After several days, with a few firework explosions in the air and the influx of spectators who came to watch it, Therion Academy's 5-Star Competition officially began. The merry campus was filled with decorations and an abundance of people which included special guests, staff members, students and their families.
"Big bro!" Shaw ran straight towards Ace as soon as he saw him.
Ace stumbled back a little as he grabbed Shaw who gave him a hug.
"Still as energetic as always I see," said Ace as Shaw grinned widely, sighing as he gave up on the idea of trying to claw out of the hug with a resigned expression.
"I swear, one of these days you'll really make me worry," said Ellie who finally joined them while going after Shaw. "Hi!"
Ellie's beaming smile soothed the heart as Ace returned the greeting in an awkward and cold manned. "Yeah…"
"Anyway, where's Chris?" asked Ace looking around him, trying to spot where the man of the house was.
"He said that he had something to do, but that he'll be able to make it," answered Ellie.
"I see," said Ace, a tinge of curiosity in his voice.
"Do you think he went to buy a surprise?" frantically asked Shaw with the innocence of a child.
Patting his head with a momentary sigh, "You're 12 years old. You should really try to grow up a little," said Ace, a well-hidden dead gaze in his eyes as his heart felt heavy and suffocating from the family's presence.
"Shall we get going then?" asked Ace as Ellie nodded in agreement while Shaw simply giggled happily.
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"Welcome one n' all to this year's 5-Star Competition!" Hugo's voice boomed through the loudspeakers of the giant stadium-like colosseum that served as the site of the event while his face was being displayed on holographic screens.
No seat was left empty, and concessionaires were going around selling food, drinks and other items to the spectators. The air buzzed with anticipation that couldn't be held down no matter what. And within the VIP lounge, Hugo and other special guests who emitted a great amount of pressure and authority, were enjoying the show from their high vantage point.
"As always, this competition is a battle royale between each and every student of the academy irrespective of year or class," Hugo continued to explain. "Magic will be used to teleport the students to an artificial space where the goal is to gather the most points, and of course, interference between participants is allowed. To obtain points, students will either have to defeat and eliminate their peers or find the treasure situated somewhere on the map."
"Now then…" Hugo began, two people stepping onto the arena as the crowd roared in excitement.
One of them was Chris, and the other one was a man similar in age to Chris. He wore black combat boots, black trousers and a deep blue leather coat with a white T-shirt while his long light-blue hair, tied in a small ponytail, flowed with the wind.
"Before officially launching the competition, allow me to present to you Deker von Rotsguard and Chris Blakelord who have accepted to hold an exhibition match for this auspicious day!"
Within the spectator seats, murmurs of the Swordmaster and Infernal Swordsman going head-to-head against each other made people shudder with excitement. Students and adults alike were completely overwhelmed by the cumulative adrenaline.
"Huuuuuh…" Ace observed with a deadpan expression from his seat while sitting beside Ellie and Shaw who were surprised by the news. 'Must have been the old man's doing.'
With a silent nod from Hugo, a black-haired man with piercings on his ears and mischievous sharp green eyes, visibly in his mid-20s took the microphone and announced himself, his face replacing Hugo's on the screens.
His long hair, tied in a stylish ponytail, was swept back on one side while the other side of his face was covered by his bangs. He also wore a blue jean jacket with folded back sleeves over his black t-shirt and white-gray pants which complimented his black-red sneakers.
"How do you do everyone?" the man's voice began, his voice playful yet commanding attention. "I'm Isidor von Howards, and I'll serve as your commentator for this year's 5-Star Competition!"
"Anyone else feeling pumped up? Cause I sure am!" Isidor riled up the audience which immediately followed after him. "Since this is a battle between two high level warriors that's bound to create high damage, a barrier will be erected to prevent any damage towards you! Alrighty people! So, who's ready to see this show go down!?"
The audience was in complete heat from the excitement, their cries and roars making the very air tremble.
"Hahaha! That lad sure knows how to rile up an audience, doesn't he?" Hugo was amused as his gaze shifted towards the person who was also sitting behind him. "What do you think, Lord Howards?"
The man was someone whose mere presence was overwhelming, and the other three people that were present with him also emanated the same presence. They were all elders younger than Hugo at first glance, but still, none of them seemed to have lost the vigor of youth.
"Hmph," the man shrugged, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "If only that dumbass could put the same amount of energy and effort into his duties, it'd be better."
"Hahaha! I see," Hugo's gaze drifted back towards Isidor before bowing his head towards the person that entered last inside the lounge, the other people that were with him also bowing towards this person.
"We greet His Majesty Leonardo von Riese Enfilia, Ruler of the Four Stars," they all said in unison.
"Now, now. No need for all the formalities," the man, Leonardo, said his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
He had rich brown hair, thick and slightly wavy, that fell to his shoulders. His eyes, a striking golden hue that paradoxically contrasted and complimented his hair, seemed to gleam with intelligence. He had a strong jawline that perfectly framed his face while his build was regal and imposing.
He was dressed in a tailored suit of pure white that was woven with subtle, shimmering threads of gold. Over this, he wore a long, flowing coat of midnight blue velvet, lined with a rich crimson silk. An intricately carved silver brooch was fastened at his collar, and his shoes were made of white, polished.
"In any case, Dorian, Claude, Roselia, Greg, and also you Hugo, I'm very much pleased to see that you are all doing well," Leonardo said, as his gaze lingered on the five people bowed in front of him respectively.
Dorian was a truly imposing figure, easily in his fifties but with the powerful, chiseled physique of a man half his age. His naturally tanned skin provided a striking contrast to his fiery orange hair, a vibrant shock of color that seemed to burn atop his head. Beneath a furrowed brow, his brown eyes held a sharp, unyielding glint, hinting at a will of iron. He was clad in a dark red ceremonial military uniform, tailored to perfection, its rich fabric and polished buttons exuding an aura of command and authority.
In stark contrast to Dorian, Claude possessed a leaner, more understated presence. His green eyes, keen and observant, were framed by a distinguished sweep of grey hair that gave him an air of sophisticated wisdom. He moved with quiet grace, his slender frame impeccably dressed in a sharp black suit that seemed to melt seamlessly into his refined demeanor.
Roselia defied expectations, a woman in her mid-forties who possessed a captivating beauty and an enviable figure that few could rival. Her blonde hair, shimmering like spun gold, cascaded around her, with only a few delicate strands of silver-grey woven through, adding an intriguing depth rather than betraying her age. She wore a flowing purple gown that draped elegantly over her curves, its rich hue perfectly complementing her radiant complexion and striking hair.
Greg cut a formidable figure, sharing a similar powerful build to Dorian, though slightly more streamlined. His grey hair, thick and swept back, served to accentuate his piercing blue eyes. These eyes, deep-set and shadowed, held a profound intensity, reflecting the quiet weariness and steely resolve of a man who had undoubtedly witnessed, and perhaps shaped, the outcomes of countless battles. He was dressed in a sleek grey suit, paired with a black shirt worn open at the collar, a subtle hint of relaxed power beneath his otherwise formal attire.
"Well, I think they're about to start, so how about…"
BOOM!!!
Leonardo was interrupted by a giant shockwave that shook the entire area.