BXBX NOVEL Chapter 416 String Competition Finals (1)
"Your Highness Third Prince, is everything ready on the other side?" High Priest Enoch inquired.
A week later, Leon, Eli, and the rest of the team prepared to execute the plan to deceive the pope and reveal the whereabouts of the 'Paladin'.
"Yes, Your Eminence. The person who will pose as the paladin is ready for the show. The only thing we need to do is to deliver this batch of purest cure potion to his side and convince the people out there that he was indeed the paladin." Leon reported.
Their strategy is to get a powerful mage that specializes in healing magic and let him pose as the paladin.
Along the way of him healing the victims of curse magic, he will be secretly using the purest batch of cure potions made directly from Eli's spiritual powers to further convince the public.
"Once the pope heard of this news, he will surely try something to test the imposter's abilities… But even so, our goal was not to deceive him completely but to buy us time.
A week is enough to make him waver, and once he bit the trap, he will be forced to delay his arrival and go in the direction of the imposter paladin.
By the time they realized that the paladin was fake, we were already done with the tournament. All of the travel passes of the foreign visitors will also expire. Hence, the Empire will have the right to kick out these people and force them to go back."
Antoine analyzed Leon's plan and his eyes lit up in realization. This plan is well thought out.
The only thing they have to pray for is that the Pope will not see through this plan which would really cause a great delay to his party.
"The second stage of this plan is for our team to find a way to check the situation in the Holy Island and in the Vanderford. The more we think about it the more we are convinced that there is something fishy going on that side of the map." Kazimir commented.
"Let's stay calm and play by ear. We are not to show the enemy that we are eager to know what was going on in their side. One wrong signal will make our plan crumble." Emperor Valentin warned everyone.
One week to go before the start of the Pope's journey to the Seirende Empire.
Everyone was praying for the plan to work for the tournament to finish as soon as possible.
–
After the meeting, Eli and Randel quickly went back to their proteges to watch the finale of the events.
A few days ago, the finals for the magic tournament were already finished with the mage from the Greenwave Institute claiming the top position. He was Calderon Eldir, a hot-blooded youth from the dragon clan.
Claiming the second spot was a mage from the Farauld Magic Institute which was actually sponsored by the Astaze clan.
Finally, another familiar name made Eli surprised as she heard of the results of the tournament, the third place was achieved by Elifas Koeth of the Silverdew Elves, who is none other than Azayn's son.
Surprisingly, only two mages of Vanderford rest in the lower top ten of the Magic division.
The fourth and fifth ranks were awarded to the two other mages of the Farauld Magic institute and the rest were dominated by the delegates from the Green Wave institute.
"It was quite bad, surprisingly…" Eli whispered towards Randel.
All along she had the impression that the Vanderford group was becoming stronger and more aggressive in getting a good rank for the Magic division.
But it turns out their finish is quite pitiful.
"The warriors from the Greenwave institute were stronger than the last time. It is to be expected that they will dominate the mage's match.
As for our representatives, you know how strong our training regimen is in the Institute. A lot of them were even stronger than their registered ranks."
Randel patiently explained to Eli.
"That makes sense." Eli nodded as she listened to Randel's analysis.
Although Vanderford boasted of having more mages past the B-rank level, the way of training in Farauld Magic institute does not give a heavy emphasis on one's aptitude assessment.
It is a holistic combination of talent, strength, and battle experience.
"Mentor Eli! Mentor Randel, here!" As the two discussed the results of the magic division, their attention was called by Lainie and Max who had already reserved their seats.
"Did the match start?" Eli asked as the two sat on the seats reserved by the students.
"Not yet, mentor. But I believe Marie can do well today!" Lainie was obviously anxious but she decided to keep calm and support her friends.
"They were just waiting for His Majesty to come and witness the finale, for he confirmed his attendance to watch the entire proceedings."
"Raya and Haley were also backstage too… along with Her Highnesses," Max commented.
Today is the finals of the strings competition.
Viola was the first one to conclude and everyone was in the Empire's largest concert hall to watch the finale.
"I see…" Eli nodded with understanding. She did not mention that Emperor Valentin was just with him earlier during the meeting but she understood why the Emperor wanted to watch.
It was because the students of Evelyn, First Queen Lucia, and Second Queen Tehila will be fighting their last battle. To support the members of the Imperial family, he had to go and witness the results of their efforts.
"We shall wait patiently then…" Eli looked at the young students and nodded. Along with Randel they patiently waited for the Emperor and all the highest representatives of each dominion to arrive at the venue.
It did not take long for the formalities to start and soon the finals for the Strings Competition started.
There were seven contenders for the Viola division and only Marie was the representative of the Farauld Magic institute.
In the finals, four of the contestants came from the Vanderford institute and all of them had an expression filled with confidence.
They looked at Marie with a smug provoking look, as if they knew that even if she managed to snag a spot in the finals she would not succeed in getting first place.
Marie shuddered in nervousness. She felt her hands cold as she could not stand the stares from her competitors.
"Marie…" Princess Consort Evelyn patted Marie's shoulder, rubbing it gently to let the young lady relax.
"Your Highness…" Marie's eyes glowed in relief seeing her mentor supporting her in this crucial moment.
"Relax and be proud of yourself. Look how far you have gone and we are more than proud of you already. You have already given me so much pride and happiness seeing how you grew. And so do not pressure yourself and play to your heart's content."
Princess Evelyn smiled and encouraged Marie, she was one of the silent members of the eight delegates from the music and fine arts department and so she ensured that the young lady would not beat her own because of too much pressure.
"Do not mind the score, the judge, or your competitors. Play the music you love, and let others hear the beautiful music you've been developing these past few months." She continued.
"I will do as you say, Your Highness, my Mentor…" Marie gave a shy nod, but her eyes were now filled with determination.
"That's more like it!" Princess Evelyn smiled and stayed with Marie until it was her turn to perform.
True enough, the delegates from the Vanderford were strong violists and they had enough reason to wear a triumphant expression on their faces.
Marie closed her eyes and looked at the crowd, her friends Eli and Randel were smiling at her with encouragement.
She also remembered Princess Evelyn's words.
Do not mind the score, the judge or your competitors.
Play the music you love.
Let others hear the beautiful music you've been developing these past few months!
The piece she used was a famous viola caprice that could be played without piano accompaniment.
The theme of the piece was similar to Henri Vieuxtemps: Capriccio in C minor, Op. 55, which was a piece dedicated to his dear friend Niccolo Paganini during his passing.
Paired with her slightly intense bowing and crisp playing of the melody, Marie was able to bring out the emotions of a person lamenting over the death of his dearest friend.
It was heavy and melancholic, to the point that the listeners felt like it was the notes themselves that were actually recounting the life of the person whom the piece was written for. The highs and lows of his life as well as his beautiful end.
After the piece of the song, one of the juries felt tears rolling from his eyes. The heartbreak and emotion Marie brought to the listeners were real and so hard to get out into.
Seeing no reaction from the audience, Marie felt calm, even as she bowed.
Clap clap clap!
The first to recover was actually Eli, who was on her feet, smiling at her proudly.