"So, you all are already aware that the other first-year classes are your competitions right? But the Velos event didn't pit any class against each other, it was a simple three-person survival. The upcoming tournament will reflect that. It's called Frostfire. It's held every year at the end of the first month and lasts for a week. One class will go against another in a capture-the-flag style tournament. Of course, as with any event held in Nexus, killing is allowed.
Here is how we split up the classes for the first round: Alpha versus Beta, Zeta versus Delta. After that, there will be two eliminations where Alpha defeats Beta and Zeta defeats Delta. Then the winning team of the elimination will go against the other one and determine who the strongest class is. Each student who participates can get a total of 20 points. One day before Frostfire begins, we will announce how many students are in one team. It could be entire classes versus each other or simply 5 versus 5. Fire and Water mana will be amplified in the arena. This may favor certain attributes but in the end, skill will determine the outcome."
Zenyph listened intently to the explanation, he was getting excited to participate in his first tournament using magic. It was also a chance to show the world just how powerful he had become. He didn't need to care about politics yet, he only needed to focus on getting stronger. There was, however, something that bothered him slightly. Why weren't they told about this before the Velos event? Did they just forget to inform the class or was there another reason?
"The winning class gets a bonus of 100 points and will be personally mentored by a Cynosure for an entire month. Also, you can bring weapons or anything else you feel necessary. As long as it's either made by a student or enchanted by a student. So I hope you guys come up with good strategies and I advise you to start training immediately, especially if you have weak magical abilities." Said Gareth.
'100 points and one month under a Cynosure. Interesting. ' Thought Zenyph as he eyed Katyana who was fuming at her lack of control of her anger earlier. Her face still red from embarrassment. Zenyph just grinned and then started to plan on what to do about his newly acquired enemies. He was in need of more loyal friends, maybe he could manipulate Alaric.
"Any questions?" Asked Gareth as he prepared himself for the inevitable onslaught of questions.
"Professor, is there a penalty for not participating in Frostfire?" Questioned a blue-haired girl with cat ears.
"Good question. Anyone who doesn't participate in this tournament, forfeits 100 of their class points for that month and cannot get a single point for the rest of the year." Explained Gareth.
All of the students gulped in trepidation at that revelation. Most of the weaker mages wanted to skip this competition because they felt outmatched by the stronger members of their respective classes.
"Since no one else has any more questions, I will be going to the teacher' lounge to enjoy my tea now, we will resume tomorrow at nine-thirty sharp. Any late students will receive detention. Dismissed!"
The bell rang signaling the end of class. Everyone got out of their seats and rushed to exit the classroom. They wanted to go to the library to learn about spells and magic. Even though they could learn how to cast magic without studying, they wanted to learn different magic types and techniques. So the fastest way to gain knowledge about new spells was through books.
"Lynette, Asura, we need to talk," said Zenyph as they left the classroom.
Asura glared at him, "Go on, I'm listening,"
Lynette on the other hand was in her own little world, worried about her lack of offensive and defensive magic. She needs to learn body strengthening so she can better protect her prince. Maybe she could also learn space magic too, so she can escape with him.
"Umm Zenyph I'm going to find Luciana." said Lynette in a hurried voice as she practically ran away.
Asura frowned slightly, annoyed by the fact that Lynette casually mentioned one of the strongest beings alive. She wondered why she left, but she figured Zenyph would explain eventually.
"Alright, fine. So what did you want to say?" Asura demanded impatiently, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
Zenyph opened his mouth to speak only to be silenced by some sort of blood magic. The magic was leagues above what Asura used to fight the Wyrm Abyssal back in Velos. Zenyph tried to observe the mana flow but even that was unreadable. It's as if the person creating the magic was altering space itself around his voice box, rendering it useless.
Zenyph began to worry, there's someone spying on them and he couldn't even pinpoint its location. That scared him a bit but he kept his composure. He turned to look at Asura who was simply wearing an annoyed expression.
"Asura?'' Just as the words left his mouth, he found himself sitting in a black and gold chair in what appeared to be an office. The room smelled faintly of cinnamon and sandalwood. He glanced around, taking note of everything present within the room. He spotted an ornate fireplace off to one side, filled with burning logs, giving off heat. It provided adequate lighting, thanks to its presence. Against a wall adjacent to him was a large oak desk with stacks upon stacks of documents piled atop it. There was no visible door, meaning Zenyph would have to resort to teleportation to get out of here.
His attention soon turned toward a woman dressed in a navy suit and tie. She wore white high heels and had purple hair tied back into a ponytail.
"Zenyph, how wonderful to meet you finally," said the woman warmly. She sat down at a leather chair across from him. Her crimson eyes never leaving his, despite the distance between them.
Zenyph didn't reply, he was busy analyzing every minute detail about this woman. He couldn't let her distract him with pretty words. His mind worked overtime trying to decipher the identity of his mysterious opponent.
"What a pleasant surprise. To meet the person my granddaughter, what's the correct word, well chose?" Continued the lady, completely ignoring Zenyph's lack of response.
Her words caught his interest, as a light bulb went off in his head, but he didn't show it.
"It's a pleasure to meet the Cynosure of Vampire."