"Oh!!!"
The cheers of the students resounded in the air.
Doves flew in waves around the sky as if someone had arranged it beforehand.
Students in black robes walked around. Most of them gathered at a certain location.
The students looked in the direction of the clock tower.
A guy who looked too buff for his clothes stood there. He was slightly tanned and he looked to be a middle-aged man.
That's the princ.i.p.al of Walpurgis Academy, Edward Rutherford.
The princ.i.p.al announced.
"Akabane Rais.h.i.+n, come forward!"
Rais.h.i.+n in his uniform went to the platform with Yaya who was in her usual mini-skirt kimono.
"I, Edward Rutherford, confer you the t.i.tle of Satan candidate, you may join the Walpurgis Night ritual."
A floating platter appeared before it was presented in front of Rais.h.i.+n.
There is an intricately-made black glove with glowing numbers on it.
Those are gloves only those who are invited to the Walpurgis Night can attain.
These partic.i.p.ants are known as gauntlets.
Rais.h.i.+n can join the compet.i.tion now.
After busting the Candy case, Rais.h.i.+n lost his chance so he decided to challenge the other gauntlets in the school.
He became known as the Mad Dog.
The committee recognized his abilities and granted him permission to join.
Rais.h.i.+n looked at the t.i.tle they gave him.
Surprise, surprise, they named him The Second Last.
Rais.h.i.+n couldn't believe it, his lips twitched in annoyance.
"You're Rank 100."
The princ.i.p.al laid the final nail in his coffin.
"Any problem with that?"
"N-No, sir."
Rais.h.i.+n backed off after obtaining his gloves.
"Wu Yan, come forward!"
Wu Yan approached with Natsuki, Ikaros, Astrea, Nagisa, and Kanon following behind him.
Unlike Rais.h.i.+n, the students reacted differently.
This guy challenged Magnus and walked away with a small victory.
And, he became someone who defeated Felix, one of the top 13 students in school.
Without a doubt, this freshman is super strong. He also appeared to be able to control up to 5 dolls which is on par with Magnus. It didn't help that all his dolls stood out as stellar beauties too.
The Princ.i.p.al grinned when he saw him.
"I, Edward Rutherford, confer upon you the t.i.tle of Satan Candidate. You're not permitted to join the Walpurgis Night."
The princ.i.p.al personally took the platter to Wu Yan.
He saw the gloves.
However, it was different from the one Rais.h.i.+n had.
It had golden strings with his t.i.tle on it.
"Crimson Eyes."
Wu Yan wanted to turn the gloves down.
He never wanted to join the Walpurgis Night.
The Committee didn't ask for his consent.
Even so, since they had announcedce it to the world, he was forced to come here.
He can just forfeit if he was forced to join.
are
"You're Rank 4."
The princ.i.p.al read Wu Yan's stunned look, the other students had similar looks.
Rank 4.
That means he is one of Thirteen Rounds.
Rank 4 is also Felix's previous rank.
Since he defeated Felix, the princ.i.p.al, and the committee decided that he had superior strength.
"Your abilities as a Puppeteer are worth mentioning."
The princ.i.p.al praised him in front of the whole school.
The princ.i.p.al continued.
"If anyone should disagree, he or she is welcome to come out and show me why I am wrong. This rank can still be changed..."
The students piped down.
Who would dare contest this rank with Wu Yan.
He is someone who defeated Felix and isn't afraid to fight with Magnus.
"Alright, since no one is saying anything, this is now final!"
The princ.i.p.al looked at Wu Yan.
"Any objections from you?"
Wu Yan looked into the princ.i.p.al's eyes. He was sizing him up, he could tell that.
Wu Yan sighed.
Ranks are useless since he isn't joining.
Wu Yan nodded.
"No objections."
Kanon accepted the plate on Wu Yan's behalf.
The princ.i.p.al addressed Wu Yan and Rais.h.i.+n.
"By the powers vested in me, you two are now Gauntlets!"
"YEAAHHH!!!"
The students cheered as the ceremony came to an end.
Wu Yan and Rais.h.i.+n exchanged a look.
"I won't lose next time."
Rais.h.i.+n said.
"I will beat you on Walpurgis Night."
"No need to wait until then. I am not even sure if I am going there. But, if you want to challenge me, my schedule's wide open."
Wu Yan teased him.
"I said it before, I may hate trouble but I am not afraid of a challenge."
They shook hands after exchanging another round of sharp stares.
"Oh~!"
The students cheered them on.