Bab 10: Armas Theatrical Arts
"How will you do it?" I ask, covering my eyes from the glare of the sun.
"Do what?"
"You said you'd teach me magic, so I need to bring my weapon. What was it called again?"
"Armas. It's just a fancy term for weapons."
"That's exactly what Esmeralda said."
"Don't worry about it. For now, let's just enjoy the show, yes?"
"What exactly are we watching?"
"An arms show. People showcase their magical abilities in front of people for amusement. It's basically a talent show, but with magic. You get the gist."
"Don't tell me--"
"Oh. We're here."
I stare in awe as we enter the building towering over us. Nelen and Esmeralda sits on a nearby bench, talking while Jean counted on his change. I took the chance to admire the scenery. Its dome-like structure made it seem other-worldly, and it shone, just like the golden walls I saw in my dream. What a coincidence. The carpet is red, too.
"You guys wait here. I'll buy the passes."
Jean casually makes his way to the handful of people standing in line. The guards were wearing a badge similar to the one I socked yesterday. The Chimera legion, was it?... Oh. Would you look at that. There's Platinum and his boyband. Looks like they're on duty this time.
"Where's Jean?" said Nelen.
"He went to buy some passes." I reply, looking at the direction where he went. "That aside, everyone in here looks rich."
"That's because only nobles can afford this type of luxury."
"Huh. Maybe Jean's a noble, too."
"Maybe." Esmeralda chuckles. Nelen and I both look at her, but she only shrugged. "What? I really don't know."
Darkness greets as we enter the theatre. The lionman guarding the entrance asked me to take the scythe away, so the three of them headed on while I unstrapped it. Nobles donned their shiniest outfits, while Chimerian guards stood on each corner of the room. A huge platform stood proudly in the middle, its background having an ambience of deep constellations. We sat on the middle of the row, Jean and Nelen sitting next to me while Esmeralda sat next to Nelen. A shady-looking individual with a strange top hat walks into the room.
"Welcome, everyone, to the sixtieth anniversary of the Armas Theatrical Arts! Today, we'll be watching some of the most proficient battle-casters shed blood and battle it out on the grand stage! Now, for our first bout! We have Krauss the strong!"
"Shed blood and battle it out? What's that supposed to mean?" I ask Jean as the crowd cheers.
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"Wait, so do they... You know. Kill each other?"
"Yes. And nobles bet on them, too. It sickens me."
"Then why did we go here?"
"… and for our second contestant, we have Jarvis the wise!"
Wait. That sounded familiar. Jarvis? I look at the stage, and sure enough, there he was. The battle-worn expression, the cheap set of heavy plates, and that huge claymore he carried on his back. There's no mistaking it. It's the guy I met at the guild.
"Now, now. Before we start, I'd just like to remind you all to place your bets! There's a small pod sitting on each handle of the seat. Feel free to put in as much as you want. "
The announcer, smiling goofily, waits a few minutes and sings.
"Let the show... Begin!"
They stood staring at each other for seconds before readying. A standstill. They must be sizing each other out. Jarvis takes his claymore and readies a stance as his opponent charges at him. He avoids the swing but Krauss follows it up with a kick, hitting him in the torso. Jarvis didn't budge, however, and he counters by lunging a stab, hitting the juggernaut on the right shoulder. The ones who voted cheered as they did this, and I couldn't help but curse. Sick bastards.
They talked for a while, but the boos of the crowd prodded them into fighting again. As if it was on cue, different hues of smoke begin to emanate from both of their bodies. Krauss sends a flurry of attacks, but Jarvis answers by calmly evading all of them. After that, they took turns swinging at each other, but I could slightly tell that Jarvis had the advantage. He was quick, despite his heavy set of armor, and I couldn't help but think what would happen should he challenge me to a fight. Jarvis talks, but I didn't hear it because the crowds on the front row started screaming all of a sudden. The two exchanged some more words, and I got surprised when Krauss roared and suddenly lunged. A huge mistake.
A large number of nobles groaned, displeasured as to what had transpired. Jarvis counters with a spin of his claymore, cutting him down in one fell swoop. The fight was decided. As he laid there, covered in his own blood, Krauss whispered something before closing his eyes. Jarvis only stares, his eyes sharp, before the announcer breaks the trance.
"Give it up for Jarvis!!!"
The crowd roars and cheers for him, but Jarvis only stared at the body for what seemed to be minutes. He then looks at the crowd, the sharpness of his gaze penetrating every soul, before shuffling out of the stage. Even from afar, I could tell he was unhappy: His eyes tell the same story. All the people here are sick. I look at Jean, but as usual, I couldn't see his expression. Esmeralda looked blank, and Nelen… She had the same face as Jarvis.
As if time was more important, the show proceeded, ignoring the fact that someone died minutes before. So many elites enjoyed themselves, that the quiet ones ironically stood out. One girl slept on the side row and the guards stood in place, their faces stiff. The announcer told us to take a break for the next bout, and we did exactly what he told.
"Why are we still here?" Nelen asked, her tone irritated. "Wasn't that enough?"
"I'm afraid not." Jean replied coolly. "We need to see this through. No matter how sick it is. We talked about this, remember?"
"But this is--- "
"Sorry."
"… All of you are crazy."
Esmeralda and I only listened as Nelen stormed off after the exchange. She glanced at Esmeralda, tears welling up in her eyes, and went outside. Esmeralda follows after her, glimpsing at Jean, worriedly, before walking off. I raise a brow at Jean, but he didn't answer. He slightly tilts his head, motioning for me to come with him to the food stands.
"What's that all about?" I ask.
"Don't concern yourself with it. She'll go through. I think."
"You're planning something, aren't you?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure myself."
"You're being really vague today."
"Everyone's vague in their own right."
"Can't disagree with that. Should we wait for them?"
"No. They'll come by. Let's just go back. You give their share, alright?"
We enter just in time for the second bout, with Jean nearly bumping on someone. Introductions were over as we went back to the seat, and the smell of food permeated in the air. My attention was caught by one of the contestants. He wore the clothing of peasants, but something about him seemed entrancing. His mix of black and white hair carried a hint of mystery, and he carried a rapier that overflowed with magic. He just stood there, eyes closed, as the announcer reminded everyone to place their bets for the second time.
"Begin!!!"
The announcer shouted, but he was one step ahead of him. He was already on his opponent's face, his eyes brimming with confidence. This shocks his opponent, and he backs away just in time as the sword barely misses him. He lunges again, poking a hole on his right abdomen, and the match was decided. His opponent was huge, but that didn't faze him as he struck him down with efficient lethality. By the time he was done, the strongman was full of holes and his face was unrecognizable. A lot of people booed. The fight was over in a minute. The contestant left before Nelen and Esmeralda showed, and Jean told them what had happened.
"I bet you had fun."
Nelen sarcastically remarked as Esmeralda led her by the arm, but Jean didn't say anything. Esmeralda sat between the both of them, and I handed their food like Jean instructed me. Esmeralda takes both and gives Nelen her share, and not one word was spoken after that. We watch as the people from the theatre fill the silence, and Jean excuses himself to the restroom. Two birds flied around as one of the workers tried to catch it with a net made from magic.
"Sol. Hey." Esmeralda taps my arm.
"What's up?"
"Drinks."
"Oh. Yeah. I forgot about that. By the way, do you know how long it will take to have this whole thing over?"
"Why?"
"The chairs. They're so soft. It's making me feel sleepy."
"Haha. We still have three bouts left. It'll probably end at six. The second one happened when we were out, yes?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Did you hear that, Nel? We're going to get off early. Bear with it, okay? Jean must be doing this for a reason." She rubs her back. They're getting real touchy-feely today. Maybe it's just how girls work. Jean goes back just in time as the announcer clears his throat, and I sip my drink as we prepare for another fight. The first contestant shows up. She had straight brown hair and wore light armor as she hopped on the stage, her eyes also as sharp as the steel she carried.
"Do you guys smell that?" Jean asks.
"Smell what?" Esmeralda replies.
"Phantom lilies. Oh! Never mind. They're gone now."
Esmeralda gave him an unusual look as Jean resumed on eating. I look at Nelen, and... Her eyes are watery for some reason. Did she smell it, too? That's weird. I didn't smell anything. Jean reaches up into her bag of chips as the second contestant comes. A strongman. Again. He looked average, with a baby face and the same armor as Jarvis. Seriously, what's the deal with strongmen on tournaments? Do they think they could power their way through just by having a bit of muscle? Or does having muscle increase their magic? I should ask Jean. Maybe he knows.
"Hey, Jean---"
"Oh, there it is again. Do you smell it?" Jean turns to me while sniffing something out. "It's stronger this time."
"What are you talking about?"
"The lilies. They're back. Stronger, too."
"I don't really smell anyth--"
A scent snares me in a trance. The sweet smell of flowers. I'm guessing this is what Jean talked about. Phantom lilies, huh? It smells pleasant. Familiarly pleasant. I wonder where it's coming from. Come to think of it, there were a lot of flowers when we went to look for Nelen. I look at Nelen, and she's asleep. Esmeralda tried to wake her, but her eyes are starting to become watery too.
"Whose perfume is that? It smells good."
The announcer yawned before shouting. Weak laughter fills the stage as the smell got stronger. Did it reach all the way there, too? It's sweet, tranquilizing, and it feels as if it's lifting you to the clouds.
"Something's going on." Jean alerts, but I barely manage to hear it. Maybe it was because of the smell. It's numbing my senses.
"Okay, now. Before we all go to sleep," the announcer chuckled, " Let me remind you guys about the betting system. Do you remember now? Good. Then without further ado.. "
"LET THE FIGHT BEGIN!!!"
The crowd cheers as the actors got into position. They ready their stances, waiting. They must be waiting for each to attack. Yes. It must be. Countering is easier. It always catches them off-guard. We all wait.
...
It's been two minutes now. Why aren't they moving? No one's cheering, as well. What exactly is happening? The smell grows stronger as Jean yawns, and Esmeralda's sleeping now. I look around, searching for the source of the scent, but found nothing. I try to move but...
I can't. My eyes try to fight the drowsiness as Jean covers his nose with his right hand, realizing what the lilies were doing.
Jean screams at me, but I'm not hearing it. The lilies are too powerful. Phantom lilies, huh? A really nice name, and they smell kind of familiar. As I sat there, eyes all closed and about to fall asleep, I thought about the smell. I could swear I've smelled this before. When I was at the prairie. When I was at the pub... Wait. It's that smell from the pub.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone