It's already been days since Roxan has left for the south.

  I've seen my sister go out to the battlefield multiple times, but never before I've been so anxious as this time.

  Was it because she was going out there alone? Or was it because of how she rashly declared that it was a personal war?

  Even with her reassurances, knowing her reckless behavior only made me even more worried.

  Sigh...

  Sitting alone on one of the empty bleachers I let out a deep sigh before deciding that it's best to distract myself with current events than to worry about something I have no control over.

  Just as what Prez and I had talked about last week. Today is the start of the annual school festival.

  The School Festival, also known as the 'Foundation Day' is an official non-working holiday held throughout the entire capital region in celebration of the founding of Cerestine Academy.

  The entire festivities will last for two weeks of which all the campuses inside the Academy will be open to the public.

  As a tradition, all registered clubs on each of the campuses were given their budget by the school and were tasked with organizing events that would last for the entirety of the holiday.

  Depending on the size of the club, some would just open a booth or stalls, while others like the Drama Club would go out on their way and use the theatre building to showcase their performances.

  Among all the clubs in the academy, there are three that sit at the top as the most anticipated club during the school festival. The Artificer Club, The Mage Club, and the Dueling Club.

  Staring down at the arena, I silently watch my junior's fight against another team in multiple rounds of team battles.

  "What a party huh" Arthur, who had just finished recuperating from his exhibition match half an hour ago finally shows up.

  "You look all rough up" I commented seeing multiple bruises on his arm and face.

  "What can I say, Lisha is just a whole different animal... Can't believe Prez matches her up against me! That's just so unfair!"

  "Haha, that's unfortunate. I guess you win some, and you lose some huh" I chuckle as I try to console Arthur.

  "I was on a winning streak! I was even planning on impressing all the girls watching me, but now I'm all too embarrassed to even show my face for the official tournament. To be beaten by a gorilla one-sidedly... Man... that's just too harsh!

  Just As Arthur continues on his rant, Lisha who also had just finished recuperating arrives to watch the rest of the event with us.

  "Yo" Lisha greeted me.

  "Yo" I greeted back while also congratulating her on her victory.

  "That was a good fight. Congrats on the victory"

  "Thanks, it was no big deal, just an exhibition match. Things will be different when the real event starts, I reckon you'll be facing Prez by the end just like last year?"

  "Well I'm not exactly allowed to join the tournament format this year because the committee has already paired me against someone from the second imperial academy, so that's a no"

  "Oooh, from another academy? Now that's exciting! Anyway since the official events won't start until the next three days how about joining us for some exhibition matches, pretty sure there are tons of guys out there who want to spar with the strongest duelist of the 32nd campus"

  "Pfft, hahaha. I don't know what Prez let you all to believe, but nah, I'm far from being the strongest in our club. Anyway, regarding joining some exhibitions, Sure why not, but don't expect much"

  After that short conversation, Lisha then turned her attention to Arthur.

  "Yo Arthur that was a good fight, right?!"

  Taking a sit beside Arthur, Lisha lets out a soft empty smile towards him, to which Arthur also worriedly smiles back.

  "Yea—Yeah, good fight..."

  After seeing the two intensely smiles at each other, from the perspective of the normal observer it seems that these two are in a very good mood. —But behind those smiles tells a different story.

  Using my innate ability to be highly proficient in interpreting nonverbal communication.

  Lisha's smile is giving me a...

  "You got one minute to repent for all your sins to the goddess above... After that... You're.Dead.Meat!"

  While Arthur's smile on the other hand is like...

  "I think she heard our conversation... I need help... —Rey! Help! Please do something! Save me!"

  ...

  ...

  "So... Arthur... Who are you calling a gorilla?!"

  "HIIIIIIII!!" Arthur knowing that he's about to meet his maker, lets out a terrified scream.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  "HELP ME REY!"

  Sorry Arthur, you kinda dig yourself a grave on this one. Even I cannot stop a fully enraged Lisha.

  ********

  "I guess that's the end of that"

  As another exhibition match came to an end, to both Arthur and Lisha's surprise a person wearing a suit and tie followed by two bodyguards approached me.

  "Sir Argent, what a coincidence" The man greeted me.

  Surprised to see who the person was, I briefly smiled and greeted him back before shaking each other's hands.

  "Same, didn't expect you to be here as well Sir Arlow"

  This man in front of me is Mr. Theodore Arlow another business partner of mine, as well as the current President of the now-famous A&A - Heirloom, weapons, and arms artificer company.

  As for his background, Sir Arlow, before he became my business partner, was a well-known self-made weapon smith from the north who was looking for some business opportunities in the capital, —But due to intense competition as well as his inexperience in management, he soon found himself and his workshop on the brink of bankruptcy.

  Back then all of my hunting gear comes from him, especially my bow and arrows. Thinking that it would be such a waste to let this person's workshop falls, I, without any of my parent's knowledge decided to lend Sir Arlows a hand by paying off his huge debt in exchange for an eighty percent share of his business as well as all the rights for his brand.

  With how huge my ownership of the company's share, on paper, I should be the one who's in full control of the business, but because I kept this deal a secret from my parent, and wanted it to remain that way, I specifically asked for my name as the co-owner of the company to be kept secret and let Sir Arlow retain his position as its President.

  At most all I did for the company was to pretend as an adviser when attending some meetings and suggest a couple of minor things like suggesting future contracts, branching out, and expanding our list of products.

  Four years have passed since then. Honestly, I didn't really expect that the simple workshop I had invested my entire yearly allowance would flourish into this huge artificer company.

  "Rey, You two know each other?" Arthur who looks more roughed up than before curiously asks.

  "You could say that. Arthur, Lisha, meet Sir Theodore Arlow the president of the A&A company.

  Sir Arlow these two are my clubmates Arthur Ruela, and Lisha Widrow" Introducing Arlow to both Arthur and Aisha, the two let out a bow before shaking hands with one another.

  "Arthur Ruela, Nice to meet you, sir"

  "Lisha Widrow, also a pleasure to meet you, sir"

  "Uh-huh, likewise" Arlow happily shook the two's hand.

  Now that all the introduction is settled, I think It's time to inquire what's his business here.

  "So what brings you here?" I ask to which Sir Arlow shows me a metallic briefcase.

  "This is?"

  "It was supposed to be a surprise for our next quarterly meeting, but this is the thing you requested a year ago, a complete replica of the relic you told us to examine. We had just finished testing these in a controlled environment last month and am currently scouting for a group of participants to sponsor on using this thing"

  Relics?...

  I don't remember talking about any relics from him...

  ...

  ...

  !!!

  Wait he's not referring to the party toys that I jokingly said would be very useful and profitable if we managed to replicate it a year ago, is he?

  "wait... Seriously?" Literally in disbelief, Sir Arlow nodded to me with full confidence.

  "During its development, we concluded that we still don't match the sophistication of technology needed in terms of reproducing the right compound used to arm this thing. —as a compromise, we decided to resort to Alchemy production instead"

  "I see... So what are your plans for this?" I curiously ask.

  "Well, as I said, I was hoping to sponsor someone to start a good branding before mass production, but seeing you here made me remember, you're part of the dueling club, right?"

  "Yeah. Why?...

  ...

  Wait! You're not planning on lea—"

  "—Then would it be fine if I leave this thing to you instead?"

  I KNEW IT!

  "Tsk, As suspected, you guys sure like leaving chores like these to me huh?..." I jokingly complained.

  "Well. Who better live-test this kind of merchandise than those who propose the project themselves, right? It saves the company tons of money too"

  "Tsk. Fine —But no promises that I'd be able to use it properly alright?"

  "We still have a long way before we can mass produce this thing. Right now we're just trying to give it some minor exposure, so no worries"

  After accepting the briefcase Sir Arlow and his entourage then left the Coliseum.

  ...

  "Whoa, I didn't know you have some connection with some big shot Rey" Lisha who remained quiet all this time in the back commented.

  "Yeah, I've been your friend for who knows how long and this is my first time hearing about this. What's in the briefcase anyway?" Arthur followed up.

  "Classified" I monotonously reply.

  "Come on now, don't be a killjoy!"

  "Don't be hasty, You'll see it soon enough"

  **********

  With another match coming to an end, I decided that it was now time to head out.

  Taking out my metallic briefcase from under my seat I then silently left the bleachers leaving the two bickering love birds alone before heading straight toward the participant's ready room to congratulate everyone.

  ...

  Arriving at my destination, right as I opened the door, I was then greeted by the scene of celebration by my juniors who participated in the exhibition matches.

  Being undefeated so far, witnessing them fight victory after victory, as one of their seniors who've instructed them countless times, I couldn't help but be proud of what they've accomplished so far. They kind of reminded me of myself back in my freshman days.

  "Although it's just an exhibition match, seems that our rookies are eager to make a name for themselves. —Don't you think so Prez?" I commented as I sensed Prez arriving by the door.

  "Couldn't say it better myself. Congratulations Lance, your leadership earned this team's victory, I'm expecting a similar if not better performance for the official tournament" Prez congratulated Lance, our prime candidate for the next president of the club, before switching her focus to me.

  "So Rey what are you doing here, I thought you were not interested in participating in any exhibition matches"

  "I'm not, but Lisha convinces me, and besides I also wanted to test these" I replied showcasing the metallic briefcase I was carrying.

  "What's inside?"

  "Just some replicas of relics nothing too dangerous"

  "I see... Then here, catch" Prez then tossed out a one-handed sword to me. "I'll be your partner"

  "Sigh... I knew that would be the case... Sure"

  Accepting her challenge, I flawlessly caught the sword with my right hand before proceeding to head outside and queue ourselves.

  ...

  ... ...

  Now sitting in the lobby waiting for my turn to arrive, I spotted Prez on the far opposite end of the room talking to what seemed to be a bunch of guys from the 1st campus. Though not curious about their topic, her taking a glance at me accompanied by a seductive smile every ten seconds is somehow making my hair stand up... It's very uncomfortable to the point that my instinct is telling me something is up...

  "That girl is up to no good again..." I whisper to myself.

  Readying myself for the worst, I opened up my briefcase, and inside were seven sets of bandoliers that each held six different cylindrical-shaped canisters. Knowing how everything goes with Prez I deemed that two bandoliers would be enough for this fight.

  "Although it's just a replica, Arlow said it's still as potent as the original. Sigh... I was only joking that time, never did I imagine that they would take the time and invest resources into reverse engineering something like this"

  After waiting for a couple of so more rounds, it was then that my turn to fight came. Called to the arena by the staff what awaited me on the battleground wasn't what I was expecting... —Instead of just Prez what came to face me was a group of...

  One...

  Two...

  Three...

  Eight...

  Fifteen...

  Twenty-one!

  A group of twenty-one fighters with the addition of Prez all fully armed and itching for a fight.

  Uhh... Did I perhaps queue in the wrong match?...