The famous Barracks Cup always attracts hundreds of people to the city where it is held. This was no different with the Floating Barracks. The streets of the floating city were filled with stalls selling goods, and visitors came from even the most remote parts of Nisurrukh.
The Barraks Cup itself was the highlight of the festivals held at this time, and its final marked the end of the festivities. However, during these days, fame is not only achieved in the arena, if someone's lucky their brand name will be known to the whole of Nisurrukh.
It can be said that on such occasions, cities become a real hive of activity. Students are exempted from their studies for the duration of the festival, and even graduates return to school to be part of this event. Floating Barracks has transformed into such a bustling, sparkling and colorful fairy tale world for these few days.
Marianne and Mathias brought the Athamanas their armors today, which the team enthusiastically put and tried on, and after they found everything to be in order, they thanked them for the equipment at length. It is worth knowing that Marianne told the team that if any of them dared to pay for the armor, she would show them what tailor's scissors could do if they "accidentally" slipped.
The opening of the Barracks Cup was at noon on that day. The large arena of Floaitng Air Barracks was packed with visitors and participants. The entire opening ceremony began with a musical and dance show, followed by a speech by director Weruh Sesanti. Then the guests could watch a sword-wielding demonstration, after which Mark, the deputy director, gave the schedule for the coming days. The opening was closed by the speech of the preacher himself, which, citing the preacher's retirement, was given by Santi as the next preacher.
After the opening ceremony, the Athamanas took over the city to look around. Everything went well for a while, when the group dispersed in the large crowd, leaving Rahul and Razvan alone, between whom the negative atmosphere was still a little heated.
"Did it work?" Benkó asked, when the rest of the group met again.
"Oh, it did, the birds are together." Etele also appeared, who played a key role in refining the group's idea.
"Then the operation make up can begin." Suk grinned.
"Or bring them together, whichever happens first." Achilleus remarked, and all the members of the group started to giggle.
The leaderless Athamanas then spent their time watching Rahul and Razvan from a distance and trying to create situations where the pair would have to communicate. Of course, with smaller and larger successes, but mostly with smaller successes.
"Okay, why are six idiots and a ghost stalking two students?" Several members of the Athamanas screamed at the sudden sound, as they jumped back only to find themselves facing Professor Biaskoncy, who was standing in front of them with his hands on his hips and a questioning look.
"We're setting them up for a date." Suk blurted out and pointed towards the departing couple.
"And do any of you know how to do that?" The man asked.
"That's why the grandpa is here." Benkó shrugged.
"I had a wife." That was all the ghost explained.
"Had. I understand. And how many times did you go on dates?" He asked the question, but instead of an answer he only got silence. "As I suspected. If you really want the best for them, let them be alone and not stalk them.'
"To tell the truth, we killed half an army on a date." Etele muttered, which made the teacher smile.
"It's not a bad pastime, but it's not exactly feasible right now. You'd better leave them alone and if everything goes well, miracles will happen by the fireworks in the evening." The teacher shrugged.
"But then what should we do?" Citar grimaced.
"Help me put the fireworks together." Proffesor Biaskoncy announced, and when the team looked at him in confusion, he continued. "I was entrusted with the preparation of the fireworks, but Weruh has assigned me a group of miserable people, so I ditched them. You are a step better. So..." He grinned evilly here. "Come and make the perfect fireworks for those two." He nodded at the departing couple, and when the team agreed to the plan, they headed towards the arena.
"Oh, someone distracted them." Rahul noted as he walked among the vendors.
"It was Biaskoncy. Although I don't know what he wanted." Razvan shrugged.
"Do you have any idea why the group followed us? And most importantly why they didn't try to hide the fact that they were following us?" The chüvigh boy asked.
"Based on the fact that they are them, they wanted us to make up." Razvan sighed.
"What? But we've already made up." Rahul grimaced.
"You have to admit that the atmosphere between us is still cold." Razvan muttered. "I..."
"If you say you're sorry one more time, I swear, competition or not I'll beat you up." Rahul glanced at the team leader from the corner of his eye. "I'm over it. Let's let it go." He sighed. "Oh, that's the best candy you can find. Come on, boss, I'll buy you one." He chuckled as he grabbed Razvan's arm and dragged him along among the vendors.
Who would have thought that Professor Biaskoncy's plan to leave the pair alone would work. Rahul and Razvan spent the rest of the afternoon exploring every window display and even buying a few things. Once they ran into Marianne, who was selling her clothes. Of course, she couldn't hold back, so she gifted the pair with two sacred bird pins that her husband had made.
As the hours passed, Razvan began to feel that the warmth between them had returned. In fact, he had already planned to try to start courting Rahul and that he would start this plan tonight during the fireworks. Of course, if Rahul didn't object.
In short, everything was going perfectly until sunset approached, when the couple set off towards their assigned spot in the Floating Air, from where they were supposed to watch the fireworks, they ran into a strange pair. At first, they didn't want to deal with them, it wasn't in their plans to clash with anyone, but the strangers didn't think so.
"Look there, aren't these the little pussies who represent Floating Air?" This was the first thing the taller member of the strange couple said to them.
"Look there, I didn't know that there were also assholes in here." Rahul remarked, which made Razvan laugh.
"I'll teach you a lesson, you little piece of shit!" The stranger's hands clenched into fists and the next moment he raised his hand to strike Rahul. However, Razvan caught his wrist in mid-air.
"I'm not familiar with city customs, but I'm pretty sure that violence is forbidden during the festival." He said coldly.
"And who's going to stop me, you?" The stranger laughed.
"He's not, but I am." Professor Biaskoncy literally appeared out of nowhere and it only took one movement for the loud-mouthed student to fall to the ground like a rag doll. "I hope you can explain your behavior to your principal. It would be a shame if your school was at a disadvantage due to expulsion." The teacher grimaced, then turned to the other stranger child. "Take this unfortunate person back to your room, then I suggest you report to your principal voluntarily, I don't feel like going around unnecessarily. Oh, and just so you know, I'll be aware that if you don't do what I say and believe me, I'll make you cry and beg God that you wish you had listened to me. Go ahead." He turned away from the student, who, trembling, pulled his companion up from the ground and headed towards the dormitories.
"Thank you, Professor." Rahul nodded, and the man just waved.
"Oh, it was nothing. Just stupid kids." He shrugged. "Go to your seats, the fireworks will start soon and your friends will be waiting for you there." The man said before disappearing into the shadows with a wave, leaving the pair alone.
"Let's go before Citar crushes Wandi's hand in his nervousness." Rahul chuckled, but before he could go any further, Razvan caught his hand. "What's the big deal, boss?" He asked in confusion.
"Thank you for spending the day with me." Razvan interrupted, then raised Rahul's hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss before letting go. "Let's go, let's not miss the show." The team leader left, and Rahul just shook his head before following him to the other Athamanas.