Slowly but surely, everyone took their seats. Since I was a personal guest of the Kuruma family, I got to sit on stage with Fuyu who seemed to show up from nowhere. Looking at the audience I could see all of the great business families. The boys still threw looks at me like they were going to skin me, despite everything that happened. The fathers of those boys even looked like they would help, and the only thing keeping them back was the time and place. Soon, Fuyu's father walked on stage.
"Welcome to the great clans of Bijinesu!" he shouted.
Immediately all of the heirs looked confused. Clans of Bijinesu? What the hell was that? Even Fuyu, who I had assumed knew what was going on tonight, wore the same face as everyone else. I quickly listened in as to not to miss a single detail.
The Kuruma family head continued, "It has been a great honor to be the Chairman of this great organization, but the time has come once again for there to be a new leader of this honorable establishment. For generations this organization has toiled through the world, remaining hidden from the outside world, but still helping it all the same.".
'If people like these snobbish brats have been secretly running the world, then I can see why world peace has not yet been achieved' I thought. From what Mr.Kuruma had said so far, I could gather that Bijinesu was an underground organization run by the biggest businesses in the world, and most likely in history, but only to a select few. As for how the selection process worked, I had no idea. If it was just down to money, then brands like Coke or Pepsi would definitely be present. I guessed it might have to do with how the business is handed down, generation and heritage was probably a must. But what stuck out to me was that this Bijinesu organization was actually running the world, moving the economy in their flow. Basically, if a government or country were to mess with them, that country would only have themselves to blame for the hell that would ensue.
I focused back on Mr.Kuruma's speech, "Sadly this year, the Leikfang family from Iceland will not be able to join us, as they have not provided a viable heir. But to this end! We have a newcomer in our ranks!". Mr.Kuruma waves for me to come up next to him. "This is Tristan Chishiki, he will be filling in for the Leikfang family, and should he become victorias this year, his family name shall be added to the Bijinesu family inclusion list. All families in attendance have agreed to the terms, and therefore, I shall now be addressing the young people that shall represent our families.".
Me and Fuyu went to some seats in the crowd so that we may see the screen. She was a little shaky because she didn't know what was happening. It was a nervous habit she had. I grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze to bring her back from her shakiness, to which she blushed and squeezed my hand back.
When we took our seats Mr.Kuruma began. "For generations the families present have participated in a process we have learned to call, 'Shin no bijinesuman no sozo' or the creation of a true business man. This process was designed by beings that are much greater than us ordinary humans.", the curtain behind him starts to rise "This was created by beings that wished for the world to be led, by someone who truly understands all aspects of business, someone who shines above all of their pupils. This person is the leader of the Bijinesu organization, and in simple terms, the king of the world.".
Mr.Kuruma stresses on the "king of the world" phrase. The power of this organization still shakes me to my core. If the leader has such power, then luckily only someone of a semi-decent personality may take the spot. And it seems so far it has been working. But with the contestants of the challenge this year, I would not be so sure unless it was Ashika, Fuyu, me, or maybe even the "changed" Cagna. That left plenty of room for error, and should this organization be led into the hands of one of the worst candidates, the world would surely be doomed.
The curtain had finally risen, and what we saw shook all of us. It was a blazing blue oval, it looked similar to a portal, but with no destination. This was not something that could be explained by anything that I knew. Even with some of the quantum physics knowledge I knew could not explain this.
I could not help but raise my voice and ask "Excuse me, Mr.Kuruma, is that a portal, and if so where does it go?".
He quickly replied "It is a portal of sorts, it goes to where the competition shall be held, but we do not exactly know where it is that it is held, our guess would be another world.".
"Are we allowed to have any knowledge on what this other world is like sir?" I ask. As much as this sounds like a great adventure, I don't like heading into things that are unknown.
"We have some books on what the general landscape may be, but throughout the years we have noticed a sort of swelling in the other world, one that cannot be explained by science, and we don't know when this swelling will end, or what change it may bring." Mr.Kuruma replied.
I took the books and read everything I could about the ceremony and all of it's procedures. This ceremony acted as a way to elect a new leader of the Bijinesu organization, and it also helped to weed out those that were not worthy of such a title and the power that came with it.
The participants would take turns entering the portal, most influential first and least last. Meaning I would enter last most likely, and Fuyu would end up being first. There would be a 5 minute time gap in between entering, as once you enter, you would choose to rule 1 of 8 kingdoms. The families mostly chose the same kingdoms over the years, and in the past 3 ceremonies, never deviated from what their family was known for.
The eight kingdoms were as follows, with their coordinating buffs and specialities. The Kingdom of Silver River was a mining kingdom, ultimately all precious metals and gemstones hailed from here. Next was the Kingdom of Oceana, a kingdom located on a seperate island, known for its ports, giving it a large trade capability and also large fishing ability and a strong naval fleet. The Kingdom of Scotchwood was famous for its architects, they built the strongest and most worthwhile buildings. The Kingdom of Mord held the title of the finest resources, be it wood or stone, if it wasn't mined, they had the best. Banhiem had the finest artisans, from blacksmiths to glass workers, the finest in their arts could be found there. Tilburn was known for it's incredibly rich soil which allowed them to have more food and better crops, year round. The Kingdom of Athoria was known for its vast knowledge and libraries, it sat at the very center of all the 8 kingdoms, and it boasted some of the highest technology in the medieval era world, pretty much going up until guns. The last kingdom, and probably the one most seen as useless, was the kingdom of Corcia, known for it having the strongest soldiers, and taking the least amount of time to train them. In the end, they were the meat heads.
After familiarizing myself with the different lands and kingdoms of the other world, I sat and waited for my turn to enter. When I heard it was my turn I got up to enter, but before I could, the family hailing from India approached me.
"If you need anything at all in your time in the other world, contact Gupt, our family will support you no matter what my king" The father said, then nudged me towards the portal.
I walked up to the portal with a confused look on my face, then entered. I entered the portal to another world, and ultimately, to a new life.