The tournament for the Junior Division had entered a three day break with the top four having been decided. The semi-finalists were pretty much as everyone had expected with the twins and Remi all making the cut. It was the fourth person that caught everyone by surprise.
“Who was that kid?”
After watching the tournament, Miko and his group were now heading back to join the festival which was reaching its closing stages for the day. The one who asked the question was Miko.
“He stayed low key for majority of the tournament and showed up in the last match.”
Luka who was walking beside him had a frown on her face.
“Did you see it?”
“Yeah.”
The last semi-finalist was an average looking kid that didn’t stand out in the least. He was the type you’d forget after meeting them. Yet, he continued to win his battles and before anyone knew it, he was in the best 8. But when he fought in the quarter finals he became a different person and it started when a particular mark appeared on him.
“He had an Apostle’s Crest.”
Miko said. When the match started the average looking student suddenly gave off the pressure of a ferocious beast. The look in his eyes had changed and he felt more commanding. He made quick work of his opponent who was ranked 4th in the tournament before. Which meant he was only inferior to the twins and Remi.
“He crushed that kid before he could even react.”
“That Apostle’s Crest, it had a dragon wearing a crown and curled up in a river. That’s Vritra’s Mark.”
Tia explained.
“Then that kid is Klaus’s Apostle? Could he have been ordered to target the twins and Remi?”
Hina asked. Miko paused and looked back at the stadium.
“Don’t do it.”
Tia spoke to him from the side.
“Killing that kid because of suspicions will only lead to trouble.”
Everyone’s eyes peeled open as they turned to Miko.
“…You’re considering killing a child?”
Robin asked.
“I’ll kill a newborn on its mama’s tits if it threatens those I care about.”
Miko spoke with a straight face.
“If you do that you’re inhuman.”
“Call me whatever you want.”
Miko then turned around and left. It didn’t look like he was planning to kill the student. Instead, he searched for someone through the crowd.
“There.”
He looked and saw Klaus walking through the festival with his lackeys.
“Ishma, Regis.”
He started walking with his swords following behind.
“Wait, he couldn’t be…”
“Hold up, Miko!”
Hina and the others called out to him but it was too late. He ignored them and continued to advance through the crowd. Once he was near Klaus’s group Ishma and Regis took their sword forms.
“Hm? Isn’t that Miko?”
“He’s armed!”
People started noticing Miko approaching Klaus. Seeing him, his lackeys started blocking him.
“Hey, stop!”
They stretched out their hand to stop him but were surprised to see him distort and disappear the moment they touched him.
“An illusion?!”
“?!”
Klaus suddenly felt a pain in his chest which causing his survival instincts to take over. He flew back and instantly covered himself in scales. He looked down and saw a small cut on his chest.
“Nice reflexes.”
Miko appeared out of nowhere and said.
“Looks like I’m still not that good at assassination techniques. Nana will be upset.”
“You!”
Klaus was furious. Miko had boldly tried to assassinate him in broad daylight and in a crowded place even.
“Get away from him!”
Students started rushing towards Miko. He silently sheathed both swords and placed his hands on the handles on the opposite sides causing his arms to cross.
“Raging Dragon Style…”
Under everyone’s gaze the image of a dragon with its wings closed appeared behind Miko. He took a step forward and disappeared from where he was. An instant later, he was behind all the students that were rushing towards him, with both swords drawn. And then-
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*BAM!*
The students were blown away in two separate directions with long cuts across the chest. An image of a dragon spreading its wings appeared in the center of the attack.
“Opened Wings.”
Students rained down around Miko with blood coming out of their mouths and noses. He turned around and faced Klaus.
“You…Just now you used the Mors Clan assassination technique and now you just used the Ryukami Clan’s sword style…..”
Klaus looked at Miko like he was a great threat. Miko saw that and re-sheathed his swords.
“?!”
Klaus immediately became alert and prepared himself for another attack.
“Since you weren’t here when I just arrived, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. So allow me to make myself clear in case you haven’t heard.”
Miko’s eyes darkened like the deepest abyss.
“Touch those I love and I’ll make you see hell.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Threatening you? No, I’m making a promise. One I intend to keep.”
Miko turned his back to Klaus and started walking away. He stepped on the head of a student who was trying to get up.
“……..”
Klaus silently glared at Miko before smiling.
“Then let me make a promise of my own.”
Miko didn’t stop and continued walking.
“I’ll make your life a living hell for the disrespect you’ve shown me.”
“It’s your funeral. Do as you want.”
That was all Miko said. He rejoined his group with a serious expression on his face.
“You’re insane.”
Sora said with a smile.
“If you’re just realizing that then there’s no saving you.”
Miko then looked at Luka.
“I’ve just declared war on a Dragon Star. What’s your next move?”
“I’m not reckless like you, so I won’t do that. So my goal for now is to win this tournament.”
Miko smirked.
“You’ll have to beat me first.”
The next day, the senior division ranking tournament had began. Every student was required to take part in this tournament if they wished to advance a grade. The only exceptions were members of the royal families of the kingdoms that came together and built the academy. Since Miko and Luka fit this description they had the option of skipping the tournament. Yet, neither had the slightest desire to do so.
“Hell Yeah! It’s finally time to cut lose!”
Miko shouted the moment he stood in front of the stadium.
“We’re not even inside and you’re already causing trouble.”
Momo, who was beside him frowned upon his excessive excitement. Miko was alone with she, Tia, and his swords. Everyone else agreed to arrive separately to get their heads in the game.
“Momo, when I win this thing I’ll dedicate my victory to you since you’re my teacher.”
“You’re all planning on going all out huh?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t be fun otherwise. It’s not everyday we’re provide with a stage this grand where we can test our strengths against each other.”
“It sucks that we can’t join the fun.”
Ishma said with a frown.
“All weapons are banned to ensure everyone has a fair chance. After all, those from rich backgrounds can simply buy a powerful weapon and win the whole thing.”
Momo explained.
“Don’t worry you two.”
Miko placed his hands on Ishma and Regis’s heads.
“I’ll throw in some extra punches for the both of you.”
“Will you be alright though? Without us, you can’t use your full strength.”
Regis said.
“Who do you think I am? I’ll be fine on my own. I don’t need a weapon to win this thing.”
“Quite the cocky one, aren’t you?”
Tia said.
“I’m simply stating facts.”
The tournament began with a draw to determine who were fighting in which block. With all the students gathered in the center of the stadium, the audience started to go wild. They were all eager to see how this year’s tournament will turn out.
Will the Dragon Stars dominate again or will there be new champions? They were dying to find out.
“Principal Matters will now take the stage!”
An announcement came from the speakers which made everyone’s excitement grow. They all turned their attention to the stage prepared and saw an energetic old man standing there. This was the principal of the academy, who was a little girl just yesterday.
“Ahem. I would like to thank everyone for coming out to see our students shine once again. I won’t bore you all and get straight to the point!”
A huge monitor slowly emerged from the ground and appeared behind Matters.
“As you all know, before the main tournament can begin a preliminary round must be held! This is to separate the strong from the rest! Only 64 students will get the chance to compete out of over 1000 students! That’s less than 10% of roster!”
The crowds started cheering loudly.
“The students will be divided into 8 block at random where they’ll have to fight to be one of the 8 students that can compete in the main tournament! Once the final eight of each block is decided, we will reveal the tournament brackets!”
Matters explained.
“There will be 6 rounds to determine the winner and the #1 student with a whopping 63 matches! So I’m sure you won’t be bored!”
The crowd’s cheers grew louder.
“Now without further ado!”
Matters turned to the monitor behind him and spoke.
“Show us who will be placed against who!”
The monitor came on and showed a list of names that were divided into 8 columns. Each column was numbered from 1-8.
“?!”
Matters’s eyes peeled open when he saw the listings.
(This isn’t what I prepared!)
He quickly turned around and looked in the crowd. There he saw a woman sitting with a big bag of popcorn and a ridiculously large cup of soda. It was Tiana Draxler.
(That bitch! She changed the matches!)
While Matters was glaring daggers at Tiana, the students started checking to see which block they’ll be fighting in. Miko was among them.
“Oh? I’m in the same block as Lukas’s apostles. Now that’s interesting.”
He started checking to see which blocks the others were in.
“Huh?”
That’s when he found something odd.
“Hina and Luka are in the same block….So are Sora and Kaido.”
But those weren’t what he found strange.
“Ace, Zora and Klaus?”
It was as if Ace had horrible luck because he was in the same block as two Dragon Stars, and they were Dragon Stars that Miko and his group were openly hostile against.
“Is someone trying to get rid of Ace?”
That was the conclusion Miko came to. He didn’t believe that it was coincidence for Ace to face two enemies before the main tournament. He then started to think about the other draws. Hina and Luka, Sora and Kaido, him and Luka’s apostles….
“Is someone deliberately setting us against each other? Why, to weaken us? No, if they wanted to do that they wouldn’t have targeted Ace but either me or Luka. Not to mention…”
There was something that completely stood out among the blocks.
“Tang’s block doesn’t have a single threat to him. It’s an easy win without him trying.”
Everything felt forced but he couldn’t figure the reason behind it.
“To entertain the crowd, what else?”
Tiana laughed and threw some popcorn in her mouth.
“The tournament should start with a bang and for that these match ups are essential. I couldn’t include Tang because he would just crush everyone and automatically win the whole thing. What’s the fun in that?”
She spoke as if she was talking to someone but she was actually by herself. Or so she thought.
“I see. So that’s how it is.”
She turned around and saw Tia, Momo, Ishma, and Regis looking down on her.
“It seems that you’re enjoying the show, Tiana Draxler.”
Said Tia.
“Tiamat huh? It’s been a while. How’s life?”
“Fun, I guess.”
“I see. Then could you tell her to stand down.”
In front of Tiana, Kimiko was standing there with a cold look in her eyes.
“Unfortunately, I have no control over her. Also she hates my guts, so she wouldn’t listen anyway.”
Tia said with a shrug.
“I see.”
Tiana faced Kimiko.
“Queen Kimiko, as you can see I’m on vacation and is acting as a mere teacher. I’m not a threat to you or your family, so I would appreciate it if you stand down.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Well, if you really wanna fight then go ahead. But that will only escalate things which would be bad for both parties. You might survive but can you guarantee everyone else you care about will not dying in the crossfire? If so, then go right ahead.”
“…….”
Kimiko looked at Tiana for a while before stepping out of her way.
“I’m glad that’s your choice because I didn’t plan on dying today.”
Tiana laughed while she was being stared down from all directions, as if her every move was being watched.
“Calm down, everyone and please sit.”
Tiana patted a seat next to her.
“The fun is about to start.”