The atmosphere in the Colosseum was electric, a living, breathing entity composed of thousands of roaring voices. Waves of cheers rolled through the massive structure, shaking the very ground beneath it.

The students and teachers crammed into every available seat and shouted in exhilaration, their excitement palpable as they awaited the grand spectacle.

The competition had already begun and was in full swing.

“I swear, this is way more grand than last time!” A student in the stands exclaimed, gripping the edge of his seat.

“Well, of course! It’s the Leap Year Competition! They went all out this time,” another replied, barely able to contain his excitement.

Students only got one chance to witness the Leap Year Competition firsthand, but they’d heard the stories. Each year, something new and extraordinary always happens.

It was said that every time, it had something unique.

One of the most discussed changes this year was the special seating arrangements for the VIPs and VVIPs.

Unlike the common crowd packed into the massive stands, these important figures were granted a unique vantage point: strange floating platforms that hovered above the Colosseum.

Each platform was a small, isolated compartment, ensuring that only those within could see what was happening outside while maintaining their privacy.

“Man, those VIP seats are insane this year.”

“I heard they’re enchanted so that no one can see inside, but those inside can see everything,” another student chimed in. “Imagine the kind of people sitting in there. Nobles, rulers, even people from the strongest realms.”

“Forget them! I just wanna see some crazy fights!” A muscular third-year student bellowed, standing up and pumping his fist.

His wish was about to be granted.

The ground trembled as a massive golden rune appeared in the center of the arena. A moment later, a burst of magical energy erupted from the rune, forming an enormous shimmering dome that encased the battlefield.

It was a safety measure—though calling it that was ironic, as the fights were anything but safe.

Then, with a deafening chime, the tournament officially began.

“Let’s begin the first round!” The one to make the announcement, unlike always, was a teacher.

All students were supposed to take part in the competition, so there was no way any of them would be allowed to become the host.

However, no one was interested in that as the first event—the battle royale—had already begun.

In an instant, the entire arena exploded into chaos.

More than a hundred students from both mage and knight courses flooded in.

They were all first-year students, clad in armor and wielding weapons both enchanted and mundane, charged at one another.

Without warning, spells crackled through the air, swords clashed, and explosions rocked the battlefield as fighters unleashed their abilities without restraint.

It was the first round of competition where the crowd was filtered out.

The number of students in the first year was too much after all. There was no way they could all be given an opportunity.

“Look at that guy from the Berserk Club! He’s already knocked out five people!”

“Damn, the Archery Club people are insane as well! How are they shooting from that distance?!”

“Fuck! They aren’t even the president or the vice president!”

The battle royale was a true test of endurance, strategy, and raw power. Some students immediately formed alliances, while others chose to go solo, tearing through their competition like beasts unleashed.

A student with a massive warhammer swung his weapon in a devastating arc, sending a shockwave through the ground.

Three students were flung back like ragdolls, groaning in pain as they crashed into the enchanted barriers lining the battlefield.

“Ractumer is a monster, just like his brother Varecious! How the hell are you supposed to fight him?!”

“Claudia isn’t backing down, though!”

Claudia, a first-year swordswoman, was a blur of motion.

Her footwork was precise and elegant—every step was calculated. She weaved through the battlefield like a ghost, her twin blades flashing as she disarmed and incapacitated her opponents with surgical precision.

But despite the sheer chaos of the battle, a few names were on everyone’s lips.

“Damn, is that Keryu Ivanovich?”

“Wasn’t he supposed to be a useless guy?”

“You can never be sure of rumors these days…”

“Also, look at that Ben Dover guy. I remember him being the guy who spoke against the student council and was dissed by Alex.”

“Looks like he wasn’t all talk.”

The murmurs spread even as the battle continued. People marveled at the fight. The weaker ones were awed by their powers, while the stronger ones just observed and judged the ones fighting.

Keryu, Ben, and some more people among the first-year participants took the most attention as they were just that good.

It was to the point that this batch was called the golden batch with prodigies better than any other.

But as Alex’s name was heard, people couldn’t help but glance at the illusionary board that showed the matches that were held today.

Other than the battle royal, there would be three more matches today.

The second-year opening match, the third-year opening match, and the fourth-year opening match.

It isn’t an important match, nor would it affect the results, as it was just to show off the power, but it was a match nonetheless.

Most people were waiting for the third-year opening match, hoping to see Alex in action.

………………..

Meanwhile, even in Theron’s chamber in the student council building, the topic of discussion was Alex.

The dim glow of a projection illuminated the chamber, casting flickering light over Theron’s tense expression. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair as his sharp gaze remained fixed on the battle royal displayed before him.

Among the combatants, Mira fought with ruthless precision, her every move analyzed by the two figures watching in silence.

Seated across from him, Zahara oozed calm confidence, her arms crossed as she observed the match with mild amusement.

Unlike Theron, she wasn’t frowning, nor was she worried—she knew something he didn’t.

With a sharp inhale, Theron turned to her. “Where is he?” His voice was clipped, impatient. “When is he coming?”

Of course, he was talking about Alex.

Zahara met his gaze without hesitation, a small smirk playing at her lips. “He’ll be here,” she said simply.

Theron’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. “You’re sure?”

He had been trying to reach Alex for a while, but he couldn’t find him anywhere. There were things he wanted to discuss with Alex.

The problem was that, even after using his family’s power, he still couldn’t find the guy.

“Absolutely,” Zahara replied to Theron’s question.

For a moment, he studied her, searching for any hint of doubt. Finding none, he exhaled, rubbing his temples. “If he doesn’t show up, his reputation will take a hit. It doesn’t matter how important his work is—this is not a match he can afford to miss.”

Zahara leaned back, her confidence unwavering. “Then it’s a good thing he won’t miss it, isn’t it?”

Theron narrowed his eyes. He could somehow feel that Zahara and Alex were hiding something, and although he had gotten used to Alex hiding things, he was starting to feel annoyed these days.

But before he could retort, Zahara stood and stretched lazily. “If that’s all, I’ll be going,” she said, turning toward the door.

As she walked away, one thought lingered in her mind.

‘I just hope he gets here on time.’

She knew that he would come, but arriving on time or not was the question. He would need to hurry, but she wished he would arrive before he was declared lost by default.

After all, it was true that his reputation would take a hit if he couldn’t participate in the match.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep