I am an Archivist, not a Magician

Book 1 - Chapter 1: The Cloudcalling Festival

Leona: "Life just ain't fair... Dragged on a pointless trek to this equally pointless place."

Vil: "Well if that's how you feel, whatever did you invite us along for? You might at least shut your mouth and not spoil the sights for the rest of us."

Kalim: "And what sightes they are! So big! So beautiful! I'm so glad I get to visit the lace where you were born, Leona."

Leona: "Hmph. Listen--- thought it obvious, but we're not here on some vacation. No, we're here to..."

Lilia: "Oh calm down, we all know the score. Just point us at whomever we're meant to best and we'll take the down lickety-split!"

Leona: "...Glad you're in the right headspace, because you're only gonna get one chance at this. One chance to earn the title of Sunset Warrior."

~Leona's Dorm~

Leona: "Ugh, who's callin' me this early? Huh! Oh, no... Hmh. Rather not pick up, but that'll just make things worse."

Leona answers the phone.

Leona: "Yeah, yeah, what is it? Morning report? ...Oh, I get it. A reminder call. Good to know the grand Chamberlin is so on top of things. Let me guess. You all want me to come home for the Cloudcalling Festival. How could I forget? Except, I did last year. And probably will again. You know how it is. ...Huh? You're coming to get me? You and all the other Chamberlins? To Night Raven College?! Guess you're pretty serious this time then... Hmph, fine. I'll come home the day before the festival. ...Yes, really. You ever known me to lie? ...Oh shut it. It was a joke. Here's the thing, though. I'll come home, but on one condition... You keep one team slot open in the Bead Brawl tournament for me. ...Why? Listen pal, that's for me to know. And who are you to question me anyhow? Just do it. Hhmp, so hung up on those dusty old traditions. Stubborn geezer. Still, this'll give me a chance to... take care of some things back home. Now then, if I'm gonna win the game, I'll need the right pieces."

~Savannaclaw Lounge after class~

Jack, Lilia, and Vil stand there."

Leona: "I see Lilia, I see Vil. Nice work Jack."

Jack: "Got ya covered."

Vil: "Why have you called us here?"

Leona: "Got somethin' I wanna talk to you two about."

Lilia looks annoyed while Vil looks dejected.

Lilia: "If that's the case, it should be you coming to us!"

Vil: "Quite right! Why, if Jack hadn't come to get me I would have kept on ignoring your little summons."

Grim: "You tell 'im!"

Y/n: "H-hello..."

Leona: "...Hold up. What're Grim and Y/n doing here?"

Jack: "Them? They happened to be there when I was talkin' with Vil and Lilia and just gloomed on."

Grim: "Myahaha, I figured this lil' meetin' o' yours would be catered."

Jack: "Fat chance.'

Leona: "Well, it's not. So get goin'."

Vil: "Oh, forget about them. Out with your business, Leona, or we'll be the ones leaving."

Lilia and Vil look annoyed.

Leona: "Fine. Fine, if you're so eager. And really, you should be. Because I'm going back to my homeland, and I want you dear school chums to come with me."

Jack: "Hm? Your homeland? Meaning... Sunset Savanna?"

Leona: "The one and only. This weekend is the Cloudcalling Festival in the royal capital, Sunrise City."

Grim: "The what now?"

Leona: "Put simply, it's a rainmaking festival. Held every year near the start of therainy season. It's also referred to as the 'gift from heaven'."

Lilia: "Ooh, I've heard about that. Never had the pleasure, though. It always sounded like a lot of fun!

Jack: "So you're going home to take part, Leona?"

Vil: "And you're inviting us along as well? ...Surely not out of the goodness of your heart. What's your aim?"

Leona: "It's nice bein' surrounded by schemers. Makes things quicker. The reason I want you all with me is... Bead Brawl."

Jack: "Never heard of it either. What gives?"

Leona: "It's a competitive game played during the Cloudcaliing Festival. Everyone adorns their heads with beads and you try to wrestle 'em off each other. No weapons, no magic. A pure test of physical prowess."

Jack: "Heh, sounds fun."

Leona: "It's a team sport. Three to a team, and sixteen teams in the tournament. It's truly the main event at the Cloudcalling Festival. The royal family and foreign guests will all be spectating."

Grim: "S-So there must be a prize, right?! Like a year's supply of tuna?!"

Leona: "You'd think there'd be some lavish reward, wouldn't you? But no, no prize. No prize money either."

Grim: "...Sounds like a crummy tournament to me."

Leona: "But every year, there's a boatload of challengers. Why? Because the winners go down in history ...as Sunset Warriors."

Y/n: "That sounds so fun! Do we get to participate?"