Their carriage entered the academy as the trio finished finalizing their game plan. It sounded assured, a suitable counter for every enemy they would face. As they entered, in front of the academy stood several of the students who would be participating in the Selection Game. Tristan quickly realized that he was the only one who had his blade at his side. The others seemed to not have weapons, but they did.
They had probably reached the rank of 2 Star, which would grant them access to their Celestial Forge where they kept their weapons. Amelia and Garfield also had just recently ascended to the rank of 2 Star, leaving Tristan as the lone 1 Star. His mind began to drift; if only Killington hadn't confronted the Jester, he probably would have been a 2 Star.
But another thought lingered, 'Why exactly did Killington disobey my orders? He's never... he never did that before.'
After getting off the carriage, they went to stand alongside the other participants; as usual, they were greeted with disgusted looks and insulting whispers. But they had no problem with the insults their fellow participants hurled at them, because their focus was on one thing—winning the Selection Game and being the best-performing team.
The headmaster then made her way to the front of the crowd and addressed the participants with a serious expression.
"I'm sure I do not have to tell you all why you are here, so I will go straight to explaining the rules."
She paused as she was handed a piece of parchment by Miss White. She then looked at the parchment and the things written; she finally made it clear what the rules were.
"There will be one leader on each team of 3. Each group must decide on who that leader is, then inform me of that decision. That person will be given the title of King. The King will be given a wristband that can only be seen by using Star Vision. That wristband is your crown, which you and your partners must protect from other groups."
She paused for a moment, then continued reading the rules.
"Taking a King's crown will provide you with 15 points; if your crown is taken from you, you will lose 18 points, and in the case you get your crown back, that will only give you 15 points, meaning you would be down 3 points. There will be multiple 1 Star Fallen Star beasts that vary in strength. Low-tier 1 Stars are one point, mid-tier 1 Star beasts are 2 points, and finally, high-end 1 Star beasts are 3 points."
'The points system follows the same amount of shards I receive when defeating beasts within that range.'
The format of the game was a simple one. A points-based system that would reward the hardest-working team.
"For your points to be allocated to you, Remnants are required of the beasts you have slain. If you are able to keep your crown as well as collect the other three, 3 points will be allocated to you. No killing your fellow participants, and the game's duration will be 7 days." The Headmaster concluded.
After she concluded with the rules, there was a brief intermission that was used by the participants and their Master. As Tristan, Garfield, and Amelia were walking to Ruben, they were stopped by the menacing grin of Benjamin Vermillion. He then shifted his eyes, focusing on his crimson-haired counterpart.
"I'm surprised you're participating, after what I did to you."
Tristan said nothing, not paying Benjamin any mind.
"I hope at least this time you give me a challenge; I would hate to prey on such a weakling."
Amelia and Garfield wanted to speak up, but they were stopped short by Tristan's loud, uninterested yawn. Tristan walked around Benjamin. This did not go too well with the prideful Benjamin; as Tristan was walking away, Benjamin grabbed him by the shoulder and, with an angered and disrespectful tone, said, "You lesser blood. Who do you think you are to ignore me? Say something."
Tristan looked back, turning his head to look at the prideful Benjamin. He looked at the hand placed on his shoulder, then looked at the hand's owner.
"Why waste words on a person who does not deserve it? Now let me go unless you want to see the fruits of my labor sooner than expected." Tristan said as he gripped his sword's hilt.
Benjamin removed his hand, then chuckled.
"Do you really believe you can beat me?"
Tristan grinned, then said, "No, I don't think I can beat you, but I can assure you I can injure you to the point you would be meeting me seconds later in the afterlife."
Annoyed by Tristan's remarks, Benjamin summoned his rapier. It manifested from brilliant blue sparkles, which burst into existence around his right hand, then slowly formed into his blade. He then lifted the blade to Tristan's face but stopped short of touching him, but even with a sharp blade in front of his face, Tristan did not flinch. Not even a bit.
"If you thought that would faze me, then you're a joke." Tristan said.
Benjamin, frustrated, pushed his rapier forward, now wishing to pierce the head of Tristan, but now his blade was stopped by his father, who looked less than pleased.
"Leave the fighting for the game, and leave the boasting and insults for after you've won." He said.
Benjamin's head dropped as he walked away with a saddened expression on his face. Decker turned his attention to Tristan, quickly identifying his bulkier physique, his now grown and controlled energy.
"I've seen you've grown, but I hope you don't believe that's enough to defeat my team." He said as he looked back to the team of Benjamin, Adelia, and Adrian.
Tristan didn't say a word, only a grunt escaped his mouth as he proceeded onward to Bernard. Amelia and Garfield followed him moments later as they began to discuss what they would need for their week-long stay at wherever they were going.
They soon decided on sweaters that would keep them warm during the cold, food to keep them from starving to death, a telescope to help them see far distances and tents to stay in, plus some other things.
"I suppose that's all. You three, over the course of our training, have really shown me that you are capable of not only performing well in this competition but also winning the entire thing. Now go and make me proud." Bernard said as he spread his words of encouragement to his students' ears.
They all smiled, then with a confident tone Amelia said, "We will win and show everyone that we are meant for greatness."
Bernard was proud his previously shy-natured sister had become more outspoken and had grown to have friends that care about her.