Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

A young man with dark green hair was standing in front of a window where the sea’s pristine waters, whose colors resembled his own eyes, could be seen. Actually, he was inside a ship sailing the seas and the room he was in was his quarters. All of a sudden, a knock interrupted him of his thoughts.

“Come in.”

A brown-haired young woman just about his age entered. She adjusted her glasses as she stood in attention.

“Report.” said the young man.

“We will be arriving in the port city of Agrebel this evening. An official from the imperial government will bring us to Azte City via teleportation formation and lead us to the guest house we are assigned to stay on our duration here.”

“Hmm… And what of the men we sent out to scout to Praiji Empire’s capital city?”

“He returned a day ago and I have compiled his report. We now have information of the seven representatives of Praiji’s Imperial Academy. Although, we are not sure of what event they would be joining.”

“I want to hear it.”

“Yes sir. First, we have the two fourth years, Anastasia Nesteria and George von Demarem. Both are enrolled in the Military Arts Department’s Knight Course. Both are well-versed in combat and their chosen weapons, a double-headed axe called a labrys and a bow respectively.”

“Then I suppose we can assume that George von Demarem will be participating in the Archery Quiz event. By the way Erika, there are only two fourth years? Are they planning to send five third years this year? How laughable.”

“Err… I believe it is more thrilling if you hear me till the end President Andrei.”

“Fine.”

“Yes sir. The third year representatives are Trent Kidlat and Torii Chrishni, both are Magic Knight Course students with lightning magic and wind magic respectively. Our scout put a side note that Trent Kidlat is under the protection of the Lemaria Family and Torii Chrishni is the cousin of the famed Archduchess Celestine.”

“Aren’t the Chrishni’s of nobility? Why does this Torii does not bear the name of 'von' before her family name?”

“It appears she is an illegitimate child of the last head of the Chrishni Family and is now believed to be under the wing of the archduchess thus discarding her nobility.”

“I see. Interesting. Continue.”

“Right. Next we have Daniel Jarnthe, a second year.”

“What?! They’re sending a second year? Are they mocking us for this-“

“He was chosen for a reason. And trust me that’s not the most shocking thing yet. Anyway, he’s a Magus Knight Course student as well, with affinity to earth magic. He’s apparently a prodigy in his field so there is an advice of caution.”

“Very well.”

“The last two representatives are Freya von Berialis and Luna Hysi, both are first years from the Battle Mage Course of the Magic Arts Department.”

The young man named Andrei was outraged! Was the Praiji Imperial Academy even taking the Grand Academy Games seriously? They dared send out first years? Newbies with no battle experience?

There was a reason lower years were usually not chosen as representatives! On the first few years of the G.A. Games, the death count of first years and second years were high so schools tend to choose students from the third years and fourth years!

And yet-

“Freya von Berialis is a wind mage and is the daughter of a marquis. She is a powerful wind magic user and her involvement on the Mt. Tala Island Incident was also found by our scout. I bet it’s the reason she was chosen.”

“You mean that incident where students and teachers were trapped by demons?”

“Yes. She was there and she was one of the two students that managed to slay a demon.”

Andrei was wide-eyed, well so was Erika since they were not expecting it. The other nations, especially those located in other continents, had always thought the news was nothing but a publicity stunt but it seemed like it was apparently real.

“And the other one? The one that slayed the demon with this… Freya?”

“She’s the other participant, Luna Hysi. There’s not much information to gather from her aside from she’s an orphan from the Celestine Territory and has dual affinity; fire and ice.”

Andrei froze all together at the words Erika spoke.

“Luna Hysi? Hysi?”

“Yes President, why are you…” a look of realization flashed on Erika’s face. “Could it be that she’s the descendant of that woman?”

“I need to know. Once we arrive, I want to speak personally with this Luna Hysi.”

“I will make arrangements.”

Erika left the room and Andrei was left alone. He looked at the horizon a mixture of emotions was on his mind and face.

“I will finally see someone related to that person mother.” he whispers. “And I will make sure that all debts will be paid.”

***

After being told to be a representative for the Grand Academy Games, I underwent grueling training for four months. Well I wasn’t the only one since the other participants were also in the same boat. We were supervised by a professor one by one so nobody could really slack off. It was really sad and lonely actually.

So, what was best way to enjoy the training?

Drag your friends in it.

I wasn’t alone and I had sparring partners! Two birds with one stone!

And so, after four months of training my combat skills and magic (not really), there were definitely relevant changes. I became faster on my feet and nimbler too. And although my control over my <Mystic Arts> weren’t on par when I was still a deity, I could say I had made great improvement. I could circulate the internal energy faster around my body, and with my spirit core’s help I could also generate more of it if needed. With this, I could also gather external energy much faster than before. With my control over the two energies improved, that meant I could cast my ‘ice magic’ and ‘fire magic’ faster and the spells could also be stronger. My control over my <Fox Fire> had also drastically improved. I could now make bigger flames without suddenly going out of control. My original power still did not like my mortal body so I was relieved of that.

All that improvement was because of the people who helped me, well the people who tried to beat me black and blue. If only my body was as strong as my original body, I wouldn’t have to fear much of these people. But those same people were also the ones I learned to love while living in the Mortal Realm.

“Are you excited for the games?” asked Zack who was my sparring partner for that day.

Other than my assigned professor, which was surprisingly Professor Tresde, my siblings, Sebastian and Zack snuck in some sparring sessions and advices so I could improve.

“I am. I can’t wait to test it out during the games.”

“I see. I am glad for that. When I participated in it two years ago, I was weaker than you, so I think you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks Zach!”

“The city is in a festive mood and the delegates from participating schools and countries are arriving, would you like to check it out?”

“Really? Then can Vyfal and I really go?”

“Sure. I don’t recommend going alone though.”

“That’s fine! My friends are all busy preparing for the final exams so no one can really accompany me. I’ll be fine! And besides, I have Vyfal with me!”

The representatives of the G.A. Games were exempted from taking the final exams. We were to focus on the upcoming event so it was sort of a given.

And so it was decided that Vyfal and me would see the capital.