[center][i]But alas, Seleth would not find Varjan anywhere she would look. Speaking of the boy, he had thought... he had hoped, that, perhaps, the great Princess Lisianthus of Razelia would come to know him. Understand him. Then she uttered the same words uttered to him by, pretty much, everyone else.

The princess' intentions were genuine to be sure. But Varjan was now like the townspeople, he has heard 'Wolf!' enough times now to believe it.[/i][/center]

[hr]
[center][h2]Seraph Academy[/h2]
[h3]Practice Halls[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@Rune_Alchemist] ~~~[/center]

[quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"Friend or not, such a thing is dirty and unscrupulous. What if he found out you were 'plants' or asked to be his 'friend'? That would make anyone both paranoid and mistrustful, would it not? If he found out I can certainly understand why he might ask me such an absurd thing and I can hardly blame him if so."[/color][/quote]

"[color=darksalmon]...[/color]" Mira had nothing to say in reply. Her face darkened as she realized how correct you were. Perhaps she always knew, it's just that she never thought about it. Or rather, tried not to think about it.

[quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"You wouldn't happen to know where he is would you? I'll go seek him out and speak with him myself. I asked his mother to speak with him again at the Cathedral anyways."[/color][/quote]

"[color=darksalmon]...I don't know.[/color]" Mira weakly replied. "[color=darksalmon]With the tournament going on, I doubt Varjan's allowed to roam around in the open. He's probably back at the Caldeyrons' home but I doubt they'll let you see him.[/color]"

And Mira was right. Should you have visited the manor of the Caldeyrons for Varjan, you were told that he was busy at the moment. You were even reminded that you and him could see each other once the tournament was over. With little else to do, you prepared for the next day.

[center][h3]Courtyard[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (LIS), [@Frozen0Titan] ~~~[/center]

After [u]Kazudain[/u] and [u]Lisia[/u] were done talking to each other, the Feathered One explained that [u]Kazudain[/u] was being summoned by a person of authority, identity undisclosed.

With that, [u]Kazudain[/u] and [u]Lisia[/u] has to part for the time being. Although, it was likely they were going to see each other again.

[hr]
[center][h2]City Square[/h2]
[h3]Unknown Location[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (HIS) ~~~[/center]

[quote=Hisana][color=9e005d]"Now, love, if we're done with twenty questions - when do we start this little escapade of ours?"⭐[/color][/quote]

"[color=9e0b0f]Oh, we'll start once we're ready...[/color]" Keith winked at you. But you could not see this due to his helmet. "[color=9e0b0f]Which should be about--[/color]"

[center][h3]---THE NEXT DAY---[/h3][/center]

[center][h2]Seraph Academy[/h2]
[h3]Tournament Arenas[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@A Lowly Wretch] ~~~[/center]

The next day had arrived and prepared or not, you were to face the well-known Varjan Caldeyron.

This match would not take place at the Academy's practice halls. No, you were summoned to a more open field: The Academy's own arenas, designed specifically for the annual tournaments. While it was used outside of tournament-season for various activities, today was its time to shine. Today, it would be used for its true purpose: A duel between two fighters.

The arena was round in shape and the floor was of stone with many different designs engraved unto it. Four stone pillars surrounded the arena and it appeared they served a purpose other than aesthetics. The audience stands were also round, large and also surrounded the field, completely encircling it. Other than that, there was not much else. There was no overhead cover so the Sun shone its full brightness upon the stadium.

You were at one end of the arena and soon enough, you see Varjan take his place at the opposite side. The audience seats were filled to the brim. Many were going to be watching this spectacle. After a few minutes, the referee began which silenced the crowd. It was the usual speech about the rules in the tournament but right after that, mages around the arena began casting a spell. 

Moments after, two large trees materialized at the sides of the arena, its leaves blocking the sunlight. Its roots were large and several of them shot up from the floor and dived right back down. You realize these were but illusions but they appeared real and the shadows they cast were real enough to be used by you.

"[color=fff79a]And without further ado... BEGIN![/color]"

Varjan was a straight run from across you and the boy did just that. He leisurely ran towards you as if he was just going to ask you something. What could he be planning?

[center]~~~ [@Rune_Alchemist], [@AzureKnight] (LIS) ~~~[/center]

The next day had arrived, as well as [u]Seleth[/u] and [u]Lisia's[/u] next match.

Their match would not take place at the Academy's practice halls this time. No, this time they were summoned to a more open field: The Academy's own arenas, designed specifically for the annual tournaments. While it was used outside of tournament-season for various activities, today was its time to shine. Today, it would be used for its true purpose: A duel between two fighters.

The arena was round in shape and the floor was of stone with many different designs engraved unto it. Four stone pillars surrounded the arena and it appeared they served a purpose other than aesthetics. The audience stands were also round, large, completely encircling the arena. They were also filled to the brim with people. This was the semifinals, after all. Other than that, there was not much else. There was no overhead cover so the Sun shone its full brightness upon the stadium.

[u]Seleth[/u] and [u]Lisia[/u] found each other to be their opponents for this match. Both of them realize that whoever wins this, would likely be facing Varjan for the Grand Finals. After a few minutes, the referee began which silenced the loud murmurs of the audience. It was the usual speech about the rules in the tournament but right after that, mages around the arena began casting a spell.

Moments later, large rocks and boulders materialized in the arena. They were placed randomly, some were isolated, some were together. Some even formed a hill of sorts near [u]Seleth[/u] at her left. It was clear to the two students that these were illusions but they looked and felt real. They could use them to their advantage if they so wish.

"[color=fff79a]And without further ado... BEGIN![/color]"

[hr]
[center][h2]Southern Gate Town[/h2][/center]

[center]~~~ [@Frozen0Titan] (TIB), [@AzureKnight] (ENI), [@Polaris North] (FAY), [@CitrusArms] ~~~[/center]

The operation had began at midday. Sir Juan de la Cruz was spotted in a carriage in the Southern Gate Town near the river. It appeared he was going to enjoy some delicious lunch over at a restaurant. With [u]Tibrus'[/u] plan on standby, the investigators can call upon the city guard should the need arise. For now, the investigators were alone, hidden and with the element of surprise.

However, Juan de la Cruz was more than likely protected and his protection will likely spring out once he was threatened. So now the investigators had a choice: They could search for de la Cruz's protectors first and deal with them so the target would be apprehended without further incident. Or they could throttle Juan then and there and force his protectors to come out and show themselves.

Either way, Juan himself will no doubt attempt to get away himself so he must be considered too. Also, the streets were a bit crowded too so there's that as well.

[center]~~~ [@AzureKnight] (HIS) ~~~[/center]

"[color=9e0b0f]...So that's how No Nut November began.[/color]"

You and Keith were escorting Juan de la Cruz as he made his way to a restaurant for lunch. And by 'escorting', you were closely watching his carriage in disguises. While you were given a simple brown hood to hide yourself, Keith was in a cute, frilly pink dress with an equally cute and pink umbrella. He still wore his helmet though and also, presumably, his armor beneath the dress.

Once the carriage was getting too far, you and Keith began to close the distance. Keith tiptoed in his high heels as he began to speak. "[color=9e0b0f]Alright, so Juan here can get fragged at any moment so we need to keep our eyes open at all times.[/color]" The merc-in-a-dress warily glanced at the surroundings. "[color=9e0b0f]You never know where they could be hiding.[/color]"

"[color=9e0b0f]Also, let me know if my zipper's loosening. Don't want the public to see my pure back now.[/color]"

[center][h2]Luminous Citadel[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]Meeting Room[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@Frozen0Titan] (KAZ) ~~~[/center]

The Feathered One brought you before Athos, the royalty's court mage. The first meeting was some brief greetings before the court mage explained that everything had to wait until the next day for the day was already spent and he had much to say.

Once the next morning had arrived, you were within the Luminous Citadel. In one of the meeting rooms, Athos began. "[color=darkslateblue]Good sir... and tiger. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Athos, the Court Mage of the Zauberheim family as well as an occasional helper in other places like our Seraph Academy or even at the Radiant Cathedral.[/color]"

"[color=darkslateblue]You have shown incredible skill at the tournament and you display an air of... mystery about you.[/color]" Athos continued. "[color=darkslateblue]May I know who you are? You appear to be someone famous and yet I have not heard of you. Also, you somehow managed to enter the tournament with your friend here.[/color]" He gestured to Maldur. "[color=darkslateblue]I suspect he is no ordinary tiger. Am I correct?[/color]"