But the sea folk had indeed enjoyed the joy of their first encounter. Yet no one knew how long such simple happiness could last.
Aishalia Patus, the "Golden Mermaid," stood atop a tree in the dense forest, gazing at the cruise ship from afar. Beyond envy, a faint longing had also arisen in her heart.
Though she knew perfectly well that her memories were false, and that the sea princess who had shattered the Sea God Glazed Lamp was someone else, having inherited that person's complete memories and personality left her somewhat unable to help herself.
Thoughts such as wanting to return to the sea or visit the palace from her memories kept surfacing in the dead of night. Aishalia lightly bit her lip, then finally leaped down from the treetop and vanished in the blink of an eye.
The hazy night sky seemed draped in a veil cast down from the moon.
A gentle breeze swept by, setting ripples shimmering across the lake.
The lights on the cruise ship, as well as those in the Castle and towers, went out one by one.
The night passed.
The last of the peace was gone.
The next day, Saturday.
At long last, the opening ceremony of the Academy Championship was held beneath the gaze of countless eyes. Only competitors and Saint Marian Academy students took part in the ceremony itself.
Yet those watching the opening ceremony were spread across the entire continent.
Not only did the major Duel Halls of Saint Marian Academy have live projections, but every race, nation, and tribe had dedicated personnel broadcasting slightly delayed projections into plazas near their Duel Halls. Even more delayed projections were then relayed to plazas farther away.
Using Saint Marian Academy's Duel Hall as a base station, the signal spread outward in