The announcement continued with the Councilman speaking to everyone in the gym. His display was holographic and full-size. Everyone chattered excitedly while he continued to convey his grand news.
“The tournament will consist of three rounds with a challenge for each round. There will be thirty-two participants split equally into eight teams. For each round, two teams will compete against each other in a site that will be announced the day before somewhere in Atelier City.”
“So, he mentioned the Grim Inheritors. What do you think that’s all about?” Allen asked while listening intently.
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s trying to smoke them out, but how does he know who they are in the first place? We need to figure that out first.” Nera replied.
“That’s true...” Xalia sauntered over to where they stood. “However, you have to consider that the prophecy they’re espousing is actually true.”
“Well, if it was. Don’t you think at least one of you three would’ve heard about it? What about you, Iyo? Does this “NInes Leaves Prophecy” ring any bells?” Allen questioned.
Iyo gazed back in contemplation. “It does and I’m sure Xalia has heard about it too.” Allen was caught off guard while Xalia nodded. “To be direct though, since Yggdrasil is one of the four Noble Capitals, there are many legends about the nine realms scattered throughout time.”
‘So, you’re saying they could’ve just found one that vaguely resembled the Inheritor's situation in order to catch their attention?” Nera prodded with her arms folded.
“There is that, but I meant that the abundance of similar legends led us never to notice how uncanny that particular one was before.” Iyo reiterated. “It might’ve been staring us in the face this whole time.”
The noise of Councilman Hydrus’s voice resounded through the training hall as he continued his explanation of the grand event that would take place in Atelier City. Already, people were getting anxious about the chance to join the Sword in Stone Festival. For many of them, they had been honing their skills for their entire lives for a chance such as this.
“To coincide with this announcement, all the chosen participants will receive ethereal Invite Cards that represent their right to join the Sword in Stone Festival. Eight teams of four must be formed among the participants.” Councilman Hydrus outlined. “In two weeks, the Sword in Stone Festival will commence and all those with Invite Cards will enter into it.”
As the city official spoke, a white glow appeared in front of several people in the Knight Arms gym. That included Nera, Xalia, Iyo, Vanna, Renzo, and Porthos. The white light eventually condensed and coalesced into golden cards that floated in the air. The people who did not receive one groaned in disappointment with slumped shoulders and deflated faces. This included Allen Lee.
Dumbfounded, Nera took hers in hand and scanned over it to examine the Art Deco design. The golden card had a back with a sword embedded in a four-pointed star while the other side had Atelier City’s skyline imprinted on it. The card flickered occasionally with a neon electronic gleam.
“Stellar, this is the real deal,” Nera uttered. She was astonished by Atelier City’s ability to conjure such sophisticated objects out of thin air. While looking around at the others who received Invite Cards, she started to wonder more about them. “Did they actually send these to thirty-two guys at once? I’m not a Crafter, but even I can tell that’s not normal.”
Who would even have that much power and foresight?
“That concludes my announcement. May destiny be on the side of you chosen few. You have all been selected for your unique attributes that test the border between magic and the mundane or exceed the limitations of traditional Craft. That is why no official member of the four Noble Capitals will be allowed to participate. A new hero that stands out from the ones of yore is needed, and I hope to see you all lay out your eccentricities in this festival.” Councilman Hydrus proceeded to bow and his hologram disappeared from everyone’s view with a shimmer of stardust.
Allen examined the rest of Virtuoso’s identical cards and came to a stark realization. “Hold on a minute, not only did I not get one, you all got one besides me! That’s totally not fair at all!”
He pointed an accusatory finger at them and Nera chuckled. “I guess you just didn’t have what it took to make the cut.” She waved the card in the air in front of him mockingly.
“And you do?!” Allen rebutled in frustration. It really did seem like the universe was out to humiliate him. Every member of the team that he formed was chosen for this oh-so-special event except him. He had to question the reason.
‘Was it simply because I’m not strong enough, or would they not pick a normie like me on principle?’
“I don’t need magic to beat up someone as scrawny as you.” Nera affirmed while leaning forward.
“To be direct, I think you both should evaluate whether it’s even good to join this Sword in Stone Festival. Whoever’s holding it might have ulterior motives.” Iyo interspersed between Allen and Nera’s childish bickering.
“...You have a point.” Allen agreed. “It seems a little too fishy with its timing. The night after three Grim Inheritors show up in the same place with a bang and they announce this. It’s like they were waiting on it.”
"By the look on your face, I can tell you still want to join despite that.” Nera assumed with a self-assured smirk.
“Of course not, having to compete against all those people is a lost cause. Plus, the prize is probably just cash or something like that, and we still don’t even know any way to even buy the Theurgist’s Periapt.” Allen sternly opposed the idea. “Yeah, I don’t need to enter that hassle of a tournament!’
“Hmph..” A voice from afar scoffed at him. It was Porthos who was busy showing off his own golden Invite Card to his crew. “Sounds just like what a loser who didn’t even get invited would say. How about you just admit you’re too weak to even be in this gym and just buzz off like a gnat?”
Allen smiled sardonically as he walked up to Porthos. “I almost beat you in that last spar. You’re not that great.”
“That’s only because it wasn’t a real fight. In a real fight with the use of my Cards, I would wipe the floor with your face. That’s why I was selected and you weren’t.” Porthos boasted.
“Is that it?” Allen wryly asked. “Then, how about we have another fight, a real one this time? If I win, I’ll get your Invite Card and join in your place. They did say anyone who had one could enter.”
Porthos faltered for a moment and a frown overtook his confident grin from before. He had not been expecting that proposition and it visibly showed. However, the voices of his posse egged on him from behind.
“Why don’t you go on and humor him?” One said.
“It shouldn’t be an issue with how badly you beat him before.” Another followed.
Porthos glowered at their jeers. “Alright, but what’s in it for me if I win then? Surely you can’t expect me to put something as valuable as one of these invitations on the line without anything in it for me.”
Allen winced and understood that was true. However, he did not have anything that would be adequate to gamble with. He was dirt broke with gunpla figures being his most valuable assets. He doubted that Porthos would accept something like those as bargaining chips. He looked over to Nera and called her over.
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“Hey, you mind giving me a hand over here?” Allen tried to come off as nonchalant as possible and was failing.
“Huh, I thought you said that you didn’t want to join the festival.” Nera said with “I knew it” written on her face.
“Well, things have changed, and I actually think this festival will work as good training material. You’ve probably overhead everything already. Do you have something you’re willing to let me offer?”
“And what could she possibly have that’s value measures up to an Invite Card.” Porthos butted in. “This girl’s a skunk-haired wimp. Maybe even worse than you since she can’t even use magic!” His slight caused all his cohorts to join him in an aggravating guffaw of laughter.
Nera’s eye twitched with a menacing grin. “Sure Allen, I wouldn’t mind helping out if it means silencing him permanently. How about my Invite Card? A card for a card, should be a fair trade, no?” Nera flashed her card’s glistening light right in Porthos eyes, causing him to blink in pain.
“Ugh, you got one too?!. Fine, let’s just get this over with alr-” Pothos’s speech was halted by Nera thrusting her card into his face.
“No, you two are going to fight the day right before the festival, two weeks from now. He just got a concussion, so he’ll need some time to recover.” Nera asserted without leaving any room for compromise or debate.
“You can’t expect me to just go along with that. You want to throw something else into the pot?”
“Not particularly, I guess none of your friends over there will be able to join as well. Unless..” Nera paused and looked over at Vanna and Renzo showing their cards to Declan. “You think it’d be easier to take one from them.”
Porthos looked over as well at the Echelon Three’s and then at the looks of those around him who realized the same thing as he. This was probably the best opportunity they could ask for to get another invite. Porthos smiled greedily. “Sure.”
He reached out a hand that Allen cautiously took in his.
Porthos crushed Allen’s hand in a vice grip so fierce it made the latter wince. “You got a deal.”
***
The next day at the R&R Lounge, Virtuoso was seated around a table drinking their various beverages of choice. The establishment had dim lighting that set the tranquil atmosphere. Basking in that twilight glow were around a dozen circular wooden tables to sit. Alongside one wall of the lounge, there were booths with baroque upholstery and ebon colors.
The place was fairly nice which is why it was all the more eerie that it was almost lifeless even in the middle of the evening at 8 o'clock. The four young adults were the only patrons there while the owner, Harris Fletcher, pointlessly cleaned already pristine glasses with a pure white dish rag.
Allen drew absentmindedly in his sketchbook until Nera looked over. She could see he was drawing images of the front and back of the Invite Cards.
“Still thinking about how you’re going to win your bet with Porthos?” Nera asked right before taking a sip of her chamomile tea.
“Yeah, I got caught up in the moment, but now, I’m not even sure how I could win.” Allen responded while putting the finishing touches on his drawing.
“Shouldn’t it not be that difficult? You almost won your spar yesterday.” Iyo brought up optimistically as held his clear glass of springwater.
“That’s true, but he was not using any Craft Cards. This time he’ll be allowed to use them while I don’t have any in the first place.” Allen groaned for a moment before his brow furrowed. “It’ll be metal seeing more Craft Cards in action though. I’ll have to make the most of the time I have until I’m knocked out to get a good look at them.”
Nera heaved a sigh of disappointment. “It hasn’t even been a day yet and you’re throwing in the towel? There goes my Invite.”
“Would it really be that much of a loss? This feels like a trap for Grim Inheritors, and they’re gathering all sorts of people with weird powers for this thing. We’re looking for another Theurgist’s Periapt, not bragging rights.” Allen outlined frankly.
Xalia chuckled while slouched forward on the table. “Allen, you were thinking about joining the Sword in Stone Festival without knowing what the prize was? That’s pretty bold.”
“Huh, what is it?”
“You heard that councilor mention the Distant Art Alliance. That organization regulates the use of Craft throughout the entire world and its headquarters were built by the ones who are running the festival, the Hennion Family.”
“And they’re a big deal, because…”
Xalia readily answered. “...Because that family has been around for over a thousand years and they have the unique ability to pass down pure crafting prowess, not just Skills. From one family head to the next in an unbroken line.” She dragged her finger precisely down in the air to illustrate her point. “Due to that, the current one, Cadfael Hennion the Eternal, is like an ancient dungeon in human form that can produce legendary items from your wildest dreams.”
Allen’s eyes widened in awe. “Then…that means crafting a new Theurgist’s Periapt wouldn’t be any issue for them.”
“That would be an understatement. Making one would be as easy as breathing for them…might be even easier, actually.” Xalia stated with complete seriousness.
That bit of information changed everything. Winning this tournament could solve all their problems. They would not need to go on a desperate wild goose chase searching for the Periapt if they could just have the Hennion family make one instead.
‘There’s something still bugging me.’
That was all true, but something about the way Xalia spoke about that family made him suspicious. It sounded overly prepared and rehearsed. Did she know more than what she was letting on? In fact, Allen was still not exactly sure why she was so willing to go along with them even after the events of last night. She seemed like she would laugh at any idea of valor or loyalty.
“Hey, how did you learn about the-”
The front doors burst open and in walked Evelyn and Luka. They were two other patrons of the R&R Lounge that Allen and Nera had met during their first time there. Luka was a rogueish young man with partially orange-dyed hair and a green jacket that clashed with his hair. His most distinguishing traits were his black mechanical fingers that he held his stylus that could draw in the air with.
“There you two are!” Evelyn shouted. She hurriedly strode over as her wide sleeves flapped in the air. She wore an elaborate and frilly blue-green dress that gave her the appearance of an idol. Green ribbons adorned every part of the short woman, even her raven-like long hair.
“What’s going on?” Nera asked while taking another sip of her tea. She was confused by the sudden outburst. Over the past week, Nera learned Evenlyn was naturally loud but there was still usually a reason for it.
“I have to-wait, who are those two?!” Evelyn suddenly took notice of the two newcomers she did not recognize before her head swiveled back to Nera. “Nevermind, I have to tell you something important. Someone needs your help dealing with a Specter!”
Nera spit her drink out in surprise. “Hegh..are you serious?”
“That sounds an awful like an actual request for Virtuoso.” Allen felt the same as Nera.
“That’s because it is. You two have gotten your first request.” Luka declared nonchalantly with his hands in his jacket.
“Alright..” Allen grinned. “Tell us more about it.”
“No time. We have to go now!” Evelyn grabbed Nera by the wrist and hoisted the resident strong woman off her seat with surprising force.
“Whoa-woah-woah.” Was all Nera could say as she was dragged out of the lounge. Allen anxiously followed after his taken partner.
‘Just what are we getting into this time?’
After those three left, Luka was by himself in front of the door.
“You two coming along? You look like you’re part of their group too.”
Before Iyo could speak, Xalia stood up. “I’ll meet up with you all later. I need to stay in the Luminaire District to collect more potions. I just lost a whole ton recently.” Her strawberry lemonade was left unfinished, like she was in a rush.
“I’ll go with you then. Even this part of the Netherworld isn’t very safe.” Iyo offered while also getting up.
“That’s not needed. I can hold my own just fine.” Xalia dismissed his help with a shake of the head.
“I insist.”
Their gazes met and there was no faltering from either one. Xalia was the one to give up first and end the staring contest.
“Very well, you can tag along, but if you’re going to come, you better keep an eye out for anything tracking us, understood.”
Iyo nodded immediately. “Thank you.”
With that, Luka went to meet up with the others. Xalia and iyo left as well in the opposite direction and the R&R Lounge was left truly empty. Xalia smirked as she walked down the streets of Atelier City’s underworld with Iyo in tow. A bag of specter stones swiped from Allen hidden on her waist.