150

Chapter 150

Lamberton Dormitory Building, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire

It was amazing how the choices of one participant could shake up an entire arena of spectators and participants. Hermina Marten was shocked when she saw Grifton Tinroy do precisely what others predicted he might. Not only that, but he intentionally alerted the crowd to what he meant to do.

The spectator from earlier chuckled. "What did I tell you?" He shrugged. "Tinroy doesn't tolerate disrespect towards the institute of free will, much less political nonsense being brought here."

Hermina nodded in agreement. "Well, I must say that is one way to remove an individual clearly intent on destroying the atmosphere of the place." She marveled at his blinding speed and reflexes. That could only come from years of experience and sharpening his skills from a very young age.

Another spectator heard what she said and shrugged. "Yes, well, if it wasn't for him and some influential members of the merchant union and the military and a few guild masters...This place wouldn't be standing again, or at all, for that matter." He smiled. "It is listed in the archives, and a few books have been written about what happened."

"So, it made it into the news and even local history?" That's interesting because Hermina had yet to hear what happened. "I guess it was only well-known to this part of the republic." She alerted the spectators to the need for more information elsewhere.

"Hmm, I suppose that can happen." The spectator shrugged indifferently. "I know most bordering kingdoms and empires are well aware of this place."

Another person spoke up wryly. "Usually, their representatives are forewarned of respecting the rules if they don't want to end up somewhere unpleasant."

Despite being unsure how she felt about it, Hermina could only convey her appreciation of his antics. "I'll admit, I didn't approve of what he was doing or the reputation he'd gained initially." He had definitely established what wasn't welcomed in this arena. "Now I realize why he earned a statue as a founder." She smiled wryly. He would fit in nicely with her charges. That is if he accepted what they would have to tell him. When that would be, she didn't know.

As far as Hermina was concerned, she'd discharged the last of her duties. Soon, she had to return to Fountain Grove. "Well, now, what will happen next?"

"Hmm?" The three speakers blinked at her. "Oh, you mean with the remaining categories?"

"Yes," Hermina nodded.

Cheers rose from the spectators. "Sounds as though the next contestants are arriving," Harper mentioned. "Grifton Tinroy, Firenze, Gladys Jennings, and the older stranger will work together as a team."

Whistles and cheering became even louder with more teams entering the arena.

"Huh, I guess with the one idiot being removed, all the participants were reshuffled and combined into a faster-paced 1-1 category." Someone spoke up with amusement. "All that happened while you were chatting about Tinroy and his various accomplishments."

"Yeah, we couldn't hear over your yapping." This time, there was an edge of annoyance from someone else.

~*~

Indeed, with the removal of that one individual and withdrawal of further challengers for Grifton, he'd wound up sitting down for quite a while. That hadn't bothered him. He'd been able to observe everything happening in the spectators and other areas. The elemental spirits were restless, and it wasn't because of boredom. The atmosphere had altered subtly ever since he'd tossed the man out. He was worried because there shouldn't have been any further fallout. However, Grifton became aware of hostility rising towards him.

Not long after that, the referee announced a guerilla warfare training exercise. Grifton listened with no bit of disbelief as the rules were laid out. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So, in essence," this sounded like a trap just waiting to snap around their necks. "We, the veterans, must be the guerillas and attack those rank newbies?"

Grifton wasn't amused. Who was the Joker who came up with this idea? "Well, at least we're given the option to not participate." For that matter, why was the referee even agreeing to implement this?

A sigh escaped him because, to Grifton, it sounded like trouble waiting to explode in their faces.

Anger crossed Gladys' face when she heard his observation. "the only problem with refusing is that we'll be seen as cowards." She shook her head. "From what I can tell, the spectators aren't any happier with this situation than the veterans are."

Harold rolled his eyes. "Guerilla warfare, eh? I do remember having to deal with that. Not fun." He shrugged. "Well, I'm game, but if you don't want to, I can't blame you for not joining that madness."

Firenze, who'd yet to speak, finally stated. "The referee wasn't given a choice in whether to include it." He told them. "It seems this was done intentionally after Grifton pulled his little stunt." Firenze and Grifton sighed.

"So now I'm being used as the scapegoat?" That just figured. Grifton grimaced in disgust. Of course, someone would use that as a trigger to push an unwanted scenario into a neutral ground. "I was wondering when someone would make an unnecessary bid to turn this event into a political affair."

That's what it stank of to Grifton, and he disliked it with intense disgruntlement. "Well, fine, if we're going to do this as the referee insists, I will abide by the rules."

Firenze grunted. "Until someone breaks them. Then it'll turn into a free-for-all."

With that statement, they acknowledged that there was no other choice. "Yes, when it becomes a free-for-all, we'll reunite," Grifton stated coldly. "This is utter nonsense."

Harold nodded in disgust. "Watch your backs."

Firenze exhaled in aggravation. "For sure, there'll be someone who'll cause unnecessary damage and wounding to all of us as the 'enemies' they must capture."

"Survive to the end." They all muttered simultaneously. "So, mote it be." They clapped their fists together.

~*~

Now, really, that wasn't necessary to say about them. About to take umbrage, Hermina turned to look at the speaker and blinked. Did she not have enough sleep that day, or what? Of all the people to run into, Herma had a good reason to face him, too. Now, she had another reason to be shocked. "Err...Lamberton?" She gawked in shock because he looked far too similar to her charges and Grifton Tinroy for comfort."

A white and black-haired man glanced from Hermina to Lamberton and snickered. "Oh my, here we go again." The speaker was amused and chuckling at Lamberton's discomfort.

"Shut it, Darmono," Lamberton growled at him. He studied Hermina. "Ah, you must be Hermina Marten." He didn't seem all that surprised at her reaction. If anything, there was resignation and no little aggravation apparent in his tone. "If I recall, you were friends with Davina Glasson?" His gaze rested on the eight young people seated around her.

"Yes," Hermina wondered what he would do now.

"Hmm, we can talk about living arrangements once this ends." Lamberton shifted his attention to the scene below. "Oh, this will either be very interesting or wrong." He was no longer smiling. "Someone created a reenactment of guerilla warfare."

Darmono stifled a curse. "If I find out whose idea that was..." His menacing mutter made Hermina swallow hard.

Oh dear, that wasn't a good indicator of their mood. Darn, would actual death occur on the field? She listened to what was going on below.

The referee was doing his job, however.

"First of all, this is a training exercise."

"There are no fatal spells allowed."

The referee studied the faces of the participants carefully as he spoke.

"Any wounds made cannot be fatal."

"Any participants who feel they won't be able to hold back when fighting should leave the field now."

He made it very clear what the rules were and what wasn't allowed.

This still made Hermina very uneasy. She sighed. "Why do I feel something might go wrong despite his emphasis on no fatal spells being cast?"

Right then, someone grumbled in disgust. "Why have this training exercise at all?"

"Anyone can get hurt if they aren't aware of what they're doing," another person complained.

"This feels as if someone wants to make it the official combatant rather than the unofficial one," another person muttered.

"This isn't what we came for."

The mood was rapidly souring, as spectators were upset that actual veterans would be pitted against rank newbies who'd never fought in a real battle before.

Hermina shifted in her seat uneasily. This was not something she could handle. She sensed that Anara and Sapphire, in particular, were becoming somewhat overwhelmed. A quick glance at them revealed their ashen faces. Hermina pondered whether to escort them out until she caught Harper's eye. He shook his head slightly. She sighed. Fine, no one was leaving.

Seconds later, as she watched what happened below, Hermina understood.

"This setup is designed to kill any veterans without giving them a chance to defend themselves since they're the enemies." What a cruel thing to do to them.

~*~

They exchanged scowls below in the arena but stepped forward to join the mayhem. They refused to be considered cowards even when the odds were stacked against them as they were put into the roles of guerillas.

Grifton sighed as he and his group were split in different directions. "This sucks," He went to the northern section. Time to teach the brats and hidden enemies within those newbie ranks a few lessons in manners. Not only that, but Grifton recognized the faces of individuals who were trying to pass themselves off as newbies. Those were the ones he'd have to watch out for. He discreetly sent images to his comrades. Better to warn them now of the cowards hiding in plain sight as beginners. It would be more worthwhile to reveal what they were attempting to do. That would be sufficient revenge, and Grifton knew how to do it without killing anyone. "Huh, this might be more fun than I originally thought." He heard faint laughter from his companions. "Ah, the adrenaline is kicking in, hmm?"

"Yep," Firenze sounded relaxed and amused. "Just like the times before."

"True," Grifton agreed. "Now to set up some traps and see how good they are at discovering and dismantling them."

Even though he was angry about the situation he was forced into, Grifton already knew what to do as he headed for his destination. Instinctively, he hid his presence using both magic and psychic shielding to erase his presence.

Low murmurs of confusion erupted from the crowds. That meant Grifton's activations worked on the majority of them. As for the other participants, a sigh escaped him.

Grifton would not go easy on them, but he wouldn't utilize his nastier ones either. "I hope this works."

After hearing the long string of rules the referee rattled off, Grifton knew what was allowed and wasn't. That didn't mean he would use typical ones that would be easily detectable. That just went against his personal way of dealing with newbies that had no respect for the veterans, and that included the damn cowards hiding in the beginners.

The elemental spirits went into a frenzy when they realized what he was going to do. They flittered off before he even left the main gathering. Grifton gazed after them in bewilderment. What were they doing?

After one of them dropped a clod of dirt on his head, Grifton sneezed before he picked it up and sighed upon studying it. He'd arrived at his destination only a short time afterward.

He shivered and sighed. After being in the dry warmth for so long, the shade felt cold and damp. Ah, okay, I get it. Grifton realized belatedly that they were going ahead as scouts for him and the others. He took that moment to rest and reflect on what he should do next. The dirt clod was a clue of what he could work with. A faint smile curved his mouth.

Thank you, dear friends. This may be the only way we keep our heads attached. Sensations of warmth wafted around him, making Grifton smile.

Now, it was time to get to work. Grifton maintained his disguise and began creating the most effective traps that wouldn't hurt anyone, even while first disabling the least observant participants.