Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 244 The Riddle Game

The owner approached holding a large bundle of riddles. "Is everyone prepared? I'll begin now.

"In a bit, I will recite a riddle, and everyone should write their answers on paper. The first student to submit the correct answer will receive five points, the second will earn three points, and the third will get one point. Those who respond incorrectly will be eliminated, losing their previous correct answers, and will receive souvenirs based on the rules.

"For every five correct answers, you can earn a rabbit keychain.

"The student with the most points overall will be reported to your school and awarded extra credit. Do you all understand the game's rules?"

"Yes, we understand."

"Alright, let's start the game!"

The owner randomly opened the book and read out a riddle loudly.

"It resides in a curving path, with both the front and back doors open, fearless of lions and wolves, but only scared of a small tiger. What animal is it?"

Violeta pondered for a moment, swiftly jotted down the answer on paper, folded it, and submitted it.

Sitting at the far end, Hattie frowned when she heard the question. Then, she raised her hand to her ear, pressing lightly before lowering her head, making it difficult for anyone to discern the subtle gesture she made.

After a short time, Hattie also wrote down her answer and turned it in.

After reviewing the answers, the owner announced, "The first student to get it right is Violeta White, the second is Hattie Ridge, and the third is Brady Singh..."

Kaylee was the fifth person to get the correct answer.

Even though she didn't earn extra points, solving one question correctly was still an achievement.

Nine out of ten participants answered correctly, with only one person being eliminated for getting the first question wrong.

"The correct answer is a mouse. Congratulations to the nine students who got it right. And one student didn't get it right."

The owner started the second riddle.

"The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"

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Violeta blinked, remembering the question from a pamphlet she had read earlier, and swiftly wrote down the correct answer: footsteps.

After a brief pause, Hattie also swiftly wrote down her answer.

Almost simultaneously, she handed in her note just before Violeta.

As they returned to their seats, Hattie and Violeta exchanged glances.

Hattie smirked at Violeta, deliberately provoking, "I've already won."

In contrast to Evelyn, Violeta stayed composed and also smirked, retorting, "If you're winning, then how could I be losing? Three points plus three points—since when does that exceed five plus five? Did you miss out on basic math?"

Hattie squinted angrily, "You!"

The owner intervened, saying, "Both of you, return to your seats after handing over the answers. No chatting or whispering."

Hattie turned and walked away.

Violeta settled into the seat beside her.

Meanwhile, Kaylee pondered intensely on the side, and then a brilliant idea struck her she figured it out!

She hastily jotted down the answer.

Kaylee was the third person to submit the answer.

Eventually, all nine individuals turned in their notes, and one person was eliminated.

The owner said, "The correct answer is footsteps. Eight people answered correctly, and one person has been eliminated.

"Violeta White earns five points, Hattie Ridge earns three points, and Kaylee earns one point. The game continues.

"The question is: born on a mountain cliff, falls into people's homes. Water cools the back, sliced a thousand times. What household item is this?"

Violeta quickly penned her response.

Hattie's response closely followed hers.

They submitted their notes simultaneously, and the owner paused briefly before collecting them. Upon opening and reviewing them he noted that Violeta's handwriting was remarkably meat and elegant.

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The correct answer "grindstone" was correctly written by her.

In contrast, Hattie's handwriting was extremely messy, likely due to rushing. The word "grindstone" was barely legible, making it difficult for owner to decipher her answer.

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As a result, the owner had to advise Hattie, saying, "Miss, there's no need to rush Even if you submit your answer early, I can't decipher what swer you've written. Please write more clearly next time." Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Hattie furrowed her brow and retorted, "I wrote it so clearly, can't you figure it out?"

The owner responded, "It's quite unclear. This time, you can only achieve second place."

Hattie was visibly displeased, muttering, "What kind of eyesight do you have?"

The owner ignored her outburst and firmly instructed, "Please return to your seat."

Hattie was furious and stormed off, wanting to quit the game.

But then she thought to herself. Wouldn't quitting the game make things easier for that awful Violeta?

So Hattie swallowed her pride and went back to her seat.

Subsequently, the remaining few individuals also wrote down their answers in succession, but two of them chose to abstain and left midway.

The owner declared, "The correct answer is a grindstone. Two people abstained, and a total of six people got it right."

Those previously eliminated were out, and there were still some abstaining.

Several seats in the middle remained vacant.

The owner announced, "Those on the sides, please move closer to the centre."

Recognising that notes passed more swiftly near the middle, Hattie promptly stood and relocated to a nearer seat to the middle.