Like many of Ashiya's days, the sun beat down on the residents as they walked through the streets. But even though the yellow sphere in the sky continued to scorch everyone who walked underneath it, people still trekked forward and into the stadium of Suzaku's school. Pristine white walls welcomed everyone as ice gems worked overtime in order to cool the populous down.
"I'm so excited!"
"To think the day would come where I can see this for myself."
"Who do you think was chosen this time?"
Excited murmurs from adults to students from other schools continued on throughout the hallway as they walked forward. The reason for everyone entering these halls was simple. Today was the day of the tournament in order to obtain Suzaku's flames. Everyone was excited after seeing their deity fly down and grace them with his presence. And that same excitement carried over after seeing the remaining signs of his presence.
"Look! Over there! It's one of the candidates!"
A flame resided atop a student's head as she walked through the crowded hallways. Her bright orange hair, akin to a flame, flowed behind her. Her confident smile along with perfect posture let her exude an aura of confidence.
"Wait, isn't that Lady Vira?"
"From house Vermilion?! If she was selected, then the outcome is already clear!"
"Best of luck to you My Lady!"
Cheer's and encouragement rained down upon her as she smiled and waved to those supporting her. With just her presence alone she was already the fan favorite among the candidates. Vira continued her walk towards the gymnasium and entered the changing rooms. She changed into her gym uniform and walked towards the waiting room. The loud cheering from before was drowned out from the thick walls, and the happy and vibrant atmosphere from earlier was nowhere to be seen in the slightly dark room. The rest of the students sat in silence, some were thinking up strategies, while others prayed in the corner.
'I can't blame them. This is probably one of the most important moments of their life. Getting the chance to become Suzaku's vessel isn't something that happens every day." VIra thought and observed as she walked towards an empty bench, and sat down herself. Even so, her eyes continued to scan the faces of the numerous students in search of someone in particular. She checked, and doubled checked the faces of everyone, making sure not to miss out on a single one.
"...Is he really not here..?" Disappointment was evident in her voice as she closed her eyes to focus herself.
Back outside the stadium continued to crowd up as seats were stolen in seconds.
"Well, this is quite the turn out." Chron chuckled as he looked down at the stadium from above the crowd. As he watched the sea of people squirm and move he took notice of the center of the ring. Where white tile and fortified earth would normally be, a mass of green trees and other objects of nature was present.
"Hmm. So instead of being smart and having flameproof items in place for this tournament…they went with the most burnable objects possible." Chron let out a heavy sigh after imagining what would happen next.
"Well, I just hope they have water mages on hand."
"Well, if it isn't Lord Chron." A feminine voice grabbed the prince's attention.
"Well I'll be. If it isn't Lady Elise. I didn't think you would show up for something like this."
Elise strutted from the hallway before taking her place next to Chron.
"I could say the same to you. I thought you found such events as this boring."
Chron gave a wide smile as he leaned onto the railing and looked down at the center of the arena.
"Usually yes…but I decided to catch this one for a good reason. Someone I've taken an interest in was apparently chosen as a candidate."
Elise looked in his direction, confused on who could grab the attention of the prince of their Nation.
"Really now? Is this an acquaintance of yours? Which house do they come from?"
Chron simply shook his head before standing up himself.
"He's not from any house that I know of, and I only met him recently actually."
The surprise continued for Elise as she wracked her brain, trying to imagine this mystery person. But with so little information she couldn't form anyone in her mind. With a heavy sigh, she admitted defeat in her mind.
"Well? Don't keep a lady waiting. Tell me who this person is. If they've managed to capture your interest, they must be a mage of exceptional talent and ability. I also would like to meet them."
"I'm not sure you'd like him very much, but who knows. Maybe the two of you will get along well. His name is Zain."
Elise stopped in her tracks as her hands gripped the railing.
"He's pretty rough and doesn't seem friendly, but-"
"This conversation is over."
"Huh?" Chron was confused by the sudden disinterest in Zain that Elise showed. "But, I haven't said-"
"I said this conversation is over!" Elise snapped, before storming off in a different direction from Chron. Said male could only watch on in confusion as she moved as far away from him as possible.
"What's got her so angry…?"
'Impossible…!' Elise shouted in her mind as she continued getting as far away as possible from Chron.
'That backwater filth was chosen by Suzaku?! Doesn't that fool wield lightning magic? Why, out of every mage in this school, did he choose someone with lightning magic?!' No matter how many times she repeated it in her mind, it still didn't feel real to her. Whenever a Divine Beast chooses someone to be their vessel, for compatibility reasons they usually go with someone of a similar element.
Suddenly, a roar of cheers pierced her ears, and halted her to a stop. The crowd suddenly got more lively as floating gems were released into the air, and the candidates started to walk out into the arena. Elise finally found a secluded area and watched on from above as the candidates all walked out. Multiple different people presented themselves, and as she scanned each one of them, the face of the man who beat her was nowhere to be found.
"Is he not here…?" Some sense of relief washed over her as she smirked.
"Guess he ran away."
The onlookers from the stands boiled over with excitement as the time for action had almost dawned. The mages all went to a different section of the stadium before a large shadow was cast over everyone yet again. Intense heat flew down from above as the heavy beating of wings moved the air. Suzaku himself had flown over everyone and drew an even greater reaction from the crowd. All at once everyone stood to their feet and showered praises and thanks to Suzaku. The flaming deity looked over the arena before opening his mouth.
"People of humanity, I have come before you yet again. On this auspicious day I shall grant one of these young mages the honor of becoming my vessel, and to act as the guardian of Ashiya."
The crowd went silent as Suzaku continued his message.
"To those of you who bear my feathers atop your heads, heed my message. In order for you to obtain my flames, you must show me the burning desire deep within your heart. Fight. Survive. Set the land ablaze with your desire, and claim victory before me!"
The tournament to decide Suzaku's chosen vessel was revealed to be a battle royal.
"I wish you all the best of luck." With his explanation over, Suzaku changed back into his flames and vanished from the crowd. The mages down below stood in confusion at such a short explanation, but the message delivered was understood nonetheless. Prove your worthiness by defeating all your enemies. Leave no one standing. As everyone leapt into battle, a shadow of a figure started walking out from the preparation room. His black hair was illuminated from the flame hovering just above his head.