A/N: Hey everyone, author here. First off shout out to Cynz and Wraith for PRing this chp. Also, the tournament is fast approaching, look forward to seeing how Zer, Azrael, and Winston has improved in this time span :) Well then here's the chp hope you all enjoy!
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“Ah, I see. You must be fellow schoolmates. My name is Wright Estein and this is my girlfriend Cynthia Leqean. This is the first time we have met. Are you three perhaps freshmen?”
“Yes we are. My name is Winston Wozeal, this person over here is Zer Aiur and he is Azrael Celeste.”
“Ho.. Zer your skills have even reached my ears. My friends have informed of your talents. I have also heard of you Azrael, my friend in the intermediate water element course says that even though you just started school, that you are already at the peak of the class.”
“Eh? Honey, my friend from the fire intermediate element course said that there was a freshman named Azrael Celeste that was the top of her class too desu…”
Hearing Wright mention that Azrael was in the water intermediate element course, Cynthia tilted her head and put on a confused face which also rose on Wright’s face as he heard about what Cynthia’s friend said. Seeing the two with confused faces, Azrael couldn’t help but chortle a little.
’Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. There are a lot of people who are friends with others with different elements after all. I’m actually surprised no one has said anything for so long actually’
Azrael wasn’t really worried about people finding out about him being a tri elementalist. The only reason he had asked that the school not mention anything until the students noticed was because he didn’t want to deal with all the pomp and circumstance just when he entered the school. Now that he had already made a name for himself in all his element courses, it shouldn’t be too much of a difference.
Slowly, after the two had finished trying to figure it out, Wright slowly turns his head and asks Azrael with an almost apologetic face.
“Pardon me if this seems rude but we cannot decide which intermediate element class you are in. Could you tell us?”
“I don’t really mind. I am in both fire and water intermediate element course.”
As he had expected, when the two heard this their eyes opened wide in shock. It wasn’t so much for the fact that he was a dual elementalist. Even though they were rare, there were still always a few in every class. What surprised them was that there was a dual elementalist that they were unaware of as they were highly sought after and people marked them in orderto get closer to them for their own gains. Azrael, however, was not only an unknown dual elementalist, but he was also at the top of the fire and water element course.
“…For two people to be so young and be at the top of their classes in both their elements.. The two of you are sure scary desu.”
Seeing both Azrael and Zer, Cynthia couldn’t decide whether she wanted to laugh or cry. It had taken both Wright and herself two years to break through to the Knight Rank and even longer to stand near the peak of Knight rank. Here, however, were two children that were not only dual elementalist, but also at the peak of Knight rank at both elements already.
‘Haa… what rotten luck we have for two monsters to enter the school just during our final chance to enter the tournament. Hopefully we won’t meet them until we have all made the top ten…oh well at least I’ll always have my Wri-Wri here with me~’
While the couple were having these thoughts and making an awkward expression, luckily the food came to break the mood. Seeing the food being placed in front of them the two silently sighed in relief. As if the awkward situation didn’t occur, the two also entered into their own pink environment.
“Honey~~ say ah!”
“Aaaaahn~~~” *munch*
“Was it good honey?”
“Yes desu! Now it’s your turn desu~ say aaaaahn~”
Seeing the two love birds like this, the three couldn’t help but shake their head in amazement. It really did require talent to make such a pink space. If the pink space were an element they would both be at least Demigod-Tier… Thankfully the trio’s food also came shortly after and they were able to eat. After finishing their meal quickly, the three bid farewell to Wright and Cynthia and hastily left.
“Haa, I hope I never meet those two alone. That pink atmosphere…. It felt like my soul was being drained…”
Azrael, Winston, and Zer were currently back in the carriage heading back to the school. Right now, Winston’s was hugging himself while pretending to shiver as he commented on the previous incident. Azrael and Zer could only smile as they too felt similar feelings seeing the two lover birds. After a few seconds, Zed turns towards Azrael.
“Anyways, I’m surprised you actually did tell them that you were in both classes Az. I was always under the impression you were going to try to keep it a secret.”
“No not really. I just wanted to hide it at the beginning because I didn’t want to deal with all the hassle. Since I’ve made a name for myself in my classes I don’t think it should be that bad now. It’s not like I could have hidden it forever anyways.”
“Haaaaa…. You are too optimistic Az. You think too highly of people.”
Hearing Azrael’s reply, Zer couldn’t help but put his head in his palm. Seeing this, Azrael couldn’t understand why. When he looked at Winston, his face was also filled with pity. Seeing these two, he couldn’t help but to doubt his decision and to break out into a cold sweat. He began to have a bad premonition.
‘Did I really just screw up just now? Oh god… seeing those two faces really makes me doubt myself now…’
Unfortunately for Azrael, the bad premonition was correct. By the time that Azrael had gotten to his first class of the week, the students were already talking about him as he entered.
“Hey hey, did you hear? Supposedly Azrael is a dual elementalist. Cynthia told me that he admitted it in front of her and Wright,”
“Really? So not only is he a freshmen and already the best in our class, but he’s also a dual elementalist… Wow he’s so talented at such a young age.”
“I wonder why no one knew about it until now though. The whole school has always known who the dual elementalists are in school.”
All around him, people were whispering about the news. Hearing all this, Azrael couldn’t help but to put his head on the table. He didn’t think it’d be such a big deal since it was already halfway through the semester but apparently he thought wrong.
’Haa….Was I really too naïve in my thoughts? Samjoko, Chunyong, Bonghwang, what do you three think?’
‘Master, dual elementalists are rare. Throughout the history of this continent they have always been sought after. Not only can they use two elements, but they can also create new unique spells by combining them which increases their deadliness significantly. Of course people will flock toward them for their services or just to gain crumbs by staying beside them.’
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
‘I see… I really was naïve in my thinking. I didn’t really have many interactions with nobles in my previous life but still… Don’t you think this is too absurd?’
‘Hahahaha master, just wait until they find out you’re a tri elementalist and we’re your elementals!’
‘Shut up you stupid dragon. Can’t you see you’re not helping master at all?! Master, it’ll be alright don’t worry about it too much.’
‘Uwaaaa…. I have no one except for you Bonghwang…’
The rest of the week wasn’t any better. Wherever Azrael went, people could be seen crowding together and whispering. Seeing Azrael depressed by this, Winston and Zer could only console him the whole time. By the time Saturday came along, Azrael couldn’t help but thank the mighty beings above him since he didn’t need to go to class and hear all the whispers and gossips.
“Yo Winst, hurry up! We’re going to be late because of you!”
“I’m coming I’m coming. Hold your dang horses!”
With an exasperated voice, Winston finally comes out of the dorm. Right now Azrael, Winston, and Zer were meeting in front of the former two’s room so that they could go to the tea party. To Zer, it felt like he was waiting for a girl to finish preparing and could only shake his head with amazement as Winston finally came out.
“Geez, you two didn’t need to rush me that much. Let’s go let’s go!”
With an annoyed face, Winston pushed the two forward and they hurried out of the dorm. As they make their way to the princess’ special quarters, the three begin talking.
“Haa.. This was the most tiring week of my life…”
“I warned you man. But really, was there a need to take it out on me during training?!?!”
During this week’s training, Winston could tell that Azrael had been venting his frustration out on him while training. Even though he had brought it up a few times, Azrael had always denied it. Zer had also noticed this but acted as if he didn’t. It was better to leave Winston as the sacrifice than to face the repercussions himself!
“Even though your movements with the spear was awkward at first, they’re slowly becoming more fluid Az. It’s not like you don’t know how to use it but more as if…. You’re trying to do a movement you know well but your body is not used to? Anyways give it a week or two and I feel like you’ll be fine man.”
Hearing Zer’s words, Azrael simply nodded his head. Even though all the gossip was the cause of the headache, not being able to move the spear hadn’t helped at all. Between the gossip and his inability to execute the proper movements, Azrael was slowly reaching his limit.
As they continued to talk, they soon reached the estate. The building was a large two story building that had been made out of marble stone. In front of the house was a large yard with a patio. Inside the patio, Azrael could see two people who were seated around a table.
Having noticed the people inside the patio, the three headed over. Han Byul, having seen the three approach, let out a big smile and welcomed them.
“Ah, all three of you were able to make it, excellent. Come on, make yourselves comfortable and please have a seat.”
They went inside the patio as she had asked and took a seat. As they sat down, Azrael saw a familiar face sitting right beside Han Byul. Riqzen had seen Azrael earlier and had an ugly expression on his face. He hadn’t forgotten about the embarrassment from the day of the Welcoming Ceremony.
The table in front of them was laid out with numerous snacks such as vanilla cookies, sponge cakes, shaved ice, and even this strange delicacy that was called dangos. In front of each person was also a exquisite tea cup and saucer.
“Please, help yourselves to the tea and snacks. The reason that I asked you three to join me today for this tea party was because it has been so long since I’ve spent time with Zer. I also wish to see what thoughts you three may have about the tournament?”
As she stated this, Han Byul looked at Zer. Figuring out her intention, Zer began the conversation.
“Truthfully, I think you, Azrael, and I will be fine for making the representative team. The only thing that could hinder this would be if we get really unlucky with the draw. Winston, on the other hand… Even though he has been training with us for a couple of months, I truthfully can’t tell. He excels at defense with his swordsmanship and earth spells but is severely lacking when it comes to offense. I feel as if he’s more of a group fight person who is a support. It will all depend on the draw truthfully.”
Hearing Zer’s assessment, Han Byul nodded her head. She knew that Zer would never try to sugar coat anything, even if it may sound tough toward his friend. After taking a few moments to ponder the information, she turns and looks toward Azrael with eyes of interest.
“I have heard word that you are a dual elementalist and even potentially a tri elementalist?”
Hearing that, Azrael simply nods. He had learnt his lesson from this past week. If he could help it, he would never mention that he was a tri elementalist. Han Byul, seeing Azrael’s nod, becomes even more interested. Dual elementalists were already rare as it was, but for Azrael to potentially even be a legendary tri elementalist? The mere thought itself was exciting.
The talk afterwards turned towards a lighter discussion. Han Byul acted as a magnificent hostess as she made sure to engage all the guests in talk. After they had already been eating and talking for well over an hour, Han Byul decided to bring up a topic that had been nagging her since she had met Azrael.
“So Azrael, if it does not bother you too much, do you mind telling me about this girl Chrystal which you had mistaken me for?”
Hearing the question, Azrael was a bit startled. He hadn’t expected for this topic to be brought up. Winston and Zer also started to pay more attention when she asked. Even though they knew about the incident, they felt as though it wasn’t something they should approach themselves and Azrael hadn’t explained it to them either.
Azrael began to debate whether he should or not. Of course he wouldn’t be able to tell them the entire truth. However… he did feel as though his best friends Winston and Zer deserved to know. Telling Han Byul about her might also let her understand what happened right before the Welcoming Ceremony also. After taking a quick breath, Azrael looks toward Riqzen first.
“Do you mind leaving for this segment please? It is quite personal..”
After looking at the princess for confirmation, Riqzen slowly stands and heads out of the patio, taking a guarding position outside. Seeing this, Azrael turned back toward the others and began his tale.
“There was this one girl that I knew named Chrystal….”