"Ketsu, I've been wondering. You mentioned that we'd be using the rest of the time to train, right? Did you already have something in mind?" Sergei asked after entering the room.
"I most certainly do. In fact, I'm certain it'll be a welcomed surprise for everyone. But for now, you need only to focus on the task at hand while I set the stage for us all." Ketsu responded with an energetic tone and a look of infectious confidence, bringing a smile to the curious classmates as they got settled in the classroom.
"What do you say, can I count you?" Turning to his friend, Ketsu was met with an assertive nod
"I'm glad to hear it. Now, let me clarify what I have planned for us."
"Shynerai, as the one I'm entrusting to lead your group that includes Sergei and Torren, you will be the one to receive the details of the Quests I have assigned you. You will more than likely be notified by tomorrow. Make sure to visit the Questing Committee to confirm the Quest and the reward. I have set it up so that you will be traveling during the weekend."
"The three of us. Wouldn't it make more sense to put Sergei in charge?"
"Because I trust him more, is that right?" Watching Torren and Erai exchange silent glances, with the former desperately wishing that he cast his gaze elsewhere.
"Well, Torren. Are you of the same mind? Please speak honestly."
While Torren stuttered, his gaze once again flickered between his classmates, wishing it were anyone else to answer him. But for as much as Ketsu had focused on him, his question was one open to the entire class.
Who did Ketsu trust, if it was even anyone among them?
"Enough joking around, we still aren't done strategizing, remember?" Tersia rose to her feet, expressing her desire to return to the initial discussion, when she was joined by Stephen, who walked past her to meet Ketsu and Torren.
"I saw it when we were trapped in the Configuration and I'm more sure of it now. Look, no need to worry about having Ketsu's trust. He made it clear at every step. In fact, if there was one person that Class 1F wanted over me it was him, but he turned them down."
"Of course I did. To join them would mean competing against the rest of you. And honestly I like my odds when you're all at my side, versus at my heel. Shynerai, I chose you because I have no interest in needlessly threatening anyone of your lives with reckless abandon. You are all simply far too important for me to do so."
Unexpected to him, Sergei lunged forth, gathering his classmates with shocking ease and lifting them within his embrace, wearing a hearty grin as he did.
"Well there's no need to be melodramatic about it. What's next for the rest of us, Captain?" Stephen asked after Sergei put them down.
"Stephen. You'll accompany Vaceris and Tersia in the coming Battle I have organized."
"A Battle? We just came from one against Class 1A, who would want to fight us so soon?" Vaceris wondered.
"You'll be going up against Class 1C, specifically, Iris Fleurette Lumeria, Dirge Agnostra and Khrysos Notch."
"Regarding more details on your opponents, well I'm quite confident you'll figure that out. I should preface that you'll only have until the middle of the day. Make sure you're all on time or Ms. Yuria won't hesitate to put you through the wall." Ketsu asked for a drink from Sergei before seating himself beside his companion.
"That is not enough time for us to strategize, let alone come up with a decent plan together…though that probably means the same for the other class. We've locked each other in a state of scarce time, which means scant opportunities to gather information from both sides." Vaceris shared her thoughts with Tersia.
"It's probably due to the fight between Shynerai and Raon, the other class won't be so quick to underestimate us like 1A did." Stephen wondered, hoping to get a clue from Ketsu, who seemed more preoccupied with an exchange he was having with Sergei.
"Ketsu, what do you think?"
"It's simple. The sooner we enter battle, the less time our opponents have to prepare. Granted we also lose the same chance, but having chosen our opponents means that we still hold an edge above them, though…"
"Hmm…" The group caught on to Ketsu's change in tone, arousing an ominous curiosity for what he might say next.
"They probably have one up on us too. There is someone among them who might make things difficult. That is why I need all three of you to work together, you cannot afford to be at each other's throats."
Running his finger across his bottom lip as he spoke, pushing them to ask why he seems so unsure, though he simply reiterates that if they work together then they won't have any trouble.
Before they could prod his suspicious demeanor any further, the Captain got to his feet.
"All right, you all know what to do, so unless there's something unclear, I'll leave it all up to you–"
"What will you be doing?" Erai appeared with a surprise borne from his curiosity.
"Don't worry, Shynerai. I've got something just as important to take care of. Can't have it coming back to bite us down the line." Giving him as best an answer without filling him with any more concern.
Ketsu requested that the last of them lock up and not to remain on the school grounds for too long, before seeing them off, leaving no clue of his reason for such an abrupt exit.
Looking to Sergei for an explanation though finding him to be just as confused, Stephen sighed asking Tersia and Vaceris to cooperate and just put together what they know and see what they can come up with.
Vaceris eventually relented, choosing to hear him out, much to the relief of Tersia while Torren and Shynerai decided to continue their discussion with Sergei as they left the classroom and headed for the Residency.
The rest of the night ran on with one group clearing out of the school and the other finally finishing their discussion at the Southern Residency.
Come the bright and early morning, the entire class somehow met on their way to the Academy, taking the tram together and continuing where they left off before seeing Ketsu once again ahead of them.
Greeting the group with a look of surprise, he quickly realized from the expression they shared that they were excited to get things started.
"Well then, let's head in and get started."
Their morning classes proceeded quite peacefully with nothing of particular note aside from Sergei, Shynerai and Torren's trip to the Questing Committee during the recess while the rest of the class made their way to the Arena for the coming battle.
Having taken a detour to get to the Arena as he was held up by a request from Reiss just before he left.
On his way, he encountered a group that seemed to be moving towards where he was going. Intrigued he moved into it to discover it to be mostly first years with those of note being members of the Class 1A.
"What…Why are you guys here? You aren't heading to the Arena, are you?" Stephen asked the familiar dark-haired figure walking ahead of the crowd.
"Well, of course. We heard news of a sudden battle between your class and another. You seem to have chosen to make your bed alongside quite the troublemakers, son of Markholdz." Princess Charlotte popped out from Vauntuss' side with an unusually chipper tone.
"Oh, Princess you're here too, huh?" Stephen responded coldly before returning his attention to Vauntuss.
"Hey, don't ignore me. Honestly!"
"I'm curious to see everyone's skill. It'll be a good way to gauge our class' strengths and shortfalls for the upcoming Carnival." Vauntuss answered with an assertiveness that garnered praise and support from his accompanying classmates.
"Well then, you should get ready for a show." Stephen enticed him as he made off for the Arena.
Arriving last to the Arena did little to quell Vaceris' wrath when she saw him alongside a party of Class 1A students, which only worsened as Stephen showed no issue with his timing, ignoring the flaring Vaceris and asking Tersia if their opponents had arrived.
With her nodding as she pointed over at them in the stands.
"Ketsu wasn't kidding when he said that things were going to be tough." Tersia found her gaze locked on the small silver-haired girl sitting amongst their opponents as a calm exchange between them continued, bringing an unmissable air of confidence around her, one that.
"She isn't your opponent today, Tersia. You guys just need to focus on working together and you will bring this win home. Trust me, I know what you guys can do."
Facing the now ready Class 1F after the last of their representatives arrived, the silver-haired figure calmed her classmate's woes with a voice no louder than a whisper.
"Stephen Markholdz has just arrived. That means all three of our opponents are now present. Any doubt of them choosing to change their roster to deceive us remains negligible." She added, her own gaze returned to Tersia before moving to Ketsu.
"No. You'll take whatever threat I deem of note into consideration, and nothing else. That Captain of theirs is a shifty character to have tricked the 1A fools. You have to make sure you do your job and find a way to outsmart him."
Seleste Fairosee, also known as the Ocean-Vowed Witch was the Class Captain of Class 1C, a true rarity beyond her beauty, she stood as the sole Su'marii student within the First-year class, though it would be more accurate to call her an Au'marii, for like Shynerai, she too was a Daumier.
For if you came close enough to her to discover this fact, it would either be in expectancy of her mercy or in her service, as she could imagine nothing less that what she believes is entitled to her, since her most notable trait was not her enchanting eyes and scales that shimmered like star-lit opals, an angelic voice capable of bewitching anything with a mind…no, its was her arrogance.
"They may not have that white-haired abomination wandering around, but they've still got a noble that reeks of spirit-magics on their side. Make sure you consider everything." Seleste spoke with unruly confidence, leaving no chance for anyone to speak against her.
Nodding to her suggestion, the cold stare she gave as she answered left her quite disgruntled, though she had always been this way, how she spoke, how she held herself and how she interacted with others, rarely giving a hint of any emotion behind her doll-like appearance.
"They will send Princess Vaceris Ieollavard Astembridge first as a way of determining our own capabilities, as well as of her own accord. Noting her skill and abilities, our only option is to have you face her." Pointing to Khrysos who had been observing his opponents from the moment they arrived.
A tall and lean built young man with a strong olive tan to him, he wore a head full of curly dark hair bearing stark golden streaks along his bangs, matching the brilliance of his hazel eyes. Despite the features of his face being fairly square, it did not betray his age, for he wore a youthful glow about him, to match her vibrant aura.
"She will be a powerful foe, one that can easily rain destructive force nigh-without end, though she will succumb to difficulties with control, and eventually even her magic will reach its limit. The longer the battle continues, the more opportunities will be presented for you to exploit her limitations."
"So I just need to play the long game and the win is all mine, right?" He smirked as he stood up, getting ready to head down to the Arena floor.
"Not at all. You will not defeat her–"
"What!" Turning back to her with a furious look, and surprising Seleste in the same breath.
"Know that neither will she…it's as you said, we are playing the long game. Whichever class claims three victories will win. Keep that in mind." Sending off the annoyed Khrysos with those few words.
"That little freak, does she really think so little of my strength? Genius or not, no one gets to look down on me." He scoffed beneath his breath as he walked onto the Arena grounds to meet a descending Vaceris and awaiting Ms. Yuria as she announced their arrival.
Requesting silence amongst the stands, he motioned for a fair fight that will bring honor to the Academy's name.
"The first class to gain three victories will be awarded the victory. Killing would not be permitted and any attempt to do so will be met with expulsion and severe punishment, this also goes for harm towards a conceding opponent, if you understand these rules, then shake hands and prepare to do battle."
Finishing off, she made for her post outside the Arena floor, watching earnestly as they got into position, before letting loose a flare into the air, commencing the start of the battle.
While the stands roared to life in support of the battle below, Khrysos scoffed at the display before turning his sights back on Vaceris.
Noticing her unflinching demeanor, he stepped back to put some distance between them, an act that raised some of her suspicion.
Seizing her chance, in raising her hand skyward, gesturing before lowering it to face her opponent, as she did so a sudden stream of wind began to swirl above her. Rushing faster and faster and further outwards to surround her in a hazy plume.
Khrysos and those in the stands shielded themselves against the chilling winds…until the gale blasted apart, revealing her standing at the ready with the appearance of a jade staff gleaming with a silver tip.
Taking notice of his stern and serious demeanor as he put some distance between them, Vaceris was reminded of her chat before descending into the Arena.
The exchange between herself and Ketsu about her taking the lead in the battle despite Stephen's insistence annoyed her to no end, even occupying some of her thoughts as she summoned her SoulArm and readied for battle.
'They might send out a heavy hitter in the beginning to test the waters, our best chance would be for me to go ahead.'
'You're late so you'll have to wait your turn. Ketsu, if they are sending in a heavy hitter, then they will find quite the surprise.'
'...it won't be that simple...she...you know, if you think you can handle it, I'll leave it up to you. Stephen you'll have to take the backseat in this fight.'
"Was Ketsu really worried about him, or is there someone else amongst them...No matter." With her gaze shifting between her opponent and those in the stands, she did her best to silence her thoughts as the wind around her gathered and raised her clear above the Arena.
"Hmph, let's see how well this faerie flies when I clip its wings." Khrysos voiced while he rolled up the sleeves of his uniform, revealing his tone arms marked with strange etchings.
"Sunder the Heavens, Aeolian Stormshard!" Raising her SoulArm into the air. The staff floated out of her grasp just a few feet above her head before rotating with increasing speed.
The resulting action drew in winds surrounding her faster and faster, whipping past the Arena and drawing in clouds of dust as a result.
"WHAT..."
Doing his best to cover his eyes against the growing dust storm...the sudden appearance of violent thunderclaps caught his attention, with him trying frantically to find the source, but the clouds of sand and dust kept whipping upwards in a violent torrent.
Refusing to allow Vaceris to drag him into the storm, he reached for the scabbard on his hip.
Drawing a ornate saber with its blade that sang as he handled it, he pressed the edge against his thumb, drawing blood and streaming it across both of his arms, with the blood being drawn into the markings and causing a faint golden glow that caught the floating figure's attention at the center of the billowing winds.
Both Vaceris and Khrysos made their move.
With her winds falling to calm down below on the Arena floor, while the storm above maintained its torrential state, the removal of the dusty veil was pierced by a pair of giant jet-black ravens taking on the appearance of golden sculptures covered flesh of incorporeal smoke, cloaking the brilliant innards of the beasts as they screeched in skyward pursuit of Vaceris.
Her SoulArm still at the heart of the spell, she was forced to flee from assault of the beasts, pushing herself to try and out-fly the creatures that reached out with golden talons cutting through the air.
Using her smaller frame in comparison allowed her to avoid them with some of the briefest of chances, shooting over the stands on her way down to the Arena before pulling up just as she was about to crash into the ground.
The path now set towards Khrysos, he couldn't help but smirk as he took a knee and began unfurling his pant-leg, as Vaceris got closer with every second, she was forced to stop by the ravens crashing atop her as he drew against the tattoo on his leg, smearing the blood in a single motion drew forth the next beast in a smoky blast of darkness shooting out and giving form to the newly appearing creature.
The crashing sound of the beast as it fell out of the smoky void and landed between the two. With the serpentine visage taking form, the shadowy Venom Aggressor coiled around the kneeling Khrysos before readying a breath attack.
Having taken on the assault of the summoned ravens, Vaceris had mere moments to react, with her Notos-Aeolia spell.
The barrier of fast-moving wind acting as the shield took the brunt of the attack whilst shredding away the giant shadow ravens, though the force darkbeast's rush was enough to knock her into the ground.
As she struggled to get back on her feet the shadow of the looming Aggressor was cast over her, though her proximity to the beast and grinning master did nothing to dissuade Vaceris.
Raising her hand at the head of the beast and clenching her fist at the sight of the beast…with the thundering sound of a descending lightning bolt accompanying her act.
The blast struck hard against the serpent's thick scales, though only enough to knock it away from Khrysos, who was struggling to understand what was happening:
"…Descend upon them, Iyrus-Aeolia!" Vaceris spoke as she raised her hands, this time posturing towards the sky…with the swirling storm around her SoulArm rumbling fiercely before belching out bolts down below, raining down upon Khrysos and his summons with sparks striking at everything around her.
The bestial ravens tried their best to ascend to the source of the discharge but were struck down the closer they got until they were eventually burnt to a crisp, fading into smoke once more.
While the sky was now raining down her wrath on her opponents, the assault was taking a visible toll on Vaceris…the signs of her prior crash having left its mark, with her growing weaker the longer her attack was sustained.
But wanting to make use of her chance, she willed herself to her feet and began to race towards Khrysos amidst the violent storm.
Meeting her pursuit, Khrysos did his best to retaliate as he hid behind the massive body of the Aggressor that laid limp in the arena.
As she drew closer, she then called her spear to her sight while thunder continued to pelt the field-but Khrysos was far from willing to give up as he tore his shirt to the side, and once again drew blood before smearing it across the winged drawing covering his chest.
Within the blink of an eye, a painful cry could be heard from Khrysos as the smoky substance poured out of him with a torrential force, as he continued to thrash and writhe about, more and more the smoke formed the being that quickly grew into a draconic shade.
Towering above the storm cloud's assault, the beast's wings grew out of it…causing fierce winds to billow against the roaring storm as it resisted being blown apart.
The appearance of the shade dragon caught Vaceris' eye, managing to slow her down enough that Khrysos was able to draw forth his sword in a worn stance and amongst the smoke-filled winds and descending thunderstorm, the two of them clashed. With steel meeting steel, sparks blew off from clash:
"Lady Vaceris, you seem weary, don't you think it's time you give up?"
"If the strength of a single faerie threatens you, then you are welcome to submit?"
"Mmm…well then when I start pulling the wings of this faerie, don't say I didn't warn you." With the dismissed Khrysos shaking off her coming blow and commanding the sky-bound dragon to descend with a breath attack.
Having beaten back the storm to relieve its master of the lightning assault, the beast flew towards him, coming close enough for the weakened Khrysos to leap upon its hide as it returned into the domain of sky.
"The beasts that the Corinthian Vase holds are out of your league, Lady Vaceris."
"Keep talking, but just so you know–The sky is my domain." Sending out a shockwave radiating from where she stood, Vaceris took off into the air with her spear in hand and rising deep into her storm.
The drake was commanded to give chase. The trio moved about the streaks of gold and white flashing about….with the occasional violet blast of darkness piercing the cloudy veil and shooting outwards.
With his carrying fearsome power, Khrysos knew that the advantage of strength was with him though, such a power would not persist forever the effects of the chase slowly took its toll.
While Vaceris was fairing no better as every second spent evading the shade dragon breath attack resulted in a noticeable decrease in her own magic since through her maintaining of the Virga that the storm was able to provide cover and retaliation as she avoided the beast's jaws..
However, the pursuit would soon come to a close as the beast bearing down on her, Vaceris made her next choice without any hesitation, calling upon the Virga storm to let loose it's most fearsome bolt it could onto the beast–