Ayato and Isamu went to the pathway on the ground floor that connected the hotel buildings to the other. The hotel buildings surrounded the large building in the middle of an open square. The middle building was a hall—it was where the introduction ceremony would be held.
The pathways led to the courtyard, which connected all the buildings. In the open space after the hall building, there was around a 400-metre walk to the Stellar Sky arena.
That path wouldn't be used today since it was being set up for the events tomorrow.
Ayato and Isamu went into the courtyard. Almost everyone from Auralia was there, excluding Kiara, Riku and Yukina.
"I-I'm here!"
Isamu waved at them. As they turned to him, they grimaced as they caught a glimpse of Ayato.
"What did you bring him here for, Goto?"
One of the juniors asked. Isamu panicked slightly.
"W-well, he's... still a part of the team."
"He isn't even participating."
Takaomi said.
"Senpai, don't forget that you're the ones who didn't want him to."
Rika said with her eyes closed as if what she was saying was natural.
Takaomi clicked his tongue as he looked at the freshmen. He turned and the others followed him.
"Let's go..."
They all followed him. Rika stayed behind and opened her eyes with a cheeky smile.
"You'll thank me, right?"
"I was going to say the same thing."
"T-thank you, Kasai."
"You can call me Rika, Senpai."
She said with a reassuring smile. Isamu timidly nodded. Ayato exhaled with a smile on his lips.
"Isamu-senpai, you're completely different from your name."
"Hm?"
They both turned to Ayato. He drew out the kanji for bravery (bold) with a mana flame. The kanji stayed stuck to the air. He flipped it around for them to see.
"Your name means bold or brave, yet you're more timid and shy. N-not that there's any problem with it."
"Oh, that's because..."
Rika noticed something as Ayato stiffly scratched his head. She was dumbfounded yet also happy.
'Is this him trying to joke around?'
"...my father wanted me to be strong but I guess I don't extrude bravery, do I?"
"When you were talking to me earlier, you talked without reserve. That's when I thought that you truly were an 'Isamu.'"
"That was because..."
He enjoyed talking about games. Isamu smiled and started walking.
"Let's go, Rika, Ayato. We'll be left behind."
"Right,"
·———·
Even 30 minutes to 3 pm, the hall began filling with students. Not only the students who were going to participate came but also some important guests who would spectate the Seven Star Tournament.
"What's going to be first?"
Ayato asked Isamu and Rika while putting a steak on his plate.
"There should be a pledge by both girl and boy representatives. The girl should be from Iris Magic High School. I always forget her name..."
Rika pondered while shoving steak violently in her mouth. Isamu swallowed his food and carried on Rika's talk.
"Her name is Kyoko Kamiya, she's the youngest child of the Kamiya Family and a senior. She's famous for her Magic Seal of Severing."
"Ah, I've heard about her."
Ayato said.
He gets all sorts of information from Shic all the time. Within the two weeks, he searched famous students from each of the seven schools.
"Apparently her Magic Seal can sever things of all sorts. She can also sever non-existent or vague things like friendships. That's what people are saying."
"Eh, I haven't heard about that one."
She commented.
"The male representative is Tatsuya Kirishima, the middle child of the Kirishima Family. He's also a senior."
"Both from the Seven Great Families. That is to be expected."
Rika said after listening to Isamu.
"After that pledge will be a speech from the organiser of this competition."
Ayato perked up.
"Has that ever happened?"
He asked.
He didn't remember seeing anything like it happening when he checked the information with Shic.
Isamu beamed.
"No, this is the first time we get to meet the legendary magician. She was a World Magician in her youth and is the teacher to Akane Chiori, Japan's strongest World Magician!"
He told them.
Hearing that Ayato didn't seem content on seeing whoever the woman was. When he met Akane, he didn't feel comfortable being around her. He felt like there was something mysterious about her. Ayato couldn't quite put his finger on it.
The lights dimmed in the hall.
"Speaking of which, here comes the pledge."
Isamu announced as they looked at the shining stage. Two people stood on stage with a Seeker in their ears.
Seekers could be used as microphones too.
"We vow to enjoy this tournament as much as possible while doing our best to win. There shall be no foul play. With our youth, magic and sportsmanship, we want all of you to give your best in this tournament. We are all representatives of the seven best magic academies."
It was a very short vow, but it worked. It was the same vow each year with just slight changes. The two bowed before walking off stage. As a replacement, a woman walked onto the stage.
She was tall and wore a suit. Her hair was styled into a jet-black ponytail. Her eyes were the same colour as blood—a deep crimson. She wore red-rimmed glasses.
To Ayato, she looked familiar. There was that sarcastic smile that was plastered on her lips. She reminded him of somebody he knew.
"Hello, everyone. I am from the Magic Council. My name is Akari Chiori and I'm the organiser of the Seven Star Tournament and also a former World Magician."
People recognised her on sight. They were all excited yet also anxious to meet her. She was the mother of Akane and an important figure in the world of magic.
Now, they call her the Magician of Red, recognising her status.
Akari turned her head, giving the room a cursory glance. When she saw Ayato, she smiled and carried on scanning.
'I have goosebumps...'
Ayato thought, uncomfortably.
"Only 9 of you in this room, safe for one, have the potential to become World Magicians. I'm not sure how long it will take for you all to reach that level but it isn't easy."
She announced to everyone.
"The purpose of this tournament is to find students who can grow into the very best magicians while also enabling you all to have fun at the same time. Of course, we won't be focusing on the strongest magicians but also those who don't shine in certain places but do in others."
Akari appealed to the entire hall. The students were thrilled to hear that she was paying attention to everyone.
"So, tomorrow, and not only tomorrow but every day, do your best. Put your team and your goal of winning ahead of everything. That's all, thank you, please enjoy the banquet."
Everyone clapped as Akari bowed to the crowd. The lights turned back on and everyone continued with what they were doing.
Akari took the Seeker off of her ear and expanded it into a phone. She looked to be typing something.
Suddenly, Ayato's phone buzzed. He got his phone out and checked the message.
It said for him to meet Akari at the reception in 10 minutes.
The boy gazed at the woman who smiled behind her phone. She walked off stage.
'What could she want?'
Ayato wanted to know the answer, but he would know when they meet.