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    <1/7/1963 – 08:00 | Eldora Tower Fl. 950, Eldora City, Sprawn Valley Capital>


    In a flash of days, January 7^th rushed in from around the corner, and brought with it a freezing climate that everyone thought to be forgotten. Two hours from now, the second wave of the New Year celebration for Sprawn Valley will begin outside, at the outskirts of Eldora City. It is already 1963, but everybody can''t get enough of the start of a new year. As expected, the usual excitement is already replacing the diminishing news and announcement involving Brash Danton last week.


    But as of right now, there is no time for the top officials of Eldora Tower to celebrate. All while Mainne was away, Danton helped security advisor Jarvis with the many installations to Eldora Tower''s security system... Though they are still far from complete. There are a lot of new components to be installed. Special dark magic scanning systems were embedded into a new internal layer structured all around the tower, a layer that also provides a new and unique lighting system, connected by a series of LED panels. Security doubled down on the crystal core vault, where Sirus assisted on the imposed improvements. New camera systems were coming in as well, though they were nothing extra special. Ebon Eye did promise a new revision of their latest prototype technology in aerial drone cameras, all functioning without any wires, but Danton thought it sounded too farfetched to be anything that serious.


    Meanwhile, each arena room was still being outfitted with new support systems, including the Antigrade Inc. ventilation systems. This might sound cool, but it''s a headache to try and move, let alone implement to the tower. Additionally, none of it will be usable until all external overhauls are affixed to the tall structure. They''re coating the entire exterior of the tower with a stronger grade of magic-resistant metal. Wonder if it will actually work though. On top of that, Danton had to carefully read and sign all new documents and articles for laws to be passed, including updates to be carried out to the Leray system via the veil starting in February.


    It''s been a long week, but Danton wasn''t working alone towards these goals. Mainne checked in over the first floor telephone system downstairs, summoning Danton for her reports. She sounded a bit disturbed for a few moments, but not in a serious way... It must be fun hunting down random people of cordial background, but in the week that passed, Mainne finally came back to Eldora Tower.


    It was difficult at first to bring in the new contestants, thanks to Danton''s newest security protocols and handles, though a quick visit to the first floor shortened any further issues. The time for installations would now have to continue without Danton''s support, at least for right now. Mainne looked exhausted though, based on her posture. Her eyes were still just as bright and focused on the other hand...


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    Chapter Theme Shift: Premonition ~ Vampire Knights OST</a>


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    Who are these people? Danton knew he wouldn''t recognize anyone coming in, but this troupe defiantly stands out in a crowd. He had to examine all of them as they went up the primary lift system together, stopping only at the second arena. Two guys, and two women. One of the chicks seemed a little young, but not in a cute way. The amount of make-up she''s wearing could easily scare off a clown, and her hair has at least four different colors of highlights, pink, bright blond, even a bright strand of green. She isn''t dressed all that appropriately either. What kind of dress sphere is that? Aren''t all dress spheres with skirts supposed to have a full overskirt with extra under-layers?


    And what the hell is with Mr. Muscles? That taller guy is more ripped than Gleeon is. The orange sleeveless shirt he''s wearing right now is just there to let him show off. Physical strength is nice, but this is overkill, not to mention his scary face. The man could easily pose as a security guard and do the job without ever moving.


    Then there''s the other guy, who''s almost as tall as the strong one, just without all the muscle mass... He actually seems a bit more normal, all until you get to his avid hairstyle. Did he dye it this far orange? The point is that his hair is made out of points and edges. Why spike it up like that? The dude somehow pulled off a hairstyle only found in Japanese anime.


    Then there''s the other girl, who is exactly as tall as the weirdo... This one''s normal though. She dresses nice, has an average appeal... Talk about outliers. Danton tried to shrug off his thoughts, reminding himself that first impressions are not everything. When Mainne led everyone into the center of the arena room, Danton made sure it was empty except for themselves, and lined everyone up single file. Then he and Mainne stood on the opposite end. But when Danton counted the numbers again, the pressing thought came to mind, and he turned to Mainne for answers. "Why are there only four candidates here? Didn''t I ask for five?"


    Mainne tried not to look bashful. It was hard to feel guilty about it after what happened on this gathering. "Well I had one guy who seemed to be well talented, and everything else like you said, but..." Mainne knew she wasn''t getting off without completing that answer, her pause only brief. "The guy was a total cupcake! He was scared of everything! I couldn''t get him to control himself. You should have seem the way he handled a hive of bugs!" Unable to stop her ranting, Mainne''s new recruits burst into the laughter, triggered by the many memories they all made in the short time. It was about the bug thing though, and the fact that one of the candidates also freaked him out. Danton glared demandingly at the laughing idiots, and they all shut down quickly in response. Mainne exhaled and told Danton only the part he needed to understand. "So yeah... I only have four of them. It wasn''t easy to find people like this."


    I''ll bet. These folk look like they belong in some science fiction manga. Work will have to be done to correct that. "Very well Mainne." Danton held his hands behind his back, and stood firmly in front of the new team to assert his dominance over all of them. Right now is the time, the moment to drop the heavy news onto all of them.


    Danton cleared his throat before speaking, and he stood still to judge all of their character while it mattered. "Alright. Introduce yourselves at once." At first, nobody answered Danton''s command. They all paused and glanced at each other in confusion. It''s to be expected though, because Mainne probably said absolutely anything to bring them here.


    But at last, the normal looking girl went first. She held her shut hand to her neck and gave only her name. Hopefully the others would take a hint. "Um, my name is Aimesta Dune."


    "Rank?" Danton questioned. Seconds passed, and Aimesta wasn''t saying anything else. Danton had to reassure her that this wasn''t an important part of any test. "Don''t worry. Even if you''re basic, this will work out for you. I just need to know for legitimacy reasons."


    "Okay." Aimesta tried not to sound nervous. It wasn''t clear why Mainne brought them all here, and this guy looks like he''s so refined. "Level 2 training, intermediate."


    "Good," Danton accepted. "Next." How long would it take for these people to catch on? They obviously have no sense of formality. It''s not that important either, but it will be later on. They''re going to show up a lot on the cameras for god''s sakes! Have some confidence!


    Enough screwing around then. The guy higher in muscle mass stepped forward just slightly, and introduced himself next. "Cleo Yumihato. I''m actually sort of a Leray specialist. I have dabbled experience as a referee, and my level is advanced, level 3."


    When Danton only nodded downward, the other guy knew to follow up next, less he be interrupted again. "I''m Brock Henderson, level four training. And I think being a Leray wielder is the best sport anyone could play in!"


    Why so passionate? Danton didn''t discourage it though. It''s actually very healthy to have such a strong position towards Leray magic. And next comes the strange girl with all that make-up... Why is she just standing there looking board? "Hey you?"


    She glanced up at Danton with her brows unchanged, slanted downwards to show off her constant irritation. "What? I don''t know what''s going on here. Aren''t we all here for a photo shoot? You don''t look like an impatient producer."


    At that, Brock turned at the woman and shouted at her for being so unbelievably wrong, his true colors already showing. "That''s not what we''re here for Krysta! Why the hell would the champion himself drag us all up here if he wanted to take pictures?" Brock immediately realized that he was speaking out of permission, and blessed his hands together bowing an apology towards Danton. "I''m sorry sir! Krysta can be kind of a handful."


    Krysta was already agitated that these strangers think of her so lowly, but it was also irritating seeing Danton''s face when one brow went up without the other. Who is he to judge? "I''m guessing that''s what you say to all the lovely women you meet?"


    Danton peeked at Mainne, who looked back at him with a blushing face of nervousness. She had one simple task. Bring five people who have good hearts. So what on earth is going on here?


    "Hey government guy?"


    Brock corrected Krysta on the spot before any more offence could be delivered. "His name''s Danton, and he''s the champion. Have some respect!"


    Krysta studied Danton''s stature more than before, but she kept her distance in place. "You don''t look like a champion to me. I guess we''ll see which one of us is more skilled when we have a battle later."


    Danton nearly broke into laughter, laughter of pity and reprisal. "Oh, that can be arranged. But before I dropkick everyone here, I want full names and ranks. So your name is Crysta?"


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "It''s Krysta, with a K... Krysta Beckar if anyone cares. And I have basic, but I got that like, years ago, so... Totally stronger than I look."


    And high on her ego as well, but it can''t be helped until the tournament of judgment comes into place. Danton thus proceeded to introduce himself and his partner to the four of them. "My name is Brash Danton. I''m current standing champion of this tower. And here is Mainne Gelica. She''s a level four elite, but her rank will change soon, as will all of yours."


    "Wait," Brock beckoned. "Elites? You''re going to give us ranks on elites of Eldora Tower?"


    "Of course I am, but not without the proper guidelines and training exercises."


    It felt strange for the group that Krysta had to be the one to announce the obvious issue with this plan. "Aren''t elites supposed to earn their rank by defeating other elites?"


    "Special situation," Danton replied. He turned his voice and eyes serious, making sure all of them understand their full circumstance. "There isn''t any clear protocol involving replacement for elites who either drop off the grid, or who get killed." His last word in that sentence, it drove everyone silent, though focused and respective. Talking about death is a powerful motivator for those who aren''t taking anything seriously enough. "I''m sure you all heard what happened over the news, but if you haven''t, I''ll remind you that bad things sometimes happen to people. I lost three of mine in that explosion last week."


    Mainne almost blurted out instinctively, but she held her tongue not to correct him. The plan was supposed to be Danton telling these people the entire truth about Eldora Tower, but Gleeon and Kite weren''t killed in any explosion. They''re enemies! Doesn''t Danton understand how dangerous it is to keep the truth from everyone? What is he thinking right now?


    Danton continued, walking side to side in front of everyone''s faces to make sure his voice was clear. "And since then, I''ve been working very hard to acquire the best of the best back into this tower, so that we can all have an elite team to run things again. I understand that this is sudden to all of you, but the least you can do now is honor this gathering with some respect!" Danton calmed himself down. He can''t go too difficult on these people right now. It wouldn''t be right. "This is serious. I''m going to be testing you and improving your existing skills faster than any teacher has ever trained you before. But I also cannot force anyone''s hand to do something they don''t care for. So if anyone here has any objections to becoming an Eldora elite, or doesn''t want this for themselves, then please do not hesitate to walk out of here right now. I can''t afford to try and train people who aren''t into Leray magic. I need people who are willing to give this everything they''ve got. Do you understand me?"


    The four of them, well, the four excluding Krysta all hyped up their stance as if they were soldiers, and blurted, "Yes sir!" in synchronicity.


    Danton didn''t immediately notice Krysta''s lack of respective behavior in the moment, but he marched back in front of the new team to make sure they were following this order. After ten seconds of silence, nobody said a word. Nobody left the room, and that was the only answer Danton needed from here. All of them are committed to this; all of them are consenting to becoming the newest team of elites, and with any luck, the new guardians of this tower. "There will be a twelve day course, starting tomorrow. But tonight, Mainne will test your styles on stationary targets to get a sense of your battling methods. In this twelve-day course, Mainne and myself with both be training all of you rigorously. You will not have a lot of breaks to sit down or whine. You will not have the luxuries of honorable battles or fairness, and you will most certainly not be allowed to travel outside of this tower during this course. If you leave Eldora Tower before training sessions are complete, you will automatically be disqualified and expelled. Neither of us are going to be going easy on you during this training. I need strength, skills, styles, and brains on all of you to be refined to their absolute limits on such short notice. Because in about a month from now, this tower will come back online, and you will probably be bombarded with battling activity. I want to keep all of you as elites for as long as possible. Permanent settlement here would be suitable for the situation."


    Danton wasn''t stopped by any of Mainne''s concerns. These people were no longer asking questions. They are probably scared to death right now of what they''re hearing, but all of this is necessary. "As you may have already noticed, or not... Four of you stand here right now. Mainne already has a slot used up in her elite chain status. So naturally, that means we have one too many in the group compatible for the role. I only have three open slots available. I asked Mainne to bring me five contestants in order to help broaden the variety we would be getting today. So, in order to clear this issue up, we will hold a private tournament on the last day of your twelve-tier training. This tournament will be used between the four of you to determine the ranks of which you belong in, but that also means that the person in last place will have to be cut from the Eldora chain. I want no one to take such a thing personally. There can only be three new elites. In this case, you won''t be judged on the strength you have now, but rather how much you can learn in such a short period of time. Once all ranks are decided, you''re elite status will be made official, and you will be allowed to travel outside of Eldora Tower again. For now, that is all I have to say to you people. Are there any questions?"


    Nobody wanted to say anything for a moment, but naturally, all of them had questions, which they asked one at a time starting with Cleo. "Yes, is training to become an elite always like this?"


    "Technically, no. There are reasons we''re doing things differently this month, but we won''t get into those details until your elite statuses are made official. Once you''re in the program, you can always opt out afterwards, but once you get a feel for what it means to be a real elite soldier, I don''t think you''ll want to leave."


    "Sir Danton," Brock started. "It''s really an honor that we''ve been chosen for this, and I know my skills are way up where they should be. But..." Brock glanced around everywhere, like a person lost in a new hotel suite. "Where are we going to stay, since we''re bound to this tower for the next twelve days?"


    "Eldora Tower has plenty of recreational stations inside for suitable living quarters, and our chefs make some of the best food in the cafeteria on the first floor. But for now, I''m going to have Mainne show you around the tower and get you situated with everything you''re going to need."


    "Me?" Mainne pointed to herself cluelessly, and her reaction made Krysta smirk in response.


    Mainne will have to watch over them just a little longer. "One more solo favor today Mainne. But not right this second."


    "Ha!" Krysta pointed to Mainne, down talking her from where she stood. "You''ve got babysitting duty! I''m also vegan by the way." Her last statement was directed towards Danton, but her attempt to make Mainne seem more frustrated could be working. She hides her emotions well enough, yet speaks like a valley girl.


    "Hey?" Aimesta raised her hand for Danton''s attention, which she already had at the call. "Are we getting paid for this?"


    At that, Danton nearly lost his expression of stature. "You will be compensated basic amounts during the course of your training. But if you become an elite, your annual salary will always be in the upper six-figures." Everyone''s eyes lit up with the news. Danton knew better than to use money as a persuasive tactic to get them on board with the plan, but they all need some motivation to their souls. "Mainne? A moment?"


    Mainne followed Danton, who turned around and walked away for a few seconds to get out of hearing range of the other four elites. They however weren''t even curious about it, instead conversing with themselves about the new pay raise they were going to be getting. But what does Danton want?


    "I know you did your best, but tell me in your own words whether or not I should be concerned about the personalities of our new recruits. Krysta for example seems to enjoy down talking people. It seems a little too familiar to me."


    Mainne had to process what he said a little longer than she meant to, but still answered Danton with reassurance that everything was fine. "Yeah, but they''re all good people inside. I interviewed all of them. Promise!"


    "I know Mainne. It''s just that I don''t know about them. Being a good mage helps, but only if their hearts are in the right place."


    "Yeah? Well I didn''t tell a single one of them what they would really be doing, not in an elaborate way that left any detail for the imagination. And I did need extra motivation for Krysta. God, she is annoying..." Mainne quickly corrected her own behavior before giving Danton the wrong idea. "But I also asked Krysta if she would come into this group if it meant helping people, in an indirect way."


    "What? And she bought that?"


    "She agreed to come with me on that premise."


    "Yeah, or she has a different motive. She thought she was doing a photo shoot here."


    "No, she didn''t. She''s just testy is all. She likes to screw with people''s heads or something. Worked on me for a few days."


    "Aaaah," Danton exhaled excitingly. "So that''s why you were so grumpy over the phone. And here I thought you were just missing the usual brunch and tea you seem to love."


    Mainne pushed Danton away in a playful gesture. "If I missed it that much, I would have teleported in for a break, but I was out there instead putting up with all of them. So now you have to put up with them too."


    "Ouch," Danton breathed sarcastically. "Next time I''ll go on the annoying adventure. You can stay here and do all of the heavy - but also very boring lifting of the materials."


    Mainne couldn''t stay annoyed anymore, but it was hard to gauge what she felt in the moment. She almost laughed while feeling frustrated that Danton couldn''t have been through the same. "You would leave me in charge of heavy lifting? I''d be fine, because I would have thought to remember that telekinetic magic would make that part of the job so much easier."


    "Oh, I would have missed out on the fun if I cheated and relied solely on magic to put in a good day''s work."


    "Don''t pretend to be all noble about installing security."


    "That reminds me." Danton''s tone returned to normal, and he had to get serious again. "I''m not messing around with these nuggets, and I know that you know that. However, even when they''re ready, they won''t really be ready."


    "I thought it would be hard to train such people in a month." Mainne crossed her arms, ready to hear Danton''s next brilliant plan for securing the new team if they aren''t ready. It might just be easier at this point to let them all lose and take the next bunch of people that come by.


    "Here''s my temporary solution to that problem. You''re going to be bumped down to a level one elite."


    "What?!" Mainne didn''t mean to be loud, but she nearly jumped at hearing such a demoralizing decision.


    Danton had to wave his hand down to chill Mainne out and let him continue. "I''ll pull strings so that it doesn''t affect your pay, but I need you to be on defense when this tower reopens. Even in a month, the nuggets will have only questionable experience. I don''t want to get them knocked out, and the more new challengers they fight early, the more likely it will happen. But you have a lot more experience than any of them, and will continue to even after we begin whipping them into shape. I know that you can prevent every contestant from breaking through your personal arena, and that''s exactly what I need you to do."


    "Are you crazy?" Mainne still couldn''t believe the news, or the logic behind it all. "Think about all the people I''d have to fight every day five days a week! That will completely exhaust me." Mainne knew this was true, because she got to see how much stress the championship events placed on Vanoss when he was the level-one elite.


    "Well, I''ll make it up to you after it''s all over someday. Still, I know you can handle it. Not every opponent you face is going to be much of a threat. Just wipe out the weaklings in a matter of two moves. Make it fast, and draw out that list as quick as you can. It will be over before you know it."


    "You''re going to owe me a lot more than one for this kind of favor. When do we even decide when I get to stop playing defense?"


    "When we have a second tournament with you and myself included. I haven''t decided yet on when that will be. They all have to be trained in the background even after they''ve been hired. Don''t forget that I need their powers on a level capable of defending themselves against dark magic."


    "I really hope you don''t ever plan to put them in that kind of danger."


    "I don''t plan to, but Kite and Gleeon won''t care who gets in their way. I don''t like the thought of depending on people who aren''t ready to fight. If they actually come back to this tower and break into the crystal core vault, we''re done for."


    "Yeah, I know. But when do we tell them that?" Mainne turned her neck to see all of them. They''re still excited right now about their promotions and opportunities. It will be a big shame to wreck their heightened morale.


    "When the timing is better. I may just tell them once four is condensed into three. But I want you there with me when I do."


    "Oh no, I''m not telling them anything."


    "You don''t have to," Danton promised. "I just want someone I trust the most by my side, in case something goes horribly wrong in translation. You know how they''re going to take the news."


    "The news that their whole belief in Leray magic isn''t what they thought it was? I''ve been hit by that bus before, and it''s still a solid bruise to my heart."


    "You aren''t alone there. But that is precisely why I wanted to emphasize good hearts over good skills... Anyway," Danton turned to Mainne directly to give her the cue. "I''ll have you give them the tour now. I have to head to the mage council and ask for their assistance."


    "You do? What''s happening?"


    "Don''t stress," Danton reminded. "It''s just that, with all of this going on, I want to keep extra eyes on our new recruits, while keeping part of the council involved in what we''re doing. So I''m going to ask them to hand over four referees for the new buddy system I''ve implemented in one of the articles."


    "Does that mean I''m getting a buddy too?"


    She sounds so annoyed by that. "It probably does. Their boundaries are made clear already, but I still need to meet them for myself and assign each referee to our elites. Having an official referee will give us one extra eye in the battles that take place. They''ll be trained specifically to watch out for any funny business during combat, such as dark magic, or unauthorized passive abilities that rely on specific items. But they''ll also be keeping their eyes on our new team. I want to make sure that their mental behavior isn''t compromised during anytime of their stay here.


    "I''m not going to be watched like I’m someone''s homework project. So don''t assign me any creeps."


    "I''ll do my best."


    "Do better," Mainne retorted.


    Danton stood fixed on Mainne, who twirled around and headed back towards the group to give them that promised tour. With her helping out, things are getting done. So there shouldn''t be anything to worry about... Danton felt unsure of himself, but he shrugged off the doubts in his mind for now. It''s time to go find referees, poached directly from the council listings. With any luck, they''re not any more wacko looking than the new elite chain.