Minerva leaned by the wall, arms crossed as she eyed every single student passing by the entrance.
In the other entrances, the same could be said for Ms. Ardell, Noelle, Meredith, Damon and the other teachers and Undefeated Octet.. There was a whole river of students and they didn't stop flowing inside.
Inside were organized lines of students, descending down groups of stairs.
Sévir tapped Percival's shoulder. "Remind me why it's you leading the pack and not Minerva?"
Percival rolled his eyes. "You should really join in our discussions next time. Minerva is with the Octet and the teachers. They're guarding the entrances of this stadium."
"Makes sense."
Behind them were chatters of other students—Sanguinex included, and it didn't seem like it's ending anytime soon.
Dammit Sanguine, can you and your friends just shut up for a minute? Sévir gripped his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. "Girls.. They never know how to shut up."
Percival glanced at him and smiled. "Hm? Zephyr looks like the silent type though."
Sévir shook his head. "No. Get her hooked to whatever the conversation is, she won't shut up about it."
"Must be hard living with two girls, eh?" Percival playfully nudged his shoulder. "Any guy would kill to be in your position though! It's literally a dream!"
"Nothing is a dream about taking care of a little sister and an obsessive assistant who doesn't want to leave you alone 24/7.. What do the Janians call them? Yande.. Yandere?" He shrugged. "I don't know."
"I guess you have a point. Haven't you and Sanguinex been talking less lately though?" Percival's tone had a hint of curiosity. He was right though, Sévir and Sanguinex have been talking less as of late compared to before.
"I guess so. At least the gods have finally granted my wish for a damn breather." Another sigh of frustration escaped Sévir's frowning mouth. "She says she loves me all the time.. In a romantic sense, but I don't think that's the case."
Percival raised an eyebrow as he inched closer to Sévir. "Why?"
"What if she's just confused-"
Percival suddenly cut him off and cleared his throat. "I'll stop you right there, Mr. Smartass.
What is there to be confused with when you want to be so affectionate towards the one you love? Doesn't she love to try kissing you all the time? Only for you to dodge all of them?" He stuck a finger up.
"Doesn't she try to do other things with you all the time other than trying to kiss you?" He stuck another finger up.
"Doesn't she tell you to marry her?" He stuck yet another finger up, forming a 3.
Sévir shrugged as he looked away. "Whatever." He had a slight noticeable edge on his tone.
"Lucky you Sévir, at least you get to pull up a girl like her!" Kalvin appeared from behind.
"Haven't you ever?" Sévir turned to Kalvin who was still behind him and Percival.
Kalvin had a soft smile on his face. "I have. But I'm more interested in my studies.. And money!" He had a zealous tone when he mentioned money.
Percival threw his head back and a loud laugh erupted from deep within his chest. "I like that!! When was the last time I've seen someone say something like that so straightforwardly!?" He playfully nudged Kalvin's stomach.
"Hey man, in the end, money is extremely important. Even more important than girls!"
Sévir gazed at the wall as they continued walking. Kalvin's absolutely right though.. In the end, money is even more important than girls. He resonated a lot with Kalvin's perspective.
...
Deleena and Adina eyed Zephyr and another girl very closely.
Deleena had her eyes squinted as she rubbed her chin, eyeing Zephyr and the other girl beside her from head to toe. "You know, I never noticed it because I was never close to Agnes, but the more I look at it.. You guys share some similarities."
Zephyr and Agnes looked at each other. They weren't wrong though. They both had silver hair, Zephyr's hair was long, but Agnes' hair wasn't, Zephyr's spanned to her waist.
Agnes' hair on the other hand, only spanned to her shoulders.
Adina nodded. "Especially your hair.. You, Agnes and Sévir van Doren have exactly the same hair color." Her eyes suddenly widened as she realized. "Are you guys siblings!?"
When Deleena heard this, her blood ran cold and hugged herself. "Oh no.. I don't wanna be chastised for having connections with a Doren!" She had a slightly disgusted tone in her voice.
Adina nudged her shoulder with a slight frown on her face. "Oi, I didn't mean that.. And don't say that! What're friends for?"
As Zephyr heard all these, she couldn't help but gulp, her eyes turned towards Agnes to say something. Calm down.. Calm down..! It's just.. Speculation!
Agnes shook her head. "Of course, that's not the case."
Deleena raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, gesturing she was skeptical. "How so? How can you guys say one of you.. Or both of you aren't Dorens?"
"Ever heard of Doreville? In Doreville, everyone there has the same silver hair as ours." She stood in front of Zephyr, crossing her own arms as she stared down Deleena's eyes with hostility.
"Is that actually the case? Or are you just making up some bull?" Her eyes then turned towards Zephyr. "Oh yeah, Zephyr. You've never told us your surname.. What is it?"
Her question caught Zephyr off-guard, who could only stay silent as her heart raced in fear.. Crud.. At this point, they'll find out I'm a Doren!
Zephyr's mouth opened, wanting to speak.. But she just couldn't. What can I say..? What can I say!?
The tension in the air was very much palpable, but Adina took the initiative and stepped in between the two girls who seemed to have been able to explode at each other anytime now.
"I think this is where we should calm down now.." She looked at Deleena. "Mind if you quit prying into their private lives?" She spoke with a commanding tone, making it all too clear any refusal is not an option.
Deleena sighed and nodded. As much as I want to know.. Adina is a big pain. I won't be able to escape her scolding. "Fine.. Sorry." Her voice no longer held any skepticism or hostility, but rather a soft, apologetic one.
Zephyr cleared her throat as she calmed down, slowly but surely. "A-Anyways.. Let's just explore around, shall we?" She tried her best to keep a positive tone in her voice.
"Yeah. Let me continue touring you guys around." Said Agnes, who gestured to them to follow her as she began to walk away.
"Remind me why Agnes is our line leader again?" Deleena asked.
"She's the one who knows the most about this stadium in our class." Adina replied. "Anyway, we should follow her already."
They three agreed and caught up to Agnes.. Though, there was more silence than there was talking between any of them.
...
Damon leaned against the wall, wiping off a sweat as a sigh escaped his mouth. "Thank God all the students are inside now.." He crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. "I just want to fight in the tournament already!"
As he continued to impatiently tap his foot, a man in black appeared in his sights, walking towards him.
Hm? Who's that? He stood straight and squinted his eyes. Black.. White and red.. Is that a Praefator student?
The man in black's face and attire could be seen properly now.. Long black hair tied in a ponytail, red eyes gleaming. He had a smug grin worn in his face, a hand dug deep casually in his pocket.
Damon frowned as he got closer and stopped in front of him. "Long time, Damon." He had a nonchalant tone, as if he knew Damon personally.
"What are you doing here?" Damon's reply had a hint of hostility, he furrowed his eyebrows even more.
"Just coming to say hi. Is that a problem?"
"Praefator students—any students outside of Stepan aren't allowed in our stadium." He stood firm with his arms crossed. "Have you aged that much to the point you forget such simple things, Acheron?"
Acheron shook his head. "Of course not. I just like ignoring rules, you know?" He chuckled.
"So, what brings you here, really?" I oughta get straight to the point with this fool.. Talking to him makes my blood boil.
Acheron shrugged. "Nothing really. Just wanted to say Praefator is winning this year.. You and your puny 'Undefeated Octet' aren't going to have an easy fight this time." His voice was mischievous and shredded mockery in every word he said.
For a moment, Damon clenched his fists. He dares to insult the Undefeated Octet..!?
I won't let that pass! He extended his arm behind him to reach for his staff.. But as he tried to grab it, he only grabbed air. Dammit! I forgot I surrendered my staff to Noelle.. Stupid oversight!
Acheron raised an eyebrow. "Ohh? You were going to use violence on me right away?" He shook his head, his smug smile was still etched on his face. "That's no good.. Aren't the Undefeated Octet members mature and nonviolent?"
A resigned sigh escaped Damon's mouth. Mm.. I have no words to use against him..
"What? Cat got your tong-"
"What's happening here?" Meredith suddenly appeared from the side, the two turned their eyes to her.
Silence filled the three for a brief moment, it was uncomfortable, it too, was palpable.
"Nothing." Damon replied, his voice trying to suppress his annoyance.
She turned to Acheron. "You're a Praefator student.. Are you lost?"
Acheron was taken aback, whereas Damon looked at him with a wry smile.
She pointed at the stadium where he came from. "Praefator Academy's stadium is just right there. Please go back."
He clicked his tongue and hurriedly walked away, his footsteps heavy.
Serves 'em right. Damon turned to Meredith. "Hey, when am I getting my staff back?"
"In an hour. Please wait until then."
He looked around and saw nobody nearby, not even Acheron, who seemed to be surprisingly quick with his feet.
"Y'know, we may be siblings and all, but just know I won't go easy on you in the arena." His voice had a strong tone of competitiveness. I won't accept defeat this time..
She flashed a soft smile. "Can you? I mean.. Even if you do, you still have to pass me in the win-loss ratio.. As of now, I have 4 more wins."
"Then I'll just make sure I'll catch up."
"Okay." She shrugged and walked to the entrance.
But before she could get away from his sight, she turned her head towards him. "Lazarus is just 1 win away from you." And so she disappeared after.
'Lazarus is just 1 win away from you..' ..Eh..? Her heed echoed in his head for a brief moment.
He slowly sat down on the floor and let out a long, deep sigh. She's right.. I'm just 1 win above Lazarus.. He even has fewer defeats than me.. One more win to tie up with me then he'll replace me as the Fourth Undefeated!
He couldn't bear the thought of losing the rank of Fourth Undefeated to Lazarus just like that. He clenched his teeth and his fists in exasperation.