Soon it was 4 in the morning. The sun wasn't going to rise for another hour, and then they got off at Elderion. The group of 5 got off the coach and the village was asleep, snoozing even. There was the occasional bump in the night but it was quiet.
"Haven't been here in time," Nova said with annoyance, as he stepped off the coach, masks on. "Any reason?" Echo asked as there seemed to be a never-dissipating fog stretching from her to both ends of the street; she couldn't quite see. Then the coach sped off.
Nova started to walk, and soon they reached an academy; then they walked past the dormitory to the end of the campus road, where there was a large building.
The security guard looked at them in their attire and scoffed as they walked past trophies, medals and plaques. Soon they made it to the latest addition.
"In 2002, Elderion High for Mages were honoured to host the National Championship Tournament. It was a grand 64-man tournament where competitors from as far as Ironwaught and New Bessi came to fight for the right to call themselves National Champions. The child prodigy Thomas Dale from Midgar battled The two-time Regional Champion and now one-time National Champion: Benny William Voll."
Titan was the first one to speak on this, "Ben Voll is the reigning national champion...!" It was shocking and surprising, it was such a twist for them. Despite Nova's mask, they could all tell that Nova was furious but it was necessary to show humility.
A gamble for Nova whether his allies would think worse or better of him. "It was still impressive that you made it that far..." Rogue said with sympathy in her voice, and then Titan spoke, "Getting there is strength enough; it doesn't matter if you don't win."