THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"The inter-classes battles or tournament is a small event organized by the headmaster each year. It allows the students to see how they have progressed compared to others and also to be noticed by nobles. It is important for future references after all."

"There will nobles here?"

"Not here, at the coliseum. It's only the nobles of Syldavie that assist to the event. Other nobles were attending as well before but as it became a matter of pride and started invovling politics, it was decided that the people allowed to watch the event would reduced to avoid such cases. "

"I see." i didn't understand the part about politics and nobles but I am not concerned by that. 

"There are three types of battles during the event: team battle, individual battles, and scripts' power. The event only lasts for a week so if you intend on participating, you better have good stamina."

"Scripts' power?" 

"Yes. But that is more for the last years students. It is a competiton where the most powerful script wins. As simple as that." 

"And how is it decided?"

"Time, precision and single shot power. We generally use a giant piece of metal that the local smithy crafts for us."

"Okay. And do you register for the events?"

"Go and see the ra…Pardon me, Teacher Smith. He will register you."

"Okay." Was she about to call him rat?

***

Back at the dorm, I am received by a comity of girls with killing intent. I thought yesterday's event would be forgotten by now but it seems I was mistaken.

"There he is. Lanuvel, you tell him."

They all leave as they see me. What is surprising is that even the heroes are members of that comity. Was that Selpie really so important?

"Come here." Lanuvel calls me with her hand like we are about to fight.

"Why should I?"

"Because I will beat you up if you don't."

"Isn't there any rules against-"

"…" Her face turns dark as the night. Yep, she is pissed off, alright.

I walk to her while trying to hide my annoyance.

"I want you to register in the tournament."

"So that you can beat me black and blue. Sorry, but no thank you."

"I am not asking you. It's an order."

"I have no reason to obey then. See y-"

Lanuvel grabs my hand and looks at me. They are shining with the desire to punish me.

"I said it was an order."

"Sigh…Okay, if you really want to beat me up that much. Let's make a deal."

"Why should I?"

"Because I could also no show up to fight you even if you force me to participate."

"Are you a coward? No, that's a silly question. Of course, you are. you are weak after all." Are you trying to provoke me, girl?

"If you say so. Anyway, what do you say?"

"What do you propose?"

"If you win, you can ask anything of me, punish me however you want. But if I win, you will answer some of my questions." I want to know if the story Farner told me about you is true.

"When I will win, I will have you beg for my forgiveness in front of everyone butt naked."

"Okay, whatever you want."

Lanuvel finally releases my hand and goes upstairs. She is wearing high boots with heels. They give her quite the sexy look.

"Stop checking me out, pervert." She knew? No, i wasn't really checking you out, you know. 

***

The next day, I go to Smith to register for the tournament, and then he gives me a rolled paper with a seal on it. There is a giant 'K' Engraved on the seal. Is that a K for Kevin? You shouldn't have Smith.! My name isn't thzt important. 

"It's participant ticket. You will give it at the coliseum on the first day of the tournament. You sure you won't participate in the team's battles? They are easier than the individual tournament and all your classmates are participating. You could easily-"

"No, it's okay." I don't want to team up with liars and people who mock me at the slightest occasion. I know it is the hated effect thzt caused this but still, I cannot take it. 

"I see. Good luck, then. You will need it." Yeah, I know. I am weak, right?

"Thank you… Sir."

"You are welcome."

I go out of Smith's office and meet Peter.

Peter Kranhf. A survivor of a small village in Floras that got wiped out by Veronica's assassins in a single night. From what he said, the village chief knew some secrets about her that he wanted to reveal to some rival noble, resulting in a whole massacre.

"Master said there will be a survey during the tournament. So keep yourself in shape."

Apparently, Frankher is his master. He came to the eternal academy thanks to Frankher's recommendation and under the hidden condition that he would participate in Veronica's downfall, just like me.

"Got it."

We both participate in the first mission Frankher gave us two months ago. There was a hideout located near the mansion I attacked to retrieved the children of that woman. There were four people participating. Five if I count K'nor. Me, Peter, and two knights of the Koersombre household. We were all dressed the same so that we wouldn't be recognized.

Sadly, that mission as well as the two which followed it didn't bear any promising results. All the hideouts we found were already empty and cleaned of any valuable proofs. The only things remaining were old documents mentioning people's names. We gave them to Frankher in case maybe he would find something.

"Oh, by the way. Keltia asked me to deliver a message."

"To participate in the tournament, right?"

"Seems they won't let you go without a beating. Just go easy on them. They aren't bad girls, as I am sure you know."

"Yeah. You tell them to go easy on me instead. Those gnolls tend to not differentiate between a fight to death and a mere training."

"…You shouldn't call them gnolls, you know."

Oops, I forgot Keltia is his master's daughter. Of course, you would be irritated.

"Sorry."

"It's nothing."

Peter and I leave to the dorm and find everyone in the hall as usual. Most classes have ended by now so we train and train and rest. The third-years like Farner have already had their exams so they are free to do whatever.

We, first-years, will have ours right after the tournament and before the winter break. I wonder what I will do during that period.