Fantasia (Part 6)

Pictures nixed from the Ragnarok online website (screenshots).

(Part 1 2 3 4 5)

The first day of the competition at the Citadel of Aqueaon commenced without a hitch. As the other contestants spent their day brainstorming for their speeches, essays and paintings, Romulus expectedly dominated the first part of the eliminations test consisting of History, the Arts and Culture. Daniel got by the test with a respectable score, but what was more significant for him was that he had met some of Helen's friends who were also participating in the contest. Helen, on the other hand, was at home preparing for her visit to the Pillars. It was mid-year vacation for most academies, and with the exception of those attending activities and tournaments like the ones being held in the Pillars and the Citadel the wards are free from their scholarly burden for a couple of weeks.

Early the next day, Daniel was up and about even when the sun had barely risen. The Knights' Master of Codix, Wilbur, noticed his excitement. That day was for the second part of the eliminations with the test consisting of topics in Codix and Magic, his area of expertise. More importantly though, Helen was to leave in a few hours. The sight of the omnibus vessel near the Citadel prompted Daniel to prod Wilbur allow him to go where it was docked.

When Daniel arrived at the dock, however, he suddenly felt unsure of how to proceed. It had been three years since they last saw each other. Would Helen still remember him who, back then, was masterfully shoved to the sidelines? He realized too that in his rush he was still wearing his house clothes.

Daniel had no time to ponder on these jitters, for Helen had appeared by the vessel's port. He beheld the glorious sight of a young lady. She sported shorter hair (looked good on her) and appeared more slender (no more baby fat) wearing her, well, moss green jumper (some things did not change: the color of the Aqueaonian uniform is still comparable to that of the greenery on moist surfaces).

Her face lightened up when she recognized the young man waiting outside. Ah, how her eyes twinkled: the same round expressive eyes that captivated admirers three years ago. Daniel could at first only offer a sheepish smile, overjoyed that she did recognize him. When he had recovered his senses he asked--"how does it feel to be going to the Pillars again?"--anything to start a conversation.

"I feel ok, I guess, since, well, I've been there before."

Both parties engaged in some small talk and a little flattery.

"...and, oh, when you meet Mervin, do send him my regards." Daniel considered himself as being fair when he mentioned his friend's name.

"Mervin who?"

This amused Daniel to quite an extent, but he knew also that Mervin would have an entire two days to re-introduce himself unhindered.

"How do you find the Citadel?" It was Helen's turn to ask.

"It's great; I felt at home instantly." Further small talk about the tournament followed, the better for Daniel to make a good impression in this short meeting.

Then an awkward silence. Was it that Daniel could only look mesmerized at Helen's shy smile or that Helen could only smile shyly at Daniel's mesmerized look?

"Uhm, I think I gotta go, it was nice seeing you again, Helen." A good impression may have been made, but, for a thorough expression of the pleasant outbursts happening in his inner being, Daniel was incapable at that moment.

"Same here. And, yeah, good luck with the tournament!"

More than luck and training, it was inspiration that made Daniel top the eliminations for Codix and Magic later that day.

As the tournament raged on at the Citadel, emotions raged at the Pillars, at least for the new scholastic wards and a handful from Fourth Group R. For instance, there was visibly star-struck Mervin who had been tailing Helen like an escort for the entire day. By late afternoon, they had been staying at the exhibit of A Merry Land, which was popular among visitors, as expected. Dominic had been eyeing the exhibit from his own post at the Guild of Acolytes exhibit and can only sigh: the writers, artists and editors of the literary scroll had broken the monopoly of the guilds of Magic and the Medics, when could be the acolytes' turn?

Dominic had been deep with his thoughts for his guild that he barely noticed a visitor from one of the academies curiously eyeing the portraits of the acolytes in action. "Excuse me, are you the one over here?" she finally asked, pointing to a portrait of Dominic with the High Priest of the Pillars.

"Yeah, it's me," Dominic managed to reply before being overwhelmed by the beauty that was before him: an apparition who had long black hair flow smoothly down to the waist and lips carrying an easy smile. Alas for Dominic, it was a beauty, which like Helen's, had a doting escort who interrupted the conversation.

"Angela, I see you've met Dominic here. He's the holy man of the Pillars." With these words the pompous lad imposed his presence, and turning to Dominic he spoke with a flurry, "by the way, Dominic, this is Angela from the Tower of Aganard." The Aganardians were rivals of the Aqueaonians in Legacy City, as the Greyhounds were the rivals of the Knights in Ceres.

Dominic knew there was nothing holy with how Harvey had introduced him to the heavenly Angela. But at least he was there to do something about it, he thought, unlike Daniel who was helplessly stuck elsewhere.

Actually, Daniel, despite all the limitations imposed upon him by his duty, did not consider himself totally helpless; because, he had a plan. The tournament would end by the next day, and they would return to the Pillars by evening. At around that time, the Farewell Dance would be starting. Even in that small time, Daniel had hoped that he may be able to reverse his embarrassment four years ago. Of course, an announcement of their victory at the tournament would help vastly. He could imagine it: Master Wilbur and Master Dionysus making the important announcement within the program; the victorious contestants, including himself, being presented to the audience, their clout made known not only to the Knights but to the Aqueaonians, Aganardians and other visitors; Helen being invited to dance by him, this time making sure that Mervin and any other admirer would be kept away.

The last day of the tournament came, and the Knights woke up to a cloudy morning. The Wizards of the Empire had predicted a further worsening of the weather until the next day, but the tournament will go on. Daniel never included in his plan adverse weather like the storm threatening EveAlone. He suddenly considered the prospect of being jeopardized even before he could set the plan in motion.

(To be continued)