Transmigrated as the mysterious older brother

Tyrespiel's POV

“My Lord…”, I looked over to Roman’s butler with a raise brow as he naturally bowed his head in greetings to me and Kaspian before stating his report whilst pushing his spectacles to the bridge of his nose, “The injured woman is under observation: She had broken ribs and internal injuries, and due to shock, it may take a month to heal from the physical and psychological trauma.”

Just one attack and it dealt this much damage to her.

“That participant, it is best we look out for him, brother.”, Roman commented while not tearing his gaze away from the next round of competition.

“And-“, I tilt my head in confusion as Roman finally turned his head to us with a glare or more like a glare towards his butler who mysteriously smirked which made me even more confused.

“Stop saying foolish things, Samuel. With the combined force of the healers and sponsored affinity gems, she will recover in a short time, and I bet such psychological trauma does not exist for individuals that has faced a much worse predicament, well that is unless there are participants who thinks they will also be spoiled rotten amidst competitions. Those who cannot handle a little mental trauma like this is not worthy to receive privilege educations from the academy”, He scoffed and rolled his eyes as he turned his gaze towards the battle once again. I blinked in shock at what my brother said, ‘stop saying foolish things?’, I quickly looked towards his smiling butler and my pride took even more hit when I heard Owl’s silent snort.

“Samuel.”, I called with black lines on my face.

“Yes?”, Samuel answered with the same smiling face which irritated me more.

“I will confiscate your precious wet specimen collections. Send all of it to me.”, I relished in the satisfaction upon seeing the butler’s stunned face as he sobs over to Roman who ignored his existence and I, as well, ignored his existence choosing to pet Owl with a dark promise in my eyes.

Hoot….

End of POV

_

The shocking and unsettling outcome that the first round brought upon the audience was soon erased after the second and third rounds of the competition. The invited nobles paid attention to some participants who had unleashed their affinity potentials, under the bright gaze of the moons, the students took this opportunity to show what they are capable of which entertained the audience. Amidst the tenth round, Tyrespiel was informed that the princes: Konrad and Roux would be excusing themselves in order to prepare the third scenario’s terrain where the participants can freely fight and secure their spots in the academy.

While Tyrespiel was reading the letter, Roman peered at it with obvious annoyance. “Why does he need to inform you this?”, he glowered and Tyrespiel only showed a wry smile. His brother who was previously sitting on his seat is now beside him with the letter in his hand, crumpled from resentment.

And just before Roman can run his mouth, a loud booming voice cut through the lively chatters that silenced everyone and ultimately turned their heads towards the source of the sound- the host’s.

“Now that I have everyone’s attention, I would like to make a short announcement before we continue.”

The audience looked at him with confusion and the host took a small paper in his pockets before clearing his throat and looking back to the audience, “The qualifications will now be updated: a number of 3000 slots are now open in the academy…”. Tyrespiel’s eyes widens when he heard about this and immediately looked towards his brother who was already looking towards him.

‘How could they update the qualifications in the middle of the second categorial match.’

Even the audience found this sudden change ridiculous and unfair for the participants however the host ignored this and continued on reading what was written on the paper, “The passing scores per round are now updated as well: 500 points for the first category, 1500 for the second category, and 2000 for the third category with a total of 4000 overall scores combined.”

That’s it. The audience erupted in angry chatters and murmurs that left the arena in a chaotic setting, but the host merely stepped down the stage and walked towards the gates; Tyrespiel watched it all with a frown and conflicted thoughts about this arrangement. Importantly, who would have the guts to change this?

“Everyone.”, an arrogant voice called from the second balcony below the royalty’s which is the noble’s and Tyrespiel looked towards it with a sharp gaze immediately spotting the culprit, Madeen Sylvanna, a powerful supporter of the crown prince’s faction. Tyres couldn’t help but narrow his eyes as he remembered who this new face is, in the book, she was described as a witty and cunning person who would do anything for her ambition.

If Kisana Orbien is a reckless but came from a powerful background, then Madeen is a snake who’s careful and surprisingly a cousin of Kisana. While the spoiled Kisana relies on her standing and family, Madeen relies on her connections- she’s like a mosquito who would latch onto a powerful individual and suck them of their usefulness.

Out of all the villainess in the book, she is someone who Tyrespiel wish not to encounter in his lifetime however fate clearly disagrees with that. After all, she alone has a power that rivals the pillars of the kingdom and the royal family.

“I know that this may come as unfair to all of you but rest assured that it is not like that. After evaluating the scores from the previous match, the nobility had come to understanding to change the qualifications seeing as many participants will flourish in the academy.”, As she said this, she looked over the head chairman of the academy who saw this as his cue to step forward and explain further.

“But after a predicted calculation, it is estimated that not every participant who passed before with the old qualifications actually entered the rankings. To make up for this, the audience has the privilege to vote on five participants whether they are the participants who passed the first round or not as long as they reached the required points to pass.”, the audience looked at each other and before one could even complain, papers appeared out of thin air in front of the audience with the exception of nobles, servants and arena staffs.

The participants who were staying in a hall under the arena had frown on their faces as they watch from a screen. Kaspian along with his friends could only hope that they the audience can vote for them especially since the next round would be Mael’s.

“How could they suddenly change the systematic qualifications?”

“And it happened after the royal princes left their balcony.”

“Those nobles are taking us as a joke.”

“It is unfair even if they compromised votes to make up for the missing points.”

“This is just blatantly rude.”

“Even the head chairman is not disagreeing with this arrangement.”

Kaspian sighed in his heart knowing that like the others, all they could do right now is just hope that no one will be dropped from the rankings and be replaced by a previous participant who lost the rounds, “We really can’t do anything?”. Ruffian clenched his fist and glanced at Liam who had been silent since the sudden announcement; all of them are on edge, afraid of dropping from the ranks after this voting.

_

“Puccha.”, Tyrespiel called the sleeping fox on the far corner of the balcony who perked up at the mention of her name. “Can you check on my brother to see if he is doing fine?”, Tyrespiel nodded towards the fox who left without further questions before he gazed towards the audience again.

“Samuel, please make us a drink and take out some pastries.”, Roman ordered his butler who immediately took all they will need out of his space.

“Brother do not worry about brother Kaspian. He will be fine after all he performed well in the previous category, right?”, Tyrespiel nodded in agreement before sighing as he finally calmed down.

“I really do not see the point of suddenly changing the qualifications.”

Roman nod in agreement to his thought for he as well do not know why they should change the qualifications in the middle of the second categorial fight now. He looked over Madeen’s balcony with an expressionless face, he had heard a lot about that woman, ergh… woman…

“I cannot figure her.”, he muttered under his breath before a ‘ding’ sounded in the arena signaling the end if voting and once again, the host soon walked towards the stage without caring as he began to announce the updated rankings one by one. Everyone held their breaths for a sudden change of rankings.

Roman and Tyrespiel held a bewildered look when they saw the rankings, and both could finally guess what the reason behind this change. What best and legal means can someone smuggle something in the academy if not the PME trial.

“How fucked up.”, Samuel commented in amusement.

_

Once Puccha arrived in the hall where the participants are on standby, she run towards Kaspian who looked at her with a dumb look as if he could not even sense the particular energy within her that differentiates her from the companions and beastly animals in the wild.

“Are you lost, doggy?”, And Puccha did not hesitate to throw a punch to the stupid boy’s face- a punch that sent the boy to la la land. Puccha rolled her eyes and glanced towards the stupid boy’s friends who cowered back in fear.

“At least all of you are looking fine to me.”, she huffed and jumped on the stupid boy’s chest who she knocked out and sat on him with pride. Mael took a step forward only to be met by a glare which made Ruffian jump in front of them with protectiveness.

“Hey! It is rude to sit on someone who is unconscious! Stupid dog, get off my good brother’s chest!”

He run towards the fox but even before he could touch a strand of her fur, Puccha had already sent the foolish boy out the hall with a force that created a dent on the wall he slammed on to leaving Mael and Liam backing down in fear of being sent flying as well. The participants who watched could only back away for their safety.

Ding!

Finally, the voting is over, and the host stepped on the stage again while ignoring the chatters from the audience. The participants tore their gazes away from the fox and back to the screen as they anticipated and dreaded the results of the audience subjective votes. First to be announced are the top five in the rankings,

1. Claython Serval Athens

2. Rinehart Porsche

3. Jaise Yve Matisse

4. Kaspian Vor Crosseart

5. Liam Avilline

This ranking not only shocked the participants but also the audience, who is this Claython?

When everyone expected the third young master of the Crosseart family to take the first place, they did not take into account a possible rival that could send even the strongest and well-known student in the academy in the fourth place. When the rankings of the first categorial match, Kaspian topped the competition immediately and the audience, even the nobles, had already recognized that Kaspian will come victorious out of this trial however the new qualifications proved them wrong.

“Who is Claython?”

“I have never heard of anyone with a surname of Athens…”

“Must be a commoner or foreigner.”

The arena became lively once again as they conversed among themselves, surely, this sudden change influences the expected outcome of the trial. Mael, Liam and Ruffian looked over their friend who had just woken up from a knock-out looking absentmindedly to thin air. Puccha, the artifact fox, was also dumbfounded for she had expected the same outcome as everyone; no one stood out to her during the first categorial trial as well that could pass as someone deserving of the first place other than the stupid boy.

“Kaspian, are you alright?”, Mael asked worriedly.

“Yeah. Just, shocking.”, Kaspian laughed it off as he scratched the back of his head once he snapped out of his stupor and looked towards the rankings again with a frown.

Ruffian shook his head when Mael attempted to say something again. Their friend needs not their encouragement in this time right now as every one of them held witness to the release of the shocking rankings that revealed the hidden top one out of them- Claython.

In the far corner of the hall, two cloaked individuals hidden from prying eyes sneered as they saw the result. They achieved what they are promised and now it is time to do the end of their bargain.

“Control your shadows or you will get us caught.”, one of the cloaked teens hissed in annoyance as he leaned against the wall which the other chuckled at. “Yes, yes… must feel good to be in the top five, huh?”