In the banquet hall of the Obelisk Blue boys' dormitory, all three tiers of crystal chandeliers blazed, and long tables stretched from the entrance to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Silver platters held grilled steaks, lobsters, baked escargot, and assorted desserts, while servers in white uniforms moved back and forth carrying juice and nonalcoholic champagne.
The new students had changed into formalwear and stood chatting in twos and threes beside the tables, stemmed glasses in hand. It looked every bit like a reception hosted by some aristocratic family.
Cronos stood at the front, surveying the Obelisk Blue Dormitory's new students with satisfaction.
"Your admission to Obelisk Blue proves that you already stand at the forefront of this year's incoming class, na-no-ne."
"From today onward, everything you say and do represents the standard of the academy's highest-ranking dormitory. Elegance, ability, etiquette-you must lack none of them!"
Two freshmen in the back hastily let go of the last lobster they had been fighting over.
Cronos pretended not to notice and continued raising his glass.
"To the honor of Obelisk Blue. Cheers!"
Things were much the same at the girls' dormitory.
Emi Ayukawa presided over the dinner, with flowers, desserts, and dishes all present on the tables.
As soon as Asuka sat down, someone beside her brought up the clash at the Open-Air Dueling Field that afternoon.
"I heard Chazz Princeton wanted to wager cards against a Ra Yellow Dormitory freshman. Is that true?"
"Asuka stopped him, and Chazz Princeton actually didn't keep pushing. Who was that guy?"
Asuka cut off a small piece of cake, then paused.
"Fujiwara Yūki. The top student in Ra Yellow."
"You know him?"
"I saw him at the entrance exam."
Asuka lowered her head and tasted the cake, offering no further explanation.
At the same time, in the Osiris