Tiamut's Training Village, Karuza High's cottage.
A bag dropped on the bed, and Kiernan quickly reached for it and started unpacking his belongings.
He was staying in a cozy-looking room with wooden walls, ceilings, and floors. The room had a single window that overlooked the beautiful training village below.
It also showed the small beach with a crystal-clear lake, where some people were already swimming and enjoying the warm summer day.
"It looks like our school is more popular than I thought. Those who walk past our cottage usually stop for a moment to gaze inside."
He finished unpacking, then headed downstairs and saw that everyone else was still busy with unpacking.
They would spend the next three weeks in the training village, all the way until the beginning of the nationals.
It was his second time here, and he had to admit it was much more beautiful this time around.
The time of the nationals was earlier this year around. Last year it was around autumn, but now it was right in the middle of the summer.
Kiernan went to get some water into a cup and then sat down on the porch, watching the people walk by.
They also noticed him and recognized him immediately. That face was quite recognizable from last year's nationals.
Johan and Kiernan's fight was the main talking point among most high school fighting circles. It was the highest level of fight that any of them had seen from someone of their age.
'Hmm? What's happening over there?'
There was a field in the far corner of the village. The field had two goals, and there were currently nine people talking amongst themselves. One of them was holding a ball.
"We're missing one person."
Dietmar said while smacking the ball in his hands.
"Didn't you ask Zachary? He refused?"
Lionel asked while sitting on the grass field. He looked like he had a lion's mane as hair that was blowing in the wind.
"Yeah, that dude has a stick up so far in the ass that he immediately shooed me away. Something is wrong with that guy."
Dietmar said with a deep sigh.
In the field currently, the aces of nine powerhouse schools had gathered. That's why, when an ace from school that had been nothing but mediocre for the last decade refused them so bluntly, they were all quite pissed off.
"Hmm? Wait, isn't that… You could ask him!"
Willa shouted out and pointed towards Karuza High's cottage. She was able to see a young man sitting on the porch, who did seem familiar to her.
It was none other than Kiernan Hunter, another ace.
"Isn't that… Kiernan?"
Dietmar said with a frown.
He felt quite nervous to go to talk to him, as many have betted Kiernan to be the strongest fighter of this year's nationals.
Rumors say that he had basically confirmed a spot in the upcoming Junior Martial Arts Tournament.
"Go ask him whether he wants to play a round of Punch Ball with us."
Thorsten said while cracking his knuckles.
It was already a very competitive match of Punch Ball with nine aces, but they needed one more person to make teams even.
Dietmar headed out of the field and slowly approached the porch with a pounding heartbeat. He didn't expect to be this nervous, as he was usually a very social person who thrived in group settings, but something about Kiernan made him very nervous.
"Hey, you're Kiernan, right?"
He made up a few of the steps before coming to a stop. He didn't make his way up all the way to Kiernan.
Kiernan said, and took a sip of the refreshing water drink.
"Dietmar Dent from Kurogami High. We're the third-ranked school in the nation, right behind Kanyon and Tiamut High."
"Oh? I do know your school."
Kiernan nodded thoughtfully.
"I, and the rest of the aces of other powerhouse schools, decided to have a game of Punch Ball. We're in need of one more person, so if you'd like to join us."
'Punch Ball, huh. Well, I have nothing else to do. It sounds interesting enough.'
Kiernan put the cup away, stood up, and stretched his arms above his head.
He was satisfied that Kiernan didn't have the same stick up in his ass as Zachary. He could already tell that Kiernan would be much easier to work with.
They walked to the field, where the rest of the people were waiting, and when Kiernan joined, others looked at him with great interest.
The news that talked about the upcoming nationals always mentioned Kiernan. It was because he left a deep impression last year around, and he was definitely among the strongest this year.
"Alright. There'll be two leaders to decide the two teams. Each team has to have one goalkeeper, two attackers, and two defenders."
"The two leaders are based on the national rankings of the school. Tiamut High and Kanyon High are the top-ranked, so the ace of their school will be the leader."
Thorsten and Ariadne stepped forward and moved to different sides. They were going to decide the teams.
With dark brown hair, Thorsten looked serious, and the dark eyes showed that he actually knew who to choose first.
He was the ace of Kanyon High, the second-ranked school in the nation.
On the other side, Ariadne's blonde curls bounced with excitement. She was a silent-spoken young woman who preferred to let her actions speak for her.
She was the new ace of Tiamut High, the school with a rich history of victories.
"Let's toss a coin to see who'll start first."
Dietmar pulled out a coin from his pocket and tossed it into the air.
The coin landed on Dietmar's hand, and it showed heads.
Ariadne looked around at the people, and then, her round eyes landed on one of them, and with a smile, she said.
"I'll choose Kiernan from Karuza High."
Thorsten clicked his tongue.
He also wanted to choose him, as this already made the upcoming Punch Ball match much more difficult.