《Insignia》"The Phantom" Ch 74. The five guilds of the royal court
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The master makes his rounds, choosing thirteen participants. Of the chosen, Hiro, Luna, Red, Elias, and Ame are selected to be apart. They all get in carts and start to head to the kingdom.
Luna: So, we will be making a decision?
Ame: Yup, it's pretty exciting stuff aiding in big decisions for an entire kingdom!
Elias: Fun for you maybe, the only thing more boring is Jury duty. Jury duty…
He echoes with a shiver down his spine.
Hiro: I wonder what it's gonna be about.
Elias: The Archbishop called it, so it must be a pretty big deal.
Ame: Even better!
Elias: Your longing for the royal decree unsettles me.
Luna: Who’s the Archbishop?
Elias: The highest ranking knight in Edelgards Army.
Luna: Oh wow.
Elias: Yah, as to who the Archbishop is, I'm not sure, they knighted a new one not too long ago.
They travel further and after hours of travel finally reach the kingdom of Edelgard. Luna looks around in Awe, as it's her first time within the walls of Edelgard. People crowded the streets of Edelgard, selling fruit in their markets, and other goods. The carts arrive at the capital. They step out and begin to head up the various stairs to the castle. Luna’s heart begins to pound with anxiety. The master pushes the large arching double doors wide open, revealing the throne room. Two groups of people are within the chamber, there's an empty throne at the end, and an older gentleman to the left of it. The group heads into the hall, some in awe at its size. They go next to the group on the left. A younger woman in a red dress walks from their group towards the master, and he walks to her.
???: It's been a while, Taizowa.
Master: Indeed it has Himaki.
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Luna: Wait, THAT'S Himaki Yusunobu?!
Red: I- I guess? That's what the master called her. Why, do you know her?
Luna: Yah, you don't? She’s Himaki, the guild leader for Academy, one of the big 3 mage guilds?!
Red: I'm not big on politics.
He says with a clueless face.
Luna: It's not even… Whatever. I expected her to look older.
Himaki: What did you say about me?!
Luna: How did she hear me?!
Master: Ahaha! She's just using a spell to make her look younger. This old bags older than me!
Himaki: What did you say about me?!
Master: You heard me!
Their heads close, glaring at each other. Their tension snaps as the doors slam open. A large group of people stand behind an older man, with a long white goatee and hair. He carries a wooden staff as a walker and he heads in. Right behind him is a large man with scars all over his body. Behind him are 12 strong looking people wearing the same white robes as the large guy, but the large guy has his around his waist, not wearing the waist up part. As well as that, there are 13 other strong looking individuals.
Old man: Are you two still bickering like children?
Master: Wu Zengi. It's been a while.
Wu: And I wish it was longer.
The master looks a bit angered by that.
Wu: Any of your students competing this year Taizowa?
Master: Indeed.
Wu: Then dont expect them to win. Same to you Himaki.
Himaki: Is that so? I have many promising students, so promising that some of my students are talking about being able to overcome your own. With your inhumane training process.
Wu: Then the people are more fools than I thought.
Master: Wu, you will see. My members will defeat all of yours.
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Red clenches his fist and smiles. One of Academy’s members looks over at Red.
Wu: In the last couple of years Himaki. You only had one exceptional student. The rest are only A ranks because the judges voted for it.
Luna whispers to Red.
Luna: That's Zengoku right? The strongest of the legendary three?
Red: Mhm, but the strongest is wrong. You can't doubt our guilds strength.
Red seemed defensive of the topic, so she dropped it.
The man with the scars walks dead towards Darren.
???: Darren.
Darren: Kim.
Red begins to laugh at the man's name. But his eyes glided down to look at Red, and Reds laughing stopped immediately.
Red: What the hell. This pressure. This intensity. Its- Suffocating. His sent, his manas sent, is burning my nose.
The man's eyes shift back to Darren, leaving Red shaking in fear, gasping for air.
Kim: I’ll see you around.
He walks past Darren leaving him standing there. The tension, the air around them is stagnant, and dull. There is past resurfacing against Darrens will. The rest of Zengoku went to their spot and waited. Elias spots someone within the Academy. She looks back and they glare at each other. They walk up and there's an obvious hatred. She has jet black clothing and hair.
???: Real dumb to show yourself around here.
Elias: I could say the same to you.
???: Is that the best comeback you could come up with?
Elias: Was roasting my comeback the best you could do?
They both seeth with hatred. Luna asks what's up with them.
Red: They ended up tying in the A-rank, AND S-rank exams.
Luna: How… How is that even possible?
Red: Simultaneous knockout.
Luna: Jeez.
They wait around for a little while, another guild appearing to be late. Eventually the door opens, and two people walk in. One is an older man, and the other is a younger man, maybe early 20s. He has just a tshirt and sweatpants, and a device around his neck, with earbud-like objects going up to his ears. A cocky smile on his face. They walk into the last spot in the hall. The elderly fellow begins speaking.
Cardinal: Now that the five guilds have assembled, we can finally begin.
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