The most anticipated day of the empire has come at last-- the day of the Enlistment of the participating players.

The gigantic magical crystal floating up above the Castle Square seemed to glow even brighter than days before, bathing the entire capital with its glorious iridescence. The outskirts of the Capital including the nearby towns and villages became even more livelier to the point it's getting chaotic. However things were kept under control as the Order of the Knights made sure that everything and everyone fell in their watch, assigning Knights to stations almost everywhere. The townsfolk also heard that several of the Knights serving in the various borders of the Kingdom were recalled to aid the Castle with various duties in making sure that things are in order for the greatest event of the empire. And today will be the day they get to know the players and the possible winning team. It is certain that the bets will shoot through the roof by the end of the day, and starting tonight the players' lives will be in peril as assassinations and plotted deaths will surely take place to make sure their bets can win the game. And that's what made the game extra difficult-- the players are not only up against the other players but also against the game watchers and bidders. The moment one enlist their names, they are no longer protected by the laws of the Kingdom as all are bound for their deaths.

Elois knew this very well, yet she decided to sign up still. She couldn't think of any other way to prove herself but this. The little mage knew what kind of path she just took, and although she was still shaking in fear, she doesn't regret her decision at all.

She walked along the series of stalls set on the sideways of the pavement, and each time something would catch her eye that might be of aid for her to winning the game, she'd buy it.

'I must have valuable items along with my asset to attract strong players,' is what she thought as she spent all her money down to the last gold. At the end of her shopping spree, she ended up buying coattails made from the skin of a Minotaur which was too big for her, a dozen of popping pills for invisibility, ten bottles of Belladonna essence, bunch of herbs she's only seen in their clan's books, magic cloak, three necklaces which was said to attract luck, a charm to sweep away the evil, precious gems which caught her eye, a map, and a book of herbs and spells.

'If Ma is with me right now, she would've pinch me until my eyes bleed from crying.' Yes, she had no idea what kind of items she bought. And all that she's left are measly brass coins that won't even buy her dinner.

'I hope they'd serve free meals for the players,' she hoped, acutely aware of the gnawing pang of hunger in her stomach. Come to think of it, when was the last time she's had a proper meal?

Elois went past the stalls, determined to not look at any of the items anymore (however tempting they may be) and went straight ahead to the front gate of the castle that would lead the path to Castle Square. No one seemed to pay attention as everyone else was preoccupied with their own businesses. She slipped right through the busy crowd, and carefully walked her way inside. But there were so many people and she had no idea where to go.

Splat!

'Oops!' her eyes widened in horror. She just bumped into someone! She felt herself rising in the air and she was momentarily lost in confusion until she was faced with a horrendous visage of a man. That was when Elois realised that the man was grabbing her black gown's collar and was holding her up in the air.

The man's face contorted in anger, "You watch where you're going, midget, or I'll cook you for my supper tonight."

A bespectacled man with deep russet hair stepped between them and said in a rather trembling voice, "Forgive the little child, Brother Dos. Look at how frightened she looks!"

'You look even more frightened than me, sir!' were Elois' thoughts.

The man called Dos spat on Elois Face. "That's what you get for splashing my drink over my shirt. Be thankful that my brother Treis here has shown benevolence, or I would have skinned you alive up from this no-good auburn hair down to the tiniest nail on your toe, midget." And she felt herself thrown into the air.

"Mama!" she cried. Then she felt a hand reaching over her. And this time, she came face to face with another weird looking man, although he looked a lot more pleasant than the brawny man earlier.

"Here now, little child. You looking for your mama?" he cajoled, or perhaps mocked, as she felt his cream white eyes staring down at her. Elois froze in fear. She even forgot the tingly sensation of the spit on her face, much more so wipe it off. Every tiny fiber of her being were screaming SOS, warning her to get away as soon as possible.

That was when the heaven-sent Mr. Glasses stepped in again and took her from Mr. White Eye. He wiped away the spit from her face and placed her down on her feet. "Go now," he whispered.

"Hmmm." The white eyed man said, observing her. Then he smiled, "She's no ordinary midget, that little one."

And that was enough for Elois to scram away at once. And she didn't stop running until her instincts told her she was safe, well, kind of. Those guys were strong players, sure. But she wouldn't dream of teaming up with them!

Elois was running out of breath when she plopped down the ground in one of the corners she found. Where the hell she was, she had no idea. Must as well ask around to get her into Castle Square. Elois has finally regained her breath, and she heard some laughter and some singing just behind her. Then it was followed by the playing of a lute. The melodious sound wafted through the air, washing away the noise of the surrounding. Then a man started singing and Elois was sure the Angels and Canaries would've envied this man. Thankfully, his playing and singing helped her forget the terrifying experience she's just encountered.

Elois waited until his singing was over, and she would ask the kind sounding man where the Castle Square was. And just as she stepped out of the bush shielding her and eyes were presented with a yet surprising picture.

The man wasn't alone. He was with a woman and all her skirts were propped up and her legs wide open. Her hair was dishevelled as she made loud noises and the man was pumping himself inside the woman for a reason Elois did not understand.

'Mama,' Elois thought, turning away from the couple and just walking to God knows where. 'I do not regret coming here, but I want to go home.'

And Elois felt like crying.

Estil stepped inside the gate of the Castle, and walked her way through the back gardens as was the instructions and spotted Ueno waiting along with another figure she recognized in an instant. At first she could not understand why the man suddenly changed his mind and decided to play the game with her when she returned the next day, but now everything was clear as the day. It was because of the Royal Concubine. Back in the day, Estil knew Ueno could never say no to the man, for the reason that Lord Rubius' family took him in following his disowning from his family in Carsus. Ueno said he owes Lord Rubius' family, the House of Linden, for his life that's why he would obey anything they would ask of him. But Estil knew that the reason behind stems deeper than what he told her back then.

Estil made her presence known to the two, and made a curtsy and greeted them.

"Well then," she heard the voice of Lord Rubius, "I'll leave you two. You may raise your head, Miss Estil Lumierre."

Estil did, and she wasn't sure whether it was only her imagination or Lord Rubius gave her a smile of contempt. But before she could confirm, he had already turned in his heels and walked out of the gardens.

"Let's go," Ueno said, and he led the way that would lead them to the east of Castle Square. Apparently there was a way there to avoid the overwhelming crowd. Estil followed. They were making their way to the Castle Square in silence when Estil spotted a young child wandering towards the back of the Main Castle, which was a heavily restricted area. She frowned as she took mental note of the odd garment she was wearing-- a black, loose gown that reached the ankle, a pointy hat, and pointy boots. The wind blew and Estil noticed her bright auburn hair.

"A mage from the Middle Kingdom," She said aloud.

"What?"

Ueno followed her gaze, and he was frowning. "A kid that young?"

"Let's take her," she whispered. "We should take her."

Ueno glanced at her, who had already stopped walking, and he sighed. Going from her expression, he knew she would do it anyway whether he agreed or not.

"May I just remind you, Miss Lumierre. The Empire of Elthiora is comprised of three Kingdoms-- Upper, Middle, and Lower-- and each are brimming with superb skills and talents. Please do not tell me you want her in the team. She. Is. A. Kid."

"We take half each, right?" Estil was nonchalant, still staring at the kid unaware of the danger she was heading to. "Six members in a team, and we both take in half our own pick. I'll take her, and that's one more to go."

Estil turned to meet his eyes, and her smoky orbs hidden by her woolen gray hood were full of determination. "Say no more. The poor kid is crying." And she went on ahead.

So Ueno had no choice but to trust her judgement.