Chapter 162: 162 First Time.

After carrying Allen on his shoulder, Jin returned to the tunnel where his classmates were waiting in heavy silence.

Cheers echoed in the narrow tunnels, picturing the match that pushed their tension to its max.

He got closer to others, but no one noticed his presence.

Kaede’s cat ears twitched as her body pivoted his way. Her lifeless purple eyes sparkled while purred adorably.

Her actions drew everyone’s attention, starting from Kurobe.

“Big bro, Jin. You’ve come back and Big sis Lucya too?”.

“We’re back, how is the match?”.

The mood soured at the mention of the tournament.

Jin’s emerald eyes swept over the group, and he noticed Kain lifted his hand and fixed his glasses up.

“I’m sorry, we suffered a loss because of me”.

Kain’s low tone and his crumpled expression gave everything.

However, Jin shrugged his shoulders; his voice was lax or almost indifferent to any of it.

“No, don’t worry about it”.

Jin walked forward, standing near the mouth of the tunnel, witnessing a student from Valor Academy battling the person amongst those six.

He exhaled softly, putting on a calm demeanor.

“Just like I said in the beginning, enjoy the festival and don’t overly burden yourself with the result. You can try it again next year”.

Kain pushed his glasses up, leaning his stiff back onto the wall. His stiff facial face broke into a silly smile.

“You’re right; thanks, leader”. Kain exhaled softly; all tension left his body.

Jin waved his hand, telling him not to discuss the matter longer.

His attitude was honestly cold but somehow carried a weight in every word. The other students who still didn’t come up to the stage now have a lighter feeling in their hearts.

It was foolish of them to keep swimming in the pool agitation.

Regardless of the result, what matters is the effort they put in and the experience they gained from any of these events.

That was the most important thing in any of this.

Above all else.

Jin stood next to Silvia, her stiff expression melted in gentle warmth upon noticing his presence.

“Good work, Jin”. Silvia’s bell-like voice rang like a melodious tune.

“You too, thanks for keeping the group”.

Silvia shook her head sideways, noticing that she wasn’t suited to lead others like Jin did earlier.

When Kain lost, the time he walked into the tunnel with a frown on his face told her everything.

Silvia tried to tell the boy not to overthink any of it, but it was brushed aside.

The mood in the place shifted, filled with heavy silence that slowly choked their throat.

However, after Jin arrived and spoke what was in his mind, all the gloom and shadows that shrouded everyone’s mind, gripping them in an unnecessary tension, dispersed like a mist.

Jin’s presence brought tranquility wherever he was present.

Just like he stood beside her. ’I still have much to learn from him’.

“Who is next?”.

Lucya’s question brought other eyes to the Elven girl who stood leaning on the wall. Her arms were crossed on her chest, tapping gently each time the tide of the match shifted.

Iris utilized her sharp hearing to gauge the match results, seemingly also steadying her pounding heart.

In the arena, dust swirled beneath their booth as both spear users drew their final arc—their silver tips gleaming under the sunlight.

Blood dripped on their small cuts around the bodies, but their eyes were sharp and unwavering.

Never let each other’s prey slip from their grasp.

Both figures vanished as steel clashed once more, followed by broken splinters from a broken shaft.

The student from Valor Academy gritted his teeth, witnessing his weapon split in half.

In front of him, a youngster around his age stood with a battered figure and ragged breath, placing the tips of his spear near the student’s neck.

“I concede”. The student said weakly, his gaze lowered, but not with the flame in his eyes.

Silence fell over before Selene raised her voice.

“The eight matches ended, and the winner was Karna, a promising adventurer”.

As if waiting for the moment, the coliseum shook with intensity. Cheers reverberated through the atmosphere as they awaited the next battle to commence.

The two candidates faced each other, sharing a firm handshake that incited grand applause for their warrior spirit.

After the clamorous cheers, the arena turned silent as Selene, the one who guided the matches, spoke.

“Well, well, even after the breaks we did earlier, the match was still intense. This year candidates were truly blessed by heavens”.

The crowds nod in silent understanding; some of them, who were following this annual competition, felt a certain attraction toward this year’s tournament.

Unlike last year, where the format was the same. Senior students fought relentlessly against each other, and only one or two exceptional juniors were given a chance to shine.

However, this year was abnormal with the appearance of first-year students from Promethys Academy, who basically dominated the battle.

They couldn’t help but be amazed by the golden luck the academy had to accommodate those talents in the same year.

“Without further ado, let’s start with the ninth match, it was a student from our academy, Iris Vs. Nerine an adventure from the east”.

“I’m going”.

Iris stepped forward, standing beside Jin’s other side. Her green eyes occasionally glanced at his side, waiting.

Jin watched her golden ponytail sway gently with her flustered appearance. He couldn’t help but chuckle to see the girl’s adorable side.

He placed a hand on the girl’s silken hair; Jin’s finger tenderly caressed her head gently, making the Elven girl purr in comfort.

“Go and have fun”.

Iris nodded meekly with a blush tainting her smooth cheeks that ran through her pointy ears.

From behind, Lucya, her lips parted in a teasing manner, started to poke the Elven girl’s side, saying.

“Well, well, looks like someone is hungry for attention from her hubby, fufu”.

“Shut it, Lucya!”. Iris glared at her side, prompting the playful princess to retreat.

Iris reached out to her chest, feeling her beating heart calming down.

Her mind started to wander. This was her first time entering a tournament like this, fighting in front of many people.

Because this kind of event was nowhere to be found in her homeland.

That’s why when the time came for her to walk onto the stage.

Never in her life had Iris felt her heart being crushed with nervousness that slowly suffocated her.

Iris exhaled sharply; her eyes shone in firm clarity. “Thanks, Jin. Wish me luck”.

Jin removed his hand before touching the Elven girl’s back.

“You will be fine”.

The Elven girl nodded; the flame started to flicker in her heart, igniting the ember until it blazed red.

{I will be there to support you, my liege. You are not alone}

An ancient male voice rang in her brain; the calm voice carried a cool breeze that burned the furnace brighter.

’Thank you, Zephyros’. Iris stepped forward, her fingers clenched in tight fists. ’Let’s go and win this match’.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep