At noon, the Auralia coach reached the Stellar Sky arena, which covered a large area. It was named that because it had an open top view, where the starry sky could be seen at night.
The arena was surrounded by multiple buildings filled with suites. They were for the guests and students participating.
The Auralia team exited the bus and walked toward the entrance of the building.
The place was a private hotel for those who would use the Stellar Sky arena. They entered the building and sauntered to the reception.
Kiara showed a ticket.
"We're here for the Seven Star Tournament. We're from Auralia Magic High School."
"Ah, you're the third ones to get here. Your rooms will be on the third floor. Ah, someone will have to sleep on the second floor since there's an empty room."
"I'll sleep there."
Ayato raised his hand amidst the crowd. He thought that sleeping on the same floor as the rest of them would cause problems. He didn't want to damage their morale since he still wanted his school to win.
"If you want to... Let's go put our stuff in our rooms."
Everyone went upstairs. Only 8 people could get on the elevator at a time, so they would have to wait five times in total.
"I'll get on the last one."
He announced.
Ayato purposely said that. He wanted to distance himself from the team. He believed it was for the better.
"No, you should get in with us."
Yukina said.
"It's boring by yourself. We can ignore the 8-person limit. Just go in with us. It's fine."
Rika told him.
The others winced at him, clearly uncomfortable. He sighed and shook his head.
"I'll be fine. I'll see you guys at the introduction ceremony later."
They entered the elevator and waved at Ayato before the doors closed. He came to watch, so he believed that it wasn't necessary to be close to them.
It was a sort of self-sacrifice. Ayato had no idea how to fit in. He played this character to satisfy those around him at the expense of himself.
It was something that he had been doing for his entire life. The others who cared for him noticed and didn't like it.
"What's this? A Bud is by himself?"
Ayato ignored the voice that he heard behind him. He wasn't particularly in the mood for any chatting. He waited for the elevator.
"Tch! Hey, I'm talking to you—"
"Takumi!"
A person shouted at the boy. It seemed to be a student out of line. There is always one.
"I'm sorry for his misconduct. It's rude calling another school that, Takumi."
"But they're trash compared to us."
"I don't think that's true."
Ayato said, turning around.
"...!"
The entire school team was shocked when they saw Ayato's face. With his information, excluding his Magic Seal, on the Association's official website, of course, people would know about him.
"Ayato Kyouya..."
He blinked multiple times in confusion.
"How do you...?"
Then he remembered.
"Ah, the Association website has my information, doesn't it?"
The people from the school had either a hostile or nervous look on their faces. Ayato sighed and waved his hand, dismissively.
"I'm not participating, don't worry."
He told them.
There was no point in hiding it. Participants would eventually be able to check who is participating in which event from each school. They would sooner or later realise.
The grey-haired girl, who stopped the boy earlier, gave Ayato a skeptical look.
Something like that wouldn't be believed. Seriously? Who would be so dumb as to not utilise a World Magician in their school team? The seniors and juniors at Auralia were.
The elevator rang.
"What's the point in me lying to you? I mean, you'll be able to check the event charts anyway."
"Good point."
She said.
Ayato entered the elevator and others from the school entered too. He pressed the second button while the girl pressed the fourth button.
"What school are you from?"
He asked.
"We're from Orchid Magic High School."
'Ah,'
Ayato thought.
'I should've guessed from their pure white uniform.'
Orchid High School were the natural enemy of Auralia. They would always place higher than them in competitions. This one was no exception.
"So, you're not participating, Kyouya?"
The doors to the elevator closed. The grey-haired girl asked.
"As long as nothing unexpected happens, I won't be on the team. My seniors don't like me very much because of how arrogant I am. I think they're jealous."
He explained.
The boy named Takumi laughed at Ayato.
"Or, you're not what they say you are."
He said as a joke.
"Think what you want. I don't care. It doesn't change the fact that I'm stronger than everyone in this elevator."
The elevator stopped on the second floor. Ayato left and looked back at the Orchid students. They glared at him. Ayato returned their looks with a smile.
"I can kind of see why your seniors don't like your attitude."
The girl said.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was raised like this, nothing I can do about it."
"Are you sure we won't be seeing you in any events?"
She asked.
"Who knows? Watch out."
Ayato said as the doors closed. It was a declaration of war. Almost, at least. He was sure that they didn't take it that way. It was like a harmless joke.
"Ah, but that Takumi guy would probably take it seriously."
He muttered to himself, going to the room at the end of the corridor. It was the only empty one.
Ayato went into the room and placed his stuff down. He leapt onto his bed and took out his phone.
"Ah, I should probably get a Seeker sooner or later."
He blurted.
A Seeker is an earpiece that could act as a phone and an earpiece. Even as an earpiece, it uses augmented reality so that the user can use their phone with their voice. It was a handy late 21st-century made item.
"There are three hours until the introduction ceremony banquet. I guess I'll kill time with some games."
Ayato began playing games on his phone in a moment of boredom.