(Preshow) Registration [Where you sign up IC]

[Dr. McNinja]

Dalaran, Camelot

It was a cold day, and a colder night still. Despite his status as a Prime, Dongja was quite content to live a quiet life since he had become Master Millet's registered apprentice. At the moment, Dongja was carrying his groceries to Master Millet's place, propping the bags up against a glowing quartz lamppost to get a better grip. Tall, impossible towers coiled into the night sky when Yeo-Ee-Pil quite abruptly yanked him to the side.

"Dongja! Dongja!" the staff chirped, "There's a tournament!"

The calligrapher's apprentice raised an inquisitive eyebrow and looked at what his magical weapon was pointing at. It was a worn poster for a fighting tournament. A cocky-looking man with quite the magnificent hair was pointing demandingly at Dongja, and under it said "Dante's Abyss. Fight to the Death."

"It's Dante's Abyss, man!" Yeo-Ee-Pil squirmed.

"You know it?"

"Nope, but It sounds hella fun! Let's go!"

"Um... I don't really wanna join a- OKAY"

Before Dongja could finish speaking, the staff had wrapped itself around Dongja's wrist and flew forward, dragging Dongja down Dalaran's streets towards the sign-up booth.

After what seemed like an hour of cobblestones rattling down Dongja's face, the staff finally slowed down until the boy could stand up again. Dongja irritably pushed himself to his feet and stretched his shoulders.

"I can walk," the boy muttered as the staff uncoiled from his wrist and latched itself onto his back.

When he looked around, he was on the other side of the floating island, in the Enchanting District. The boy had accidentally toppled at least three squires holding magical pieces of armor. Dongja grimaced at them apologetically before turning to the person in front of him.

It was a tired-looking mage, resting his head on an elbow, which in turn was propped up on a probably driftwood table. He had a piece of paper in front of him with nothing written on it. Unlike many of the mages he had met in Dalaran, this one was wearing deep blue robes and a pointed hat. Dongja had lived in Dalaran long enough to know this outfit was silly as hell.

"Hello, sir, ma'am or other-"

"I'm a boy," Dongja snapped, realizing a moment too late how childish he was being.

"-or other, and welcome to the sign-ups for Dante's Abyss. Are you here to join the tournament?"

"Yes!" chirped the staff, brandishing a scroll he had received a week ago.

"I see your magical weapon is able to speak on your behalf, Mr...?"

Dongja considered the ways he could discreetly burn that piece of paper as he replied, "Dongja. My name is Ok Dongja."

"Very well, Mr. Dongja-"

"Oh, no, my family name is Ok," the sorcerer interrupted.

"...Mr. Oak. Are you a Prime?"

Dongja hesitated. "Yeah."

The mage eyed him suspiciously. He waved his hand and several wires levitated towards him, piercing into his skin and wrapping around his elbow. A nearby sheet of glass lit up and began showing numbers.

"How long have you been in the Omniverse?"

"Maybe a few months..."

The mage continued to drone, "And why are you joining our exquisitely entertaining competition? Are you here for the glory? Are you here to test your-"

"I'm here because my stick told me to," Dongja interrupted.

The mage stifled a smirk.

"Alright, that's all. You're good to go."

"That's it?"

"Well, we'd like you to say something for the crowd first, and then we'll Recall you to where the other competitors are."

"It says on your flyer that Dante's Abyss is a competition to the death. This seems irresponsible."

"Very funny."

"That?" Dongja squinted, "Wasn't a joke?"

A nearby device (which Dongja assumed to be one of those "camera" things) hovered to Dongja's eye-level. Upon closer observation, Dongja realize it was being held by a purple arcane platform, likely being maintained by the mage.

In an unprecedented cheery voice, the mage chirped, "Hello, fans! This is Ok Dongja, one of the contestants for this year's Dante's Abyss. What would you like to tell you fans, Dongja?"

The boy blinked twice before waving meekly.

"Aww, he's a little shy, folks. As one of the many newcomers this year, how do you like your chances?"

Dongja blinked again and shrugged. "Not very much."

The mage sighed silently, as to not alert the camera to his frustration. He chirped again, "What kind of fight are you bringing to the table, Mr. Ok?"

Dongja licked his lips. "I know magic?"

The mage rolled his eyes, but his voice was still as cheerful as ever. "And what kind of magic is that?"

"Calligraphy magic," the boy shrugged.

The mage waited for Dongja to elaborate, but seeing that Dongja was finished, laughed loudly.

"Thank you, Mr. Ok. We look forward to see you compete!"

The camera dropped to the table, inactive. The mage waved his hands, and a nearby glyph on the ground activated. Dongja cleared his throat.

"So... how does this WOR-"

When Dongja blinked again, he was inside somewhere. It was a mansion, except very strange-looking people were strolling around. Dongja scratched the back of his neck. He still wasn't sued to this place.

"Remind me to never let you get interviewed."

"Shut up."

Dongja stepped forward, uncertain of himself.