It was 1:00 PM, the time for the supposed announcement in the main hall. The students were crowding the entire area but it is not too much for them to be suffocated by the numbers.
Veritas, Alice, Hana, and Leo, were all sitting on the front seats that were nearest to the stage.
And with them.. Mercury sat beside Veritas.
"Why did you bring this guy with us.." Leo whispered to Veritas.
"He had no one else with him in the canteen. So, I thought about bringing him in our group."
"Makes sense, your maj- Veritas.."
The two shrugged it off and Veritas recalled the events that led up to this.
Upon seeing the cold-looking blonde haired boy behind him, Veritas thought to make small talk with him.
As they were also the same group in the For Honor Class, it wouldn't hurt to be more familiarized with him.
Veritas somberly stated:
"I didn't realize that you were the son of Duke Wilden. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Mercury."
Veritas could not stare directly at Mercury's eyes so he obstructed his view using Visionshaper as to not disrespect the Duke's son.
He was still facing towards him, but.. Veritas could not see anything.
"Likewise, your majesty.. I, too, didn't know that you are the Prince."
His voice was as cold as the winter snow, carrying a sensible weight frost with every breath.
Veritas almost felt a chill on his skin.
"You haven't any groups in our class haven't you?"
"I haven't yet.."
Veritas smiled softly.
"Then if I may, would you be willing to join us?"
Mercury coldly replied:
"I apologize, but I prefer to be alone."
"Is that so.. Then join us just this once, I want to hear your opinions about the upcoming announcement."
Veritas was served a food of his order and carried the tray that went along with it. He waited for Mercury to obtain his food, and invited him over to their table.
In Mercury's eyes, Veritas' last statement had not sounded like a request but rather, an order. He felt obligated to follow him and couldn't refuse his words.
"Then, I shall."
With trays in their hands, Veritas and Mercury walked back to the table.
Which then brings us back to the present.
Sat side by side, Veritas and Mercury stood quiet.
Even Veritas did not know why the blonde-haired boy followed him, he told him to only join them for a single time at the table, not the whole way!
It was.. awkward.
Yet, Veritas made small talks from here and then.
As the seconds passed, a figure walked up the stage and made his way to the podium.
He had no noticeable features except for the shining badge on his right chest.
He then spoke out:
"Now that everyone's gathered, we shall start momentarily. Please wait patiently and listen closely to the words of the Student Council.
The figure left and it didn't take long for a student wearing the usual uniform and a golden laurel hanging down from his neck, to arrive.
His black hair was styled into a middle-part, he walked diligently towards the podium and was followed by a group of distinguished individuals.
"That's the President right?"
"Vice President Lumen!"
"President Theus!"
Whispers resounded from behind Vetitas, he made a mental note of their names and scanned each one of them thoroughly.
The President had a middle-parted black hair along with his finely suited uniform and golden laurel hanging on his neck. His eyes were firm and stern, showing a strict attitude for the students to see.
He was a role model for them, achieving the greatest feats and record in the Academy.
"Is it true that he single-handedly won the For Honor event last year." Veritas asked.
"Yup, it was amazing really. I don't know much about what happened but a few seniors told me that he faced the other participants all by himself!"
"I see."
Veritas stroked his chin.
Behind the President was someone familiar. Veritas squinted his eyes to see the boy with a black hair better.
'Isn't that the Tailor?'
He's right, Vice President Lumen aka the Tailor who sewed Veritas and Alice's uniforms, walked behind the President formally.
He acted like a normal student, following the steps of the person in front of him.
Behind him, seemed to be the secretary. She was a red-haired girl with silver-rimmed glasses, she didn't seem all too alluring but she had quite a charm which would be effective to various students.
Then, the treasurer with dark-golden shaded glasses, and a pair of earrings, walked behind her. He had dark blonde-hair, mischievous grin, white fair skin, and multiple piercings on his lips.
Veritas was quite unsure if he was fit to be part of the student council, he thought that earrings were prohibited for the council members.
That was probably not the case though..
Along their walk, Veritas noticed the Peace Officer, Public Informations Officer, and various Year Level representatives.
Veritas saw the sheepish blue haired boy that he encountered last week, he looked refined yet there was a glint of hesitation in his eyes.
The Peace Officer looked like a normal student, he had mundane features, average hair, and a presence that is not too imposing.
As for the Public Informations Officer, she looked to be quite studious. Wearing round-shaped glasses, paired along with her rounded eyes. Her cheeks were reddened, maybe it was due to the encounter with thousands of students in the area. She wore the normal student uniform but there was a badge on her right chest.
The Year Level Representatives varied, Veritas already noticed the 1st Year Representative: Charm. But there was also 2 other people behind him.
'That brown-haired student must be the 2nd Year Representative based on his badge and that black-haired student with a bulky physique is probably the 3 Year Representative.'
The Student Council weren't only charming individuals but many of them also possessed considerable strength. Almost all of them are Pure, and their ranks were all Noble. With one glance, a person could already tell their presence, each and every single one of them had quite the charismatic figure that the public appreciated to see.
Overall, the Student Council is composed of really notable people that have their own niches.
Veritas waited for the President to reach the podium.
With the other members behind him, standing side by side, he spoke:
"Virtus et Fortiter!"
He raised his hands up and balled it into a fist, students then repeated after him.
"Virtus et Fortiter!"
"Virtus et Fortiter!"
The unison of the student's cheer immediately died down, the President then continued on with his announcement.
"I apologize for the sudden announcement to be bestowed upon all of you. Thus, I will make it quick and brief. This morning.. news from the Dean suddenly arrived.."
Veritas and his group suddenly tensed up.
"It seems that everyone partaking in the Wielder curriculum would be blessed by this wonderful piece of information! Not only that, but everyone in the Kingdom of Elrod will be anticipating it!"
"Today! The For Honor Tournament would be advanced!"
Every student inside the main hall was surprised, there was an awe-striking expression on their faces and many cheered at the wonderful news.
"Two Weeks from now.. participants from the 4 Regions would make their way to Knights Academy in order to participate and claim their glory! Thanks to our Principal and our Heads, the tournament wouldn't have advanced. They work endlessly and tirelessly to bring us the glory that we seek!"
More cheers screamed out among the crowd.
"However, this year's tournament will be different from its predecessors!"
Excitement rose up in the hearts of many, they could not hold back the sheer anticipation that enveloped their whole bodies!
"Instead of the usual one-stage tournament. We, as the student council, decided to make the tournament three-stage!"
He briefly breathed deep before continuing.
"The first stage is simple! It would be a subjugation quest, but.. teams are to be formed. The teams are determined randomly, and would not be biased for a specific region. They are to consist of five-individual groups, one from every region of Elrod."
Veritas understood it quite well, but he thought about the state of Alice and Mercury.
'Would they count as a student from the other regions or as a student of Knights Academy?'
If one were to think about it, the latter would be the most plausible one.
With that, the President continued to talk:
"Second Stage deals is a battle royale that consists of pairs that were already grouped in the Wielder's For Honor Class. I'm sure that pairs were already determined from other academies in the other regions, so.. this setup wouldn't be too impossible."
Veritas glanced at the direction of Mercury, who was listening to the announcement attentively.
"As for the last stage! It is the all-time favorite, Duel Tournament!"
The crowd went wilder, there were screams and cheers that resounded in the hall. It was too ear-wrecking, but this event is favored by people!
Even Veritas looked forward to watching the Duel Tournaments in the past. It was a great way to entertain himself and to.. earn a little cash.
"Only pairs that made it to the top 8 of the battle royal would be eligible to participate in the duel. That said, the mentioned pair could also face off in battle!"
Among the bustling crowd, there were many that argued about who they were rooting for.
"This year's FHT is stacked! I hope the Prince participates in it!"
"I would love to see that! He would crush the tournament immediately though, it won't even be a contest!"
"Did you all forget about the President? He single-handedly won the tournament last year! He would slam the Prince in battle!"
"What about the recommendation of our Principal? I heard he defeated that top 5 ranker from that sword tournament last semester in an instant!"
"Nah, my bets are still on the Prince! He'll win it all!"
Veritas heard this and his face contorted to that of excitement.
'I'll gamble too! This is a great opportunity! If I bet on myself and win everything, I'll gain great amounts of Elrodites!"
Veritas could almost be seen to drool but he did not let that show.
Every student inside the hall was pumped up. The Knights felt unfortunate to not be eligible to participate, but they didn't suffer any losses. Most of them would be given a great show, and it might be the greatest tournament to have ever existed yet!
Veritas stared at his group and saw the determination flare up in their eyes. Even the emotionless Alice showed a cinder of flames in those hollow eyes of her. Veritas could tell that this really was a big deal.
But it was merely a scapegoat for the real incident.
'The student council is hiding something..'
With an eye that perceived through the greatest of lies, Veritas glared at the members of the council, seeing each of them in a dark light.