How long has it been since that incident where I was being controlled by The Watcher System? I think it has been a while since that. I thought siding with the enemy makes me a war criminal of some sorts but the following day, my Cardinal, Sam Maximus praised me for providing a decent challenge to her army. I didn't remember much of what happened but a lot of people said I was the MVP from the enemy lines. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be happy about that or not.

But still, moving forward to that, today my roommates and I had joined to watch the Koi Dragon Invitational. So far the matches were brilliant. The next match features our tourist guide, Ethereal facing against a local warrior by the name of, Yukitora Sanade. Compared to Ethereal who was carrying a big rifle, Yukitora was using a cross spear. He was wearing samurai armour and his helmet had an interesting design. His helmet had a pair of antlers.

"From what I gathered..." White was next to me on the spectator's seat and said, "The Koi Dragon Invitational doesn't allow you to use any sort of magical abilities. They will count as a disqualification if any of the participants uses so. Basically, this tournament is a test of our physical prowess."

"I wonder if Ethereal is going to win this or not." I wondered.

"She's definitely going to win, Kal." Azreal barges in as he finally arrived with a bag of popcorns on his hand.

He took a seat next to me along with Aspye and Hemrietta. Zenith was sitting next to White and Yumiko was next to her. That's as far as our position was at the time.

The match had already begun by the time Azreal arrived with his popcorns. Ethereal cocked her rifle and prepared to fire at Yukitora. Yukitora on the other hand charged toward her at full speed. Ethereal shoots out her rifle but her bullet was deflected by Yukitora's spear.

Aspye commented, "He's quick."

Yukitora was fast approaching Ethereal but she continues to shoots out more bullets to him. But it was all in vain as the entire bullet was deflected by Yukitora. As things was about to get ugly for Ethereal, she immediately moved her rifle and blocked Yukitora's first strike. Then, all of a sudden, she made a slight grin as she notice that the barrel of her rifle was at the abdomen of Yukitora.

Ethereal cocks her rifle and turned a small dial from her rifle. All of a sudden, a big explosion came out of the rifle's secondary barrel. Yukitora was blown away out of the arena. He was counted out as his foot was already on the floor. Ethereal won by out of bounds.

I quickly said without knowing, "I didn't know a secondary barrel could hold an explosion compartment!"

Zenith then quickly shots me down with her gunsmith knowledge, "It's not really a compartment...She just happen to load her gun with an explosive round at the perfect time. See the smoke coming out from the top barrel?"

Zenith was right. I was mistaken. I thought it was the lower barrel that made the explosion.

"Explosive round..." Yumiko laughed, "I have a couple of those in my ammunition."

Hemrietta then said, "Is it really rare to find these explosive rounds? Considering that Yumiko here just said she has a couple of it."

Zenith replied, "Incendiary or as you call it explosive bullets aren't really that hard to make...its purpose other than explosion is actually armour penetration."

Yumiko added, "Basically, explosive bullets are the modern armour-piercing ammunition. How far have we come in terms of gun technologies?"

"Very far..." said Zenith.

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That was probably the first time we ever see Zenith and Yumiko agreeing in something. White was surprised as well considering that he was always with those two. I thought he would already see that by now.

-

As the invitational continues, White suddenly noticed something weird was happening.

"Kallen. Can you come with me..." He got up from his chair and I followed him from behind.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone is planning something in the crowds."

"What are you talking about White?"

"Someone is planning to sabotage a match." Whispered White.

I whispered back to him, "What? Then...what should we do?"

White suggested, "Why don't you use your shadow manipulating abilities and look for whoever is using magic."

"I'll try." I casted my abilities as my shadow started to flood the spectators area's floor.

I kept on searching and searching until I finally hit the mark

"Got it. There." I pointed my finger to an unsuspecting person wearing a cap.

We went there and I immediately grabbed the person's hand.

"What are you trying to do, sir?"

"Hold on..." White then recognizes the person, "Lin? What are you doing here?"

Lin was White's classmate if I'm not mistaken. I thought she was supposed to be on a different group or something. So what happened?

"Not here. We go somewhere else first." Lin moved out of her seat and we followed her to a secluded area.

-

"So what's going on? Why are you here?" White questions her.

Lin then explained to us, "I was actually sent by Lala to protect your group."

"What? Why?"

"Don't question Lala too much. It's just going to be a headache. The other trinity from our class is already on their duty with two other groups that has our classmate in it. Lala was also on a separate group than the trinities."

"So there's four groups being protected by the best of Magic Studies? What about the other group?" I asked.

Lin replied, "The other group doesn't have any of our classmates."

"Ahh...double standards..." I playfully let that out of my mouth.

Lin quickly pulls out a dagger and placed it right to my throat and said, "Don't question our Cardinal's decision."

"If that's the case..." White then spoke, "Why do you look like you are hunting for someone?"

Lin then said, "That's because I heard news that someone plans to sabotage one of the contestant. That contestant is not from Nihon by the way."

"Not from Nihon...wait, Ethereal?" White quickly deduced.

I also added, "Plus, she's the only one left that is not from Nihon. The other outsiders had already been eliminated in the previous round."

"But who do you think could be planning all of this?" White wondered.

"So far I got nothing, White." Reported Lin. "Since she's your tour guide, I also have to keep an eye on her. It is my duty that has been bestowed upon our Cardinal."

"You don't have to be so formal, Lin." White told her. "Formalities are the least of my concern right now."

"Ethereal already passed the first round. We just have to wait and see for now..." I said so while looking at the arena below.

"True..."

-

Hours have passed and Ethereal has already gotten herself into the semi-final. She was almost there to become the first ever non local winner of The Koi Dragon Invitational. But as she was about to reach the exit of the arena, she suddenly falls down to the floor.

"Ethereal!" White shouted.

Lin quickly jumps over the gap and passed through the guards. She grabs out a random card from her deck which reveals to be a 'Free Summon' card and used it to summon White to her position. White suddenly disappeared from his seat as the card was activated.

"What's happening?" Zenith was worried of her big sister.

Immediately, I talked to Zenith, "It's okay. She is probably exhausted after fighting the previous contestant. You don't need to be worried about her so much. The official will definitely give her some rest before her next match begins."

"But that is a bit weird..." Yumiko suddenly spoke.

"What is it, Yumiko?"

"Why did White suddenly disappear? Is something wrong over here, Kallen?"

I was trying my best not to tell them what was happening only because it might cause panic in the group. Panic then can lead to emotional and emotional can lead to carelessness. I don't want any carelessness coming from our group. Not at this time.

Although some may see that I was only a mere puppet to Sam. I don't really care what she has to say about me. I'm much more than that. I don't have any necessary reason to be helping Sam, but I did out of my own volition. I'm listening to her request but I am not her puppet. I just don't care what people think about me. As long as it furthers my progress to graduate from this academy then I'll do it as wilfully as I could.

"I asked White to go and grab me some food and drinks after the match was over." I lied to them.

It was the only thing I could do at the time. At the very least, I preserve the situation from getting worse. Now it's all up to White and Lin to settle this sudden outcome. I just hope that guy doesn't do anything stupid...

TO BE CONTINUED