The day of the competition had arrived
The academy was buzzing, filled to the brim with students from all over the Listeria Magical Academy and its relations.
Each faction is distinguished by the colors of its students' garments.
West Allura with their ever dignified Gold and violet accents to represent their pride as the chief nobles, ruling over the entire kingdom and its denizens of demi-humans.
East Allura with Green and brown accents to represent the demi-humans' race and their closeness to nature.
Sorusha's party came in Obsidian and Silver accents, signifying their simplistic way of life.
And finally, Listeria Academy with Crimson and Cerulean, proud of their history of excellence when it comes to magical talents.
However, this year, all attention was on the West Allura's part and their prodigy Hana.
Her presence in the grand gathering of the party mages in the arena signaled loud cheers from everyone in attendance.
It could be heard on the outside, it could be heard all the way to the kingdom city. Her records were nothing short of record-breaking, and the crowd fully expected her to put on a show.
"Hohoo...what do ya' know, she's making a splash in y'er own backyard eh Habi?" Bisky jokingly called out Habiki
"You don't exactly win any prizes for loud cheers in the gathering, Bisky," Habiki bluntly replied.
The gathering was a ceremony where all the participating mages put up a show for the audience in preparation for the event.
It is not one for competition, but there've been many a time participating parties use this occasion as a platform to display their overwhelming strength to frighten their opposition.
The ceremony hadn't started yet, and it was fair to say West Allura was already on the front foot thanks to Hana.
"I can't believe I made it this far Maya-bae! hehee I've always dreamt of participating in the gathering after watching videos of Tessa all those years ago." Louise said to Maya.
"Well, Ms. Tessa was a sage in the making, it's to be expected her showing matched her status. But remember, the gathering is just the opening event, don't exhaust yourself getting caught up in the occasion, alright?" Maya replied.
"Hehe, I can't make any promises," she chuckled, visibly buzzing.
"Doesn't matter," Jhun interrupted, fixing his lenses. "So long as we follow the plan, we're safe. We don't need to win all events."
"2nd place in all the others will do, our aim is the party combat event worth 100 points."
Jhun addressed the team, "So, rein in your excitement and channel it to what matters, Louise, I will not let you be the weak link in this team for the 3rd time."
"Ack! That's harsh, what about Bi!! She's the one who usually doesn't give an eff about our plans!!" Louise argued
"Hoho, way to snitch on me, Lou, real friendship going on 'ere," Bisky said with a cheeky grin.
Jhun sighed, "Hard as it is to admit, that was our fault for not seeing the best use case for her abilities. Instructor Naruki's plan will address that."
Louise frowned and looked away, "humph! so I'm not the weak link, we just had bad plans all along"
"Why you-"
"That's enough, you two. I know the crowd is fully mesmerized by Hana right now, but we can't afford to make fools out of ourselves here. The gathering is about to begin." Habiki reprimanded both of them.
"Look, the headmaster is about to deliver his speech."
Habiki directed their attention to the seats on the 2nd floor of the wide ceremonial grounds. The headmaster had just left his sit and was walking forward to address everyone present.
"Welcome, my future sages, to this year's magic competition, hosted by Listeria Academy, headquarters of our world's most grandeur cultural inheritance."
He said and carried on with a speech about the history of their magic and the sages that came before them.
The exploits they had overseen and how useful the cycle of training mages is to the survival of the 3 kingdoms against the might of the demons.
All along, Habiki was looking around to see if she could spot Naki. The other instructors were in the seats around the headmaster, including those from the other schools. All but Naki.
"(Hmm...it seems he's begun the mission)" she thought.
And indeed he was, for switching to the Academy's warehouse, we find Naki scouting at the entrance for a possible way in.
Listeria Academy - Warehouse Entrance
A tall building with well-barred windows and sturdy steel walls, protecting the various rewards to be given by the end of the competition to its victors.
4 guards manned the warehouse entrance and one would argue this wasn't enough for such a valuable structure at this time of the year.
However, these 4 guards were not your ordinary guards.
There were 4 alumni of the schools who could not become sages, but were powerful enough to attempt it. They were the very best of the rest.
"Tsk, this will not be straightforward without my shadow tricks and crow's visage would it"
Naki muttered as he switched to Lohki's path, indicative of the dark green accents on his sigil hand.
"(I will have to spin the demon of black flames narrative here if I'm to get their attention. I'm sure the headmaster must've notified them of him.)"
Naki pulled a small blade from his waist and examined the edge, touching is softly with his thumb, and just that small touch was enough to injure him.
A testament to its sharpness.
"(I can't keep hurting myself like this. I have to ensure by the time I'm in and out, I'm not covered in bruises and stitches like some mummified puppet)"
He took a deep breath and bit his lip, placing the blade on his left palm.
"(Alright, here goes)"
Zoom in on the entrance, and a short while later, one of the 4 guards spotted a shadow Naki walking calmly towards them from a distance.
"Hmm? What's that??" the guard said, getting the others' attention.
The shadow Naki approached with a smile
"A being of shadow...could it be??" one of the other guards replied and stepped forward, raising their guard.
The shadow Naki then suddenly picked up the pace and burst forward, then 7 others joined him from the side, as altogether they numbered 8, approaching the guards
"Tsk, they're attacking!!!"
"Hurry, bar the entrance, we must not let anyone through!!!"
The guards started barking orders and assuming combat positions as the shadows approached.
Was Naki among them?
Would they bar the gate in time before he makes it through? the guards couldn't tell, as they stood ready for battle against what they believed to be the shadow demon.