" Don't joke around like that! Reinner, " said Norli brushing her hairs aside as she walked up towards them.
" What? I'm not joking, he could potentially be a great addition to our strength. " replied Reinner.
" I would just be satisfied with getting a spot in the tournament for now, " said Lan.
" Alright, alright.. " said Reinner, " what did you do? "
" What do you mean? " asked Lan confusedly.
" Sen was clearly stronger than you and you didn't even use any magic, " said Reinner.
" It was an element of surprise, " Lan smiled politely. He drastically returned to his assumed humble self.
" Practically, in terms of skill you might be even better than me, " Reinner eyes were flashing thrill and playfulness, he was eager and a flame of life burnt in his voice.
" Haha, you jest. " Lan said.
" Don't get cocky kid just cause you managed to defeat her by surprise, " added Norli, still spiteful that Sen managed to lose infront of first years, talk about the reputation of council! she was thinking how she would scold Sen later on.
Lan smiled and remained silent. Norli laid down Sen properly near a bench and checked her pulse.
" She'll wake up soon, don't worry, " said Lan.
" Consider my proposal, Lan. I will convince Escrald to have a spot for you in the tournament. I have high expectations of you, " declared Reinner and he left.
Lan and the others returned to their classes.
" Dude! What the hell was that?!, " exclaimed Dan to Lan.
" What? " Lan let out a shy laugh.
" I didn't know you were this strong? and what in the world was that? you were unstoppable, it was almost like you were using magic " said Dan excitedly.
" It was a breathing technique, " replied Lan.
" Breathing technique?, " repeated Ellena.
" Yes, it enhances our physical strength for a short period of time " Lan responded.
" Woow, I didn't know that there were such techniques. Who taught you such a thing?, "
" ahhhh-" Lan was reluctant to reveal his secrets, " I could say he was something like my master back in B-12, "
" And what was that finger stabs you did ? How come someone like her collapsed suddenly? " asked Ellena. Zenorah was behind her listening to all of the conversation without even uttering a word.
" I called it life junctures, they are vital spots that can either heal or destroy a human body. " said Lan.
" What the hell?!! " Dan shouted frightenedly. " Are you secretly an assassin or something? "
" Hahaha- hell no!, " Lan laughed but he knew he was something way worse and the replicated expression faded off quickly from his face.
" Although, that's quite an unexpected development. They invited you to join the student council, " said Ellena.
" I'm not particularly interested in that, " replied Lan.
" Why? it's not like anyone gets to join the council. '' said Ellena.
" I'll probably be bound by their duties if I join, I think, and I don't want that. " said Lan.
" I bet Escrald Lejes will be pissed off once he hears you defeated a council member " said Dan.
" I had to do something ridiculous if I wanted to get their attention, I want to get into the wingless tournament somehow, " said Lan.
" It's a shame that three of the six spots are reserved for hunter class students, " complained Dan and sighed.
" Yes, truly regardless of hunter class or not, they should have allowed us to compete for the spot fairly " replied Ellena.
" But I'm sure the two of you'll be selected, " said Lan. " are you not interested in the tournament, Zenorah? "
" I'm only a support, I wish I would be if there were team battles " answered Zenorah.
Wingless tournaments were always about individual strengths and skills, it was mostly held to create rivalry and a sense of competency among the young slayers. However, it also allowed the officials to forge diplomatic relations and friendships. The existence of other slayers schools and institutions was a vital knowledge for the students of Dragon Horn academy to expand their field of view and knowledge. Unlike Dragon Horn academy, some of the slayer academies have completely different system of training and culture.
" So the individual battles aren't restricted to class and division?, " asked Lan.
" No, everyone will be treated the same once they enter the arena. " replied Ellena.
" Then most support divisions won't show up for the selection, I guess, " said Lan.
" I think so too, but I heard there is a bigger tournament called Dragon moons for 2nd year and above, it's the biggest tournament and yes there are team battles, individual battles, division based battles too. " said Dan.
" That's awesome, " replied Lan.
" Sounds like a huge event , " said Ellena.
" Yup, I heard tomorrow we are going out for another hunt. It's been a while since we last went out, " added Dan.
"Ohh, finally " said Ellena.
" I heard it was delayed due to the appearance of that alpha red hound, " said Dan.
" Alright, guys you have Master Wull class right?, " said Lan. " I'll be going back to Dorm. "
" Yes, see you later, " said Dan.
" See ya, " Ellena smiled and waved her hands as she walked away.
Lan smiled and waved them back. Zenorah didn't even look back, well it was expected. Lan sighed and felt that Zenorah still dislikes him for some unknown reason, he could never know for he was not used to social intricacies.
Back in the council chamber, Escrald Lejes sat on his throne waiting for Reinner to report the horrendous news he was carrying which Escrald was not aware of. Reinner was excited to see the expression of Escrald face, that cold and serious face which radiated authority and power, he was so thrilled to usurp his dominance, like a child Reinner was thrilled to be here.
" So what? " said Escrald.
" Give Lan one of the spots, " answered Reinner directly.
Escrald sighed and replied, " I knew you would not give up so easily, "
" Give me one solid reason why I should allow a magicless kid to represent our school?, " said Escrald.
" Sen Hampdher lost to him, " Reinner finally revealed.
Escrald eyes widened for a short period and returned to its serious stare, " Are you serious?, "
" Yes, we called him out to test his skills, Sen was his opponent but he indeed flattened her out " said Reinner.
" She couldn't fight back? Did she not use magic?, " asked Escrald.
" You would be surprised, she indeed used it after he provoked her. That kid is full of surprise, his agility and skills are beyond what anything we have seen like before. " praised Reinner.
" Sen Hamphder is supposed to be stronger than anyone of us in terms of raw physical strength, how did she even lose to a magicless kid?, " said Escrald infuriated that the name of council was dragged down. He sighed and said, " This is so humiliating, "
" It could be fixed, no one knew what happened apart from some kids, " said Reinner.
" How? Kick Sen out of the council?, " said Escrald painfully.
A wicked smile spread on Reinner face, he was waiting for this very moment.
" No, recruit Lan in the council, that way no one would talk about the defeat, " suggested Reinner.
Escrald stopped in his movements and glared at Reinner, " You hear what you are saying?, " said Escrald. " He may have defeated Sen Hamphder somehow, since he defeated her I'll admit he has experience and skill which can rival us but he is magicless kid, and what do you think what'll happen once he faces those magic monsters in hunter class, he may win against students who can only employ low tier magic but what about those who can use higher tier magics? no matter how strong and skilled he is, it would be a handicapped for him, don't you think? "
" Oh captain, I know I mess around much but I can sense when I see a real deal, Sen Hamphder may only be able to use low tier magics but she still used strength boost and wolf steps, yet he still outclassed her in wits and if you have seen that fight, you would consider recruiting him. It was a one sided battle, from the start Sen was overpowered by him plus despite how he looks, he is seriously strong in terms of physical strength and this is a first year we are talking about, he may even surpassed me someday as a fighter class who knows hahaha, give him the third spot and recruit him in the council. Gira is useless, he is even afraid of Lan. We talked with him too, " said Reinner.
Escrald remained silent stroking his chin in contemplation and sending glances at Reinner occasionally. He took quite a moment before he spoke again, " Alright, I'll go test him myself "
" Are you serious, captain?! " said Reinner bursting out from his seat, he was about to explode with excitement and happiness.
" I'll give him the third spot but you have to convince him to join the council, " added Escrald as he rose from his throne.
" Alright, Captainn!! , " exclaimed Reinner.
" There is a condition, " said Escrald.
" That is only if he can fight me at my full power, " declared Escrald.
" Isn't that a bit too much, Captain?, " said Reinner disappointedly.
" It isn't, someone who has defeated Sen Hamphder, the very candidate whom I personally picked, deserves to be repaid with my full sincerity in battle, " said Escrald and a confident smile appeared on his face. He rose from his throne and headed for the door. " Prepare him well, Reinner. I will test him on the day of selection, "
Reinner was standing like as if he saw a ghost, he didn't expect such improvement, he only wanted to lure Escrald into accepting Lan as a part of council attention but as he knows things don't always turn out like one expects to be. He smiled wickedly and laughed hysterically, " Well this is interesting " and he left the chamber with smokes of strategies and plans arising from his head.