Chapter 8

Shortly after entering their classroom, the teacher came strolling in as he told the room full of his students to quiet down. "No class, who can tell me what is coming up in three months?" he asked as many hands were raised, including Damien's.

"Marissa, you can tell the class since it seems that some of your classmates are unaware." The teacher called on a girl that had long red hair with a large smile. Like Damien, she was twelve years old, and she wore a blue skirt and long socks.

"Yes, Mr Williams," Marissa responded as she stood up from her seat. "In three months, a school-wide tournament will begin. The top three students who appear from each year's class will be able to win a variety of rewards. Those in the beginner classes will compete while those from the advanced classes will compete against one another."

"Like our predecessors, we can use this tournament to not only test our own personal strength but to also show off our potential to VIP guests. Even if we are unable to win a reward, if a VIP guest shows interest in us, it would be a guarantee for us to enter the tower one day." Finishing her explanation, Marissa sat back down as the class went into an uproar.

"Very good Marissa. There were many instances where VIP guests from the tower would take on personal disciples in the history of our school-wide tournaments. Although in most cases, they would choose from the top performers in each year's tournament, it still does not mean that you would not be chosen if you were not to place in the top three of your class." Mr Williams explained before starting the lesson of the day.

-Several hours later-

"And because of that hero, we were able to slaughter many of the dark church's top levelled individuals. It was even to the point where the war between both our side and theirs, would end. If the dark church was unable to sacrifice such a pure-hearted woman at the last minute, this war would have ended quite a few years ago."

"Do not worry, because as far as the towers are concerned, the longer the war lasts, the further we can build our influence. The goal, however, will always be to destroy the dark church and any who are found to not have that goal above all others will be put on trial immediately."

"Remember my students, strength and influence is only awarded to those who remain pure and are willing to destroy the darkness of this world. Now, all of you go to take your lunch breaks before your next class. Homework for tonight is to study up to chapter two of the Trials of Glory book. In tomorrow's class, we will be going over what you have all taken from the first two chapters." The teacher said as he dismissed the class.

Damien stayed behind with Morty and their friend Joel as they started to talk among themselves about the upcoming tournament.

"Damien you are always hiding your true strength and train so much more than the rest of us. The winner of our class obviously goes to you, but maybe I will get to second place with ease. Since I am the son of a noble family that runs the coal mines of a city not far from the capital." Joel said in a teasing tone. He was equivalent to the class clown and would use his sarcasm to attract laughter from others.

"Oh yeah Joel, you will easily take second place, even though your swordsmanship is so lacking, that it would make one of your servants back home cry for having such a master," Morty responded with a large smirk on his face as he winked at Damien.

"I think all of us will do very well. I peeked at all the other classes and only a small handful of those students would give you trouble. On the other hand, there are many squire levelled individuals that would even give me a lot of trouble. My instructor told me that I would receive a passing grade from him if I were to place in the top three." Cutting into the conversation now, Damien had a weird glow in his eyes.

"Squire level students in our grade? I can barely learn a basic sword technique, but there are those who already attained the advanced level in their swordplay? At this rate, I am most likely to take over my family business for a time before I die full of regrets!" Joel cried out as he slapped his face in anger before running out of the classroom with determination in his eyes to train harder.