Conducting the Investigation had not been fruitful for the Plan, but for Veritas.. he gained more knowledge about the students and its society.
As he already predicted, the Academy's students favor the rich more. They give injustice to Knights that are low status and Wielders that belong to Mundane Echelon.
This is also prevalent in upper years, Veritas himself went there and saw disdain in the Sacred Echelon students when met with students under their ranks.
Although there was no physical violence involved, Veritas felt the great pressure brought upon by those in the upper levels.
Everyone was trying to compete with them.
Additionally, Veritas found 3 students that had Paths and Attunements related to strings.
In reading the report, he already knew of their identity.. all that was left is to find them and observe them himself.
The first he saw was a 3rd-year student of the Mundane Echelon. Using his impeccable disguise, Veritas stalked the individual throughout an hour.
The student was studying Data Gathering Class, and it was very boring to see him just write down and listen.
However, Veritas did not find anything suspicious regarding the individual. He was just a normal student that studied for the betterment of his future.
Veritas moved on.
The second student related to strings was located in the dueling area. She was sparring with another female student, using a soggy and slow swordplay to compete with one another.
It seemed that she was very unskilled in her movements, and thus planned to improve. Veritas deemed her unworthy of being the Puppeteer, so he left.
As for the third student, Veritas randomly bumped into him.
The boy looked kind and sheepish, as if very clumsy at every turn.
He noticed the disguised Veritas and stopped for a second, his eyes hollow and empty.
Veritas noticed this and stared deep into the abyss.
In a fraction of a second, the boy's eyes glowed back in radiance. Realizing that there was a person that he bumped into.
"Ah- I'm sorry! Really sorry, I tend to space out when I'm doing trivial things.."
"No.. it's fine."
Veritas shook his head.
"Ah- perhaps.. are you part of the student council?"
Noticing the symbol on his coat, Veritas deduced this fact.
The sheepish boy nodded taciturnly.
"Yes, I am! I'm currently the representative for 1st years. Honestly.. work is so tiring, I could barely get a wink of sleep!"
He scratched his neck.
"But still.. I enjoy what I do, and it is what keeps me from moving forward."
"I see."
Veritas enjoyed the boy's enthusiasm, although he saw the eyebags stemming from the boy's hollow eyes, Veritas appreciated the fact that he worked hard enough and enjoyed what he did.
"What is your name by the way?"
The sheepish boy stumbled in his words and replied:
"Uh... it's Charm.."
Veritas tilted his head.
"Only one name?"
"Y-yes, I am not from Elrod so.."
"I see. Then may I ask where you are from?"
The sheepish boy relaxed his body for a moment. He calmed himself down and answered properly.
"I am from the Underwater City of Roma in the Continent of Thelasso."
Veritas was surprised.
'That explains his aqueous-blue hair. That is something very rare in the Kingdom of Elrod. It looks natural too!'
Veritas saw many people with blue hair in the Southern Region, but none of them looked as natural as the sheepish boy in front of him. The hairs of the people in Alfar looked dyed.
"That's really nice. It is a pleasure to have you in Elrod."
The blue-haired sheepish boy adjusted the papers in his arms and organized them.
"T-thank you, but I really must go.. I still have deadlines to catch up to."
Veritas smiled.
"Thank you for your time!"
"You too!"
With that, the brief encounter with the 1st-year representative had come to an end.
'He's definitely normal but..'
Veritas remembered the incident back in Copper Borough.
When fighting against the Puppeteer, and preparing for an ultimate attack. Veritas saw the same hollow eyes as Charm had.
Jacque, the lightning bearer of a Path had a similar eye to that of Charm. Veritas knew something was up from the get-go.
'The student council huh..'
The sun was already setting and the halls were vibrant orange. The light reflected on Veritas' fair skin, showing glimpses of his disguise.
"Tomorrow then.."
He walked gracefully to the path that led to the dormitories.
*
"Maintain your breathing properly!"
Two students dueled at the midst of a training ground. Wooden swords struck one another, receiving blow after blow of devastation.
June, the Swordsmanship Class Professor for the first-year Noble Echelon, saw the mistakes in their movements and tried to correct it the best he could.
Alas, even if it was a week of training, people do not grow that easily..
Judging from their first meeting last week, June deemed some of the students to have little to none talent at all when it comes to Swordsmanship.
His entire purpose for being a Professor is to train the next set of talented individuals.
Although there were a couple who were enticed by the concept of Swordplays. Many were still unenthusiastic about wielding a blade.
'I guess it can't be helped."
It was his responsibility to train these young individuals, and he was going to stick to that role to the end.
He sighed deeply and signaled for the next set of students to commence their duel.
"Next up! Rambert and.."
His eye widened upon reading his list.
'Oho! This might be interesting' June continued:
"Bello! You two are up, show us your skills."
"Yes sir!"
Bello walked to the area where the duels were to be commenced, carrying a short yet sturdy wooden sword in his hands.
In the opposite direction was Rambert, an arrogant yet skilled individual.
"I can't wait to shove your face in the ground, filthy recommendation."
Bello looked at him with indifference and waited for the call to start.
In a second the Professor raised his hand.
"Ready?"
He looked at both of them.
Bello and Rambert responded with a nod.
"Begin!"
Bello immediately rushed forward, already upon the arrogant fool.
He swung his sword to Rambert's side, anticipating him to dodge or deflect his blow.
Once his blade connects with a parry, Bello would have to send another quick strike to his direction.
Thus, swinging with minor force, Bello sent his blade forward with utmost haste.
'I'll strike your left next!" He thought.
Yet.. that opportunity never came to pass. Rambert had not deflected or dodge the swing at all. He merely stood there like a puppet!
Receiving the blow, Rambert fell to the ground and fainted.
"Eh-"
Everyone in the surroundings couldn't even react to the quick succession of a striking blow.
'Was he too weak?'
Bello was unsure.. He thought that the arrogant Rambert actually had skill to back up his insults, but it was the opposite!
Then, everyone went into a ramble.
"He defeated Rambert in one strike!"
"Wasn't he in the top five last semester?! What happened."
"Is Bello actually really good?"
"What just happened."
The students around him discussed and were at awe by Bello's display of skill.
Even the Professor was appalled, his eyes widening in surprise! Coming back to reality, he raised his voice and declared the match's outcome.
"Match End! It is Bello's win."
In his thoughts though..
'That wasn't even a second! Who the hell did Mikella bring in this year?!'
Bello was still dumbfounded by the easy match. When compared to the likes of Veritas and the King, Rambert was naught but a fly to be swatted.
Seeing the fainted Rambert on the ground, Bello looked at him with disbelief.
'Am I actually that skilled..?'
Indeed he was. Training with the King was not just an honor, but it is also a once in a lifetime experience. Especially with the King's Path of Guidance, anyone or everything that he trained would considerably surpass their own potential and even reach heights that no one had seen before!
This is the true nature of Guidance..
He stood still, not knowing the great impact that his actions had caused.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the training grounds, a crowd formed, surrounding a battle between an amber-haired individual and a student possessing brown hair.
It was Morgan, who was fighting with his classmate.
They faced each other, forming a considerable distance.
Morgan held his wooden sword tight, in a defensive stand that consisted of two-handing the hilt.
"Morgan should take this one easy."
"He was Top 2 in the tournament last semester right?"
"I think so?"
"Yeah."
"Poor Luciphus.. can't believe that he was set up like this."
In Morgan's eyes, his foe was quite formidable in handling the sword. They had even fought in the last tournament, which ultimately ended up in Morgan's win.
"Luci.."
Waiting for the signal, the two of them stood vigilant and studied one another's stances.
Then, the Professor signaled for them to start.
"Begin!"
The two ran to the middle and clashed with each other's blades!
Morgan stepped to the side and leaned backwards to dodge an incoming slash, countering with a flashy twist and striking below his opponent's waist.
He ducked and parried Luciphus' blow.. immediately, Morgan struck his side.
Deflecting it, Luciphus carried himself and imposed a stance that mocked Morgan. As if he were saying to "strike me in this spot right here!"
Alas, Morgan did not fall for it. He already knew the silly tricks that his opponent had, he once fell for it in the tournament so he was not gonna fall for it again.
Instead, Morgan struck his blade, staggering Luciphus.
"Grngh-"
It was an opening! Yet, Morgan did not move.
'Another trick!'
He waited for Luciphus' next actions.
"I won't fall for your tricks again.."
"That's a shame.."
Luciphus grinned and appeared quickly in Morgan's face.
"I don't need tricks to beat you anymore."
Morgan tried to jump back but his foot was suddenly tripped.
"Just kidding!" Luciphus laughed.
The falling Morgan was susceptible to attacks now! Taking the chance, Luciphus struck down at Morgan's body.
'Shit! I fell for it!'
Thus, Morgan fell to the ground and but.. he deflected Luciphus' blow!
He twisted his body and regained his footing.
Morgan then used this surprising opportunity to usurp the flow of the battle. He sent out a faint and Luciphus easily fell for it.
Realizing that he had messed up, Luciphus tried to dodge the next attack.
But it was too late, it was too fast for his body!
"I forfeit!"
Before even receiving the painful blow, Luciphus gave up. The Professor quickly stopped Morgan's blow from connecting, sending out a reverberating pressure in the area.
"Match End! It is Morgan's win."
Overall, the match lasted for 4 minutes before Luciphus forfeited.
It was a satisfying conclusion for many and for Morgan too.
He breathed deeply and walked towards his classmates. With that, his match was over and it was time for the others to commence in duel.
"Next!"