Chapter 156.

PART 1.

Hatori is speaking with his father currently, his mother is not in the house at this time. “So basically, this case devolved,” his father is explaining, “All because this guy used a bot in a game.”

“That is stupid.” Said Hatori. “But at least you don’t have to deal with homicidal vengeful ghosts.”

“That’s true.” Said Karan. “Instead, I have to deal with living stupid people. It is a wonder that they even remember how to breathe.”

Zeko shook his head after listening to that conversation. He doubts any parent in usual circumstances will ever talk this way to their child. But then again, Hatori is not a normal child, and Karan is a normal parent dealing with an abnormal situation.

Meanwhile, Hatori feels great that his father is willing to talk with him like an equal as if he is someone with whom Karan can speak, and Hatori will understand the issue without dumbing it down. It is also nice to hear that idiot people are on both sides. Hatori and Karan may like to present themselves as cynics, but they are idealists. When those ideals are broken, then they have nothing but lashing out at the world bitterly.

Hatori has not shared the details of his adventures with his father and mother. He suspects they won’t like the life-or-death situations, and he also told Zeko the same. Therefore, aside from a few things, Karan and Rita think that the worst their son has suffered is some bullying, which he has taken care of. In the case of Rita, she realizes that the only reason why Hatori has managed to deal with his bullies here is because he was older, and likely has some experience already, because of her.

That conversation took place two days ago. Zeko was hoping that Hatori would lose his lethargy after speaking to his father, but that did not happen. Though he is smiling more, so at least one good thing came out of this.

PART 2.

Raven invited Hatori to the castle, but he didn’t go there. Josh didn’t come to the castle nor to the Zeko’s house, and James and Raven accompanied each other in the City of Throne since they were the only two members of their tightly-knit group. Sometimes, Raven is surprised that no one has started unsavory rumors about them, given how they have not created a large friend circle, unlike their classmates.

Hatori and Shin continue to live with Zeko, where Hatori clears the fog of laziness to give Shin some ideas of how he could use his magic with music and combine them with runes, and then the fog descends again. But at least, Shin had something to do for the rest of the summer.

In this manner, the vacation ended, and these five friends made their way to the Magecraft and Sorcery Academy, as the eighth month started. “I wonder what we will do this year?” thought Hatori out loud. “I mean, we don’t have anything directing us like the last two years.”

“Most students will do some independent research, or do that with some professors. You are graded for your projects at the end of the year,” explained Josh. “Of course, some students will continue their apprenticeship.”

“Huh. why does this feel like the same as before I started the apprenticeship?” asked Hatori.

“Because that is how you have been treated your entire time in the Academy.” reminded James. “Also, Josh forgot to mention that you can get recruited right out of the Academy for certain positions in the government, or for some businesses.”

“What about you two?” asked Hatori to Shin and Raven. “I know that James and Josh are continuing their apprenticeship, but are you doing the same or something else?”

“I’m continuing the apprenticeship, which will turn into a job next year,” said Raven. “The general has ordered me to go into the Academy.” he elaborated when they looked at him for a clearer explanation.

“I would be working on my compositions instead.” Said Shin. “It is too bad that we don’t have an entertainment industry as big as the other dimension, I probably could work for some studio as a composer or sound designer.”

“What about you?” asked Josh.

“I’ll just drift around,” said Hatori. “Let’s see what can I find for myself.”

They got off the ship and walked in silence to the Academy. they entered the ground, and through the corridor, approached the gates of the mess hall. they are all looking forward to the breakfast, but the thoughts of food fly out of their heads once they enter the mess hall.

All five of them clutch each other while gasping and stumbling in horror. They are finding themselves to be the oldest students here, whereas they feel like it was just yesterday when they were the youngest. Looking at the firsties is not helping in this feeling. Thankfully, once they got settled on the table of their choice, they did not feel weird because of that reaction. Because other students are going through the same thing.

“Remember Josh, when you were young and youthful?” asked Hatori, wheezing like an old man.

“No, the time has passed us by,” said Josh, wheezing the same way. “Besides, my memory is not what it used to be. Things are unclear and hazy.”

“Shut up you two.” sighed James, causing them to break out in smiles.

“Looks like this one has still not lost his fire.” Said Josh, still wheezing.

“I doubt it. this one never had the fire to begin with.” Said Hatori, also wheezing.

“I’ll show you fire, you bastards!” roared James, and jumped at Josh and Hatori.

Thankfully, despite the chaos, they manage to eat their fill of breakfast, before Hatori suddenly goes stiff as if sensing something, and a second later, the magic washes over the entire hall, and Corvus gets up from his own table. “Now that I have your attention, I would like to make an announcement.” He spoke.

“Every five years,” he continues, as the students listen to him in complete silence, “A tournament is held, where the undergraduates of the various schools throughout the world fight in a dueling tournament. This is not only to show off the future talents of a particular country and region but for also bragging rights.” Some students chuckled after hearing this, but they went quiet to listen to the next words of Corvus.

“However, our Academy has struggled for the last two tournaments, having come at the second last position at the last tournament. This is partly because we do not have a coach for dueling teams, but partly because the students who are interested in dueling often look for outside assistance for improving their talents, ever since our last coach retired. But now, things are about to change.” Said Corvus. Some students were feeling dread, while others were excited, already anticipating what the next words of Corvus were going to be.

“I am delighted to announce Dimitry Popov, our dueling coach!” thunderous applause greeted this announcement, particularly from the students who followed the dueling scene closely. “He has been involved in dueling competitions for the last forty years, and he has decided to share his considerable experience with us.”

“Headmaster, may I take it from here?” asked Dimitri to Corvus in a soft voice, as the students continued to applaud him.

“By all means.” Corvus sits down, and Dimitri begins to speak.

“If you are interested in participating in this undergraduate-level tournament, you will have to go through a selection tournament first, which will be held here in the Academy. please do put your names in the tournament if you are interested. The team will have five spots, whereas three spots will be reserved. So, you will have a chance of getting into the team, as long as you end in the top eight duelers.” Having explained the selection process, Dimitri sits down, and finishes his own breakfast, letting the buzz of the conversation wash over him as the students begin to discuss this latest announcement.

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PART 4.

Daphne arrived five minutes early and waited for Professor Bali to dismiss the fourth-year class. Once he does so, and the students leave, sweating from the workout he made them do, she goes to him as he is putting the exercise equipment back in its proper place.

“Professor,” she said, “I thought you would be furious after Dimitri’s arrival.”

"Why would you think that?” he asked, directing his magic to rearrange the classroom.

“I thought you would see it as a challenge of sorts, you might think that the headmaster thinks that you are not good enough or something,” she explained her reasoning.

“On the contrary mis Blake.” Said Bali, done with his cleanup work. “I’ve tried coaching the student. do you remember that the headmaster stated that the last time, we reached the second last position?” Daphne’s nods, he continues. “That was the best I could do with my schedule and responsibilities of teaching everyone else. You should know this, after all, you were part of that class since it was your own year group.”

“That makes sense.” She spoke. “But I’m here for another reason. I plan to put my name in the selection tournament, will you train me?”

“Of course.” He said, beginning to walk out of the classroom. Daphne fell in step with the professor. “You will have an advantage against most students, you already have dueling experience, and physical fitness to handle the stress. However, I warn you. there will be some students who will be beyond you.”

“Like?” asked Daphne, already having some idea.

“Like that brat Hatori,” said Bali. “I may not like him, but there is no doubt about it. he will put his name, and he will be among the top duelists. Nothing else can be expected from the student of Zeko.”

PART 5.

There is a booth for those who wish to participate in the selection tournament. They need to be in their final year and write their name on a piece of paper. After putting that piece of paper on the counter, it gets flashed away, if their age and year are correct. If someone tries to undermine the system, horrible things happen to them. for example, some students found themselves dangling over the oak tree on the ground in the night by their ankles, and another group got the words “We broke the rules!” written on their forehead, while also turning them bald.

The female students, thinking that the punishments were not for them got a rude surprise, when some of them were transformed into old and decrepit women with white hair and loose skin, while others were found hanging over a wrist over the astronomy lab.

Hatori is in the line with his own slip of paper in his hands. “So, aren’t those two coming?” asked Avinash from behind him. Both of them are on their best behavior because violating the cue also has punishments. So, no cutting each other on the line.

“You mean James and Raven? They didn’t want to participate. Raven wasn’t interested, I don’t know why. But James I can understand. He has his hands full with working full time with Slaughter, and other things.” said Hatori.

“What about you two?” asked Avinash to Josh and Shin. “You don’t look like the kind of people who would be interested in the dueling.”

“Wel,” said Josh, looming in the last, and making Shin disappear in his shadow, “I want to face some competition.”

“Me too.” Said Shin. “Who knows? Maybe the battle will inspire my music.”

“A warrior musician.” Said Hatori. “Better than being a poet.” Several students glared at Hatori, but he ignored them. “What about you? looks like only one of your friends is willing to participate in this thing, aside from you.” given Avinash is in line with them, Hatori automatically assumed that he was going to participate. Otherwise, there is no point in being here.

“Correct.” Said Avinash. “Akshat and Sagar are not suited for combat.” Tom snorted at the delicate way Avinash put it. “Whereas this big boy is.” he thumped Tom on his shoulder.

“I won’t go easy on you if we meet in the competition.” He told Avinash and Hatori.

“I would be insulted if you did, and will murder you in your sleep if you did that,” said Hatori and Avinash together. Several students got nervous from this talk and suddenly decided that dueling was not for them.

This didn’t bother Hatori in the slightest. If the people in front of him want to leave, then he will happily take their place, and get one step closer to the counter. He would like to use some violence, but that is also discouraged. He does not want to suffer any punishment; it will ruin his reputation of being a tough guy.

PART 6.

In the staffroom, Amarjit is building up the tournament. “Many students will brutally try to murder each other for our entertainment.”

“Murder is not allowed.” Said Dimitri from the side, but Amarjit ignored him.

“Noble, rich, poor, everyone has the chance to make their name in the arena.”

“That part is correct.” Said Dimitri, but again, Amarjit ignored him.

“So, who will be the winners? How our team will look like? Will they get along with each other? Take all bets guys, take all bets!” declared Amarjit.

“I put my money on Josh.” Said Amelia. “And yes, I’m doing this because of favoritism. I’m sure he’ll be at least among the top three.”

“I bet on Avinash instead.” Said Amrita. “The boy is strong, and is no slouch in the dueling.”

“What about you Bali?” asked Amarjit, when his colleague failed to speak.

“No comments.” He said with a smirk.

“Ooooooohhhhhhhh. He likely has someone in the tournament whom he is teaching.” Said Amarjit with a wide smile. “What about you Dhiraj?”

“Hatori.” Said the professor.

“I agree.” Said Krodhatma. “I would also bet on the boy. with one another student.”

“Sure, go ahead.” Said Amarjit. “Though I would like to remind you that you can’t put the same bet on the second choice.”

“Of course.” Said Krodhatma. “I’m sure Ravina will make it into the team.”

“She signed up?” asked Dhiraj.

“Yes, though this shouldn’t come as a surprise. She may have taken runes, but that girl is a fighter.” Said Krodhatma.

“Anyone know where Dimitri went to?” asked Amarjit.

“He left when we weren’t looking.” Said Prakriti.

“Huh. I wanted to make him feel welcome among us,” said Amarjit in disappointment.

“Through gambling, no doubt.” Said Bali.

“Of course! Nothing like betting money to build up a rapport with your colleagues!”

PART 7.

Dimitri is discussing the preparations he has made to the arena hall for the selection tournament. “Since it has a standard arena, I think it would be the best place to keep the tournament there.”

“Of course.” Corvus agreed. “Everything has worked out quite fast. I believe we can start the tournament the next week.”

“Yes, it is important to select our team as quickly as possible, for they will need time to prepare and train.” Said Dimitri.

Corvus brings out a sheet. “I do think some students will be promising. Would you like to take a look?”

“No headmaster.” Said Dimitri. “I prefer to make up my mind after the tournament is halfway done.”

“As you wish.” Said Corvus. After all, he will be the one who is responsible for training the future team. He can make his judgments whenever he wants to.