THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

After the referee announces the beginning, I left the coliseum and there was a carriage with the insignia of our school on it. There is almost nobody outside the coliseum right now. Instead, the screams and shouts coming from it are so loud you would think the people are right near you.

I look at the coacher and he nods like he understands what I want. Good, I don't need to talk too much. I enter the carriage and we go back to our residence. I wonder where are the others. Maybe they went to look at the final after all. We will all see each other at home, I guess.

***

One hour later, I hear other carriages arriving as I am sitting in the living room. I am checking my equipment to see how much damage Alphonse dealt to it. It's impressive to see so many holes and cuts on something that is made of a monster I had so much trouble killing.. Does it mean that guy can kill an alpha gnoll with just his sword? I don't think I would be able to. Even against the one we fought during the final, I had to use Lumion to bust his knees.

"Don't feel too bad, Cordel, you lasted for a pretty long time."

I hear them coming already. That was Esteressa's voice. It has been one hour, right? Their fight should have lasted for a long time then.

"She is right, man. You did your best, look, he even used his script against you. Isn't that a good thing already?"

"Shut up, Derkheil."

The door opens and they all enter, like a single wave. Frankher and the teachers are not with them, nor are the heroes.

Lanuvel's eyes darken a bit as she sees me. Did I do something?

"You were here after all."

"Yeah, I came back earlier than you guys, it seems." Keltia is the first to talk. The others just take a seat wherever they want, with Cordel and Esteressa sitting together. She keeps patting his head like he is a little kid. And he just makes that disheartened fae like nothing could have been worse.

"Yeah, we noticed. You could have come to sit with us, you know."

"The teacher who was monitoring me said I shouldn't because it would cause trouble."

"Hm...Well, he is not wrong, you did give quite the big impression out there."

"Is that so?"

"IT IS, MAN!" Derkheil and Shalim both stand up after saying the same thing. Then they look at each other with surprise and sits back. Derkheil then looks back at me.

"Seriosuly, man. I knew you were somehow strong. But what you did out there! Flying! Explosions! Awesome scripts!! That was just!! That was just!! Man!!"

"It was impressive indeed. Calm down Derkheil." Even Germinia compliments me. Wow, did I really do that great out there. "My brother rarely smiles or helps his opponents after a fight. The fact that he did it for you means that he recognizes you as somebody worthy."

"You don't say."

"But still, I have never seen you use that script before. Severing the sky. You gave it quite the name. Wait, how many unique scripts have you developed? There was also that light wall you materialized that covered your whole body at some point and-"

"Guys, guys, guys. Let calm down first. You are going to choke him at this rate."

"Kevin, are you possibly…" Lanuvel's voice, fills with anxiety and some kind of fear, resounds after Keltia asks everybody to calm down.

"Am I?" You look weird. What is happening?

"How did you get poisoned?"

"Ah, that." As she asks, everyone turns silent though. It's like a wave of snow just fell on this place in an instant. "Before I answer, can I ask you why you want to know that?"

"Because…I…"

"You know, if you feel shocked every time you hear something about me, your heart won't last that long."

"No, it's not that. I just…" You just feel like you don't know me at all. Reading your mind right now just pains my heart because there is a single truth that will shatter those feelings you have for me.

"No, you don't have to feel pity or compassion for me. In fact, don't. Those wh-"

"What's with you?!! She is just feeling bad!!" And of course, Esteressa couldn't leave it alone. Just take care of your man, dammit.

"I know but she doesn't have to."

"And why is that?"

"Because she doesn't. I am not someone who deserves it."

"And why is that?!!"

"I thought you had changed a little but you still say that." Peter also enters the conversation.

"I have changed. I recognize that…I admit it. You guys have made me change." I look at Lanuvel but the strength to say it doesn't come. "But there are things that cannot be undone. Things for which I will have to pay dearly. That's why I must press on and do what I have to. That's why you mustn't feel pity for me."

"You idiot!"

Lanuvel stands up and goes upstairs running. The mood is definitively dead now. No one speaks until somebody knocks on the door and enters. It is a butler dressed with white and gold. Flashy as you could never be. He wouldn't look like a butler if that costume was designed in any other way.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. The banquet will start in four hours. I am here to remind you of it and as per instructions of the king, we have also brought clothes for you to wear."

"I see, thank you."

The butler then opens the door and a series of other ones enter, each of them holding the same clothes. Guys will be wearing the same costume it seems. A white costume, a white shirt and a red handkerchief placed on the left part of the chest. The right part has three stars stuck on it. Though two of them are different. There is one with a star on it below the fist three on a costume and another with two stars below the first three. They aren't really big but still big enough to be noticed. Girls…have the same dress but the colors are changing. There are also threr stars on their dress. 

"This one is for you, sir." One butler brings the costume with two stars to Cordel. AH, okay, I see now.

"And this one is for you, sir." Another brings the costume with one star to me.

"Thanks."

Oh well, let's prepare for the banquet then.

***

"You should have gone to talk to her."

After about thirty minutes, we all finished preparing and went to the carriages. Sadly though, Lanuvel decided not to come. I cannot blame her since it is my fault. Only problem is that Keltia won't stop pestering me about it.

"I told you that I won't. If I do then that means my resolve is weak." And I cannot let it be weaker than it already is. I don't have the courage to tell her that I killed her father. I can't let her become weak as well because she is pitying me.

"What does your resolve have to do with that? She loves you. That's the only thing that matters. How could she not feel that way when she hears about your past?"

"I love her as well and that's why I don't want her to look at me like that. I am not weak!!" In fact, I don't want any of you to look at me that way.

"Nobody said you were! What kind of blockhead are you?!"

This is going nowhere. I should put an end to it.

"Look, Keltia. I will go and talk to her later. I will explain myself properly and if it is not enough, I will even apologize."

"No, you go and do it right now. I won't leave you alone until you do."

"We have left the residence already."

"I don't care. You can fly, right?! Just go and bring her back already!"

"Tch!"

"Hey, coacher, stop!" Keltia screams so hard the coacher stops suddenly, making the carriage shake.

I get down then Keltia grabs the door's handle and slams it with all her strength.

"And don't even think of coming back without her!!"

She screams one last thing as the carriage resumes its advance. Dammit, I really have no other choice now, I guess.

"Why do you girls have to be so capricious?"

Since I have been ordered to bring her back, I can take my time, right? I start walking slowly on the big alley with lights, people and shops everywhere to be seen. This city must be really bigger than Mercuria or even Ragus.

"Nah, there is no way."

"Psst, hey!"

Suddenly, while I walk, I hear a voice calling me from a smaller and darker alley. I look and see almost a face that then disappears. What was that?

I walk to the alley and take it. I walk for almost a minute but still, nobody. Then, as I reach the end of the alley, I suddenly feel the energy from a crystal emanating from there. Then like a mirage, a hooded figure appears and finally, the face is revea…

"Anriette?" What is she doing here?

"Well, hello there, mister Dragonroad. Oh no, please, excuse me, mister Koersombre."

"What are y-"