After grabbing a poster that included the rules, The Young Man went home to prepare his things for the tournament tomorrow.

“Gods, I never thought such an amazing thing would happen all of a sudden. Joining the Army was only a possibility with Nobles and those with money but...This is my….No….This is OUR chance! I gotta tell Oliver after I finish reading this paper with the rules for the tournament.”

After an hour of traveling from Arcadialesm, The Capital of Calydon, he finally arrived at his hometown, The Village of Rio Azul. The man ran all the way to his house and quickly got comfortable once he entered his sweet home. He then took the notes out of his bag and began to read.

“If you’re reading this, I personally compliment you for your will to join the Knights of Calydon! It’s a GREAT opportunity for you all! I welcome all Citizens of Calydon, regardless of class. The Tournament will be held all over the country! - Sincerely, Prince Aeneas.”

“Ah this is just the introduction….where are the rules...Ah, Here we go!

WARNING: In the Knighthood Tournament, There are 2 Divisions, So Please Read everything carefully to make sure you participate in the correct group.

PRANA: Competitors with Minor Mana and know the way of Prana Arts with weapons such as a Sword, Bow, and Arrow, Lance, or Axe are eligible to participate under the PRANA Category. You can either participate alone or in a group. If you lose, Fear not! You have a chance to redeem yourself in our Final Destination Game: Where Everyone, Winner, or Loser, gets to fight each other! May the Best Fighter or Team Win!

MANA: Competitors who have Major Mana are eligible to participate under the MANA Category. In the Mana Games, Challenges are but not limited to: The Aqua Games, The Flame Challenge, The Earth Challenge, The Wind Challenge, and The Thunder Games, where People of their special element must fight each other in their own element group. If you lose… Fear not! You have a chance to redeem yourself in our Final Destination Game, Just like the PRANA Games.

All the Winners in both Games will get to Join the Knights of Calydon! Note: As stated before, You can join the games in teams, from groups of 2 to 4. However, If you're participating Under the Prana Games and most of your members lose, Do not lose hope! If you have a teammate in the opposite Games and they win, It will count as a victory for the entire team!

PS: Regardless of whether you lost or not, please rally at the capital’s national park when we announce all the winners on the 16th!! We have a very special announcement to make!”

“Huh. This is quite the ambitious tournament...” 

The Young man, scratching his silver hair, was in awe at the amount of consideration and options the tournament had. However, before he could finish reading the last sentence, someone by his window yells his name. 

“Wha-???” the Young man then turns around at the window to see who it was.

“Hey, Sully. ” The Young Man by the window smiles, as the sun brightly shines, clearing the darkness, and revealing the man’s faint shade of white-golden hair and unique clothing. It was his neighbor...and best friend.

“Oliver??? Not cool! You scared me! Where were you?"

The man named Oliver then hopped inside through the window. “Hehe, Sorry. But I was definitely curious as to the paper you had when you came from the capital. A tournament huh… And to top it off, The Victors get to join the Army just like that, regardless of class. Do you know what that means?!”

Sully then replied. “Of course I do! This is finally my chance to achieve my dream of becoming a Knight! You have no idea how long I waited and wanted for an opportunity like this.”

Oliver smiled. “I remember we used to play Knight as Kids.”

The Man with silver hair is “Sully Aurik”, age 18. He always dreamt of becoming a knight ever since he witnessed a knight fight off bandits when he was a child.

The Man with golden hair is “Theon Oliver Nado"; age 18. He is a childhood friend of his and vowed to stay at each other's side ever since the day they met outside of the village.

The Man with silver hair smiled back as he ate an apple. “Yeah… Good times….Oh! Don’t tell me you're participating too!”

Oliver grinned and then sat down next to him. “Of Course I am. Don’t you know that the Knights get paid the most in this country? They practically live like High-Class Nobles. And Anyone can participate? Brother, It’s a Golden Opportunity. I did my research. I already know what I will do with the money I earn. And you know what my desire is. My dream.”

Ever since knowing Oliver as a child, Sully knew that he was an ambitious person since that day.

When Sully was a young boy, He was walking in the woods...until upon walking past a large bush, There he encountered a young, wounded Oliver. He panicked and went to tell the villagers. After they took him in, They all noticed a slight change. Oliver’s hair color….was changing. When Oliver woke up, His hair was all whitish-gold...He screamed in terror. Sully heard this and quickly ran into his room and asked if he was okay...Oliver only responded:

"...I will avenge you, my friend...”

Since that day, He always hated his hair color, as it brought him a reminder of the people that had done this to him. He remembered… How mere children were dying to their experiments. He vowed to get revenge on those evildoers.

Besides Revenge, Oliver has a personal wish, and that is When he masters magic techniques, He plans to build a school that solely teaches about the Arts of “Mana”. He wanted to be the best teacher to teach the world about mana. However, his friend was different. While Oliver was an ambitious man, Sully was...ambitious to a certain level. He only wanted one thing.

“What you want is such a noble thing….But for me, I don’t care about the money. The only real thing I care about is protecting this beautiful country called Calydon. You know I always dreamed of helping others in need….and Protecting the Royal Family. Don’t you think that is the noblest thing to do?”

“I….frankly don't have such wonderful ideals as you do brother, but I sympathize and I humbly respect it,” said Oliver.

“Thank you, Brother. You know, People are so sensitive to everything nowadays. The world could use more open people like you, really.

“I’m flattered, But I Think It’s best to leave alone those people with different opinions. No one should be silenced just because of what they think. That would just be...morally wrong. That’s why It is important to at least listen. If you don’t agree, just say you respect it, even though you think otherwise. I assure you this is the best way to avoid a fight. However, If what they think is morally wrong, Someone must call them out on it, and make sure they just keep it to themselves. If you have nothing well to say to anyone, just be silent.”

Sully smiled and then got up. “Well said. Well then, In that case, I have a proposal, since we both have our dreams. Heed me, Oliver.”

Oliver then replied. “Do tell.”

“Ahem. What do you think If we did this….together? Let’s finally get over our differences and finally work together. We both have dreams, no? This is a chance in a lifetime. Please...Won’t you join me, Brother? You do remember the oath we made as children...right?” Sully looked at Oliver with a bright look.

Oliver replied, quoting the oath they made together: “Starting today, ever since the day Sir Sully Aurik had saved me from hellfire, while we have different blood, do we now declare to be brothers in arms. Starting today, We have one simple, common purpose: to protect the weak and innocent. To ensure that We can make the people smile, and most importantly: to be there for each other. We hope to live, save lives, and die together on the same day, fighting until the very end. O’divine Odin, do punish us with your righteous strength should we break our oath. May the Divine Nagael protect us on our journey. Thus shall It be.” Oliver smiled and looked back at the Silver-haired man with a powerful expression. He was overjoyed, and thus...they shook hands.

“Let us win the grand prize together, Brother,” Sully said boisterously. 

“Aye...Let’s register as soon as possible. We only have a few hours before admissions are sold out with the tickets for tomorrow. Let us hurry!”

Together he and Oliver went out of the house and ran together to the capital. They raced each other towards the capital before running out of breath. Then, a merchant in his stead offered a ride to the two gentlemen. They accepted the kind man’s offer and there, they went to the capital by horse. After arriving in the town and going to the shop where the tickets were being sold, They were in luck. Apparently, They were able to buy the last 2 tickets for the tournament. With Sully and Oliver having bought those tickets, the tournament had sold out in just a few hours with its admission tickets. After having gotten what the 2 needed, They walked home. Night then stroked and the 2 saw a beautiful night sky. Together, They had witnessed….a shooting star.

Meanwhile, While Aeneas was poking his nose reading a novel called “NARUHODO” Reinhardt knocked and opened the door.

“Your Evening Tea, Milord.”

“Hmm…. That smells pretty nice, Reinhardt. What is it?”

“Ostfriesentee, Milord.”

“Ah...My Mother liked that tea.”

Aeneas thought for a moment…

“Mother...Marida...Am I doing a good job so far?” Aeneas thought to himself with a sad expression.

Aeneas drank his tea as he continued to read his novel. Attempting to distract himself from the Castle life, he reads books to calm himself, as recommended by Reinhardt.

Reinhardt looked puzzled when he saw that the book his lord was reading...was not from Calydon. It appeared to be a foreign book. The Knight asked, “What book are you reading? I've never seen any book like that here in Calydon.”

“Ah, It's just a fantasy story called Naruhodo. Look, It even has pictures! The text was translated so that’s pretty neat. I believe they call it Mango….No, It’s called “Manga.” It’s about Ninjas doing weird magic tricks. Kinda like real life. Pretty cool.”

Reinhardt was chuckling, but then he had a question for Aeneas.

“Milord….About the tournament tomorrow….Will your plan work? I mean….To be quite honest, I’m skeptical about all this. It might even be a bit dangerous...deceiving the people like this?”

Aeneas then put his book and cup of tea down. He replied, “I’m pretty sure The people aren’t dumb over the fact that If you win a position as a Knight, You’re practically rich. It’s one of the highest-paying jobs in the Kingdom. Many People will participate, I’m positive. Not just here, but to every city we had sent the plans.”

Reinhardt nodded. “That I know for sure Aeneas, But I meant after you reveal your “surprise”.

Aeneas then understood what he really was referring to. “Ah...So That’s what’s been bothering you all day. That’s fair...I'm practically not lying, since they'll be knights...but under my special command...and of course, they'll get paid handsomely. But Still… I will make them trust me when the time comes. It’s time I man up. There are no shortcuts for me anymore. I will convince them to join me. Lord Ferdinand is counting on me after all...”

“....” Reinhardt said nothing and could only hope that everything goes within Lord Aeneas's Favor.

_________________________________________________

ASHERIA 13TH, 2200 MC

The day of the tournament has finally arrived. However, The Duo had woken up very late for the event, and they had only an hour to get there.

“Damn it all! Are we really going to make it? It takes an hour to get to the capital from here….” said Sully. 

Oliver smiled. “My brother….Fear not. Have you really forgotten who you befriended?”

Then with his Magic Powers, He summoned the power of the winds, One of the 5 Elements of the world, with his Tome and formed a cloud so they could travel upon it. The Wind Element was his specialty.

“With my Magic, I will ensure that we make it there in time,” said Oliver.

“But your Mana Output!”

Oliver shook his head. “Hey. Do you really underestimate my abilities? You know I am a different man than I was years ago. Even if this required me a certain amount of mana, I can still put up a fight. After all...Although It was forced upon me...Thanks to this tome, I can handle it. No matter what happens….I will not go down so easily...I consider this an amusing challenge for myself!”

And so, Sully hopped on, And together...They traveled as fast as they could.

5 minutes before the Match……

The 2 Young Men finally arrived at the city and looked desperately for the Colosseum from the skies.

After a couple of corners, They finally found it.

“Over there!! Now!” yelled Sully.

“Got it!” yelled Oliver in return.

“Alright!! Let’s Do This, My Brother!” The Silver Man’s eyes were shining.

Oliver smiled brightly. “Yeah! For our Future!”

Then they dropped from the cloud, landed on the ground…and there they made their dramatic entrance.

They then shook hands fiercely.