Outside the stadium, people who had come to spectate the festival ran away in chaos.
"Have all the beasts escaped?" Renley asked in hurry as he led the kids away.
"It seems to be the case. The knights are taking care of it so it should be fine" Len answered calmly.
*Roar
The Valt tower began to shake but it didn't crumble as the protective formations engraved on it began to activate.
Nier looked around and saw most people appearing to be panicked. A thought came to him. According to Len, the knights were handling the situation quite nicely so then why was everyone afraid while the paladins weren't? The answer came naturally to him. Because they were weak.
The group ran while avoiding others when Nier saw an old man limping away from the tower in his path. The old man was using a cane but lost his balance when Nier thoughtlessly grabbed his shoulder and pulled the old man, stopping him from the fall.
"Ah..I must thank you...young man..." The words trailed behind Nier as continued to follow the paladins.
________
The news of the beast breakout in Valt city quickly spread amongst the masses through the newspaper the next day.
A few people were injured but no one was severely harmed or killed. Investigation deemed a criminal group to be responsible for the breakout and the knights were praised for being able to protect the civilians.
"Could it be a publicity stunt?" Renley muttered to himself as he read the newspaper. Nier interested peeked at the paper and began to read.
"Prince Magnus shows excellent sorcery potential- says the general...
Ghost attacks in Dainport. Decericorn needs more exorcists...
Fifteen sorcerers found dead...
The Northern Skyhold forests deemed dangerous even for master sorcerers...
Magic beasts attack the Valt Tower...
Demigod sorcerer seen in the capital...
Wild beasts attack remote village... Adventurers unhappy with the nobles...
Large scale sorcery battle occurs in Point Harbor...
Nier read every headline to see what he found interesting but was disappointed. He did not realise that rather than the topics, what disinterested more him was the prospect of having to sit in silence while reading a paper for multiple hours.
Walking away in the corridor, Nier was feeling unwell as he looked at the recently washed garden. This section of the corridor was open on one side containing a small dirty yard. when he suddenly met Llenar.
"Fight me" He said calmly
"No" Nier walked passed him leaving the black haired boy in shambles. That lasted for a moment as Nier turned around and blocked a strike from Llenar.
"Didn't...you...hear me?" Nier asked with a frown.
"No" Llenar grinned and spun 360 with a horizontal kick. Nier calmly slapped it away and used Llenar's momentum to grab his hands, before Llenar could regain his footing, Nier twisted his body, lifting Llenar in an arc and slammed him in the wet mud of the yard.
Clapping away the dust in his hands, Nier asked calmly.
"You...wish to do it...again?"
Llenar answered groaning as tried lifting himself up. Nier held back to avoid too much damage but it still hurt.
"Argh.... anytime. I am always ready"
As soon the answer reached Nier, he moved in front of the fallen Llenar ready to stomp him when the black haired boy rolled to the side barely avoiding the attack as patches of mud splashed on him due to Nier's foot stomp.
At the same time, Llenar swiftly stood while throwing some mud he had grabbed before. Nier having been taking the black haired boy lightly was caught off guard but covered his face with his hands in time.
That however was a mistake as it gave Llenar an opening which the young boy did not miss, immediately punching Nier in his chest.
The impact along with the unsteady and slippery mud ground caused him to fall on his back.
"Argh...my clothes..." Nier was truly irritated now as the clothes he had been given were ruined. It wasn't something children were usually worried about which was shown as Llenar grabbed as much mud as he could and dumped it on Nier.
It was a miscalculation. Llenar seeing that Nier had fallen thought that his punch had caused effective damage. He did not know the power of a body strengthened by 'unworldly's inhumanity.
Which is why it came as a shock when Nier's approaching slap swat away all the mud Llenar threw and connected with his cheeks.
"Aaaargh"
With that, it was over. Or so thought Nier. Llenar in a last ditch attempt pulled out a stick he had hidden in the mud before even challenging Nier. Nier was caught off guard but Llenar didn't have the strength to use the stick effectively. Even if he did, it wouldn't matter so Llenar dropped the stick.
Nier caught it before it fell and looked down at Llenar. Lifting his hand, Nier asked-
"Why...do-you always...fight me. Its annoying"
"..."
Seeing Llenar remain silent. Nier turned around and dropped the stick before leaving.
Llenar looked at his back in silence. All muddy.
...
Almost an year passed away when the children at the orphanage were made to know of Llenar's adoption. Standing outside the orphanage, everyone cried as they saw the black haired boy leave. Children had left before but the impact that Llenar had on everyone couldn't be compared to them.
Nier stood without any expression as he saw someone he could call a friend leave. Llenar's last words before left were.
"I will beat you the next time"
As everyone returned inside. Nier stood silently as reality hit him. This feeling of loss was something he hadn't experienced from that day he woke up. The idea that he might never meet someone he had formed a connection with. He felt a dreadful emptyness that couldn't be quelled.
As tears threatened to spill from his eyes, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Cecilia who stood using a support and Kyber.
Giving a forced cheerful smile, Cecilia said.
"You should be ready big brother! You have to win the next time you fight!"
Nier stood silently for a moment before smiling.
"You are right. He will be stronger and hopefully less annoying the next time, I will need to train harder..." A chuckle left his mouth.
As night fell and time for sleep approached. Nier entered the dormitory next to his where Cecilia slept.
'Asleep?'
As always, she seemed feverish and feeble. Nier sat carefully next to her, not wanting to wake her up.
"B..Brother?" He seemed to have failed as she called out to him. Nier grabbed his ears.
"Sorry! I wanted to see if you were fine..." Nier wasn't lying. Cecilia's condition seemed to be worsening without any sign of improvement. Now she could not even walk for a meter without support. All the adults were searching for ways to cure her but no success was found.
"You don't have to be sorry...I can only be thankful. It's me who needs to apologise. Everyone is working hard because of me...If only I wasn't..." Cecilia's eyes almost got teary.
"It is not your fault. No one is blaming you. Shouldn't you blame the sickness? Besides, Traicion will be sad. Well, me too." Nier said cutting her off. Cecilia stopped and looked at him for some time before staring at the ceiling.
"Thank you...you are always so kind to me. Everyone is...My mother died when I was young so I don't remember too much about her...I know she told brother to take care of me. From as long as I can remember, he took care of me without break. I have always been clumsy, weak and cowardly. I just wanted to be more. I want to return everyone's kindness...*Sob...I-I..."
'She fell asleep...' Nier looked at the blue haired girl sadly as he stood up. She had grown up so much...It was... saddening.
Nier walked towards the exit door.
"Stop...talking to me...leave my head"
Nier stopped and turned around. Cecilia was still asleep. What did she mumble?
Nier gave up and walked out.
The darkness covering the room only seemed to get thicker as he did.
...
The next morning, Nier walked out of the washroom into the corridor with drooping eyes having just woken up as his eyes caught Kyber sitting in one of the rooms.
The sound of the door opening alerted the red-eyed boy to Nier's presence, causing Kyber to smile.
"Good morning."
"Umm.." Nier returned the greeting with a fleeting sound, his mouth refusing to open amidst the drowsiness.
Walking up to him, Nier checked what he was reading.
'Tournament of the Battle God'
"What...is this?" Nier asked curiously.
"It's a tournament held every fifteen years in Leomarch. Sorcerers from all over the world compete to win in a tournament of strength tested by combat. Any sorcerers from ages of ten to thirty can participate in it. Use of artifacts and external enhancements are allowed as well though their might limitations depending on the format which is ever changing but what does one gain from it? Well, the winner is granted a million mana stones and the opportunity to have one single wish be granted by the Leomartian Emperor."
Kyber recited the tournament details word by word as he remembered to which Nier nodded.
"Can the... Leomarchian Emperor...grant anything?"
"The Emperor is apparently extremely strong and influential. Also, very- rich. Any wish for wealth, fame or resources can be fulfilled by that alone. For anything he can't grant directly himself. He uses the many contained artifacts of Leomarch to fulfill them." Kyber explained with passion.
"So much trouble" Nier sighed. "He can refuse, right?"
"It's not so simple" Kyber leaned back and smiled.
"Indeed it isn't" Renley said as he entered the room .
"You were listening?!"
"Yes... anyways, to put it simply, he cannot refuse." Renley said calmly to which Nier tilted his head.
"Well, the emperors have to supposedly form a contract with the Sun sphere, which is...well something you might see in the future. A....Where was I..."
"Contract" Kyber intervened.
"Right, they have to form a contract to start the tournament. The contract states that they must fulfill the wishes of the winner if within the realm of Leomarch's capacity by any means without any other intentions than to just grant the wish. There are limitations such as any wish which puts the Leomartian empire in a threat of annihilation cannot be asked for and wishes which put the imperial and the great tribes into danger of end cannot be acclaimed. Tasks which would risk unwanted war between Leomarch and other nations cannot be asked for...
"Stop...leave it."
"Hehe...Boring?"
"Yes. When is it?"
"In 4-5 years maybe" Kyber answered in lax tone
"I see...are going to.." Nier asked looking down.
"Yes...I will" Kyber answered immediately without hesitation. His crimson eyes burning with ambers.
"What will you wish for?" Nier asked
"To heal Cecilia..." Kyber answered calmly. Unaware of destiny.