Hoxrrary Academy: Student Council Room
The soft scratching of a pen echoed through the otherwise silent council room. Veramount Kanon sat at his desk, papers meticulously organized, his predatory gray eyes scanning each document with the precision of a hawk. His focus was absolute, as if the chaos of the outside world did not exist.
The door creaked open, breaking the silence. Without even glancing up, Veramount spoke, his voice low and commanding. "If it's not important, leave."
Alexia Asmodeus stepped inside with a smirk, a cup of tea balanced on a tray in her hands. Her long pink hair caught the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, giving her an ethereal glow. "You're still working? Even with the Festival of Hestia coming up? You really know how to kill a festive mood, Veramount."
Ignoring her jab, Veramount continued writing. Alexia, undeterred, approached his desk and placed the tea in front of him with a soft clink. "At least take a break. Or," she said, leaning slightly closer, "are you so nervous about the upcoming fight that you're pretending to be busy?"
Finally, Veramount raised his head, his silver-gray eyes locking onto hers. The weight of his gaze was enough to silence even the most talkative noble, but Alexia merely raised an eyebrow. "Are you expecting me to believe Durand's class has a chance of winning?" he asked, his tone as sharp as a blade.
Alexia chuckled, the sound light but deliberate. "You never know. Maybe this time, fate will be on their side."
Veramount didn't dignify the remark with a reply. Instead, he reached for the cup of tea and took a deliberate sip, his gaze drifting toward the large window behind his desk. Beyond the glass, the academy gardens were alive with activity. Students laughed, chatted, and prepared for the festival with an energy that felt distant to him.
"If they want to win," he said finally, his voice calm and resolute, "they'll have to create their own miracle. Talent and effort mean nothing without results."
Setting the cup down, Veramount stood, adjusting his uniform with the precision of someone for whom perfection was second nature. His movements were fluid, his presence commanding. "Thank you for the tea. Lock the door when you leave," he said curtly, walking past her without waiting for a response.
Alexia watched him go, her expression somewhere between exasperation and amusement. She shook her head, muttering under her breath. "That guy… Always so serious. He might as well be made of ice."
Her gaze lingered on the door for a moment before she sighed, the faintest of smiles playing on her lips.
Hoxrrary Academy: Headmaster's Office
A sharp knock echoed through the Headmaster's office, breaking the serene silence.
"Enter," came a raspy yet authoritative voice.
The door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped inside. "It's me, Veramount Kanon, Headmaster Azure," he announced, his tone even yet tinged with the weight of purpose.
"Ah, good. Very good," the Headmaster replied instantly, his wrinkled face breaking into a faint, knowing smile. "I've been expecting you."
As Veramount closed the door behind him, the sunlight that had warmly filled the room seemed to fade. Shadows crept into every corner, and the once-comfortable air turned frigid. The sudden shift was palpable, the atmosphere growing heavier with each passing second.
The Headmaster's expression hardened, the warmth of his earlier demeanor vanishing. His piercing eyes gleamed like cold steel as he leaned forward in his chair. "Is the preparation complete?" he asked, his voice now low and grim, each word carrying the weight of unspoken consequences.
Veramount dropped to one knee with a fluidity that spoke of both discipline and reverence. His silver-gray eyes, now devoid of all emotion, fixed themselves on the floor as if the very act of looking up would be too bold. "Yes," he replied, his tone as lifeless as the air around him. "Everything has been executed precisely as you instructed. We can expect promising results during the Hestia Trial."
The Headmaster leaned back, his fingers steepled as he studied the young man before him. "Excellent," he murmured, a shadow of a smile returning to his lips. "This academy... no, this empire, will witness something unprecedented. You've done well, Veramount."
Veramount did not respond, his posture unmoving, his expression as unreadable as ever. The Headmaster's smile widened, but it was a smile devoid of warmth, one that promised more darkness to come.
"Rise," the Headmaster commanded. "There is still much to do. The future hinges on your next steps."
"Yes, Headmaster," Veramount replied, standing in a single, smooth motion. With a final glance at the older man, he turned and left the room, his presence as chilling as the darkness that lingered in his wake.
As the door clicked shut, the Headmaster sat in silence, his eyes gleaming with an unspoken, ominous intent. The room remained shrouded in shadows, the faint glow of sunlight never quite returning.
A low, sinister chuckle escaped his lips, growing louder as if fueled by the very darkness he exuded. "Heheheh... To think I've managed to fool so many within these walls," he murmured, his voice dripping with venomous amusement.
His reflection in the glass appeared sharper, more twisted, as though it belonged to someone—or something—else entirely.
"And after the Festival of Hestia comes to its glorious end..." His eyes gleamed with a malevolent light, the corners of his mouth curling into a chilling smirk. "The chaos will begin."
The Headmaster turned away from the window, his long shadow stretching ominously across the room. His presence seemed to command the very darkness itself, each step resonating with calculated intent.
Outside, the academy grounds remained blissfully unaware, a picture of harmony and joy. Yet within the office, an invisible storm was brewing, its first rumblings waiting to be unleashed.
The Headmaster's laughter echoed once more, colder and more detached, as though mocking the inevitability of his grand design.
Third District in the Capital: District of Merchants — Momerium Stardust Shop
The warm, inviting scent of aged wood and herbs filled the small, cluttered shop, where rows of rare trinkets and shimmering stardust vials lined the shelves. Ashura stepped in last, greeted by the sight of Edmond pacing restlessly by the counter and Jarek flipping through an old tome with mild disinterest.
"Yo! Ashura, you're late!" Edmond exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of exasperation and familiarity. His brows furrowed as if he wanted to unleash a torrent of complaints but decided against it.
"Sorry, sorry. Overslept. The sunlight was too nice today," Ashura said, yawning as he casually ruffled his hair. His nonchalant demeanor only served to deepen Edmond's sigh.
"I swear, I envy that ironclad calm of yours. Meanwhile, I'm over here stressing out about the chaos we're walking into." Edmond sank into a wooden chair, throwing his hands up in defeat.
"Hmph. Maybe you should oversleep more often, Edmond," Jarek quipped without looking up, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
As the three gathered in a quiet corner of the shop, the aged voice of the shopkeeper called out, full of warmth. "Hohoho! What an honor it is to have the talk of the town gracing my humble store."
Edmond quickly stood, offering a polite bow with a practiced smile. "Apologies if we're troubling you, sir."
"Trouble? Nonsense! Not many customers find their way here these days. You're more than welcome to use this space as you see fit." The old shopkeeper chuckled heartily, his eyes twinkling with a kindness honed by years of experience. "In fact, I've just baked some fresh bread. I'll bring it out for you younglings."
Without waiting for a reply, the shopkeeper disappeared into the back, leaving the trio momentarily stunned.
"Talk of the town, huh?" Ashura muttered, leaning back lazily in his chair. "Feels more like the gossip of the neighborhood."
Edmond shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching with an unwilling smile. "Just try not to make us infamous while you're at it."
Jarek, flipping another page of the tome, said dryly, "Focus. We're not here for bread and jokes. We still have to figure out how not to get crushed during the Hestia Trial."
The shopkeeper soon returned, carrying a basket of warm, golden bread. "Here you are, freshly baked! Eat up, boys. You'll need the energy for whatever mischief you're up to."
"Thank you, sir," Edmond said earnestly, accepting the bread.
Jarek leaned forward, his tone sharpening as he addressed the group. "Alright, let me recap for Ashura, since he probably forgot the briefing." He shot Ashura a knowing glance. "The Hestia Trial starts with the first test. Professor Cedrick explained that we can choose the monster we wish to fight. The score is based on how quickly we handle it, the difficulty of the monster, and our overall performance. Once that's done, the real Hestia Trial begins. Usually, if we score high enough on the first test, we can skip the trial itself. But since our opponents are Leclair's class…"
"That means," Edmond interjected mid-bite, "they'll do everything they can to crush us with an overwhelming score, right?"
"Exactly," Jarek confirmed. "We'll need to outdo them in the trial, but the problem is…" He paused, exhaling deeply. "The Hestia Trial changes every year. Without knowing what we're up against, it'll be near impossible to guarantee a win."
The room fell silent as Edmond and Jarek exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their task pressing down on them. It wasn't until Ashura, having just finished his bread, casually raised his head.
"It's actually easy, you know," Ashura said nonchalantly, his tone so offhand it sent a chill down their spines.
Both Jarek and Edmond turned to him, disbelief written all over their faces.
"We just have to challenge the Level 15 strongest abyssal monster, Flarebane, the Ember Wretch," Ashura declared, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"…"
"WHAT THE HELL?!?!" Edmond exploded, nearly choking on his bread. "Have you lost your mind?! That thing is the strongest monster in level 15 tier abyss monster"
"Hahahahahahaha!" Jarek burst out laughing, his uncontrollable mirth shaking the room. His face, however, betrayed a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Even the old shopkeeper froze, the teacup in his hand slipping and shattering against the floor. "Young man! Have you lost all sense of reason?!"
"That's right, Ashura!" Edmond exclaimed, his face contorting in horror. "I know you've got a screw loose, but this is sheer madness!"
"That's why we have to do it," Ashura replied with a smirk, biting into another piece of bread. His eyes gleamed with a reckless edge. "If we're going to cause chaos, why not go all out?"
Edmond gawked at him, his brain struggling to process Ashura's logic.
"Honestly," Jarek said, his laughter subsiding, "I don't see a problem with it. Like Ashura said, the students in Leclair's class are prodigies, geniuses in their own league. The only way to beat a genius is to do something so crazy, it completely surpasses their expectations."
Edmond buried his face in his hands. "You're both insane…"
Ashura leaned back, his expression cool yet cunning. "What's the matter, Edmond? Getting cold feet? Or are you afraid your reputation will never surpass Cassian Stardust if you don't try something bold?"
That provocation hit a nerve. Edmond's head shot up, his jaw tightening. "Fine!" he growled through gritted teeth. "I'll bite. But if we die, it's on you!"
"Good," Ashura said with a grin, his confidence unwavering. "Let's give them a show they'll never forget."
The old shopkeeper sighed, shaking his head as he muttered, "These kids are either going to make history… or get themselves killed."
As the tension in the room began to ease, Ashura leaned back casually, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, it's not like I'd throw us into the lion's den without a plan. I've got a few ideas up my sleeve," he said, shrugging with an air of calm confidence.
Edmond narrowed his eyes, suspicion mixing with curiosity. "What kind of strategy?"
Ashura didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned toward the old shopkeeper, his tone unusually serious. "Old man, do you have any books on combination elements?"
The shopkeeper, who still looked pale from Ashura's earlier outrageous suggestion, blinked a few times before nodding. "Well… I've got a few tucked away. Are you… interested in the fundamentals or something more advanced?"
"The fundamentals will do for now," Ashura replied smoothly.
"Combination?" Jarek repeated, looking both intrigued and perplexed.
Ashura didn't respond to Jarek's question directly. Instead, he waited for the shopkeeper to shuffle to the back of the store, the faint sound of rustling pages filling the air.
When the shopkeeper returned, Ashura took the worn book with a small smile and flipped it open. "Now… let's begin our plan," he said, his voice dropping to a low, excited whisper.
The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Edmond and Jarek leaned forward instinctively, drawn in by the mysterious aura Ashura exuded. His words carried weight, each one laced with anticipation and hidden meaning.
As Ashura outlined his strategy, his voice was calm yet calculated, every detail carefully explained. Jarek's brow furrowed deeper with each revelation, while Edmond's jaw gradually dropped. The intricate layers of the plan unfolded like a puzzle, each piece clicking into place with chilling precision.
When Ashura finally finished, silence blanketed the room.
"…Are you insane?" Edmond blurted, his voice a mix of disbelief and incredulous laughter.
Jarek, on the other hand, burst out laughing again, but this time it wasn't purely out of humor. "Ashura," he said between chuckles, "if we pull this off, the academy won't just go into an uproar. It'll never recover from the shock."
Ashura's smirk deepened, his eyes gleaming with an enigmatic confidence. "Exactly. That's the point. If we're going to make a statement, we might as well shake the entire foundation of this academy."
The shopkeeper, again who had been listening quietly from behind the counter, muttered as before under his breath, "These kids… they're either geniuses or complete lunatics."
Hoxrrary Academy: Leclair Class
"It's only a few days until the Trial of Hestia. I can't wait to crush them," Luzis declared with an eager grin, practically vibrating with energy as he leaned back in his chair.
"Hoohoo, I too look forward to that day," Caletrius replied smoothly, his eyes glinting as he casually toyed with a formula he'd been scribbling on a sheet of parchment. Symbols and runes danced across the page, emanating faint magical energy.
Luzis shifted his gaze toward Caletrius, his smile curving into something sharper. "It's surprising how you've made this such a big deal—to the point where the entire academy knows about it."
"What do you mean, Luzis?" Caletrius asked with an exaggerated air of innocence, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "I haven't done anything."
"The sky itself would spit in protest if it heard that lie, everyone in this class know you own the newspaper club and you the one who make it as they challenge our class." came a smooth voice from behind them.
Cassian Stardust strolled into the room, exuding effortless grace and authority. With golden hair that shimmered like sunlight and a smile so disarmingly gentle it could disarm a wary noble, he was the very picture of refinement. At just ten years old, he had already mastered trade under his family's tutelage, and every item in his wardrobe was rumored to cost no less than 10,000 Rozar gold coins.
"It's rare for you to bother speaking with anyone besides the prince," Caletrius teased, raising a curious brow at Cassian.
"Let's just say the Trial piqued my interest," Cassian replied coolly, his steps unhurried as he approached. "After all, someone I know will be participating."
"Someone you know…" Caletrius's smirk widened, his amusement plain. "Ah, you must mean Edmond Valentino."
Cassian nodded, his expression unchanging. "That's right. He may not be as gifted as I am, but the Valentino family remains an important partner of mine." Cassian's gaze sharpened slightly, his smile never wavering. "Handle it efficiently, Caletrius. Don't drag it out unnecessarily."
With that, Cassian turned on his heel and strode away, his presence lingering like the faintest scent of cologne.
"Oh my… well, I suppose I don't mind making him owe me one," Caletrius mused aloud, his tone playful yet tinged with subtle menace. He turned to Luzis, his grin widening. "You heard him. We're aiming for perfection. We'll score as high as we can and leave nothing to chance."
Luzis cracked his knuckles, his energy flaring anew. "Now that's more like it!"