Chapter 3 : Preparations

It appears that my little adventure is a well-known fact now. It seems that somehow my little escapade with Yuna was brought to light and now the entire school thinks that we are dating…yay me right? ...HELL NO…I mean were you ever in a position where every guy near you starred daggers at you just by walking near them. Feeling the full brunt of jealousy coming from every direction…not a pleasant sight I tell you. It appears that the dinner we had was not only expensive but it seems that ordering it will bring attention from some interesting people. More so one of those people apparently was dining in that restaurant and somehow managed to take a picture of the most expensive dish made in the capital served by the most famous chef in Alsa…to ‘two –as the newspaper says- young love birds’ that were happily munching and sharing their meal… way to go journalism making my life even harder…and what is worse that She missed the sparring date three times now… 3 days I have yet to see Yuna and I am probably sure that she is still embarrassed by this ‘little’ misunderstanding…I need to clear this or else I might end up being the number 1 hated guy in school…

Today was a free day no need to attend to classes as the competition is starting tomorrow. We will be taking the same royal size air craft that took us away from the Grandin fairy forest.

Apparently the school will be taking almost all students to watch the competition some must have already departed and are resting near where the tournament will be upheld…what I found to be fascinating was the fact that the event will not take place on either one of the four countries but will be held on a neutral zone.

A land that is sharing the four counties’ borders will be the meeting ground of the event.

A pat on the back was what I received and was what woke me from my day dreaming. It was Shiki who as always was smiling like if he was someone from a toothpaste company.

“Oi Asura I was asked to get you to the principal’s office she has something to tell you.”

I was near the main building anyway so I nodded and followed the ever so smiling Shiki.

Arriving at the door that was opened by the Maid san who nodded slightly when our eyes met.

The principal’s office was this time a bit packed. As I can see there was the big guy from that night with Vessma and Zeles also with the Loli-wizard-chan. there were two other with them that also had the same red tie. They had almost the same height with one having the exact same hair color as Vessma. Probably a relative he also had some freckles around his nose so that was the seal on that previous taught.

The other guy had dark blue hair with a Mohawk haircut. I can’t believe that school regulations neglected this but he must have a very strong backing to be allowed to have this much freedom and this was apparent on his ear piercings and kempt cloths as his uniform was screaming mercy from the disorder it was in.

Then there was a girl that had a relatively beautiful figure with long braided twin tails and a large glasses she also had more than enough meat on some delicate parts making many girl eye her with jealousy.

What I noticed when I entered that every one of the guys present turned to face us some with a loud clicking of their tong making their dissatisfaction show.

However only one person was startled by our entry and turned the other way around the second our eyes met. Yes it was Yun-san who was as red as it could be and for obvious reasons…I will need a lot of explaining to do just to get the situation back to whatever it was before…

The principal was one to intervene after letting a small laugh then announced the reason for why we have been called here.

“Now that all our representatives have gathered I would like to say a word. You will be transported in a private airship in 30 minutes to the Borelia planes it is the place where the competition will be held. Normally you would be brought along with other students but because of few problems we have recently had to deal with we concluded that it would be safer to be taken there in a discreet manner.”

Discreet? Why what seems to be worrying the school so much to force it to take the students in a way like that? I asked

“Can I know the reason why?”

Then the redhead intervened with an apparent dissatisfaction in her tone

“Hmpf…ignorant fool you think that other countries will not do something to further enhance their chances at winning the competition. There is a lot at stake here entire futures and dreams of numerous people will either be kept or shattered. Nothing a commoner like you has to worry about anyway. And tell me principal why the first years are allowed to participate, the third years are more than enough to handle this it’s but a farce to let newcomers participate. We can’t be risking our chances with these guys.”

The principal raised her eyebrow and said

“I will not have you disrespect another person in front of me and in my office he is my guest as you are too. And one more thing I know very well the stakes that are at risk even more than you do and I can assure you that with Yuna Shiki and Asura we are to have better chances than with anyone else in this school. Even more so the names or the participants has already been announced and all schools know who we are to be facing. If you are worried about the future of your household just do your best and win whatever competition you end up being in.”

Another clicking of her tong was her response to what was on the principal’s mind

The principal turned to face me and then said.

“I would like for everyone to leave, go to the coliseum there will be the private aircraft that will take you to the tournament grounds be sure to be there and fast. Shirogami-san I would like you to stay here as I have something to discuss with you.”

When everyone left I noticed that Shiki and Yuna gave me a worried look then turned back their way.

The principal used a spell that created a small transparent dome that covered both of us.

“So Asura-san…I understand that you are a contractor…don’t worry I knew this from Osfor but I would like to understand one thing. Are you in control?”

“…don’t worry I am in perfect control over it even more so that now I don’t need it to give me mana I can have even a stronger grip on it. So you don’t have to fear me going berserk and transforming into a demon at least not in the next coming days heheh”

Her serious expressions turned to a saddened one almost as if I was pitied…

“Good then…but I would like to tell you something. Under no circumstances you are to use the demonic powers into the arena if the judges found that you are a contractor you will be removed for inspection and the school will take a penalty. Being a contractor is not against the rules of the competition but will be checked to know how far the demon has progressed so it will be problematic for all of us. So try and stay low.”

“…that won’t be a problem but I will be needing to use my sword and changing its forms without letting the demonic aura seep from it is difficult but I can still manage it.”

She then said

“Ah you don’t need to worry yourself about that. As that sword was formerly wielded by Greetman anyone that recognize it will be more interested in you and your relationship with Greetman than to notice that the sword has turned into a soul weapon. Well Off you go or you will miss your flight. And good luck on the tournament I will be cheering for you.”

“Heheh don’t worry I will make you proud.” Was my answer.

Arriving at the coliseum I saw the luxurious aircraft that was to be our carry and take us to the Borelia planes.

It was not as big as the Masscarrier but it was by far more beautiful. It was shaped as a drake with white color having golden stripes and at its side the word Alsa was written in gold. I got up and the aircraft started to lift as if it was only waiting for me.

The interior was amazing as it had a red carpet and leather paddings instead of metallic walls with couches and comfortable seats everywhere.

Taking a seat I was once again greeted by Shiki who came running toward me jumping then crashing next to me and well placing himself on top of a chair.

He then said

“What did the principal had to say to you? Was it something about the tournament? Or about that fuss the other day?”

Answering him with a wary smile I said.

“Nah it’s nothing important just some rules I needed to follow, you know because I am new to this and all.”

He disappointedly said

“Ah that is all…I taught it was something fun…but man that Vessma sure can be a pain…”

Chuckling I responded

“Yea I can’t believe someone can be that obnoxious. And now there are two of them. The guy that has the same hair color is he a relative?”

“Yea that would be Rikki stronghold he is he cousin from her father’s side. And you can bet that they have the same personality so if she doesn’t like you he will hate you heheh”

“That makes it one more person to avoid then…”

He then teasingly said

“Well you are not the only one playing the avoiding game…I think you should go and speak to Yuna she is in this aircraft

“Nah I believe that I should leave her alone right now she has enough on her shoulders. Now tell me do you have any informations on the participants? I would like to know who we are going to be facing.”

“Euh about that… I believe that there is a problem. Even though we are participating I don’t believe that the third years will let us join in on the fun.”

“What do you mean?”

He scratched his chin and then answered

“Well because when the tournament starts the team captain will be deciding who will join each competition. The tournament is divided into multiple categories. The first being track race, where the competitors will race to the finish line all participants will be allowed to use magic to hinder their opponents. Then there will be a magical beast taming competition then a team battle and finally a 1v1 battle. And because the one deciding of who will join the games is Vessma I believe that the chances of you showing up on stage are really slim…”

“…the tournament sounds interesting but I think it is unfair that if I join in or not is left for Vessma…I think I will need to speak to the teachers about this…”

Shiki nodded

“Yes I think so too. Because I think that with your abilities anything that you will be a good asset in the race. As for the team fights and 1 v 1 I don’t have a clear idea. Although you managed to defeat a lot of students in our school the competition doesn’t have a the A rank spell ban and if some of the guys that are participating use their high class spells I think that you will have a lot of trouble facing them…”

I nodded then answered back

“I see but I still have the right to participate so even if I am to be taught unable to win over the others I still need a chance to prove myself.”

Then one more person joint the conversation patting me on the back saying.

“Oh you don’t have to worry about anything Asura-kun I will make sure you get a chance to prove yourself. Hehehehe”

It was Osfor who like always creepily giggles and appears from nowhere.

“We will arrive in few minutes so rest for a bit and sleep early as the tournament will begin early in the morning.”