Novels by Ruby_banks02

The sun hung low on the horizon by the time the last bell rang, casting long shadows across the schoolyard. The air buzzed with a mix of exhaustion and relief as students poured out of the classrooms, their backpacks heavier with scribbled notes and half-used pens.After hours of back-to-back exams, the once energetic hallways now echoed with yawns and stretched limbs. Yet, despite the fatigue clinging to their bones, a shared excitement coursed through them, no more exams until next term. It was a thought sweet enough to wash away the memory of aching wrists and last-minute cramming.Peter swung his bag over his shoulder, grinning as he nudged Alex. "I thought those exams would never end. My brain's probably fried now."Alex gave a faint smile, his thoughts elsewhere, but even he couldn't deny the relief of finishing. Across the hall, Elizabeth leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her usual sharpness softened by a hint of weariness. She caught Alex's eye for a brief second before l

As the exam period arrives, the usual buzz of the school shifts into something more intense. Students scramble to cram last-minute notes, while others wear the tired expressions of sleepless nights.Alex, however, feels an odd sense of calm. Between secret fights in monster-filled portals and the chaos surrounding Elizabeth and Lilac, a written exam feels almost easy in comparison. Still, he knows better than to underestimate it.Peter leans back in his chair, stretching. "You ready for this?" he asks, his usual grin slightly strained."More or less," Alex replies, glancing at the neatly stacked notes on his desk. He catches a glimpse of Elizabeth across the room, she looked as composed as ever, though her fingers tap against her book impatiently.The door swings open, and Teacher Martin strides in with an armful of exam papers. "I hope you've all been preparing," he says, his gaze sweeping over the class before lingering a beat longer on Alex.As the papers are passed out, Alex exhal

Alex barely had time to catch his breath before the faint hum grew louder—a low, rhythmic vibration that made the ground tremble beneath his feet. His instincts flared in warning. Something was coming.He turned sharply toward the far end of the chamber, where the shadows seemed to ripple and twist. Then, with a bone-chilling hiss, another snake slithered into view—identical to the first. Two heads, gleaming green scales, and a pair of jagged horns pulsing faintly with power."You've got to be kidding me," Alex muttered, his hands clenching into fists. He was already exhausted, his muscles heavy from draining the first snake's energy. But there was no time to rest, this thing wasn't going to wait.The snake struck first. Both heads lunged in perfect synchronization, forcing Alex to dive to the side. The impact of their missed attack shattered the ground where he had stood moments before, sending shards of stone flying.He landed hard, pain jolting through his body. His regeneration wa

Alex wiped his hands on his hoodie, the foul-smelling ichor of the Caterpillar-Spider still clinging to his skin. His heart pounded in his chest, not just from exertion but from the rush—the thrill of using his abilities in a real fight. This was nothing like the lectures or the training. This was raw, unpredictable, and dangerous. Exactly what he had wanted.The cavern stretched ahead of him, the dim glow of bioluminescent fungi casting eerie shadows against the jagged walls. The air grew colder as he advanced, and the distant clicking sounds grew louder and sharper. More Caterpillar-Spiders. He clenched his fists, his body still aching but pulsing with the energy he had drained from the first monster."Bring it on," he muttered again, stepping forward.As if responding to his challenge, three more Caterpillar-Spiders emerged from the darkness. These were slightly smaller than the first but just as menacing—eight gleaming crimson eyes and venomous fangs dripping with poison. They mov

Alex walked through the streets, looking for any possible job to do — He no longer had any money on him and he wanted to stop depending on Peter, his friend for his feeding.Unlike before when he could not do anything for himself, he now had an ability and with the help of his ability, he would get something doing.Since they were not yet qualified to go on missions, he would do it secretly — no one would find out as long as he hides his identity.He would have gone to his house but he wasn't ready to go there just yet — Not like he was afraid of memories returning, he didn't want to draw attention to himself because he believed that many had their eyes on him — he was certainly being watched."Hey, it's a portal!"As he walked with thoughts in his head, he didn't hear what the people were saying until he arrived at a place where there was a crowd. He looked ahead and saw how people gathered and we're mumbling about something, curious, he decided to check it out.As he arrived at the

"How is she doing?" Alex asked Peter as they both glanced at Elizabeth who was asleep on the bed. She was currently inside Alex's room.Peter narrowed his eyes as he stared at Elizabeth. "She's fine but it seems she exhausted herself way too much. She used too much of her strength while she is not supposed to," he replied.Alex did not understand some parts of what Peter said. "I don't understand," he said. "What do you mean she isn't supposed to use her full strength during fights?""Because she's frail," Peter replied and then sighed before continuing. "You don't know, right? Fine, come with me, let's talk outside."Alex furrowed his brows and then followed Peter outside after glancing at Elizabeth who was yet to open her eyes."So what is it that seems so important?" He asked his friend once they had gotten outside."Elizabeth is not truly the child of Victor Blackwood," Peter said. "She was just adopted because the wife of Victor could not give birth to her own child. There are ci

With wide eyes and opened mouths, everyone watched as the same dark fogs that had disappeared before reappeared again. This time it was behind Kelvin who still had his eyes fixed on Max, he heard everyone scream his name but before he could process anything, it was already late. The dark fogs formed into some long claws and began to tear on his skin. Screams filled the air as Kelvin began to run around the duelling ground, as he ran, the claws followed him as well, tearing on his skin and causing his clothes to be dyed red.As blood gushed out from his body, he began to get weak. He got weak to the extent that he could no longer walk and so he fell to the ground, helpless. No one came to help him, everyone watched as strength sipped out of him gradually, yet, no one made an attempt to help him. Not even Matt who wanted so badly to be his friend. It was as if the world had left him to die, that he was insignificant. From where he was lying down, a tear dropped from his eye then followe

"Looking for me?" Kelvin heard Max ask behind him, he turns around abruptly and sees the grinning Max but before he can open his mouth to talk, he was suddenly sent flying to the wall."What!""How the hell did he do that?""Did he just kick my Idol?"The entire Arena was in an uproar, students could not hide the shock on their faces as they stared at Max who was still grinning and then Kelvin who was lying on the ground, unable to move.Max slowly walked up to Kelvin who was groaning in pain, a smirk curved upon his lips as he bent down towards him. "I hate people like you the most!" He said coldly, causing Kelvin to turn around despite the pains on his back."Y-you....!" Kelvin shuddered, he didn't know what to say, he was confused, shocked and angry at the same time. Yet, he could not do a thing, he could only point at Max with hostility.Max seeing the anger on Kelvin's face beamed, he tilted his head to take a better look at Kelvin's face then without saying a word, he stood up.

"You are to begin after the count of five," Kelvin said, sounding like an official referee. The two opponents nodded in understanding and Kelvin began his count."1""2""3" "4""5""BEGIN!"After the count, Kelvin quickly gave them some space by moving closer to the wall of the duelling ground. Max and Nat both took a fighting stance opposite each other, with their whole attention fixed on themselves. The noisy crowd became quiet as the time they all have been waiting for has finally arrived, their eyes and whole senses on the two boys on the duelling ground, no one wanted to miss any action."Hey, I won't take it easy on you so you better do the same," Nat said as a warning and clasped his hands together.'It's not time for me to show them my demon powers or I'll be in danger, I'll have to follow Zheren's idea even though I would want to beat the crap out of him' Max thought inwardly as he braced himself for whatever Nat was about to do.From Nat's clasped palms, particles of ligh

The next day arrived sooner than the students expected it to. But instead of complaining about how short the night was, they were all elated. They rushed to the dining hall for their breakfasts and when they were done, they all went to do one thing or the other. Among all these students were some that went to the school poling unit. This was one of the fun of the school, voting for a particular person during duels.The night before, it was announced that the duel between Max and Nat will be taken place today and so this morning, they could not wait to start voting for their favourite person. As expected, they were all voting for Nat to win because they believed he would but except for one person. The short brown-haired boy walked to the front and cast his vote on Max, this act got the entire students around upset to the extent that some could not take it again."Hey, shortie! What the hell do you think you are doing voting for a loser? You are the only one wishing Nat to lose," one of

Max stormed inside the room and then slumped on his bed, his face was squeezed and his fists were clenched. Zheren also walked inside the room after some time, he glanced at Max and seeing his angry face could not help but sigh. He understood how he felt at the moment because he too had been in the same situation before. Nevertheless, he walked to Max and sat close to him, placing a hand on his shoulder he comforted him as a friend would — This was what Max needed at a time like this, a reminder that he has a friend who believes in him and will stand by him.After some time of comforting, Max calmed down. His face returned to its normal mood and his rising chest completely fell. Thanks to Zheren who knew how to use words just perfectly. After Zheren fell asleep because he mentioned that he was sleepy, Max took a shower because he knew how bad he smelled. After that, he wore light clothes and left the room after glancing at the Zheren.When he got outside, he began to make his way tow

"Kelvin, you guys have to hurry to the dorms, Nat and Max are about to fight!" A student yelled as he saw Kelvin, Harry and Matt."Max?""Max?"Harry and Kelvin asked in unison, the shocked expression on their faces could not be hidden. "How is that possible?" Kelvin asked in incredulity as he turned to Harry for an answer."We should go and check it out first," Harry replied and ran off. Part of him was overjoyed while the other part was in doubt, Max couldn't be back from the portal and alive. Nevertheless, he ran to the dorms and when he got there, he saw the crowd of students had already gathered around and mumbling hell knows not to themselves.Harry made his way through the crowd of students until he got to the front, where he saw Max being pushed to the wall by Nat. "Max!" He called as he rushed over immediately and stopped Nat from punching Max in the face."Hey man, you just woke up! Can't you rest a bit?" Harry asked as he held the angry Nat who was struggling to free hims