Grim Academy had a festive atmosphere. It was that time of the year when the students are able to show the world everything they had learned and how much they’d grown over the year.

It was time for the Grim Festival!

The Grim Festival was an annual festival hosted by the academy. It attracted people from all over the continent and maybe even the world. It was a week-long event with many attractions and entertainment. And the biggest ones were the various tournaments held there.

There weren’t just fighting tournaments, but tournaments where students could show off their skills outside of combat. For example, Artisans could display their pride creations and compete against each other while also advertising their skills. There were tournaments in blacksmithing, robotics, strategy & warfare, weapons design, and even sciences. That being said, it was without a doubt that most people came for one tournament, the Ranking Tournament.

“Where are you heading now?”

Tia asked Miko who was walking beside her. She, him, Ishma, and Regis were strolling through the festival.

“I’ve seen the weapons designs and strategic warfare tournaments, now I’m heading to watch the twins compete in their ranking tournament.”

“You’ve made a few connections at the different tournaments and even scouted a few people. Are you sure you should be working this hard before competing in your own tournament?”

“It can’t be helped. Renacido needs to continuously evolve to survive. Which means it must always be looking to acquire new talents. It doesn’t matter what that talent is, I’m sure it’ll add value to society if it’s guided down the right path.”

“You’re sounding more and more like a true king.”

Miko smiled.

“I’m not a king, I’m a Don.”

“I guess you are.”

Tiamat hooked arms with Miko as they walked. They headed towards one of the stadiums on the academy’s grounds. The Junior Division tournament was being held before the senior division’s. The organizers wanted everyone to be focused on each tournament and not have them compete against each other.

“Did you ever participate in these tournaments when you were younger?”

Tia asked.

“Only when I was in the Primary Division. By the time I reached the Junior Division, I had lost interest in life and skipped it every time. I only advanced a grade because I was royalty.”

“Did you ever win?”

“All the time. Luka was my only competition.”

“Now you have a lot of competition. You must be overflowing with anticipation.”

Miko didn’t reply and only nodded.

“You two seem cozy.”

When they reached their destination they met Hina and the boys.

“How were the tournaments you guys entered?”

“I got first place.”

“Same here.”

“I was robbed.”

The only one who seemed dissatisfied was, of course, Ace.

“What, you lost?”

“No, I won. But I was literally robbed.”

“The prize money wasn’t what he expected.”

“They took it all and said that it was for the damages I caused to the school.”

“What damages? Tang paid for everything as punishment.”

“He destroyed one of the training rooms.”

Said Hina.

“I was practicing my finishers. I never thought they were so fragile.”

“Whatever. If I get a bill, it’s coming out of your savings.”

Miko ignored the devastated Ace and went to the seating area.

“You’re already here.”

Upon reaching there, he saw Luka and her group in the stands.

“Are you here to cheer on your Apostle?”

“Of course. I’m proud of Remi and will always support him.”

“That’s good to hear. Then you can console him when he loses to my adorable brother and sister.”

Luka’s eyes twitched.

“I think you’re the one who’ll be consoling your siblings when Remi beats the twins.”

“Hah?”

The two started glaring at each other.

“Calm down, you two sound like a pair of soccer moms.”

“Oh, Boros!”

Ouroboros was seen walking with some snacks as he approached the group. He gave Luka a hotdog and gestured for her to sit down.

Stolen novel; please report.

“There’s no need to fight. Just relax and enjoy the show while cheering on whoever you want.”

He said.

“He’s right. There’s no need to fight.”

Tia added.

“Besides, there’s no way the twins would lose.”

“Why are you so sure? Remi is someone Lulu handpicked, which means he has a bright future.”

“Whether he was handpicked or not doesn’t really matter when you’re up against my descendants.”

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t underestimate Lulu’s eye for talent.”

“When you stop looking down on my bloodline.”

“The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree huh?”

Sora said while taking a seat with Hina and Ace. They ignored the bickering from the gods and their proxies and focused on watching the tournament.

“Oh, it looks like Tessa will be in the first match.”

Tessa entered the ring located at the center of the stadium. She waved at the crowd who was cheering for her.

“Looks like she’s really popular. She even has her own cheer squad.”

On the other side of the stadium, you could see a section where students had flags and banners with Tessa’s name and face on it.

“Well, Tessa is a top ranker in her division. She along with her brother have always been in the top three of any division they’re in. So it’s natural they’re popular.”

Kana answered.

“Yeah, but it’s the same for Remi.”

Luka added.

“Hey, Miko….Huh? Where’s Miko?”

“Over there.”

Luka looked in the direction Sora was pointing. He was pointing at the opposite side of the stadium. There she saw someone over Tessa’s cheer section waving a giant flag while wearing a t-shirt with Tessa’s face on it.

“T-E-S-S-A! Tessa, Tessa!T-E-S-S-A! Tessa, Tessa!”

“………”

Everyone looked at him in silence.

“Let’s focus on the match.”

They ignored him and waited for the match to start.

“Tessa’s opponent is pretty big.”

Said Hina.

“That’s a grown ass man. He must’ve repeated a dozen times.”

Said Ace. Tessa opponent was over 6ft tall, had bulging muscles and a stoic face.

“He’s called Devon and he’s actually 14.”

Aya replied.

“So he’s lying about his age? Gotcha.”

Aya didn’t bother to argue with him and just remained quiet. The match quickly started and ended even faster.

The moment the signal was given, Tessa’s opponent rushed at her and attacked. The match was sealed the moment he stepped 2 meters near her. He was suddenly encased in a block of ice and was rendered powerless. Tessa didn’t move a muscle. The crowd cheered despite the match ending in an instant. That’s because they knew it was just a preview for what’s to come.

The first round of the Junior Division tournament went on without any surprises. Just like his sister, Kristen instantly defeated his opponent but with a flame attack. Remi won easily as well. While it wasn’t instantaneous, his opponent was someone in the top 10 so he fought a stronger opponent than the twins.

“I always heard the twins were strong but isn’t this unfair? They are clearly above their peers. In fact, I think they should be fighting in the senior division.”

Sora said. He and others just watched the twins advance to the semi-finals after winning five matches instantly.

On a side note, Miko was still on the opposite side of the stadium. He was switching between Tessa and Kristen’s cheer squads whenever they were up.

“Hey, at least their allowing the tournament to advance quickly and we won’t need to be here all day.”

Ace said.

“We wouldn’t be here all day anyway. Today is just to decide the top four. After that is the senior division tournament preliminaries. The Junior tournament will resume after the top 8 for the senior division is decided.”

Kana explained.

“Why do we have to go through preliminaries while the juniors can get right into it?”

“Because in the Junior Division the tournament is optional, while its mandatory in the senior division. Only those planning on entering the senior division enters the tournament, those who want to enter the world with the skills they got won’t enter. Meaning, those who aren’t specializing in combat won’t enter. So it’s far less contestants despite the Junior Division having more overall students.”

“I see. It still sucks that I have to waste my time on fodders.”

Sora placed his hand on Ace’s shoulder.

“Relax brother. The festival just started. I’m sure things will get hype soon.”

He pointed with his nose to a section of the stadium. Everyone looked and saw Zora sitting in the stands in an imposing manner. Not far away from him was Klaus with his lackeys. They could also see Kaido near Miko, and Tang eating Cotton candy by himself.

“I think you’re right, Sora.”

Ace smiled.

“Let’s just sit back and watch the show.”

Meanwhile, Tiana Draxler was walking through the crowded grounds of the academy and was enjoying the festival.

“Hm! This caramel apple is delicious! This kabob too!”

She was carrying a truck load of snacks she bought from the various stalls and was eating them all at once. Her childish expression on her beautiful face as she enjoyed her food, warmed the hearts of everyone around her.

“This is why I love festivals! The food, the vibe, the festive atmosphere! I wish everyday was like this!”

“What an irresponsible adult.”

“Hm?”

Tiana looked down and saw a little girl holding onto her clothes.

“……”

She looked at the girl in silence and then smiled.

“Principal Matters, you look rather cute today. You should stay in this form instead of being an old man.”

“I’m only taking this form because it allows me to move freely without suspicion.”

“But a cat would do, yet you’re a little girl. Maybe you always wanted to be a little girl or could it be that you’re actually female?”

“Trying to decipher my true appearance by the thousands of faces I wear is useless. Even I don’t remember what I am anymore.”

Tiana giggled picked up the “little girl” and placed her on her shoulder.

“You came to keep an eye on me right? So let’s at least enjoy the festival together.”

The little girl stayed silent and took a cotton candy from Tiana and ate it.

“Looks like the rumors are true. Whenever you take a form, you truly become that person. I can’t imagine what people would think if they knew that this little girl who is happily eating cotton candy was an old geezer just a few hours ago?”

“Shut it. You’re making my candy taste bad.”

“Alright, alright. But what should I call you, little girl?”

“Brie.”

“What a cute name.”

Tiana laughed.

“Tiana, What are you planning?”

“First, I’m going to check out the hotdogs near the Primary Division, then it’ll be the ice cream parlor near the combat fields, and then I’ll go check out the artisan tournament and see if they made any beautiful jewelry I can buy.”

“I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about what you have plan for the Dragon Stars.”

“You may look like a little girl but your heart is still that of a senile geezer.”

Tiana sighed.

“I’m not planning anything. I’m just like everyone else, enjoying the show.”

“I find that hard to believe. A cunning fox like yourself can’t possible stay still.”

Tiana stopped in front of a pretzel stand.

“I don’t know why you’re always suspecting that I’m plotting something, when all I’ve done since coming here is the job you’ve assigned me. I’m just a simple instructor who loves her kids.”

“And Satan was just a simple serpent who happens to plunged the world in sin. I don’t trust a bone in your body.”

“The last time I checked, you’re the notorious criminal being hunted all over the world. Your existence and your group’s existence have been confirmed and document a long time ago. My existence is unknown to most of the world. My organization and I are nothing but a rumor at most.”

“So you’re saying I’m worse than you? Well, I can’t deny that we’re like the agents of chaos who starts wars all over the world.”

The little girl took a pretzel from Tiana and started eating it.

“That’s exactly why you and everything you stand for is a burden to us. We would appreciate it if you all just dropped dead.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Tiana started walking again while eating her pretzels.

“If you want us dead then come kill us yourself. Or could it be that your scared?”

“Hahaha! We start wars, fight in them, betray our employers whenever we’re paid a larger amount by the competition, and then rob them both. We’re on every wanted list in the world. Do you think we’re actually afraid of you? This place is my personal garden and I just don’t want you to mess it up.”

The little girl swallowed her last piece of pretzel.

“If you do, I’ll have to kill you. What happens after that is for the future me to handle.”

“You know, I really like you, Brie. It’s too bad that I’ll have to kill you in the future.”

“Well, I hate your guts.”

The two started laughing. To outsiders, they looked like two sisters enjoying the festival but in reality these two, who were among the most dangerous people alive, are planning to kill each other.