Director Vittorio: (Cutting his steak, he said) What will you do now that Christmas is over?
You've won the duel against Azrael, met the students' parents, and seen your mother again.
Now? (chew)
Dav: (Raising an eyebrow) What do you mean "now"?
Once the first semester is over, the academy tournament will begin, and then a month later, the international tournament against all the academies in the world.
I have to toughen up these slackers.
Narrator: A shiver ran down the students' spines as they ate, and their mood shifted quickly.
Vittorio: (Laughing) The semester will end on March 10th, so we have time to squeeze them dry, AHAHAH.
I wonder who the top 10 advancing to the national tournament will be.
Dav: (Asking) Do you know how the tournament will work?
I haven’t looked into it yet.
Vittorio: (Touching his chin) First, the tournament will begin in our academy, and the top 10 must qualify through a first-round duel in same-gender pairs.
In the second round, the academy located in Rome will face ours in a team battle between our top 10.
There will be three ways to win:
1 - If a team knocks out the entire opposing team, they win.
2 - If, by the end of the match, one team has more undefeated members, they win. The same applies to the other side.
3 - If both teams have the same number of remaining members when time runs out, there will be overtime where they must capture a flag before the opposing team.
Allowed equipment: Magical scrolls, items, armor.
Forbidden items and actions: Potions, poison, gas, forbidden spells, attacking someone who has surrendered.
I think I explained it well, no?
Dav: (Playing with his food) So after the first semester and the holidays, I suppose the tournament registrations will begin in early April?
Vittorio: Exactly.
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Narrator: As the conversation between Dav and Vittorio continued, the atmosphere grew tenser, with students beginning to murmur among themselves, aware of the challenges ahead.
The thought of the upcoming tournament unsettled many, but a sense of determination started to surface among the worried faces.
Dav: (Looking at Vittorio with a thoughtful expression) So, that’s how the tournament will be, huh? It won’t be easy for anyone.
Vittorio: (Smirking) Oh, of course, it’ll be anything but easy.
But anyone who enters a tournament like this without preparing for hardship deserves to be eliminated.
Students need to learn what real combat means, not just give their best in a classroom.
The true test is on the battlefield.
Narrator: The table grew quieter as the students reflected on Vittorio’s words.
No one dared to interrupt, but everyone could feel the pressure of the upcoming tournament.
Some eyes gleamed with determination, while others looked more worried.
Dav, however, remained unfazed. He did not fear the tournament; he simply saw it as a necessary step for his students—and for himself.
Dav: (Lifting his head) Alright then. Training starts now, and not just for our champions.
If we want to win, we need to work together, with every team member performing at their best.
Vittorio: (Scratching his chin with a satisfied smile) Exactly.
And as always, true champions reveal themselves in adversity.
I can't wait to see what your students will do, Dav.
Narrator: The tension in the air remained palpable despite the slightly more relaxed atmosphere.
Every word spoken by Dav and Vittorio seemed to echo in the hearts of those listening.
The tournament was not just an opportunity to excel—it was a test that would define who was truly ready for the future, who had the courage to fight for what they desired.
Dav: (Glancing at Elysia and her grandmother, thinking) Those two get along well; they don’t seem worried about the tournament.
Grandmother Melissa: (Smiling) I will craft a beautiful uniform for you with my own hands for the tournament.
I will pour all my magic into it, and it will be wonderful.
Elysia: (Eyes wide, whispering) I can’t wait, Grandma!
Narrator: Valeria and Iris talked the entire time during lunch, but their tired eyes told another story.
Dav watched them, wondering what was causing their exhaustion.
Hours earlier, Valeria and Iris had helped organize the dining hall and assisted the other professors.
They even helped Margherita Bellini cook and serve at the tables.
Dav subtly leaned his head as far as possible across the table and whispered to Vittorio that he would take them to his room so they could rest.
Vittorio nodded, raising his eyebrows repeatedly while making funny faces at Dav.
As lunch drew to a close, the atmosphere, though relaxed, couldn’t completely mask the growing tension.
The discussions about the tournament and the looming challenges, combined with the fatigue evident in Iris and Valeria’s eyes, were taking a toll.
Everyone knew the coming weeks would be far from easy, but at that moment, Dav felt that a little rest was necessary.
Dav: (Looking at Iris and Valeria with both concern and understanding) You both look exhausted.
If you'd like, I’ll take you to my room so you can rest for a bit.
It’s not right for you to overwork yourselves like this.
Iris: (Tired but offering a faint smile) Thank you, Dav.
That would be a real relief.
Valeria: (Nodding, despite her visible exhaustion, not backing down) Yes, we’d appreciate it.
Narrator: The two, utterly drained, followed Dav without hesitation.
Their exhaustion weighed heavily on them, but they couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed by the situation.
Dav’s words and his mother's amused expression as she watched them only made the redness on their faces deepen.
But fatigue soon took over, and their thoughts slowly faded into the haze of exhaustion.
Melissa: (Watching the scene, chuckling to herself with a mischievous smile) Taking a little break, huh, Dav?
Let’s hope they don’t keep you up too late.
(With a sly glance at Iris and Valeria, she let out a quiet laugh.)
Narrator: Dav couldn't help but shake his head with an amused smile, but deep down, he knew Iris and Valeria's exhaustion was something to take seriously.
There was no time to waste on their weary minds; for once, Dav allowed himself to focus solely on their well-being.
Even though their fatigue left him slightly puzzled, he knew that, for now, rest was the most important thing.
END OF CHAPTER 66