------------------------------- Elea -------------------------------
Being a princess is not as easy as one can think. I have a lot to pay attention too and of course, it's including myself. As a princess, I need to be super attentive to my dignified appearance, looks, social, friends and lifestyle. I wish I can be free. But as a first-born princess, I need to hold myself, better than anyone. It is expected from the princess of the empire to be on top of everything be it academics, sports, and of course, magic. I need to be a perfect person for the sake of the image of the empire.
My door room is knocked twice.
"Kreek…"
"Princess, the dinner is ready."
"Yes, I will be there."
-------------------- [Royal Castle Dining Hall] --------------------
"Ah, I'm full!! Thanks for the food!"
"Our pleasure your highness," The chefs replied.
"Can I get back to my room now father, mother?" I asked.
"Wait Eleanor, I heard you win the second stage of the tournament! You did great!" Mother congratulated me.
"Yes. Thank you, mother!"
"That much is expected from my eldest daughter my dear, make sure you win for tomorrow too, Eleanor," Father added.
"Yes father, I will succeed," I replied.
"Richard, you can go to the academy tomorrow in my place, I have some urgent matter to attend to."
"Yes father, I have prepared for tomorrow," Richard answered to father.
"That's my son."
"Father, you would not come tomorrow?" I ask to father.
"Yes Eleanor, I have an urgent matter with our nobility branch and the army commander."
"But tomorrow is the last day of the Blade Festival and I will have my final battle…"
"Elea–" mom tried to say something but was cut off by father.
"Elea. You already 20 years old. Why are you try to be childish like this?"
…
"I understand, father. I'm sorry."
"Eleanor, don't be sad okay, your little brother will be there to cheer for you, right Richard?" Mother tried to comfort me.
"Of course, sister! I would be cheering for you!" Richard added.
"Thank you, Richard…"
Ah… what a disappointment. I thought at least dad could be there to watch me. I guess I don't have any values in my father's eye. Since that time…
Ah! I don't want to think about it!
-------------------- [Grand Arena] --------------------
The arena is full of people more than ever for today. A musical ensemble has prepared to play for the grand opening music for the arrival for the prince. I guess everyone already knew that the emperor will not be coming. Evans stood beside me, looking at his smartphone while Quinn is… um… is he nervous?
"Are you okay Quinn?" I asked to him.
"O-of course!!" he replied.
"Why you look so nervous though?"
"E-e-eh, no, of course not!" he stuttered.
"Okay then…"
I think he's nervous but that's weird. He usually seems cool and collected during first and second day. Perhaps it's because today is the last day for the tournament and he will need to fight by himself. I need to be ready myself.
Suddenly, the crowds stand up cheers and music start playing. The prince, my brother has arrived.
"Today, we have been blessed with the grace and the love of the emperor family itself, who come to watch our final stage for Hero Armament Championship for the Blade Festival this year," Hana said.
"That's right Hana, but for today, we received a word from The Majesty Emperor Reynold Maximillian Stardust, that he has urgent task regarding the empire thus his highness, Prince Richard Maximillian Stardust as well as last year champion of the last year Hero Armament Championship," Carl continued.
The applause and cheers keep coming like no end at all. I just hope that I can go straight for the fight and show to father that I am qualified…
"Elea, are you okay?" Evans asked.
"E-eh, what? Why do you ask?"
"Your face seems clouded with something, like you are… mad…" he mentioned.
"Eh, no… of course not… there's no reason for me too."
"Oh, well if you say so…" Evans backed down.
I knew that Evans is quite a sharp person. He reads a person quick. I must get my act together.
"Dear audience, today, we will have the first Prince of Azaria, His highness Prince Richard Maximillian Stardust to deliver his words upon us," Carl addressed to the prince.
Richard goes to the rostrum and start giving his speeches after being invited by Carl.
"Good day, everyone."
As soon as his soft voice reached the ears of the audiences, they all started cheering to Richard. Back from when we were child, Richard is very kind and loving to everyone. We used to play together back at the castle, running around the hall and corridor, snacking on some food when everyone has gone to sleep at the midnight. Father used to tell us a story of the heroes who wield the sacred blade which one of them is our own ancestor, The Wielder of Dominia, Emperor William Maximillian Stardust. Richard was particularly admiring the heroes because of the glory that achieved by the heroes to liberate humanity from horrible ruling of monsters. Well, that goes for me as well. We both got the feeling of perseverance by the act of sacrificing themself for the sake of the entire humanity.
When I was 12 years old and Richard was 10 years old, we learned the art of swordsmanship, with full concentration and dedication. I set my dream to wield Dominia and once again, to bring the absolute salvation to Azaria, I will finish the unfinished work of the heroes. But Richard is different from me, he purely thinks of humanity's sake, the future of Azaria not as a successor of the legendary blade, but as a fellow citizen that wishes to see the people can lives in harmony. At the age of 14, he was completely master the art of swordsmanship taught by the greatest our swordplay instructor which was the best sword master in Azaria. I was left behind in the dust in terms of swordplay compared to Richard. I dare to say his talent is one to be feared of.
So, I thought of mastering other weapon to make up for my weakness, I'm the older sister after all. I reached the spear and learned it with the best spear master in Azaria and fortunately, I mastered it age of 16. I just take two years to master it and able to win multiple competition in countless tournament. I can even be considered as strong as a professional spear wielder. But that wasn't the case.
Last year tournament at the final stage, I confronted my brother. I was pretty confident that I would have emerge victorious because based on weapon advantage, I had longer reach and thrusting is the best technique to keep the foe at distance, unable to reach a spear user with their sword. The spear master almost won in every duel with the sword master if I were to say about proves of spearman is superior to swordsman. But my confident was shattered the second he shows his true swordplay when we were just started the duel. He's already the best swordsman in the academy, or perhaps the best knight, the strongest in entire Azaria. I pushed him with everything I got, and he doesn't even show his ultimate skill of both of his swords. I was utterly defeated. My pride was shattered as a first-born child of the Azaria emperor family.
The worst was yet to happen. After my lost, people have been talking about the successor to the throne. In tradition of the throne succession, the eldest child of the family will be chosen as candidate for throne therefore, I should be next in line to be the ruler of Azaria. Early this year, we are about to enter the new term of academy, and something unprecedented occurred. My greatest dream was smashed to pieces as I see, my brother was wielding The Everlasting Sword, Dominia or rather, chosen by it. While there is tradition, came second suggestion upon succession of the throne which if any child of the emperor that succeed to wield the sacred sword, therefore the wielder will be eligible to be the next candidate.
The news about Richard succeeded the Dominia is not yet announced to the country but everyone in the palace knew about it. Everyone in the castle were whispering about him being a chosen one, the most suitable to be the next emperor and I was the subject to be compared to him. I can't help but being irritated and extremely envious against him but, I barely managed put up the act of good and loving sister and also as a princess. I wish father is here because I want to show him the effort I have done for this tournament, my endeavour. I want him to see that I, Princess Eleanor Maximillian Stardust is the perfect, undeniably fit to be the inheritor of the throne. That grand moment shall be proved when I have The Endless Rapier, Ristorea in my possession. I have done various research on how to obtain the Ristorea and finally, the conclusion that I came to was, Ristorea chooses its owner who had showed supreme struggle in life.
I guess I will try listening to his speech for a while.
"My precious and beloved citizen of Azaria, in the last 500 years ago, humanity was in perilous moment, ravaged by the horrendous monsters outside of the Azaria but then, the three heroes emerge to surface and save the human empire, Azaria from the vicious and dreadful monster emperor, Dragorath. Now that we are in a peaceful era, the attack from the monsters still doesn't end as we expected, recently there are several cases had occurred at the empire border. Those cases successfully stirred up the peacefulness the whole empire citizenry. There are some people already abducted, killed, and eaten. I am telling this not to terrify everyone but a reminder for you to always aware of your surroundings."
The crowds began to speak among each other.
"And actually, before I was to attend this grand event today as representative for my father, the emperor told me to announce to you one thing."
Father did? Is it about that?
"This matter shall relieve all of your worries and discomforts because right now—"
Does he want to inform that to everyone right now?!
"I, Prince Richard Maximillian Stardust want to reveal to that I, have been chosen as the…"
Under his royal cape I can see it. The sword.
"I am the chosen wielder of the sacred blade, The Everlasting Sword, Dominia!"
He takes out the sword, raising it upwards to show it to the crowds. The sword starts shining unexpectedly until it became a luminous combination of white light and yellow light. When the light is fading out, the crowds in the whole arena start standing on their feet, applause and finally scream.
"FINALLY!!!"
"WE WILL BE SAVED!!"
"NOW WE HAVE THE HERO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY!!"
"LONG LIVE THE PRINCE! THE HERO!"
The cheers and claps are extremely deafening and reverberating in the arena as if a riot is happening. But all of them show a grateful expression as if a hero has come to banish the demon lord. No denial that he's now a hero but…
"With this blade, I promise all citizen in Azaria shall not fall victim to the monster race. I hope we all live a peaceful and happy live. That's all from me. Thank you."
He sheathed the sword and went away from the rostrum. Some people at my surrounding start whispering to their friends, unknowing I am there.
"If he already obtains the sword, he will surely be the next emperor, right?"
"He is handsome, charismatic and strong, on top of that, he is chosen by the sword! He will surely be the emperor!"
"I guess his sister will have no chance to be next in line for the throne."
"I love Prince Richard a lot more than Princess Elea!"
"We will be safer in the ruling of prince Richard, how lucky!!"
This is… why I…
"Elea?"
"…"
"Hey!"
"E-eh? Y-yes, what is it Evans?"
I averted my eyes to Evans that has been calling my name for me several time. But I just too distracted…
"Your face, looks like you are hurting…"
He pays attention to me.
"What! Of course not!" I denied it.
"I know, just… don't pay attention to them, only you can bring the best out of you. You want to have Ristorea right, don't let these bummers around us let you down!" He tried to comfort me.
Yeah… I should not have pay them too much attention.
"Evans… t-thank you… sorry that was pathetic of me…"
"You are not pathetic. It's normal to feel that sometimes. I will always support you!"
Oh, his eyes. I like it. I like how his eyes brims with such confidence.
"Thank you again," I said.
Carl continued the commentating.
"Alright everyone, let's continue to our main event for today although we just be announced of something so shockingly amazing by our prince. I hope the contestants today will be ready and excited more than ever since the prince as well as the chosen Hero are here!!"
"Yes, that's true Carl! And as for today, our contestants will be labelled as heroes for the final stage! Who will be the truest, last standing victor for the Hero Armament Championship? We will find out later. I guess I will continue on briefing for concept of our last stage," Hana continued.
Hana opened the envelop of a card on that has been on her hands from 30 minutes since this morning. Now the time is 10.32 am, as in the main event flyers, the main battle will start at 11.00 am.
"Looks like we will have something different from past years Carl."
"Hm, what will it be then?"
"Like before, the last stage will have the group that manages to go the final to have a fight on one versus one between all different team. But today, no, this year, first time in history of Azaria Prominent Heroic Academy, the last stage will have three people to fight among themselves!"
"Eh!! That's it? So, it will not be one versus one anymore! We should call it, one versus one versus one!!"
"Eh… isn't that too long…"
The crowds laugh with their spontaneous joke. I did chuckle a little bit.
"I guess we can proceed to the battle matchmaking! Carl if you may."
Hana passes a card perhaps with the matchmaking list name to Carl.
"Thank you, Hana, so here is the matchmaking for the game! So, for the final battle, our heroes will have to fight in three battle which every individual will be put to the designated group and fight until there are one last winner to proceed to the decisive final battle of this year championship!"
The matchmaking of the contestant is displayed on the huge holographic screen.
--------------------------------------
[Match-making List]
1. Ace Cardinal(A) vs Zyon Draken(E) vs Quinn Wallen(F)
2. Eva Reinhard(A) vs Tom Zurich(E) vs Evans Reinhard(F)
3. Helena Frosty(A) vs Lilith Midnight(E) vs Eleanor Maximillian Stardust(F)
--------------------------------------
I am in the last round before actual final stage. Helena is the ice user and Lilith…
"Looks like you will be facing with your sister Evans!" Quinn mentioned to Evans.
"I know Quinn, how about you, can you win that? Ace and Zyon are both from last year contestant that reached the final stage," Evans tried to scared Quinn.
"Well… I don't feel like I can win, but I will try my best!!" Quinn responded.
His hand is a little bit shaking. He's nervous.
"Hey Quinn."
"Y-yes princess." Quinn stuttered a little.
"Let me give you some advice, if you were to confront Zyon, make sure you always defend first rather than go straight with a strike, but if you were to confront Ace, hmm… well try your best to not engage with him until final moments. He's quite strong and it's difficult to find opening from him."
"Thank you, princess, I will do my best!" Quinn replied.
"Yes, good luck."
"Quinn!" Evans called him.
"What is it Evans?"
"Let's meet at the final! Three of us!" He suggested.
"Hahaha, well—" Quinn hesitated.
"Deal!" I replied at the same time to break Quinn's hesitation.
I and Evans both look at Quinn directly in the eye.
"Hah… alright… I am plenty nervous but sure!"
-------------------- [11.00 AM] --------------------
"Looks like our contestants are ready! But are you ready to see the final stage for the Hero Armament Championship?!"
"YEAHH!!" The crowds cheered.
"Well Hana, looks like they are already excited, the heroes also have assembled on the stage!"
"Yes Carl, I think we can proceed with introduction to our heroes today!"
"That's right Hana, so from the left, I present to you last year first runner-up, the one who show absolutely astounding display of swordsmanship and skills! Hero Ace!"
The first match is about to start. The information of Ace is displayed on the screens in the arena.
--- [Hero Ace] ---
[Name: Ace Cardinal]
[Age: 22]
[Program: Blade Mastery Program]
[Weapon type: sword]
[Weapon name: Windstorm Dainslef]
[Number of Spell: 0]
-------------------------
"He doesn't even have a spell. I thought he just don't use them yet." Evans shocked.
"Yes, he's pretty strong by himself. Do you think Quinn will be okay, Evans?" I asked for his opinions.
"Honestly, I don't know. Even I will be extremely nervous to face two final stage candidates from previous year at the same time," He replied.
"Yeah, makes sense," I agreed.
Well, nervous is just a natural behaviour for a anyone who about to expect a great fight from strong opponents. It can't be help but…
"Next is the contestant that also shows great promises with terrifying technique. Hero Zen!" Hana called.
--- [Hero Zen] ---
[Name: Zyon Draken]
[Age: 19]
[Program: Blade Mastery Program]
[Weapon type: Chakram, dagger]
[Weapon Name: Aqua Cutter(chakram), Riff Dagger(dagger)]
[Number of Spell: 3]
--------------------
"ZEN!!! ZEN!!" Some of the girl crowd cheered for Zyon.
"Oh, looks like Zen have a group of fan club right there!! How lucky!!" Carl mentioned.
As far as I know, Zyon is a friendly student, and he is in the student council too. Maybe that's what makes him so popular.
"That Zen…"
"Hm, what is it Evans?"
"He's dangerous…"
"Eh, why is that?"
"He is younger than us and on top of that, he has a handsome face as much as Quinn."
"That's what you worry about…?"
"Now! For the last one, the one who symbolise as the strongest defence with his mighty shield, Hero Quicksilver!" Carl called for Quinn.
--- [Hero Quicksilver] ---
[Name: Quinn Wallen]
[Age: 20]
[Program: Blade Mastery Program]
[Weapon type: One-handed longsword, Shield]
[Weapon name: Moon's Fall(sword), Night Aegis(shield)]
[Number of Spell: 5]
----------------------------
"WE LOVE YOU QUICKSILVER!! KYA!" a bigger group of girls cheered for Quinn while putting up a banner with Quinn's face on it.
"Look at that!! What a crowd of fans for Quicksilver alone?! How popular a good-looking guy can be?!" Carl commentated.
His stance and expression are much better now. The way I look at it, I think Quinn has overcome his anxiety. Looks like he is ready. This match, I am looking forward to it!