After I explained what I saw in that abyss to Tristan and the presence that scared me away, she understood why I wanted to find a way to return home and confirm my real body's condition.
That might be just my excuse, but I didn't think much about it anymore. The Goddess' clue made me think that what I saw was just an illusion from that creature who gave me fear.
Though that wasn't too important, and it became my long-term goal to visit the other borders.
Tristan and I parted ways after we had lunch.
She said she wanted to rest because the psychological exhaustion from the morning raid was just a bit too much and made her tired.
Naturally, I wished her a fast recovery.
I didn't need to worry about her as I knew Tristan could handle it, especially since she had experienced that hell when she first transmigrated, and the fact she didn't actually kill them permanently.
But for some reason, she said for me to look forward to the near future before she left. Was she talking about duels?
Days passed quickly. Eliza often stayed with Emilia after school to learn general knowledge and magic. The church was busy with the aftermath, dealing with the new prisoners and dealing with spreading the news about them.
They also took almost all the pink lotion from every city, locating them and confiscating them. Of course, those who got addicted already were asked to come to the church to receive treatment for free. It wasn't their fault for being ignorant.
As for me, I relaxed at home. I had already talked with Duke Blacktomb and Pope Juriel. Though I wanted to know how the Duke would mask his unpleasant aura when he showed up in the final of the Annual Tournament later, I could just ask him in the near future.
When I thought about it again, didn't his daughter, Naya, have no unpleasant aura? She actually had no Sins? What an oddball of a girl.
For the last 2 days, because everyone was looking forward to the Annual Tournament, only Garcia and Cecil accompanied me at night, alternatively. Vivian was still a bit reserved and didn't want to ask me to sleep with her directly yet.
And then… The day of the Annual Tournament arrived.
There were many venues. But the biggest and most crowded one was the Virtue Royal Academy training area, now open to the public.
A crowd filled the spectators' seats. Inside, the hall was filled with excitement and shout. Everyone was waiting for the close-range weapon tournament. This was a once-a-year tournament that everyone, students and citizens, had been waiting for equally.
Those who participated were given a room based on their Academies. However, for some reason, I wasn't with them.
Instead, I was called by the headmistress Alesia and was asked to sit beside her on the special balcony for the Virtue Royal Academy. She was wearing a long robe on top of her usual black dress.
There were five similar ones for the other headmistress of each academy, and I could finally see how they looked.
Starting from our right was the Castitas Academy's headmistress. Unsurprisingly, it was my beloved Archbishop Sana who attended. She was wearing a full dress with a long skirt and her usual black coat. When I looked over, she waved her hand at me with a smile. Ertha accompanied her in her nun clothes.
On the next balcony was Temperantia Academy's headmaster. He had a scar across his face, which was rare in this world. His look screamed that he was a real knight and had a sturdy build. He wore a white and yellow uniform that looked similar to a knight's. No one was accompanying him.
Then there was Diligentia's headmaster. As its name implied, the headmaster looked like an intelligent person wearing a monocle, and his black hair was combed back tidily. A secretary-looking woman was wearing glasses, and her brown hair was tied in a bun standing behind him. She was holding a notebook.
Then there was Humanitas Academy's headmistress. She looked like a kind woman wearing a modest green dress. Her long dark green hair was tied in a braid, and a man with dark hair and a white sideburn accompanied her. Both of them looked rather modest in terms of appearance.
If I remember correctly, most commoners went to Humanitas Academy because it was the easiest. However, that didn't mean that no one in Humanitas Academy was talented. In fact, the middle-aged man sitting beside the Humanitas headmistress was the strongest person beside Alesia and me in this hall.
Then there was Patientia Academy's headmaster. The balcony he used was covered in gaudy decorations that made me look at Alesia.
'What the hell is that?' I asked with a side glance.
"They decorate it themselves." She replied without moving her gaze from the arena.
"Are they trying to show off?"
"Isn't that natural?" Alesia turned to me with a 'Are you joking' look. She couldn't understand why I asked that, and she continued. "They are filled with nobles. And that new headmas– the blond pig who just sat in his seat a year ago said they are better than us and proposed this joint tournament."
So that was why Alesia was bent on winning this time, more than ever. It was because that pig was getting his status on his head and provoked her. She even corrected the way she called him the blond pig.
Once again, I looked at the obese headmaster, who wore a gaudy blue suit and gold accessories. He was sitting on a red sofa even though the others were sitting on a red chair, which was already good enough for a noble.
Also, unlike the others who brought their secretary or their Vice-head. But that pig brought three maids with him to serve him red wine and snacks. His smile was also disgusting as he looked over the other headmistress.
'Now I understand why Sana and Alesia wear something that covers their skin.' I nodded in understanding as the pig, Patientia Academy's headmaster, looked at me with a rather strange smile.
My body shuddered as I broke my eye contact with him to turn at Alesia.
"So why am I here?" I asked, "I need to join the preliminary for the close-range tournament, no?"
"You don't need to join the preliminary. One slot is reserved for you to pass to the final already. Every headmaster agrees to let you pass to the final without joining the preliminary."
"Why?" I asked once again with a confused tone.
"It's because our Virtue Royal Academy is the best," Alesia replied with a proud smile.
"And the real reason is?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes because I knew that wasn't the real reason.
"Patientia Academy's headmaster raised a topic not to let you join the tournament because it would be unfair. But Archbishop Sana and I defended that you are still a student and thus allowed to join the tournament. And after a long discussion, we just decided to let you enter the final so you don't target other students in the royale.
"It's reasonable because it will be unfair if my Royal Academy gets all 20 slots because you only knock other academies' students in the preliminary. It's a shame, though. I want to see all my students enter the final." The headmistress let out a long sigh because she had lost the chance to show off.
"Hahaha…" I only laughed and looked at Sana.
I knew it was her true nature to want her academy to be the best. However, it wasn't wrong that I planned to knock everyone out in the preliminary. Yes, everyone, including the students of the Royal Academy too.
"I guess that's truly a shame," I said, turning my attention to the host who entered the arena holding a microphone magic item.
"Yes, it is." Alesia nodded in agreement without knowing what I thought.
The host stood in the middle of the arena and looked up. Taking a deep breath, he then shouted.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Are you ready for the first Annual Tournament of the six Academies?! If so, raise your voice!!"
The hall immediately was filled with shouts full of excitement from the crowd. The host looked satisfied as he lowered his hand that he put around his ear.
"Alright!" He shouted, full of energy. "Without further ado, I announce that the Annual Tournament of the Six Academies is officially starting!"
