Scarlet

I let out a yawn as I sit in a booth at the very top of the stadium for the Annual Interschool Tournament while resting my face on my fist, feeling a little bored at the opening. One being carried out by Black again. Just like the last few years.

The tournament was postponed this year due to the Fae Ascension Tournament, but they’re finally starting it up. And it’s also the first time I’m actually attending the tournament as someone other than a competitor. Since I haven’t attended as a spectator before.

“And we welcome you all to the very first Interschool Tournament since the Ascension Tournament!” Black’s voice echoes across the stadium. But I take my attention away from the man as I briefly send a bunch of clones out to deal with all of the Corrupted Fractures that just appeared through the world.

Annoying.

I quickly take care of each of the Fractures before returning all of my focus to my main body right as Black shouts, “Say hello to Her Highness, the Wolf of the Blood Moon, Warden of the Red Plague, and a hell of a bunch of other Titles, Scarlet Art Asger de Archeron!” Right when a spotlight shines on my booth, making me narrow my eyes slightly.

Even more annoying.

I simply incline my head a little in greeting, making a lot of my fans scream and shout in cheer.

“And there ya have it! The Princess acting just as aloof as always!” Black says, making my eyebrow twitch slightly in irritation as I glare at him. “Now let’s move on before she kills me!” I raise a brow. “Like, right now.”

Right. Good choice.

He quickly moves onto introducing the first competition of the tournament as all of the competitors gather in the arena below. A competition that I remember very well as that demon hunt one.

Honestly, I never really got the chance to compete in the tournament again myself. Was always too busy to do so due to all the… stuff… that went on over the past few years.

Like fighting in the Fractures, the Class V Fracture, going to Tartarus, then all the stuff that happened after that. Like the Fae Tournament, and the war with the demons.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

And by the time I, well, had time to do it again, I had already graduated from the Guardians University. So I wasn’t able to compete.

Not to mention that even if I competed, I wouldn’t really be able to do much. Not when I’d literally just wipe out everyone in the competition with ease.

So it kind of feels a little nostalgic watching this. They even added a new little event to the tournament that hasn’t started just yet. One that should happen after this competition.

And I’m actually rather excited to see this one.

Because this extra event will include the junior high school students and high school students. Which Aria has become one of this year. An eighth grader to be specific.

So I get to see Aria competing in a competition today.

The only reason I have any interest in this tournament is because of that.

Hard to think of Aria as a teenager though.

I smile slightly at that before glancing at the door when I hear a buzzing sound from it. Then I look forward as a screen appears in front of me. One showing Amelia standing outside next to Blue, who has mellowed out a lot since his emotions returned.

After a brief glance at the arena which has quickly turned into the forest full of demons, I go ahead and open the door, letting both of them inside. Then I summon two seats next to each other on my right.

“Good morning, Scarlet,” Amelia says with a faint smile rather similar to my own.

“Morning,” I tell her with a nod.

“Good morning, Scarlet,” Blue, or, rather, Alexander says – been trying to alter how I refer to him since he’s not a psycho anymore – with a nod. But I can tell most of his attention is on the arena as he sits down. No doubt trying to see if he can find Aria.

It’s rather nice, but he and Aria have grown a bit closer over the time since he got his emotions back. Not as close as a real father and daughter pair, but a lot closer at least. To the point that they’re like friends at least. And she’s gotten comfortable around him.

So that’s very nice.

He’s also started spoiling the hell out of her.

At the rate they’re going she might end up moving out of my place and into his by the time she’s in high school.

On that note, is Aria even down there yet? Not sure if the junior high students are even down there with the college students.

I focus on the arena again before frowning as I see Anthony out there. The half void creature half human guy.

Although I do wonder… is the same thing that happened to me happening to him as he ascends through the Classes? With how I became more and more demon the higher my Class became? Except for him becoming more void creature? That would be frightening for him.

Rather interesting to think about, but doesn’t really affect me, so I don’t really care beyond a mild curiosity.

Unless he becomes a danger that is. To society.

No idea how void creatures work, but I do know that no void creatures are sapient. Not even the Class VI one.

Either way, I let out a yawn as I lean on my fist again, my elbow on the arm rest of my throne.

This’ll be interesting. To see Aria competing against people her own age.

Up till now the only people I’ve seen her competing against were people my age. Like Anthony at the Fae Ascension Tournament.

I tap my fingers on the other arm rest for a few seconds before briefly wondering where Tar is.

Hope he’s doing okay.