Scene —A bus is traveling across an open field.Inside the bus sit Precious, his friends, two teachers, and one driver.Precious is talking with Kail, his Manas skill.
Precious:After hearing what you said… I think I should add some normal Aura Soldiers as well.
Kail:Hmm? That's fine, but why only Aura Soldiers?Why not Shadow Soldiers, Skeleton Soldiers, or other types?
Precious:To create Skeleton Soldiers, you need skeletons—which come from the bodies of dead beings.
Using the skull or remains of a dead person doesn't feel right to me.It would feel like disrespecting the dead…no matter how bad that person was.
Kail:And Shadow Soldiers?
Precious:Shadow represents darkness—which usually symbolizes evil.
Emotions like cruelty, ego, selfishness…that's not who I am. You know that.
Kail:I see.
Precious:Aura, on the other hand, is a natural element.It's pure.Aura can bring peace, but it can also cause fear—it depends on how it's used.
Kail:Good point.
Scene — Conversation on the Bus
Lior:Hey, Precious—the tournament won't start as soon as we arrive.
It'll take one full day to reach there,and the tournament begins three days later.
So first we'll rest, then explore the city.Right, Precious? Shai?
Precious:Got it.
Shai:Ah… w-well, I had a different plan.
Lior:A plan? What kind?
Shai:I-it's none of your business!
Lior:Ahhh~ oh-ho~ I see.
Shai:W-what?! What do you mean?!
Lior:Yeah yeah… a date with Nimi, right?
Shai:…!!!(Blushing)W-what the heck are you talking about?!Shut your damn mouth or I'll cut—!!
Lior:Okay, okay! Fine, fine.
Nimi (thinking):How did I get dragged into this…?!Damn Shai…why couldn't you just say you wanted to rest?Now everyone knows…(face red, embarrassed)
Scene —Nimi looks down shyly.
Shila (thinking):What's wrong with kids these days…?
Baki (thinking):Are these really Class Tournament winners…?
Scene — Pretty & Miliem
Miliem:Hey—what's your name, newbie?
Pretty:My name is Pretty Sharta.
Miliem:Sharta… I think I've heard that surname somewhere—Oh! Isn't that the same surname as—
Pretty:Shhh!!
Miliem:?
Pretty:Please… don't say it here.
Lior & Precious:?
Miliem:Why?
Scene —Pretty glances slightly toward Precious,who is calmly enjoying the outside view.
Miliem notices and looks in the same direction.
Miliem:Ahh… love story, huh?Let me guess—
You're from a rich family,he's from a poor one,and he doesn't even know your background. Right?
Pretty:W-what?!What are you talking about?!
Miliem:Come on, your face says everything.
Pretty:Ah… o-okay…but he's not poor.His family is slightly above middle class.Not rich either.
Miliem:I see.My dad owns a hotel,and after my studies, I'll go to another cityfor a hotel management course.
Pretty:Oh…I don't even know what I'll do after studies.
Miliem:You'll become Precious's wife, obviously.
Pretty:!!!!!(Completely embarrassed)
Scene — Precious Teasing Lior
Precious:By the way, Lior—
Lior:Hmm?
Precious:You've become pretty popular in school, huh?
Lior:That's true~ hehe.
Precious:Especially among girls.
Lior:What can I do? Hahaha!
Precious:What if I tell Tety and Bety about this?
Lior:!!B-bro—don't do that!You're my brother—you won't do that, right?!
Precious:True, I'm your brother.
Lior:Ahh…!
Precious:But they're my sisters too.They have the right to knowwhat their future husband is doingand who he's meeting.
Lior:NOOO!!!
Precious:And in two years,they'll join this school themselves.
Lior:Bro, please—don't tell them!!!
Shila:Silence!
Lior:Shut up—can't you see this is a very important conversa—!!
Shila:😐
Lior:Oh...
Lior (thinking):I really messed up today…
Scene —Everyone starts laughing.
Everyone:Pfft—!! Hahahahaha!!
Narration (Precious):
After that, Lior got scolded badly by Ma'am Shila.Before we realized it, night had fallen.
We stopped in an open fieldand decided to spend the night there,setting up tents.
Scene — Night, Campfire
Everyone sits around a bonfire.
Baki:Alright, everyone listen.
Principals from all eight schoolswill be watching the tournament.
And not just that—the King of Shin Kingdom himself will be attending.
Shai:Sir, I have a question.
Baki:Go ahead.
Shai:I still don't know our king's name.What is it?
Baki:Your teachers never told you?
Lior:Nope.
Baki (thinking):Damn idiots…They didn't even teach basic knowledge?!
Baki:The King of Shin Kingdom is—BIT FIZ.
Scene —Shai, Lior, and Pretty are shocked.
Baki:I know Lior and Precious share the same surname,but it's just a coincidence—nothing more.
Lior:Yeah… right.If that were true,Mom and Dad would've told us.
Maybe they don't even knowthere's a king named Fiz.Right, Precious?
Precious:
…Maybe.