--- Meeting Room ---

Tibrus hummed in thought after the illusionary bird disappeared. He looked to Enishi.

"It could work as long as they can carry the talismans or rune engraved items and possibly not be detected by what wards they have. Are you able to see what the illusion sees and direct where it travels?"

Raviel wanted to catch his breath with this guy. Obviously, just physical attacks weren't working. He was too strong and he just kept on taking hits like it was nothing. As Galmore was casting his spell, he quickly put an enhancing buff on himself - his last rune. Enhanced Magical Strength. That way, his conjured weapons would give a bit more of a punch than before. The violet coloration of his sword turned darker, pointing to the success of the enhancement.

He then ran towards the ball of magical energy and before it would hit, he would teleport just in front of Galmore and then slammed the sword into his face. The sword wasn't meant to slash though, and just hit like a blunt object. Whether or not it did damage, Raviel teleported a few meters away and extended his hand as a staff appeared back in his hands.

"Unfortunately, I cannot place them on the skin of any living being, aside from trees. The magical energy causes them to go on a frenzy." She then rubbed her chin. "Of course, if you can give a mouse some piece of, let's say, clothing, then I'd be able to place a rune on them." She explained. Though, Faye was rather sure they had caught up to that before. They were rather sharp people.

"Indeed. I did get the idea from your country." Faye said with a smile. Ideas came from all over the place - and sometimes, she could get some from other people who practice magic.

She then listened closely to what they're planning, lacing her fingers together as she leaned on to the table.

"Of course, part of making the clones is to increase my area of sight for tracking targets. As Nisval-san has stated, she normally can't place the runes on living creatures. If that's the case, then perhaps my magical copies would make better candidates." Enishi said as he replied to the earlier question.

Enishi then turned to Faye, would seemed to be intently listening to their conversation.

"How about it, would it be possible?

"Wha--?" Zev'jul attempted to counter with another lightning attack as he turned around. The result was that your impostor was hit by your slash while you were hit by lightning.

However, the slash did not dispel Zev'jul mimicking magic. He still assumed your form though without your regality and finesse. Is that how you would look like if you are pushed so hard you forgot your manners? Now was not the time to think about that as Zev'jul shook his head and recovered from your slash. "You can move fast, can you? Let me try!"

Zev'jul used your form to move quickly across the arena, trying to confuse you as to where he was. Suddenly, your impostor sent a flying kick at you, hitting you on the chest, before disappearing in the speed again. But you knew this power, surely you know how to counter it?



Your plan failed in the worst way possible. Primera's arrow was imbued with mighty wind magic and it blew away all the cards you threw once the Wood Elf fired the arrow. Your cards lie scattered throughout the arena but fortunately, you still managed to evade the powerful arrow albeit narrowly.

Primera now had the initiative and she advanced. The Wood Elf fired three arrows in the air, intended to land on your general area. She then prepared another magical arrow and you knew what she was going to do with it. It appeared she planned to overwhelm you with her arrows. If the three arrows did not get you then her magical one will and vice-versa.

With you in a precarious position, what shall you do?



The Lot Knight could only watch as your charged javelin, named 'Twilight Lance', head towards him. You feel that Sir Eats-A-Lot closed his eyes and resigned himself to the inevitable.

Your powered Dark Javelin sent the Lot Knight to the floor with a loud thud. The referee went over to your downed opponent and the two appeared to talk for a bit before the referee announced. "Sir Eats-A-Lot has yielded the fight! Seleth Thenri is the winner!" The foreign knights in the audience all gasped at the conclusion. Practically no one cheered for your victory.

But then, the knights suddenly cheered as they vacated the stands and went over to the arena. They gave you a flurry of compliments as they passed by you.

"Nice one!"

"That's good stuff there, Dark Elf!"

"I'm pretty sure Eats went easy on you but a win's a win."

The last knight that greeted you was peculiar one. His armor reminded you of typical sleepwear. His helmet even resembled a sleeping cap. "I have seen you in my dreams." He began with a cryptic remark. "I saw you and many others fighting in a burning city." His voice was soft but filled with worry. "Against... monsters from the worst nightmares."

"I-I'm sorry." He apologized as he broke eye contact with you. "It's just... you really resembled one of the Elves I saw in my recurring dreams." He continued. "They are not good dreams, truth be told. It riles the nerves, makes the hair stand and gives cold feet. I do not want to see the end to that dream."

He then sighed. "Do you think that cowardly, Dark Elf? To not see the conclusion of such a... nightmarish event?" The Lot Knight asked.



You hit Galmore square in the face with your conjured sword. He winced from the blow but then he fell flat on the floor on his back.

The referee went over to your downed opponent and checked him. After a few moments, the referee announced. "Galmore has been defeated! Raviel Husk wins!" The audience gave a round of applause to you. The small amount of audience, however, made the clapping quite underwhelming. But this was only the opening matches. Perhaps there will be more in the next match.

When the audience had left the hall, a recovered Galmore approached you. His appearance made him look like he was angry but he was anything but. "Good fighting there, student of Seraph Academy." He complimented you. "I have to be honest, I am not good at fighting enemies that teleport often. My friend Zev'jul is a teleporter himself but he does not use it much in fights."

"Say, who do you think is the best in your academy?" He then asked.



Ecthel was indeed taken by surprise by your sudden explosion, having to jump back just to avoid that.

However, he did not expect for you to leap at him with fury. Tackling him to the ground, Ecthel raised his hands before you could do him in. "Okay, okay! You win! I give up!" He quickly announced, loud enough for everyone in the arena to hear.

"Ecthel has yielded the fight! Vuldur wins!" The referee declared as soon as Ecthel said he gave up. The audience, mostly Ecthel's folks and friends, gave a disappointing 'Oooohhh...' at the student's defeat and surrender. You then saw them vacate the stands and head for the arena. Probably to greet their beloved Ecthel.

The boy got up, however, before any of them reached the arena. "Well, that sucks. I really thought I had you there. I fell completely for your feint." He remarked as he stretched his arms around. "And I'm supposed to be the rogue around here. Ahahaha!" The boy appeared to take his defeat in stride.

"I heard there was this Beastkin fellow who lived near Zauberheim who practiced flame magic and stuff." Ecthel continued. "You don't happen to be that guy, are you?"



*WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

The whistle sounded before your knife could hit Hellia's neck. "Hellia has been defeated via an unavoidable attack! Thessir wins!" The audience gave a round of applause to you. The small amount of audience, however, made the clapping quite underwhelming. Perhaps there will be more in the next matches although that would depend on other factors.

Once the audience has left the hall, Hellia approached you with her halberd as support. "You fought well, Thessir. You may be creepy and awkward but I knew you had skill and talent on you." She told you with an earnest smile. But then that smile turned upside down. "I really couldn't give it my all there. There is something in the air that isn't right." She confessed.

"You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?" Hellia asked.



The Tozens evaded the attacks headed their way but they could not stop Kazudain and Maldur from uniting.

Now the fight was between two Tozens and the duo of Kazudain and Maldur. The Tozens made the first move, one of them used the other to launch himself to the air for a jumping attack at Kazudain while the other went after Maldur. From the way they were fighting, it became clear that Tozen's plan was to keep Kazudain and Maldur separated as much as possible.

Tozen may not know the exact specifics but he that Kazudain and Maldur was a team that could execute powerful attacks or maneuvers when together. Or at least perform better when together.



Rielle was surprised when the weapons she wielded suddenly disappeared. Alas, your gambit did not work as your weapon was still bounced back by the protective barrier provided to Rielle by her magical circle.

However, the magic circle then disappeared completely instead of dimming like what happened last time. Rielle noticed this and attempted to hurl projectiles at you again, realizing you would not let her cast anymore long spells while you were still able. She hurled her magic with desperation but not without precision and accuracy.

But be careful with your approach. She is likely to expect you to come at her now so she may have a surprise in store for you.

---

"Ah, if you'd all like..." Athos interjected. "...You may place the rune on an accessory, a ring or a pendant like you have suggested, and I can give it to Mister Juan as a gift for him to wear." The court mage offered. "Do not worry. I am quite the person in the kingdom, as some of you may know. Mister Juan will not suspect any malicious intent."

"Although it may still fail since Juan may suspect an out-of-nowhere gift but let me worry about that." Athos added. "What will you do in the meantime by the way? Will you begin inspecting the warehouse?"

Vuldur took a deep breath as he relished his victory and the adrenaline faded, a victory was a victory, even against one as young as him. "If they talk about a fire wielding beastkin, it's probably me. I wasn't aware I had much of a reputation." This was only partially true, Vuldur was well aware a beastkin from a northern tribe in Zauberheim but he had no idea he had been more than a interesting conversation topic after his arrival. People will talk he reason to himself

~~Seleth~~

@PaulHaynek

---

The powered up javelin blasted the Lot Knight, a small explosion of energy as it hit.

Seleth held her breath - if that hadn't worked...The silence that hung over the arena as it awaited the outcome was thick, an almost oppressive thing to Seleth as the referee went over. Surely that had worked, hadn't it? No one-no one could have come out unscathed from that, right? Then the announcement was given -

The Lot Knight had surrendered.

"Yahoo!~" No one else had been cheering, but that didn't seem to stop Seleth from hopping up and down on one foot, pumping a fist into the air and shouting loudly. "Ahaha, oh wow I didn't actually-" She stopped herself mid sentence as the knights made themselves known with their own cheering moments later, rushing out onto the field and plying her with compliments.

"Aha, 'Tis only natural I won." She replied to them with a smug grin, face darkening in mild embarrassment from the praise as she ignored the last comment. "I am the strongest student in this school after all and as long as I remain faithful to Aylama, I shall find no challenge to great." Success...was an odd feeling? Perhaps her prayers had been answered? Maybe Aylama was showing her some mercy, or perhaps the proper path? Were her assumptions about her own behavior right?

Well...only time would tell she supposed.

Her revelry was short lived, however. As the last knight approached, dressed in armor that reminded her of sleepwear, Seleth frowned. Ah sweet Aylama, he was asking her for advice on something? Seriously? Ugh, oh dear oh dear what should she say? She wasn't prepared for this! She was panicking slightly so she didn't really register all of his words. Seen her in his dreams? Creepy...but as he went on to explain, something, something made her skin crawl. Perhaps it was because of her own fervent faith in Aylama, but something seemed...foreboding about those words. Well, she was sure it was nothing.

Ah, how as she supposed to reply here?

"I...see," Seleth replied quietly, clearing her throat as she stuck the head of her spear into the ground and leaned on it. Oh wow, she was really tired from that. Phew. Well, here went nothing. "I can not comment on the nature of your Dreams, knight." She began somberly. "Aylama speaks to those who listen in peculiar ways at times. I think I am starting to understand that with my victory here." She offered him a serious expression, gently placing a hand on his arm, but gripping it firmly. "I can not say whether it is cowardly. I have not seen those dreams myself. Sometimes, turning a blind eye to something is the best one can do to save themselves. I can not fault someone for that, but - " She looked the knight right in the eyes, glaring lightly in a firm tone. "If you have the ability to help, but do not, then yes - I will call you nothing but a coward. You are a knight, aren't you? Then act like it."

She released the knights arm, straightening her robe and dusting some dirt off of it from the fight.

"...if you need, perhaps you need someone to listen to your dreams?" She continued in a slightly more neutral tone. "A priest of Aylama may be able to help, if you seek one out. There is a small church I find myself in quite a bit. The Priest there is quite amicable and I'm sure he'd be able to listen."

Thessir

The piercing whistle's cry halted his stab dead in it's tracks.

"Hellia has been defeated via an unavoidable attack! Thessir wins!"

His arm retracted back to his side, his shoulders slumping a bit as he shifted back to his original shape.

Wait, is that it?

He wasn't quite sure how to feel. On one hand he was disappointed. She had hardly pushed him even with the limitation he placed upon himself, let alone with the limitations the arena itself imposed upon him as well. On the other hand the faster he was able to breeze through this round the sooner he could get to the real stages.

The paultry applause was clear proof of this. Aside from this fight being among the more boring arena matches he had the displeasure of viewing, let alone participating in, there was simply not going to be any real investment in these qualification rounds. People would come to see the cream of the crop spill each other's blood, not the chaff that stand in their way. That was not to say he was particularly qualified to call himself the greatest fighter there was since he knew for a fact that was blatantly not true. Still, had he known it would boil down a fight as one-sided as this he'd of told the audience to save their money and stay home this day.

"You fought well, Thessir. You may be creepy and awkward but I knew you had skill and talent on you."

Thessir had been so lost in thought after the fight was called that he was simply standing there, blades still in hand when she roused him from his stupor. He looked over at her as soon as he noticed she was speaking to him, looking more surprised than anything else that she was even talking to him. As soon as she finished her congratulations he flicked the daggers back up into one of the many hidden pockets up his sleeves and brought a hand up to his face, covering his mouth as he stifled his laughter. Patches of his hand were missing the top layer of skin, leaving a reddish subdermal skin layer beneath the spots that were missing.

"Skill? Hihihee- Talint!? Heeheeheeheheheheee!" He was practically grinning ear to ear in a non-literal sense as he was filled with sharp roguish giggling. With a quick wave of his off hand he pushed his hat forward, masking his upper face to an extent leaving only a palm-masked grin above his ratty collar.

"I really couldn't give it my all there. There is something in the air that isn't right."

He suddenly stopped, his smile vanishing with his hand coming down shortly after.

"Heheh. You... Took it easy?"

Though he tried to hide it he sounded fairly flabbergasted.

What in daylight is she- Does this mean that neither of us were going full out here?! His head was cocked to the side as silent thoughts of perplexity rattled around in his skull.

"You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?"

He looked up and sort of scratched his head, not really sure what the heck she was on about.

"In the air hm? In the air... In the air..." Trailing off he started looking around, pacing around a bit. He held up a slightly patchy finger, holding it in place for a few moments before bringing the tip of his finger to his tongue. He could taste little else but the flavour of his cloth wound dagger handle, no hints of something that wasn't right whatever that might of been.

"Doesn't taste like anything. Doesn't smell either, unliss you mean me?" He gestured to himself, standing somewhat askew as he leaned to his left a fair bit, his eyebrows quirked in quizzical asymmetry. At this point he was feeling real awkward, not really sure where to go with this awfully one-sided conversation they were having. Real quickly he ran down the list of appropriate farewells for this type of situation, eventually coming down to one which more or less fit the parameters of this conversational junction.

"So, um... Good luck!"

Without even really waving he just sort of started wandering off towards the nearest exit from the hall. He shifted about uncomfortably as patches of his apparel clung to the regions of his body which were touched by the light. This wasn't the worst case of light exposure he'd endured before but it still littered him with a smattering of stinging spots across sections of his upper body and arms. He fiddled about inside his jacket, hands searching for a healing potion he had on him.

--- Practice Halls ---

The pair moved just as the Tozen pair did. Without a word Kazudain burst forth, reappearing with a horizontal slash at the Tozen attacking Maldur. The cat-beast roared and with a slam of its paw sent a flurry of icicles at the air-born Tozen. With a flash in its eyes Maldur formed a set of ice armor over itself while swiping its other paw across the floor. A sweep of flat ice covered the ground where the air-born Tozen would land, making any landing precarious. Icicles still flew at the man.

Kazudain meanwhile was constantly moving, making feints and attacking from odd angles. If blades were about to clash Kazudain would disappear, only to instantly reappear at the side or behind. His blade glowed a constant shade of blue, arcs of static jumping from the edge. It was only a matter of time before Tozen made a mistake and revealed whether this was the real one or whether the one facing Maldur was the real one.

--- Meeting Room ---

"You shouldn't have to make such a move yourself Professor, as you mentioned Mister Juan will be suspicious of a gift from out of the void so to speak. That isn't to say the idea of a gift doesn't have merit, rather it needs the right context." He turned to the parchment on the table and wrote down a few notes.

"Wasn't it recent that Mister Juan legally brokered a trade deal which would do a great deal of good for the kingdom?"

Raviel blinked in surprise when Galmore fell down from the strike. Did he maanage to actually strike a nerve that caused the guy to go unconscious? He didn't even notice the very few claps that was given to him due to the lack of actual audience. Besides, he knew that close to no one would be interested in this match since there were way more students who were more flashy and more powerful than myself.

He prepared to go as well but Galmore had approached him. His tail stopped in its track, suddenly afraid. He knew that Galmore wouldn't hurt him - it was against the rules, but his presence was still scary. But then the compliment came and he felt at ease. "Oh, uh, thanks! You were pretty good too, I didn't think I would win!" He admitted wholeheartedly. "It is magically draining to continuously use it during battle if you use another type of magic. But conjuring tends to just use one burst of magic and it's up to you to improvise." He explained with a big grin on his face.

He then placed his hand on his chin and began to think. "Varjan is really powerful. A lot of students backed out when he entered the tourney. There's Lisianthus too, the Lightning Princess."

Faye tapped her fingers against the table. "In theory..." She paused, lightly humming for a moment before continuing. "It would work, yes. But we won't be sure until we try, no?" She continued. While she didn't doubt that the magical copies are somewhat solid, she wasn't too sure that the clashing of two magical energies would allow it to work. But she's never tried it before so it may just work.

"He's right. It might be a little suspicious..." She agreed with the Architect. If he's on guard right now, then even Athos would be a suspect. "I think we should investigate the warehouse once we've dealt with Juan. I can multitask listening to him and investigating a warehouse."

---

"If you have the ability to help, but do not, then yes - I will call you nothing but a coward. You are a knight, aren't you? Then act like it."

The knight chuckled. "I hope you practice what you preach, Dark Elf." He replied ominously.

"Anyway, I'm afraid I'm not a follower of Aylama or her sister for that matter." The Lot Knight continued. "I shall seek my solace in my dreams and in the order I am a part of. Thank you for your enlightening wprds, Miss, and I shall hope that you do well in your future matches."

------

After the match, you were told that you will be contacted for your next match. They estimated it would be sometime tomorrow or perhaps the day after that. In the meantime, you were to rest and relax and allowed to enjoy the festivities Zauberheim had prepared for the tournament. However, you first went to your abode, the Radiant Cathedral.

There, you found someone you likely did not expect. "Oh, I know you. You're Seleth. Seleth Thenri." And you knew him. Varjan Caldeyron. He must be done with his match though it was no surprise considering his skills and talent. "I forgot. You live here." He continued, sitting in the backmost pew. The two of you were alone in the shrine of Aylama. "Are you... are you part of the tournament? Stupid question, of course you are."

"So how'd your match go?" Varjan asked tiredly. "Ran into a powerful one? Fought any of our classmates?"

---

"If they talk about a fire wielding beastkin, it's probably me. I wasn't aware I had much of a reputation."

"Whoa. I didn't know I was fighting such a character. I'm so honored. Really I am." Ecthel then noticed his folks and friends approaching. "Stay out of trouble, Wolf man!" He bid you farewell as he went over to his family.

------

After the match, you were told that you will be contacted for your next match. They estimated it would be sometime tomorrow or perhaps the day after that. In the meantime, you were to rest and relax and allowed to enjoy the festivities Zauberheim had prepared for the tournament. You find yourself wandering in the northern parts of the capital city.

There you see in a corner, a bespectacled boy of black hair with a scarf around his neck on a decorated stage and speaking aloud. "Come one, come all! Come see me, the great Zeen, and marvel at my awesome magics!" He tried attracting attention from the passing people. "Come and see, people! Come and see." Despite his efforts, no one gave him a sliver of attention.

"What about you, sir?" He called out to you once he saw you. "Are you ready to be enchanted by my magics? To be bedazzled by spells more potent than those in Seraph Academy?"

---

The Tozen after Maldur was hit by the icicle projectiles. He landed on the ice and slid for a bit before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Now there was only one Tozen left. The real one.

The real and remaining Tozen fighting Kazudain proved a more than capable fighter. He was able to block and evade the attacks hurled at him. However, he started fighting harder upon seeing that his remaining clone had been defeated. While he did slip a bit and got hit from Kazudain's attacks, it only damaged him but not fully take him down.

Then Tozen did something unexpected. Upon their swords clashing, Tozen appeared to block but instead of an actual block, he allowed Kazudain's blade to swing fully, merely sliding his own katana across. Before Kazudain could recover from the swing, Tozen kicked him away and threw smoke on the ground like he did at the start of the match.

But this time, the smoke lingered and clones did not appear. Instead, Tozen struck from the cloud at both Kazudain's and Maldur and instantly disappearing after. The General may be down on his last tricks but he was certainly not out. Although, considering Kazudain and Maldur's abilities, there might be a way to deal with this and end the match at the same time.



After the match, you were told that you will be contacted for your next match. They estimated it would be sometime tomorrow or perhaps the day after that. In the meantime, you were to rest and relax and allowed to enjoy the festivities Zauberheim had prepared for the tournament. But city life may not be for you so you probably went for home.

But when you got to the southern gate of the Academy, you see a scene unfolding. There was a scuffle between the Academy's guards and a student. "Please! Let me back in!" The student screamed at the guards. He was a short-haired blonde boy in armor. "It was just a fluke! I swear! I wasn't in my A-game! Please, you have to let me back in!" He begged the guards. It appeared he was trying to get back into the Academy or maybe the tournament but the guards were not letting him.

"You! What's your name again? Thessir!" He called to you once he saw you. "We got to have second chances right? One loss doesn't have to be out of the tournament, right? I wasn't even at my best! I have the right to be back in the tournament!"

---

"Wasn't it recent that Mister Juan legally brokered a trade deal which would do a great deal of good for the kingdom?"

"Oh, that was not him. Well he was involved but it would be suspicious if I used that for context." Athos replied. "Like I said, Tibrus. I shall handle how I gift Mister de la Cruz."

"So, when will we start our little escapade?" The court mage clapped his hands and rubbed them.

~~Seleth~~

@PaulHaynek

---

Seleth felt that shiver again. Practice what she preached? O-of course she would! Humph, she was the best after all, of course she'd do that. She wouldn't balk in the face of danger, of course not. At least the knight seemed more at ease, but that did little for her own mind.

...

She nervously cast a glance back at the Knight as she left. It was just...silly, wasn't it? Of course it was.

---

She made her way back to the Radiant Cathedral. She had been told she'd be contacted for her next mach, which would be tomorrow or the day after. Good. She could take a rest, then. Not that she needed it of course, but rest was always good. Maybe she should've taken some time to enjoy the festivities, but after what happened with the knight, she felt...a sense of doom? Something just didn't seem to be sitting right with her and she couldn't focus. Maybe some meditation and quiet study was in order. The silence of the Cathedral would be welcome.

Before she could start on that however - she was interrupted by someone she did not expect to see.

"Ah, Varjan what are-?!" She stopped herself mid sentence. What was he doing here? Here to gloat? Rub his own victory in her face? She had never seen him here before so she couldn't fathom any reason that he'd be here. She turned to face him, resting her spear against her side as she responded.

"Haa...I haven't fought any of our classmates. Just some slow knight." Seleth replied confidently. "I won flawlessly, of course." She boasted, not deciding to mention if the match dragged on she'd have lost. "More importantly though...what are you doing here? I haven't seen you here before. Here to gloat or brag about your own victories, hm?" She walked over, to the pew, standing next to him. "Or are you here for something else?"

Vuldur had moved down the streets quietly, planning on finding a tavern to enjoy a few drinks in before attempting to perform some quiet mediation to Aylama,assuming he was sober enough for such a focused activity of course. Naturally this meant the local street performer would call him out from the crowds, Vuldur turned to snap at the boy calling to him before he paused,closed his eyes,took a deep breath and reigned himself in Aylama expects better of you. Be better for once he thought. The beastkin sighed and turned towards the boy,shifting his heavy fur cloak as he did and said "Alright then,show me what you can do. You better not be all talk, I've got things to do lad." he added the last part with a growl before taking a step closer to stage to be 'bedazzled' by the performance.

Thessir

So it would seem they would contact him later with the date of his next match. Having little more than a night or possibly less to recover was not an attractive thought to him but it was what it was. He wasn't going to cry over it, especially not over a bottle of healing solution which he nursed as he walked.

You know, why do I even bothir walking? I could just be in the city marketplace in a near instant! It's a little silly that I'm just strolling on over when I could save so much time-

He was so deep in thought that he wasn't even aware of the scene he walked in on before he was stuck right in the middle of it. Having been just shuffling along, one hand in his coat pocket and the other clutching the bottle to his lips, he looked up with some surprise when someone spoke his name aloud.

"Wha, who?" He looked around with confusion before finally landing his eyes upon the speaker, the tall blonde human who was speaking at him.

"We got to have second chances right? One loss doesn't have to be out of the tournament, right? I wasn't even at my best! I have the right to be back in the tournament!"

_
... Nope, he was drawing all blanks as to who this guy was. Couldn't match a name to this face for the life of him.

"Well, um..." He had to think quick! A response was needed or else he would need to straight up flee this conversation and that got people talked about. He remembered the last time he did that he created some buzz amidst the Academy rumor cycle. He had to lay low for a good while 'till that died down just to be able to pick up books without drawing numerous stares from all around. Bloody gawkers the lot.

His brain hit it's stride however, conjuring up what he believed was a witty comment to inject into this dilemma he was stuck in.

"Why, of course we always have second chances." He swaggered over by the young man, leaning in a bit with a wry grin. "You just need to wait a year first." Leaning on his forward heel he spun behind the guy upon his feet like a door swinging wide open. Using the momentum he kicked off into a strut, walking with his back to them all.

"Anyhow, Et is time for shopping!" He attempted to dismiss himself without too much fuss. With all that said and done he set back into a forward slouch, his mouth sinking back into a miserable frown. He needed to make it down to the market place before it closed so he could buy ingredients to make poisons for his next fights and the hours these fights were taking place in were far from kind to him given his ordinarily nocturnal schedule.

"Bloody day-walkirs, putting events right in the middle of day time." He muttered, his exposed under-layers of skin sticking to his shirt in patches while he drained another sip of his healing potion and continued to shuffle his feet listlessly along the dry cobbled stone road.

Once more Maldur struck first, slamming a paw to the ground forcing a thick wall of ice to surround the pair. At the same time Kazudain channeled his magic to the blade, runes glowing brightly. At the apex of the walls growth Kazudain swung all around, forming a beam ring that blasted right through the wall, taking many shards of ice with it.

The wave would take away the smoke in the room and reveal where Tozen was hiding. If the general wasn't hit by the beam he would still be out in the open. Kazudain held a small smirk as he watched the wave expand, he liked what the General brought to the match. Maybe the two of them could share a drink after the match was over?

"More importantly though...what are you doing here? I haven't seen you here before. Here to gloat or brag about your own victories, hm? Or are you here for something else?"

"..." Varjan was silent, at a loss for words. "...I don't know." He finally answered. It appeared not even he knew what he was doing in the Radiant Cathedral, in the presence of the Goddess Aylama. "Solace, I guess? That's up in Lady Aylama's alley right?"

The awkward silence then went on for a while. While this may have made you uncomfortable, Varjan's eyes stared through you clearly thinking about many things. "Seleth." He suddenly said. "I know this may sound crazy but... but please hear me out. Please." The prodigy begged of you. Almost pathetically even, not the behavior of a top student of Seraph Academy. Then again, Varjan never exhibited any sort of dignified manners. He was almost always aloof and quiet.

"Do you think..." Varjan fumbled, having difficulty to put his thoughts into words. "Do you think... I could pray to the Goddesses for death?" He finally asked. He stood up and seized your shoulders. "Do you think they'll do it? Do you think they'll kill me?" Varjan continued asking, raving and half-mad.

"Answer me, Seleth. Do you think they'll answer such a prayer? Do you think you can kill me?"

---

"Alright then,show me what you can do. You better not be all talk, I've got things to do lad."

"Oh, you're about to see, sir!" Zeen replied before hastily setting up his performance.

"As for my first trick! Look here at my empty sack! It is empty, yes?" The boy then produced a small and empty white sack. "Now watch my effortless and efficient teleporting magic as endless droves of doves fly out of the sack!" He infused magic into the sack and opened it. However, no dove emerged from the sack. "Huh?" Upon taking a look, a single chicken flew into Zeen's face and scurried away.

"Wait, hold on! I can do something else!" Zeen attempted to salvage his show. "I can... I can combine elements! Look!" The boy then produced a ball of fire on one hand and a ball of earth on the other. He then began squeezing them together. However, the two balls did not combine and the balls merely flew out of Zeen's hands.

"Ah, no!" Zeen was obviously panicking, trying to save the derailed and failing show. "Here, I-I have something else!" Perhaps it would be better to stop this to save you time and save Zeen from further embarrassment.

---

Tozen was indeed hit by the beam, blown to the ground at the same time his fog was blown away. The referee went over to your downed opponent and checked him. After a few moments, the referee announced. "General Tozen has been defeated! Kazudain and Maldur win!" The audience gave a round of applause to you. At least these Eastern foreigners were good sports.

Tozen got up with the help of his katana. "You fought well, Sir Kazudain." The general commended you. "Although, I was looking forward to be facing one of the Seraph Academy students. I was told I would be facing one unless there was a shortage of participants." Tozen continued. "Considering I was facing you and you are clearly not a student, it looks like the latter has occurred."

"Do you know anything about that? Was there something in the tournament or in Zauberheim that discouraged students from joining?" Tozen asked. "Or maybe I'm just unlucky."

"Why, of course we always have second chances. You just need to wait a year first."

The armored student could not believe Thessir's words. He slowly surrendered to the guards trying to apprehend him. Thessir was well on his way to the marketplace when he heard a roar.

"RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

When Thessir turned around, he saw the armored student charging at him. The student's eyes were filled with rage and his teeth was gritted. Despite wearing armor, he was quicker than Thessir could react. He tackled Thessir to the ground and grabbed the Elf's head. The student then began slamming Thessir's head on the earth again and again. It was not yet the next series of tournament matches but Thessir has found himself in a fight already.

Meanwhile, Raviel had bid farewell to his opponent and approached the southern gate of Seraph Academy. There, he saw two unconscious guards while there were two students having a scuffle further away. Upon closer look, Raviel found that it was no mere scuffle. Rather, a violent fight.

---

"Wasn't it recent that Mister Juan legally brokered a trade deal which would do a great deal of good for the kingdom?"

"Oh, that was not him. Well he was involved but it would be suspicious if I used that for context." Athos replied. "Like I said, Tibrus. I shall handle how I gift Mister de la Cruz the jewelry."

"I think we should investigate the warehouse once we've dealt with Juan. I can multitask listening to him and investigating a warehouse."

"Splendid!" The court mage clapped his hands and rubbed them. "So, when will we start our little escapade? Oh, do we have any more concerns by the way?"

---Practice Halls---

Kazudain made his way over to the General, giving the man a firm handshake. "I'm in the same position as you, friend. All I've heard was that there is a student with great skill amongst his peers, allegedly in the same league as the Princess herself who is said to be one of the best in the school. Apparently this has made many a student self-conscious and not wish to participate."

Maldur simply dismissed the leftover ice with a huff, giving his body a shake and stretch behind sitting on his haunches, waiting for his master. His began licking his paw.

"It seems too easy a reason used, however, and I find it most curious. Perhaps we can talk further at a tavern close by and share a drink, if you're willing?"

---Meeting Room---

"I only have my reservations Professor, but there is nothing else pressing that comes to mind. All I can do is trust your decision and work from there." He turned to Faye and Enishi. "Get me the list of items you need and I can procure them within the hour. Where do you want to meet after this?"

~~Seleth~~

@PaulHaynek

---

Solace? Seleth tilted her head curiously, narrowing her eyes at Varjan. This wasn't like the Varjan she knew at all. What he said next only confused her more. He practically begged her to hear him out. How should she respond? Certainly, Aylama comforted and accepted all who came to her temples, but...Seleth was unsure. This was so far out of character for Varjan it shocked her. Or perhaps this was just like him. Judging a book by its cover, as they say. She never really knew him, after all.

"Are you a fool?!" Seleth blurted out in quite the unpriestly manner, eyes wide with concern as Varjan gripped her shoulders. "Aylama does not wish for death! She'd weep for the loss of life! Asking me if I could kill you..." Seleth's voice trailed off, narrowing her eyes at him. "What happened, Varjan?" Ugh, today was just terrible on all accounts. Her victory was nice, but the events that happened after...first the knight and now Varjan. What was she supposed to do here? One wrong word and Varjan could do something quite ridiculous.

@PaulHaynek @Frozen0Titan @Polaris North



Recovering from the kick, Lisia quickly saw that this was getting her nowhere. Not only did the mage's magic not dissipate with her slash, but he seemed quite adept at using her techniques as well. The best way to deal with the flash step was to remove her movement options. Rather than waste stamina chasing after her, Lisia decided that she would make the mage come to her.

The moment Zev'jul came in for his next attack, the princess would cast lightning bolts all around her. Hopefully, this would make it so that no matter what direction he struck or tried to retreat to, he would be stunned by the painful shock. At that point, she hoped to deliver a slash powerful enough to end the match.

Only luck and patience would see if the princess could obtain victory...

---

Using wind magic to blow away my cards? My oh my~ Thought Hisana to herself. Her cards blew all over the ground, becoming sticky goo that covered the ground around them. Hisana then witnessed the elf fire three arrows into the sky, then prepare what she guessed was another wind-imbued shot. To Hisana her planned seemed to be a "pick your poison" ultimatum. Not wasting any time, the dame fighter made her decision.

Hisana decided that she would jump in the air to dodge the wind arrow, hoping to do so at the last second in order to jump in the air to intercept the other three arrows. She ultimately didn't care if one of them pecked her, but she would make an attempt to deflect them with her cards.

She would then try to snatch the bow from the elf with another elastic whip and throw it onto one of the gooey spots on the ground, making obtaining her bow that much more difficult. If this didn't work she at least hoped her whip would cover it in goo making it unusable. At that point she would go in for the final blow - a brain-rattling punch strong enough to make her lose sense.

The tension from the situation only served to stimulate the dame further, she was quite happy that her student opponent turned the tables so quickly.

---

"Hmm. I stand at the ready. I suppose you'll have me aid you with this Juan character before I finish conducting my private business?" Said Fuyu, hands clinched together in anticipation.

Thessir

Well, things certainly weren't going his way today.

Just as he believed himself to be rid of the nuisance barring him from proceeding onward to the markets a wild holler drew his attention back to the blonde fool who proceeded to ram into him. In an attempt to dodge Thessir had only managed to turn his back to his new attacker before he was thrown to the ground, his aggressor promptly landing upon him thereafter.

"Hey now! There's little need to-" Thud. The brutish human had grabbed him by the head and drove his face into the floor quite brusquely. As his head was lifted back up he caught sight of another fellow not too far away, a sort who carried himself like a fighter though he was scantily clad with nary a weapon in immediate sight. Then again he wasn't exactly combing over anyone's appearances while his head was being used to pave the cobblestones.

"Hello sir! As you- ow- can see I am currently in a rough- ow- spot, so to say. Could you perhaps- ow- help me sort this out? The guards don't seem- ow- too interistid in helping right now for some reason." He called out to the Beastkin passerby, his humble request punctuated with repeated thuds as his head was continuously hammered upon the ground. He wasn't aware of what happened to the guards yet so he made no assumptions that they'd help or not and simply left his focus on the beastkin fellow instead.

He didn't want to resort to offering any sort of reward right off the bat in case the guy happened to just be a good samaritan who'd help for free but it wasn't like he wouldn't sweeten the deal if it came to that. He was mostly hoping to get out of this without having to resort to any more magic since he was still mending over the skin lost from the last fight. Last thing he needed was to have his flesh become shadows whilst the setting sun's rays had yet to dwindle. Compared to that these head slams would equate to fervent tickles, annoying but a fair distance off from the pain it's light would bring him.

Yeah, he figured it was best to just let someone else help him deal with it the old-fashioned way.

Vuldur let out a great sigh as he watched the failed performance, what a waste of his time. "Let me show you something that is worthy of a performance." he said before stepping out of the moving crowd and closer to the stage before summoning two flames in each hand. The one in his right hand began to slowly float above him and began to writhe and take shape silently before eventually settling into the shape of a flaming canine hovering a few meters off the floor with smoke billowing from it's eyes. "In the north wolves are a great threat, even when separated from their pack a great wolf of the north could end a man in seconds with their ferocious claws and great teeth. he said as the second flame began to take shape and form into a human standing to face the wolf with some kind of spear, much like the wolf the human had smoke billowing from it's eyes and and bodily details were lacking. The flaming wolf sculpture silently leaped at the other sculpture,as it did the spear vanished, and the human was pinned in the air.

"The shamans or 'mages' as they are more commonly referred to in the south guided them for centuries without need for any modern advancements, they relied entirely on their connection to the divine and their magical power. Vuldur continued, the human sculpture pushed the fiery wolf off him and raised his hand, a bolt of fire left the human sculpture and struck the wolf. On impact the wolfish structure exploded into an orb of fire before Vuldur opened his palm and the fiery orb shrunk and returned to his hand before doing the same to the human structure.

"Learn your craft boy, it can't help you if you can't use it." he said with a slight growl towards the end before he turned and rejoined the crowd, eager to return to his inn and grab a drink after that little performance.