THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

Two days later, the tournament starts with a city blooming with colors and people. Winter is coming son but you would be able to tell right now. I thought it was supposed to be a small event but it's like the whole city is throwing a party. There are so many noises, so many shops…I almost don't recognize the city.

"It's this way, Kevin. Where are you going?"

"Sorry."

I am going to the coliseum with the heroes. They don't participate in any event. I suppose being a hero isn't all joy and laugh.

"Roxcia, what will you do if they ask to marry you?"

"It's prohibited to ask that.. And even they did, I still have the free will to refuse."

"Right, unlike a certain somebody who almost accepted Cordel's proposal. You looked like a complete idiot that day, Farner." Excia seems to be the most excitef oaong them. 

"Like you didn't blush yourself when Samson asked to kiss your hand." No, Farner is just as happy and cheering. 

"T-this has nothing to do with anything!"

"Yeah, yeah."

I don't know what they are talking about but it seems like Cordel and Samson already won this tournament before.

Samson is another male of the omega class. I don't know a lot about him but he always walk with Cordel so I don't really need to bother.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"The reward for the winner of the individual tournament."

"You guys are the ones who will reward the winner?"

"Yes. One of us must do it each year. Farner did it the first time, then it was me, now it's Roxcia's turn."

"I see. And the winner can ask for anything, it seems."

"Not really since it's the academy and the church that contribute to reward the winner. But some fools tend to ask stupid things like marrying us."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They think marrying us will grant us the church's support."

"And it won't?"

"Nope. At most, you will become an ambassador of the church or a captain in the eternal army but that's about it."

"The pope wouldn't agree anyway. Nor would the saintess."

"Yeah, Rebecca would never let it pass."

"I see." They have it rough as well, huh. Though, marrying a hero…isn't so tempting since they are almost immortal.

My body isn't acting as much as before near Farner. She told me that she didn't know any scripts that could control a human body or affect it in any way that i described. I really wonder what is that sensation I have then. I hope it's not some kind of disease. 

After a few minutes, we reach an immense building. It is so huge I can't see where it ends. There are two statues at the entrance. They are so tall you have to stretch your neck to see their faces. Those faces…

"That's…"

"Us. Yeah."

"I see."

The two statues' faces seem to represent the heroes or the goddess. They are both holding a sword with both hands in a majestic way.

There is a lot of people in front of the coliseum. So many, I don't think we will be able to enter at all.

"Come, the participants' entrance is there."

They drag me to another entrance, much less crowded. There is a stand with a man and a big book at the side. I give him my ticket and he silently writes something on the book before giving it back to me. We enter and find a lot of doors inside with numbers.

"Normally, they are in the number 7 and 9."

We walk and knock on the door number seven.

"Yeah, come in."

Cordel's voice resounds from inside. We enter and find him with Esteressa, Peter and…

"Why is he here?" …Lanuvel. We encounter a lot lately.

"Hello."

"Our fight is in three days. What are you doing here?"

She is wearing a pink armor with a skirt and high boots. The skirt is covered by some plates over her thighs but it is a bit short, I think. her helmet is more of an ornament, covering only her forehead while holding her hair in place. She looks good.

"So the teams are limited to four people." Let's leave her alone.

"Don't ignore me!" She stands up and comes to me like the wind. Before she can reach me, Cordel stops her.

"Hey, don't forget your promise."

"Grrr...Tch!"

She grumbles like a dog then goes and sits back to her place. She closes her eyes and crosses her legs in an elegant way. From her posture right now, you wouldn't believe she was acting like a brigand just now.

"Anyway, we only came to encourage you guys. I heard Keltia's team isn't weak at all."

"We will win nevertheless."

"Yeah, I can't wait to break Samson's nose. I wonder how mad his wife will be, this time."

"Stop it. We will be all healed after each match. And there is a barrier anyway so we can't get hurt more than necessary."

"Ah, shit. I forgot."

"Okay, guys. We are going to see Keltia's team as well."

"Break a leg!"

"For real?" Why did Farner say that? I thought this was just for fun.

"It's a figure of speech, silly."

"Okay."

We go to the room with the number 9 then knock and enter.

"Hey, guys."

"Hello."

Keltia is sitting at the end of the room, which has seats encroached to the wall all around. Her crossed legs revealing slightly her fair and clear skin. Yup, my aunt is sexy, no doubt about it.

She is wearing an armor with a skirt just like Lanuvel, though hers is green. The design isn't all that different. Only her helmet is covering more of her face as well as her head. You can only see her hair on her back.

Samson is here as well, wearing a grey armor. It looks especially good because one of the shoulders is crafted to look like an eagle's head.

There are two other boys in the room. Those are…the two I saw with Keltia and Lanuvel once. Their armors are good but there isn't anything to be surprised about it.

"You really like to set a quiet atmosphere before a fight, huh."

"It's better to be focused."

"Is that so? They are all excited there, though."

I let the heroes do the conversation while I watch the room. They are clean and perfectly maintained. Was it built recently?

"You are going to watch, right?"

"Of course. But only today. Tomorrow, we will travel with the saintess for a few days."

"But I will be there, though."

"Okay. Well, wish me luck, then."

"With your powerful wind. I don't think you need it."

"Fufufu."

Keltia laughs so elegantly it sounds more like a song than a laugh.

***

After we saw everyone, we pass by an alley after the doors that were aligned, and instead of going straight, we turn to the left. Then we took stairs and reach seats that are apparently reserved for fighters. From there, you can see the whole coliseum.

There are already so many people the noises are unbearable. The stage at the center of the coliseum is a circle. Not a square like the academy's.

"Those seats were made so that people can't see us when we are here."

"I see."

Well, we are well above everyone.

"That way, even the pope, the saintess or royalties can come and watch without trouble."

"Rebecca will come here?" Then I should probably leave.

"No, she isn't even in Mercuria. She went to the front line to retrieve something. We will go as well tomorrow."

"I see."

After a few minutes, a man comes to the stage and announces the first fight. Then two teams enter and greet the public which starts screaming like crazy.

"Keltia is fighting first, right?"

"Yes, I think."