Everyone went quiet as Alexander scanned the audience, he stopped as he saw an elegant face. She had green eyes, with light brown hair which she pulled back with what looked like a tree vine.
Suddenly she too was staring at him, as Alexander saw this a chill ran up his spine. Her eyes were a dark gray, he felt as if she could see through him.
He was taken out of his enthrallment by a nasal voice.
“ Thank you, my dear Edward,” the Senator said, clapping as he grinned behind him.
He turned as he addressed the room,” The foundation thanks the families again for the past 500 years for allowing the tournaments to be held in your respected capitals”
The senator made a gesture towards the backroom wall, “ Every year we look to bolster our ranks, protecting the innocent from the dark race beyond the sea”
The lively air changed, Cyrus looked around the room, Alexander watching him as all blood drained from Cyrus' face.
Alexander grinned as he whispered, “ The cities are different than the villages, we still have people who were alive during the last invasion over a hundred years ago.”
Cyrus looked in wonder, causing Razier to laugh as he said, “You’ve met the commander and Ultred, how old do you think they are?”
Cyrus whipped his head as he almost shouted, luckily he caught himself as he whispered, “ They fought in the Golden Dome War?”
He then thought again, suddenly whirling around towards Alexander, “ They are over a hundred?”
Razier and Alexander both smiled at him as they turned around back towards the still-speaking Senator.
When they returned listening to the speech the Senator had already finished.
“ I will now have my emissary announce the participants”
The front door was opened, and suddenly cheering was heard.
The cheering was coming from thousands of people outside the chateau, the citizens of Lyses.
They seemed to be cheering for the Senator as he finished, but suddenly two towering figures stood at the hall room entrance. Edward saw them as he stepped up taking the senator's place.
The two towering figures nodded at Edward, who answered in kind.
“ Everyone, welcome the administrators of the school,” he said pointing towards the two large figures.
They both wore black cloaks, covering their face. When they lowered the hood, they were both identical.
They had olive skin, with forest forest-green eyes. The only difference between the two was the twin on the right had a light brown mohawk, while the other had a full head of slicked-back hair that slightly touched his nape.
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“ As you should all know, each nation sends two citizens chosen from the foundation school. The Lucifan family is the only family without a member present so we will start with the two Circlio citizens”
When Edward finished addressing the room he looked over at the administrators who stepped aside as they said something inaudible.
The whole ballroom was silent as a lanky teen walked out slightly shorter than the large twins. The boy was very pale, almost inhuman with jet-black eyes and hair that reached past his shoulders of the same color.
He walked elegantly, uncommon for someone not of high standing. He didn’t seem bothered by the crowd as he walked his way from the ballroom entrance towards Edward who announced.
“ Out of nth Circle of Circlio, Draclin”
Clapping, and whispers went throughout the ballroom.
Cyrus looked around the room and then at Alexander
“ How come nobody in Lyses is cheering?”
“ House Lucifan is not very loved in the city you could say” Razier answered as he looked at Alexander apologetically.
Cyrus eyes him curiously but says nothing.
A young teen girl walked out next, also pale in complexion. She had lighter eyes than Draclin, accompanied by a happier expression as she waved at crowed
“ from the third circle, also from Circlio Annabeth”
The crowd in the ballroom cheered slightly louder for her than Draclin which amused Alexander with his eyes alight. He covered his mouth though a slight chuckle could be heard at the table.
Cyrus learned much about the difference of the people in each nation from the respected candidates.
The rest of the candidates were announced quickly, one after another. The candidates from Norge were olive-skinned and both candidates were female. The candidates from Montogee were dark-skinned and one was male and the other female.
The candidates from Tylle were oriental, which shocked Cyrus. It was the first time he saw someone from Tylle, due to it being the smallest nation under the foundation so it was Cyrus' first time seeing someone from there, much to the amusement of Alexander.
The last two candidates came out together, looking almost identical. They both had a light tan complexion, their face covered in freckles. The most striking thing about the both was their violent red and orange hair.
The only thing about them not alike was one was a boy, the other a girl. The boy had short hair not even long enough to touch his ears. The girl also had light brown eyes but her hair was luscious and reached to the bottom of her back.
“ And from Edentin in Aquarina, Lycas and Lilac”
They walked through the crown, moving in unison as they waved. Curiously they got the loudest cheers from the crowd outside.
“ The people seem to like them” Cyrus observed.
“ They are twins, which gives them a higher chance of passing the exam”
“ what gives them a higher chance” asked Cyrus.
“ You will see when we get our artifacts after the tournament”
Cyrus whipped his head around, “ We get them after the tournament” he asked.
Alexander nodded, “ You should feel it when you get into the Colosseum but it was built so Qi couldn't escape it”
Cyrus still seemed confused, shaking his head Alexander glared at Razier.
“ I thought you told him about the tournament”
Instead of a response Razier just shrugged his shoulders as he looked away.
“ Did the commander tell you about the heart valve?” asked Alexander.
“ I know it has something to do with connecting our artifact”
Nodding Alexander explained further, “ Yes, when our heart valve is open it connects all of our valves creating a network for Qi to flow. However, to open your heart valve you need access to more Qi, which normally people need the help of condensed Qi in an area.”
Cyrus looked at his necklace in confusion.
“ Certain people naturally absorb and contain enough Qi that they can open their heart valve like the rest of their valves, in your case, you need to do it to survive. Once your heart valve is opened the excess Qi is then used to create your artifact”
Alexander was interrupted at the end by Edward.
“ I want to remind each participant that the celebration, as well as the March, is for the citizens. Remember, if you fail today you won’t get another chance” he said.
The crowd outside let out a final roar, as the music returned and the dancers began dancing once again, this time around the eight citizen contestants.