330 End Year Tournament - I
On the Flying Island of World Academy, there was a large arena where people who had come to witness the End Year Tournament of the World Academy sat eagerly, waiting for it to start.
Most of them were Hunters belonging to different guilds and even Hunter Groups looking to recruit the students.
However, some were from other Hunter Academies, mainly the top 10 ones other than World Academy.
Each of those 10 academies would send 10 teams that would compete with the students of World Academy in a friendly manner during the first two days of the Tournament. Those that performed well would get the chance to enter the Trial's Ground.
But most of the time, only a few students from these academies would get that chance, as defeating the students of World Academy wasn't easy at all.
"The security check was so tiring," a middle-aged man said, sitting on his seat.
"How do you think our students will perform?" Another man asked him as they took their seats.
"I don't expect much from them; it would be good for them if some of the recruits here sign them," he replied.
All the people here belonged to powerful factions in the world, and they only wanted those students who were the best and had the most potential as well.
But the major recruiters of this tournament were the three Associations and the big Guilds of the Five Continents that were under the Elite Families.
For Somaria, the biggest Hunter Guild was the Abyss Guild, and there were a few Hunters from Abyss Guild sitting in a different section reserved for special people.
From their dress and insignia, their identity was quite clear, and the people around them were of high status as well.
"It seems the Abyss bastards arrived quite early," a man entered the reserved section.
The Hunters from the Abyss Guild glanced at him, and they ignored him.
It was usual for arguments to occur among different guilds, so such situations happened every time at the End Year Tournament.
"Tsk, no fun," the man clicked his tongue as he and the rest of his team of evaluators went to their area.
These people were from the Haven Guild, which was the biggest Guild in Desmar, and their Guildmaster was none other than Dalton Rothschild.
The Haven Guild had three different factions within the Guild itself. These factions belonged to three distinct Elite Families: Rothschild, Williams, and the Whiteheart Family.
Among the top Guilds, the Abyss Guild was unique, as its power wasn't distributed among other Elite Families.
The Demarcus Family remained distant from both the Raven and Greville Families due to their past. Even before that, they maintained a neutral stance in Somaria.The Raven Family always controlled the Moonlight Guild. The only family involved with the Abyss Guild was the Seymour Family. They had their own teams and factions working under David Seymour.
However, the hierarchy within the Abyss Guild was clear-
cut. Nathaniel Greville was at the top, followed by Arthur Greville. The remainder of the power was distributed based on contributions and ranks.
Another group, distinguished by a specific scarf around their necks, entered the area and quietly found their places.
They were recruiters from the Royal Guild of Halcyon, primarily built around the Royal Family of Halcyon with the Allister and Everett Families as their supporting pillars.
There were two groups of Recruits already present, similar to the Abyss Guild. They were from the Celestial Guild and the Asura Guild.
The Asura Guild had Joseph Kimir Cranston as their Guildmaster, while the Watson family wasn't highly involved in the Asura Guild.
The Watson Family was responsible for Armax Prison, so they had an independent faction in the Asura Guild. Marvin Watson wasn't involved in the Asura Guild, as he spent most of his time guarding Armax Prison.
However, there were times when Marvin would leave for dungeon raids with Joseph or his own team, leaving Armax Prison unguarded.
On this occasion, due to the threat of Zephyr, the Raven Family was asked to guard Armax Prison while Marvin was absent.
The last among the five largest guilds was the Celestial Guild, situated in Belvoria. Xarax Hargrave was the current Guildmaster of this guild, with power distributed between two factions: the Martell Family and the Neville Family.
Apart from these, many other recruiters belonged to other semi-large guilds and even covert factions like the Black Market.
These independent factions were also invited to the End Year Tournament as they often dealt with Elite Families and had numerous connections.
While these individuals were recruiters and held respectable positions within their guilds, they weren't at the pinnacle.
As such, none of them initiated any disputes that might hold them accountable for subsequent repercussions.
A few words were exchanged, but that was the extent of it.
However, the atmosphere in the VIP Section was different, where a few Elite Families and other leaders who had come to observe this tournament were present.
Normally, all of them wouldn't be present but they were present to showcase the World and the public that everything was under control.
Outside the World Academy, the team from the Mage Association was standing outside with the few Elders standing there looking after two kids.
And all of them were careful how they treated them, because they were the cherished Grandkids of the Archmage Silvus Grandus."Jen, we should go inside now," The boy told his twin sister.
"Shut up Jacob, let me look around," His sister replied as the 12 year old went towards the Shops of Soran.
It was her little trip to the World Academy, so she wanted to have as much fun along the way, and the Elders were just following them around.
Due to their innocence, both these kids didn't realise how difficult the things were for the people that were managing the shops were being due to their presence.
After all, two powerful SS Rank Mages, glaring towards you wasn't exactly a pleasant experience, but Jacob who sensed it tried to tell his sister but he was shut down immediately.
"We should really go to World Academy, if we get late Chairman will get worried," One of the Elder told the girl.
"But.... fine let's go," She pouted a bit but she decided to go to the World Academy now.
Jacob followed her, while they entered the car as the two elders finally took a deep breath as they managed to get the twins inside the car.
Silvus wasn't entering with these twins because he wanted them to take a tour of the World Academy first before coming to the Tournament.
While the Grandus Twins were on their way to the World Academy, Lucas and Livia were also getting ready to go to World Academy.
And right now, Arthur was talking with Hassan about a few things.
"You have grown a bit since I last saw you," Alfred said with a smile on his face.
But the recipient of those words weren't comfortable at all.
"Father, stop bothering them," Sylvie told as Alfred laughed a bit.
"You must be joking if one of three leader of the infamous Greyhound will get bothered by this old man," Alfred said.
But the one he was talking about could still feel the pressure behind those sharp eyes. Alfred was much more calmer than Nathan, but he was also a dangerous person, and those that were involved in the Elite Families and their work knew it.
Lucas was a bit nervous around Alfred, but Livia was fine as she was talking with Helena at the moment.
Alfred's gaze felt like he could read his thoughts, which made Lucas a bit nervous and he could understand why one his teacher that was very strong was reacting like it.
Alfred's demeanor felt like Asher's because of how calm he remained but it didn't seem like Alfred was indifferent to things around him.
Instead it felt like his eyes was keeping track of everything that was happening around him.
"Well, I have to leave now so you can come with your mother," Alfred stood as he fixed his suit.
"Okay, take care," Sylvie replied as she hugged Alfred.
Alfred was going first to represent the Raven Family and Helena was going with Sylvie, as she wanted to spend some time with her daughter.
'Let's see how that boy is doing now,' Alfred thought as he looked at the twins.
Lucas and Livia were still getting ready as the Maids fixed their clothes, and they were given spatial storage rings.
It was decided that there Special Class would start as soon as the End Year Tournament would end.