“What are you doing here alone, Chloe?” Nicole asked when she saw the young lady with light-brown hair reading in the library alone. “Where’s Ethan?”
Chloe gave the pink-haired beauty a side-long glance before returning her attention to the book she was reading.
“Ethan’s been busy with his training,” Chloe replied. “But, I don’t know what kind of training it is. He spends most of his time locked up inside his room. Even his Manor Mates don’t see him often aside from breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
“I see…” Nicole smiled after hearing the dissatisfaction in Chloe’s voice. “The Clash of Manors will happen in two days’ time. He really is doing his best in order to not fail his Manor’s expectations. It’s quite unfortunate that their chances of winning are low to begin with.”
Chloe didn’t agree or disagree with Nicole’s claims. Although it was really hard for the Dud Manor to win, she secretly supported them in her heart. Everyone in there were good people, and they treated Chloee like one of their own whenever she was with them.
“It must be nice not needing to make any preparations for the upcoming event,” Chloe said without even looking at Nicole who decided to sit across from her.
“I know, right?” Nicole replied with a smile. “Since Alice will be the one participating in the event, I don’t need to do anything except simply enjoy the show. Hey, how about the two of us make a bet on which Manor is going to win in this tournament?”
“A bet?” Chloe raised her head to look at the young lady in front of her. “And, what are we betting on?”
“Why Ethan’s time of course,” Nicole grinned. “If I win, I’m going on a date with him, and you won’t get in the way. If you win, you can have a date with him, and I’m not going to get in the way.” 𝑜𝗏𝐋xt.𝑐𝗈𝔪
Chloe shook her head after listening to Nicole’s nonsense. Although she wasn’t that smart, she knew that Nicole was just teasing her, just to see her reaction.
As Ethan’s cousin, and childhood friend, she could tell that Nicole was interested in the handsome young man. But, this interest wasn’t that of someone who liked a man in a romantic way.
Truth be told, Chloe’s protective instincts had always told her to become vigilant of Nicole. She always felt that the pink-haired beauty was planning on doing something bad to Ethan.
However, since she had no evidence to back up this assumption, she just raised her guard whenever Nicole was around her and Ethan.
Seeing that her plan had been seen through, Nicole simply smiled and opened the book that she decided to read for the day.
Running into Chloe was completely unexpected, so she thought that she should at least say Hi, and see if she could tease her about the blue-haired boy, who everyone was looking forward to seeing in the tournament.
Two days later, the Academy was in a festive mood as the Clash between the Five Manors of Brynhildr Academy was about to begin.
Schwartz Manor, the place where Dark Magicians resided in order to train and refine their Dark Magic.
Terra Manor, the place where those who specialized in healing, life, growth, and nature magic were nurtured.
Jaeger Manor, the place where those who had the ability to transform, tame, and command magical beasts, expanded their knowledge.
Eques Manor, the place where Combat Wizards and Witches gathered in order to train their fighting abilities to the fullest. This was also the gathering point of those who aspired to become Magic Knights, and serve the High-Ranking Nobles, as well as the Royal Family of the Magic World.
And lastly, the Dud Manor. The place where magically crippled people gathered, in the hope that they could find their place in the magical world, despite the difficulties that they were facing.
Five Manors.
Five Factions.
Only one of these five would become the Champion for the first Annual Tournament of the year.
High-Ranking Magicians, and Magistratus, often visited the Academy during this time in order to find good candidates to recruit, poach, nurture, and sponsor, allowing them to pick the future elites that would allow their own factions to grow and prosper.
Professor Rinehart stood at the podium of the Grand Coliseum that was located at the Northern Edge of the Academy.
This was where special magical tournaments were held, and this was where the Clash of the Manors was held every year.
“Welcome one and all to this year’s Clash of Manors!” Professor Rinehart’s voice boomed across the Coliseum, making the students, professors, as well as their special guests, clap their hands in unison.
“Just like every year, we are going to witness the clash between the top students of each Year-Grade,” Professor Rinehart. “Although this tournament is done to create strong ties, and rivalries between each Manor, I wish that all the participants will do their best, and show everyone Magic Duels that will inspire and amaze them.
“Also, I wish that everyone will exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship, and respect their fellow students in this battle. Sometimes, winning isn’t everything. It is the lessons that we learn along the way that would push us to pursue the pinnacle of our magic, and become someone who will make their mark in the Magical World.”
Professor Rinehart then raised his wand high up in the air and summoned a small fireball.
“As the Headmaster of Brynhildr Academy, I officially declare the start of the Clash between the Manors of the Academy!” Professor Rinehart declared. “Let the Magic Duels begin!”
With a simple flick of his hand, the fireball flew towards the Giant Torch in the distance and lit it up, making everyone cheer and applaud.
“That’s our cue,” Henry said as he looked at his team members who would participate in the tournament with him. “Let’s show them what the Dud Manor can do!”
“““Yes!”””
The Head-Prefect of the Dud Manor walked with pride as they left the contestant’s waiting room and headed towards the center of the Coliseum, under the countless gazes of everyone.
All of them were wearing black, and the insignia of a Silver Dragon could be seen at the back of their capes as they fluttered in the breeze.
Ethan, Henry, and the other members of the Dud Manor walked wearing their Manor’s Coat of Arms.
Fortis Dud was the Founder of Brynhildr Academy and his Origin Magic was the ability to summon an Ancient Dragon.
This Dragon had helped him and the other Heads of the different Manors beat the Demon King, and restore peace upon the world.
The other participants of the different Manors were also wearing their own insignias’, showcasing the tradition that had survived for hundreds of years.
It was not only a Clash of Manors, but a clash of Pride and Wills as well.
And only those who had the strength to back it up would emerge as the champions in a battle that would pit the best of each school grade against each other, in a battle for supremacy.
Luna, who was watching from the stands, gazed at the handsome young man in the distance who looked quite anxious.
Seeing how nervous Ethan was put a smile on her angelic face. Right beside her, an unusual group had come to join her in cheering for the members of Dud Manor.
Ruby, as well as the other Fairies in the Garden were all hovering beside her, cheering and shouting Ethan’s name. This was the first time that the Fairies had openly supported a human in the Clash of Manors, and everyone was surprised by their actions.
Luna didn’t know how the teenage boy was able to win the mischievous Fairies over, so they would come cheer for him.
But seeing how enthusiastic they were, she understood that this was probably due to Ethan’s charm, which had also wormed its way inside her heart, making her pray for his success in a battle that meant a lot to him.