Rivers of the Night-Chapter 283: Opening Statements
Chapter 283: Opening Statements
Mello cleared his throat. This was obviously not a change he expected either, but the intricacies of it all were lost on him, as they were to most people.
As for the crowd, all they cared about was the fanfare. The chance for there to be such a high stakes debate right from the start was blood pumping.
Originally, they were only excited because this was the start of something they had been anticipating for a while. But now it was truly a contest with something on the line.
If Theron lost, it would mean that the Nightingale Clan would be out of a participant for the military stream. And no matter what anyone said, this was the world of cultivation. No matter how eloquent your words, the results for the military stream would always weigh far heavier.
The worst part was the results of the First Years would impact what changes occurred in the later rounds. If the Nightingale Clan had no participant for the first round in the military stream, it would mean that all their subsequent battles would likewise be at a disadvantage.
There was suddenly quite a lot on the line.
High in the stands, Aetherion watched without a change to his expression. However, his gaze remained on Theron all the while.
He knew that this young man was dangerous. He changed faces so easily, lowered his head even when he didn’t necessarily have to, and met every challenge with that same gentle smile.
He had never seen Theron angry, or upset, or sad. No… there was one time he had heard of Theron losing his temper, and yet even then it was only speculation on his part.
While he knew of the aftermath of the battle between his fiancée and Theron, all the while, Theron’s expression had been unreadable. That was the closest thing to the young man losing his temper that they had ever gotten.
And here he was again, taking control of a situation he had no business taking control of before he could even receive any external help.
‘A danger, indeed…’ he thought silently to himself before closing his eyes.
He felt that this round would only end one way. At least for now, Theron was a useful pawn to the Nightingale Province.
…
“The judges have prepped themselves. Ready yourselves, participants. Since this is a challenge issued by Faustin of the Sanguns, and rebuffed by Theron of the Galethunders, this will begin with their opening statements.
“You all know the rules. Based on their words, the remainder of you may opt to choose a side. You each have one flag to use to take over the lead of an argument, or you may opt to play a supporting role instead.
“Whichever side gains the majority support of the five of you will earn themselves more speaking time. Be careful with how you deploy your flags, though.
“Should you use your flag and ultimately lose the debate in the end, your senior will lose access to their own flag for a round. However, should you remain on the sidelines, the points you will receive from the judges will likewise be limited.
“Does everyone understand?”
“Understood.” Mello received a reply from them all.
“In that case, challenger, please begin with your opening statement.”
Faustin took a breath. He hadn’t prepared for this to become their first topic, but he had already outlined all of the rebuttals and lines of argument nonetheless. Originally he was planning on just arguing normally, and that was a bit different from a formal debate like this one, but there was no doubt that he was still far more prepared than Theron.
He would crush him.
All of Faustin’s previous nervousness went out of the window at that moment.
“As I said before, the measure of an Empire is in their average talent. No one person can hold up the skies on their own. Every Emperor has his Nobles. Every General has his warriors. Every teacher has his student and every parent must rely on their children and their spouse to uphold the family name in the coming generation.
“People like to think that the world of cultivation is cruel, and that it is. But there is a reason why even in a contentious competition like this one, we still hold the academic stream in such high regard.
“In the field of academics, we stand on the shoulders of giants, we build our knowledge from one generation to the next, we collaborate with our fellow man to prune and flesh out our ideas, to strengthen them and give them life.
“And it’s on the shoulders of these ideals that we grow to conquer the battlefield, to suppress it with the might of our fists grown through the strength of our minds…
“Minds sharpened by the power of the collective rather than the individual.”
After he finished saying these words, Faustin took a step back and gracefully bowed. For an opening statement, he had already said all that needed to be said.
The crowd cheered, and up in the sky boxes above, an unfamiliar young man watched on with almost dead crimson eyes. The Crown Prince of the Sangun Clan, Morelle Sangun, watched on with the same unmoved air as Aetherion or the other Crown Princes.
One would think that this matter truly had nothing at all to do with them. But beneath that calmness lurked a prowling predator.
For some reason, even while Faustin was speaking, Morelle had never taken his eyes off of Theron. And he wasn’t the only one either.
It seemed that quite a few people were interested in what Theron would have to say.
“And the challenger has laid down his gauntlet! Now, the challenged, please relay your opening statement. Then we will have the three remaining First Years choose their side!”
Theron didn’t bother to step forward, he was looking at Faustin with the same gentle smile, but his words themselves were biting.
“Sounds like the words of a coward to me.”
That was the start and end of Theron’s opening statement.
