[center][i]People like Orne and Zeen say they will do great things had the fates smiled upon them. Perhaps they actually will. Unfortunately, they were people. And the flaws and shortcomings that came with that made sure they would fall. And fall. And fall. And fall. And things that fall repeatedly tend to break.[/i][/center] [hr] [center][h2]Radiant Cathedral[/h2] ~~~ [@Rune_Alchemist] ~~~[/center] [quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"Allow me to introduce myself. Seleth Thenri, priestess of Aylama. Your son seems to be quite interested in the scriptures. If possible, could you allow him to come back sometime? I would be quite thrilled to spend more time with him."[/color][/quote] "[color=antiquewhite]Oh don't be mistaken, my dear. Varjan is allowed to visit the Radiant Cathedral anytime he wants.[/color]" Varjan's mother replied. "[color=antiquewhite]It's just not the time, Miss Thenri. He has a tournament to participate in and he needs to be ready. After the tournament, he can visit and talk to you as much as he wants.[/color]" She continued sternly. "[color=antiquewhite]Well, it's been nice meeting you, Miss Thenri, but I have to be going now. I am a busy woman.[/color]" Varjan's mother then took her leave. "[color=antiquewhite]Ah, as a priestess of Aylama, can you please pray for my son?[/color]" She made one last request before leaving. [hr] [center][h2]City Square[/h2][/center] [center][h3]Northern Parts[/h3][/center] [center]~~~ [@Frozen0Titan] (KAZ & MAL) ~~~[/center] Zeen was caught off-guard by [u]Maldur's[/u] sudden approach. "[color=cornflowerblue]Wha?! What the hell?! Who the hell are you?![/color]" He jumped back from the tiger. "[color=f7976a]What in the name of--? Is that a tiger?[/color]" Zeen frantically tried to make sense of what was happening. He then saw that there was a man talking to his Beastkin opponent. "[color=cornflowerblue]Hey! Hey! We're in the middle of a duel here![/color]" Zeen called out [u]Kazudain[/u] and the Beastkin. "[color=cornflowerblue]Don't you dare think that you can just ignore... me...[/color]" Zeen trailed off as he realized what was happening, or rather, jumped to a conclusion. "[color=cornflowerblue]I get it... I get it... I'm not 'worth your time' right? 'No need to waste precious time on some nobody like me', right? 'Just ignore him', right?[/color]" Zeen accused the two men. "[color=cornflowerblue]I won't forget this...[/color]" He snarled before running away. Nothing more happened in the rest of the day though [u]Kazudain[/u] and [u]Maldur[/u] felt this was not going to be the last they see of that boy. [hr] [center][h2]Seraph Academy[/h2] [h3]Practice Halls[/h3][/center] [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (LIS) ~~~[/center] [quote=Lisianthus von Zauberheim][color=fff200]"I beg your pardon, Sir Zev'jul, but I'd like to know more about your magic. Despite the magical expertise here at the academy, I've never seen mimic magic quite like yours. You copied my appearance and techniques to quite the cue, indeed even my voice."[/color][/quote] Zev'jul chuckled. "[color=662d91]A lot of people like to know about my magic. That includes myself.[/color]" The sorcerer replied. "[color=662d91]I'm afraid I cannot answer your question, Princess. All I know is that I can do it for as long as I could remember and that no one else can do it. At least for now.[/color]" He continued. "[color=662d91]I've... theorized that it may be a magic unique only to me but there's nothing concrete.[/color]" "[color=662d91]Anyway, I won't take much of your time. Besides, I've been looking forward in seeing the festivities with my friend Galmore. It's been nice fighting against you, Princess Lisianthus.[/color]" Zev'jul bade farewell. "[color=662d91]Do be careful in your next matches though.[/color]" [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (HIS) ~~~[/center] [quote=Hisana][color=9e005d]"A secret? Hmm...I suppose I'll lend an ear. Perhaps you could tell me about it, along with the wallet you clumsy stole from me?"[/color][/quote] "[color=9e0b0f]Yyyeaaahhh... about that wallet.[/color]" Keith sheepishly began. "[color=9e0b0f]Okay, apparently that belonged to a guard. And he saw me playing with it. And then I got arrested. And then I was bailed out by this lady. And now I'm here to see you on her orders. And-- I'll explain that later.[/color]" "[color=9e0b0f]The secret is that you're going to be fighting this boy named Varjan in your next match.[/color]" Keith revealed. "[color=9e0b0f]'Who's Varjan?' Well, he's a pretty big deal. Like, a really big deal. He's a Seraph Academy student who almost aced every subject he's in and straight up beat the snot out of some teachers in some demonstrations.[/color]" The mercenary explained. "[color=9e0b0f]And I'll bet that stolen money he's going to beat the tar out of you too.[/color]" "[color=9e0b0f]And that brings us back to that lady who bailed me out. You see, there are some people here who know you, I'm not one of those people by the way, and they would like to enlist your services to protect some... special assets.[/color]" Keith offered. "[color=9e0b0f]Of course that means you're going to drop out of the tourney but hey, there's a lot of moolah waiting for you.[/color]" "[color=9e0b0f]Okay, that got a lil' confusing.[/color]" Keith then summarized. "[color=9e0b0f]What I'm trying to say is, don't you think you'd rather be getting paid with lots of money rather than getting your ass trashed in front of an audience?[/color]" Keith then looked past you and spoke again before you could. "[color=9e0b0f]Welp, your answer's gonna have to wait. Don't wanna be seen by the bobbies.[/color]" The mercenary then hastily left. "[color=9e0b0f]If you're in, just don't come at your match tomorrow and hang out at a cafe or something. I'll find you then.[/color]" [center][h3]Southern Gate[/h3] ~~~ [@A Lowly Wretch], [@Polaris North] (RAV) ~~~[/center] "[color=crimson]Argh![/color]" The student flinched from [u]Thessir's[/u] attacks which allowed [u]Raviel[/u] to escape. The student looked around him, trying to find his prey and paid little mind to the knives sticking out of him. "[color=crimson]Come out and fight you cowards! You dare insult me and attack me! Yet you run and hide?! Spineless! A rat has more courage than you two![/color]" He hurled taunts at the hidden [u]Thessir[/u] and [u]Raviel[/u]. "[color=crimson]Cowards! You've only barks and no bites! Come out and fight! COME OUT AND--[/color]" *THONK* The student fell to the ground unconscious. [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/d20e0e6ca03027416ae303b457e6d6de/tumblr_ogc6sbcz5A1twprc3o2_540.jpg]An armored, knight-like person[/url] knocked him out with a solid blow to the neck with a sword's hilt. "[color=lightyellow]Damn it, Orne. Who did you get into a tassle this time?[/color]" The newcomer asked the unconscious student apparently named Orne. Without another word, the armored man threw Orne over his shoulder and walked away. "[color=lightyellow]Let's get you fixed up. What am I gonna do with you?[/color]" He did not seem to notice that [u]Thessir[/u] and [u]Raviel[/u] were hiding nearby and saw the whole thing. [center][h3]---THE NEXT DAY---[/h3][/center] [center][h2]Seraph Academy[/h2] [h3]Practice Halls[/h3][/center] [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (LIS) ~~~[/center] Your family had congratulated you on your first match. Your father was particularly proud of you that you managed to beat a fighter with an unknown magical power. Your brother even moreso though your mother mostly ignored you. Friends from your school joined in too, citing that they knew you could do it. After a small celebration of your victory, the next had come as well as your next match. You were called once again to the practice halls of Seraph Academy for your next match. The outside arenas were apparently not going to be used yet. Like the last match, your audience was many and they eagerly cheered once you entered the hall. However, you noticed your brother was surprisingly absent from the stands. You only see some family friends and some of your adoring fans. "[color=lime]Hey Lisia![/color]" Someone suddenly poked you in the ribs from behind. "[color=lime]It's me, your cute little brother![/color]" Indeed, it was Lutz who had snuck up on you. "[color=lime]Are you nervous, sister? This might be only the second match but your first opponent definitely gave you a run for your money. Who knows who you will be fighting this time.[/color]" [center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (HIS) ~~~[/center] The next day had arrived and Keith's offer was still available to you. You had been called back to the Academy's practice halls for your next match. You stopped before you entered your assigned practice hall. You needed to make a decision now. Were you going to accept Keith's deal or not? If what Keith said was true, then you will be facing this Varjan boy who, according to the mercenary, would be a formidable opponent to fight in battle. Such a fight would certainly test your limits and get anyone's blood boiling. On the other hand, you might find yourself in a rough one-sided fight with you on the receiving end. You did not really know this Varjan and in one or two moves, you could be completely humiliated with a whole audience as witness. The decision was, ultimately, up to you. [center]~~~ [@Frozen0Titan] (KAZ & MAL), [@A Lowly Wretch] ~~~[/center] The next day had arrived as well as the second round of matches for the Grand Academy Tournament. [u]Kazudain[/u] and his companion as well as [u]Thessir[/u] were called to their assigned practice hall in Seraph Academy. Turned out, the practice hall they were assigned to were one and the same. [u]Thessir[/u] would be facing [u]Kazudain[/u] and [u]Maldur[/u]. The audience in the hall were not many and could be counted on one hand. One should not expect a loud round of applause after this match. "[color=fff79a]Fighters![/color]" The collective attention of everyone was called by an adult human male, a Seraph Academy staff and the match's referee. "[color=fff79a]This is your second match for the Grand Academy Tournament. I assume you all know the rules by now but I will reiterate again just in case.[/color]" The referee declared. "[color=fff79a]Both fighters will duel until one of them is incapacitated. All spells are permitted in the fight but! Fighters must not have augmented themselves before the match. Any blessings that needs to be cast will be cast during the match itself.[/color]" "[color=fff79a]Now then, on this side we have a fighter named Kazudain who will be joined by his animal companion, Maldur.[/color]" The referee introduced [u]Kazudain[/u] and [u]Maldur[/u]. "[color=fff79a]And on this side we have Thessir. A Rogue Elf student of Seraph Academy.[/color]" He then introduced [u]Thessir[/u]. "[color=fff79a]Without further ado... let the match begin![/color]" [center]~~~ [@Rune_Alchemist], [@Polaris North] (RAV) ~~~[/center] Yesterday had some tense moments for both [u]Seleth[/u] and [u]Raviel[/u] but after their situations have passed, the rest of the day went normally. The next day had arrived as well as the second round of matches for the Grand Academy Tournament. [u]Seleth[/u] and [u]Raviel[/u] were called to their assigned practice hall in Seraph Academy. The practice hall they were assigned to turned out to be one and the same. [u]Seleth[/u] and [u]Raviel[/u] will be fighting each other for their second match. The audience in the hall were not many and mainly composed of other Seraph Academy students. "[color=fff79a]Fighters![/color]" The collective attention of everyone was called by an adult Elf female, a Seraph Academy staff and the match's referee. "[color=fff79a]This is your second match for the Grand Academy Tournament. You should all know the rules by now but I will reiterate again just in case you don't.[/color]" The referee cleared her throat. "[color=fff79a]Both fighters will duel until one of them is incapacitated. All spells are permitted in the fight but! Fighters must not have augmented themselves before the match. Any blessings that needs to be cast will be cast during the match itself.[/color]" "[color=fff79a]Now then, on this side we have Seraph Academy student, Seleth Thenri.[/color]" The referee introduced [u]Seleth[/u]. "[color=fff79a]And on this side we have Seraph Academy student, Raviel Husk. A longtime participant of the Grand Academy Tournament.[/color]" He then introduced [u]Raviel[/u]. "[color=fff79a]Without further ado... let the match begin![/color]" [hr] [hr] [center][h2]Eastern Gate Town[/h2] [h3]Warehouse[/h3][/center] [center]~~~ [@Frozen0Titan] (TIB), [@AzureKnight] (ENI), [@Polaris North] (FAY) ~~~[/center] The three investigators, with their magically-silenced feet, arrived at the right side of the warehouse. The windows shone light out of them and there were sounds of activity coming from inside. Peeking through a window yielded a limited view since boxes and crates blocked some of the view. What could be seen was an [url=https://www.folkenstal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/xfolkenstal_ebony_armor_print-375x375.jpg.pagespeed.ic.H00wzBcDsE.jpg]armored warrior[/url] barking orders at the workers inside. "[color=9e0b0f]Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! Get it, guys? I'm barking orders at you! Hahahaha! Now get back to work![/color]" The workers carried various boxes around and they notably wore protective gear. "[color=9e0b0f]Hey, HEY! Don't carry more than one of those! That's sensitive stuff![/color]" There were also some chemistry stations that could be seen but the view was too limited to see anything important. The investigators will need to enter the warehouse and maybe hide behind the boxes to get a better look. Or they could climb to the roof and take a look at any openings there. Maybe both?