pearl of wisdom

[Season 2] Chapter 18 - Bird Call from Afar

You sat in your bed, a light novel in your hands as moonlight phased through the glass panes by your side, illuminating the room and the small smile you attempted to surpass. With a rather relentless sigh, you stared up into the night sky of shinsu. Soon. . . once you steal the thorn and take it's resentment. . . you'll be able to see your friends again.

Just a little longer. . . and all of the years wandering in the darkness would pay off.

— —

"Look! It's Dragonhier!!" Your eyes flickered behind your mask to the sea of regulars whispering among themselves, an occasional shout piercing through the crowd as you walked with your teammates.

"I knew she'd join the battle!!" You took a quick towards Viole who hid in the shadows in his lonesome, golden orbs staring at you a bit too intently. A quiet smile directed to him blossomed on your face, your gloved hands intertwined by your stomach as your cloak fluttered behind you. Viole stared back— you could nearly see his pout.

"There's more for us to see, yay!"

"She's not as intimidating as I thought she would be."

"Don't judge her by her looks. There's a rumor that she beat one of the top two E-rank teams by herself."

"I also heard that she and Jue Viole Grace tied with a ranker. They're amazing."

You continued walking down the parted path, steps light and airy before a regular rushed over, grabbing your hands, "Ms. Dragonhier!! I've really wanted to meet you!! The slayer nominee, Dragonhier!! I'm the E-rank regular, Dede!! I'm a descent of a family brought to ruin because of the ten great families!! I trust that you'll avenge those who experienced injustice like me! At this workshop battle, please bring the bloodlines of the cruel Zahard and the ten great families to their knees and win!!"

Your surpassed a sigh, the smile on your face motionless as chaos drifted amidst the crowds, "Of course. But no God fight for those who have no will to do so themselves."

With that you took your hand away, gracefully walking past him as though he was never there.

— —

You sat in the waiting room next to the other regulars and the two other moles from FUG as the co-hosts, Io and Punk explained the tournaments of the workshop battle, a incredibly tense silence lingering in the air.

"These leaders are the highest scoring regulars of the 'One Shot, One Opportunity' game and gamblers won't participate in the individual battle. They'll use the money given to them to bet who'll win the individual battle! The six people who earn the most money get to be the leaders of the team tournament! With the money earned from betting, they can buy items and teammates to win the tournament!!"

You placed a finger on your chin, the fist group of regulars appearing on the grand screens over the stadium and on the tablet in front of you. "The battle of the first group will begin in a minute! Gamblers, please choose the regular that you expect to win. The initial money given to you is 500,000 points per leader!! The more you bet the more of an advantage you'll get in the team tournament! So be wise and careful!! If your chosen regular wins this game, you'll earn a payoff multiple times your original bet! Be careful but decisive!! Be greedy but realistic!!"

"Bet!!" with a moment of silence, you've placed your bet down.

"The betting is over!! Then now!! Let's start the game!! Open the door!!"

Thus came bets after bets, all the possibilities running through your mind as you stared at five lists, disregarding Prince's declaration to get you back onto their team, that made you smile internally, and the glances from the masked man across you.