ALL NOVEL Details of the next event
Emilia has asked for my presence. This must be about the event that will be happening at the end of this month. I sent Melanie to the classroom as usual as Sylvia and I went to the office. As we enter, Emilia was the only one inside.
“Emilia, I believe you have something for me?”
“Yes Mistress. The school has decided on the next event. It will be a martial tournament.”
As I expected, the second month features a simple tournament.
“Since it is still early in the school year, the tournament will be separated by grade.”
The upperclassmen were too strong as we only just arrived in the school. Obviously, this does mean that there may be another tournament in the future that consists of all grades.
“It will span on 3 days. The first day will be preliminaries between all interested students. Then the second day will feature the top 8 having fights until the final 2. On the last day, the battle for third and first place will occur.”
“And what if people get injured and cannot compete even if they won?”
“Then they shall forfeit.”
That is the most important detail. You must be very careful. If you do win but you are injured, there is a chance you will need to forfeit if it is a severe injury.
“How will the top 8 be decided?”
“The preliminary matches will have something like a round robin. All participants will face different opponents and those with the most wins will be in the top 8. In the event of ties, there would be additional matches.”
“I see.”
“Will the mistress not be joining this time? Participation is not mandatory so I will not request for your presence.”
I am weak after all. Even in the game, I never join the tournament. But I am not that person, not anymore.
“No, Emilia. I will be joining.”
“Of course, do not worry for I-“
Emilia’s eyes widen as she understands my words. Sylvia speaks up in her silence.
“Wait, Mistress. That is dangerous. You should not join, you cannot win.”
“Please listen to your maid, mistress. There is no prize. People will join it just for training or vanity. There is no advantage for you to join this tournament.”
“I am not asking. I am telling you that I will join this tournament.”
I have a plan, a very risky plan but what is life if there is not risk. Besides, I have noticed that people are starting to get used to my presence. I should remind all of them who I am.
“Emilia, do you have control on the match ups?”
“To a certain extent, mistress.”
“Do you know the students of this academy?”
“Yes, I make sure to familiarize myself on all of them as much as possible.”
“Then, it is easy.”
“Easy?”
“Yes. Do not worry yourself. I do not plan on winning the whole thing. My goal is only to be within the top 8.”
“Within the top 8? No offense, mistress but I do not believe that you can win even once.”
“That is where you are wrong, Emilia. All you must do is rig the matches.”
Her eyes widen and I smile at her. She shivers, of course.
“Make sure that all the students that will face me are afraid of me. Afraid of my position, afraid of my reputation, afraid of potentially harming me. You can do that much, yes?”
“I could but what if they suddenly change. What if they become brave?”
“Then my maid will protect me. You will, right Sylvia?”
“Uh, yes mistress.”
“There you go. Once again, I am not asking you. I am telling you to do it.”
“I understand, mistress.”
“Good. Make sure to check all of them and give me a list of what exactly they fear from me. I can make them forfeit the match without lifting a finger.”
Emilia stops to think and frowns.
“Is there a problem, Emilia?”
“Mistress, you do understand that this will not go unnoticed? Someone will definitely find out or at least speculate.”
“Is that a problem? They can do nothing to me.”
“What about the prince?”
“Do not worry. We are betrothed after all. I can handle him if he wishes to raise an issue.”
“I understand.”
“Speaking of the prince, if both of us do get in the top 8, make sure that we face each other in the beginning.”
“What?”
“Do not worry. I do not plan to win. I just want to do a performance for him.”
Even though I am not particularly interested in him, I do need to at least interact with him a bit more. What I plan to do would be fun to watch, at least for me. Lyn will also be troubled by it so it is a win-win in my book.
“I understand, mistress.”
“Good. I shall be leaving then. Make sure to send me the list of the participants before it all begins.”
“Yes, mistress. We shall be announcing the registration soon.”
“And I do not need to participate in this registration, correct?”
“Of course, mistress. I will make sure that you are entered even before it starts.”
“Good. Let us go now, Sylvia.”
Sylvia and I leave the office and as we are walking through the hallway, I notice red hair running about. Those girls probably took something from her again. We arrive in class and Melanie spoke to me.
“They’re doing it again.”
“What is it this time?”
“From what I hear, they took away her chair.”
They took the chair? Those girls are truly playing with fire. It is one thing to hiding personal belongings but that chair is school property. If they damage those, they will be in trouble. That is a problem for them in the future. For now, I am perfectly content in letting them do their own thing. They should enjoy it while it lasts.
“I see. Good work, Melanie.”
Melanie nods and goes back to her seat. Now, how should I do this?