248 Volume 5 Final Opening Chapter: The Tournament of Treachery

[ Elio Stadium, 'Prodigy Center Academy' Contestant's Dorm ]

The surviving Contestants from the 'Prodigy Center Academy' had a great party, cheering for the Trios' victory over the 'Amalgam Community Academy'.

" You three did well, no wonder the Principal said you three are our top choices... " 

[ Contestant: Orlando Prowl ]

[ Academy: Prodigy Center Academy ]

[ Class: 2-S ]

" Yeah, you were also great, Carol!!! "

" You and Carlos are really in sync, don't forget with the help of Donovan's magic of course... "

[ Contestant: Groa Rockborn ]

[ Academy: Prodigy Center Academy ]

[ Class: 2-S ]

" Damn, never thought your first grades will excel that far! "

" This must be celebrated. "

[ Contestant: Slade Sable ]

[ Academy: Prodigy Center Academy ]

[ Class: 2-S ]

" Thanks for the compliment, all of you. " Carol welcomes it, for she represents the trio who fought the Oniro Brothers as the two others left to their rooms.

" You all did well during the Battle Royale too, please don't praise us that much, we're just competing as any contestants do. " Carol humbly replies to them, trying to humble herself in front of her seniors.

They all talk about the victory and continue to talk about what will happen next.

" The Semifinal Tournament will start in five days... " 

" Carol, are you sure Carlos and Donovan are prepared for the next battle? " 

" Next battle? " Carol asks.

" I think we do..., after all- "

" Are you sure? " the question made Carol startled, immediately began to make an uneasy expression.

" I don't know about what you guys think of this, but... "

" Do you all feel this 'Tournament' is a bit..., rushed? " Carol asked her seniors, as they all sighed when hearing this question.

" Well, since all the academies in this Country had to be present, guess the Tournament must find a way to make them all participate while keeping the time efficient... "

" After all, what Tournament that could take 100 days? if I were the one who made the Tournament, as King Avalon, I would probably use this 'Battle Royale' Method too. "

" Since there's no other way to compensate all 333 participating academies in a compressed date schedule. "

" I see... " Carol sighs, as she hears those from her seniors.

" There's just too much who wanted to participate, not to mention... "

" All academies in Elysium Haven here, mostly sponsored either by Royals, Conglomerates, Big Companies, etc, for they all support the Education Ministry here. "

" Even Hunters and Knights, that shouldn't concern themselves in these things too. " Carol thinks about this, realizing how cramped the situation is, realizing the invisible interests behind it all.

" Well, Principal Axel should've told you about this, I felt sorry for you. " Orlando tells Carol about this.

" As a member of the House of Prowl, I must reveal to you that this Tournament is not only a place for entertainment or sports, but also..., "

" A 'gambling place', for those who want their family name shined through the efforts of their kids. " Orlando says it, which made all of the Academy's contestants look down.

" It seems you all had the same mindset..., perhaps you compete here because those behind your backs place an 'invisible bid' on you, didn't they? " Orlando asks them about it.

" Money, Pride, Honor, Survival... "

" These things are the ones that motivate one to compete in this lot. "

" Some already knew this and some didn't as they were all blinded by the advertising. "

" So, for those who didn't know, don't be surprised if, in the end, only the highest prestige of academies will survive, for their contestants are not the sole power they could muster in this Tournament. "

" But the King knows this, right? " Carol suddenly asks, which makes Orlando look at her.

" Yes, he knew. " Orlando calmly tells her.

" He always knew, yet he allowed it for that's the main purpose this Tournament was built. "

" An event to make the Royals and Commoners busy for their fame, to make them happy in their boring lives. "

" You could also think it's also made to make sure none of His Majesty's Subjects ever think of overthrowing him, it's just like that, naturally. "

" Hence... "

" Hence, for those who learned deeply of this Tournament, there's a calling for the Tournament that none would ever utter in front of the public. "

" Afraid for the persecution purposes. "

" And that is for the Tournament is secretly called... "

" 'The Tournament of Treachery'... "

" For the Tournament was never 'fair' from the start, everything is already decided behind the scenes... " Orlando tells the contestants, making them shiver as they hear what he just said.

" But Orlando... " Slade raises his hand.

" But despite all that, we still need to compete, right? " he asks, which makes the atmosphere turn back as it once before, the shivers on the contestants disappear as Slade returns the spirits towards the members, making them cheer once more while Orlando just went silent in all that.

...

( Afterwards. )

[ Elio Stadium, 'Prodigy Center Academy' Outside the Contestant's Dorm ]

Orlando Prowl is on his phone, having a call with someone as he scratches his hair.

" Yes, I already tried my best to degrade their spirits... "

" But that Slade Sable managed to turn back the depressing atmosphere I tried to give them, it's a total fail. " Orlando tells the one he calls for.

" Then try again!!! " said the caller to him.

" You only have five days left as we had prepared for you time to make sure of your success. "

" If you fail, the funds I lend to your House will be retracted, returning it to the lowest point after the Elves Invasion*. " the caller threatens him, making Orlando frustrated.

" Then what am I supposed to do!? "

" You think my Tier III 'Psyche Magic' will work against those above me, you know well that I am the weakest of them in every-!!! " Orlando is suddenly interrupted, as he is bound by something wet, a bind made using water.

" ORLANDO PROWL, WHAT HAPPENED! " the caller calls Orlando as the phone is picked up by someone who interrupts.

* Inhales. *

" Arc Magus Academy's Principal Howlex. " the person calls the caller by the name, shocking the caller as he hears it.

" Who is this? Where's Orlando? " he asks but as it happens, Orlando is being bound by a powerful binding of water, as the person who conjured it looks at him, showing himself covered in a robe, black colored glasses, and a face mask.

" Principal Howlex, I'm sorry to interrupt but Orlando Prowl won't be participating in the next round. " the person tells Howlex.

" I'm afraid you have no choice but to only focus on your students' preparation, for your pawns won't be useful anymore. Bye. " the person ends the call while looking back at Orlando who faints from his powerful bind.

" Young Master, it seems you overdid it... " a voice came out from his shadow.

" I needed him to be like that, Tania. "

" I need to make sure he won't affect the other contestants' spirit no longer. "

" And lastly... "

" I need to make sure we all get some rest before the preparation tomorrow. " the person says, opening his mask for a bit so he can take more air to his lungs.

" Guess during those times, I can't be doing the 'Draven' thing for some time. "

" I leave the work to you Black Shadows then, can you do it? " Donovan asks as he ends the night by bringing Orlando back into the shadows.

...

( As it happens. )

[ Arc Magus Academy, Principal's Chamber ]

" Darn it, really now? " Principal Howlex curses over what happened.

" And here I thought I've already made sure that Orlando keeps his mouth shut. "

" But how, argh! " he grunts but suddenly remembers what the mysterious caller told him.

" Focus on my students' preparation, huh? "

" Yeah, right... "

" Fine then, whoever you are... "

" We'll settle it in the Semifinals, you mole from the 'Prodigy Center Academy'... " Principal Howlex grunts as his room is entered, suddenly.

" Ah, speaking of settling... " Principal Howlex sees his guess and welcomes it, as he already expects the guest to come despite the time.

...

...

This is the end of the opening Chapters, I hope you can wait for the incoming Chapters of this Volume that will be published in this Novel.

Stay tuned.

________________________________

Extra:

* Elves Invasion:

It happened in Volume 4: Donovan's Third Year.

The Prowl family also gets much damage from this attack, just like in 'Chapter 127: Draven's Official Debut To Society Aftermath' mentioned.

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