Seraph Academy
North Courtyard
You arrive at the northern courtyard of Seraph Academy. The purple registration tents were up and people were lined up to participate in the Grand Academy Tournament. However, they were not as many compared to previous tournaments and the lines were much shorter now than then.
Still, your arrival got you many greetings from the many students of the academy. Including from one girl of Eastern origin. "
Oh, Princess! You're here!" She greeted you happily. The girl had the robes and fashion befitting of one from the Eastern Isles. This was Mira Yasunori, a classmate of yours. A sweet little girl but no one extraordinary.
"
Are you here to register for the Grand Academy Tournament. 'Cause I am too." She said but then her mood saddened. "
Although, I heard Varjan's also joining so... that's going to be one heck of a hurdle to get over." She remarked. "
Not to mention outside competitors. Uggghhh..."
"
Say, how do you plan on fighting Varjan?" Mira suddenly asked. "
You know, if it comes to that."
"Humph, of course I'm participating Alicia. I'm more surprised you haven't run away with your tail between your legs."
Alicia gasped in offense. "
Wha?! Seleth, that's mean!" Now she really pouted.
"Hope to see you get far in the tourney, Alicia, Seleth."
"
Hey thanks, Rav." Alicia replied. "
I'll hope too since we're gonna need all the hope we can get."
"More importantly though...how long does it usually take to register for these things?"
"
Back then, really really long." Alicia answered with a smile. "
It's not the process of registration though. That one's quick. You just write your name you're all set." Then her smile faltered. "
It was the lines. Back then, the lines stretched all the way across Seraph Academy. Okay maybe not that much but it sure felt like it."
Then her smile was completely gone. "
This line is nothing compared then. Probably because Varjan's participating in the tournament." Varjan. That name was well-known across Seraph Academy and perhaps even throughout Zauberheim. That boy was unlike any other. He nailed subjects seemingly without effort and scored pretty high in exams and sparring matches. Even the Crown Princess herself, renowned as she was, had to exert effort just to keep up.
Then, the three of you hear a commotion just nearby. Noises of a woman shouting. "
Ah, Varjan..." The three of you witness a
brown-haired, simple-dressed boy get yelled at by a well-dressed woman of black hair near one of the other purple tents. The boy was Varjan himself and after entering the purple tents, it was all but guaranteed that he would be in the tournament.
Alicia looked back at
Seleth and
Raviel and forced a smile into her face. "
Well, I guess that's it. Varjan is indeed in the tournament. I hope he goes easy on us all." She said. "
Say, do you guys have a trick up your sleeves just in case you face someone like Varjan? Or will you just wing it?"
"Ahhh... My apologies. Do not lit one such as I impede you. I myself no longer have need of these tents... Or so I'm told. Remember to dot your T's and cross your I's. The human kingdoms show fondniss for parchmints of dubious necessity."
Before the boy could reply, a woman butted in the conversation. "Varjan! What the hell's wrong with you?!" A beautiful sharp-dressed woman with long black hair and black eyes. However, her angry face tarnished some of the beauty. "You don't talk to outsiders like that! Show respect!" She yelled at the boy apparently named Varjan who cowered and kept his head low.
"Just go. Go and register." She commanded the boy who then took his leave and entered the purple tent. The woman then turned back to you. "Ah, I'm sorry for my rude son, sir. I, as her mother, formally apologize." She curtsied before you though you might not know what that is. "You don't look like you're from here. Are you an outside participant?"
"Oh, I'm Iona Caldeyron. But please, just call me Iona." She continued. "May I know who you are? Are you an Elf of some kind?"
City Square ---> Seraph Academy
South Courtyard
"Perhaps as a means of making up for his actions I treat you to a drink at a tavern of your choice after I've finished my business with the registry tents. What say you, Sir Keith?"
"
Oh, no problem man." Keith took your hand to stand up. "
Say, I don't recall you having a kitty for a pet."
"
Now then, ikuzo!"
------
You and Keith soon reach the southern courtyard of Seraph Academy where there were purple tents set up. Those tents were the registration for the Grand Academy Tournament would take place. "
There's... not much people signing up." Keith remarked. There were people indeed but the lines were virtually nonexistent. One could actually pick which tent they want to enter. "
Oh well. Less fodder for us to go through, am I right?"
After entering one of the purple tents, an Elf greeted the two of you from a makeshift desk. "
Ah, welcome. Are you two here for the Grand Academy Tournament?"
"
Hell yeah, we are! Where do we sign?"
Ah, just over here." The Elf pointed to a paper, amongst many, on the table. "
You two don't look like you're from here. Are you participants invited from outside Razelia?"
The last line made Keith stop writing. "
W-Wait. Did you say 'Razelia'? I-I thought this was Zauberheim. You know, Zauberheim. Kingdom Of Magic?" Keith inquired, panic and confusion in his voice.
The Elf was unnerved by Keith's sudden shift in behavior. "
U-Umm... This place is indeed Zauberheim, sir. The capital of Razelia?"
"
Huh?" Keith then bolted out of the tent in a panicked hurry, leaving you and the Elf dumbfounded. "
You're f***ed! You're all f***ed!" You hear him screaming outside, no doubt attracting attention.
You arrive at the southern courtyard of Seraph Academy where there were purple tents for registration into the Grand Academy Tournament. Several purple tents were up but it did not appear that a lot of people were signing up, as evidenced by the lack of lines on the tents.
Suddenly, a
warrior of black armor emerged from a purple tent. "
You're f***ed! You're all f***ed!" He screamed. "
You're all f***ed, you hear me?! F***ED!" His yelling caught everyone's attention but he just continued screaming as he ran. "
YOU'RE ALL DEAD!"
However, he was not looking where he was going and thus, he accidentally tackled you into the ground. The pouch you had stolen earlier was knocked off of you which was noticed by the raving warrior. "
Ooh, I'll need that." He snatched the wallet before getting up. "
Listen lady, you gotta get outta here. Consider that pouch as a 'thank you' for the warning." He calmly told you.
Right after that though, he was back to his incessant screaming. "
YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!" He yelled as he ran away.
You were on your way to Seraph Academy but upon reaching the City Square, a bird-like claw grabbed hold of your shoulder from behind, stopping you dead in your tracks.
"
I hope you have time, sir. It's an important business." You turn to see a woman with
a pair of bird wings and matching claws for hands and feet. Her face was dead serious, sending a message that she had no time to dally around. "
Were you that Taoist fellow who passed through the west gate?" She inquired. "
If so, then I have a few questions for you."
"
It's about a small robbery. Victim was a guard over at the west gate." She explained. "
I was told to look for a girl with reddish colors. And a guy with an Eastern hat."
