The day of the bash tournament drew closer and closer and Astrape's skills sharper and sharper. With three days to go, the academy was to host their Annual Bash Dinner in which all the participants of the upcoming tournament were invited. This was to encourage sportsmanship and ensure each participant knows that they are competing against comrades and not their enemies. The event was semi formal to ensure students are comfortable enough to mingle and have a good time but also keep the proper etiquette required.
Astrape however, had only decided to attend for the fact that it was mandatory for all competitors to arrive at the event. There was also an announcement to be held, that all participants were required to hear first-hand. This was done to ensure that everyone gets accurate information in real time on what might happen in the upcoming tournament.
Arriving at the hall, Astrape did not expect a banquet of such a caliber. It looked more like a gala than anything, assigned seats, the sound of eloquent music gracing the ears and various dishes and cuisines greeting the nose.
"Wow, I was definitely not expecting this. Alright Astrape, just be confident, you look fine and what matters now is just how you carry yourself. Do that good and everything will be just fine", Astrape thought to himself.
Whilst approaching the entrance he noticed a familiar figure. Dressed in a chef's attire and dragging on different covered bowls of freshly made baked goods across the hall way, there was no mistaking it, Odigos to Astrape's surprise was the familiar figure.
Hesitant to approach, he calmed his nerves and slowly walked over to her. The sweet scent of cakes, scones, muffins and all kinds of pastries growing stronger the closer he got to her. "Odigos right?", asked Astrape.
"Huh, uhm, I'm sorry do I… wait, Asta, is it?".
"Astrape actually, what are you doing here? Are you a chef or just dressed like one?".
"Ha-ha, you're actually looking at the number one chef in all of Vex Academy. Even teachers come to me for advice y'know. Not to brag but I'm just that big actually".
"Wait, really?".
"Nope, I'm actually just helping out".
"Kind of like an assistant, a trainee or something?".
"Well, that was the plan but I'm just running errands for the real chefs. It's kind of annoying actually, I mean how am I going to learn anything if I'm always outside the kitchen?".
"Wait, you actually want to learn how to cook? For some reason I expected you to be already be good at it".
"Excuse me, are you being sexist right now?", Odigos questioned.
"Sexi… what, no. It's just y'know, I just thought… look I… it's not about…".
"I'm kidding, loosen up a bit, c'mon. To be for real, I'm actually terrible".
"Really? Terrible is a strong word".
"Hmm I don't think so. Here let me show you something", Odigos responded, as she waved her hand signaling for Astrape to come closer to the tray of dishes. Delicately uncovering them, she shows them to Astrape who is instantly impressed.
"Your eyes lit up as soon as you looked at the cake. That's the level I wanna get to, the kind of dishes I want to learn how to prepare. But right now, I'm just an errand girl".
"Well, if that's the level you want to reach. Then your skills can't be that bad right now, can they?".
Odigos proceeds to uncover another plate on the tray. Astrape failing to hide his disappointment responded, "Well, I stand corrected, terrible isn't a strong word".
"Ok, that's enough peaking. Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"I'm actually a competitor in the upcoming Bash Tournament".
"Wow, I did not peg you for a fighter, who'd have thought?".
"Actually, no I'm not. It's a long story. When it comes to fighting, I might just be as terrible as your cooking. So, I'll most likely get my ass kicked".
"Wait, really. Then why are you doing this? You know these guys don't play right? Especially during the tournament".
"Like I said, it's a long story".
"Well, it's too bad I won't get to watch it. Hopefully, by the end of the tournament you don't end up looking like one of my dishes".
"Oh, good one. Well, I guess I got to get inside now, so see you around I guess".
"Alright then Astrape, see you around", she responded as she walked away, throwing away the dish that she prepared into a nearby trash can along the way.
Entering the official occasion of the event, Astrape was greeted by the sweetest scents of perfumes from all across the country, the chandeliers hanging atop were like nothing he had ever seen before. To every corner of the room were the most eloquent of decorations to ever grace his eyes and tables each with a specific reservation for every candidate and staff member invited.
"Wow, this is definitely not what I expected. They did say it be formal now that I think about it", he thought to himself.
Astrape was handed a seat number as he was ushered in. Every table was to accommodate six candidates of the Bash Tournament and with the other five candidates assigned to his table already seated. Nervously, Astrape took a seat by his table. It was an awkward atmosphere not just for him but those seated around him as well. All other banquet tables seemed livelier. It was quite obvious that everyone in the banquet hall except for Astrape and his seatmates were well acquainted.
Astrape looked around for any clues that could help him start up a conversation. Seated to his right Justin, dressed more formally than Astrape like everybody else. His body curvy, he had a broad middle and a gentle heaviness to his step. Wearing a navy-blue blazer over his white shirt, dark-brown skin and hair dark and short, trimmed to precision, and a well-rounded oval shaped face. He appeared to be far from the obese image that Astrape remembers him by and could be described as only just chubby.
To his left, was Sanjay, who only wore a white shirt alone on his top half. Like Astrape his face was rectangular in shape but longer in length, his hair kept short and simple. Knowing him from afar, Astrape viewed him as a show boater who loved the attention and that being the opposite of Astrape only lowered the chances of a possible connection with him, or so he thought at the time.
To the front, seating across from him, dressed in a black waist coat covered by a matching collared tailcoat and an inner white shirt was Ethan. His face squarer in shape, black hair slicked back and the sides of his head shaved, he was clearly either of a family of noble standing or belonged to one that was of royalty.
Seated right next to Ethan was Milan. Milan looking just as nervous as Astrape, was dressed as simple him as well. Putting on a jacket over his white T-shirt, Milan had a smooth and rounded face with a just enough sharpness on his jawline to confirm his manly look as opposed to his feminine like face. And his head was covered in maroon hair, sprung side-ways like it had a life of its own.
CJ, the one sat next to Milan, had a face more circular in shape, short black hair just longer than Sanjay with shaved sides as well. He wore a black blazer atop a black shirt. CJ of all the five seemed to be more reserved than everyone else. Astrape found CJ's reserved aura more comfortable to be around than Sanjay who sat to his left.
The awkward scene continued as everyone offered brief glances at each other. "Guess we weren't invited to the first party", joked Milan. Though the joke seemed to fall on deaf ears, it was however, preferred to the silence.
"I think it because everyone else here apart from us was already in the military program", Sanjay responded.
"Wait, you guys aren't in the military program?", questioned CJ.
"Wait, seriously you guys aren't part of it as well?", inquired Astrape.
"I was wondering why everyone else on this table was quiet as well but thinking about it now, it makes sense", said Justin.
"What do you mean?", inquired Ethan, his voice low and soft.
"He means everyone else here except us of course, has been part of the military course for a while already. Every other student here started in the military course from most likely the first time they arrived here at Vex Academy. Unlike me who's just taking part of the bash tournament for its benefits", Answered Sanjay, speaking in a low tone.
"So, you're saying that all of us on this table have a reason we're taking part in this Bash Tournament?", Astrape inquired.
"I don't know if should be saying this, but that's good to hear", said Ethan.
"You sound prepared. Like you're confident about this", Sanjay said.
"Nah, it's just that, now I know that at least I might not be the only one getting my ass whooped out there", Ethan responded.
"You're not wrong, that is a relief. I was so scared of the embarrassment to be honest", added Justin jokingly.
Astrape chuckled in response, "Well, it won't be as bad mine. My Essent was kind of blocked not until a few days ago", he added.
"Now I know I'm getting my ass whooped, but not that whooped", Sanjay chuckled. "Thinking about it now, just a few days of training with your Essent is just not enough man. I'm sorry to say this but you are going to getting your ass whooped bad out there, to a pulp", Sanjay said as he grinned while holding back his laughter.
With slight disbelief on his face, Astrape looked around his table only to notice the laughter everyone else was holding back. "Is it really gonna be that bad?", he asked.
"I'm sure he was just joking around. I think", CJ added.
Astrape could only look down in embarrassment as the whole table could not contain their laughter anymore.
"Don't worry!", exclaimed Milan, "I could fight on your behalf as well if you want. Pretty sure I can win this whole thing", he added, loud and confident.
"I wish I was as confident as you. In any case that's not possible because this tournament is about show casing our individual skills. So that will probably not be allowed", responded Justin.
"Damn, I'm finished. By the way what makes you so confident? I thought you weren't in the military course as well, just like us", said Astrape.
"Because you're looking at the next emperor of Stoeicheiodis!", Milan exclaimed.
For a slight moment his seatmates were stunned, then confused as to whether he was joking or not. Sanjay hesitantly asked, "Were you already in the Military program?".
"Uh, no. why do you ask?".
"Well, then I'm guessing you're just that skilled then?".
A brief pause occurred before Milan responded as he turned his head slightly, "I… can't be in the military program, at least not yet", he responded, his voice lower than usual.
"Why not?", asked Astrape.
"You don't need to know", Milan answered, his Demeanor cold. The atmosphere around the table felt slightly more intense for a brief moment.
His seatmates giving slight glances at each other confused at the change in attitude. Milan smiled, "Anyway, don't mind me. I just mean we don't think need to tell each other our reasons, right?", he assured.
"Well, my reasons aren't that complicated. I'm aiming for a spot in the student council but my grades are… just okay, you know what I mean? I found out just how much this tournament is brought into consideration by the student council's nominating committee and I thought that if I could do well in this tournament then that will probably increase my chances", Sanjay said, trying to break the ice. "Anybody else? I can't be the only one to share", he added.
CJ raised his hand in suggestion and responded, "Here, I'll go next. I uh… want to be number one… at something or anything, I guess.".
"Wow, that not the kind of reason I expected from you to be honest", said Astrape.
"At least be more confident about it", Sanjay added.
The whole table chuckled at Justin's comment. "And you, why are you here?", questioned CJ.
Hmm, Justin chuckled, "My reason is probably the least complicated. Compared to all your reason's so far mine… sounds shallow. I just joined this tournament for the prize money. But after hearing about how savage things could get in this tournament, I had my second thoughts but my pride won't let me back out now".
Raising an eyebrow Astrape jokingly asked, "You mean you want to become emperor as well?".
"No, nothing like that. I'm going to be great and rich one day and I figured I could start here. Once I create a good reputation for myself it would be easier for me to get stuff like business deals, scholarships and other privileges".
"To be honest that's a reason I can relate with, specifically the stinking rich part" commented Astrape.
"So, who's going next?", said Sanjay.
Ethan responded, "My reason is embarrassing to be honest. But… It's about a girl. I just thought I could impress her and here I am I guess".
"Did you at least know what you were getting yourself into?", Sanjay questioned.
"Yeah, I mean this is very serious. At the very least some of us might get out of this with at least one broken bone", Justin added. The table slightly more stunned after hearing this.
"I already know that!", exclaimed Ethan, "But I'm in love and I think she's the one", he added.
"Do you even know what love at the age you're at?", Questioned Astrape.
"If this isn't love I don't know what is", responded Ethan.
"Well, suit yourself", said Astrape.
"And you? What's your reason?", Sanjay questioned Astrape.
"I… failed one of my course and long story short here I am", responded Astrape. "And you?", he pointed towards Milan, "If you're that confident in your skills then how come you couldn't take part in the Military Program in the first place.
"It's best you don't know, trust me", he responded, his voice cold.
Milan exclaimed, "Anyway I noticed we haven't introduced each other this whole time, I guess the rumors about guys are true. So anyways, my name is Milan, Milan Bamboo and I'm a first year in high school, class one to be specific".
"I'm Ipios Clarence Jade, but my friends call me CJ. I'm in class six".
"I'm Sanjay but that's my middle name. I'm actually Greg Sanjay Teller class four".
"Astrape Lite, class four as well".
"Justin Speck, I'm in class four too"
"Ethan Melody. Ha-ha this is weird but class four too".
Milan puzzled, he asked, "Wait are CJ and I the only ones not in class four?".
Replying, Justin said, "Yeah we've never spoken to each other but before this. Probably because we were in different classes back in middle school. As for me I was at a different school entirely during middle school".
"I was at a different school actually. Only joined Vex Academy this year for high school", responded Astrape.
"Same here", said Ethan
"Oh, I've been at Vex Academy since middle school so it makes sense why I'm not familiar with any of you, apart from CJ at least. We've talked before, a really long time ago though", said Sanjay.
"Oh, hey the foods finally arrived!", exclaimed Milan.
"Great, this is actually what I've been waiting for all night". Astrape added.
"Probably cause it's the best part of any event", added Justin.
"No arguments there", said Ethan.
As the dinner progressed their conversation grew even livelier. During the dinner all participants were briefed on how the tournament would progress this year and on the rules for every match.
The Bash Tournament instructor stood up on a podium to address them. "Excuse me, can I have your attention please? I am Professor Kante and as some you may know I am this year's instructor of the Bash Tournament. I kindly ask that you lend me your ears as I briefly explain how this year's Tournament will commence. In total there are seventy-eight candidates and the first round would exist to eliminate all but sixteen of the candidates. The remaining sixteen are to face each other in the round of sixteen. After which, the winners of the round progress into the quarter finals, then semifinals and eventually the finals".
He added, "oh, and before I forget, from the round of sixteen until the semifinals no one will know their opponent until the day before their battle. So, I suggest you start to study your potential opponents now while you have the chance".
Nervous himself, Sanjay looked around his table and saw the nervous expressions of his seatmates. He suggested to them that it would be better to form an alliance at least for the first which includes a mass elimination of candidates.
Justin, nodding his head sideways asked, "Isn't that a bad idea? To make an alliance won't we have to train together?", "Nothing personal but that's taking the risk of exposing any weaknesses I have", he added.
To nobody's surprise Justin said what they were all thinking.
"What if we only do it during the actual tournament?", questioned CJ, "We train solo but during the first-round use team work".
"Then we won't not have to worry about any of our weaknesses getting exposed. There is one problem though, since were going to train solo, we might not know how to work with each other. That might be a risk itself", Astrape said.
"Then let's just stick to the basics. I think any basic team work might give us an edge", Sanjay responded.
"I think I may have an idea. If we're going to stick to the basics, then how about we just go back-to-back", suggested CJ.
"Huh?", muttered Milan.
"I mean if we literally have each other's back, that can actually work. This type of first-round happened two years ago as well. Back then they used a floating stage, and the goal was to eliminate all opponents by knock-out, submission or knocking them off the stage. If we could team up during that time, have each other's backs and I mean guarding each other's backs then I think we stand a chance. Plus, we might not have to worry about being driven to submission or getting knocked out because it's going to be six of us against one of them", CJ said as he laid out his plan for the first-round.
"That's actually… a good idea. Maybe I'm desperate but I think it can work", said Astrape.
"Then it's settled then. Is everyone else on board?", Sanjay questioned.
They all reluctantly agreed but Sanjay not as certain as he would have liked still had a skeptical look on his face. To ensure full support and cooperation he added, "Listen guys this is the best option we have. I've seen how students in the military program train and they don't look like they're playing. And that was just them during a typical training session, so imagine how much more power they would use in this tournament. This is the best option we have of making it through to the next round". After a brief silence, they glanced at one another before turning their gaze back to Sanjay and nodding their heads in support.
For the next hour there was more and more chatter that followed. Topics ranging from favorite foods, to their first high school crushes, all until the event finally came to a close. All candidates were dismissed and sent to their respective rooms.
With exactly two days left for the Bash tournament to commence, classes were put to a halt. Just like all other candidates, Astrape and his new comrades continued to hone their Essent and sharpen their skills the very next day. Fearing to go into the tournament fatigued he decided to take a rest with one day left for the tournament.