Fantasia (Part 5)

(Part 1 2 3 4)

It was sunny and windy all over EveAlone on the day of the trip to the practice tournament. The vessel transporting Daniel and his teammates got a boost from the strong winds. Rather than let thoughts of Helen distract him, he recalled the electrifying competition he just had recently, one of the reasons he needed this practice tournament.

It was a month after the War Games that Daniel and Romulus had their turn to face two beautiful ladies of the Greyhounds in the second round of the Challenge of the Intellects. In this round, the Knights led in the earlier Speed Level, but that lead was diminished by the Greyhounds in the Written Level. In particular, Daniel was suddenly struggling to find the answers. Two more questions remain with the Greyhounds leading by one.

The second to the last question was a surprisingly easy one about the Codix. Everyone answered it, but Daniel pointed out one small detail missing in the Greyhounds' formula. The Knights tied the score.

The last question was asking the name of an enchanted telescope recently built that would peer through the stars for a light human eyes were unable to see.

"It's Bubbles." Romulus suggested the name of a similar but more famous telescope.

"No, the Bubbles sees regular light; besides, it has been in use for a long time now, not newly built." Daniel was wringing his brains, "dammit! I have seen the image of that thing in the news scroll; I just can't place its name!"

As expected, everyone answered Bubbles, but the correct answer was Cassandra. "Argh! So that's why it was at the tip of my tongue!" This greatly frustrated Daniel because Cassandra was also the name of the girl Mervin had fallen in love two years earlier. She was from the neighbor of the Pillars, the Sepulchre of Isis, an academy exclusive for girls. It was another interscholastic visit, and that time she was the girl everyone was smitten with. Daniel wasn't similarly attracted to her pointed nose, fair complexion and cheerful smile, but curiously, it was him, rather than Mervin, that Cassandra would recognize for the following years until he leaves for apprenticeship in Manille.

In the subsequent Clincher level, Romulus correctly answered the first question, which was about Literature. The second question, which was about Magic, disoriented Daniel. The Greyhounds got the answer. The third question about a History quote was similarly disorienting and was punctuated by a tense silence as the contestants thought it out. Romulus showed his mastery of History when he saw through the question, winning the round for the Knights and avenging their defeat at the War Games.

Rather than dwell on the details of his embarrassing performance, Daniel decided to join his teammates in their silly games and conversations: time to let others help him escape from his nagging thoughts.

Meanwhile, back in the Pillars, in its exhibition hall, Dominic was instructing the Acolyte trainees in assembling their guild exhibition for the contest tomorrow. Portraits of the acolytes providing assistance in religious rituals adorned their area. Still to be arranged were samples of religious artifacts used in those rituals. However, Dominic was somehow unsatisfied with their exhibit. An overly religious display, admittedly, could be quite a bore.

Dominic signaled a break from their work. He looked around the rest of the exhibits in the hall. One that easily stood out was the exhibit of A Merry Land. This year could be the literary scroll's big break, snatching victory away from the perennial winners Guild of Magic and Guild of Medics whose tools and artifacts never failed to amaze. This year, A Merry Land went beyond providing a reading lounge for their scrolls. Their area had been transformed into an enchanted forest, complete with statues and images of the creatures that graced the stories in the scrolls. It was a brilliant idea, and Dominic knew why: two of the editors, Mervin and Daniel, became kindled minds lately, inspired by the news about Helen. It was Daniel who came up with the concept of making the stories come alive, but with him being busy preparing for the practice tournament, it was Mervin who zealously executed the plan to perfection.

Dominic picked up one of the A Merry Land scrolls featured in the exhibit, the one containing a poem he wrote. He looked for that poem, started reading, and winced at his old poetic style--better not let the guests read this particular issue--and he buried the scroll beneath the pile. He couldn't believe his old style was that atrocious. What made it more pathetic was the seriousness he tried to convey. It would have been better if he was merely joking, like that poem of Daniel to Mervin.

That memory elicited a smile for Dominic. In another interscholastic visit, the one after Mervin had given up the hope of winning Cassandra's affections, he was again attracted to another guest from the Sepulchre. Her name was Gwyneth, and with long black hair, chubby cheeks and bubbly black eyes, she was cute as cute could be. Mervin intimated about the girl to his uncle, but he was told that she just might be his cousin. This amused Daniel to no end that he was inspired to write a poem entitled "Who is She in Your Life?"

Dominic made his way back to the exhibit area of the Acolytes. The break was over, they better finish their work before the sun completely sets and the Pillars closes for the day.

Across the campus, the officership training drill for that day was about to be concluded. Mervin would finally deliver his instructions, which everyone had been awaiting all throughout the drill: "Alright boys, we all know that tomorrow, visitors from different academic institutions will be arriving to our venerable academy. As the battalion's liaison for the organizers of this event, I will hereby take charge in mobilizing you trainees as part of the welcoming group." Mervin noted with satisfaction how the troops kept silent and disciplined. "You will, in exchange for the wonderful privilege of being the first to see our guests, escort our beloved guests to their respective rooms and carry their luggage. Hardly a problem, am I right?"

"Sir, yes sir!" It was the loudest response from the trainees for the entire afternoon.

"For tomorrow, I would like to see you in formation by the entrance gate at 0800 hours sharp. Wear your spiffiest casual-type uniform, and show them why each of you deserve to be called an officer and a gentleman."

"Sir, yes sir!"

The commander could not help but add, "and take special care of Helen."

"Commander, there should be no special treatment." Mervin quickly replied. A blush could still be noticed through his face that was darkened by days of marching under the blazing sun.

"Oh don't be so bashful, Mervin, we understand. Besides, I've never seen a luckier person than you, know that? For the next few days, your friend Daniel's stuck in a tournament at the Citadel of Aqueaon while Helen's gonna be guestin' here. And you, lucky you, will be welcoming her with a platoon under your command." Turning to the formation, the commander barked, "Troops dismissed!"