"HoHoHo... So, he's your man, huh?" Mrs. Glen inquired with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am," Fiona replied with a smile.
"Why is he wearing those glasses? Does he have vision problems?" Mrs. Glen questioned.
"No, they protect his eyes from sunlight," Fiona answered.
"What's your name, young man?" Mrs. Glen asked.
"Jule," Anon replied, taking another puff from his cigar.
"Well, Jule, you should meet my grandson. He's also participating in this tournament and has won it for the last three years. Oh my God, what am I talking about? You should already know him, right?" Mrs. Glen said mockingly.
Snap
Snapping his fingers, Anon dusted off the burnt end of the cigar and removed his glasses.
"I actually don't know your grandson. You see, I have a rather small memory, so I only remember important things," Anon replied with a smile.
"Hehehe..." Fiona chuckled quietly.
"You... Well, that's not a bad thing. I'll introduce you to him right now. MAISON!" Mrs. Glen called out for her grandson, starting with an angry tone but quickly calming down.
"Yes, Grandmother. Did you call?" Maison replied, rushing toward them. He had a muscular body, stood at 6'2", had brown hair, blue eyes, long pointed ears, an average face with a small scar on his right eye, and bulging biceps.
"Did you greet the Queen?" Mrs. Glen asked.
"No, but I will—" Before Maison could say more, Mrs. Glen gave him a firm slap on the back.
Bonk
"Where are your manners, young man? Haven't I taught you anything?" Mrs. Glen scolded, her expression angry.
"Haha... I'm sorry, Grandmother. May the Queen live long," Maison said as he immediately knelt and kissed Fiona's hand.
"Thank you, Maison," the Queen replied with a smile.
"Meet him too, Maison. He's the one Fiona has chosen to fight in the tournament this year as the Queen's candidate," Mrs. Glen said, pointing to Anon.
"Oh, so you're the candidate this time, huh?" Maison said, smiling with an attitude as he approached Anon.
Anon, who had been standing with his hands in his pockets, just stared at Maison with a straight face.
"I am," Anon replied, noticing that Maison had come too close to him.
"Why aren't you saying anything, boy? Are you scared of me?" Maison taunted with a smile.
Anon remained silent, gazing at Maison's face.
"Hey, Grandson, why are you trying to scare him?" Mrs. Glen spoke up.
"Hahaha... I was just kidding. Come here and give me a hug, kid," Maison said as he hugged Anon.
"Kid, run now. I'm going to beat you up badly, and trust me, you won't have a pleasant experience," Maison whispered into Anon's ear, tightening his grip on Anon's hands as he hugged him.
'Oh... you want to play this game, huh? Well, I'm always up for this type of game,' Anon thought as he took his hands out of his pockets and wrapped them around Maison's back.
'What? How can he still move his hands, even after I—' Maison began to think but was immediately interrupted as he felt something wrong with his back.
His back was being squeezed with tremendous pressure.
"Well, we'll see who runs away," Anon whispered in his ear with a smile.
Crack
Suddenly, a cracking sound occurred, and both of them separated from each other.
"Well, I'll see you in a bit. I need to go to the restroom," Maison said as he quickly headed to the washroom.
"I suppose it's time for my speech. I'll go now; come, Mr. Jule," Fiona said, waving at Jule.
"Yes, ma'am. Goodbye, old lady," Anon said as he followed Fiona into the Colosseum.
"Did he just call me an old lady?" Mrs. Glen wondered in confusion.
Inside the washroom...
"That bastard dislocated my shoulder... how strong is he?" Maison muttered as he examined his dislocated shoulder and gave it a slight massage with his fingers.
He then slammed his shoulder against the wall, re-locating it.
"Fiona brought a real monster this time, huh?" Maison thought as he left the washroom.
Anon and Fiona entered the Colosseum, and everyone rose to their feet upon their arrival.
The Colosseum was massive from the inside, with seating for as many as five football stadiums combined.
There was a designated area at the top for the Queen and other upper nobles to sit, offering a high-angle view of the matches.
Fiona proceeded toward that area...
"Long Live the Queen."
"Long Live the Queen."
"Long Live the Queen."
"Long Live the Queen."
As Fiona entered, everyone inside stood up and greeted her.
Fiona nodded and proceeded directly to her Royal chair, positioned at the front of all the seats.
Beside her chair was Anon's chair.
They both sat down and turned their attention to the arena.
A man with a black mask on his face approached the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we are gathered here for the most exciting event of the year: the ACADEMIC EXCHANGE TOURNAMENT," the announcer declared with great enthusiasm.
"Wooooow..."
Clap-Clap-Clap
The audience erupted in applause and cheers.
"I am Sam, your announcer and commentator for the next month. So, get ready to hear my voice for the next month. Now, to start this tournament, I'd like the Queen of the Elven Kingdom to say a few words and guide us towards wisdom," Sam announced, motioning towards Fiona.
Fiona stood up and walked a few steps forward...
"My dear students, you are all here today to represent..." Fiona began speaking, and for the next 40 minutes, she didn't pause for even a second.
After 40 minutes had passed, she uttered her final sentence...
"... May the gods bless all of you, and may only the deserving candidate emerge victorious," Fiona announced as she sat down again.
Anon had fallen asleep, his glasses concealing his slumber.
"I thank you, my Queen, and I offer my blessings to all the academies as well.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's finally time for what you've all been waiting for... 'Blow for the Trumpet.'"
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