurting, we will be forced to hurt one for the sake of the majority. 'Once and for all'. Behind the smiles we show each other, a dark truth struggles to hide our true feelings. We have accepted the sad truth. But the question is, can we handle our acceptance of the truth?
"Welcome to Wealth Level: Stage 2!"
That startled me. Everyone's attention was grabbed when Author came to the center and the game was about to start.
"First, the girls will play Ball of Net. 10 girls, divided into two groups, the silver and gold group. 5 players each team..."
Author then explained the mechanics that are often heard in the ordinary game of volleyball, but a strange version of it because we're here on the nth planet.
Gold versus Silver, same battle as before.
Gold team- Forzen (14th), Sixzen (16th), Aeizen (18th), Twentieth (20th), Sectwen (22nd) from private high schools
Silver team- Second (2nd), Fourth (4th), Sixth (6th), Aeith (8th), Tenth (10th) from public high schools
"Hit it! Golden girls!" Sevenzen's voice is audible.
"The silver team won't lose. Show 'em what you've got!" Fifth cheered us on.
"Whoa! I'm fired up for this!" Ninezen shouted.
"I'll cheer you all because you girls are all pretty!" Seventh jested. He's sitting beside Ninezen. He never fails to break a joke. What a great influence Ninezen has been on Seventh's life.
I can't figure out if the boys are even serious, but this is also good to release the tension. They lighten the mood of our growing anxiety and fear.
After more than ten minutes of waiting, Author appeared in the middle of the court. We gathered to find out what the hologram's message would be.
"10 players, 2 teams, 5 players each team. Clothing, check. Net, check. The audience, check. Ball, check!"
This is exactly what Author also did yesterday, with the checking and stuff before starting. I don't know if the same things will happen today as exactly they did yesterday, which are the gruesome parts of the event. But it is a high possibility.
"Before the game starts, I'll explain first the special mechanics of this extraordinary volleyball game."
That being said, there are special mechanics as well. We just need to prepare ourselves for how hard and how we will be tormented by this game.
"The ball that you are going to use is an ordinary ball made of outstanding quality materials. It will only project an image and color."
I calmed down because of that. It was just an ordinary ball, but I immediately wondered what image the ball would project. Is there something inside the ball like in basketball?
"When the ball falls to the ground in your team's territory, the image that the ball projects will affect one of your members."
Here it is again. The thing that is part of the game that I do not want to hear.
"Huh? What do you mean? Like yesterday, a member of ours was hurt?" Aeith asked audaciously while pointing at Author's hologram.
"Unlike in an ordinary game, you will have 5 rounds to play and 3 minutes for each round, a total of 15 minutes. Only 1 minute will be the given time interval per round."
For boys, it was 5 minutes per round. For us, it's only 3 minutes. Author still didn't answer the question of Aeith.
"Hey, answer us first," Sixzen complained.
"The scoring will be on which team would last and endure the agony of this amicable match."
Author already said this. It's exactly what it said yesterday.
"Only this time, it's more extraordinary. Boys can endure the pain of being physically hurt, while girls can endure the pain of being emotionally hurt. In this game, more unforeseen events will happen. Good luck."
And again, Author disappeared like a bubble. I'm not sure if I was even motivated by Author's last phrase, wishing us good luck.
"Players, proceed to the court. I repeat, proceed to the court."
We were startled by the speaker because everyone was thinking so deeply. I looked up at both walls, the timer. Yesterday, it was also attached to the basketball ring; now it's just on the wall.
We gathered in the middle.
"Position, two teams separated according to your assigned teams."
The two teams parted ways. We were well-positioned.
"Rules and regulations are the same, when defied, certain castigation will be given."
What kind of punishment is that?
"The game will start in 3, 2,"
The ball caught my attention again. It's still dark blue like yesterday, but it has a small brain inside, on the side, and the one in the middle looks like a piece of paper with writing on it. The brain looks like it's just animated or cartoonish. This one is unrealistic compared to yesterday, which looks exactly like a human organ.
"1 *whistle *"
What kind of trial is it this time?
"Move!" My trance returned when I heard Aeith's voice. I looked ahead, and the ball was flying towards me! "Outta way!" she shrieked.
I immediately stepped aside, and Sixth made a move. The ball went to the other team. While the other members struck their position, Aeith looked at me. "Focus," she advised me.
I nodded and collected my full attention on the game. I'm trying to concentrate, but I can't beat the fear I'm feeling. I immediately remembered First's charm. It didn't seem to be effective.
It's been a minute, and the ball hasn't fallen to the floor yet. We thought, before the game starts, we would maintain the flight of the ball as much as possible without getting anybody hurt, just like the strategy of the boys in basketball during round 4. But we're all aware that this strategy won't work anymore. I hope that using this plan again won't have consequences.
01:35
The dark blue ball turned to gold. The ball dropped in the gold team's line. We were all stunned to act. It was as if the surroundings were in total freeze. Everyone was staring at the members of the gold team, waiting to see if something bad would happen to one of them. We were in silence for ten seconds, but nothing happened. Nothing was affected. No one was hurt. It weirded me out, but I am glad that this happened instead.
"Continue the game," Commanded the timer. It noticed that we all froze, and that silence was wrapping around us all. We continued the game.