Tales of the First World

Reiss tried to placate the annoyingly excitable presence Salazar couldn't help but share with him, hopping across several infernal gates in the hopes of losing his fellow educator.

But each time the wispy gates close up, Salazar would have leapt through, gasping against the stinging scent of brimstone.

"Wait....just hang on for a second. Tell me, is it true that one of the Crossbane princesses is in your class?" Doing his best to catch up with Reiss' brisk pace, as he tried to lose him through the crowd of students littered through the corridor.

"Yes, yes...well not exactly. Now you can stop following me, thank you!"

"And a child of the Markholdz family? As I live and breathe I didn't think they were still around, let alone that they would be in the same class as a member of royalty. Do they get along?" His words sprung up just as suddenly as his lithe frame while Reiss turned the next corner in the stairwell.

"Yes...well not exactly."

"Oh oh, and about what happened in Whitewater Port..."

"Salazar, is there any reason you're suddenly so enraptured by my students?"

"Well, Yuria, Colt, and Toudou never miss an opportunity to talk about their students. In fact, they all seem to view them more as their own children than students".

"Arturion said something similar when the Entrance Exams first started. I guess very few of us retire to a nice place with a good family, somewhere far far away from the dangers of this world."

"...In some ways we almost need to be like that for these kids. We are taking them from their safe homes and putting their lives on the line at every opportunity."

"Hmm"

"But you and Ulrich, we barely get to see any of that, so when it does happen you can't blame me for being curious."

"Fine, but if you keep nipping at my heel for every single detail, you're better off speaking to them yourself. As lively as the little headaches are, I'm sure they'd be delighted by the idea." The very thought of such an interaction piqued his curiosity as it was written with a smirk lining his crimson glare.

"Ugh, there it is, that horrifying grin." Salazar recoiled at the sight as the two of them came to a stop at the entrance of the Medical Ward.

"There shouldn't be much time till we have to return to the Arena so try not to be too distracted and end up wearing them down..." The grip of terror warped Reiss's flagrant tone as he tried to make sense of the sight before him.

Salazar stumbled into Reiss who remained unshaken, with several pleas for him to respond with naught a whisper or a snide remark from him, the silence soon washed over him with similar dread as he pushed past him to enter the room.

"FAE's breath. Doctor, what happened here, are the children okay?" Salazar pushed past Reiss into the crowd of injured students and teachers who were repairing the mangled web of steel and the charred debris littering the Ward.

"Oh you're here, and you brought Reiss with you as well. There's no need to fret, while the students are a little shaken up they're all quite safe I assure you." Arturion tried to calm him, though the scorch marks across his uniform and the smoky soot sprinkled over him made it a little more than a challenge for them to hold the doctor to his words.

"My...the students, Astrapordt and Sujing..."

"It's quite alright, my friend, Sujing was unharmed and is still recovering. We moved all of the students in critical condition to the West-wing of the Medical Ward. You'll find him there along with the rest of your children."

"So the ones standing around here…?" Salazar said with a cautious sense to him.

"Student Generals working with the teachers to ensure no one was hurt." Arturion said gently, resting his hand on him, with a hearty sigh, Salazar welcomed his gesture.

Though Reiss's fierce gaze only intensified as his eyes scanned over the many students in search of the unique snowy mane:

"But what of Astrapordt?"

"..."

"Arturion–where is he?"

"Reiss he–"

An announcement chime alerted the entire school as everyone, fell silent awaiting the coming words,

"This is the Headmistress of Trinity Cross Academy and I would like to thank you all for your patience and consideration. All repairs to the Arena and preparations for the final round of the Cross Gardens Tournament have been completed."

"The following match will begin in ten minutes, so I would urge you all to get your snacks and make your way, break is over. The next match will start in ten minutes. Please return to the arena. Thank you." The PA system ended the announcement.

No sooner too were the uproars of hooting and hearty cheers birthed by the excited spectators, rushing back to get themselves the best seat, with some even abandoning the wait for their snacks to ensure they didn't miss a single moment.

'Seriously, I still don't get how she can whip them into a frenzy like that. That Headmistress of ours is a terrifying thing to behold.' Reiss thought aloud as he watched the teachers and their students also moving on to the Arena through a vigorous exodus of the Medical Ward.

Through the excited crowd, Arturion steadily made his way through the crowd, paying no attention to Reiss' impressive capacity to follow his every step, before grabbing hold of his coat.

"You still haven't said anything about Astrapordt..."

"Reiss I must tend to my patients and you must be present at the Arena. We are both needed elsewhere..."

"Look at me...what did you do?" His brow furrowed with several loose golden bangs swaying across his crimson glare.

"..."

"What did you do to him, that you can't look me in the eye?" His grip tightened across his coat, but the doctor didn't so much as flinch at his friend's display of frustration.

"I thought I told you to stop picking fights...come on we need to head back to the Arena or we'll be late." Salazar came between them, as he desperately tried to push Reiss on their way.

A few chilling moments passed with their gaze locked onto each other...before he scoffed at him, as he walked past Salazar on his way to the door.

Forcing the poor man to rush after him after apologizing to the good doctor before bracing the seas of bodies on their way out.

"Salazar, keep an eye on him. I won't always be there to stop him from doing anything rash. So I can only trust those around him to watch out for him."

"Doctor?"

The doctor drew closer and leaned over him with his taller frame to reach his ear. Through the fervor and bustle of the animate crowd,

"There are fewer beasts more frightening than those protecting their kin. Reason and sensibility no longer play a part in their decision-making. It matters not what he says, look at his actions, his eyes are lit crimson and bright but he's not smiling. Just look out for him."

Salazar had the look of someone that had swallowed stones and was given nothing to ease such a task.

"I...I will. Not sure I could do any more than that if I'm being honest." He tried to reassure the doctor, before being dismissed as he pulled back and let him on his way

Getting closer to the Arena, the crisp blades of grass were shaped into the school's crest as seen from any of the buildings on the campus. The emerald sea blended around a vast and ornate structure, different from the standard design of the Combat Arena around the schools.

A vessel of steel and concrete that housed hundreds upon hundreds of seats allowed for an unobstructed view of the events that would unfound. However, the marvel that welcomed all the spectators drew their breath away.

An isle created towards the Arena's main gate was formed by two parallel rows of black-stone obelisks grafted with various depictions of all kinds of beasts in battle with different heroes towards the enormous stone gates that opened up after the school's crest emblazoned upon it glowed with a cooling cyan tone before sliding apart.

Opening into the vast space, its true splendor could be appreciated from the very center of the raised platform of pure white stone, encircled in similar filigree that lined all of the more intricate designs across the campus.

Several concentric rings spread outwards from the center platform, with each subsequent ring raised above the one before with pillars that resembled the obelisks at the entrance. The very last ring raised high enough to be seen as the walls of the Arena from the outside looking in. In between the ascending rings were steady flights of stairs carved with similarly dark inlays.

All bound in gold wherever you would expect to see metal fitted to the structure, from the uniquely woven tarps of golden silk embraced the top of the Arena, threading the rays of light through it without allowing the overbearing afternoon sun from causing any real discomfort.

The creation of masonry, metal and undoubtedly magic made for a bit of a challenge as the Student Generals tried to urge all curious eyes and enwrapped gazes on their way to their seats, allowing for even the late-coming Salazar and Reiss to make it to the Educator's Booth, built into the lower rings to allow for their intervention at a moment's notice.

"In future try not to drag Salazar behind. He still has things expected of him."

"Yuria, I swear the day I come upon a sufficiently capable axe, I will make quick work of that stick up your a–"

"Ehem!" Colt's tried to disguise his annoyance, casting his piercing silver gaze against that of the petulant crimson flaring from Reiss'.

"Sit down and be quiet. The battle will begin soon."

"Hey...why are you even here, didn't your class already lose?" He teased, finally breaking Colt's composure, with the teacher shaking him about despite Reiss' focus being elsewhere.

'The doctor asked me to look out for him, but it's almost like he wants to fight at every chance he can get.' Salazar let out a mournful sigh as he tried to pull Colt away from him, tearing away the collar of his jacket.

"What! But...come on. That kid is nowhere near me and still, my coat gets ruined, this is getting stupidly expensive." Reiss' panicked expression quickly replaced his teasing as he desperately tried to piece together the tattered ends. Leaving the rest of his colleagues to seat themselves further away for his tantrum.

"This was made from Bronze Aggressor hide, Colt. Do you have any idea how much it costs to skin a snake that big?" Shaking the flimsy tatters at him, who chose to ignore him as the announcer made their way to the booth.

'I swear the repairs are coming out of the school's pocket." With the snap of his fingers, he was momentarily embraced in flames that just as suddenly snuffed themselves out, leaving only the faint smell of brimstone and vanilla to flare the noses of his colleagues as the flames vanished along with his coat.

Leaving him in his beige collared shirt that had the pattern of the Sundanessi Elves woven in silver thread along the edges as well as on the breast of the shirt.

Sitting with his arms crossed, you would quickly be reminded of Reiss' impressive build. Despite standing over two meters tall, his form was firm and dense with lean muscle. Stranger still were the faint scars that ran all the way from his elbows where he had folded his shirt, to his wrists where his leather gloves began.

"Toudou, if you don't mind, you can stop staring now." Reiss called out, feeling the intense pressure coming from one of the teachers sitting above him. But all that his confrontation bore was a shocked squeal followed by muffled murmurs.

"J...Jerk!"

'Sigh. Let's just get this over with.' He murmured to himself, as the crowd's passions arose at the sight of Ms. Yuria taking the stand:

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the final battle of the Cross Gardens Tournament! We are honored to have you here with us today to witness this incredible finale to the First-year student's very first Carnival."

"First, let us thank you for your continued support and attendance to our thrilling events. It is because of your support and excitement that each and every one of these students has been able to bring you such a thrilling display of their talents."

"Now, without further ado, let's get ready for the main event! On one side of the field, we have a formidable opponent who has set himself a cut above the rest for his mastery of the cold. His chilling attacks have left many of his opponents frozen in their tracks, and even more of his admirers stunned at his skill."

"From Class 1A, Vauntuss Strum." Stepping out into the shower of adoration and cheers, however, he seemed to have already readied himself, with his stern expression and his SoulArm already summoned to his hip.

"And on the other side, we have a fierce warrior who has proven to have a more fierce will to win. With tenacity burning brighter with each battle so far, we have seen him wield all manner of flames to come out on top. His fiery techniques have scorched his way to victory time and time again."

"From Class 1F, Shynerai Astrapordt." Walking out onto the battleground, his eyes never flickered from the opponent in front of him, so much so that the very audience's fervor fell silent as he began to feel the chill that was gathering around the platform.

Though unlike anyone before, Shynerai simply marched onwards. Taking step after step through the freezing cold that inched more and more to encompass the field.

What seemed to garner Vauntuss's notice the most, was the uncharacteristic glint from his emerald eyes. Having paid close attention to every one of Shynerai's bouts he could, his perceptive nature feasted on every available detail. And now...

His instincts were warning him of what he was looking at…

'MONSTER!'

"Who will come out on top in this clash of the elements? Will the icy prowess of one fighter triumph, or will the flames of the other burn bright? There's only one way to find out - let the battle begin!"

"We know you'll be on the edge of your seats as these two skilled fighters face off in this highly anticipated match. We can't wait to see who will emerge victorious. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope you enjoy the show!"

'Am I expecting to face such a thing? Whatever it is, it is no longer Astrapordt.' As the battle began, the golden rings surrounded by a well of pitch blackness was staring back at him, with slits suggesting the hunger of the beast dwelled in his young form.