Heroine and The Love Interest

Alastair was in his tower looking through the contents for the report of the corpse blood he found in the count's house. He frowned when he realized what it was.

"Dragon blood."

Maximus was relaxing on the long green couch, slouching and eating snacks. "Yeah, whoever is enough of an idiot to inject themselves with dragon blood is as good as dead." He said, apathetic to the situation. 

"Count Bert...what was he doing with dragon blood and how did he get it?" Alastair had a puzzled face; a rare sight for the Supreme Sorcerer.

The perplexity cannot be helped. Dragons hid themselves from humanity, and they're the most isolated race on earth. Not to mention that they're extremely strong, Even the Supreme Sorcerer will struggle fighting with a dragon. Dragon blood is not an easy material to get, it's expensive and as rare as ancient holy artifacts. 

Maximus raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so this is related to that case...welp, master, whatever he's doing with it shows he knows nothing about dragon blood." He shrugged.

"Obviously..." Alastair said with an irritated tone.

"The Witch... Maximus, one day you will have to reveal who she is" He said slowly with a pause. Maximus' full attention shifted to his master. "I'm not going to waste my time finding her, she clearly knows how to hide her crimes but I can also force you to tell who she is." Alastair's light-brown eyes glimmer with danger. 

He's taking extra precautions. He didn't intend to tell this to Maximus, after all, his student would have already known about it, but with the dragon blood...there's a chance that Count Bert's killer was the one supplying the vials, and if that's the case, he needs to cut her down before the dragons wage war against humanity. 

"Fair enough." His student replied, unbothered by his warning and threat. 

He couldn't help but give him a sigh and smiled wryly. " I sometimes cannot read your intention…"

It was a bit embarrassing for Alastair to admit that he doesn't know what stand in life one of his successors has. It's the reason why he's still hesitant to appoint Maximus as the next Supreme Sorcerer despite his prowess; is he a good or bad person? Will he protect the empire or abandon it? He has known him ever since Maximus was a child, yet he doesn't know a single thought that goes in his mind. 

He trusted Maximus but was also cautious of him. It was a strange kind of dynamic. 

Maximus gave him a small smirk. "I'm special~" He went on his way to his usual habit, complimenting himself. 

Alastair gave a long sigh after he heard what Maximus said. He shook his head and turned to Max.

"Right...today is the hunting competition, right? Good luck."

—

After Maximus left, Alastair continued investigating more about the dragon blood. A light golden hue surrounds the dragon blood up in the air as Alastair's eyes look deeply into it.

He was analyzing its contents in a much more detailed manner. Although, unbeknownst to him, what he was doing was a lesser variant of Ainaira's Keeper Eyes. Nonetheless, that's not important. What's important is the fact that Alastair is currently trying to figure out which type of dragon the blood belonged to. 

After a few more assessments...

"An Abyss dragon...?"

His face contorted into a deep frown as his eyes narrowed lower. He let out a frustrated and tired sigh.

"Fuck...how…?"

Alastair's unease was justifiable. Abyss dragons reside in the Demon Continent and are much more territorial and solitary than any other species on Earth. 

"Demon Continent..? Demons..."

Alastair's eyes shot up as he realized who the potential supplier was. He gritted his teeth from the dread that he felt. 

He now knows that it wasn't the Witch who was supplying Count Bert with the dragon blood, but he cannot completely rule her out of suspicion. 

He felt a looming sensation, a screaming voice that told him a war would one day break and destroy everything and anything. 

He closed his eyes to calm his heart down. He stared outside his large glass window and looked down at the Empire he grew up in with an unreadable face. Behind that face showed sentiment and a bit of bitterness.

"Tsk-"

 He clicked his tongue and frowned once more. 

-

The entire Union Academy is in a festive mood. Today is the day when the hunting competitions are held. Many boys are polishing their swords and the girls are all dressing up with their best clothes. Though, this year's competition will be special.

This year will mark the participation of the first female competitor in the hunting ground, Josephine Eseiwi. Even though it's been 20 years since females were allowed to have combat training, not once did anyone allow females to participate in the hunting competition. As such, this news had spread across the Empire, and many spectators from inland and outlands had come to see the female student. 

Eventually, the sounds of the bell rang throughout the hunting site and everyone gathered and waited in anticipation. All of the female students are located on the right side of the stadium, while the visitors within the Empire are located in the middle, and visitors from other nations are on the left. There is a huge portal-like screen that shows an overview of the forest. Sorcerers are positioned near it in order to maintain the portal. This portal acts as a screen for the viewers and an entrance for the competitors.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Union Academy Hunting Event!" said the eccentric-looking host with an energetic tone that is infectious. 

"I'm your host! And I'm sure all of you are eager to see our noblemen hunting for our offerings towards our God, Lux!"

The crowd cheered in unison, causing the podium to vibrate.

Then the host proceeded to call out the competitors, and the crowd clamored even more.

"First, we have the Sun of the Imperial Palace, His Highness, Prince Noah Morningstar!"

The ground shook from the cheers and waves. Some girls even squealed and professed their admiration. The prince gave them all a friendly and charming smile as he waved at them. Once he stepped into the podium, the Host went on to announce the next person and so on.

"Maximus Magus!"

Maximus, walked in with a nonchalant stride, he stood still with his weight leaning on one leg and his hands on his hips.

"Aeron Dharmanath!"

Aeron was cold and distant. He treated the cheers and the affection from his admirer as nothing but the buzzing of an insect. He sighs as he crosses his arms, a frown on his face as he takes his position. 

Maximus nudges Aeron slightly, "Living up as the cold knight, eh?" Which Aeron just ignored. 

"Jamil Heinzberg!"

Jamil calmly walks towards the podium with a relaxed and charming smile. All the girls immediately screamed and giggled upon seeing him. 

"Ray Everglade!"

...

"Ryker Floyd"

...

"Lucas Winterheart"

As soon as the name was called, one step caused everyone to be silent. All contestants and spectators stopped to look. A man with long silver hair that fades into a pink hue. An aura of dignity akin to the Imperial family, yet a comforting humility underneath all of that.

He is the son of the Pope, Saint Lucas. 

lastly, he is the 7th love interest of Josephine 

Everyone was silent as they admired the man's beauty, inside and out. The Empire's most beloved Saint.

"A-Ahem…! Now, lastly-" The host snapped his fingers to break off the trance and silence- " We have...our first ever...female contestant!"

"Josephine Eseiwi!" 

In an instant, all eyes went from admiration into a predatory gaze of judgment. They turn to see a pink-haired girl with black jewel eyes. A soft yet confident expression was painted on her face. 

The most controversial figure in the Empire, both hated and loved... Josephine. 

"Hm~ She's quite interesting, don't you think?" Maximus mused with a curious yet amused smirk. He nudges Aeron, who was distracted.

"..." Aeron would typically look at Josephine's direction whenever she was near, however...his mind was elsewhere. Maximus took notice of his friend's distracted gaze.

"Hey…getting cold feet now?" He teases the blue-haired man. Aeron looked up and coldly glared at Maximus.

"Just shut up..." He replied, in a quiet and monotonous voice. Aeron's mind was only filled with worry for his twin sister. He was debating whether he would look for her, even if it meant losing this year's hunt. 

It wasn't just Aeron who was thinking about Ainaira. 

Noah scans where the female students are seated, looking for a certain girl with blue hair and blood-red eyes, yet he cannot see her. "Where could she be…?" He mumbles to himself. 

While the two men are in deep thought about Ainaira, the rest of Josephine's love interest all curiously looked at her with an intrigued expression.

Lucas smiled at Josephine as she stood beside him. "Good day, Lady Josephine." He says in a soft and deep voice.

Josephine replied. "Hello, Lucas!" She smiled brightly. The two were well acquainted, and in fact, Lucas was the first love interest she met when the Church found out she was the Saintess. Lucas would do his best to ensure Josephine is at ease and adapted to her new life.

Meanwhile, the host continues to call the remaining competitors. He smiled brightly and snapped his fingers once more. "And now-! For what all of you have been waiting for..."

"Let the Hunting Competition...BEGIN!"

As soon as the flare went off, all of the competitors disappeared into thin air and were teleported into the academy forest.