Arcane Division, Orca Academy, Capital.

"Well, it's good to see you all here. I am grateful that you all are standing here today and representing our Academy." The headmaster said with a smile as he looked at everyone. He took pride in the fact that he was able to put up a decent team at the last moment even though it was mostly due to Max and Axel.

"As you know our Academy has not been doing so well after what happened in Arcane so this is a good opportunity for us. Go out there and give your best…remind them of our strength that we used to possess.."

"Were you guys that strong?" Lear whispered to Kevin who was standing by his side.

"I don't think so…." Kevin replied, a bit unsure. They were among the top 10 Academies throughout the continents but ranked at the bottom among the 10.

"He is just trying to act cool and give a motivating speech…don't take him that seriously..." Axel whispered to them.

"Will you guys shut it up...what if he hears it? It will be embarrassing for him…" August said as he looked at them.

"Don't worry, he has got a thick skin. He still has the balls to show his face after I caught him watching p*rn, there is no way something like this will embarrass him…'' Wilson said calmly.

Max stood there without speaking a word with sweat trickling down his forehead.

These people might not be able to notice it but he clearly did. The headmaster seemingly had enhanced his body with mana and he had deliberately concealed it….in simple words he could hear them...

He knew that they were going to talk behind his back after hearing speech and seemed to have planned it to know what they said about him behind his back or front in this case….

But oddly, it seemed he didn't notice anything....

The headmaster continued to speak with a smile on his face which made Max even more afraid.

But soon he found out why....it was because they had to go out shortly. It would be a mess if they appeared with bruises in front of all those people.

"Aside from our Academy, this is also a great opportunity for you people individually as well. The whole world is watching you….you know what it means and this time the competitions are a bit different than usual. There will be winners like every year. But aside from that, there will be another list for individual rankings...the rewards for individuals will be no less…"

Everyone was taken by surprise. They weren't aware of any ranking like that.

"It will be announced today….anyway, remember one thing. Individual ranking doesn't mean a one man show but your over all performance including decision making so don't do anything stupid."

Everyone nodded.

"Well, then...enjoy today. Because you won't be having fun, from tomorrow…" The headmaster said before looking at Wilson, "And don't create too much trouble. All the Headmaster's will be here today, I don't want unnecessary trouble unless it's about our Academy's reputation…"

With that everyone got out of the Headmaster's office and headed towards the Arena which was once destroyed by the chaos.

The place had been rebuilt and was altered a bit to hold the opening ceremony. The audience seats were slowly starting to get filled up.

"By the way, the one who is going to be the main representative for the Academy, follow me up to the backstage and the rest will move to their seats and wait for further instruction…." The headmaster said as he turned to look at them.

"What is a main representative?" Lear asked.

"The one who is going to step up for carrying the flags, drawing entry numbers, speaking up for the Academy or giving interviews and lifting the trophy if we win the competition..." Mark replied.

"So, who is the one?" The headmaster asked once again.

One by one, everyone turned their heads. If it was a usual group of Nobles, they would be practically fighting for the chance but here were these people who weren't interested in it at all.

Axel looked towards Max and so did everyone. The most famous one should take the lead.

But Max shook his head.

Firstly, he didn't like this stuff and even without it, he already was in the limelight.

And second and the most important one, these competitions were a stage for someone else to be in the limelight…

Max slightly turned his head to look at Lear.

….

A few minutes later….

'F*ck me…' Lear muttered as he stood in the waiting hall backstage as he continued to hear the sea of people in the audience seats making a buzzing noise.

He wouldn't have minded if it was told earlier….but at the last moment, he didn't prepare anything…

Until now he had always been acting as trash at formal gatherings, but this time was a bit different and he wasn't prepared....

Lear stood there sighing. The Headmaster was busy with his other fellow mates..

"What are you doing here?"

Lear felt a headache when he heard his brother's voice. He just hoped that the guy wouldn't start him questioning here again.

When Lear turned around he saw Arthur standing there with Ren Tiner from Vienna Academy and was relived that he wouldn't be getting any questions....

"I am here for the same reason as you…'' Lear replied

Arthur frowned. He couldn't understand why Lear was the one representing, he knew that there was someone stronger than him among that group….

He wasn't having a good feeling about Lear taking the lead and standing against him. There was a chance that some people in the family might not like it…and Lear knew it….that was the reason he was hiding...but now something had changes for him to come out of hiding.

But what?

"I am Ren Tiner, from Vienna Academy…" Ren said with a smile as he extended his hand.

"Lear Barnes from Arcane…" Lear shook his hand.

At this moment, Kain Walker along with Faryl Zen from Zealand Academy and Erina Scarlet from Ocien Academy walked in.

A second later, Melan Roxley from Trinity along with Xenon Frost from Blue Water Academy followed in.

'I totally feel out of place…' Lear muttered as he still maintained the calm expression on his face.

Lear could feel Melan's sharp glares but just smiled in return.

'Where is that guy?' Lear mumbled waiting for Mr. Cool to arrive when Erina walked toward him and began interrogating him about Wilson.

Arthur obviously noticed it...Lear seemed quite friendly with her. He just couldn't understand what had suddenly happened….Lear who didn't even get out of Ishtar much...how did he suddenly have these connections or friends or whatever they were...

At this moment, a girl walked into the room wearing the uniform of Ethera Academy. She seemed a bit angry for some reason.

'Isn't that the Academy which that guy belongs to?' Lear thought as he looked at the girl.

"What are you doing here, Venice?" Erina asked as she looked at her.

"He must have run after some girl, I guess..." Faryl said with a smile and more or less, everyone seemed convinced from the look on their faces.

Venice's face went red in embarrassment.

Lear's face on the other hand turned dark. Unlike others, they knew that the Artifacts were on line…and yet this guy wasn't taking it seriously...