Chapter 82: Hidden Talent

Ava pouted, thinking, "We've been trying so hard to become Vincent's apprentices, but Elysia, with her incredible talent, doesn't seem to care. Is that the difference between a genius and the rest of us?"

"Are you finished with your drawing?" Elysia asked.

Ava grinned, slightly embarrassed. Her initial confidence had faltered after seeing Elysia's work. "Almost," she said, adding a few more strokes before placing the drawing in its tube.

Returning to Class 6, Ava found the classroom empty. "Where did everyone go?" she wondered. "Shouldn't they be studying?"

Grace entered. Ava stopped her. "Where did everyone go?"

Grace glanced around. "They're playing basketball against Class 1."

"Against Class 1?" Ava exclaimed incredulously. "Since when does Class 6 play basketball against Class 1?"

"It's not just a game; it's a competition," Grace clarified.

"What do you mean?" Ava asked.

Grace looked at Elysia with sarcasm. "It's because of her. During the Winter Games parade, someone from Class 1 insulted Eric, and he challenged them to a game."

Ava was baffled, but Elysia took her hand. "Let's go see what's happening."

Ava, understanding now, quickly set down their poster tubes and dashed off with Elysia. Grace followed, intrigued by Elysia's involvement. She was curious to see Elysia's reaction to the conflict.

The basketball court was crowded. They squeezed through the throng. Instead of boys, they saw girls playing, and not particularly skilled ones.

The whistle blew. The referee signaled two points; the scorekeeper flipped two pages. One girl stood confused, holding the ball. Eric stamped his foot. "What are you doing? Pass it!"

The girl threw the ball. A Class 1 girl caught it, dribbled, and scored. Ava noticed the score: 0-5. Class 6 was losing badly.

Ava grabbed Elysia's hand and approached Eric. "What's going on?"

Eric, surprised, replied, "When did you get here? Weren't you in the art room?"

"We just arrived. Why are the girls playing?" Ava asked.

Eric frowned. "The Class 1 guys are scared of losing to our boys, so they suggested a girls' game. But we don't have many girls who play basketball!" He added, "And their girls aren't great, but they can play!"

Ava nodded. "They're sneaky! Eric, what do we do? We're going to lose!"

Elysia declared, "I'll do it!" Grace's words had made it clear this was because of her, and she would resolve it.

Hope surged through the group. "Elysia can catch anything with her bare hands!" someone exclaimed.

"And she's an amazing shooter!" Sterling added.

Eric remembered seeing Elysia catch a ball and shoot perfectly on this very court. It had greatly eased her transfer into Class 6. They'd even had a welcoming ceremony. Elysia had tied her hair up, revealing her neck. She looked like a warrior. Ava was captivated.

After the first game, Eric substituted Elysia in. She stepped onto the court, drawing everyone's attention.

Whispers circulated: "That's Elysia? She plays basketball?" "She's just filling in! She'll get destroyed!" "I don't believe she can play!"

Grace, pleased, thought, "Elysia can play basketball? I don't believe it!"

Bianca watched, observing Justin's reaction to Elysia; his eyes were fixed on her. Bianca's surprise was fleeting; she silently hoped for Elysia's defeat.

But their hopes were dashed. Elysia's movements were fluid and impressive. She effortlessly dodged opponents and sprinted down the court. Every time she got the ball, she scored.

"Boom!" Another basket. The score was 6-0. Cheers erupted.

"Wow! That was amazing!"

"I can't believe girls can play like that!"

"I'm a fan!"

Elysia got the ball again, this time from beyond the three-point line. She shot, and the ball swished through the net. The score became 9-0.

Ava cheered, "Elysia! You're amazing!"