'He actually arrived in casual clothing!' Veritas complained.
Veritas' brother, Pallacio, has always been a lazy person. He is always quick-witted but also quite slow when it comes to human relationships. Furthermore, Pallacio is eccentric to the point where he believes that he is the smartest person in the world.
It could be true, of course, but there's a limit to how he should contain his arrogance.
Still when it comes to him, his knowledge knows no bounds and they keep growing and growing.
When you're that arrogant, you should have the skills to back it up.
After studying in the Northern Region, where it housed the best intellectual academies, Pallacio had finally returned after many years!
Veritas stared at him and was amazed.
'He looks more refined now.. No, he just matured.'
It had been 2 years since Veritas last saw his brother. By now, his age was probably around 20 or older.
His face looked more defined and matured, as if it was similar to their father but he resembled their mother the most.
A pale and warm-looking face that looks as if he were plotting something, mixed with arrogance and confidence.
Back then, Pallacio was only 18 years old when he was sent to the Northern Region. Apparently, the mystery that he was tasked to solve never reached the light of day.
And even after 2 years of investigation, a figure as renowned and smart as Pallacio, never figured it out..
Thus, he used the opportunity of the tournament as a way to return back home without causing any suspicions.
"Father.. Mother.." Pallacio walked towards the King and kneeled, "It has been 2 years since I've last seen the both of you. You two look... well."
"As to you, Pallacio" Aletheia warmly smiled and patted his head.
Then, Lucius nodded his head and stared at Veritas, who was beside him.
Veritas stood mightily still, as if he were comparing his status to his brother - there was no ill-intent though.
"Please, let's save the reunion for later back at the castle. For now.. let us enjoy the second stage of the Tournament." Julius said calmly.
"As you wish, Father."
Julius then patted Veritas on the back, "Your brother is also participating, I suggest you watch closely on his movements. He has... improved quite considerably, especially after he became a Pathbearer."
"Is that so?" Pallacio shifted his head towards Veritas and gave off a bright smile of kindness, "You better crush this competition, O, Brother of mine.."
Veritas smirked.
"I will."
Then, Pallacio stood up and sat down on a seat beside his mother.
Veritas heard a silent whisper from the other side of the room, he turned back and saw the pink-haired Isabella uttering, "Yeesh, wearing such an outrageous outfit in a formal meeting.. Too confident!"
Veritas awkwardly laughed in his mind.
Then, he turned around to stare at the stadium below, seeing the vast Hyperion trees towering across the horizon. He then walked to Pallacio and sat beside him.
"How was the North?"
"It's nice, too cold for me though. See my skin?" Pallacio raised his forearms and showed the fairness of his pale-white skin, "It's much paler than before, its because our body conserves heat by constricting our blood vessels near the skin, which therefore reduces blood flow and can cause them to turn white.. or pale."
"What-"
"That's not all though, the North is not that exposed to the sun and the UV rays don't influence the people much. This might be a reason why people from the North have paler skin than the people from the west."
Pallacio shrugged his shoulders and Veritas was bewildered by the sudden information drop.
'Yeah, that's Pallacio all right..'
"I didn't need to know all that, but thanks.. I guess?"
"You are very much welcome, dear brother? Oh by the way, how are your studies going? I've read the paper you published regarding the rank above Hallowed. Quite an interesting read but a baseless one at that.."
Veritas scratched his neck and fixed his posture, "My studies are going well, I've finished up our entire library of research and articles and I just wait daily for new issues to come. But overall, they are doing quite good."
He then continued:
"As for my paper, it might be baseless but I've witnessed it myself.."
"I see." Pallacio shifted his glasses and looked at his brother, "Then, what are your sources for your paper? Scholars are criticizing it, saying that it is completely fallacious and unfit of a Prince. Not me though, I know that you wouldn't publish a piece of misinformation."
"Well you see.."
Veritas breathed in to formulate his words, he could not quite wait how his brother would react to his sudden revelation.
"I.. witnessed a Seraphim ascend His Soul to an Empyrean. And after that, this is more confidential and I've only told a few about this, including Mother and Father who spread this knowledge to the Dukes.."
"Would you believe me if I told you that Elrod was once ruled by a Queen! And not just any Queen, a Hallowed-Rank Queen!"
"What?!"
Pallacio screamed silently and leaned closer to his brother.
"This is new information!"
"I know right!"
Veritas smiled widely and held back his excitement for history.
"What's her name?"
Veritas leaned in to whisper, "Valeira.. Valeira Victoria Elrod!"
"That's not in our history books or our records!"
"I know! I know!"
Pallacio was surprised and kept on asking:
"How exactly did you find this information? Did somebody tell you or perhaps.. don't tell me, have you been secretly complying with the members of Paradise!?"
"Hell no! Never! Those people are emotionless individuals that have no regards for humanity! I would never!"
"Right.. Right.. Then how?!"
Veritas leaned back and smirked, laughing mockingly towards his brother.
"O, dear older brother.. Information is quite expensive nowadays you know.. Hmph, hmph"
Then, Pallacio gestured his hands like a praying motion.
"Please do tell, dear younger brother, I'll do anything!"
Veritas crossed his arms and looked smug.
"Hahh.. I guess it can't be helped, truly pitiful my dear older brother. This great one shall enlighten you with forbidden knowledge!"
"I am honored, dear younger brother!"
Veritas leaned in once more, his benevolent look still prevalent.
"I saw it.. in a Vision."
"Hmm.. right, a Vision. Truly a spectacular way of enlightening... Not! What the hell do you mean vision?!"
Veritas tilted his head as if he was confused, "What do you mean? Were you not informed of my Path yet?"
"No!"
"My Path is Visionshaper, and it lets me manipulate, conjure, and see things. That's just the simple way of explaining it, I'm too lazy to explain further. But you're smart right, you'll get the gist."
"Right, alright." Pallacio confirmed and gestured for Veritas to continue..
"What?"
Pallacio moved his hands as if he's telling Veritas to go on.
"What is with that hand gesture?"
"Ugh, you're so slow.. I mean, what else? What's your Path Rank, Soul Rank, Attunement, and maybe even your skills?"
"Uhh.."
Veritas already knew and memorized his Avatar but he still gazed upon his Soul and opened his runes.
[Veritas Alpas Elrod]
[Path: Visionshaper]
[Path Rank: Seraph]
[Soul Rank: Impure]
[Attunement: Whisperer of Winds]
[Skills:
(1) Windsong.
(2) Will of the Winds.
(3) Galebreathe.
(4) Wrath of the Winds.
(5) Bestowment. ]
[Soul Storage:
(1) Eye of the Kraken.
(2) Nihility. ]
Veritas read them carefully and then spoke, "My Path is Visionshaper, it's a Seraph rank, Impure, then my Attunement is Whisperer of the Winds, and my skills are Windsong, Will of the Winds, Galebreathe, Wrath of the Winds, and Bestowment"
He further added:
"That last one was a new one that I just got last week."
After reading his runes, Veritas shifted his head towards Pallacio and saw his mouth gaping open.
"Surprised aren't you?"
Pallacio didn't reply but his mouth closed, and then opened, and then closed again.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke:
"S-seraph? Like.. really?"
"Yep." Veritas looked all smug and side-eyed his brother.
'That's right! That's the proper reaction I needed, be amazed dear older brother! Be amazed by my greatness!'
Inside he screamed, but outside he stayed composed and silent.
"That's crazy- how?!"
"I don't know dear older brother, the Gods must've seen my greatness and decided to bless me."
"And here I am stuck with my Sacred Path.." Pallacio sighed and was dejected.
"Don't be too sad dear older brother, Sacred Path is quite rare nowadays. I only know one other person that has a Sacred Path."
"And who might that be?"
Then, Veritas twisted back and pointed in the direction of Duchess Dragonia and her daughter.
"Duchess Dragonia's daughter, Alice also has a Sacred Path.."
"Hah... it seems that the Gods are giving out too many Sacred Path nowadays.." Pallacio placed his hand on Veritas' shoulders, "Save me dear younger brother, you shall lead this kingdom with that Path of yours."
"What the hell do you mean!?" Veritas retorted and removed Pallacio's hand on his shoulders.
"You are the crowned Prince, you are next in line to be the King!"
"I know already, stop reminding me.."
Pallacio looked tired and done, as if the sudden responsibility bore great weight on his body.
"I still have a lot of years ahead of me, I'll go on and enjoy it." He gestured a thumbs up to Veritas and looked joyous.
Veritas then placed his palm on his face, shaking his head in disappointment.
'This brother of mine is really... lazy! I'm lucky to not have any bad traits like him!'
Veritas is one to talk.
With that, there were only 15 minutes until the second stage was to start. Veritas talked with his brother for a while and then gestured to leave.
"I have to go now.. Match starts in a few minutes, we have to get ready.."
"We?"
"Yeah." Veritas stood up and tidied his clothes, "Me, Alice, and Mercury are participating."
Pallacio's eyes widened at the sudden mention of a familiar name.
"Merc is joining too!? When did he enroll at Knight's Academy? Oh.. That's why he suddenly disappeared six months ago. No one told me anything!"
"You're too smart to be acting oblivious, I bet you already knew.." Veritas said and stared at him with disbelief.
"Ah- I've been caught."
Thus, Veritas moved on and bid his farewells to his father and mother.
"Father, Mother.. I shall go now."
"Do your best, Veritas.."
"Goodluck, son.."
Pallacio interjected with their blessings and stated:
"Destroy them all Veritas! Crush the competition!"
His voice resounded along the VIP room and everyone heard it quite well. It was a bit embarassing but Veritas managed to mask his feelings.
"Thank you, all of you. I shall return quickly."
He bowed lightly and headed to the exit of the VIP room, meeting up with Alice and Mercury.
The emotionless Alice then asked:
"Are you ready?" She looked up at Veritas.
He smirked.
"Yes."
They left the room and headed towards the Participant Hall, getting ready and wearing their designated battle uniforms, which were a skintight black suit that is quite durable and flexible.
Then, they layered it with pieces of armor that they wished to wear.
The black suit was only a layer of protection to prevent casualties, so armor is still very much recommended.
Veritas wore his usual and graceful marble-white armor that made his stature look even more royal. It was a bit modified though, making it more flexible and less heavier than his previous one.
With this, he could move more nimbly..
Thus.. the second stage begins in 5 minutes and the announcer for the Tournament started to speak.
Veritas and his partner, Mercury, walked together on the long hall leading to the stadium, accompanied by the other 98 people that passed the subjugation quest.
Numerically, there had only been 20 teams that were eligible to continue onto the second stage. With the population of 250 participants, 30 teams were eliminated just on the first stage alone.
That's 150 participants!
Now.. Only 100 people participated on the second stage.
And only 8 teams or 16 people would win..
As long as they stayed until the end, they were eligible to be on the third stage.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the second stage of the FHT!" The resounding voice of the announcer screamed aloud and the people around were hyped up.
The second stage was bound to begin!