Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

The next day, the fourth day of the G.A Games…

I felt refreshed when I woke up that morning. I cried my tears out the previous night and it was safe to say that I felt better than before. Senior Anastasia was right, it wouldn’t do any good if I stayed being sad because I got rejected. Rather than be depressed and mope about it, I should work on getting over it.

Or at least that was what she said. I think she had lots of experience in that kind of thing, although I was never sure since I never really asked. I was afraid of reminding her bitter memories or something.

Anyway, it was the fourth day and our team would be having the first match of the day.

Our match against the Ice Palace Academy of Northern Continent’s Nephir Kingdom went smoothly. Most of them were ice magic users so we constantly used any magic that revolved around heat and fire, which meant my ‘fire magic’ (emphasis on it since I wasn’t really using magic) and Senior Trent’s lightning magic were very effective. While I was sent to defeat the captain of the opposing team, Torii and Freya were sent to retrieve the flag together with Senior Trent. I admit our opponent’s captain was no weakling but I was just stronger.

Let’s just say, their principle of solely using ice magic might’ve become a little shaky.

Winning against the Ice Palace Academy secured our spot for the final battle which would be on the sixth day, as to who would be our opponent was still yet to be decided in the next match; Retoulis vs. Ferhusto.

“Let’s watch the match.” Torii suggested. “It’ll be a good study material. Whoever our opponent will be is between the two of them. I’m pretty sure they paid attention during our match, so let’s do the same.”

“I agree. Let’s proceed to our area.” Senior Trent said and we headed to the area reserved for our team.

We watched the Capture the Flag Match against Retoulis Royal Academy and Ferhusto Royal Academy.

Even though we were supposed to study all of them, it was a little impossible for me since I was curious about Senior Andrei’s abilities.

The last time I saw him use magic was during the Hunting Event. He had a support magic, that I was sure of, which was something rare these days. Most people involved in magic tend to be either a battle mage or a magus knight, since it seemed cooler and most had aptitude for them. But those with aptitude for support magic were only a handful. Even the support magic course in the Praiji Imperial Academy only had about fifteen students.

Back in the Celestial Realm, a squad always had at least one person who could use support magic to help them during a battle. Those with support magic can cast spells that would improve mobility, strengthen one’s defenses and even recover lost magic power. They were very valuable assets. With them around, you didn’t have to worry about potions running out of efficacy. Of course they had their limits as well but support mages were well respected in Celestial Realm.

But somehow here in the Mortal Realm, they were so few and they were not shown in a good light either. Warriors preferred potions to boost their skills and abilities during a battle. Support mages were seen as weak since they couldn’t fight well as much as combatants would.

But Senior Andrei definitely knew what he was doing and could utilize his support magic quite efficiently. He was quite a good leader and strategist as well.

“I’ve never seen someone so good at using support magic.” commented Senior George in amazement. “I know we studied him before the games and we knew he was a support mage, but I didn’t know support magic could be used like this! He’s awesome!”

I couldn’t exactly disagree with Senior George. Somehow, with only just a look and without any verbal signs, the man called Andrei knew what kind of support his comrades needed and immediately applied it.

“He’s smart, that man. And his ability to analyze his surroundings is probably way above mine.” Senior Trent said. “But despite being that amazing, I heard he’s not even in line to the throne of Retoulis Kingdom.”

“Eh?” Freya reacted. “But he’s so… amazing!”

I nodded my head in agreement.

“It’s because of his aptitude of support magic that he’s not chosen as a successor, or even a candidate. Despite being the first born child of the king and the son of the official wife, because of his inability to use any form of battle magic, he was not recognized as a candidate to the throne.” Senior Trent said, his voice obviously that of disappointment.

“I don’t think people should be judged that way. It’s obvious he’s a good fit to be a leader.” I commented, a little miffed at the news.

“I think he already accepted that and has gotten over it.” Senior Trent replied. “I heard he rejected the notion of becoming a candidate when a noble tried to suggest it to Retoulis Kingdom’s king. Well, I just heard stories so I’m not entirely sure.”

-I see. He’s a man who already accepted something he knew he cannot have. But still, why would he reject it? If one of Retoulis Kingdom’s standards of becoming king is being able to fight, then he should be fine. He’s quite good at fighting and he can also use his support magic on himself. Not to mention his tactics could rival that of Aunt Zaira’s, and she’s the most cunning person I know.

On the other hand, the members of Ferhusto Royal Academy seemed like headless chickens. Their leader, their nation’s crown prince, was obviously not good at strategies. Somebody else was doing all the planning while he kept attacking any opponent he saw. He wasn’t even listening to his strategist.

-If he becomes Ferhusto’s king, that country will surely fall.

In the end, it was Retoulis Royal Academy who won, which meant, we would be going against them in the finals.

“And that ends the Capture the Flag Matches for today! Please return to Anatoli Stadium by two o’clock for the Ice Pillar Destruction Event! Selected participants should arrive thirty minutes before the event! Have a good morning and see you in the afternoon!” the announcer said and the morning event finally ended.

Before we left the stadium, my team and I were staring into the students of Retoulis. At the same time they were also staring at us. My eyes were fixed on Senior Andrei who only gave a smile and waved in my direction.

He was a really confusing guy. He gave me an advice the previous day and yet he was an enemy. He also still hadn’t come clean about his words on the day before the Grand Academy Games. What was a spirit ball? Who was Hilda Hysi? And why did she have the same last name as me, as Luna? Was I related to her?

Many questions were on my mind, but I had a feeling Senior Andrei wouldn’t really tell me until he felt like it.

-We got ourselves one difficult opponent.

Senior Andrei reminded me of one advice my sister Elthesia once told me two thousand years ago (Celestial Realm time), ‘The most difficult opponent is someone who’s always smiling and you can’t even get a good read on them, that and those who wouldn’t hesitate to screw someone over with a smile no matter the consequences.’

Somehow, Senior Andrei was giving me the same vibe.