A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs Chapter 157: There Was No Escaping This

{Elira}

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WEDNESDAY.

The auditorium buzzed like a hive, as hundreds of students filed into rows, their voices tumbling over one another in curiosity and nerves.

My friends and I squeezed into seats near the middle, with Nari craning her neck as if she expected the ceiling to give hints.

"This better not be boring," she muttered. "I skipped extra dessert for this."

Juniper smirked. "Tragic. Truly noble of you."

I was too nervous to laugh. Just then, the murmur of voices faded as the Vice Chancellor stepped onto the stage, her robes swishing, commanding silence effortlessly.

The glass box of coloured cards sat at the edge of the platform, gleaming faintly under the lights.

"Students of ESA," she began, her voice smooth, carrying easily across the packed hall. "As you know, in honour of Founder’s Day, each of you has drawn a card. Today, you will finally learn what those colours an."

A ripple of excitent ran through the crowd, but as for , my stomach tightened.

The Vice Chancellor raised her hand, and a board lit up behind her with rows of colours written across it.

"There were more than ten colours in the box, each tied to a different role in the ceremony. So of you will sing. So will serve as ushers. So will perform in the cultural showcases. And yes," her gaze swept the hall, sharp and knowing. "So will fight."

The word hung heavy in the air, and instinctively, my hand pressed against my lap where my red card was hidden in my bag.

"The breakdown is as follows," she continued. "Blue—choir. Green—ushers. Gold—cultural showcase. Silver—ceremonial runners."

She listed them one by one, the crowd reacting in bursts of laughter, groans, and chatter depending on where their fate landed.

Finally, her hand stilled on the board. "Red."

The auditorium hushed as if waiting for the bomb to drop.

"Those who picked red," the Vice Chancellor said, voice ringing, "are chosen for combat."

A chorus of gasps, whispers, and even a few cheers erupted instantly. My own breath caught, my pulse drumming painfully in my ears.

Nari’s head whipped toward . Not just her, the others turned to with wide eyes. "Elira. You—"

"I know," I managed a response, though my heart was drumming dramatically in my chest, as if there was an external force controlling it.

The Vice Chancellor let the noise crest before raising a hand for silence again.

"However. The number of students who drew red exceeds our limit. Only ten will ultimately represent ESA in combat on Founder’s Day."

Another ripple surged through the crowd.

"To determine who earns those places, mini combat sessions will be held twice a week, beginning next week. Each match will bring us closer to the final ten."

My mouth went dry. Now, it wasn’t just the colour, it was the tests to co.

But then she added the final twist.

"And on Founder’s Day itself, those chosen for combat will not be bound by classroom rules or training restrictions. You will be free to use your supernatural abilities."

The hall erupted. So students cheered wildly. Others exchanged nervous glances. My friends gaped, and I could only sit frozen as the words sank in.

’Supernatural abilities.’ I didn’t even know mine. My channels are yet to be unblocked.

Just then, my friends’ voices cut through my thoughts sharper than the rest of the noise flowing from all angles of the hall.

"Elira..." Cambria leaned closer, her face etched with worry. "How would you... survive sothing like that?"

Juniper’s brows knitted tightly. "I don’t an this as an insult, but you are an Oga, Elira. They will throw you into the arena and tear you apart. This won’t be a fair fight for you."

Nari didn’t even try to hide the panic in her voice. "No, seriously. How are you supposed to fight when you are you? You will get hurt. Or worse."

Each word pressed heavier on my chest, and for a heartbeat, I couldn’t breathe. I know they didn’t an to hurt —they were scared. And that only made it worse for .

Then Tamryn spoke, her tone was calm but certain. "Elira, switch with ."

I jerked my head toward her. "What?"

"Let us switch cards," she repeated, her gaze steady on mine. "You shouldn’t be in combat. I will do it."

The others nodded instantly.

"She’s right," Juniper urged. "Tamryn’s the best fighter out of all of us."

"Exactly," Nari said, her voice pitched high. "Let her take it. You don’t need to get dragged into this, Elira. You will be safe now."

Their earnestness made my throat tighten. I was touched and grateful. For a mont, I almost said yes. But then the mory hit .

The way the brothers exchanged glances on Monday when I had told them about the red card. It was silent, sharp, and knowing. And they still refused to tell what it ant.

I should have known better with all the clear signs.

I pressed a hand over my face, groaning inwardly. ’Zenon even said it—that soon, I would be the one begging him for help in combat. And I didn’t take him seriously. Gosh! I should have known.’

A deeper sigh escaped , dragging the words out with it. "I’m so screwed."

"What do you think, Elira?" Nari asked softly, drawing my eyes back to Tamryn’s outstretched card.

The words to accept sat on the tip of my tongue. My lips parted, having decided to switch cards, but before I could speak, the Vice Chancellor’s voice cut sharply across the hall.

"And let make this clear," she said, sweeping her gaze over the sea of students. "No one is permitted to switch cards. On the day you drew them, your horoom professors recorded both your nas and your colours. So, if anyone is caught attempting to exchange, they will be punished accordingly."

The offer froze on Tamryn’s lips as a silence heavier than stone pressed down between us.

I sank back into my seat, my pulse beating like a war drum inside my chest.

There was no escaping this.