The Colosseum was still buzzing with energy, even as the audience began to trickle out of the grand stadium. The first day of the tournament had concluded, leaving a trail of awe-struck spectators reeling from the incredible displays of power they had just witnessed.

Conversations erupted among students as they made their way down the stone steps, excitement crackling in the air.

“Bro, I still can’t believe what I just saw! That slap—no, those slaps—was insane!”

“Leon got bodied so hard, I felt that in my soul,” another student chimed in, shaking his head in disbelief. “And to think, he was supposed to be one of the top contenders.”

A third student whistled. “Honestly, though? That battle royal before the one-on-one matches was just as crazy. Remember when that second-year with the twin swords took out five people in one move?”

“Oh, yeah! But nothing beats the second-year opening match. That girl—what was her name? Amira? She dominated her opponent without breaking a sweat.”

“And let’s not forget,” someone else added with a grin, “the fourth-year opening match was mysteriously canceled. What do you think happened?”

“Probably something shady,” another voice answered. “You know how the higher-ups work.”

Despite the many discussions swirling through the departing crowd, one name lingered on everyone’s lips:

“Alex Drakathor.”

……………………….

Meanwhile, in Alex’s chamber in the student council’s building, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the roaring Colosseum—quiet, refined, and bathed in the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.

The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of parchment and the quiet crackling of a small fireplace in the corner.

Alex Drakathor sat comfortably in a cushioned chair, his posture relaxed yet exuding the same quiet dominance that had been on full display in the arena. A faint smile played on his lips as he listened to the two girls beside him.

Zahara, his lover, was seated on a plush couch, her flowing red hair cascading over her shoulders. There was always a certain tranquility about her, a calming presence that balanced out Alex’s sometimes overwhelming energy.

At the moment, however, her usually serene expression was tinged with mild exasperation.

“You almost didn’t make it in time,” Zahara murmured, her fingers idly twirling a strand of her hair. “I was worried.”

Beside her, Mira sat with her hands folded neatly on her lap. She was a quiet presence, her short silver hair barely shifting as she listened.

Mira wasn’t one for excessive words or grand gestures, but the slight furrow of her brow spoke volumes.

“I was worried too,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her light blue eyes flickered toward Alex, studying him carefully.

Alex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I was worried too, to be honest. If not for Nyxia finding me some hours ago, I wouldn’t have made it.”

Zahara arched an eyebrow. “Nyxia? So she was the reason you got back in time?”

Zahara didn’t know who had found Alex. The only thing he told her was that he was returning and he’d try to make it in time.

Alex nodded. “Yeah. I had to leave James and the beasts there.”

“Why?” Asked Mira, and Alex, glancing at her, replied, “To shift the teleportation artifact to the trial palace.”

Pausing, he relaxed in his seat. “That palace is going to be our base, so it’s only natural for us to have a way to reach there without anyone knowing.”

Zahara exchanged a glance with Mira before she inquired carefully, “What about Lilia? Is she not coming?”

Alex observed their expressions, not saying anything for a while. “Yes,” he spoke. “She doesn’t want to return.”

Those words caused Zahara and Mira to purse their lips as Zahara leaned forward. “Should I go there? I want to talk to her.”

Alex didn’t directly reply; instead, he frowned. “What about the competition?”

“About that, I’m not participating.” Zahara’s reply came without a second’s delay, causing Alex to frown harder, but before he could say something, Zahara completed her words.

“I don’t want to win the competition if that means I would have to fight against you. And if I don’t want to win, then there’s no need for me to participate in it.”

Her reasoning left Alex at a loss for words.

While it was true that they would have to eventually face each other if they kept winning, that didn’t mean she should let go of the entire competition.

But after thinking about it for a while, Alex decided not to say anything regarding this anymore.

Zahara’s future was hers to decide, and his job was to support her, so he did just that. “Alright then, go visit her.”

Mira simply nodded as if satisfied by what was happening, her fingers tightening slightly on the hem of her sleeve.

She wasn’t going to ask Alex to let her go meet Lilia as well since she had another job to do. She had to win first place in the first-year section at the very least.

Then, as if to change the topic, Zahara leaned back in her seat, a smirk playing at her lips. “You know, if you were even two minutes late, things would’ve been much worse. You’d have been declared the loser.”

Alex chuckled. “Yeah, that would’ve been embarrassing.”

“But,” Zahara continued, tilting her head with a knowing glint in her eyes, “if you hadn’t fought today, then the ‘Maneater’ wouldn’t have been born.”

Alex blinked, then let out a low laugh. “That’s true. Maybe I should try to make every match similar to this one. I wonder what name I would be given because of that.”

Zahara shook her head in amusement while Mira smiled as well—a rare display of emotions she was only capable of doing when close to Alex.

For a moment, the three of them simply sat there, the chaos of the tournament left behind.

It was a rare moment of peace, but they all knew it wouldn’t last long. The competition had only started, and as it was the biggest competition hosted by the best academy on the planet, things were bound to go haywire—especially with two protagonists at the center.

Creak.

The tranquil atmosphere in the chamber, however, shattered as the heavy wooden door creaked open. The soft glow of the enchanted lanterns cast elongated shadows across the room as an imposing figure stepped inside.

Vanessa Drakathor.

Draped in a regal black robe lined with silver embroidery, she looked as beautiful as always. Her long, snowy hair fell down her back in a perfectly straight waterfall, and her piercing blue—almost violet—eyes held an unwavering intensity.

Yet, despite the undeniable presence she carried, her face remained devoid of emotion, as always.

Her gaze locked onto Alex the moment she entered, unwavering and unreadable.

“We need to talk.”

Alex felt Zahara and Mira shift slightly beside him, instinctively tensing at his mother’s sudden appearance.

He, however, simply exhaled, his fingers lightly drumming against the armrest of his chair.

‘Is it time already?’ He thought, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken weight.

Then, pushing himself up from his seat, Alex met his mother’s gaze head-on. “Alright.”

Vanessa merely nodded and turned on her heel, expecting him to follow without another word.

Zahara’s fingers brushed against Alex’s wrist as he moved, a silent question in her touch.

In response, he gave her a reassuring glance before trailing after his mother, the door closing with an ominous thud behind them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep