The room we entered was On the second level and to the left of all the Bedrooms, It was an all white room with a Large dinner table in the middle, In which all kinds of foods and dishes on it. Plates with Turkey,Chicken, Corn, Biscuits, Rice,Sushi,Macaroni, Etc, were all lined up and down the table, it seemed like von aries had prepared from all around the world to cater to us. Their were also shelves and shelves of expensive ceramics and antiques. If taka was here he would have a field day.
Julia: heh, All of this, For us?
Julia said.
Claudia: Anything for the best of the best.
Claudia replied as she smirked at Julia.
Von Aries: Well then! My champions, please have a seat!
We all sat down in descending order, across from each other.
Leonaidis and Azuma sat across from each other at the front. Then in the next row was Pocah and Yubie, who were eyeing each other suspiciously. Next was ohsaka, But since the other contestant - Neville Cannigan hadn't shown up she was basically sitting across from an empty chair. Von aries,and claudia were all sitting at the end of the table.
Finally, I was in the furthest seat down from the top and across from me was Julia.
Azuma: Damn. I've been starving.
Azuma said as he began to dig into the food.
Pocah: Wait! Before we start we must Give a prayer to the Spirits-
Azuma: Screw that! lets just eat already!
Pocah: Hmph.
Pocah pouted.
Everyone except Yubie Who had already started Eating, Dug into the Gracious amount of food that there was on the dining table
I Just had a small plate But enough To make Me feel Like A full Great Champion.
After about 10 minutes of Eating and small talk we all Looked satisfied. Azuma though, Looked increasingly frustrated.
Azuma: Mind if I ask, You a question old man?
Von Aries: You wound me by calling me "Old man". But Yes?
Azuma: What the hell are we even doing here? Why exactly did you invite us to Your mansion?
He asked.
Von Aries: … Why do you think?
Azuma: How the fuck should I know?
Von Aries: No need to get skippity. I just asked a question.
Azuma: -And I want an answer.
Von Aries: It's not a complicated answer, Mr. Tenkojin. I just want to see all of you in the flesh. I've been very busy lately and haven't been up to date with the tournament.
Von Aries explained as he cut into his light steak.
Azuma: Is that really it? No Ulterior Motive?
Von Aries: What? Do you assume me to be some cartoon villain that traps innocent teens in his mansion? I'm afraid not.
He laughed.
Von Aries: Well I've answered your question. Why don't you all answer mine?
Cael: What do you mean?
Von Aries: I want you all to answer the following question: What do you intend to do with the 6 million Grand prize?
He gestured.
Von Aries: We'll start with you azuma since you initiated this conversation and then we'll go counterclockwise.
He explained. The question was definitely interesting and could yield some important information about our opponents.
Azuma took a deep breath and looked at us with distant eyed
Azuma: If I win-
He stopped himself briefly.
Azuma: no, WHEN I win I'll use the 6 mil to pay the debt imposed on the Shinohara estate. It'll bring my clan back to prominence.
Von Aries: Grandiose Ambitions, I see. -Not that it's a bad thing.
Von Aries: - Mr. Biancho, You?
Leonaidis: Well…..
Leonaidis smirked and cracked his knuckles.
Cael: *Sigh*
Leonaidis: As you all know, I'm already affluently rich. So I do not need the 6 Million grand.
Leonaidis: -So what will I do with the money ,you ask? Donate it all to charity; of course! The less fortunate of the world could very well use this money.
Leonaidis exclaimed.
Von Aries clapped and the rest of the champions looked generally impressed with Leonaidis's proclamation. I wasn't though, I saw through his facade as just mere virtue signaling.
Von Aries: Well That's quite generous of you Mr. Biancho.
He said.
Von Aries: How about you, Miss Tequila?
Pocah: I am not interested in Monetary gain. I believe that the pursuit of money can lead to an unhealthy mind.
Pocah: -Participating in this tournament is a spiritual quest for me. A wish to seek "Myself" and test my limits by participating.
Von Aries: Ah, So it's a religious matter for you? That's quite honorable.
He Replied.
Von Aries: Right so, You ?
Cael: ….
I paused. I had never thought about what exactly I would do with the grand prize If I won. I never honestly thought I would get this in the tournament so the thought never crossed my mind.
Cael: If I'm being Honest, I don't know. I think I might just leave in an account until I decide.
Von Aries: Well, I'm sure that you'll figure out something eventually.
He replied.
Von Aries: -
Julia: Well, I'm glad you asked!
Julia responded before von aries could even finish his sentence…
Julia: Neo city and the surrounding territories have only been settled for 100 years and yet only a fraction of it's insect population have been documented and recorded! -To me that is such a shame!
Julia: If I win the 6 mil! I'm going to a start research center that'll be specifically dedicated to finding and studying new Insects!
Von Aries: Ah, the pursuit of science! You know back in my day I use to collect bugs of the sort-
Claudia: Dad, Please.
Von Aries: Hehehe. Sorry getting distracted aren't I? I'm just so glad to hear all of you all's interests!
He exclaimed.
Julia: I wouldn't mind hearing more about your bug collecting, Mr. Aries..!
Von Aries: Haha. Maybe Another time
Next up is you, Ms. Matsushiba.
Ohsaka: Like Cael, I'm also not 100% sure what would do if I won. I'm pretty much content with my life as is and don't really need the money.
She stated.
Von Aries: Nicely said, Miss. Perhaps you'll think of something soon.
Von Aries: -And last but not least, Ms. Kattobin.
Yubie: Hmph. I'm ashamed of you all. Spending your money on small thing like honor or insects. In life it's either go big or go home!
Yubie exclaimed.
Cael: Oh boy… Here it comes.
Yubie: My plans after winning are to Build a castle! 40 Kilometers high 80 Kilometers wide. A large 450 Meter deep Moat surrounding my glorious castle and finally large walls to hold-
Leonadis: Your ego?
I'm not gonna lie, I snickered a little when leonaidis said that. Yubie though, Just rolled her eyes and continued.
Yubie: -The treasures I got along my quests.
She proclaimed.
Claudia: Not to rain on your parade or anything but 6 Million grand is not enough to buy a castle.
Yubie: …?
Claudia: I mean You first would have to buy a plot of land and a permit to even get started which would no doubt be expensive. Then you have to hire a cavalcade of workers and architects to plan and build the castle which would cost even more…. And that's not even counting the amount of people to clean and maintain such a structure-
Von Aries: Claudia! What did I say about stomping on people's dreams?
Von Aries warned with a stern look on his face.
Claudia: To not to…
Von Aries: Right.
Von Aries Stood up, His eyes closed and arms rested on his chest.
Von Aries: Now, If you all could do one more thing for me.
He coerced. Von aries Looked at all of us, He Grinned and closed his eyes.
Cael: (What is he doing?)
I wondered.
Von Aries... I want you all to Look at the person across from you.
Ohsaka: Look across?
Von Aries: Yes. Stare into the soul of The person In front of you... And show them your true passion.
He declared with a clear vigor in his voice. The action he wanted us to do seemed so pointless and odd at the time.
Pocah: What's the point of this?
She Asked.
Von Aries: You will see in a moment, My dear.
We all just did as we we're told and Looked at each other. Leonaidis looked at azuma who didn't reciprocate any glare back at him. Yubie looked at Pocah intensely with her eyes. Ohsaka meanwhile, was left awkwardly staring at an empty chair, Her gaze averted elsewhere in the room as the time passed.
The person in front of me was Julia. I never wanted to stare at anyone, Especially girls and if any girl would stare at me, I swear my heart would melt.
Julia: Hehe!
She giggled and winked at me.
I just shyly turned away and Blinked, I could really see what kind of person Julia was. Von aries opened his eyes and spoke to us in an excited voice which conveyed a sense of determination.
Von Aries: I hope that You really stared into that person's soul Because... The person you are sitting across from is going to be your opponent in the tournament!