The Stadium

-----Kaede's POV

The weekend went by without many issues. Word of my familiar has traveled throughout the school while we were training, making me seem even more of a celebrity as even lower class nobles feared to approach me during our practice sessions at the training area. Not that it really matters since I'm happy with the people I've gotten to know already, and of course Yui.

My hunger has settled down somewhat, but I still need to take in Yui's blood daily, but I'm relieved to know that my body has balanced out, leaving Yui fine for the most part after I drink from her. Even though Yui says it's fine, I'm still anxious about it getting as bad as before. I need to ensure I don't kill her for the sake of satiating my thirst.

Right now though I'm making my way to the classroom, along with Mai who has refused all this time to go back inside me.

Kaede: "You know you'll make a scene."

Mai: "I know. I've said this countless times already, but I want people to know of my Kaede's greatness."

Kaede: "Ugh~"

Mai: "It's not like word hasn't spread, there's no point in hiding me right?"

Kaede: "Have it your way."

Mai: "Will do!"

She smiled away at me before I walk through the doorway into class. Almost immediately we garnered all the attention from the students inside as all their eyes fixated on us.

Mai: "Good morning everyone!"

I panic at Mai's sudden declaration as I'm unsure of whether I should rush to my desk or shut her up. The other students began to gossip with each other. Realizing it was too late to, I just take my seat.

Classmate1: "It's true, it can speak."

Classmate2: "It's not a familiar right? This is ridiculous."

Classmate: "To think a commoner would summon something as crazy as that, how is she not a noble?"

I overhear some of the chit chat as I remain silent, with Mai choosing to stand behind me as if she's my escort or bodyguard before Julius finally shows up.

Julius: "Alright! Oh- Kaede, is that your rumored familiar?"

Kaede: "Ye-"

Mai: "Correct. I'm Kaede's familiar, nice to meet you."

Julius: "Wow, so it's true. But why are they out?"

Kaede: "Because-"

Mai: "It's stuffy inside her so I prefer to be out like this. Will that be a problem?"

Julius: "No no, that's okay... huh."

I'm getting slightly annoyed with Mai cutting me off, but at least she's not saying anything strange.

Julius: "Well, back on topic! Congratulations to all who have reached the top 64. Beating the 2nd and 3rd years isn't an easy thing to accomplish so I hope I can watch you guys push further. We'll be heading to the stadium on the first bell, be sure to stick close together as a group while we head over."

I'm thankful to hear that we would be going today, since it would've been dangerous to drink Yui's blood this early. I just hope we can find a place near the stadium to do it.

Julius: "Violet von Crestel and Kaede, you two seem to be the only ones still in the winner's bracket so you along with the other winner's will be fighting after lunch in the higher seeds. Everyone who is no longer in the tournament can follow me and the other teachers. Headmaster Lucian will be overseeing the matches so we'll all be watching from the spectator seats."

After Julius' briefing, the first bell rang signaling us to begin our travel to the stadium. I remember seeing some large scale building when we went to kill that man at one of the mansions when I first came to Inasdale, so I have a hunch of where it might be.

We walked out of the academy gates with our classes as I start to look around for Yui, but there's so many students that it's quite difficult, even with my sharper senses. I'm not too worried since we'll both be going to the same place but it would've been nice to walk over with her-

Yui: "Kaede!"

I instantly turn around to the voice as Yui began to shuffle through the crowd of students as we walked.

Kaede: "I thought you were up ahead"

Yui: "Nah, but it was cute seeing you look around for me."

My face felt flushed from being called cute along with Yui now grabbing hold of my hand whilst we walked.

Yui: "Let's do our best yeah?"

Kaede: "M-mhmm!"

Yui: "Cute."

Kaede: "You don't need to say it twice!"

Yui: "Course I do."

Kaede: "...Unfair."

Mai: "My my~ I'm beginning to like you more Yui. I hope to see more reactions like this from her."

Yui: "Mmm! It's cute right?"

Mai: "Very"

What is even happening, there are people all around us and they seem to have no care in the world, teaming up against me like this. To think the Yui/Mai combo would be this strong. But at the same time I'm happy, being able to feel like this despite who I am. Feeling content with it, I tighten my hold on Yui's hand, bringing her closer as we walk shoulder to shoulder.

-----Luna's POV

It's getting less painful nowadays looking at Ellen together with Kaede. It just feels so natural between the two of them that It would be rude of me to get in the way again, so instead I chose to walk with George and Mark. During my talk with Mark the other day, I found out that it wasn't Ellen he fancied, but actually Kaede. It made me happy to know that he isn't a potential rival, but also because we share the same unrequited love for the both of them. It's through this hardship that I've started to enjoy Mark's company, but our conversations are mainly about Ellen and Kaede, and our hopeless love.

Luna: "George you're still in the tournament right?"

George: "No sadly. I'll be watching you with everyone else though."

Mark: "Yeah, so be sure to kick ass out there."

Luna: "I'll try haha."

It's nice to have people cheer for you like this, I just hope mom and dad are able to make it. I hope they told Nick about it as well, I want to show him how far his little sister has gotten.

-----Yui's POV

It took us roughly 20 minutes to walk from the academy's gates to the stadium's entrance as there was an incredible line of people gathering outside of it. They looked to all be from the common district of the city as their clothes didn't match what you'd find royalty or nobles to wear. I'd imagine the nobles arrived through another entrance and possibly having their own designated seats. Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of Luna's parents along with Nick and Alice close beside them, waving out to us, it was nice to see Alice's face after all this time. I look behind me as I could see Luna smiling brightly as she waves back. I give them wave back until Headmaster Lucien stopped us at one of the entrances.

Lucien: "Alright, participants this way!"

Teacher1: "Non-participants this way!"

Otho: "And this way too!"

We split up, with the top 64 following Lucien straight with the rest of the students heading up both of the stair cases that probably led to the spectator seats. I clasp Kaede's hand tighter as nerves start to pile up on me, the nerves of finally being able to show my parents how far I've come.

Kaede: "We got this, relax."

Mai: "Agreed, I'm sure you'll make 2nd place easy."

Yui: "Pfft, let me guess, Kaede's going to be the one at 1st place."

Mai: "Correct."

Kaede: "Mmmm~"

Her arrogant attitude towards Kaede's win made my nerves ease up a little bit as we continue our walk further inside.

During our walk, we finally arrive at a door at one of the sides as Lucien guides us inside.

Lucien: "Okay, this is where you participants will be gathered. We begin with the lower seedings first for today, so students who were in the winner's bracket can just head through this door which will take you up to the low level seats for you to watch your fellow classmates. With that said, good luck everyone! I'll be calling out names once the seats have been filled."

With that, Lucien left us there to ourselves as everyone began to chit chat with one another. I bring Kaede along with me to see Luna, which in turn brought Mai with us as well.

Yui: "Good to see your parents showed up!"

Luna: "Mhmm! I'm glad that Nick managed to come as well. Oh and Alice, I saw her as well!"

Yui: "Yeah, it was unexpected but I'm glad that she's here as well, even if it makes me more nervous having to perform in front of my teacher haha."

Luna: "I wouldn't worry, you're amazing Ellen, and Alice will see it as well."

We smile at each other as we talk amongst ourselves, waiting for the matches to begin.