Some canon-like objects were placed at the end of the arena. Those were magic items that could shoot small targets into the sky at a certain interval. For the record, Alesia also made them for the Royal Academy's Annual Tournament.
After ten canons were placed in place, the host began to announce the start of the long-range division and called 24 students at once. Unlike the short-range, it wasn't in a battle royale format and was more of a score battle and would take longer time.
10 canons and 24 students, 4 from each academy in a batch; those who got the most targets after a certain time would win.
The format of the tournament was worse than the short-range tournament because if there were at least 2 skilled opponents in one place, they would have a lower chance of advancing to the final.
And when the first batch entered, I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sight of someone really familiar. She was wearing black clothes for the tournament, and her hair was tied into a high ponytail, but there was no doubt it was her.
'What the heck is Tristan doing over there?!'
I looked at Sana, and she was giggling. Of course, the church also wanted some recognition. That was why they asked Tristan to join. Did that mean Tristan also went to school again but in the Castitas Academy?
With a dry chuckle, I spoke to Alesia.
"Headmistress, maybe you won't be able to get the perfect win you wanted with my girlfriend down there."
"I am aware. I can't use <Appraisal> on her, but I never thought the church would install her as a student to win." She replied with a rather frustrated tone. "But no worries. 3 wins are enough for me. The Royal Academy will still be the best one in the Virtue Kingdom."
Her confidence and her trust in her students were really great. I hoped Eliza wouldn't be burdened with that expectation.
***
Lunch break had arrived.
I left Alesia and went to meet Eliza and Karin.
At first, I wanted to invite Tristan too, but she was nowhere to be found. She was probably still in the waiting room for the tournament participant, as the long-range division hadn't ended yet.
Half the participants were still left, but I didn't intend to stay as the winner was already clear.
No one in the first group was able to hit anything. Yes, Tristan destroyed them completely and only left one target in the end because she felt generous. Everyone was speechless by her display, and when her name was written on the board with the academy she represented, all gaze landed on Sana at once.
Every student in the Castitas Church would become a part of the church with no exception. That was why the citizens felt relieved because the church had someone strong. At least they could protect them if needed, so their trust in the church increased.
"Arthur! Over here!"
When I reached the garden outside the hall, where many people gathered around a row of stalls that sold food, I heard Eliza's voice from a distance. She was sitting with Karin around a round table with a parasol to keep them cool. There was a basket full of food on the table.
Vivian somehow also joined and sat beside Eliza, wearing a long white dress. She smiled softly at me while holding her cheek. She probably had just arrived.
'She's here to bring us lunch, huh? Probably she wants to check on Eliza and me too.' I thought as I smiled at them.
Their location was one reserved for nobles to have lunch with their family. To sit around the table, one must pay 50 Golds or so if I remember correctly from the rules of the Annual Tournaments.
As for the commoners, there was no need to worry. There were a lot of benches around the area. And because of the tall trees and dense leaves, many places had shade to cool themselves.
Approaching them, I sat on the chair beside Eliza.
"Good afternoon, Madam. Did you bring lunch for us?"
"Yes," Vivian replied with a bright smile. "I helped Linda and Milea to make them. Fufufu, your servant, Milea, is quite skilled in cooking. I need to learn a lot if I want to make it as good as hers. Even so, I want to cook for my dear child on their special day."
"Mam– Mother! My tournament is tomorrow. And today, Arthur didn't even fight and pass the preliminary without moving a finger!" Eliza raised her voice. She changed the way she called Vivian because Karin was with us.
"My, I did say 'my child,' no? Isn't Arthur also one?" Madam Vivian said in a troubled tone, rendering Eliza speechless.
Karin didn't notice anything amiss from Vivian's words as she knew that I was Eliza's boyfriend.
However, I noticed something from her words.
'It seems that she made up her mind since that night. That's why she told me to call her Mommy. It's a bit funny.' I thought.
I smiled and watched Vivian open the woven basket, pulling the checkered clothes covering it away. Inside were various simple dishes, such as sandwiches filled with meat, vegetables, and eggs. There was also simple toast with just butter.
Then there were also side dishes and snacks.
Overall, the food inside the basket was what people usually ate when they went on a picnic or an event. This was a really nostalgic and great choice of food.
"Fufufu, it's just a simple dish. I hope you don't mind, Miss Greenway."
"Not at all, Ma'am. This is truly fantastic and looks great." Karin replied in a polite tone and with a small smile. She looked like a noble lady right now. Well, she was one.
Vivian gently put a plate in front of us. Because this was an event organized by the Academies, even the nobles only brought one or two servants with them. Some lower-ranked ones didn't even bring their servants and chose to eat with their children in peace.
Everyone had food of their choosing on their plates. I chose the sandwich with meat while the girls took the plain butter toast.
'Why do they choose such a bland choice?'
I didn't really think much because it was their choice. Our lunch was peaceful like the others; Vivian also brought a tea set hidden beneath the food. As expected from her. This Madam couldn't survive if she missed her tea time.
With an elegant movement, she helped us to pour the tea into our cups. Karin looked a bit baffled by Vivian's elegant movement and was fascinated, while Eliza looked smug and proud of her mother.
If only my childhood friend had inherited a bit of Vivian's gentleness and elegance, that would be perfect. Unfortunately, she only inherited her mother's dishonest feelings.
And with a gentle wind that accompanied the change of the season to summer and laughter from afar, I was enjoying my time at the moment.
Our lunch was perfect with that. It was supposed to.
"Oh? Isn't that the flower of society? It's nice to meet you. I have wanted to meet you since I heard you divorced your husband, hehe. Madam Claydall, what do you say about drinking with me, Earl Issac Lawrence, and letting the students socialize? We, adults, can socialize over red wine."
Crack!
Yes, if only a certain blond pig didn't suddenly call out to Vivian. I even cracked the cup I held out of surprise by his loud voice from behind me.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m