Ahead were two more days to prepare for the next battle, and I needed to figure out how to defeat Hilda. Perhaps I could manage to defeat her in a sword fight, but if she were to use magic, I would hardly last long. All I had to do was overcome my "peculiarity" and use magic to its fullest potential in battle. So far, only one idea came to mind. As I exited the Colosseum, I called Rumy and Asura aside.
"Asi, I'll need your help for the next battle."
"Hmm? Do you want me to tell you about her strengths? You saw everything yourself. Well, except that it seemed a little difficult for her to put her hands behind her back. But her strength and skills surpass most warriors in the course."
"That's not so important to me. Actually, I wanted to take a couple of lessons from you in handling a katana, and from her too."
"What?!," Asura turned, hiding her katana behind her back. "A sword is a warrior's soul, why do you need it?"
Asura blushed intensely at my proposal, and Rumy just smirked and whispered in my ear, "You're bold, Krito. In the Yukitori clan, you can only exchange weapons with close family members, like a husband and wife. Hehe."
"Eh? Asura, that's not at all what I meant!" I realized the mistake of my suggestion.
"No, well, if you want to," Asura shyly handed me the katana and blushed, looking away.
"No-no, don't misunderstand me. I need it to win the next battle, and I'll definitely return it."
"Oh? Yeah, sure, of course, I understood," Asura forced a silly smile and hurriedly turned away, though her ears were noticeably turning red.
"There's something else I wanted to ask you. We don't have much time, but I would like to learn how to handle a katana before the next battle."
"Heh, isn't that a bit too much?" Rumy raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Asura has been learning how to handle a sword her whole life, and you think you can catch up with her in skill in just two days?"
"Krito, I think Rumy's right. You won't defeat Hilda that way. It's better to fight the way you're used to."
"No, my blades are not suitable for that, and I don't necessarily need to reach your level of mastery. I'll try to compensate for the lack of skill with magic, and I learn quickly. Besides, I've observed your battles many times."
"Heh, I don't know what you're planning, but I can teach you, though I wouldn't mind having a katana myself."
"That's not a problem. If it's for training, I think our familiar blacksmith can make a couple of simple swords."
Ahead were challenging training sessions, but tonight was for rest.
"Hmm, it's been a long time since I woke up. So many centuries have passed, and people now worship him as a god, while they only remember me kindly through my descendants... And what happened this time..." The night hung over the academy; most of the guests and students were already asleep, while some nobles continued with their schemes. And the dark consciousness of the ancient being lingered in the air. "My body died, but my soul still remains here. Not the most pleasant feeling. I'd rather continue sleeping in the depths of oblivion."
After long celebrations and meetings with fans, the group of young people returned to a cottage situated at a distance from the Academy buildings.
"So that's the case – one of my heirs managed to harness my power, and it took so many years. Although I can't complain, I made sure that wouldn't happen," said the figure, as it hovered briefly over the departing group before returning to the main participants. "Such a familiar scent, I didn't expect to encounter it among humans. So many years have passed, and everything has changed here. Could this place have once been an open field, and now it's filled with countless people? Only this place has remained unchanged."
The figure loomed over a three-story white-stone building. "The form has changed, but it's still the same place. We had so many joyful days here together. It's a pity I never had a chance to tell him everything," the figure observed a pair of girls entering the gate. "It must be them – how fate unfolds. Are they all destined to visit this place? But why do I feel so drawn to this spot?"
The figure glided into the house, into one of the rooms, where under the bed lay a black crystal wrapped in thick fabric. "So now this is my prison, but at least it's not the worst place I've been."
During the night, I had nightmares again, but there was no time to relax. Ahead was probably the most challenging battle I would face, but first, I needed to replenish my strength.
As it turned out, my good comrades had already awakened and gone to the city, forgetting to wake me up, and I was left alone in the house. "Well, I wouldn't wake them up either if I ever woke up before them."
"Solitude accompanies great individuals," a shiver ran down my spine, and I no longer wanted to stay in the guild house. I assumed the only place they could have gone was Asura's café, and most likely, to its small branch in the Colosseum.
On the way, I encountered a familiar group of people with questionable appearances, dressed in outfits adorned with golden crosses. Alfred shot me a displeased look, and I hurried to pass them by. Judging by their faces and the state of his entourage, especially Milena and Miguel, he had trained all night, taking out his anger on them due to defeats. I never understood why they still followed him.
The square was bustling with people from all over the world. Rows of stalls lined the main alley from Rimia to the Colosseum, where merchants sold everything imaginable. Silk and precious gems from Leran, weapons and armor from Nordrune, magical items from Verania's masters, and enchanted weapons from the Clan of the Red Dragons. Around the field, numerous tents housed distinguished spectators who apparently believed that living in the dormitory was beneath them, so they recreated the ambiance of their palaces in spacious tents.
But of course, the most expensive shops were opening right in the Colosseum; I couldn't even imagine how much Vina had to pay to secure two trading spots there. Passing by one of the entrances to the stands, I noticed a familiar group of children accompanied by a girl with thick chestnut hair and thick glasses. Rizel still felt uncomfortable appearing before these kids in her usual clothes, but what caught my interest was what they were observing.
"Dear spectators and potential buyers, you will now witness how my friends create a work of art right before your eyes," the overly familiar, piercing voice of the greedy merchant informed me of the reason for the crowd gathering in this place.
This was the same shop where Vina sold various souvenirs with the tournament participants. Yesterday, she made us sign a few souvenirs, promising to share the profits. It seemed that among the buyers were not only common folk from different countries but also young nobles who were interested in portraits of our girls. I even caught a glimpse of a figure in a black-violet cloak, foolishly grinning while eyeing a figurine of Seleria. But the attention of the audience was focused on the miniature scene featuring an impressive marble slab of human size. If I recalled correctly, yesterday Queen Sheraza mentioned something about a statue of Seleria.
"Now, my assistants," Vina gestured, and on stage, somewhat bashfully, appeared Levris and Grain, "will create a beautiful statue of Princess Seleria right before your eyes in just a couple of minutes."
I shuddered at the thought of how much she must have paid them for this.
First, in front of the stone, stood Grain, making a couple of sharp hand movements, which caused thin cracks to appear all over the solid rock. Grain clenched his fists and then swiftly spread his arms apart, causing the stone to split along the cracks and shatter in all directions. When the dust settled, the marble block had significantly decreased in size, now resembling the outline of a person with an expanded lower part.
Levris took over next; she lightly crushed several chipped pieces of marble and then began to delicately manipulate the cloud of dust that resulted. Using the dust as a chisel, she meticulously sculpted the block, giving it the right shape. Grain, who struggled with such delicate work, began to work his magic on the lower part. Now I understood that the expanded lower part was meant for the skirt. The particles of dust controlled by the mages were so tiny that they allowed the figure to be carved down to the finest details.
After just five minutes, a beautiful statue of Seleria stood before the audience, coquettishly smiling with an index finger pressed to her chin. Every fold of her skirt and even individual locks of hair on the princess's head could be discerned on the statue. However, once the mages finished, they slumped to the ground, drained of energy; focusing for such a long time was challenging for them. Though Grain, who did the rough work, appeared to be much more exhausted than Levris.
Applauding demonstratively, I made my way onto the stage.
"It was beautiful and grandiose, but judging by Grain's condition, it will be challenging to apply this trick in mass production," I looked at Vina with doubt, but she just smiled.
"Such big orders are rare; they do cost quite a bit. And for making small figurines, I have a whole team of employees," Vina nodded towards the room behind the stage, and I saw familiar faces of earth mages from Levris's group.
"Teacher, don't you mind that they're exploiting your students this way?" I addressed Levris, but she only smiled.
"Oh, don't worry. I've long thought about how to train my students in the ways of using earth magic that I recently learned, and this opportunity came in handy. Extra practice won't hurt them, especially since there's no time for regular training during the tournament. And, of course, Vina pays them for each successful statuette."
Once again, I glanced over to the corner with the masters. They took turns crafting statuettes, giving each other advice, and resting to regain their strength. It truly resembled a peculiar form of training.
"What nonsense, teaching these childish skills to students! I can carve a figurine with a knife much better than this. Besides, these skills are useless in battle," a low voice sounded familiar to me, although I hadn't heard it personally in a long time. It was Professor Kiram, an arrogant and cruel fire mage, fitting the personal mentor of Alfred.
"You're wrong to say that. Controlling fine particles of earth is very complex magic, and it can have practical applications," Levris replied.
"Sure, become a carpenter for some rich master. But what can I say? You never prepared your students for a decent life," the fire mage couldn't restrain his profanity as usual.
"Don't worry, my students are just as skilled in combat as anyone else. And these training sessions are much better than beating up your own students," Levris glanced briefly at the group of mages from Alfred's guild, their faces still showing fresh bruises.
"Hah, I might not like it if you throw sand in my eyes, but it won't stop me from sending you to the afterlife," Kiram sneered, but Levris seemed bolder after their previous clash with this arrogant professor.
"Oh, I'd be more than willing to teach you a lesson at any time."
"Then why hesitate? I challenge you to a duel!" The crowd of onlookers gasped in excitement, anticipating the imminent battle.