The remaining two days of their break passed without incident, but the rumors and gossips about Itekan's fight was still strong. True to their bet, Escalor had left the school grounds that night, he hadn't wanted to remain there any longer, the shame had been insurmountable.
The past three days since the physical exams finished, Kutote had been nowhere to be found, Itekan and Itoyea had looked for him, dragging Binturu along.
This morning had been no different, however after they left for the cafeteria an announcement was made, commanding all candidates to head to plain fields where they had stood before the exams by 9 am.
They all gathered thereat the required time, there were about 180 candidates left, apparently some had still dropped out. Itekan searching the crowd recognized some familiar faces here and there, but he did not see Kutote.
At 9 sharp, several people suddenly appeared before them, Kime arriving last.
He wore a white kimono, with delicate looking green flower murals. His neck was donned with an ethernal medallion. He was floating gently, his feets a few inches above the floor. His entire appearance screamed a regal otherworldliness, his short green hair fluttered in the wind in an impossible way, because even the winds seemed to be still.
" I applaud everyone who made it this far" Kime said, his serene gaze moved through the crowd.
" Without further ado, let's begin, the names of those who passed are written down on the notice board by the training grounds.
At the mention of the training grounds, Itekan felt Kime's eyes move his way.
' he knows about what happened there' Itekan thought to himself.
" This list is not definite, if in three months time during the theoretically exam you do not pass the cut off mark, with no exception you will be sent away. Those who did not pass, good luck next year" Kime said, as he and the rest of the instructors disappeared.
Slowly the crowd in the dispersed, headed towards the training hall.
Itekan and Itoyea, were a bout of nerves as they approached the training grounds.
***
Two days ago...
Mt Dekka.
Several people moved towards the mountainous range under the protection of the legendary hero, Carpathia Lie.
Five levitated in the skies just outside the boundaries of Rosa Town, twenty others surrounded the valley just before Rosa.
They were all heroes at the peak of Denkei, the ones floating above were heroes in the Henkei forms.
They knew better than to invade, but because their pride as knights were at stake if this meeting went south, they came with might. They say, what you can't make up for in quality so so with quantity.
" When will he come?" One of the Henkei form heroes asked their leader.
" Arthur should have delivered the message by now, if he does not return by the hour, we will take it that negotiation have gone sour" the leader of the heroes; Macabre, said his face grave.
They all knew that was tantamount to declaring war.
From the small cottage on the mountains, came three figures, the moment they saw this the leader exhaled the breath he had not realized he was holding in.
The three were, Arthur, who had gone to ensure diplomatic relations were established, the other two were, Carpathia and Dr VonShmit, who was also the mayor of Rosa Town.
The three stopped and spoke for a few seconds, then Arthur came first, flying to meet his comrades, Carpathia said some things to VonShmit then followed Arthur.
As the two arrived, Macabre and two others followed forward.
" Thank you for meeting with us" Macabre said as Carpathia arrived.
" Arthur here, tells me, you are from the nation of Tamoru, what are the Chrisom Knights doing in my territory " Carpathia asked gently, but there was a sudden change in wind pressure as they all found they could barely breathe.
It was Arthur that responded first.
" We have been following the trails of two Grade C beasts that left their territories-" Arthur
"- exactly, their spiritual signatures end here-" Macabre said interrupting Arthur only to be interupted by Carpathia, who raised a hand to silence him.
" Arthur speak" he said, everyone around felt the air tense up, as he spoke yet none could challenge him.
"Sir Macabre is the head knight unde-" the knight who had spoken earlier started. He was stopped by Macabre's sharp side eye.
" Yes Lord Carpathia" Macabre said bowing softly, Arthur continued.
" The demon beasts were last recorded at your town, so we-"
" Is that why you brought an entire squads to my place" Carpathia said vexed.
There were few things he treasured in this world. One was Itekan, the other was his peace, that translates to keeping his territory safe. These knights appearance here today, had severely damaged that peace.
" N- No tha-t" Arthur choked on the intense air pressure that restricted his very ability to draw in oxygen.