Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

Our team received a total of five hundred ninety-five points for the tags while we had four hundred fifty points for the jade slips. We got the highest score for monster hunting and the second highest for the jade slip collection. Unfortunately Retoulis got the highest score for the second day. And as of the moment, Retoulis Royal Academy and Praiji Imperial Academy were tied for the first place, both with one thousand two hundred sixty-three points.

The results weren’t something to really cheer about but I was just glad to come out alive.

After the Hunting Event, which to be honest probably went south, everyone that was injured was brought to the makeshift infirmary in Timog Town. During the event, the schools of Cedi Kingdom and Faral Nation lost some students to the monsters. I probably would’ve been one of them if Senior Andrei and his teammates didn’t help me.

Everyone who could move gathered at the entrance of Timog Town and offered prayers to those who perished during the event.

Losing members for the G.A. games didn’t mean the school would be withdrawing; instead they would be calling their reserve representatives to replace those that died.

Awful? Probably, but that was how it works. Even our team had reserves. Thomas, Peter and Kai were three of those.

But I was glad that none were insensitive and would just forget about those that died. Dying is a very awful thing. It signifies the end of one’s journey. It’s also a much unexpected thing and sometimes it just gets you unprepared.

I’ve seen my share of people dying in both my lives, but I have always found it regrettable when it’s someone young that died. After all, their lives haven’t even started and they still had a lot of years ahead of them. I knew those that participated in a dangerous celebration such as the Grand Academy Games were prepared to die at some point of the games, but I can only imagine the fear they had when they knew they’d die.

“People dying are part of one’s journey, whether you succumb to the despair it brings or make it an inspiration to move forward and do better, is up to you.” Aunt Zaira told me once we were alone that very same day.

I swear it sounded really familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I heard it before.

Aunt Zaira called me to make a report on what happened during the Hunting Event. Apparently, everyone was questioned by the committee to make a report.

“Are you okay?” she asked me.

“I’m fine. Like you said, people dying are normal.”

“True enough.” she sighed. “Well then, I heard from the survivors of Cedi as well as the students from Retoulis that you fought a monster with a dark crystal on its forehead. Care to elaborate? Start from the time you sensed the monster.”

I did my best recounting everything that happened upon facing the demonized monster. From sensing its abnormally high presence all the way to how students from Retoulis Royal Academy helped me take it down.

“Aunt Zaira, did you deliberately put that monster there?” I asked after my narration.

I am aware it was a stupid question but Aunt Zaira was capable of almost anything; I wouldn’t let that past her.

-But even if she’s the one who put the demonized monster, she probably just thought it was some sort of a challenge. It did have the gold tag.

“No, it wasn’t me.” she answered in a blunt tone.

I was very shocked at her answer, but at the same time I was relieved.

-So it wasn’t her. That’s good.

But-

“If it wasn’t you, where did that monster come from? How did it even enter the hunting grounds?” I asked.

“I am not sure at that. I was the one that chose all the monsters for the Hunting Event. I made sure to choose challenging ones but not strong enough to cause such a high death toll. All monsters went through a series of thorough checking you know before I even put the tags on them.”

-Why does it sound like she was choosing people who would work for her?

“Even the various representatives and vassals from the participating countries were present during the checking.” she added. “No monster had the dark crystal.”

I had a feeling she was trying to convey something to me. Something potentially dangerous.

-Don’t tell me…

“You’re thinking an insider did it. Probably one of the people that did the checking.” I said, well more like guessed.

“I do not want to make conclusions, but that seems to be the case.”

“Do you think whoever did this have relations to that demon that caused the dungeon break last year?” I asked again. “The monsters back then had the same black crystal. The monster also proved difficult to kill since it would just revive.”

“I am carrying out an investigation and I will be informing the emperor about this later. Now then, thank you Luna, you can return to your group. The teleportation circle that will bring you back to Azte City will be activating in an hour so you should go wait in the entrance.”

“Okay.”

“Firefly starts at eleven in the evening. You don’t want to miss it.” I just nodded my head but she called me again. “Try to keep your eyes peeled and always be careful okay? Danger can always be around the corner.”

“Got it Aunt Zaira.”

I exited her office and return to where my seniors were gathered. Seniors Trent and George were patched up and we were told they would be fully healed tomorrow after a night’s rest. Seniors Daniel and Anastasia only had a few cuts and bruises from a few scuffles from getting the jade slips, but other than that they were okay.

I was also already healed, my Auto-healing skill activating the moment I got injured.

As we waited for the time of departure, I couldn’t help but notice the awkward silence within our group. Senior Trent and George, who were usually the loudest and most talkative in our group, were unusually silent. Somehow, they looked a little sullen.

-Is it because of what happened?

“I’m sorry Luna, Trent.” Senior George suddenly said and hung his head low.

“Eh?”

Yeah, I was very very surprised.

“I was supposed to protect you as the archer and the oldest in the group but-“

“Senior George, it’s-“ I tried to tell him it was okay, but Senior Trent cut me off.

“It’s me who should apologize. I’m the leader but I let Senior George get hurt, I let myself be taken down and I left Luna to fend for herself with us as baggage.”

I actually did not expect for the cheerful Senior Trent to say such a thing.

“I… I was too weak. I’m supposed to protect the team and lead it to greatness. Especially Luna, I-“

I couldn’t take it anymore. To be honest I actually got annoyed at Senior Trent’s words. I give him a light smack on the head.

“Idiot.”

“Eh? Your majesty? Why did you-“

-Oh my gosh this idiot.

“”Your Majesty?””

-And now the rest are curious about it. But Senior Trent can’t fall to despair when it’s only the second day.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“Seniors, there is nothing to apologize for.” they looked at me with wide-eyes. “We signed up for this and we are prepared to whatever comes our way. Just so it happened we encountered an enemy stronger than us and we got defeated and had a hard time. Don’t curse your weakness, everyone has it. Rather than moping around and blaming yourself for what happened, you should think of this as a lesson and strive harder.”

I sighed.

“The Senior Trent I know stands firm on his feet and faces whatever comes his way head on. Even if he’s sometimes disturbingly annoying, it won’t let that bother him and move forward.”

“Uhm… I… don’t you think-“

“And Senior George. We all know you did your best and that’s enough. Never lose your smile for something like this. The Senior George I have become close to this semester is a very optimistic person that will not let anything drag him down.”

“O-optimistic you say?”

“We still have a lot more things to face in the next few days. If you give up now, then everything we’ve worked hard for the last four months will be for naught. So chin up and keep moving forward!”

I was not one for giving pep talks but the two looked like they needed it.

“She got you there boys.” Senior Anastasia commented and snickered. “You got told off by a first year.”

I couldn’t help but look away to hide my blush.

“Thank you Luna.” Senior Trent said. “That was an eye opener.”

I just smiled. “You’re welcome.”

“By the way, why did Trent address you as ‘your majesty’ Luna?” both Senior Trent and I froze at Senior George’s question.

-Schist!

“Look guys! They’re calling us! We have to gather to teleport to the capital!” I say, my attempt of not answering the question and get out of the room.