All of them are fidgeting on their seat. The time was just a minute away from ticking into the starting line.
Section A who was assigned to station their position on the early start, headed towards the second building to do their warmups. They were accompanied by David Mastria and it looks like they are not going easy for today. Meanwhile, as Section A primarily releases their fangs, Section B managed to strangle the tension and went out of their way to the second building as well to start their warmups. They stayed for a while until Section A finishes their session.
Wency Glamora took a little stride over to the backside of the field to approach David.
"You sure took your time, huh?" She asked.
"Well, these guys are the first on the list. I don't think there is going to be any merit in giving up their position in the early game. It is only natural to think about how it will progress, anyway." Wency shrugged it off.
"I don't know what you are talking about, but, I will have to tell you one thing my class will be the one to take the victory this year." Her tone dropped from her giggling attitude. A declaration of war between the two scholastic sections. Despite her control in the provocation, David laughed and accepted the declaration.
"Bring it on, woman..."
The venue reached the maximum limit for the audience. Their cheering and support filled the whole location, excited from seeing those who are going to be competing. The division for the central capital would be negotiating with the other departments to support the onslaught of the whole pack.
Even with the sun soaring high with such a high degree, the pack didn't mind the heat and sweat. Expressing their love to the participants is also one thing to be considered. Though, in any case of a problem, it is still precise to have such tight security stationed on each level of the venue. A smart idea came from Commander Henry who proposed to provide many knights in order to protect a lot of people.
Section C remained in their place. Although the thought of losing is obvious to their front, they were rather calm and fully composed while expressing a solemn appearance. Upon relaxing in their state, a knock on the door shattered their nature of focus. William entered the room.
"It is time..." He said.
There was no additional input on his instruction. Everyone didn't say anything regarding what will happen either. Some of them were going nervous once again. Aran could notice that feeling because it was intertwining with his perceptiveness. They eventually left the room and Aran was the only one left. He decided to look outside for some fresh view and then head out to follow them.
They're on edge lately. Even with the good motivation earlier, it is pretty much obvious that it temporarily just stopped their nerve to calm themselves. Aran clicked his tongue.
"Aran..." While walking down the hall towards the second building, William called him.
"Yeah?"
"I know that is a bit sudden and weird but, can you... I want you to see Miss Shimizu and stay in her group for a while." His favor doesn't seem to have any more pointed register to him. Instead, it was a worrying request that Aran understood after talking with Nikki last night. He curled his eyebrow and nodded.
"Yes, Sir. Leave it to me." He responded.
"I apologize for being reckless, I am guessing that you already heard the details. Just in case something happens, I want you to be the one to save her." He followed.
What does he mean by saving her?
After hearing the clapping noises outside the second building, the sunlight reached the ray on the floor, illuminating the reflection of the tiles. The main door to the venue opened and the crowds bombarded the silent nature of the whole academy. William and Aran both left the hall and headed towards the side of their own section.
"It's finally time, are you ready?" William asked one last time.
"Yeah, let's go." They got out of the building and went in the opposite direction. William went over to the spot where the other coaches are staying while Aran sneaked in towards the section of seats wherein the other candidates residing on Section C are located. A mere stroll for about a minute took place to reach the other side.
Nikki's group is stationed in the center of the field since they are going to race in the middle, I should probably head over there instead of staying in here. He collapsed the idea of hanging out with his other classmates and eventually segway himself to go over to the middle.
All of the candidates from the Fosier Academy including some staff cover the entire right section while the outsiders cover the opposite side. Since it is full of candidates, Aran didn't have trouble sneaking in without anyone seeing him.
Upon reaching the longest yard in the center, he finally found an empty spot. Nikki and the other girls came into view on the starting line of the middle bout and they were doing their warm-ups. Aran took a quick gaze, analyzing every straight path he can take in order to slip in while the race is ongoing. However, as he finally sat down with ease. Someone beside startled him.
"Ara, fancy running into you here..." A woman voice viciously emptied Aran's concentration and took a little stride to back off.
"Oh... Eutara, wait what? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be seated on our own section?" Confused by her coincidental meet, Aran scratched his head.
"Well, things got a little bit tense. I prefer to watch without anyone beside me so I can focus. I am not really fond of hearing the cheers from such a tight space." She said with a nonchalant tone.
"I am sorry, I guess I am bothering you let me just–" Just as when Aran was about to stand up, Eutara grabbed his right arm and pressed him down.
"No no no, it is okay for you to be here... I didn't mean to, um... Sorry..." Her reaction peered through Aran's head like he was questioning it. Eutara's cool and collected composition suddenly vanished when she holds him off.
"Oh... Well, if you say so..." She kept her hold on him for a long period of time. After seating down once again, she removed her grasp on him.
"I haven't asked you yet, so why are you here as well?" She then began to question him after that long awkward silence.
"Uh... William assigned me to keep an eye on Nikki's group. Well, I pretty much expected that since I have an idea of why it should be important. If she collapses on this stage, I will be the one to take care of her." He answered.
"I see, so you're not just a gloomy guy without any care, huh. That's reassuring..." Eutara smiled as she leaned. Almost feels like she was teasing him.
"Hey, where did that come from... I am pretty sure I am doing a good job with everyone..." He countered.
"Well, it is just my personal assumption. Didn't really mean to be harsh but you seemed to be lacking any communication skills as well as the ability to socialize. So yeah, I think you were pretty. But when it comes to these stuff like caring for someone or even saving, you have a good intuition of the case and you're fixated on the solution." She replied. She put Aran on a tough surface, he couldn't find the correct words to reply to her.
"You're a weird guy, you know that..." she added.
"Well, sorry for being boring..." Aran giggled.
This girl... Is she really the one that I met in the hall yesterday? She has the exact same aura. Perceiving it from a different perspective, it is the complete opposite of her. But then again, I feel some sort of connection that I cannot explain. He wondered.
The conversation went abrupt when the announcer for the game arrived to take the spotlight in the middle of the whole venue.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Thank you everyone for coming in here to celebrate the month of the sporting event. The Fosier Academy's fifth Magic Triathlon Race will finally start!"
"Looks like it is finally starting..."
"I suppose so..."
Aran and Eutara both looked at the center of the field with their eyes fixated on the players. The opening remarks for the event had ended on an overall citation of the rules as well as the introduction of the judge and the board members that are supporting the game. The cheering continued to implore the national state of the whole venue and there was no way to stop it. After the remark, he introduced the following members coming from Section A and up to Section C.
"And now for our third participant, coming from Section C! For the Swimming bout! Huck, Eita, Aldi, Rishin, and Riggord! For the Cycling bout! Nikki, Aine, Penny, Lia and Emma! For the Running bout! Eunice, Blaine, Joseph, Autumn, and Felicity!"
Despite being put on the third rank of the hierarchy, the audience seemed to have liked all of the other participants. The chances of getting enough votes for the points to come in should be coming handier than the usual spot. Aran took a quick glance at Nikki's group.
She was optimally calm and composed. She did a little wave alongside her confident members. Deep down, Aran felt relieved after seeing her condition and braveness. The others are doing the same as well with a weave of enlightenment and a series of cheering coming from all sides of the field. There is nothing to be wary about as of the moment.
"I feel like I am throwing up earlier, but now I am quite fine." Aran leaned back to enjoy the view. He found himself comfortable.
"Is that so? That is pretty nice..." Even though she is responding, Aran felt the disinterested tone in her voice.
I should probably not bother her anymore... I am really scared of her aura. With that in mind, he focused on the game.
"The game is simple! There are three bouts to be executed for the race. Each of these bouts is stationed with the Section's group and they should be skilled within the given position. The first bout will cover the Swimming sector. The referee will give the flag to the first leader assigned to this bout. There are three colors: Blue, Yellow, and Red. The blue flag will be handled by the leader of Section A. The yellow flag will be handled to Section B, and the Red flag will be handled to Section C. The goal of each leader of the group is to pass the flag onto the next member that is representing the next bout. It is a track and field relay concept. Each member will have to pass through numerous obstacles provided on their own background and they will have to keep the connection between each sector. After the next group receives the flag, they are now applicable to start the second race which is covering the cycling sector. For this game, we have provided a cycling vehicle that has a unique set of metallic bars in which it will only drive if an individual infuses magic on it. Take note that they can increase their speed depending on the power that they are currently possessing. And as the cycling leader passes the flag to the third group, they are now good to start the final line and finish the race."
The host started explaining the sets of rules as well as how they are going to acknowledge the proposition of the concept, it is a pain because it is full of derivation. There was nothing unique to the concept except for the fact that they need to use magic in order to have an advantage in the game. But then again, it is a teamwork type of race. If one is able to press forward, the possibility of getting to the end is more than 100% if all of the members were to combined their strengths. A mere scratch on their faith can put the entire flow to the genre of consistency.
On the starting line beneath the shade of the first sector, Huck and the other boys were silently peeking up to see if there is anything weird on the ground as a form of a conditional wary. Upon checking the backlash, they were able to confirm there is a spell, a trap that is usually used to drag the opponents down. However, this was utterly exposed when they made a check. It is perfect timing for all of them.
The first sector has a big ocean-like stage wherein it is built horizontally for about fifty yards or so. It is so long and big that it covers the entire first section with it.
This is troubling, the water may be lukewarm but the pressure that we will be imposing on ourselves is a grave problem. We should preserve our stamina in the first minute. Huck stood up last onto the end of the vast pool of water.
The rest of his team stationed themselves, standing on a rope of foam floating on the water. Swimming is the role of their choice.
Eita was the first one to step on the starting line alongside the other members from Sections A and B.
"Damn it... I am quite nervous but seeing the girls around there is giving me enough confidence. I should do my best to be cool!" He mumbled to himself as he pounds his chest.
A brief moment later, the announcer walk in and raised his hand. The cheering was starting to get intense and the magical fireworks kept on firing from above the sky. There was no limit and it looks like everyone is doing the same. The massive crowd has held a big tarpaulin as well as some banners that express the members of the other team from the other section.
Woah... they also did something like that? That seems cool. Aran looked around and noticed the change.
"Aran..." As he was fixated with the announcement, Eutara moved closer to him. The cheering limited their ability to hear what the others are saying.
"Hmm?" Noticing her signal, he moved closer as well.
Her lips moved like she is saying something brief but despite how close they are, Aran didn't seem to understand her. Eutara leaned back to her position with a cool smile on her face.
"What? Can you please repeat that?" Trying to make sense, he called out to her but she wasn't able to hear him.
Damn it, I didn't hear her... I might as well just wait until the match is over... He leaned back, fidgeting his fingers while distracting himself.
"Ready..." and now...
"Go!"
The colored flags were given to the first participants and they now set off the starting point.