CHAPTER 168: PRIORITIES
In the main hall where the students were, Aurora kept her distance as she watched Emperor Victor dismiss his guests.
“It is a pity they are retiring so early,” Emperor Victor said to Cithrel and Duke Kristoph.
Aurora, whose mood had waned, was caught back after checking that her friend was doing well.
“It may be from a support member, but we have some events tomorrow,” Cithrel replied, looking at the group of students waiting for her.
In a few hours, the challenges would begin!
While all the challenges were spread out over a few days, interspersed with non-combatant challenges, everyone would have several heavy days.
Each academy didn’t do as many challenges, but each of the challenges was going to be grueling.
“I understand,” Emperor Victor replied and looking at the duo of Mistress and servant, he commented. “I hope you liked the feast. You may not have food to your liking, but I hope you enjoyed it.”
The comment was said with an amused expression and made Aurora, who was being chaperoned, shiver subtly, controlling herself before her expression changed.
The diets of some races were very special, and that was true of vampires.
Duke Kristoph gave a serious look to Emperor Victor, noting how that man smiled.
“When a race lives to this point, they find methods to enjoy any human food,” Cithrel replied with a smile without her expression changing, and with a casual wave, she withdrew.
Aurora accompanied her in silence, trying to avoid Duke Kristoph’s gaze on her.
He was looking at her for a simple reason.....
—That was a warning to you.
Emperor Victor’s comment was not given to be impolite but was made in a roundabout way for her to beware of a vampire-like Duke Kristoph.
Vampires drank blood and while it was true that the current vampires of Terra nova had ways of staying ‘alive’ and enjoying human tastes, their main dishes were still blood.
Leaving the palace after taking her leave, Aurora remained completely serious.
“Your Highness, I will be retiring,” Duke Kristoph said as they left the palace, arriving at the entrance of the mansion and bowing respectfully he reminded. “Please don’t forget to contact me if you need anything.”
“All right. You can go,” Cithrel said, giving a smile and when Duke Kristoph disappeared with spatial magic, she looked at the students and joked. Cithrel said, giving a smile and when Duke Kristoph disappeared with spatial magic, she looked at the students and joked. “You guys don’t have to be uptight. It’s not like he’s hungry.”
There was silence at the joke, and Edward was the person who smiled calmly.
“The pressure and tension comes not from him being a vampire, but from him being someone so important,” Edward replied without looking perturbed.
“If you add his expression, then it weakens anyone,” Nicole muttered under her breath.
The others nodded.
Duke Kristoph gave no smiles, always wearing an expression as serious as it was cold and such an attitude gave the impression that he took everything with utter seriousness.
Cithrel laughed faintly and casting a space magic spell, after a few seconds they returned to the hotel room.
“Well, tomorrow the only combat we’ll have will be mine, but the non-combatant students have their own challenge and the rest of us will have to meet Cernunnos Academy,” Edward warned immediately.
A portion of the students were gathered in this place, and he was giving a warning.
“I’ll take care to pay attention to the non-combatant students,” Aurora said simply.
Tomorrow was going to be a busy day in many ways and for her to focus on the non-combatant students freed Edward to focus on other tasks.
“Thank you. That will allow us to meet the Cernunnos Academy students,” Edward replied, and looking at the others, he added. “I will send orders to the group, so stay tuned.”
Since not all the students were present, he was giving a quick warning and then sending orders to everyone.
With a farewell, the students retired to their respective rooms.
Aurora left Alice to go order some plates of food from the dining hall, and she followed Cithrel.
By Alice’s own admission, having them come to bother her ruined her appetite, and she had to pull herself together... Clearly, it was an excuse to keep eating.
“It’s impressive how she can eat so much,” Cithrel muttered, showing some surprise and amusement.
Aurora only gave a half-smile in response.
Alice was very special.
When they reached the floor where the rooms were, Aurora exited the elevator along with Cithrel and Venali, who always went quietly.
Heading towards their own rooms, the trio met Taqiyya, who had apparently just arrived.
Cithrel’s expression immediately brightened, and she approached.
“Remember the rewards I promised you at your tournament? I have to give it to you,” Cithrel said and while she smiled serenely, her eyes glinted at Taqiyya’s figure.
“No need, you two have already been very helpful,” Taqiyya murmured in a soft, low tone, slightly shy from the intense stare.
She was being sincere and her slightly shy voice was pleasant to listen to.
Unfortunately, the gallant knight would not give up so easily.
“As the future Empress, I have to keep my promises,” Cithrel announced majestically and when her lips bowed, she added. “Besides, it’s not a hard thing to do.”
Cithrel’s look made Taqiyya hesitate, but when the gallant knight gave her a hand, the young woman took it as she blushed.
Aurora, as a bystander, felt like she was watching a cute little bunny entering the jaws of a predator, but since it was willingly, she refrained from saying anything.
She controlled her expression, looking unperturbed as they walked to Cithrel’s bedroom.
Cithrel’s room was before hers and Aurora, as if nothing was happening, continued walking to her own room, looking completely calm.
“Aurora.”
Cithrel’s voice sounded at her back and Aurora hesitated whether to run away or turn around and, in the end, turned back.
Actually, she was trying to run away!
She had been running away throughout the party, and now she wished to do the same as well.
Unlike Taqiyya, she would not walk into the jaws of that ferocious predator.
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The gallant knight realized her intention and gave a smile, as she slid her fingers across Taqiyya’s shoulders.
It was not awkward, and it was evident that Taqiyya, though nervous, allowed it.
“Don’t you want to join?” Cithrel asked and giving an ambiguous smile, murmured. “We can all have fun together.”
It was a flirtatious tone, seductive and ambiguous enough to make those who heard it blush at the thought of strange things.
Taqiyya’s cheeks turned extremely red, and she remained silent, not running away or asking for help.
Aurora was also slightly shy, but it was impossible for her to fall now.
The gallant knight enjoyed those who were easily embarrassed, and that was her method of attack.
And though inexperienced... Aurora was also a predator!
“No... I have things to do,” Aurora muttered, trying to step back as subtly as possible.
But how would that gallant knight let her get away now?
She had failed all night to get her revenge, and Cithrel wasn’t about to back down.
“Is that so?” Cithrel asked with glittering eyes and as she was about to make another ‘attack’, she stopped and turned to look down the hallway.
Walking over with a bag of chips, Alice took a long hard look at the situation and a cold stare was directed at Cithrel.
To Aurora, it was the battle of two predators wandering into each other’s hunting grounds and although they were two very different ‘beasts’, Alice being a type of parasite who forced others to feed her, it was a stunning clash.
Although the narrative in her mind might not match reality, Aurora simply smiled and walked over to her sister’s side.
This parasite was harmless, and Aurora preferred her over Cithrel.
“It’s a pity,” Cithrel muttered, smacking her lips with slight sorrow evident and smiling at Taqiyya, she added. “I guess it’ll just be us alone.”
The look and the smile made Taqiyya blush and...
“Okay...” Taqiyya quietly agreed.
Aurora, hearing that answer, walked away with Alice while at her back she felt Cithrel’s intense gaze.
After a moment, she could hear how the predator’s lair closed its doors being Venali, the last one to enter.
They both kept walking and Alice shook her head at the sight of her.
Aurora could hear the question Alice had in her mind.
What will I do with you?
And seeing Aurora holding in her laughter, Alice shook her head and sighed, keeping silent.
Entering the room they shared, Aurora, who couldn’t hold her amusement, laughed, amused by the entire situation.
Even though she couldn’t give her number to her ‘stalker’, she had to admit that her mood improved.
“Walking into a predator’s lair, Taqiyya’s got guts.” Alice pointed out with a bored tone and when Aurora looked at her she added. “I hope she’s still alive tomorrow.”
Hearing those last words that were said in such a serious tone, Aurora’s expression trembled.
She didn’t know how to respond.
******
Leslie along with the other Hero Academy students followed Aurora, who led the way.
The destination was one of the many arenas, whose training field was huge and when everyone entered, Leslie heard some gasps among her teammates.
She had seen the fights at Cernunnos Academy, but if Leslie was honest, watching the magical beasts fight from a screen was not the same as watching it up close.
Nicole, Clémentine, Érica, and everyone else were just as surprised, and from their seriousness, one could tell they were tense.
Even the A-Rank students like Rachael or Niels were serious.
A Magic Addax or a Thundering Gorilla was pleasing to the eye, however, everything changed when one saw a Muscle Bear or a giant, bear-sized spider.
The scariest thing was that these creatures were not normal and each one of them was a B-Rank magical beast.
The feeling was worse when one looked at the Komodo Dragon and the Sand Cobra, whose size and presence were no joke.
As they looked at their future allies, the other party also returned the gaze.
They were allies, but as both academies were strong, it was a fact that in the future they might end up facing each other.
“Our leader Edward couldn’t make it and apologizes for that,” Aurora said after waving comfortably.
She was calm and from the looks the Cernunnos Academy students gave her; it was obvious that they already knew her.
“No need to apologize. I know he has the Endurance Challenge,” Daniel replied, and looking at the Hero Academy students, he added. “As long as everyone is here, that’s enough.”
After those words, all was silent and Leslie could feel the heavy atmosphere around.
It was not a tension of rivalry, but a natural tension caused by the students analyzing their future allies.
The beasts added to that intensity, as some did not hide their fierce glares.
“The group combat will be quite heavy. You will have to compete against a larger number of enemies, whose styles may be different,” Aurora said, increasing the tension and smiling, she calmed down. “At least we are not the first and we have time to prepare.”
Edward asked Aurora to be the one to lead this group and link the two groups together.
While there were other members of the A-ranked group, having a third party who was part of the tournament lead was the better decision than one member of the group to organize everything.
For, above all, Aurora was the means by which the two related and by the looks of the student tamers, some knew her.
No one in their group caused trouble and Leslie kept her solemn look on her face.
“You’re right. I guess not being the first gives us a bigger relief,” Daniel said, nodding in agreement and looking at his companions, he detailed. “We have the advantage of having greater numbers, but that advantage won’t work in this challenge.”
Cernunnos Academy had the numbers in their favor and now that they were allies, it meant that the entire alliance had a numerical advantage.
However...
“Numbers will crush us,” Daniel announced, giving a serious expression.
If there was confidence and smiles from the numerical advantage before, Daniel’s announcement so coldly crushed such a feeling of hope.
“The organizers will leave the possibility of victory, but that possibility will depend on us,” Aurora explained and, giving a smile, added. “I guess it’s better to focus on defense. Winning by defending.”
Daniel wasn’t being pessimistic, he was just ratcheting up the tension while Aurora brought calm.
They were both controlling the atmosphere so that they wouldn’t get carried away with the idea of having the numbers and also not completely lose hope.
The Cernunnos Academy students were considered being two opponents of the same rank as their beast and as such, they would send twice as many opponents to face them.
While the Hero Academy group was strong and had advantages like Alice, who was a powerful weapon, they could not count on her.
At least not anymore as a hidden weapon when the organizers might already know Alice’s strength.
The possibility of them sending an S-rank or higher number to confront her was high.
So the best course of action was to defend, and such an idea was stronger when no one knew the field of combat and how the challenge would unfold.
“So, how do we start?” Daniel asked curiously, nodding in agreement.
The students from both academies were excited at the idea of meeting each other, and all eyes were directed at Aurora.
“Simple, with a battle,” Aurora replied, smiling in amusement at the sight of surprise.
For Leslie, there were multiple ways to meet.
Introducing herself, saying what she liked, naming advantages and disadvantages, or even interacting freely.
The truth was that she, like most others, didn’t expect Aurora to choose the battle and having all the attention; she continued.
“We may be rivals in the future, but we are allies now. We can try to keep our cards hidden and risk losing the challenge or we can go all out. This challenge is a group one and if we don’t know the strength of our allies, it will be very dangerous,” Aurora explained seriously, and giving a glance to the students of both academies, she announced. “Fight among yourselves. Get to know and push your future rivals. Win and lose, it doesn’t matter. This is the best way for you to get to know each other.”
The tone Aurora used was serious.
While this challenge was part of the tournament and not a real situation, the truth was that no one wanted to lose.
Strategy in this kind of combat needed to be applied carefully, and more so when both academies were strong enough that their enemies were terrifying.
Now both academies were in the same ‘boat’ and it was useless to try to hide their strengths when they were facing this challenge together.
It was better to know the strength of the other group, to use it to their advantage and prepare a better strategy, considering all the variables.
As to whether they would face each other in the future?
No matter what hidden cards each held, their individual ability would define everything.
“Sounds good to me,” Daniel replied and looking at the students, asked. “Who wants to start?”
It was hard to tell whether the two had prepared everything beforehand or planned it as they went along, however, no one complained or even showed discomfort at the reality that presented itself.
The prize of the tournament was important enough to take it with complete seriousness.
At Daniel’s question, it was Nicole who raised her hand and, although she held back a smile, her eyes sparkled.
“Can I fight one of the thundering gorillas?” Nicole asked and, not caring about getting the stares, she added. ”I’ve seen that they are very strong and I want to challenge one of them."
She was honest and calm, bringing a few smiles and motivating others with the vigor she exuded.
“As fierce as our companions,” a female gorilla muttered and seeing them looking at her, she gave a glance to her B-Rank comrades and asked. “Aren’t you guys excited?”
The thundering gorillas couldn’t speak directly like that A-Rank gorilla, but they had artifacts that allowed speech.
“We will be your rival,” replied a Rank B student next to his fellow gorilla.
From what Leslie remembered, that young man was a B-Rank fighter and his thunderous gorilla was of the same rank.
Meaning Nicole would be facing two opponents who matched her in strength or perhaps surpassed her and such an idea was exciting to the fighter, who smiled.
Leslie knew that her partner was already in the fighter’s path... A ferocious one.
“This morning is going to be a long one. I hope I don’t end up too tired to watch Edward’s challenge and Vanessa’s tournament,” Érica muttered under her breath as she watched Nicole go to the battlefield.
Beside her, Clémentine didn’t know what to answer and Leslie just gave a smile.
“If we don’t end up tired, it’s not training,” Leslie pointed out, amused.
How could they stay behind Nicole?
Maybe they weren’t as fierce as she was, but they each wanted to improve as much as possible, and this was an opportunity to improve.
As for Edward’s sparring and Vanessa’s tournament?
They were both very skilled, and the students had confidence in them.
“The only thing I hope is to finish quickly. I have things to do,” Alice muttered next to them and when they looked at her, she explained. “I have to replenish my stock of chips.”
The explanation was so serious that it gave the impression that the task was extremely important and urgent.
Those who heard it were left without a response... Alice truly knew her priorities.