There are a total of 50 classes participating with over two hundred freshmen from all around the Kingdom of Fracia from different academies.

For the first and second rounds, the teachers are sitting out of it.

“The battle royale is about to begin soon and since not everything will be seen, we will be getting a great view of this tournament on the huge television in the middle of the stadium.” A female announcer says.

I stand at the rear stand of the stadium where I can watch everything clearly.

“Are your selected students ready or should I ask whether you are ready to lose?” Flesty asks me as she walks towards me.

“Not sure about losing but I am sure that my class is ready.” I say with full confidence.

Flesty laughs at me, “You really think you stand a chance against Tarand’s bunch of students?” Flesty questions me.

“Do you think I don’t?” I ask.

“I do and I am sure that Tarand will shut your mouth out but don’t get knocked out before fighting him.” Flesty laughs as she walks away.

I sigh. Seriously...

Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Tarand neither did I see my students when I came here.

“Our special guests for the next 5 days of entertainment will be the King himself with his personal Commander of Warfare, Salvian Brook.”

They do have a grand entry for the King. He is walking towards the grand seat where the view of the stadium is pretty refreshing and also, it’s pretty cooling there compared to the hot sun that is touching us here.

I am surprised that the King’s advisor didn’t come here. I heard that he is always sticking near him.

“That’s our King for you!”

“I heard that The Commander of Warfare is scouting new recruits here.”

“Is that why he is here?”

“Damn, those students are damn lucky!”

Yeah, with that the gossips have begun.

I sigh.

“ThunderField, may I ask you to come with me?” That was a familiar voice.

I turn around to see that Fishie is standing next to me and it’s too close for my comfort.

“What is it?” I ask.

“The King demands for you.” Fishie says.

“The King is taking a walk out there.” I say pointing at the King.

“He said that you must wait for him in the room of the Grand Seat.” Fishie says.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, why the hell would the King want me to come? And secondly, how would you know about it?” I question.

“If you come, you will know about it.” Fishie says.

This is quite suspicious.

“Fine, I will follow.” I say.

I begin to follow Fishie.

XXXXXX

This is definitely the way towards the Grand Seat AC room but why is she taking me there? More like if she is taking me there, why does the King want me to come there? I will only find out once we get there.

Fishie opens the door towards the Grand Seat AC room, “Please do enter.” Fishie says as we enter and Fishie closes the door behind me.

That’s definitely Fracia sitting in front of me on a grand throne. He turns around towards me and Fishie.

“Thank you for bringing him here, Fishie.” Fracia says.

I sigh, “Why did you call me, Fracia?”

“There is something that might catch your interest.” Fracia says.

“Hmm?”

“My advisor got killed a few days before I arrived at night. They say it was an assassin.” Fracia says.

“Why do you think it will catch my interest?” I ask.

“I had my advisor look over my daughters but isn’t it strange?” Fracia asks me.

“Strange indeed...Why wouldn’t they kill your daughter or kidnap one of them?”

Something clicks my head...

“Are you saying that this was a work of an inside man?” I ask.

Fracia nods.

“That’s what I am thinking.” Fracia says.

“Right now, the only people I trust are you, Commander Salvian and Commander Fishie.” Fracia says.

“Commander Fishie? Are you saying she is some sorta Commander?!” I ask.

Fracia nods, “The Commander of Medical and Research. That’s Fishie Foxfire.” Fracia says.

“I see...”

“Nice to meet you, Dan ThunderField, again.” Fishie says with a poker face.

“Yeah...Nice to meet you...” I say with a nervous smile.

“Dan, if anything was to happen to me...Please protect my daughters.” Fracia says.

“You know, considering one of your daughters is about to be killed in the near future, you shouldn’t be the one requesting me to protect them.” I say.

*Swish*

“STOP!” Both Fishie and Salvian are by my throat ready to kill me but the King’s order stops both of them.

“Why do you stop us, my liege?” Fishie asks with a poker face.

“I just spoke the truth and even you both know it.” I say.

I can see the anger in Salvian’s eyes while Fishie is calm and collected even she seems to be quite angry.

“If you want me to protect someone, learn to protect them yourself first and if you fail to protect them, then ask me. I am not a loyal servant or anything of that sort who will just listen to your words and just obey them. First, learn to step up for the people you care about, and even if you step up and protect someone then don’t push your ideals on them even the other person is a human. Even they have feelings and even they have their right to speak. Plus, Giving up without even trying is the worst sin one can commit. That goes for both of you too.” I say as I leave.

XXXXXX

They couldn’t do anything because both Fishie and Salvian knew that Dan didn’t say anything wrong.

Salvian felt that if he had tried talking to Umba about his problems and family then he would have definitely found something that was forcing Umba to go to the dark side.

Fishie felt that maybe while protecting her daughter, she might have neglected her daughter’s feelings.

Fracia though had the biggest guilt, the guilt of not able to do anything for the daughter he loves so much. He thought that only if there was a way to take down the church.

XXXXXX

While I was walking down the corridor I noticed something on the television.

“What?! I already took that long talking to them that the first round is has ended?!”

I need to at least see the final results here.

“Alright, it’s time to announce the 25 classes that have qualified for the second round.” The female announcer says.

“The First team to qualify is...”

Who would the first team be?

“...The Class of 1-A Team 1 with 15 students!”

They were first huh? I sigh.

“They won with an overwhelming number of 1465 points!”

“The Second team to qualify-“

The qualifications continued. I waited and waited and waited for it.

I stood right in front of the television as I saw the numbers pop up on my screen and in just a few minutes we were at class twenty-four.

“Now, the final class who qualified for the second round is...”

The announcer looks to be surprised, “Ara, what’s this? This class has not taken a single paintball shot in the whole match? That’s right, the Class 1-A Team 2 with 5 students with 620 points.” The announcer says.

“Huhuhu...” I can’t believe it...I can’t hold myself for thinking they will be knocked out.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!!!” I am an idiot! Those bunch of idiots really made me worry.

“Unbelievable! Not even a single shot! Hihi!”

XXXXXX

Izumi stood in a corner with a smile, “I have never seen Sir Dan so happy...”

Izumi walks away, “Don’t worry Sir Dan, we will win the second round as well. Just like we planned and even this tournament.” Izumi walks silently as she whispers to herself giggling and chuckling through the way.