The rain continued into the middle of the following morning, but it did not stop the top ten outer school students from challenging the bottom ten inner school students. Seven of these inner school students had been first years the year prior; they had had plenty of time to train and rise into safer ranks, so they only had themselves to blame.The match ups were random and each student could only battle once. The student that won stayed or transferred into the inner school. The students that lost stayed or were transferred into the outer school. There was no appeal or second chance.
Only two outer students rose, in the end, meaning two inner school students fell. One of these four individuals was the older berserker brother, Borean, who proved his skill to force his opponent to give up his place in the inner school. The unfortunate opponent would have to prove his worth to return to the school either through his achievements throughout the year or winning the Standings next year.
In the afternoon, after these fast paced battles, prizes were given out to the inner school students that had proven themselves the best of the best. It was the top ten individuals that received the prizes of quality pills, high end equipment and chances to visit the forbidden levels in the library, where secret techniques, abilities and cultivation methods were stored. These writings could not be removed from the library, but if one could understand what was read and had the ability to put it into practice, this could be worth a thousand good pills.
This might have been the reason that Ari chose to accept two hours in the library rather than the three significant pills that Pike chose or a visit to the equipment vault of Master Corne, that Bowyer picked, to accept a new weapon.
This fifth day turned into an event where the invited sect and family masters could attempt to entice and solicit students into supporting them once their lives at the inst.i.tution had finished. It should be noted that the student that every master sought, Ari, had already vanished by this point. Several congratulated Pike and Bowyer, while both men held stiff smiles. Neither gave any indication that they would accept or refuse invitations and all these Master ignored the three students who stood with them, barring one.
That man"s eyes swept over all three, but happened to pause on both Jin Li and Leon before he offered his own congratulations to the men. "You are worthy students of this school and able seniors," the man stated, amicably. "Your Teachers must be proud. The young members of my sect could surely learn well from you."
"Thank you, Sect Leader Feng," Pike bowed as did Bowyer.
"Are these fellows ones we must look out for next year?" He asked, the two seniors, indicating Sun, Jin Li and Leon. The two men and three boys were taken aback for a moment.
"Jin Li and Sun, most certainly," Bowyer replied, casually. "They will do well. However, young Leon is a student of the Alchemist school, a reliable pill maker who has the favour of several of our Teachers."
Leon flushed at the praise, but remained quiet. "I see," the Sect Leader replied, before he excused himself and went to find his two daughters to spoil before he had to return home.
"What was that about?" Bowyer muttered beneath his breath, but Pike simply shrugged.
There was a tradition in the inner school that followed the Standings, the breaking of curfew. Having fought hard, won or lost, the Teachers turned a blind eye to this tradition, but would cruelly still expect their students to rise early as usual for breakfast, lectures and training, no matter what. The Breaking of Curfew was basically a drinking party, Leon, who had been encouraged to stay with Sun and Jin Li, discovered.
The students had long since gathered bottles of rice wine and saki in their rooms over the last few weeks and cajoled snacks from the kitchens to pair with their liquor. It seemed age was of no issue either as it was normal to drink at meal times in n.o.ble houses. The commoners also might partake in rice wine, but it was usually watered down so not long after the sun had disappeared beyond the horizon, a lot of first years from these backgrounds had either emptied their stomachs in a reversal or sought their beds to sleep off the dizziness.
The students gathered in the main arena, laughing in groups around their drinks and commenting on performances of themselves or others. Leon sipped his rice wine, his stomach warming more with each mouthful. Sun was eagerly reciting his favourite moments about the battle between Ari and Crux, while on his fourth cup. Small as he was, he knew he could hold well his liquor.
Jin Li held a small cup of saki, moving it idly in his fingers as he watched with some fascination as Leon"s cheeks became more and more flushed with pink.
A small disturbance broke out a short distance from them and Pike and Bowyer rolled their eyes and went to diffuse the situation. Leon suddenly stood up. "T-toilet!" He hiccuped and began to walk slightly unsteadily across the arena to the small room he knew was just outside it meant for a man to relieve himself.
Sun leapt up before Jin Li could say a word. "I"ll go with you!" The two smaller youths walked away leaving Jin Li to down his saki and pour another cup. The seniors returned with a slight groan.
"Should have known it was Maki and Lute," Pike complained. "That pair of trouble makers." Bowyer snorted and reached for the bottle of saki, refilling Pike"s cup and his own, before offering Jin Li more. The latter declined. "Why do they believe that we need to have a second tradition during the Break of pranking?"
"It"s just an excuse," Bowyer replied. "That pair simply want to cause mischief as usual. Speaking of trouble..." he added as he saw Sun suddenly rushing towards them.