Away from the chaos below, Nicole was observing the students from above. She sat between the king and the pope.
As soon as the tournament started, her focus stayed on a particular student. Love.
Paralleling Solace, Nicole also thought that love was a variable.
At first she observed that love separated into two beings. Both looked similar but also different at the same time.
One Love looked like a fiery volcano with red hair and angry crimson eyes. Embers sparked at the end of her hair, showcasing her element of fire.
While the other looked like a calm ocean. Her wavy blue hair was looking wet, showcasing her element of water. Her deep blue eyes were distant, cold, and calculating.
Both of them wreaked havoc across the humongous stadium. The fiery red moved aggressively, burning whatever stood in her path. While the other moved with precision without wasting her energy. They even had a distinct way of fighting.
It was clear just by watching her that she had monstrous potential.
Taking her eyes off the arena, she looked at Pope Francis sitting on her left.
His one eye was half blind from the cataract.
"What a Miracle! For the first time, Pope himself has come to see a measly tournament. I have no doubt he has nothing but good intentions" she said.
The man turned his head towards her, taking his eyes away from the ground.
His soothing smile had not changed once. Sensing the sarcasm in her words, he smiled even more.
"I have nothing but good wishes," His voice was both serene and filled with authority. "It pains my heart that you think I came with a goal"
Crossing her brows, Nicole snorted. "Good wishes, my ass."
The cardinals attending the pope immediately tried to take out a weapon. But the pope raised a hand to calm them down.
He lowered his hand slowly.
"Despite nearing the age of 90, you still talk like a snake principal" he said. "Though I have to say you look the same as you looked 30 years ago"
Hearing the conversation, anyone could figure out that the two of them had a past.
Hearing this
She laughed and jokingly said, "Looks like no one taught you to be a gentleman, Francis. I thought it was common courtesy to not mention a woman's age." Then she smiled with a mischievous grin. "Your father would be quite disappointed. He was quite a gentleman"
Then, for the first time since the start, the pope made an ugly face.
Not hearing a response, she leaned forward teasingly
"Hit a nerve, did I?" she asked innocently.
The pope once again assumed a poker face.
"I am not sure what you are implying, Principal," he replied, hiding an annoyed expression.
Nicole then withdrew herself, looking forward once again.
The atmosphere between them suddenly became tense.
She now looked serious. Keeping an honest face. Then with a cold voice she spoke
"The only reason you're alive-" she slowly looked at him with sharp eyes " -is because I pitied the 12-year-old boy whose father I killed 30 years ago"
The Pope momentarily lost his cool. Gritting his teeth, he spat with slow but poisonous words.
"YOU DO NOT GET TO PITY ME AFTER KILLING MY WHOLE FAMILY, NICOLE!"
Nicole then looked down, making a guilt-ridden expression. Then slowly she spoke.
"I tried to change your father, Francis; I tried to change your family. But they did not change the path they chose" she said with a low voice. "They wanted chaos, and now you follow in their footsteps"
"But make no mistake, this time I will not spare even a child. If it means eradicating the name Sanguivar" then without stopping, she continues, "Of course this sin too will be mine to bear."
Hearing this, the Pope stood up and stormed out of the room.
The king, who heard every word of this conversation, stayed silent. He usually does not concern himself with others affairs. But this time he spoke in a slow but deliberate voice. His royal voice reeking of command.
"The principal must not be so cold to old faces. Though the principal must know that the church and the royal family have allied"
She then, without looking, spoke, "Yes, I'm aware"
The king kept his face still, not betraying his emotions.
"Then I suppose you will not spare the royal family too." he continued. "Do these young children of mine stir nothing within you?"
She paused briefly. As if remembering something that happened in the past.
"No," she said without hesitation, "I tried that once. I will not make the same mistake twice" she said with a strong determination.
"I suppose," the king replied.