----Leo---------------------------------------------------------
I looked when I had to be in the lobby and saw that I still had 6 hours before it started. Looking at that message I saw that I could also invite one person to spectate.
I invited Maura of course and she said she would be at my home half an hour before we had to be there.
I looked at the basic magic book and found some interesting things I could do with the runes, most importantly, combine them.
I tried it out and after a few tries I could do it but it was just much slower than using the normal spells. I'd have to practice before using these in battle.
Maura arrived and she gave me a kiss. Yes I'm bragging about my, at the time, girlfriend.
We just talked a little and then we teleported. Arriving at the lobby I saw Thea and called out to her.
Thea saw me and stormed towards me in rage. "You fucking asshole! You left me there after I had nearly died. You're lucky Night was there and that you had good reason to leave, otherwise I'd have kicked your ass to oblivion."
She then looked at Maura. "Now who's this beauty? I thought you were an asocial gamer or something."
"I'm his girlfriend." She had answered immediately, no doubts or anything, that made me happy.
"And who might you be?" She held out her hand to Thea, she was also glaring at me so I think she got the wrong idea about us.
"I'm Thea, the one he teams up with, also don't worry about the relationship you think we have, I'm one hundred percent a lesbian, I think he's the one who should worry about bringing me and you together."
"Thea, if you ever try that I will make you sorely regret it, remember what happened in the mallor in Atlantis for that matter, I wouldn't poke the bear like that."
"Suuuure, you're no fun. I'm going to quickly eat something before we start." With that she left for a quick bite to eat.
That's when I noticed someone else approaching. "Oh hi Nora, why are you here?"
She was surprised at first but then seemed to remember something. "Right, you're E-rank, you wouldn't know. I'm also not allowed to tell anyone who isn't at least D-rank so don't ask."
"So you're Nora, Leo has told me a bit about you. Hi, I'm Maura."
She looked between me and Maura and seemed to understand. "Hello, you must be Leo's girlfriend, right?"
Maura nodded and they started talking for a bit. after five minutes, the public faces of the three organizations came out.
First, you had Strongarm for the Order.
Then you had Heffy, the armourer, for the comrades, I had heard about her from other people so I knew her name. She waved at Nora and seemed to look at me with some contempt, weird.
Lastly, you had the old Grand Magus of the Spire, Dillon. He made me think of Dumbledore but with a shorter beard that was still black. I had to admit, that was a great beard.
Strongarm was in his suit a bright yellow tux, a green shirt, a black tie and a yellow cowl with some kind of sunglasses in front of his eyes.
Heffy wore a cute dress, bleu and frilly.
Dillon wore long black robes and a hat, not a wizards hat though, no this man knew what style was. He wore a fedora and it worked surprisingly well with his look.
They started speaking and the lobby, which had sounded like flock of stygian birds was nesting here quieted down instantly.
"Hello, to all who came, welcome. To all who haven't come, also welcome. For rookies who are about to rank up for the first time, enter that teleport over there, students also have to go there. The others go to that teleporter. Spectators follow Dillon."
We said goodbye to Maura and stood on the pad that Strongarm had pointed out. Strongarm came with us, after we teleported he went on a small podium and started to explain to rules to us. I will compile them down for you.
1. Only when faced with the threat, is killing acceptable.
2. No destroying the arena.
3. No advanced magic until you're C-rank.
4. After becoming a higher rank, we have to swear the order's oath.
5. Enjoy the experience.
With that he walked towards an elevator and left us to prepare.