"I can't believe we're here!" Squeals of excitement echoed through the carriages as they neared towards Caelbridge Academy. However not all were pleased with the sight of the academy. In his carriage, Brose gave a long and heavy glance at the school, his mind elsewhere.
"I can't believe that we're finally here. I hate to say it but I can't believe that they have a place where they go and chill out for the weekend. Maybe we could go to the town when we're free." Ingrid cheered derailing Brose's thoughts.
"What? Got a lot on your mind?" With a poke Brose swatted Ingrid's finger off his forehead. "I was just thinking about something is all." His tone didn't match his demeanor. One more meaningful than the other. "Well there's no need to stress yourself this hard over a tournament. After all there are other things that we could be doing other than trials and all that nonsense."
A sharp gaze was cast in their direction and the pair felt it. "Nonsense huh? I should have you sent back to Vorthmere if you don't value this tournament then Ingrid." One of their professors spoke, his tone stern as he gave Ingrid a side eye. "Wait! That was not what I meant professor."
The professor rather than play his game gave a sigh. "Just know what brought you here and don't stray from it." The silver gates of the academy gleamed magnificently from the sun's rays, the carriages hauling through with minimal ease.
Hopping off their carriages, the Vorthmere students were met with a line up of first year students, each with rehearsed smiles urging them to head towards the auditorium for a proper briefing. Murmurs erupted form the crowd, some speaking of the modern luxury that had crept up, others talking about the strange glances sho at them.
"Some of these girls are actually quite good looking." Sighting a flock of girls murmuring to the side, he blew them a kiss only for it to be ignored. "At times I do wonder whether you ever take things seriously." Before Ingrid could defend himself, the size of the auditorium shut him up.
It was much bigger and more majestic than theirs making him grit his teeth but his resentment didn't last long as hus eyes landed on his opponents who had already taken their seats. "Who's that beauty over there? Wait! Is she wearing a collar?"
Ingrid was baffled, thinking that it was some form of jewelry or accessory. "Just keep your head down." Taking his seat, Brose looked through the crowd for anyone who stood out however for now it was Callista. A few minutes later and two professors made their appearance, one of each school took the stage.
From there each of them took turns speaking, briefing them about the tournament and it's inner workings.
The tournament would be split into three parts, the first involving theoretical trials, the second about artifact hunting and the third phase focusing on combat trials. "The first phase as you all know will be theoreticals, the test spanning for three days before a full day break."
"From there you'll continue onto the second phase of the tournament which involves artifact trials. Here, a party will be handed artifacts to safeguard and the other party will have to steal the former party's artifact. Once this is over we'll transition to the final phase of the tournament, the combat trials. I'm sure you can deduce what happens here."
The Vorthmere's professor spoke, his tone slightly playful."The first phase will be awarded based off points on each test. Each day ten if you've done your homework amounting to thirty. The second phase, the defenders will get ten points while the assaultants will get twenty points. As for the third phase, that will depend more on your performance."
Caelbridge's professor was way stricter than the one before him. "I wish you all the best of luck with your trials." Both simultaneously mused. Fom there the students were each taken to their individual rooms, guided by the first year students.
"Best of luck." Brose chuckled. "You can say that, you know that theory isn't my field." And with that the two parted. It didn't take long before the two professors were left alone in the huge auditorium. "So that's Jarren." The professor from Vorthmere exclaimed, his voice barely audible as the two walked out of the auditorium.
"He may not seem like much but there's more to him than that smile of his." Joining back to the lounge, other professors came into view. A blend of Caelbridge and Vorthmere. The theoretical was examined ana assessed by both schools to maintain fairness however that didn't mean that it would be easy.
The reason why the theory took three days to finish was because it was further broken into three sub parts. The first day involving magical theory, the second day artifact understanding and the third about combat philosophy. It was a means for them to gauge which students had more of the edge but this was nothing more than data.
In the field the situation could be completely different thus it only served as a glimpse into how the students mind worked. As for the rooms the students were hauled in, they each had a bed and a means of refreshing their bodies. Food delivered to them on a schedule.
...
'So that's the champion, he looks exciting. That fiery spirit, the need to cleanse the world and with a saintly air around him. Makes me remember.' With a smile on his face, Jarren looked at the test placed in front of him. Skimming through the forty page leaflet, he let out a sigh not because it would be problematic but rather too easy.
'They couldn't have made it harder?' Grabbing his pen, he stared to fill the page with answers that did more than just fill the questions but made the professors wonder. The only other individual who flowed so easily like him was Callista and Brose however his pace was slower than hers and way beneath Jarren's.
*Three days later*
"Oh my! Do they think that we have years of experience to be asking such questions?! Especially the combat philosophy, what were they thinking?!" Most of the students were more than just angered with the last day.
"So how did it go?" Ingrid quizzed, his hand drooping over Brose's shoulder. "It was fine but I'm not sure that it would be a perfect test." Brose sighed, his expression downcast however Ingrid felt insulted. "Okay I know that you're smart but you don't have to show off like that." The pair made their way out of the halls.
The endless blue skies welcomed them, warm as buzzes filled the air. "Well let's go to our actual rooms. I want to see how it looks." The air fell somewhat silent and looked at the source. Callista with her bells made her way back to her room, barely casting a glance at anyone.
After her leave, the air fell back to it's casual buzz. "Yeah I asked around and turns out that she's thee Callista Vaewlyn. It's actually rather bizzare to think that someone like her would be at a place like this." Ingrid murmured, the pair making their way to their assigned rooms.
The place was minimalist but without a doubt perfect for the two. "Ugh! They seriously couldn't have made it bigger?!" Ignoring Ingrid's tantrums, Brose changed into something less formal and made his way to Bolyres. It wasn't just him but but other students of boh academies went to the town.
...
"That will be 5,000 malcore blue shards." 'Damn it!' Looking at the price, Brose pondered about taking his leave. "You must be Brose." A voice interrupted his thoughts and with a look, he was puzzled at the lady who took interest in him.
It was Orissa and with a smile payed off the cake. The price wasn't high, it was just that his background wasn't financially well. "Thank you but I don't think I know you. I hope Ingrid didn't lie to you." With a nervous laugh, Orissa bought another cake and the two walked out of the bakery.
"No, it wasn't Ingrid but someone else. Jarren, he told me that you would tell me more about him. I'm quite curious how you two know each other." Brose's body froze, nearly choking on his cake he coughed it out. "You know Jarren?" His tone sifted from his earlier warmth now replaced with a coldness that felt foreign.
Realizing that Jarren and Brose weren't allies she rose her arms in protest. "No! Well yes. I'm curious to know what exactly he is. Nothing more." Brose looked at the girl, her reaction seemed genuine as he noted that she was weaker than her. "Jarren Velros, just avoid him at all costs."
And with that Brose took his leave. 'I can't believe that I spent money on him only to leave just like that.' Disappointed with what she got, she let out a deep long sigh as she made her way back to the academy. As much as she wanted to spend more time at Bolyres, the test that would follow the day after would be physically and mentally demanding thus she didn't want to exert herself too much.
***
"What are these answers?!" Esdora gave a sigh, her arms extended at the tome laid out to her. It wasn't just her but another professor from Vorthmere let out a laugh of defeat. "I knew that he was odd but this is way too complicated. How can someone of his age even come up with such tactics?"
By now professors from both academies grew wary of Jarren. "We have another perfect score. Callista Vaewlyn." Another professor commented. However they didn't react as it was within their realm of anticipation. "We'll have to finish up with these others. Seriously what are these answers?!"
Comments of frustration would come up every now and then, professors passing the scripts around before they were graded.
***
"Okay thanks to my research I've finally gained more information about Jarren." Ingrid barged into the room, his tone disrupting the calmness that had claimed the room. Brose looked up from his tome, his face slightly agitated. "What do you have for you to storm in like that?"
Closing the door behind him, he looked around only to lean in. "A lot my friend, more than you as you douge yourself in books. Can you believe that a few weeks ago a murder of a fifth year student had occured, some linking it to Jarren. Not just this but three other ladies came to pass. Investigations went nowhere and now he somehow managed to influence Callista to be his."
Brose shut his book, his face grim as he let out turbid air. "Look Ingrid, as much as I appreciate your work I want you to avoid him as much as possible. It's not just you but the students here are curious about him. I ran into a girl he had sent, asking me about Jarren."
Brose knew what Jarren wanted with that move. "Why would he make a move like that? And is she beautiful?" Brose squinted his eyes, his lips frowning in dissatisfaction. "I'm not joking Ingrid. Just stay away from him." He concluded with a tone of finality.