The morning period for the Aristocracy class was suspended during the day of the game, as per Professor Nefalios' decision. He suggested that this would be a great practice for the students to practice their knowledge in gentlemanly interactions with people from other Schoolas....
But it was obvious that he was just making an excuse to watch the game like everyone else.
No one could blame him, though, as all the teachers in this period also did the same.
They told their students to fall in line upon arriving tot he Quadrangle, which was big enough to host not just the entire Academy, but 4 whole schools as well.
But there were only two schools spectating for now.
Ursa East students were cheering for their Ursa Major Gridiron team, while the Academy supported its illustrious Capere Astra.
Ronin narrowed his eyes to spot Zeuxis from the opposite side of the Quadrangle. He must be in his 6th year now, and graduating soon.
There. He spotted him, sitting on the bleachers and laughing with fellow classmates.
He wasn't part of the Gridiron team, probably because his Mage Focus was not strong enough even with the standards of his Schoola. But more than that...
Maellan told Ronin that the injury on his right shoulder had not healed over these years. A bone was broken that could not be fixed, but he still functions well even with it.
However, he would have to put medicine on it every day to stop it from cramping and aching, and it can get worst even with the slightest impact like a strong pat on the shoulder.
He grinned. "You get what you earn, indeed."
Kai appeared beside him out of nowhere, but no one really noticed or was surprised by it. It really does seem like the personified system doesn't exist unless it wants to.
It pointed at the playing field. "Look, here comes Cermin and the others."
They saw the four friends talking and interacting with each other, possibly some nonsense like supporting and cheering for each other. Volken gave Cermin a tackle hug and swung him around, looking very much like bros...
But it felt like he wanted to swing Cermin and throw him all the way to the sky itself.
A group of Artisans would be playing music during the game to hype up both the players and the audience. It's very much like how in the real world, there was a marching band to play for games, except this one was closer to an orchestra.
Rabuka went to the center of the field with Pavone on a wooden platform, and someone used their Clairo magic to raise that platform so they could be seen like a stage.
Their voices also became loud enough to be heard by everyone through magic.
"Welcome one and all to the grand Gridiron games between Ursa East and the Academy!" Pavone greeted them like a host. "As the Head of the Student Council, I would like to give a toast to a spectacular spectacle ahead!"
"Aren't the people finding it strange that he's just a fifth-year student yet he is the Head of the Student Council?" Ronin pointed out. "Shouldn't the Head be from 6th year?"
Kai shrugged. "He is rich, and his campaign had been one of the most extravagant and costly."
"In his first year, he became the Lower Years Representative, then in his second year, the Secretariat, and finally, the Head in his third year. This was already his 3rd time as Head of the Student Council, and next year, he's possibly going for the 4th."
"Ah, nepotism and bribery really go a long way." Ronin said. "He must have learned very well from his father."
They continued watching and saw that both lovers were holding champagne glasses with sparkling blue cider, a drink that looked like it holds many stars and became another symbol of the Academy.
"To the gods above and below!" Rabuka exclaimed, and clinked her glass with her boyfriend's.
Ronin repeated with a frown. "To gods above and below... That's interesting."
They must have meant gods that may be in Celestus as those above and those below as from Elementi and Mecha.
But Ronin was also quite sure that before Diamant's death, that used to mean Celestial gods and Abyssal gods.
They drank it, and soon, the girl with pink skin and a very puffy, frilly dress started to sing.
"The stars had come down, and we captured its light
As long as we hold them, there shan't be a night "
Her voice was really objectively good. She was a mezzo-soprano, and has great control over raising and lowering her pitch, applying various techniques as well for a smooth and melodious performance.
"Ah, she has the voice of a nightingale." One of Ronin's classmates swooned. "If only Pavone didn't gain her attention with that 1000 Jewelled Roses parade, I might have had a chance."
"Hah, keep wishing!" His friend elbowed him. "Rabuka's completely smitten with the Student Council Head and his money, and compared to the Blanc D'Argents, all of us are ants."
"Well, compared to the royal family of Scirocco, even they are ants!" He exclaimed. "I bet if a Sciroccan with more gold comes by, Rabuka would leave Pavone in a heartbeat!"
Ronin narrowed his eyes at this. He looked at Cermin from below watching the girl sing, and it seemed more like he was amazed by her singing skills....
But someone may interpret it differently if they so want to.
"Rabuka's not a part of Cermin's harem, right?" Ronin asked Kai.
"No. Cermin is yet to meet other harem members after Belladonna." Kai said. "Why do you ask?"
"That doesn't mean that other girls don't swoon for him a little and cause the jealousy of others, right?" Ronin grinned.
As Rabuka finished singing, the wooden platform slowly descended, and she and Pavone walked down. Volken and Cermin congratulated them for a great speech and song, and they all gave each other a friendly hug-----
But when it was Cermin and Rabuka's turn, Ronin noticed Pavone staring at the little golden prince with a wary expression.
He grinned with delight at this, feeling like an invisible, unstoppable force watching over these tiny mortals down below. Aware of what was to come, and silently writing their fate without their knowledge.
Time will soon come to end this friendship built from sweet-talking and secret hatred. But he must take one bite at a time, as no one gets fat in just one bite.
The game had started and he eyes his first target. This development between Rabuka, Pavone, and Cermin was interesting.....
But Volken was now the weakest link in the chain. It was time for him to be cut off.
"Kai, what do you say we move to a nearer chair to watch? Barely anyone pays attention to us ghosts anyway."
"Where should we move?"
He pointed to the small room in the Quadrangle called the Breakroom.
This serves as the team's resting and strategizing room for in-between games. This was where they grab drinks, talk game plans, or take a shower to change clothes and heal wounds when things get a bit bloody.
Ronin's finger pointed at that room directly. "That seems like a good spot to watch."
And so, like actual ghosts, they passed through unnoticed and managed to go all the way to the Breakroom without a single person batting an eye at them.