Tournament Day 2 Part 1

The second day for tournament events started off a bit differently for Cecilia. She was in high spirits and felt more confident. Before leaving, she greeted Viola and they talked for a while. She didn't get a chance to thank Viola the night before so she made sure to do so this time around. Aside from that, they didn't really talk about anything important but it still made Cecilia happy. She felt that she was becoming closer to Viola. She was someone she aspired to be like, strong and respectable. Cecilia didn't want to get ahead of herself but to her, Viola was starting to feel like an older sister.

Cecilia left earlier than the others in the castle who would be attending the tournament. As she was leaving she would sneakily skip a few times while trying to avoid the eyes of others. While she was still a little nervous, that feeling couldn't hold her back. The others left soon after with the exception of Lady Bodum. She hadn't forgotten about the task the Queen gave her and her plan was just about ready to be executed. Hayden was usually holed up in his room but on some days like today, he went out.

Lady Bodum waited for her people to inform her of when Hayden left. Knowing him, Lady Bodum knew that she wouldn't have much time to carry out her plan. After she got the confirmation that he had left and was a decent distance away, Lady Bodum got the ball rolling. She rushed to his room with her people in tow. A few men and women followed her and some of them seemed to carry large covered objects and bags filled with something. The few guards that noticed Lady Bodum knew that it was better to believe that they never saw her. Once Lady Bodum got to Hayden's room, one of her people opened the door for her, she then entered and the others followed. Once they were all in, the door was quickly shut.

"Let's get started…" said Lady Bodum slowly with a smirk on her face.

While Lady Bodum was busy carrying out her plan, Hayden was in a small pub in the city meeting with someone. The pub was crowded but Hayden and his associate still managed to get a table. They sat in a corner of the establishment away from all the commotion and only ordered beers in order to keep curious eyes off of them. Hayden wore plain clothes similar to what commoners would usually wear and his associate wore a black hood, only revealing a part of his face. The pub was noisy and they could barely hear themselves but it was good enough. At least this way there would be a lower chance of someone overhearing their conversation.

Hayden ran his finger around the rim of his glass. He then took a sip of his beer. "Are there any issues with the preparations?"

"Not at all! No worries, sir, it's all going according to plan."

"... The fact that we're having this meeting. Did he arrive safely?"

"Yes. They've already started getting everything that they'll need but given their current situation, it will take some time after all."

"No matter, as long as it can be done. This kingdom has been peaceful for far too long. It's time we stir things up a bit."

Hayden and his associate talked for some time. As Hayden had hoped, no one paid much attention to them. The second day of the Briswold Academy tournament was already well underway and they were in the middle of the group hunt activity. Hayden glanced at the projection screen every now and then. The Princess seemed to be doing well. The Princess, his niece…

Hayden's mind started to wander, to days of his past that he thought he had forgotten. He could picture children running, a young boy and girl, they were in open fields, laughing, smiling happily. One of them fell but the other helped her up. They're kind children. They're... his children?

Hayden was awoken from his daze by a waitress who was checking to see if they wanted refills. Hayden's associate paid the bill then after the waitress left, they finished their conversation. On their way out, they were stopped by something one of the men in the pub said.

"Why does it seem like there are less animals there than last year? The kids are having a hard time finding all the animals required for the hunt."

Another man soon chimed in. "Yeah, you're right! But maybe they wanted to make it more difficult this year? I mean it's the Briswold Academy after all!"

The men continued to observe and comment.

Hayden turned to his associate who was walking closely behind him. "... Have your men find a new location right away."

"Yes, sir!"

After Hayden and his associate left the pub, they went their separate ways. Rather than heading to the castle immediately however, Hayden walked through the streets pensively. The place he grew up now seemed so foreign to him. Was it because of what happened in the past? Was it because of all he had seen on his travels? Hayden saw many smiling faces as he walked and yet, rather than feeling happy, these smiling faces felt like needles pricking him endlessly. Their ignorant smiling faces, their filled stomachs, their relaxed attitude, it all pissed him off.

Back at the B.A.D Box, the members of the royal family, Viola, other generals and related people were in a spacious, luxurious room set up for their viewing of the day's event. Since the second day's event was a hunt, attendees were placed in large comfortable rooms with multiple projections so they could see what was taking place. Rather than having the hunt indoors as with the first event, it had to take place in the outer forest of the kingdom so the participants wouldn't be restricted. The outer forest was a large, lush forest which almost all types of animals inhabited. There were many caves, lakes, rivers, tall thick trees, shrubs and more. It was also a great place for the participants to utilize their camouflage, ambush and tracking skills. For the event, participants were placed in groups of 6 to 7 people. All groups had to hunt the same ten animals. Points would be given based on the number of animals each group was able to capture, one point per animal, and for groups that captured all ten animals, each member would receive an additional ten points. The required animals ranged from black tree snakes and purple billed ducks to evolved animals such as eight-eyed monkeys. With the appearance of the Blossoms and changes to their kingdom's structure and ecosystem, many animals evolved or some would say they mutated. These animals would have rich nutritive value and were helpful in locating various crystals. This was due to the fact that these animals would often form their dwellings close to large formations of magic crystals.

The Princess was in a group with neutral members. They weren't the type to gossip and didn't particularly seem to have any thoughts on her ability, they only wanted to get the best results possible. Thanks to this, they were able to work well with each other. Those that were knowledgeable on the various habitats of the animals helped with tracking and the others helped with capture. Things were going smoothly for the most part but that was mainly because they had yet to start hunting for the more difficult to find animals. One of the most difficult was the red and orange spotted ferret. In the past participants have tried hunting for it first as well as last, with varying results. It wasn't that there were very few of these ferrets, it's just that they were very good at hiding. They would be one of the animals that would help to decide the outcome of the event, as groups would often fight for or steal these from other competitors. Fights would get even more intense as the four hour time limit grew close.

While the participants were working up a sweat in the forest, it was a different case for Viola and the others in their rooms at the B.A.D Box. Aside from observing and commenting on the participants' performances, every now and then when there wasn't much happening, they would talk amongst themselves.

General Willey was overjoyed to see Viola again. She spent much time talking to her which left the princes and General Blare looking sour. Viola and General Willey didn't seem to pay them much attention though. While they talked, every now and then General Blare would butt in. He did it as sweetly and subtly as was possible for him. The princes couldn't believe their eyes. Was that the same hot-head?

After some time, General Willey could no longer bear General Blare's interruptions and said goodbye to Viola. After the two left, the Second Prince got up for a moment. He came back with a broad smile on his face. The Second Prince had a large plate filled with a variety of different small snacks.

"Here, try this Vi!" encouraged the second prince as he lifted a snack towards Viola.

Viola looked at the snack for a moment then ate it from the Second Prince's hand. As she did, her lips and tongue brushed against the Second Prince's fingers. The Second Prince remained motionless, as though in shock but his face became as red as a plump tomato in a matter of seconds.

"Can we do that too?" asked General Blare to General Willey.

"No."

Upon hearing her blunt response, General Blare tried putting on a sad puppy face but General Willey remained unphased.

General Blare exhaled lightly then smiled. "I guess that's one of the things I love about you."

"S-shut up," said General Willey as she tried to hide her blushing face.

The Second Prince had now come to his senses but couldn't stop his racing heart.

"That was delicious," said Viola as she reached for another snack from the plate.

After witnessing this, the Crown Prince couldn't help but try his luck. He got up to get a plate but was stopped by the Queen.

"My, it seems the Crown Prince is hungry. Shouldn't one of you be serving him?" said the Queen in a cold tone as she looked towards the workers.

The terrified workers quickly rushed over to the Crown Prince with their platters.

"No need, I've lost my appetite…"

The atmosphere now felt a bit stifled. The King looked over at the princes and Viola then knitted his brows.

Suddenly one of the Generals drew their everyone's attention back to the projections. The event was nearing its end and the participants were going after the more difficult animals to hunt. All eyes were now locked onto the Princess's group. The Princess and another group had cornered the red and orange spotted ferret. A member of the Princess's group trapped the tail using earth magic and a member of the other group trapped the ferret's legs using water magic. While they weren't there in person, the viewers could feel the tension.The Princess's group was now faced with a choice. Would they fight or walk away?