The auditorium was massive, its doors carved with card designs—Ethereal Shield, Arcane Bolt—that made Clayton's pouch hum. Inside, a woman with a silver-runed pouch stood tall, her presence shutting everyone up. She had long black hair and a curvy body with a pretty face. "I'm Instructor Veyra," she said, her voice like steel. "Your decks are your strength, but they're also a responsibility. Here at Vyrith, either you perform or perish."
Clayton's hand gripped his pouch, his 15 AP tingling, ready to fuel cards he was itching to try. Lila leaned over, whispering, "Sounds intense, huh, merchant boy?" He managed a half-smile, but his heart was pounding—not with fear, but with that familiar thrill. Two lives, one deck, and a world full of enemies. He'd outsmart them all or go down swinging.
Clayton listened to some more boring speech while seizing up Veyra; he knew her way too well, as she was one of those mature but pretty faces. The type that comes in soap ads where people around there couldn't believe that she is Mom. Well, she was famous in many group discussions as a mature waifu, and there were tons of her fan edits. Apparently she was a simple teacher, but due to hype around her, the author made her character a bit important. She is a fallen noble looking for revenge, so she guides the main party and takes their help in revenge. Many people complained about the plot holes due to this; some even started making crazy theories that the protagonist had a crush on her, so the only reason he helped was because of that, but most people were just happy to see the character more.
As the speech was completed, she invited male and female representatives of this year. Then there came a boy, tall, lean muscles, curly blond hair, and shining blue eyes. This was the protagonist of the novel, 'Asher Augustus.' The third prince to the Lunar Empire, a typical super prodigy, who is kind-hearted, very helpful, and a bit naive, but I knew too well that all of this is a farce, just an act he was putting on till he will show his true colors soon, very slowly, bit by bit.
Following him was a girl with long, ice-blue hair made in a thick braid, Sylvia Cecil. She was one of the main characters, princess of the north or ice empress in the future. She was a favorite character of many girls, as she was not head over heels for the protagonist and was really smart as she led north alone in the future. Even among boys she was famous due to her not-give-a-damn attitude. She was also the first one to notice Asher's real personality.
As they both said their introductions, the rest of the students were in awe in front of them. Everyone here was a celebrity, but these were like at the top, the cream of the crop. The air buzzed with whispers as everyone was looking at Royals like they were prizes or prey. Everyone wants to form some connection with them to get some opportunities. "They are prettier up close, aren't they?" Lila asked, and Clayton just nodded. After they finished orientation, there was a small buffet in the back, and all students started flocking there.
While Clayton and Lila were heading to the buffet, Lila stumbled into a girl with short red hair who was chatting with a boy who had white hair and grey eyes. Clayton also knew them.