"So there's only four people from 'Haelfein' participating in the tournament?"
Off in the dormitories, students roamed around the halls. Either spending time studying in their dorms, conversing with their classmates or friends, and training together for the tournament. Though, the most popular site for socializing had to be the cafeteria. They serve the best food one can imagine. An all you can eat buffet.
This proved to be a particular favorite place for Yuri. Just unlimited food to her liking. She indulges herself with rice and some honey glazed marinated chicken. With sesame seeds as garnish. This was her second serving, and she might go for one more.
"Yep." Yuri said while chewing food in her mouth, "Actually, possibly only three. One of them is the headmaster's descendant, Aziroth, I always see him by the library studying, nothing else."
"Well that's unfortunate." Enzo said next to her, the italian boy just watched his friend gobble up dish after dish in her chase to 'bulk', "But that's also good for us no? Easier victory for us."
In Front of them, Carmilo sat by the edge of the cafeteria seat, sharpening his rapier's tip, "Don't underestimate them. I know it looks tempting but still."
"But it's still three people." Enzo countered, "The less the merrier. Plus, what's the worst thing that could happen? Our class can win."
"Don't forget the other five classes." Carmilo mentioned.
He was right. It's just not their class 'Nironius' that was participating. But all the other ones. 'Firbol, Zyortis, Grinshar, Arlecant, and Silkaneth'
They were all in it together. Plotting their own moves and potential strategy. Hoping to impress the second and third years. Hoping that they would scout them for a magic path. And glory. That was another main factor. And for the class of Nironius, it was up to these teenagers to lead them.
Yuri, Carmilo, and Enzo had gathered at their table as usual. Discussing what to do. But they still awaited their fourth friend, and they find her running towards them, panting heavily as she holds up three different trays of food, "Hey guys-! Sorry I'm late."
"Zhu! There you are! What's with all the food?" Enzo turned to her, grabbing a tray off of her hands.
"I brought this all for you." Zhu sat next to Carmilo, "Just so you don't need to give up the table."
"Zhu, you didn't need to do that-"
"It's alright! Just forget it alright, I just did this to atone for myself being late. Anyways, what are we discussing?" Zhu leaned in.
" We were discussing the other classes. And about Haelfein. Due to the altercation some days ago, only four participants are allowed." Carmilo said, "These two find it beneficial news."
"But it is though?" Zhu tilted her head, she shared the same train of thought in her head, they could beat them.
"But do we even know ANYTHING about them?" Carmilo furrowed his brows at their optimism.
"I do in fact." Zhu drank her coca-cola first before answering, "Their names are Donovan, Gary, and Samuel. They just joined S-class last week and had already stirred up many people. The fight that ensued a week ago involved Gary and Donovan who fought most of Haelfein. They weren't punished. So they are still in the tournament."
"Who won?" Carmilo asked further.
"Well...people said it was a stalemate." Zhu said.
Yuri kept on eating her food as she watched Carmilo change expressions, "Then that's problematic. If they can go up against their own class and battle them on even footing, then they are a huge threat."
"They were unprepared." Yuri said while chewing on chicken, "But we're not. We know what's gonna come."
"But we don't know how. We don't know their skills, their expertise, or anything. I know a lot about the other classes. But not these three. Who's the third student again?" Carmilo turned to Zhu again, rethinking plans all over again in his head.
"His name is Samuel. You can recognize him with the black tinted sunglasses he always wears."
"That's not good..."
"Carmilo..." Enzo grabbed his attention, "You're worrying too much. Just take it easy..."
"Yeah. take it easy." Yuri pushed her plate of pie to Carmilo, "Calm down Да? Eat something."
Carmilo grumbled as he took the small pie, as he ate it, Zhu asked her friends of the event, "Is there still any idea on what it would be? What the event is?"
"Yeah. Since the tournament is tomorrow, they released their idea." Enzo answered, "It's a capture the flag thing. It goes like: you have a flag. And you defend it. If someone takes it and brings it back to their base, that class is out for the whole tournament. And are either forced to watch or join the team that knocked your class out. If they will allow it."
"How is it going to end?"
"When one class's flag remains. They're crowned the winner."
The light above the cafeteria still shined as more students slowly stepped out of the cafeteria to their dorms or outside. Some are still training for the upcoming day tomorrow. Though, these four had trained their class already just before dinner. They instructed them to rest for the tournament, oddly listening to Enzo more often than Carmilo.
"So, what's the plan?" Yuri dipped her fingers into her cola's bottle, small ice cubes forming on her fingers as it slid into the liquid.
"Simple. I would bring some people with me to take other classes' flags with Enzo. And you would sort of be in the middle. Taking most of the others' attention with more of our classmates when we steal it. And I think Carmilo should stay back. Defend our flag." Zhu said, "Good idea?"
"Too simple...But fine." Carmilo sighed as he leaned backwards, "We can make it work."
"Good. Now should we return back to our dorms? Or does Yuri here still want to work out again?" Zhu asked her.
"No. I'll sleep. Today is my rest day." Yuri stood up, "I try not to be sore before tomorrow."
"Alright. Let's head out guys." Zhu stood up by herself, "We got a long day tomorrow."
***
Elyssia still contemplated it. Whether allowing Samuel, Gary, and Donovan to join in the tournament was the right move. Since they're a security force, they had a duty to guard the tournament. And stop any unauthorized personnel from interfering with it. But who would do such a thing anyways?
Even then, she had to make sure everything was in order. The colosseum is set up properly. The security barrier was properly set up. And to make sure every camera was working. All the tech stuff, she had let Madhav do it himself. She can barely manage to get her head around both technology and magic at the same time. It's like mixing lava with snow. And controlling what happens precisely at point of contact.
She had seen the tournament multiple times when she was visiting her brothers and sisters before her. Even saw them participate before. In the same class as she was, Arlecant. Her family had been in the same class during their time in Cainlocke. And they had won the tournament last year. Will they do so again?
But what took her attention was the three newbies. It's been only a few days since they joined her team. And other than the fight with their own class, and patrolling once with Donovan, she never really saw what they could truly do. Even when her true focus was to find out more about Donovan, she regretted the fact that she forgot about it and just conversed with him normally. What is up with that boy? He's so odd and familiar at the same time.
But she snapped out of this trance as Rovanne shook her vigorously, "Elyssia! Wake up! The students are arriving!"
She stood by the edge of the railings. Overlooking the giant arena that settled in the middle of the colosseum. Big enough to host two hundred plus students, and small enough to hear the cheers of the crowd. Among the stone layout, the spectator area had been divided into two layers. With seven different sections in the first layer. Which hosted the second and third years of each classes. While the second layer hosted outsider students, like the lower ranks or the parents who visited.
She stood in the first layer. In between Halfein and Arlecant's sector. With Rovanne next to her. On the other side of the arena, Stood Matthew alone. Overwatching that side. Madhav stays nearby in a designated room to monitor the cameras.
In each sector, hosted a platform which had a flag nestled in the middle. Each with their own unique insignia of the classes. And around it, unique decorations or buildings had been made around it. One sector had a ruined greek home around it, another had lush greenery, and another had rocky wartorn grounds below their platform. But in the middle, an open land that is big enough to host two hundred people fighting at the same time.
"There! Look! It's our boys!" Rovanne nudged on Elyssia as she pointed at Haelfein's sector. As the other students from each sector emerged from within the walls of the arena, the crowd roared in excitement. But the disappointment from Haelfein's crowd was louder than anything else. The second and Third year had heard of what happened. And the heavy weight of shame rested on the first year's shoulders. Aziroth sat by the edge of the front row seat, reading a book insteads of participating.
Exiting from Haelfein's wall was the trio. Gary wore a black feather cloak around his shoulders, with a simple black tank top and baggy pants. Dark gray vambraces and shin guards are outlined with gold. And finally, a scarf that resembled a game character named Umbra from warframe. Giving him a rich yet barbaric viking look. Not much armor was allowed for some reason. Maybe hinting at the fact that most mages won't use armor in the future.
For Samuel, he wore a black short sleeved shirt with the same baggy pants Avshino had gifted them earlier with metal gauntlets and leg guards under a black poncho.
And for Donovan, he wore a simple compression shirt and followed the trend of baggy pants and gauntlets. But he donned a long waistcoat that reached to his heels, which made him different compared to his friends.
"Woooh! Look at them, Rovanne! They look...wonderful! And awesome!" Rovanne cheered.
"Huh...They do actually. Went against what other students mostly wore for tournaments like these..." Elyssia questioned what they wore.
In the boundaries of the arena, under the cameras and watchful eyes of specters and guard dogs set up around the perimeter, hooded figures of black and red zoomed across the field, going under holes under trees and walls, with a simple goal in mind. This is the perfect opportunity to end Donovan. They will carry it out. And they will kill their target.