『Inter-Kingdom Mock Battle Part I』

Cheering.

The City of Quaint was ever so lively—as if its already vibrant and unique culture wasn't enough. Although such liveliness was warranted—that was because today was the day to determine which of the new young cultivators of the two kingdoms were better.

"Naoki, the Student Council President has informed me that you will be participating..."

"What?" Naoki couldn't help but drop his mouth at what Astria said.

"You got cold feet already peasant?"

That's right, having a great impression on him, Eira Hrothford has taken the liberty of signing him up in the mock battle, along with Arthur—it seems this was already planned beforehand. To make it fair, it was only a male-only battle—though it seems that the Kingdom of Quaint had five male competitors.

"Don't tell me..."

"Yeah, as much as I know how you feel, your guess is right..."

Naoki's fears were true, the five competitors were none other than the five young lovers of the Matriarch—which were one of the strongest males in the kingdom.

"Haha, even I feel bad for you peasant..."

Sighing, Naoki could only resign to his fate—as if the events of yesterday weren't enough, another had already cropped up. He kept wondering if he was going to last in this world with that kind of luck.

<<----------->>

"I believe it has been a while, Matriarch Ishtar." An elegant figure greeted.

"Oh! It has been a while indeed! I've longed for this day to come again—now, let us fight!" Ishtar enthusiastically said, her eyes lighted up.

That's right, the reason why the Matriarch was so eager for this event was not because of the competition between the two kingdoms—in fact, she had no interest in it aside from watching her lovers fight. Mainly, it was because she got to fight her friend and rival, Ceana von Lizea.

"Well-well, it is still quite early in the event—why don't we chat to pass the time?" She softly deflected her invitation, a smile on her face.

"Hehe, alright—you've always loved taking your sweet time, after all."

They were seated on the two royal chairs in the Kingdom of Quaint's arena. However, it was no ordinary arena, as it was surrounded by colors of pink and fluffy architecture—which the matriarch herself demanded.

"Ceana... I am aware that you only see me as a meathead, but... I hope today—you'll see me more of a friend."

"Hmm?" Ceana's smile dropped as if her thoughts were leaked.

While they were friends, Ceana had always put an arm's length to everyone—including her family members. Naturally, Ishtar was no exception. As to why that is—it all has to do with Ceana's personality.

On another note, the Kingdom of Quaint was always ridiculed—partly because of the Matriarch's... unique hobbies. But that was not the main reason, it was mainly because of the absence of a Sky Tower—which most kingdoms have. This was because a Sky Tower is a Cultivator haven—a place where the top of the Soul Charts can grow their power more efficiently.

Because of this, most don't recognize its sovereignty and power—not until recently. All had changed because of the efforts of their matriarch and her daughters.

[We will now begin the First match of the First Division: Orphelia of the <Soul Stars> and Rhea Quiant!]

"Oh! My daughter is going first! Haha!"

"..."

<<----------->>

"Orphelia..."

"What's wrong, Naoki?"

Sitting in the section where nobles are seated, Naoki watched as he kept on cultivating his [Ice Arts]. However, he couldn't help but feel like he's been in this exact same situation before.

"I feel like I have heard that name before..."

"Peasant... there's at least 5 Orphelia's in the academy." Dorothy remarked.

"Well, in any case, she's the only person that cultivates the [Bow Arts] in the Diamond Class—it becomes obsolete at short distances, after all." Astria said, obsessing over trivia.

Hearing that, Naoki suddenly recalled a memory...

[Oh? HAHA! Lad, you remind me of my daughter. She would not even care about using a sword.]

[Yay! Mister and Orphelia Onee-san are the same!]

"There's no way..."

Setting aside how he remembered that specific memory, he still couldn't believe that this person was the one they mentioned—who knew that the daughter of that uncle was one of the top Lizean Students, Naoki thought.

"Begin!!!" The referee announced, starting the match—as if it didn't care for Naoki's questions.

<<----------->>

*Inhale*

"Focused..." Exhaling, the woman declared.

"Not good...!"

The elegantly dressed woman panicked, immediately moving to the side.

"[Photon Ray]"

She said, as a huge dazzling verdant beam of destruction came from her bow—obliterating everything in its path. Even the arena's formation which protects the competitors from hitting the audience shook from its force.

"Woah!!!"

"What was that!? Even I felt it from here!"

"Scary...!"

One by one the crowds cheered—it wasn't just the people from Quaint are here, most nobles from Lizea were here to show support as well. But although they are indeed here for that, most have just too much free time and are bored.

"I can't let myself lose face like this—[Valhalla]!"

"...Hmm, interesting."

As if to show off in a similar fashion, Rhea Quaint had unleashed her best move—turning her into a Valkyrie, with wings of that of an angel. The crowd was awed to speak, no matter how many times they have seen it, it never fails to amaze—almost like a war goddess had descended upon the battlefield.

"It's been a while since someone had made me go all out... who knew things would change drastically in a year!" charging forward with her luminous blade, she declared.

"Bring it." Orphelia calmly said.

<<----------->>

"If my memory serves me right, your daughter's projection is..."

"It is Heaven's Fall! I have personally helped her hone it as a reward for being a good child." Ishtar said proudly.

"All because she's giving attention to her mother... huh" Ceana silently thought to herself.

As if taking it to heart, Ceana thought about her own daughter—while she had loved her dearly, she was often not there for her. She was "busy", or so she reasoned.

Being mostly silent with their exchange, Ceana couldn't help but sigh—she was the strongest cultivator in Lizea, but now, she felt like she had so many weaknesses.

"If only I can be as carefree as Lydia..." She looked into the distance, seeing her lively daughter jump up and down in the audience with her new friends.