Finally, the four students along with Orion reached the building. They all walked in and climbed the stairs before getting to a door that read 'Principal Orion'.
"Alright," Orion said as he opened the door. "Come in."
Arin and the other three nodded as they followed Orion into the office.
Orion sat down on his chair and gestured for the four of them to sit down on the other four chairs present in the office.
"Okay," Orion began as he stared at the four of them. "First of all, congratulations on winning the competition, and being the ones who will represent this Academy."
"It shows your resilience and drive, and I appreciate that," he added.
They nodded their heads in response.
"Now, there are a few things I want the four of you to know before the day when we will all head towards the location of the tournament arrives," Orion said.
They all listened attentively, waiting to hear what he would say next.
"Firstly, I can't tell you all how the arrangement of the tournament will be," Orion said. "If not, it would have given you all a little insight and help you prepare accordingly."
"But the King doesn't want that," he added.
"Secondly, there is one mistake that the students who represented this Academy last time made," Orion said.
What he said made Arin raise a brow, and Tessa, Alex, and the other boy also had curious expressions.
Orion's expression hardened as he placed his hands on the table. "They were overconfident..."
He squinted his eyes, continuing. "They felt like because this was the best Academy in the Kingdom, there was no way they would lose. But when the tournament finally began, they couldn't believe their eyes."
Orion's gaze softened again as he sighed. "So, what am I trying to say?"
"Don't feel like your victory is already sure just because you attended Greenfield Academy, because trust me, the tournament is filled with formidable opponents..."
His voice suddenly lowered as he added, "Just as formidable as you are."
The way he said the last part made it obvious that he wanted them know that he was specific about that part.
'Hmm, so in a nutshell, there will be participants just as strong or if not stronger than Tessa,' Arin thought.
He didn't want to use Alex in this comparison, because he knew firsthand just what Alex was capable of. But like Orion said, they shouldn't be overconfident.
"I hope that is clear," Orion said.
"Yes, sir," they all replied in unison.
He cleared his throat before he continued.
"Thirdly, you won't come along with the rest of the students to the location where the tournament would be held," Orion said. "A carriage direct from the castle will be sent to pick the four of you."
"It'll also be like that for the participants of other Academies, both Mage Academies and Warrior Academies," he added.
"Fourthly, this is the one thing that I can tell you all without any issue. In the location of the tournament, you all, along with the participants of other Academies, will stay in a building similar to a dorm building in an Academy," Orion said.
"This means two things. Firstly, you'll make sure to be of good behavior, and be careful not to do anything that'll bring shame to this Academy, like starting a fight."
"Make sure to behave like students of Greenfield Academy," Orion added.
'Ah, this dude is always talking about upholding the name of the Academy,' Arin thought. 'I guess it's just one of the things a Principal must make sure of and impart into the students.'
"And secondly," Orion continued, "it means that the four of you and also those from other Academies participating in the tournament will stay behind after the end of the tournament."
"So, when the tournament is over, you all will sleep in the dorm building, and come back the next day," he added.
It was clear that the boy wanted to ask why they had to stay even after the end of the tournament, but he decided against it.
Though, even though Orion didn't state the reason why they had to stay, Arin already knew.
'The King will speak to all of us the next morning before we'll finally be able to return back to the Academy,' Arin thought.
'He didn't really say anything serious, but there's a chance that there will be changes to what he originally said because of the recent events like the battle between me and Alex which was tagged as a Vampire Attack,' Arin thought.
And apart from that, he still had this deep feeling that some things must have already changed or will change because the author has continued the story.
"I believe you all understand," Orion said, watching as they all nodded their heads.
"And lastly," he leaned back on his chair, "train vigorously with these two days that are left before the tournament."
Suddenly, a smirk formed on his face, surprising all of them except Arin.
Arin almost chuckled, already knowing what Orion was about to say.
"Because," Orion continued, "there's a slight difference between this year's tournament and the past tournaments."
"Which is?" Alex asked, raising a brow.
"The winners of the past tournaments were rewarded with fame because everyone in the Kingdom knew their names and respected them, but this time, the winners will not only be rewarded with fame, but also something else," Orion said.
"Interesting..." Tessa said, and the other boy nodded in agreement.
"Now I'm curious," Alex said, chuckling.
Arin knew what the 'something else' that Orion was talking about meant.
"Well, that's all," Orion said. "I hope you all will remember all what I just told you, and make this Academy and its students proud."
"Yes sir," they all said.
Orion nodded his head. "You can all leave now."
With that, they all exited the office before walking out of the building.
"Hey, Arin," Tessa said, nudging Arin's shoulder. "What do you think about that reward stuff principal Orion was talking about?"
Arin just continued walking as he replied, "I don't know. I'm just as curious as you all are, right?"
The boy nodded. "True..."
"Maybe it's a weapon?" Alex said.
"Hmm, that's a possibility," Tessa said.
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see.. hmm, no, we'll just have to win and see," Arin said.
They all laughed after hearing what Arin said.
"I guess so..." Alex said.
With that, they all went towards their different rooms.
Arin collapsed on the bed after dropping the bracelet on the floor. "Ah, before you know it, two days will pass in the blink of an eye, and the tournament will be here."
"Hehehe, I'm ready to see some action," Seraphine chuckled.
"Master, are you planning on winning?" Roxanne asked.
Arin spread his arms out on the bed as he stared at the ceiling. "Yes. Not just me, but Alex, Tessa, and the other dude will also win. After all, we're representing the Academy, so if the four of us win, it'll be considered a single win."
"Haha, I knew you were lying when you said you were going to intentionally lose in the tournament," Seraphine said. "Let me guess, it's for that mysterious reward that Orion guy talked about, right?"
"Yes," Arin replied with a small smile.
"You have my full support, Master," Roxanne said as she lowered her head.
"Thank you, Roxanne."
Arin sighed as he rolled on the bed. "These next few days are going to be heated..."
In a forest in Blackstone City, the golden hue of the sundown bathed the leaves of the tall trees, giving them an ethereal vibe.
A rabbit was casually chomping down on some of the small grasses present around it, but suddenly, it raised its head as its ears raised as if it heard something.
It waited for a few seconds, and then, it dashed away hurriedly.
In that same moment, numerous red circles began appearing on the ground.
The numbers of the circles were increasing at a fast rate, and finally....
Numerous figures that could easily number up to hundreds emerged from the circles, and then, after the figures stopped emerging, the circles disappeared.
They looked normal, with normal clothes like tunics and trousers with boots.
Most of them had black hair, and normal black eyes, with swords and other weapons with them.
Suddenly, a man stepped forward.
He looked vastly different from the others, with long red hair, and glowing red eyes.
His fingernails were elongated and could be considered claws, and he had a smirk on his face.
"Haha! Finally, we're back to this realm filled with disgusting beings," he exclaimed as the other humans—no, Vampires—behind him laughed.
"It's time to regain our lost glory, and show those weaklings back in the Vampire Realm how to properly win a war."
The humans were going about their daily lives, unaware that things were about to take a drastic turn.