"Damn it, Yujin." Verce grumbles as he glares. He does not push the subject though. He reaches up to smooth out his ash hair and glances around the arena. The rows of seats are filling up quickly.
"Since you are a second year, will you be participating?" Seojin asks, bringing his attention back to them.
Yujin snorts but doesn't answer for him. He thinks his brother had the chance too, since the headmistress is their mother. However, unlike both their parents, Verce is too lazy. He may care considerably about his looks and reputation (that part is very much like their parents though) but his urge to lounge around is stronger.
"No." Verce says. "They have enough show ponies as it is with the prince."
Yujin's head snaps to him, his black hair shifting over his forehead, and he narrows his violet eyes. "You knew he was going to do this and didn't tell me?"
"You're joking right?" Verce scoffs at him. "Mother has been bragging about it to father for weeks." He reaches over and flicks his younger brother on the forehead. "Pay attention more during dinner instead of floating around in the world inside your head."
Before Yujin can retort back at him, a horn blows and an older man walks onto the platform that rises from the ground. He wears semi-formal attire, with a beige long petticoat that has a pin buttoned at the collar and a button up brown shirt. His dark hair is greying around his ears, his green eyes shining with excitement.
Glancing around, Yujin sees that the stands have filled up as they were talking. Only a few empty seats could be seen. The crowd's sound of chatter lowers to a silent hush as everyone turns their attention down to him.
"My, I see a lot of fresh faces here." The man on the makeshift stage bellows out. He smiles, his eyes scanning the large number of people in the arena. Despite not using a microphone, his voice is loud and clear. "I am professor Alan, a resonance esper." He introduces himself.
Yujin scoots to the edge of his seat, his blood buzzing beneath his skin. Finally, it's going to start!
"It's tradition for Crownspire Academy to put on a show for the newer students and their families. So traditional that even the Royal Crown visits to enjoy such festivities." The professor continues. During a brief pause the crowd erupts into murmurs, most of them twisting their heads in search of the King. "Unfortunately, due to some other circumstances, his Majesty couldn't make it this year."
Everyone visibly deflates. So much for that tradition, Yujin scoffs.
"That was the only reason I came." Someone a few rows ahead grumbles bitterly. He's an older gentleman wearing a god's awful orange suit, his white hair nearly balding at the top. "So much for pitching my business idea to him,"
Others grumble similar things to him, all older political men.
"Now, now!" Professor Alan chuckles, "I understand your dismay. However, that doesn't mean our students didn't work any less hard for today's events! We may not have King Yoo at present, but Prince Ceros is eager to show off his power to you all."
Whistles and cheers erupt, the disappointment quickly disappearing.
Professor Alan laughs, "To both provide entertainment, and to showcase what espers could do if students put hard work and dedication into their studies here." He goes on to say. "The first half of the matches will be between espers. The second half will be between espers and the gate monsters we have locked up. We have guides on the side lines, so fear not about a rampage."
He gestures to the left where a line of numerous guides sit on their own separate benches. Yujin leans forward, curious about them.
"We even have the famed Jillian Markovs with us, an S-Class guide."
Seojin gasps, his neck straining as he tries to get a good view. He slaps Yujin on the shoulder, "She's not from a high ranking family, but her sudden rise amongst the guides have captured everyone's attention." He gushes. "If she continues to amaze people, she'll become an anointed guide in no time."
"I hear that she's Prince Siwoo's exclusive guide." Someone whispers loudly from behind them. No doubt the same group of guides who were gossiping before.
Yujin isn't particularly interested in guides. They all may be of different grades, but the gist of what they all do is the same. Where's the excitement in them?
Espers however are more exciting. With a range of gifts and with the right creative thinking, espers can go above and beyond with what they have.
Not that he'd say that to Seojin's face. He'd never hear the end of it from his friend.
"If she's his exclusive guide then why is she here?"
Yujin rolls his eyes. Looking down at her, he can see the yellow tinge of her blonde hair. She waves a delicate hand to the crowd, her smile gracious.
"She's only a guide, why's she acting so cocky?" Someone else mutters.
"Now, how about we get things started?" Professor Alan continues. He waits for the cheering to die down and then, "Our first match is between Mason Phils—who is an air and wind esper—and Ceros Yoo, a light esper and the second son to our King!"
"Just throwing him out there on the first match huh?" Verce mutters bitterly.
Everyone else doesn't seem to mind it. Most of them probably only came for him anyway, Yujin guesses.
The arena bursts into screams as the two participants step up onto the platform on opposite sides. The professor steps down, joining the seats where the guides who will be working with the espers performing sit.
Mason Phils is a young man with dark skin that makes his silver hair seem all the more striking.
Ding! Ding!
[Basic Profile is visible.]
[Name: Mason Phils
Age: 20
Guild: Unavailable
Class: Diverse Esper Grade: A-
Position: Elemental Mage/Knight
Blessed by Gaia : Air and Wind]