"I'm here."
"The battery on the shield is decreasing rapidly. How long should this battle last?"
D-Damn… that quick?
"How long will the battery last?"
"At most, two minutes."
"Let me know right when the battery is about to run out. I'll do something then." I said to the device, and Frisena did not reply anymore. I turned my concerned gaze to Lily, and she noticed my worry.
"It will be fine. Why are you so nervous?"
"I'm just worried people might not like it."
"How can they not? Look." Lily pointed to the arena, specifically to the people who were still at the spectators seat.
Everyone… is still watching. There are still so many people watching Eric and Nyssa duke it out in the arena, and they are all so excited to see how this will all turn out.
From that alone, we can already infer one thing.
They all… cared. They all wish to see more of this, and they are all excited.
"… Right. Then, we'll move as we planned." I said firmly to Lily, and she smiled seeing me regaining my confidence.
The battle happening has turned even crazier. Seeing that he is incapable of piercing Nyssa's attacks, Eric began to use his trump card.
The black lightning origin. He used it to pierce through Nyssa's tornado defenses, and it successfully reached her arm.
"Tch! Annoying double origins." Nyssa muttered as she widened her arms, and she began releasing the wind tornado everywhere.
The wind force turned ten times more chaotic, and the barrier could no longer handle it. And soon after Nyssa did it, the limit was reached.
"Nathan! It's time!" From the device, Frisena shouted.
"Let's go." I said to Lily, and we both jumped ahead.
The barrier that is keeping the spectators safe began to form cracks. And seeing the cracks, the students began to grow worried.
"T-The barrier is--!!" One of the students shouted, but their view changed not even a second later.
PRAAANNNNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like glass, the barrier that was protecting the people shattered. However, the wind force only ever touched them for a second.
ZWOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A powerful wall made of water was formed right in front of the spectators, protecting them from the deadly wind force. Even though the wind nearly blasted them away, the wall of water immediately stopped the wind from reaching.
ZRRUUUUGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
Not enough, a second layer of rocks that was of the earth origin was created, and everyone knew for sure this time that they are safe.
However, they all realized just how close they were to being harmed by the wind force. That wind tornado blast could've very easily thrown them out the building, or even collapsed the building itself. They were very fortunate to be protected behind the wall of water and rocks.
Behind the wall at the arena, Nyssa has landed on the ground again. Eric looked like he was deepened inside the walls, but he simply grumbled as he pushed himself out of the walls.
"This is so unfair… I'm not done with you yet!!"
"Oh, but you're done." I cut off Eric's annoyed words, and the guy lifted his gaze up to find me and Lily arriving in the arena.
Lily couldn't exactly fly, and I am still learning how to fly with booster jets on my legs. It's so hard to balance, but we both needed a way to get into the arena.
So, with Lily in my arms, being carried like a princess she is, we both landed on the arena thanks to my booster legs flying us in. The landing was quite rough, and Lily still had her hands around my neck even after we landed.
"Can you let go…?" I asked awkwardly, and Lily awkwardly let go as well.
"Your carrying was so bad."
"I'm still learning!" I argued bluntly, and Lily ignored me before walking to Nyssa.
BOOM!!!!
Not far from us, a giant has landed on the arena. Jonah's face looked quite excited, and he too is wearing the same outfit as everyone here is wearing.
"Ready?" He asked the four of us, and I nodded.
"Time for the reveal."
Jonah nodded firmly, and he lifted his hand before flicking his finger. Right after he did that, all the rock walls that were previously standing in front of the spectators began to fall towards the arena, and they all crumbled down from that seven meters tall ledge.
Everyone can now see the scene at the arena, and they all noticed that the clothes worn by me, Jonah, and Lily are all different. We're wearing a set of battle suits that Frisena got for us, a special uniform that is special only to special individuals like us.
"Eric and Nyssa, can you two activate your suits?" I asked the two of them since they were fighting on their academy outfits, and they didn't bother answering.
Eric took out a necklace that he wore underneath his uniform, and he pressed the button. In that instant, a suit of thin armor formed surrounding his body starting from his chest, very slowly covering his entire body. His armor is mostly the same as the one we're wearing, dark gray, and has a little bit of bright light blue color that represents his origin.
Nyssa did the same with the necklace on her neck, and her whole body was covered in the same smaller dark gray armor with a little bit of green color.
Now, everyone is wearing their clothes. This shall be our uniform starting from now on, to mark what our group shall be.
"Who wants to be the one to reveal it?" I tried asking them, but not a single one of them dared to look me in the eye.
"You're the announcer. Why can't you do it?" Jonah argued, and I giggled.
"I'm just kidding. All right… here we go." I said before lifting the announcing device again, ready to reveal to the world about our presence.
It's finally time… after preparing for so long.
"Ladies and Gentlemen… Apologies for the unfortunate result!!
Unfortunately, the barriers have collapsed due to the actions done by our dear Winnyssa. As such, we have to make a difficult decision but to disqualify her from the tournament for harming the spectators." I spoke freely to announce the result of the tournament, but the crowd is still far too shocked by what just happened.
"Following that, please welcome your best of the best. The champion of this year's battle tournament, officially the strongest student among the first years! Eric Axwell! Give him a round of applause!"
My announcement was heard, and everyone clapped their hands. No one is really cheering anymore because of how the ending went, which could've been disastrous. But, they all still stayed, and they will witness even more than just the tournament.
"But before we get into the prize giving, I'd like to make an announcement. Not just for you, the students of Ellen academy, but also to the whole world!
I'm sure you've already heard about the rumors. 'Guardians' of Avenor. What exactly is it? I'm sure such a name has been rolling around the conversation for quite a while now, and yet nothing official has ever been mentioned about it!
Which is why I hope you can stick around. Today, at this very moment, I'd like to officially present to you… Us. The Guardians of Avenor!"
My words were heard by the people. And sure enough, everyone has heard about that title. It hasn't been mentioned anywhere officially, but it has been mentioned a few times in certain media like newspapers or the radio. No official announcement has ever been made about it, but now it has.
"The Lightning Guardian, Eric Axwell.
The Wind Guardian, Winnyssa Al-Heith Vaico."
As I began announcing their names, I could see a few people leaving the spectators seat. I can tell this must be so boring for them, but I have to continue the act.
"The Water Guardian, Lilyanna Valkaria.
The Earth Guardian, Jonah Calfman.
And… there should be two others from the light and darkness origin…"
"I hope we're not late to the party." From above, two individuals descended from the ceilings, which I assume were from the holes that were made during the battle.
One had a bright white wing similar to a bird's. The other had a grim black wing that was like a bat's. The pair of siblings landed on the ground in front of me, and they both bowed to the spectators as if it was queued.
"Mic, please!" The white haired girl said while lifting her hand in the air, and I easily threw the speaking device to her hand.
She captured it flawlessly above her head, and she placed the mic onto her mouth.
"Arlene Veldon! Light Guardian! And my brother, the Darkness Guardian, Ray Veldon!" Arlene spoke loudly to the speakers, and everyone heard it loud and clear.
She turned to me again while throwing the mic back to me, and I grabbed it while still keeping my surprised face to her. Everyone else was also surprised to hear her announcement, but she only kept her smirk up to us.
… Right. THis is them. The two extra who will be joining us.
As for their identities... it's a little complicated.
They are the headmaster's children. Siblings, with different origins.
"And I, Nathan Fiore, am the Fire Guardian. Together, the seven of us shall be known as the Seven Guardians of Avenor."
I announced to the people, and I could hear a very small amount of cheers from the spectators. However, it's not like the point of this announcement is to be cheered by the people.
This is all... a ruse. And now, for the main goal.
I turned to Eric, and he only returned me with a confused stare. He has won the battle tournament, and he shall be rewarded with the gift: the one wish.
What are you going to wish for...? Eric?
Do you wish for something incredibly selfish? Something personal?
Or do you wish for the end of this world?