The last of the students gathered in the Arena, following the sound of bells filling the scene. All those that participated met with the rest of their class, with those in the worst of condition finding aid by the Temporary Medical station set up near the gate.
With enough students now silent and waiting, the Headmistress spoke,
"Well done to you all, both the participants and those who–"
"Wait...where is she? Vaceris isn't here." Erai asked the weary Tersia and Stephen.
With the latter motioning to the gates of the Arena, answering as he caught his breath. Giving little more than a moment between the exchange and Ketsu's next words before golden lightning struck beside them and bolted through the gates.
"...Vacer...Vaceris?"
"Maid, tell father that I'll be ready soon, now let me sleep–"
" Ah!" She squealed after waking to find herself airborne.
"Good, you're awake."
"Erai? What's going on, why am I in–"
"Oh about that, when I found you, you weren't responding so I decided to take you to the infirmary."
"I see...then what about the others?"
"They're okay, exhausted but they made it in the end."
"Sigh...Thank goodness. All right, that explains everything except...was it necessary to carry me in your arms like this, again... it's like every time with you. Am I that much of a damsel?" Asking as she tugged at his braid
"You certainly don't hit like a damsel." Hearing her voice returning in strength brought on a little smile, while the pair soared wrapped in arcs of golden thunder.
"Well just...don't be a brute about it. That armor of yours isn't exactly easy against my delicate skin." Pouting through the voyage as they arrived back at the Academy.
Leaving her in the Temporary Medical station and with one of the nurses caring for her, Erai stepped out to contact Ketsu only to encounter the good doctor, Arturion, who had returned from a discrete smoke break, and upon seeing the young Daumier, quickly stuffed the packet of cigarettes into his coat.
"Ah, Shynerai. It's good to see you, though I thought we spoke about your impromptu visits...your recklessness is not unlike your teacher's. So tell, how badly have you beaten your body today–" Proceeding to place his firm grip on his shoulder, clenching every so tighter as the old man bore a look of frustration.
Shynerai rushed to calm his concern as he explained that he only accompanied a friend to the station, doing his best to hide the burn he received from Ketsu's attack, until his rage calmed. Relieving the old man with a gentle smile, the doctor, in better spirits wished him a good day and that he continued to take care of himself during the Carnival.
'That was...way too close. I hope everyone else is doing okay. I'll have to return to the class later to check on them.'
The injured were eventually treated or moved to the Medical Ward to deal with more severe wounds, while a few of the teachers watched.
Back at the Arena.
"He just left didn't he?" Regis appeared on the pavilion joining the other educators who only turned to find a wisp of smoke in the elf's trail.
"Hmph, I take it to mean that Class 1F has failed?"
"Not exactly...they managed to come in last among the winners. Really, if it wasn't for their last-ditch effort, the race would have gone to anyone."
"Don't jest Ms. Yuria."
"Not at all. Though it may come as no surprise that your students claimed victory yet another round. You're just determined to steal the spotlight aren't you." A rosy tinge to her expressions accompanied her words of admiration.
"Ridiculous, the result was borne from the fruits of their labors, not my arrogance. Unlike someone else we know."
"There's no need to be so modest, you can't deny you're at least a little happy to see them doing well, nor can you hide that smile especially in front of her." With the Headmistress appearing from behind, meeting a wide-eyed Ulrich.
While below the stands, the disgruntled voices of several students could be heard.
"What the hell! We were so close, we almost had it, if it wasn't for those damn mutts." Castle and Nero raged, echoing Class 1D's woes as those from Class 1E fell silent with grit teeth and hung heads.
"Calm yourself, Nero, the same goes for you, Castle. You all did well, we were simply outmatched today–"
"But Captain, How–"
"That's enough. Some of us are still injured and require rest. We've fought our battles today, and you all upheld our class's pride. Now it's time to reflect and strive to do better in the future. Understood?" Patrulea voiced, as she too fought back the bile of defeat.
So, with the school grounds darkening under the wake of nightfall, the students had cleared out while bright lights flickered on, shining the scene and drawing workers in the may to fill the Arena and begin their work.
Having received a message from Ketsu to meet at Stephen's family restaurant, Shynerai checked in to find Vaceris ready to leave their care.
Taking the tram to the Cross Gardens Estate and walking to the Sword Oak Forest, they eventually arrived as their classmates secured themselves seats and began their order, Tersia called out to them...holding onto Vaceris with a glowing expression.
"Did you check in with Dr. Arturion after we arrived?" Vaceris asked Erai before they sat in one of the booths of the amber-lit restaurant.
"He wouldn't have let me leave if he found out I wasn't being careful, so I should be okay for tomorrow." Taking apart some of the bread after passing the basket over.
"And the scar, no pain I hope?"
"I'm okay. It just stings a little but that's probably from the lightning more than anything else." He mentioned with an airy tone, missing the daggers she directed at Ketsu, who tried to play off her rage.
"I'll be alright. You don't have to worry."
"If I'm only going to watch what you're saying and not what you're doing then I'm going to spend the rest of the year patching you up."
"..."
"Just...be careful, okay. I can't stop you from acting rash, but I can at least ask you to show some caution." She asked, petting Bell who lay asleep on her lap.
"Aww look at that, the Princess is worried about you. Now you have no choice but to win." Stephen teased, reaching over to grab a piece of meat from the platter only to dodge the salt shaker thrown at him.
"No...just...ugh." Disguising her flushed cheeks that she tried to bury in the tuffs of the feline's fur.
"Awww, she's blushing." Tersia added with a look of joy.
Stephen's parents were relieved that they were all safe, with Ketsu reassuring them that he was cautious of them.
While Torren recounted the events, speaking to their bravery…he paused when he realized something strange. Something so simple yet so strange. Looking at Stephen, he wondered how he managed to mount his Ryokin in the first place, as it was said that their breed was only accepting of female riders.
"I'm not afraid of it, that's why."
"Sure, or there's something really weird about you. Hmm, perhaps you were a lady in your past life. Does that mean I should start calling you by your lady name instead, perhaps Stephanie for Stephen?"
While he had some choice words for him, he wouldn't risk angering his mother. So he played him just the same, noting that while he dealt with all of that, his role is effectively done, which means Torren will be among the participants of the last round.
"Good luck." Struggling to say it with a straight face. With Torren panic's on the rise, he tried to look for a sense of urgency in his class, instead finding his friend being doted on by a frustrated princess.
"Oh, so that's it. You're treating this like some sort of last mission to woo the hearts of innocent maidens. I for one don't want to be killed tomorrow." Torren shook his friend in distress.
"Unlikely, whatever comes our way we will deal with it. At least I will." Stephen commented as he almost choked from Tersia nudging him.
"Giant sea monsters, black beasts born from thunderstorms, bloodthirsty mounts and that was all on the first day. How are we supposed to get some sleep with them keeping us in the dark"
"Facing unknown threats will be a common thing for us once we graduate, try to see it as preparation for the day we step into those roles." Sergei assured him.
"Yeah the last time they did so, we ended up getting thrown in a hell hole for several weeks." The late hours of the night soon faded away amidst the chatter and feast everyone indulged in, before returning to their dorms.
Strangely with the intensity of the day and all the effort they put in, none of the members of Class 1F could bring themselves to fall asleep, as an overwhelming thought raced around in their heads.
'We did it. We made it!'
The open cover of azure sky embraced in a shower of golden rays brought forth a new day, with everyone preparing themselves for what was to come.
"Welcome everyone. It's finally time for the last round of the Carnival. Today will mark the start of the final event. All the students that sat in as the reserve members of each student will be representing their class.
Right now, we will begin the Cross Gardens Tournament. Mr. Ulrich, would you please provide us with the brackets for each round. With the finals taking place two days from now."
Cross Gardens Tournament Bracket
Round 1: Torren Sujing vs Dirge Agnostra.
Round 2: Dusk Greywind vs Vauntuss Strum.
Round 3: Ren Gladiolus vs Heimrill Trosck.
Round 4: Alleiyna Illses Uthern vs Shynerai Astrapordt.
"So exactly which of those three students would I not have to worry about, and why am I the one starting, why am I fighting at all? Seriously...if I knew this is what they planned, I would be the first on those flying feather brains." Torren wept as a bit of his soul was lost to the thought of the coming battle.
"Well, he's not one of them, if that helps. The headmistress must have had something planned all along for the students who sat out the previous round." Stephen shrugged before leaving the stunned Torren as his classmates sat on the stands.