The students at Homemonworth will go home as quickly as possible after the final exams to celebrate the holidays, unless they encounter Frost Festival or other happy events.
The second semester of 1444 is still a whole day away, but everyone is still eager to return home. When Griffith got up in the morning, there were almost no students having breakfast in the cafeteria. The port of the small town outside the school is full of fast boats. The heirs of famous families can't even wait for the Feiye at noon tomorrow and are ready to escape on the commercial fast boats early tomorrow morning.
Griffith was carrying two large packages and dragging a box. It was filled with Galadia and Sonia's clothes and books, and had to be sent to the port for shipment in advance. According to school regulations, students are not allowed to use servants on campus and must go to town to hire porters.
He stumbled down the stairs of the girls' dormitory and almost rolled down halfway. Lana was already waiting on the first floor, guarding his and Fiona's luggage.
Last night, Larmore and Count Chalon specially asked everyone to travel together, and also asked Griffith and Lanner to be fully armed and vigilant along the way, and not to relax for a moment before reaching home.
"Looking at you like this, I really think one is enough." Lana carried his Zhanma Sword and looked at Griffith, who was packed with bags.
"I also want to put it in a box. This is a lot of stuff." Griffith put the box down and looked up to see if the two girls had come out of the room.
"I'm not talking about the box..." Lana chuckled twice, "Last night was really exciting. We were caught by the provost from outside the school and sent those frightened friends to the infirmary to be intoxicated. water, where the crying did not subside until the early hours of the morning.”
"Well, the images projected by the True Knowledge Crystal Ball are too real, and many people are not mentally prepared," Griffith said with a solemn expression, "Has Fiona been notified?"
"What notification?"
"Isn't there a notice to participate in a mysterious memorial ceremony? That's great." Griffith saw that Lana didn't know anything about it, and he felt more relaxed. "Sonia didn't receive it either. But Galadia did. News, an important competition will be announced today and she is one of the chosen ones.”
…
In the evening, the Hall of Homemonworth was still as resplendent as ever. The gleaming porcelain and silver goblets shone in the light of hundreds of candles. The four long tables were filled with whispering people. student. At the front of the hall, professors sat at table five, facing their students.
They looked serious and didn't say a word. If the lights in the hall are extinguished, people will definitely think that they have arrived at an unknown haunted house.
The expressions on the professors' faces were like this, which made people feel that disaster was imminent.
"Lana Lana," Fiona leaned over and asked her trainee knight in a low voice, "Is it after 12 o'clock? We are on holiday. Can we sneak out? I want to go home."
"There was an access control six days ago in the morning. It was against the rules to leave school before." Lana replied softly, then patted her shoulder gently, "Don't worry, I think what happens next has nothing to do with you."
Maybe the real thing has nothing to do with Fiona... Griffith stared at the professor in front of him.
Professor Lordes, who was pale and had messy black hair, was scanning the students with vulture-like eyes, as if he could find his food right away. He had just been promoted to Head of Subjects and was now a close confidant of Headmaster Tiberion, almost reaching Salorian's position.
Next to the professor sat the principal, his silver hair shining in the candlelight. He was wearing a gorgeous white robe embroidered with complex magic patterns. His slender insect-like fingers were held together, holding his chin, staring at the enchanted ceiling.
Griffith also looked up at the ceiling, which, under the blessing of a magic spell, could reflect the scenery outside, usually the brilliant night sky with stars. Freshmen who have just entered the school often get so absorbed that they forget to listen to the speech on stage or forget to eat.
But few were willing to look up tonight. Black clouds from the storm rolled on the ceiling, and lightning flashed from time to time, and there were bursts of thunder.
The most powerful being in the world of humans and elves, another of the twelve demigod members who have been in charge of the Arcane Council for many years died last night. This is also the second demigod spellcaster to fall after the Canaanite Archon Lord Velanoi.
The tragic attack has not been made public, but the screaming, crying and frantic witnesses all night long have spread the horrific scene to everyone's ears.
A terrifying being, a demigod in charge of the evil "death" path, has arrived. He is so powerful that he can even kill demigods of the same level.
At this time, Principal Tiberion stood up. There was no need for anyone to urge him, and the hall was silent for a moment.
The principal said:
"Good evening, respected scholars, my lovely students, we are about to usher in the winter vacation tomorrow. On this relaxing night, I am honored to announce to you that a very exciting event is about to be held. It hasn’t been held for at least a century.”
Principal, are you serious? Griffith immediately felt that this respectable demigod was speaking sarcastically. However, the excitement and enthusiasm on Tiberion's face looked very sincere, and he did not seem to be disturbed at all by last night's tragedy.
"Are you kidding me?" Someone suddenly made a noise in the hall.
The person who spoke was a senior in the fourth grade and a well-known figure in the school. Her name is Laura de Lockhaft, and her family has produced several consuls and members of the Arcane Council.
Griffith was unfamiliar with her. But following the sound, a beautiful woman with blond hair can be seen. She has a sexy figure and gorgeous appearance. She is the unshakable number one in her grade, her name is often in the news, she is extremely curious, she is an archaeologist who often does dangerous things, and she is a Sequence 6 extraordinary wizard "Peeper of Secrets".
It can almost be seen as Sonia a few years later.
However, this senior seemed to be scared. She already knew what was going to happen, didn't care about the school rules, and was scared to death.
"Principal, are you kidding me!" She looked at Shutoral beside her, "I don't have a boyfriend yet!"
The tense atmosphere that filled the hall was broken.
Nearly everyone laughed, including Tiberion.
"I'm not joking, Miss Lockhavet," he said. "Now that you mention jokes, I heard a pretty good joke the other day. It was about three noble men sitting in a room, the king, the pope, and the rich man. .Between the three of them, stood a mercenary——"
Madam Marianne, the provost, cleared her throat loudly.
"Well - maybe now's not the time to tell a joke," Tiberion said. "Where did I go? By the way, it's a once-in-a-century event. Some of you don't know what this is about, so I hope those in the know will allow me to explain it a little bit, and that informed students can focus on something else.
"We have received mysterious enlightenment, and the trial that is about to begin is called the Sacrifice of the Chosen One.
"I think this is a friendly competition that originated in the early First Era. Each extraordinary path will select a champion player to represent them and compete in a series of challenges. This is a very secretive competition, and the winner is said to be the winner.
"It's a great way to build bonds among young mages until too many people die and the game is stopped."
"Death count?!" The hall suddenly became noisy. Galadia, who was sitting next to Griffith, perked up her ears and grasped his hand tightly under the table.
Everyone started whispering. If you don't have to die yourself, this competition is really exciting.
"For centuries, wise scholars have explored the nature of the Chosen One's Sacrifice," Tiberion continued. "None of them have been successful. However, what we can be sure of is that the Trialist will be lucky enough to arrive. The origin of the world, this is really a supreme honor. The final winner can even realize any wish."
"The twelve distinguished committees of the Arcane Council will gather and select the contestants. We don't know the location yet, but we can confirm that it will be held during the winter vacation. At that time, every contestant will receive a revelation from the gods."
"I want to participate!" someone shouted.
This is what the demigod himself said, the winner can realize any wish!
Any wish, this is not just a casual talk! At every table, students could be seen either looking intently at Tiberion or whispering excitedly to their neighbors. But when Tiberion spoke again, the hall fell silent again, listening carefully.
"While I know you all want to receive this once-in-a-century honor," he said, "the gods themselves select the chosen ones, and I ask you not to waste your time nominating yourselves."
Tiberion shook the note in his hand: "The oracle has been issued, and in my hands are the names of the three chosen ones. They will participate in this memorial ceremony as the champions and fighters of Homemon Watts. !I'm about to announce it, some of you may already know.
"they are--
"Miss Laura de Rockhavet, take courage, my child, oh my God, someone get her to the infirmary.
“Number two is Aaron Lundylus.”
The white-haired principal nodded with satisfaction to his favorite student, and then looked at the small piece of paper again.
Griffith felt the hand holding him tightly shaking violently.
"Miss Galadia Villanoy," Tiberion read out all the names, "From now on, I suggest that the three of you be prepared, pay attention to safety, get enough rest, and then enjoy this unparalleled honor. In When I was young, I didn't have such good luck.
"Everyone else, you're going to have a fun winter break with me."
…
Halfway through the dinner, Galadia lost her appetite. She was so nervous that she quietly pulled Griffith and asked him to send her back to her room.
The two walked through the cloisters and gardens in the quiet night. There was a faint fragrance floating in the cold air, and Griffith felt that the girl was completely leaning on his arm. The dormitory that used to feel so far away has arrived in the blink of an eye.
"Come up and sit for a while~" Galadia pulled Griffith's sleeve to prevent him from leaving, "Sonia and the others won't come back so soon."
Griffith looked at the small building of the girls' dormitory: "The dormitory manager might stop me."
"Aren't you a transcendent?" Miss Elf bit her lip, "Why do you have to take the stairs~"
Well, you're right... I climbed in through the window. When I go downstairs later, there won't be a captain of halberdiers blocking me... Griffith nodded and let Galadia go up first, while he sneaked up Sneaking around to the garden at the back.
There is a ginkgo tree there, and it is possible to jump from the treetop to the windowsill. Griffith noticed the tree several times.
He carefully observed for a while to make sure there was no one nearby, and then climbed up using his hands and feet.
Griffith's heart was pounding at the thought of going to Galadia's room soon. Thinking again that there was no reporting this time, Sonia and the others would be back at any time, and it suddenly felt even more exciting.
Halfway up the climb, Griffith heard a familiar greeting:
"Good evening, my student."
"Wow——!" Griffith exclaimed and almost fell from the tree. He hugged the tree trunk like a bear that had been attacked by surprise, and looked down. He saw Professor Salorian standing there, looking up at the knight hanging on the tree.
"Can you say a few words before continuing your adventure?"
Griffith immediately slid down from the tree with a red face and stood in front of the demigod: "Please give me instructions, my mentor."
Salorian just pretended not to see the ginkgo tree and the small window upstairs:
“Are you curious why you hold my badge but you are not included in the list of chosen ones that was just announced.
“That’s because the meaning of this badge is not an invitation, but—
"replace."
