The next day, the Celestial Twelve were more organized and prepared than they originally were. The gates opened in the intended time and people entered in crowds as many as before. The team assigned for the maintenance had been busy all morning. It was hard trying to manage the damaged facilities due to the fact that the head, who was Brindon, was out due to back strain. Because of this, Corvan, being the one of the most responsible and hard-working of the team as he was labeled, assumed all the responsibilities and had been occupied ever since.

Of course, the other teams who were not too busy offered their assistance to finish the job faster. Because of this cooperation, the whole thing was going smoothly.

The one with the most damage had been the arena, and since it was needed for the coming fight of the twins, hasty reparations were in order even when the festival was already in action.

The DevDept was helping out, of course, since they knew the architectural design and structure of the whole place. They were the ones spearheading the renovation from the very beginning. The Knights' Wing did most of the handy jobs and dirty work but it was to be expected since they were more adept in terms of physical labor.

It had been tiring for the Circle once again. They began engaging in hands-on activities--climbing ladders, hammering nails, and even as much as carrying new construction materials when the situation called for it. Valeriana, in particular, had taken off the first layer of her uniform which left her in her long-sleeved, white blouse to help with the rearrangement of the things inside the exhibits she was assigned with. No matter how much it was restricted to touch the displays pertaining to the different weapons and instruments related to knightly works, a few, curious fellows were undoubtedly unstoppable. Most of the other visitors were disciplined and obedient but some were just stubborn.

Well, that was inevitable in every situation.

Even so, the biggest attraction, the Death Tunnel, was in good working condition. Tamara said she was going to try it later that afternoon if she found the time, but the thought was impossible in itself since she could not leave the announcing room. She was the voice of the festival after all. Her constant presence was required at all times. None of them could possibly leave behind their assignments unattended.

"Miss Valeriana, you should really take your rest. You're all sweaty." Said Quincy as she handed over a cool towel.

Valeriana accepted it gratefully and dabbed off the thin layer of sweat coating her face. "You should really start dropping the miss. You shouldn't emphasize I'm single."

She laughed loudly at that joke. "Then you should probably start seeing the baron." Her aide suggested.

Her brows shot up at that. "The baron? Who's that?"

"Sir Zion. The Baron of Brunhild." She replied casually, raking some rubbish towards her body with her hands. She stuffed them in bags. "He is of Arlandian nobility, do you not know?"

"Yes, I knew. What I didn't know about is his position. He's a baron? That sort of rhymes with his name . . ." She trailed off thoughtfully, her strange ideas bouncing inside her head.

Quincy laughed again. "Really, miss. I can't help but find your sense of humor amusing."

"I wasn't even trying to be humorous." She told her, wondering what in the world was funny when she was only being herself. "I wonder why everyone in this world finds me interesting and funny." Valeriana sighed as she turned back to work.

"It's because you're Miss Valeriana. That's why you're funny and interesting . . ." She then stood up, her arm heavy with the trash.

"Here, let me help you with that." Valeriana rushed forward to take care of the other bag she was supposed to take.

"I forgot to mention you're very kind, but please do put that down." She said.

"Nope. I'm helping out. It's too much for one person."

"Then, I'm taking this." Another voice interjected.

The other bag of trash was hauled and the one in her arms as well had been taken away. Quincy was taken aback as well to find the weight in her arms gone. Exchanging glances, they looked up simultaneously to find Zion positioning a bag over his shoulder, and one under his arm.

His shirt was drenched with sweat and his long, midnight blue hair had been put up in a higher ponytail than usual. The stray strands that used to fly on his face was neatly combed back, not even a single one out of place.

"Girls shouldn't be doing this kind of work."

"You're saying we can't take out the trash?" Valeriana shot at him, raising a brow at his sexist statement.

"I'm saying it because you have us to do it for you."

(Cue music: I'm a . . . SLAAAVVVEEE! For you. Just kidding around, read on!)

Quincy giggled at this, elbowing Valeriana teasingly. She eyed the other girl with a raised brow, wondering what she was squirming around so much for. Admittedly, Zion's reply was . . . convincing.

"Okay, thanks." She couldn't help but laugh out loud.

As a girl herself, Valeriana was not immune to boyish charm. Zion had it and he knew how to use it to his advantage. He was fairly good-looking and attractive, not to mention very talented. He was not a bad catch.

But, seriously, dating was nowhere near what Valeriana was aiming for right now. Even so, after telling Zion she did not feel anything romantic for him, the way he respected that decision made her thoughts of him change a bit. If he wanted, he could be a gentleman. The guy was too mischievous though, and his self-control was awry--very expressive to the point of clinginess. Everyone had a downside, that was a fact that could not be denied. Her first impression of him had been bad, and maybe that was why she disliked him. Knowing he was not giving up despite her turning him down made it clear to her.

He was serious.

Oh, man.

She was not too stupid to see what sort of vibes he was sending. She read too many romance and fantasy novels to be too oblivious. Well, she was not exactly stupid, but people said she could be horribly slow.

She was trying, though. She was trying.

"Miss Valeriana!" Poulette's voice cut through the air. The boy came running forward, his breathing fast and the look on his face had urgency. "You're needed upstairs!"

"What for?" She asked, her worry rocketing.

Seeing the expression she had on, the boy grinned with apology. "Sorry, sorry. I did not mean to sound like someone died."

"God, you scared me."

"Sorry." He apologized once more. "But you are needed in the juvenile arena. Room Eighteen B."

The current fifth was well aware of the rooms she had a control over. The Year Five building was under her jurisdiction, but Corvan had come up to her before one time to borrow a room. He called it the juvenile arena and gave her a layout plan. She stared at Pouelette in confusion, wondering why in the world she, of all people, was being called out. Probably to help.

But what could she do?

"Corvan is the one primarily responsible for that room. He borrowed it from me and said he needed it for a project." She pointed out. "Why am I being called?"

"I don't know. The juvenile arena's being used to hold an indoor sport at the moment, something about demon combating."

"Those imitations again?" She groaned. "I'm really busy, what exactly do they need me for?"

"They said it's just gonna take a moment of your time."

She looked back at Quincy and saw her nodding. She then said, "Alright. Quincy! Tell everyone I'll be out for a bit. If you see Chavi, please tell her to watch the place for me for a while. Otherwise, tell Raine to keep up the good work. I'll be back to help. Are you fine alone?"

"Sure thing, Miss Valeriana!" Her girl aide saluted. "Hayne'll be back in a few minutes, she'll keep me company. You worry too much, we'll be fine."

"It'll be fine." Zion reassured her. "I'll be here to help."

"Okay, thanks . . . let's go, Poulette."

Poulette nodded resolutely and led her towards the said place. It didn't take more than five minutes to arrive to Room Eighteen B, and the moment they neared the door, it had been loud. Loud cheers, to be exact. Rowdy crowds and spectators, an excited mob of audience.

"What's going on in there, exactly?" She asked him.

Her aide said nothing, merely pushing the door open for them to enter. The moment the entry way parted, it revealed a mini-sized arena inside. The audience area resembled an all-around balcony with the very stage on a lower floor. It was barricaded around by a fence and the lighting mood was very bright on the center.

Two people were on the center holding deadly battle weapons. The other had a spiked bat while the other carried around a chain connected to a blackened sphere. They were muscular people with unfamiliar faces and they were up against the most common type of demon, a Loupe Garou.

Valeriana could not feel anything from the demon, so she automatically assumed it was a mere imitation. The realistic behavior of the animal was scary it seriously seemed like the thing she had been up against before. A demon similar to that had been the first one she ever saw. The accuracy was astounding she wanted to know who was able to perfectly recreate it.

As the two engaged in battle, she felt Poulette pull her wrist and lead her over to a relatively familiar person standing behind the crowd, watching silently in the shadows. Their cheers were deafening.

"You're the one who called me?"

His impassive gaze meet her dispassionate ones. "I have a need for a partner to enter this tournament and you're the nearest one I could call."

She looked back and forth between him and the current competition. "You expect me to fight?! With you?"

"I expect you to cooperate. I will not hold it against you if you hardly help, but in order to enter and win, I should have this partner."

"Oh, you sound like I should be the one grateful."

Poulette nervously glanced between the both of them as he quietly inched away. Within a matter of seconds, he was gone.

"You should at least be honored."

"Oh, like hell I will. I'm not your maid! I'm not even a fan! I have a lot of things to do, in case you can't see that, you jerk wad!"

If this guy was a bit more humble and at least kind, he would be loved. Problem was he was not, so he was hated! How was he supposed to become the Continental Lord if he kept acting that way?

"Look. I do not need a fan or a maid, I have a lot of those."

"Oh my god!" She could not help but blurt out at his arrogance.

"What I need is a partner."

That made her stand still.

"If you cannot be the one, I do not need your rant. In case you leave right now, remember you owe me. You said it yourself before, "I swear to do anything for you after we arrive". I am calling on that promise. Do you not keep your word?" His answer made her fume, but she could not refute it.

"You are the biggest jerk in the entire universe, Earth and Valemnia!" She frustratedly stomped her foot. "I seriously want to kill you!"

"Save that for our coming battle. Are you agreeing or not?"

"Just because I owe you!" Valeriana huffed.

"Good." The first-ranker took her hand, circling his bigger ones around hers.

She felt the coarse outline of skin riddled with callouses and the unusually warmer temperature. She was hardly able to comprehend what he was doing when he pulled her with him, making her stumble forward.

"Do move your feet if you do not desire to fall down. I do not intend to stop." Corvan told her, but contrary to his statement, he paused shortly to help her balance herself.

Valeriana was immediately upright, huffing and frustrated at his ungentlemanliness. "You really don't know how to treat a lady, do you?"

"You should start acting like one, then." He bluntly said, stringing her along.

"Stop using that as a reason!" She exclaimed, walking in his desired pace.

"Then stop saying I do not know how to treat a lady."

"Then stop being cocky!"

"Stop being stubborn."

"Stop being a jerk!"

"Quit being childish."

"Quit bothering me!"

"Stop with your stupidity." He glared, setting her hand free.

"Stop with your idiocy!"

"Stop calling me an idiot!"

"Stop calling me stupid!"

They were too occupied with the argument they did not notice that the assigned person for enlistment to the tournament had been waiting for them to state their business. So far, all he heard were insults.

"Are you entering?" He managed to butt in.

They both turned to him, their eyes burning.

"Yes!" They chorused.

He pushed a paper towards them fearfully and said. "Y-your names please, and signature."

Corvan took the quill sitting in the small ink container and signed his full name. The letters occupied two lines with the length. He then proudly signed and handed it over to Valeriana next. The girl dipped it in ink and finished with hers. After pushing back the paper to the boy, he leaned forward and chained their wrists together, taking the girl a back. Valeriana had her right hand chained and Corvan had his left.

"What's with the cuffs?" She inquired with incredulity.

"It's in the rules. You have to fight while chained together."

She looked back at the mini-arena and saw that the two men were, indeed, chained together. How come she did not notice it immediately? "Who came up with this stupid idea?"

"I did." Corvan spoke.

It made sense since he borrowed the room. "You're an idiot! How can we fight like this?!"

"Obviously!" He replied. "With a sword!"

"It's not funny!" The fifth-ranker retorted, then started yelling at the poor boy. "Take this off right now! I can't fight chained!"

"If I do, you can't enter. You just signed the terms and conditions stating you agree, backing out means penalty." Said the boy at the desk. "Now please proceed to that line and wait for your turn. Otherwise, pay the fine and you can walk out."

Corvan nonchalantly walked towards the line, tugging her with him as he did. Valeriana was starting to feel seriously embittered with the way her day was turning out. This guy just basically signed her up in a ridiculous deal.

"You're a traitor."

"And you're a coward."

"Whatever, you idiot devil."

"Who said I cared, stupid witch."

They stopped at the end of the line. It wasn't that long. There were only two people in front of them and those two were partners.

"I hate you."

"The feeling's mutual."

They waited in awkward silence. Valeriana was impatient at first when she started feeling nervous and clammy after the pair before them entered. This was a competition after all and here she was waiting for the humiliation of a lifetime. She sighed problematically, wondering what sort of trouble she got herself involved in.

Corvan shuffled, the chain clinking with his movements. Valeriana lifted her gaze to see him pulling out a sword from an armoire containing numerous weapons. He examined it, checking all sides and testing its weight. He put it back and pulled another one with a thinner blade, raking his eyes through it like he did before. The first-ranker then handed it to Valeriana before pulling out another one with an unusually shaped blade. She questioned his preferences, but his choices were logical.

"Do you find the sword alright?" He asked her. "You like longswords. You prefer Bastard Swords, am I right?"

There were different types of swords to choose from. Longswords, broadswords, shortswords, sabres, rappiers . . . it was very diverse and complicated.

"Yeah. I guess it's fine." She answered, eyeing him closely, she held onto the hilt as though her life depended on it. "How do we win?"

He gave her a brief look. "If we can kill all two demons in under ten minutes and twenty-two seconds, there's a guaranteed prize."

Yes, she came to the same conclusion when she started watching the previous fights. The announcer was announcing times and the number of demons defeated.

The crowd booed as the last two exceeded the ten minutes and twenty-seconds limit without even coming through the first demon. The two threw down their weapon and stomped out.

"And now we're up with our final contestants! Will these two be able to beat all two in record time?" There was a pause. "Oooooh! We have a surprise! They aren't just anybody! Everyone! Let's welcome the first and fifth-ranker of the renowned Celestial Twelve! Lord Corvan von Vaushna de la Wylden and Valeriana Kerrigan!"

The crowd's cheer had been louder than before that Valeriana felt like coughing out her heart. She paled a few shades and broke out into cold sweat.

"Come on." Corvan urged.

"Wait. Wait." She breathed out.

"If you are afraid, do not be." His emerald eyes glinted with a strange shine, but Valeriana's fear was not ceased. "Remember, you're with me."

"You're going to say something next that's arrogant." She guessed, furrowing her brows.

"I wasn't planning to." He said.

"Like I'll believe you."

"Just know that I have your back, so defend yourself as much as you can and I promise there will not even be a single scratch on you." He reached out to forcefully straighten the wrinkles she had above the bridge of her nose she almost fell back before grabbing her chained wrist and pulling her with him. "Just please work with me on this."

Did the great Lord Corvan just say please?!

"Okay. I'll trust you with my back then. I don't want it broken like Brindon's."

"He merely strained his back."

"Either way, since you said it nicely, I have your back."

"No need." He answered, his voice practically drowned out by the crowd's yelling as they stopped in the middle of the mini-arena.

"Are you kidding? And I'm even offering my assistance!"

"Quiet down."

She shut her mouth, sulking.

They said two demons, but there were three barred doors on the sides it made Valeriana wonder what was in the third. Either way, eyeing it made her feel uncomfortable. There was something strange on the other side, but she could not pick up any aura. The other two were brimming with presences.

She got into stance as the first gate was pulled up and the Loupe Garou hopped out. Corvan did the same, though he was a lot calmer.

It didn't have a demonic presence. It was an imitation.

The moment it pranced forward with a loud growl, Corvan moved forward. Unfortunately, Valeriana was not ready so she practically fell over. The guy was too fast to even keep up with. With a panicked shriek, the fifth tripped but was suddenly pulled back. There was a swish while her world spun and the crowds cheered.

"First demon down!"

Wait. What?

That did not even last a second!

She heard the second gate rising, the metal working noisily. Her head snapped towards the direction of the sound and she moved to face it instinctively. Corvan was faster, he had already turned. This action tangled the two of them. It ended up with the girl's hand twisted on her back.

"Owowow!" She exclaimed.

Like dancing tango, she was spun around to alleviate her position and pulled close. Her body was suddenly heaved up, the ceiling greeting her and her feet shooting out in the air. Coincidentally, something made contact with the soles of her feet, making her kick it out of panic. There then was a loud whimper as the heavy body stumbled back. She was brought down to her feet then twirled around with Corvan's arm caging her in place, the chain around her body.

"Sword!" She heard a coach.

For the umpteenth time that minute, she was forced to spin when Corvan pulled back his hand with the chain. Luckily, she had her sword held out as well. Corvan had ducked to avoid being wounded as Valeriana waved it around blindly. It surprisingly made contact with something and a loud howl made goosebumps rise on her skin.

Her waist was then caught and she was dipped backwards, her azure blue eyes meeting Corvan's. His breath was hot as it hit her nose.

What the heck was happening?!

"By the five gods! Are they dancing?!"

"You're a surprisingly good dancer." Corvan told her, his words low and breathy.

"You can't call this dancing." She chided, huffing as she struck his chest. "You're making me want to vomit with all these twirling."

She was gingerly tugged upright, restoring her normal view of her surroundings. It was swirling though, her vision.

"Whoa! Folks! These two managed to defeat the two demons for only half a minute! Thirty seconds! Thirty seconds! Outstanding! We now have a guaranteed winner!"

Claps were heard along with whistles.

"The question is, would you be willing to face the final round?"

"Final round?" Valeriana questioned. "What final round?"

"The third opponent." Said Corvan. "If we stop now, we'll simply be given a small bag of gold. I have no need of it."

"What are you aiming for?"

"You shall see later." He answered.

"A thumbs up will say yes and a thumbs down is a no! Lord Corvan and Miss Valeriana! Are you willing to face the unknown?"

Valeriana was speechless. Corvan raised his hand and held out a fist. It seemed like slow motion as his thumb flicked out.

It pointed up.

The crowd grew wilder at this. The creaking of the third gate made Valeriana sputter out nonsense words with trepidation. She never really had a good feeling about that gate. It did not look good.

"Are you sure about this?"

Her concern was unanswered verbally. Instead, a smile flew to Corvan's lips as he tugged on her hand commandingly. Valeriana was forced to stand by his side, as though it was the start of another dance.

She never even thought chains could be used so creatively and efficiently. The girl expected it to be a weakpoint. Her surprisingly good coordination with Corvan was not expected at all.

"Just trust me for once." He told her.

"Those are big words."

An unenthusiastic groan reverberated from her throat when a sudden feeling coursed through her, making her gulp. It had been something she got used to. She tugged on the chain connecting Corvan and her, uttering the words she dreaded to say.

"It's a real demon."

His eyes met hers. "Then we kill it."

"K-kill?"

"Don't you know what Celestes are?" The young lord asked, tugging on the chain before threwing her off only to pull her back again.

He was seriously making this as though they were only dancing. Was he not panicking they were facing the real thing?

When she crashed against him, his words greeted her ears. "It's a more sophisticated term for demon-slayer."

"Even if that's the case, why are you dancing? You can't be that much of a crowd pleaser!"

"It's because fighting is also a form of a dance. You should try to remember that."

She decided to ride along. "But I don't know the steps."

"The male will lead." Was all he said.

The demon was a hairy beast with the hugeness of a bear but the body of a wild boar. It had no eyes but its nose was ridiculously large. It sniffed momentarily before its mouth parted, revealing a set of yellow and sharp teeth with a thick thread of saliva.

Before Valeriana could prepare herself, the wild boar charged towards them with its short but wide legs. The girl mentally sent a prayer above to let her survive this one. And just as she was thinking how things would end, Corvan placed one arm behind her knees and the other around her waist. Within the next moment, her weight was no longer supported by her legs. Shocked, she tried to take out her hand for additional support, tugging on the length of the chain that held them together to sling an elbow over Corvan's shoulder as her weapon rested on her lap. He then dashed forward head on while the boar demon continued to run towards them, jumping high up in the air like something out of an acrobat show. His foot made contact with the top of its head and shot them further up that Valeriana's stomach churned.

To her further disbelief, she was thrown in the air and flipped upside down. Corvan shortly followed, facing her.

"Together." He said, positioning his own sword.

Valeriana followed his movement, imitating him as they both plunged their blades deep into the demon while landing. It released a strangled growl, vanishing into nothing but embers. The absence of the body allowed them to come in contact with the very ground, touching down in style.

She never thought it was possible. To move like this.

Panting, she met Corvan's emerald eyes and watched him stand. The noise around them faded out and the world seemed to have stopped. He pulled her up with him to stand as he gazed out with pride, his face pleasant with a rare calmness.

He curtsied, almost sarcastically. "The dance has ended."

"What's up with you?" She said dubiously. "You throw me around like a ragdoll and that's all you can say?"

"What a beautiful fight! Unbelievable! As much as I want to see more, things must come to an end. The representative is now down the arena to present our winners with their rewards! Hail to Lord Corvan and Miss Valeriana! Great show!"

The boy from earlier presented them with the small bag heavy with gold. In his other hand, he held a blue box.

That must be the ultimate price.

Valeriana was given the gold and Corvan was handed the box.

"Congratulations." He keyed the chains and released them both. He then hurried out.

She gazed at item the first-ranker had curiously. "What's inside?"

He opened it.

Two brooches sat on molded pillows, one in the shape of a sword and the other a shield. They were both silver in color, but possessed a strange luminescence and luster. It couldn't be an ordinary silver, right? Corvan wouldn't be after it, otherwise.

"Wow. What is that?" She asked.

"They're made from a rare metal dug up in the Aetheria. Once worn, it helps in the resistance of demonic influence and presence of mind." He replied, picking out the sword one and placing it against the light. "I'll be taking this."

"What about the other one?"

"It's yours. The gold as well. My thanks for your cooperation."

He was strange for some reason.

"You're really weird today. Are you sure you're fine? I can take you to the infirmary, if you like." She offered, hesitantly accepting the box. "Was this all your after?"

"Not particularly."

"Did you know that was a real demon?"

His eyes flashed. "No."

"You made this game, right?"

"I did."

"Then how?"

"That's something I'm trying to find out."

She doubted his words. "What's going on? Is something up?"

"Nothing you should be worrying yourself over." With that, he started leaving.

He really was a puzzle.