"Before we begin, we need to discuss about a contest the Academy is hosting in a few weeks from now," Dante began talking to his students who were listening with rapt attention.
He explained, "Every year, the Knight Academy in Pardour partners with other Knight Academies all across The Five Great Empires to host a little tournament which is called The Nest."
"But before we reach this competition, each of the nations prepare a small contest to select the best of their empires' young Knights to partake, which we in Pardour refer to as the Nest."
"It's a series of contests of skill, will and strength and to see which nation produces the finest warriors in the land."
"Yes, Vincent?," he said and paused as Vincent raised his hand.
Vincent then asked, "So basically, it's like a battle but instead of using violent means, we use kids to settle it?"
"What the hell, Vincent??!! That was way too mean and blunt!!," Jason yelled as he was shocked that his teammate spoke that way.
"Keep quiet, Jason!! You don't know what he meant by that!!," Maki intervened but deep down, she herself was surprised by Vincent's question.
Dante then spoke, "Well, yes and no. Yes, because this contest has been used to settle differences for centuries instead of meaningless wars, which I'm sure you are aware of," referring to Vincent's age.
He added, "And no, because we make sure that no lives are lost or people get seriously hurt beyond recovery."
"Now then, does that answer your question, Vincent?," he asked which Vincent nodded in response.
"Good!! Now, if I may…," he gestured to the students, indicating his need to continue his discussion to which they agreed to.
He continued, "The trials are in three stages: the first stage is a test of skill. And it's simple.
Seven teams of three members each from the Academy will partake in a little test to show how strong they are in terms of general knowledge about the Amberlandian landscape.
"This happens in a treasure hunt. Each team has a specific amount of time to find heart-shaped Auburn red rubies throughout the entire landmass of Amberland."
"Wait, but how will that be possible? Amberland is a continent, y'know?!," Jason questioned with worry.
"I don't know either. But, you'll get more information likely during the day of the tournament."
"What I do know is that, the rubies are numbered and as such, only five teams will get the chance of advancing to the next round," Dante said, trying his best to divert his students' attention from the first part question since he himself was truly unaware on how this would be carried out.
"The next stage tests your strength as a team against each of the other qualifying teams in a mission to receive red colored star-fruits. In the Forest of Black Miliks."
That gave the kids a shudder because that location had a terrifying reputation behind it.
He continued, "This is the most important part because this is based on how you guys will coordinate with each other's movements and thoughts and actions as a team and nothing more."
"Out of all the five teams, only three are guaranteed to succeed."
"But here's the catch: the second round might not require what you use often daily, so be prepared," he said, which left the kids in confusion.
He continued, "And finally, the last part: a test on individual strength."
"The teams that qualify to this round will now be disbanded and form a nine-man knockout tournament to win the entire competition."
"The nine individuals are divided into three group of three, where each group fights in a single round to determine the winner."
"The winners of each ground shall advance to the final and duel in an all-out battle to determine the winner of the entire competition."
"Note that there's a high chance you might fight each other to win, but that still must not waver your thoughts on winning as a team."
"Remember, you are not the only team competing so fight hard. And also, if one of us wins, all of us win!! Understand?," he finished and asked his students.
"Yes, Sensei!!," they yelled in unison, feeling excited about this contest.
"Alright then!! I'll see you all tomorrow for the biggest training regime of your lives!!"