It’s been 2 weeks since the training ended. All 7 of them went up a rank or 2, which made them happy. It also made me feel proud, since I’m the one who though them how to dodge, tho they are still working on it

After the training concluded and we returned to the academy. Frantelle called me to his office and told me about the second stage

All five of us will team up to face the five members of the opposing kingdoms. The second stage has a ladder system. The winner of the second stage from last year is automatically in the final round, while the other four kingdom face each other to go to the finals

Another reason Frantelle had called me to his office was to ask me something. It was something along the lines of why I didn’t train with the winners to improve our teamwork. Well its simple, expect Seira, I didn’t like any of them and none of them liked me back, so even if I went for training, I would just be ignored

----day of departure----

It was mid-morning. I made my way to the front gate of the kingdom to wait for the other four to get here

In 3 stylish and expensive carriages, pulled by four pure white horses each, and guarded by around 15 Knights. The carriages stopped right in front of me and out came Jinta Ide Ochi, Dettol Xperia, Seira Enno Lily and Rubix Enno Lily. That’s weird, I don’t see Shinji anywhere

Asmodeus: ‘Oi boya, should I amplify a curtain emotion for you? Hehehe’

Me: ‘Ohhh don’t you dare’    

Seira: “Good morning Lanza”

Me: “Ahh, good morning Seira and where is Shinji?”

Seira: “You see for some reason he can’t come, so the academy chose my brother as a replacement”

Ohh I see. He used his power as prince to get himself in. I wonder what his father is going to say about that

Rubix: “Lanza Del Relampago, I will one day beat the living daylights out of you”

Me: “In your dreams”

Jinta: “How dare a commoner talk to the prince like that. Why I outta --”

Rubix rises his hand, indicating for Jinta to stop

Rubix: “You know, I’m glad that you didn’t come to the team training with us. Because in the end we won’t even need you”

He gave me an evil grin while heading back to the carriage he came out of, while the headmaster for the Noble Academy and Frantelle comes out of the 3rd carriage

Headmaster: “Good morning young one”

The Headmaster was an old man in his late fifties. Long grey hair and long grey beard, walking stick and nothing really stands out about him

Me: “Good morning. And what are you doing here Frantelle”

Frantelle: “Well I’ll be going as well hehe”

Me: “And what about the academy”

Frantelle: “You needn’t worry about that Lanza”

Headmaster: “Come young one, you will be riding with us”

Me: “And what shall I call you?”

Headmaster: “Grand Theft-Auto is my name”

I follow behind him, as he walks towards the carriage. I enter the carriage and we leave for Fanta Kingdom. The Fanta Kingdom is in the center of the continent and it takes a week to get there by horse, we will arrive a day before the second stage starts. They are of course the defending champions of the second stage. So defeating them on their home ground will make the victory that much more sweeter

After a week of traveling, we finally arrived at our destination. During the week however, the knights, Theft-Auto, Frantelle and Seira were the only ones that spoke to me. I did make fun of Rubix right to his face and Theft-Auto and the knight just laughed it off

There was a long line of carriages, horses, and people standing at the gate of Fanta Kingdom. We cut the line and went straight to the front. Theft-Auto and Frantelle stepped out of the carriage and talked with the guard near the gate. He let us go into the city

The view was almost the same as Dorama kingdom. The streets are filled with merchant who are selling their goods. High-class Restaurants and store for clothes. We pass by a blacksmith and head towards a tall building. It is the Fanta kingdom stadium, we stopped near an inn which was close to the stadium. The other participants are also staying at this inn

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

We all exit our carriages and head inside. Theft-Auto and Frantelle talks to the receptionist and get our rooms ready

Frantelle: “Ok, Seira and Dettol will be in one and Rubix, Jinta and Lanza in another”

Jinta: “Why do we have to share our room with a commoner like him?”

He was not happy as anger was clearly visible on his face

Theft-Auto: “Now now children, let’s all get along”

Jinta: “But Headmaster h---”

Theft-Auto: “I said get along”

He had a sinister smile and a cold glare. It was enough to send shivers down all our spines

Beelzebub: ‘Who does he think he is? Imma rip ur face faggot’

Me: ‘Calm down’

Beelzebub: ‘Shut yo mouth pig’

Me: ‘But I didn’t even move my mouth’

Beelzebub: ‘I said shut it’

The three of us didn’t speak on the way to our room. Well more like they spoke to each other, but not with me. We arrived at our destination and Jinta opened the door using the key, what I saw was amazing.  An extremely spaciously large and wide oval room, painted in a relaxing gold colour. Three large beds, all a fair distances form one another

Jinta: “This is amazing”

Indeed it was. It was a room fit for a king. Maybe this was a way for them to show off their wealth to other kingdoms

Rubix: “I’ve seen better”

No one cares about you, so shut up

Jinta: “Prince Rubix, when will His majesty, the King arrive?”

Rubix: “Father will be here a few hours before the competition starts”

The two were talking to each other. While I decided to just go to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day and I needed to be fully rested for it

----The Next Day----

Like the first stage, each kingdom had their own resting area. The announcer was on the field, giving a welcoming speech

Announcer: “Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming. Now let me introduce the kings and queens of the 5 kingdoms. Coke Pepsi, king of Fanta Kingdom. Lady Intel Core-I the VII, Queen of AMD Kingdom. Lord I-Phone the VI, king of Android kingdom. Lord Samsung Galaxy, king of Apple Kingdom. And lastly, Lord Majin Enno Lily, king of Dorama Kingdom”

The hell is up with their name

Announcer: “But that is not all, today we have a very special guest joining us. She is Lady Lana Loki of Fanta Kingdom and the champion of the God of tricky, Gabriel”

The crowd erupts into cheers and loud applauses rung through-out the stadium. The title of champion is almost equal to that of the king or queen, as they are the messengers of their respected gods. The champions are one of the strongest beings currently in this world, tho they can be defeated if one is strong enough, but no one dares to challenge them for they do not wish to become an enemy of god

Beelzebub: ‘A champion Eh, Imma rip her head off, then eat it. Maybe’

Asmodeus: ‘You truly are a pig. But I’ll help in ripping her head off’

Me: ‘……’

After the crowd settles down, the announcer once again opens his mouth to say

Announcer: “Now the first fight”

Android Kingdom vs Apple Kingdom

The fight was boring. Cause well they kindda sucked. All their movements were predictable and slow. I can beat all ten of them at once without even using the sins

Announcer: “The Winner is Android Kingdom”

Announcer: “Now of the second battle of the day”

Dorama Kingdom vs AMD Kingdom

The five of us leave the resting area and make our way to the field. Along the way Rubix tells me

Rubix: “Listen here commoner, we don’t need you so you better stay out of the way”

Seira: “Brother!”

Me: “It’s ok Seira”