"So what's the plan here?"
The crowd roared at the top of their lungs as the students appeared into view. The slow moving mass of humans on the stands gazed upon the fighters. Something that Lucas forgot was that everyone in the school was watching. From the young kids of grade six all the way to the older third year adults. Even the parents are here to watch. In other words, everyone and their mothers are watching the event.
A loud voice boomed across the arena, " Ladies and gentlemans! Please take a seat, lay back, and enjoy the show! See if you can find your friends or family in their respective classes! Cheer them on, maybe they'll claim valour and glory in this legendary tournament! Welcome to the Valorheart tournament!!!"
The crowd boomed in excitement yet again. Lucas quickly looked over his equipment again. Making sure his belt held his two daggers close. He donned black tapered pants and a long sleeved shirt that had the symbol of his house on the shoulder. A trail of orange leading up to the insignia of a Grinning phoenix. The symbol for the Firbol class.
"Lucas. Are you listening to us?" A girl named Sarah spoke.
"No. Piss off alright? I'm not listening to what your plan is."
"Lucas...Come on now. You and your friends can't just do whatever you want. We need to strategize to win." A boy next to Sarah spoke, "And don't talk to Sarah like that."
"It's alright Elijah. I just-"
"Oh, shut up will ya? You both are disgusting." Lucas brushed past both of them, "Firbol should do well without me. Bunch of wild animals you lot are."
"At Least tell us what you plan to do." Elijah said.
"Nothing really. Just some personal beef to settle with someone. Don't get in my way."
As he said that, a loud horn boomed through the arena. Singalling five minute left of grace, "Alright Samuel...Here I come..."
***
Yuri finds comfort in wearing the clothing she used for training and working out. This time, it's long sleeved to prevent the uncomfortable feeling of the gauntlets. She tied her hair up to a ponytail for this event. Which is something not many students of 'Nironius' get to see often.
As she plays with the black greataxe in her hands, with a light blue glow along the blade that's surrounded by runes, a small frost touch rested on her fingers as she swiped across her blade.
"Yuri. Are you ready?" Carmilo bumped her shoulder.
Yuri turned around to see Carmilo wearing the same thing as her. But he has a blue line on his clothing that goes from his waist all the way to his shoulders, and ending up in the insignia of a frost Giant. He held a silver rapier on his waist, his main choice of weapon.
"Mhm. You?" Yuri stood up as she towered over Carmilo.
"I'm staying with some other kids. Like Emily, Hyeon, and Jin. And more, but I can't say all of them now. Remember your role?"
"Yes yes. Be front lines with classmates. Go crazy. Blah blah blah." Yuri answered.
"Good to know her English is improving!" A familiar voice spoke. Turning around, Enzo and Zhu appeared in their uniform. Zhu was holding two warfans in both her hands. While Enzo held onto a rifle. With a circulating blue glowing orb on the middle of the barrel. It's shrouded in a dark cloth to hide its true nature.
"Yes. Thank god. Anyways, you have a plan to invade yet?"
"Yep. We plan to go for Zyortis first. Get them under our control before going for Silkaneth." Enzo answered, "Then we go for Haelfein-"
"Woah woah. Haelfein? Shouldn't we do that first?" Zhu asked.
"Yeah I know. However, we gotta see their capabilities first before charging in. Make sure that they are easy targets."
A loud horn boomed across the arena. signaling the event starting in five minute. Carmilo took this chance to step onto their glacier-like podium, "Attention everyone!"
The whole class turned to their leader as he held up his rapier, "I need you all to listen closely!"
***
"five minute left." Samuel pointed out.
"I know that...Three of us against two hundred." Gary rubbed his hands as he scanned the area. Their flag is mounted on a nearby platform. And around it were multiple other sections to place other classes flags, "Exciting...isn't it? Hey boys! Enjoying the view over there?!"
Gary had screamed at the class behind them. Most of them looked down and depressed. The second and third year looked more or less disappointed at this event. It's just three people, they never won for a long time. However, Aziroth still remained seated by the edge, reading a book about psychology.
"Hey Aziroth!" As Donovan called out to him, all three years turned to the unfortunate book worm.
"What?" He looked at him with annoyance in his eyes.
"Come on in man! Join us!" Donovan said.
He sighed and placed down his book, "I told you already. I'm uninterested."
Donovan nodded. He went over ways he can convince him. Maybe the silver tongue? No, people will see it and be suspicious, maybe a good old charismatic convincing could work, "Oh come now Aziroth. This will be fun!"
"Why would going around fighting people like a mad man be fun?"
"Well, you've been reading books every single day, no? Varying from battle tactics, reading people, magic, all that jazz. Why not take this time to utilize it? Now's the time Aziroth. You won't get this chance any time soon. Let loose for once. We may lose, but at least go down fighting."
Aziroth stared at Donovan for a second before he begrudgingly stood up, a dark smoke exiting from below his tailcoat and forming a bundle next to him, he held his hand out inside and grabbed hold of something, before pulling out his scythe.
A few students looked on in awe. They had never seen Aziroth pull out his weapon, or even use magic, he was always just in the back, even with his fame as the headmaster's descendant. He took a step forwards onto the railing before jumping down to the arena. Aziroth must admit, Donovan does have a way with words. Especially his silver tongue. But he can understand why he didn't use it.
"You are...unique first of all." Aziroth grunted.
"Why thank you. Everyone else! Enjoy the show, who knows, maybe I will permit you to join us!" Donovan teased. He got what he wanted as everyone seemed to perk up a bit upon hearing his words.
"Now hold your horses! It's a maybe! Now sit back and relax! We got this in the bag!" Donovan turned to his friends and Aziroth. He beckoned them to come together as they huddled around slightly, "So here's the plan, Gary, go forwards and do whatever you want. Fight, destroy, throw around, do anything to get their attention. While Sammy here infiltrates their bases and steals their flags from under their noses. Good? Clear?"
"What about me and you?" Aziroth asked.
"I'm staying here to guard. You can do whatever."
Aziroth thought for a second before answering, "I'll go with Gary. But I'm going to do something quickly around here for protection."
"Setting traps?"
"The sort."
Aziroth swung his hands outwards, spraying multiple bombs of ash outwards around the area and walls. Finally, the group moved apart from each other. Samuel readjusted his sunglasses before he pulled out his handles. Unleashing his sickle blades.
Gary cracked his knuckles and neck before holding his hand out. A small trickle of magic rummaged through his fingers as a low zooming sound echoed under Haelfein's class stand. A warhammer slammed itself on Gary's palm as he beckoned it forwards.
Donovan simply adjusted his hat and laid back against the wall, Aziroth stared at him, wondering what's going on in that spy's head. He's too calm. But before he can think of anything else. A deafening BOOM echoed through the arena. Signaling the start of the tournament. The crowd roared in excitement as hundreds of kids charged forwards and moved with their plan. Without hesitation, Gary ran forwards into the center, as Samuel disappeared from sight.
"WHat are you waiting for Azzy?" Donovan asked, "Aren't you going to go with Gary?"
Aziroth rethinked his decision, was going out like a mad man really the move here? They'll lose anyways, "I changed my mind. I'll stay around this area and help you guard the flag."
"Do as you please."