Luciana, Norval, and Jalon settled onto a bench positioned in front of the entrance to the sports complex's administrative office. Typically occupied by the manager, the office was their designated meeting spot at that moment.

Their professors had unexpectedly summoned them for a meeting, and as the IAA had shut down, they were keen to learn about their next steps after the trials. With the indefinite closure of the school, the candidates had to be prepared for the possibility of returning home once the trials concluded.The secretary's voice resonated from inside the office, beckoning them to come in.

The door stood ajar, revealing two passages: one led to the secretary's desk, and the other, initially locked, granted access to the manager's office, which had been unlocked following the secretary's approval. The trio advanced, greeted by the secretary's warm smile and formal welcome as they entered. 

"How are you all doing?" the secretary inquired as she laid down her water flask and replaced her earpiece.

"Everything is OK. Sunset City is a wonderful place, a little rocked by the weather," Norval observed. His fellow candidates mistook him for a rapper since he spoke so quickly.

" After all, Sunset City is among the hills, so the weather is to be expected. Anyways, the management is delighted to welcome the Ithea candidates here. I'm sure you've all had a busy day and are ready to relax, but the IAA has issued some orders to us, which we will pass on to you. So the manager will be happy to meet you in his office to discuss this further," she concluded with a smile.

"Thank you once again, Miss," Luciana expressed her gratitude. Initiating the sequence of knocks, she was soon joined by the others, forming a rhythm that reverberated through the door. As her hand turned the doorknob, she encountered an unexpected resistance, as if a stronger force from the other side was pulling it.

This caught her off guard, and the door swung open to reveal the manager stepping out. He was in the midst of adjusting his polo shirt, tucking it into faded khaki jeans, and his promotional 'Olympus Sports Complex' hat adorned his head, proudly displaying the complex's name.

Offering apologies for the delay, the manager's voice was a surprise to the students. His appearance, with his thin frame and slightly nerdy glasses resting on his nose, might have suggested a typical manager, perhaps even someone who lived with their parents and had a rather unassuming demeanor. However, his deep voice and distinct foreign accent defied those expectations.

The students took a moment to process his words. Luciana was the first to enter his office, immediately noticing the faint scent of cheap cologne in the air. The office was adorned with promotional posters for the 'Olympus Sports Complex,' creating a consistent visual theme. While the room might have appeared unremarkable upon entering, a colorful sofa with the company emblem caught her eye.

Norval and Jalon followed her lead, but Jalon's response was less subtle. As he stepped into the office, his displeasure was evident, and he even added an exaggerated sound effect to emphasize his lack of enthusiasm for the decor.

On the other hand, the manager did not appear to be offended by his reaction and simply walked over to his desk. A couple of pencils, a stack of filed documents, and a half-eaten packed lunch sat on the desk. The manager dashed over to the desk, closing the open tin that contained a half-eaten lunch and stuffing it into one of the drawers.

"I apologize for the mess; it was a busy day, and I didn't have time to prepare,"

None of the kids responded; instead, they smiled and took their seats on the same couch as Luciana. As he seated, the manager changed his polo shirt's name tag, which spelled out his name, "Terrence." He grinned back at the pupils, and they were still amazed at how deep his voice sounded.

"I assume you've received a thorough tour of the facility?" he inquired.

"Yes," Luciana replied, "It's impressive."

 It seemed like the others had unconsciously appointed her as their spokesperson.

"Yes, we endeavor to provide our customers with the finest service possible. But enough of that; let me get right down to business. I'm sure you've heard of the catastrophe that has befallen your school director?"

He shifted in his seat.

"It was surprising, to say the least. And that came as a shock to us,"

"I'd like to express my condolences to the school. As to my knowledge was a decent individual. I tend not to believe in the propaganda perpetuated in the media until we have concrete evidence that can stand in court and a ruling is made, I'm sure you understand what I mean. The school contacted us to check on your condition, and I told them that you are all extremely secure here. They have, however, stated that they wish to intervene.."

"How?" Lucianna asked.

"They claim that the lodging we have provided for you and your lecturers does not provide them with assurance. They believe you are in danger and that letting the public know where you are could put you in further danger. I'm sure you realize how highly the school regards you. As a result, they've recommended that you sleep someplace else today and for the remainder of the tournament.

You'll still be registered as guests here, but you'll be staying somewhere else, They have already set up military-grade security in that area with highly adept alchemists and soldiers to monitor movement in the area so any attack will be seen coming from a mile away. They believe that is the greatest way to strengthen your security and keep you safe.

I've already discussed this with your lecturers, and they've agreed; we've divided them into groups, and they've already been transported to their hotels."  The pupils did not respond until Luciana became uneasy and decided to end the silence.

"We don't think it's fair to subject you to all of this just because of a hoax!"

"It doesn't bother me; in fact, I agree with them. If you accept, we will arrange for transportation right away, and you will all be escorted to the hotel where the other international students are staying,"

"Does the hotel offer decent service?" Jalon eventually ventured to ask.

"I promise you, sir, that is one of the nicest hotels in the city, and I strongly advise you to stay there," 

"Well, I can't speak for the rest of them, but I don't see the value in it," Luciana remarked. "However, I am willing to follow the school's rules and will stay at that hotel."

Jalon pulled out his phone and remarked, "Well, as long as it has a bed and we stay in separate rooms, count me in."

"I feel the same way." Norval adjusted his tie as he spoke.

"Great, then I'll arrange transportation right away; Don't worry about your luggage; we'll all take care of it. Just sit here and wait for me to contact you so we can get you to the hotel in no time," the manager stated. He leaped from his seat, and Luciana took note of his shoes as he walked out of the office.

They were old moccasins, and she began to wonder how he got the job as the sports facility manager, given his peculiar nature. Perhaps she should not judge people just on their appearance.

"Oh, there's one more. As he scrolled through his phone, Jalon stated, "The police say the poison used to kill Mr. Starkridge doesn't even have Ithean Alchemy components."

"What do you mean?" Norval inquired, bending in close to examine the paper he was reading.

"It was a chemical that had been synthesized. It was not created by alchemical procedures, implying that it was most likely created by scientific methods," Jalon tapped his shoulder into Norval's jaw when he was leaning in a little too close for Jalon's liking. Norval drew his head back and rubbed his chin.

"A Seolaran chemical used in the murder of one of the most prominent Ithean figures. I'm not sure what else will cause political strife if that doesn't?" Norval said, his hands cushioning his jaw.

"You're not mistaken. This might lead to a global crisis between us and Seolara, and we don't want to be on their bad side," Luciana explained. She stepped up to a bowl of mints on the table and picked one out of the bowl, unwrapping it. She then proceeded to cram some more into her pockets after tossing one into her mouth and reveling in its taste.

Jalon put out his hand as she returned to her seat, aiming to signal her to give her some of the mints, and the bargain appeared effective. Luciana took one from her pocket and hurled it at Jalon. Before he unwrapped it and placed it on his outstretched tongue, it juggled in his palms.

Norval inquired, "Why don't we want to be at odds with Seolara?" His peers were taken aback by his lack of knowledge. They were shocked he didn't know what Luciana meant for a man who enjoyed reading and having information at his fingers.

"Are you serious, dude?! Have you seen what they've come up with in terms of science and technology? Those guys are creating things we can only imagine. Alchemy would never be able to compete with the standards that their research is reaping from the manna fields." Jalon's speech was distorted because he tried to speak while his tongue was still fighting the mint capsule in his mouth.

"But don't we have our own advancements?" Norval stated, attempting to defend his magical arts' name.

"I mean, we do have an advantage over Lorth and Yulcite's divinity magic arts because they're bound to their sacred scriptures and can't progress as far as we can. But on the other hand, what edge do we have against Seolara? A fresh take on the latest vials and beakers for transporting our concoctions?

Those men are creating new weapons every minute, weapons that are far more powerful than any of our new potions or mutagens. I doubt we'll go to war with Seolara for more than a day," Luciana replied, sliding her tongue over the mint candy.

"You folks don't believe in your own skills, and that's all I'm hearing," Norval added.

"Well bro, if I doubted my capabilities I would never be here participating in the trials now would I? All I am saying is that we are strong, but it would be foolish of us to overestimate our power, especially going up against Seolara. I mean have you heard about their laws in the first place? I would never last a day there!" Jalon said.

Just as their conversation was heating up, the manager returned and ran through the door with unmatched enthusiasm.

"Okay guys, the bus is loaded and the driver is waiting for you guys downstairs. I hope I didn't take too much of your time?" he said, leaning on the door. The students got up from the couch and greeted him and her secretary as they headed for the exit. They walked over to the elevator and boarded it.

As they were making their descent, Jalon turned to Norval, "If you still doubt the capabilities of Seolara, wait till I show what that Eadmer Todd kid has up his sleeve," he said.