Time has stopped - is this what it means?

　That day, the royal capital of Vila Amst was quiet.
　The streets were sparsely populated.
　There was no sign of the carriages that were constantly making their way to the royal palace.
　Stalls were closed and stray dogs were forlornly holding discarded fish bones in their mouths.

　But people's voices can be heard.
　The guards who guarded the city looked up at the occasional cheer.
　They turn toward the voices with a little envy.
　Then they cowered their shoulders with their partner and returned to their duties.

　The Nine Dragons' Cup (ku-ron-hai)--.

　A student fighting cup held in the Kingdom of Villa Amst for the first time in nine years.
　It is a place where nine adventurer schools from all over Galvale gather to demonstrate their daily efforts to the fullest.
　It started today.

　The students had gathered at the training grounds.
　There were more than 5,200 students in total.
　There were no differences in race or function.
　They were still too young to be considered adults, but their spirit was no less than that of the active adventurers.

　They were looking towards the podium in the center of the training grounds.
　One student was just in the middle of taking the player oath.

　The student in the red uniform let his well-passed voice echo through the drill ground.

'Adventurer's School Main School Representative, Iolada Dee Dilipan!

　He concludes.
　Then the impromptu audience gave a warm round of applause.
　Some called out names and cheered.
　They are ladies in beautiful dresses.
　But Iolada didn't give them a second glance.
　Rather, she tightened her jaw more curiously and walked back into the line.

　Next to take the stage was the King of the Kingdom of Villa Amst, Johain Eper Galvan Amst.
　He showed his students a face that was still full of life even though he was over 50 and a physique that looked like an active knight.

　Soon, he took a deep breath and swore an oath.


''We will now begin the 23rd Ninth Dragon Cup!


　A loud gong was sounded.
　Behind them, fireworks were set off.

　Thus the fierce battle was cut off and dropped.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


　What awaited us students, despite the spectacular opening of the festival, was the eve of the event.

　Those who have the rank of ambassador or higher, an instructor of each school and three student representatives are allowed to attend.
　I heard that it was mainly for the greetings of those involved in the conference and for the student representatives of each school to meet each other.
　If that's the case, it should be just the students.
　The point is that adults can drink alcohol with students as a snack.
　However, because it was hosted by students, there was no alcoholic beverage in it, but....

　From the Villa Amst Kingdom Chapter 5, me, Sheila and President Vael were in attendance.

　Even though the students are the main actors, the eve of the festival is a time for adults.
　Here and there, people of the noble and high-ranking classes are chatting and laughing.
　The students are still an extra in this occasion, I suppose.

　To be honest, it's out of character.
　I'd rather spend time working out than spending time like this.

　The one good thing is that the food served to us is delicious.
　I decided to indulge myself, since this was a good opportunity.
　It's a great opportunity to get some good protein.

"There you are, Racel.

　Looking back.

----!

　For a moment I didn't know who it was.
　But when I saw the flashing icy eyes, I immediately recognized her as Vael Dee Rivild.
　Her silver hair, which always hung long, was curled up and her dress, which boldly bared her shoulders, was embroidered with a blue bellflower, the family crest of the Rivild family.

''Hmm........ Lacelle, you're fawning over me now, aren't you?''

　The chairman chuckled.
　I cowered my shoulders.

'I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations, but it's off. I just wondered which lady you were from for a moment.'

Nah. Boring.

　His mouth snaps up.

'It's okay. You look good enough.

'I wish I'd heard that before the first word.

Sorry about that.

Well, how about this?

　The chairman retreated from the scene.
　Emerging from the large shadow was a girl as beautiful as a fairy.

　A white one-piece dress.
　It was simple, just a thinly embroidered floral pattern with a thin belt wrapped a little higher than the waist.
　However, it looked so good on my little sister that I thought it was the only way to go.

　Yes, it was Sheila.
　It was Sheila.

　Her younger sister with a circle of angels in her glossy hair, her green eyes flickering right and left.
　In front of the demonic beast, a girl as strong as a demon god stood in front of me as a very ordinary 11-year-old girl.

''Oh, brother........ Please don't stare at me too closely.

　Sheila turned a pockmarked red.
　She glares at me with a slightly superior look.
　I couldn't help but blush too.

　It was cute, to say the least.

'Hey, hey. I'd like to know what you have to say, brother.

　Chairman Vael asks a slightly nasty question.

　I huff and puff.
　Swallowing once, I tighten the collar of my uniform back on and say.

'You look good in it, Sheila.'

　With a cooing sound, Sheila's white skin was turning red.
　The eyes, which had been moving left and right impassively, finally began to turn around in a circle.
　Unintentionally, she hides in the shadow of Chairman Vael, who was at her side.
　Then, the chairman lightly stroked his sister's head.

''Kukku........ It's the first time for a brother and sister to be together, isn't it? You know, Sheila. You have something to say, don't you?

　I push back lightly.
　It's held out in front of me.
　Sheila bows her head, moping.

'Oh, thank you. My brother.''

　He smiles.
　He's regained a bit of his original tone.

　His smile was as angelic as the glow of his hair.