Arthur stood with his team, as the field buzzed again, the students around them talking excitedly about one thing now, the ancient realm.

“So…” Finn said, nudging Leon with his elbow, “What do you think this ancient realm is all about?”

Leon said while appearing to be contemplating his answer. “I don’t know, but it has to be dangerous.”

Sophia crossed her arms. “I too think so, or why would they restrict it to only the top teams?”

Natalya twirled a strand of her silver hair between her fingers. “I just hope there’s something worth the risk.”

Arthur didn’t join in immediately. His gaze was distant, and thoughtful and before he could share his thoughts, the judges finally arrived.

Seven figures, clad in robes of silver and blue, stepped onto the large stone platform at the far end of the field. Each of them radiated an oppressive strength, even while standing still.

The murmurs among the students died down instantly.

An elderly man with white hair and sharp blue eyes stepped forward. His voice carried across the field with the help of a spell.

“First, congratulations to those who have achieved victory,” he said, his voice solemn but not unkind. “And to those who have not… know this; your journey doesn’t end here. Simply by standing among your peers today, you have proven yourselves capable. Success is not determined by a single event.”

Arthur noticed a few of the students lower their heads, some visibly holding back tears. He understood, losing here wasn’t just about pride, it was also a precious opportunity they would miss out on.

“But for now,” the elder continued, his voice lifting slightly, “let us celebrate your achievement.”

A line of staff members moved forward, carrying ornate chests and placing them on the stone platform.

The elder nodded to the staff. “Top fifty teams from the first year, step forward.”

Arthur exchanged a glance with his team, then they made their way toward the platform.

Multiple stone tables were set up and filled with artifacts; armors gleaming with runes, swords radiating with faint mana, amulets, rings, boots, all exuding a palpable sense of magic.

Arthur activated ‘Analysis’ subtly as he walked past the artifacts, scanning each one carefully.

‘High-grade protection barrier… not bad, but useless to me.’

‘Sword that enhances fire mana… pass.’

‘Armor with regeneration enchantment… meh.’

He frowned slightly, until his eyes fell upon a small, old compass, almost hidden among the gleaming treasures.

He picked it up and used ‘Analysis’ on it.

He found that it was a treasure compass, an artifact to detect rare treasures and concentrations of mana.

Arthur’s lips twitched upward in a faint smile. ‘Nice, now that’s something useful.’

Arthur does not require any armor or weapon as using an armor would only hinder his growth and he already had a good sword that may be even better than a high grade artifact so he chose the compass due to its utility.

He registered the artifact with a staff and tucked it into his dimensional storage without hesitation.

Meanwhile, his teammates also made their selections.

Eva chose a long crimson whip that she can use her will to move as she wishes. After using ‘Analysis’ on it Arthur found that it was enchanted to drain mana on contact.

Leon picked a metallic glove, its surface etched with golden runes, something designed to enhance physical strikes and reinforce durability.

Finn grabbed a pair of boots, which would make him even faster than he already was.

Natalya picked a sleek, pale blue leather armor. It was embedded with frost runes, granting increased resistance to elemental magic.

As they collected their items, a staff member handed each of them a small vial filled with a swirling silver liquid.

“It’s called Elixir of Ascension,” the man explained. “It will help you with a temporary surge in mana after consumption, and help breakthrough minor bottlenecks. Use it wisely.”

Arthur turned the vial in his hand thoughtfully, feeling the dense mana from within.

They descended the stone steps and returned to the field, waiting for further instructions.

Around them, other teams were finishing their selections too.

After all the prizes had been distributed, one of the staff members in charge stepped forward and called out:

“Top twenty teams from each year stay behind. Everyone else, please proceed to your academy ships!”

The field slowly emptied, the majority of the students looking both disappointed and envious as they followed their instructors towards their ships.

When only the top students remained, a new figure stepped onto the platform.

Arthur recognized him instantly, Auron Veylan, the King’s Advisor, and one of the strongest men of the Stellara kingdom.

Auron’s deep voice cut through the field.

“Congratulations,” he began. “You have proven yourselves among the best, but your true test lies ahead.”

The students straightened unconsciously, sensing the gravity in his tone.

“You are about to receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to enter a place few mortals ever set foot.”

He paused, sweeping his piercing gaze across the field.

“You will soon enter the Ancient Realm.”

A murmur ran through the students.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, listening intently.

“This Realm,” Auron continued, “is not of this era. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, when gods still walked among us mortals, great wars scarred the world. After one such cataclysm, the surviving deities came to an agreement and sealed the battlefield away in a different dimension, turning it into a training ground for future generations.”

He let the weight of that statement settle.

“The battlefield was divided into multiple levels, each one more dangerous than the last. Treasures beyond imagination lie hidden within. Artifacts from a forgotten age, and legacies of immensely powerful beings are waiting to be claimed.”

“But beware,” Auron said, his voice serious now. “It is not without risk, death is a very real possibility within the Realm.”

Auron then continued to describe some other information about the realm.

Only someone who is younger than thirty years can enter the dimension and there was also a quota, from each continent only three thousand youths can enter the dimension. 

“You thousand here,” Auron said, his voice growing stronger, “represent the finest among the continent’s magic academies. But you will not be alone.”

He continued, “You will enter the Ancient Realm alongside students from martial arts schools, and various other institutions like the church, the mercenary guild etc…. every organization that trains the future generation will be sending their elites.”

The field buzzed again with chatter of students, louder this time. Even among the proud students, anxiety flickered across faces.

A fifth-year student raised his hand.

Auron inclined his head. “Speak.”

The boy stepped forward respectfully. “Sir, you mentioned a quota of three thousand from each continent. Does that mean… will people from the other continents also participate?”

Auron’s expression darkened slightly.

“Yes,” he said. “One Realm Gate opens on each of the three continents. Humans will send their own… but so will the demons who now control Velmora, the demi-human continent.”

Gasps broke out among the students.

“You must be prepared,” Auron said. “If you encounter people from other continents, especially the demons, assist your fellow students where possible.”

Another student, a girl from a prestigious academy, raised her hand.

“Sir, when will the gates open?”

Auron gave a small smile. “Approximately one month from today.”

“One month,” Auron repeated, his voice carrying a deeper weight now. “Train hard. Use the elixirs you have been rewarded. Break through your bottlenecks, and grow stronger.”

He paused. “Because once you step into that place… only strength will determine your fate.”

…

As Auron Veylan finished speaking, staff members started approaching the students while holding silver trays. On the trays were a series of small metallic tokens, each inscribed with intricate runes.

The staff member stopped in front of each group of the top students, handing them the tokens.

Arthur accepted his token, feeling its smooth, cold weight settle into his palm.

Auron’s voice carried once again across the field, “These tokens are essential, keep them safe. When the Realm Gate opens, these will determine your eligibility to enter the ancient realm.”

He waited a moment, making sure every student understood.

“The Realm Gate will open in the center of Arkanis… in the kingdom of Ardenvale,” Auron continued. “Roughly one month from today, you will be notified when it’s time to assemble there.”

Arthur tucked the token safely into his dimensional storage. He could feel the faint but distinct mana signature tied to the token, it wasn’t something that could be easily forged or replaced.

“Train well,” Auron said, his voice solemn, “And good luck on your journey.”

With that, the instructors from various academies stepped forward and began to guide the students toward their respective academy ships.

Arthur, his teammates, and the second-year seniors of Velcrest Academy moved together. In this tournament only these two teams from their Academy were able to score enough points to be in the top twenty teams in their respective years. They crossed the field, the sun now dipping lower as evening was approaching.

When they reached their ship, Arthur and his team immediately noticed the small group of people already waiting just outside the ship. They were the students who were not in the top twenty teams and a few of their instructors.

As they were now gathered in one place, Natalya, with a nervous expression, took a tentative step towards the second year seniors. Natalya’s half brother Lucas Velorin was also in the team.

“Congratulations, brother,” she said, in a soft and hesitant voice.

But Lucas didn’t even look at her. He simply turned his head away, then walked past her without a single word, entering the ship as if she didn’t exist at all.

Natalya’s hand slowly dropped to her side. There was a visible expression of pain on her face, and everyone could feel she was dejected with the encounter.

Eva, ever quick to read the atmosphere, stepped beside Natalya and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

The others exchanged confused glances not knowing what just happened.

“What was that all about?” Finn muttered under his breath.

Leon frowned but stayed silent. Sophia’s gaze flickered between Natalya and Lucas, clearly curious.

Arthur remembered something from the first round of the tournament, he’d overheard Eva and Natalya talk earlier about Lucas. He guessed Lucas might be Natalya’s relative as they share the same surname, but seeing him ignore Natalya, he figured they might not have a good relationship.

Eva noticed their confusion and shook her head subtly. “We’ll talk about it later,” she said quietly, giving Natalya a look for confirmation.

Natalya hesitated for a fraction of a second… then nodded lightly, her face smoothing back into her usual neutral expression.

Satisfied, Eva turned toward the ship. “Come on. Let’s go.”

After that they all boarded the ship one after another.

As soon as everyone was secured, the ship rumbled softly to life, as it started to take off.

Through the wide viewing panels, Arthur watched as the vast forest shrank beneath them, turning into a speck as they climbed higher.

They were finally going back toward Brightwater.

***

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep