Chapter 71 - CHAPTER 71: The Arena

Words : 1112 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

In short, it was a mini-city within Grimreach, frequented only by Mages, a world unto itself. The headmaster had given him the freedom to explore the academy without issues, a rare privilege for a newcomer. Lian began to stroll through the open spaces and corridors. The atmosphere was calm; most lessons were held in the morning, leaving the grounds quiet and serene. The afternoon was dedicated to combat lessons and sparring between Mages, a time for action and rivalry. Lian was curious to see how the other students fought. The only Mages he had seen fight were Patrick, Sera, and Seline, but those two were too weak to handle a high-level fight like the one Patrick had against the Steel 1 shadow wolf, a battle etched vividly in his memory. Moreover, all of them had unique talents that made them stronger than normal. But Patrick had told Lian that talents were rare, not common things, a fact that piqued his interest further. So Lian's curiosity was well-founded, burning like a quiet flame. This academy is so big, maybe even bigger than all of Dustwall… he thought, reading the map in his hands as he proceeded at a slow pace toward the combat area, his steps measured but eager. After some time, Lian reached the place, his destination finally in sight. An immense structure filled his view. The Sparring Arena was the building's name, nothing too complex, yet its size was daunting. Lian crossed the building's doors while looking around. The place was full of boys of all ages; some shouted happily, others were frowning, and others still talked among themselves with disinterest toward the rest, a vibrant mix of energy and apathy. The entire arena was full of life, pulsating with the spirit of competition. "!?" Lian was momentarily caught off guard by all this. He did not expect something like this, his senses overwhelmed by the lively chaos. The arena was enormous. The stands surrounded four rings in a circular manner, within which fights were taking place, each ring a stage for clashing spells and skills. Lian walked as he moved forward. All the stands were full, except for the first row. Without thinking twice, Lian headed there. They were empty, and perhaps no one wanted to take the front seats, a bit like at school. "Hey, dude, if I were you, I would get out of there." A voice called out, sharp with warning. "Uh?" Lian turned slowly. He did not know if the guy was talking to him or not. "Are you talking to me?" his tone cautious but curious. "Of course I am talking to you! Get up from there before it is too late! How do you not know those seats are reserved??" the boy's voice urgent and insistent. The boy spoke with a worried tone as he looked around, hoping no one could see them. Of course, he was wrong. There were too many people there, and many eyes were turned toward his position, their scrutiny like a spotlight. "Reserved? I had no idea… I am new here." Lian's voice honest, tinged with confusion. "Alright, now that you know, get up from there, quick. Otherwise, there will be trouble-" the boy pressed, his eyes darting nervously. "Interesting," Before the boy could finish his sentence, another person's voice echoed around them. "What is your name, boy? Which faction do you belong to?" the tone sharp and probing. Lian was not understanding anything that was happening, his mind spinning in the chaos. He had just arrived at this place, wanted to sit in the front row to better observe the battles, but was stopped by a random guy saying the seats were reserved, and then out of nowhere, another guy appeared asking his name, as if he had just committed a crime, the situation spiraling beyond his grasp. A slight sigh left Lian's lips as he thought about all this, his patience wearing thin. "I am Lian," he said, standing up from the stands. "I have no idea what you mean by factions… how may I address you?" "Eh?" Observing the serious look on Lian's face, a thoughtful smile appeared on the other's face. "So you do not belong to any faction, eh? How about joining ours, the Red Dragons? With your cultivation level, you would definitely be a great addition-" his tone eager, almost predatory. "Trevor, I cannot believe it," a shrill voice interrupted Trevor's words as she approached their position. "I lose sight of you for a second, and you immediately try to take advantage of people?" her words sharp with accusation. "Why do you not all calm down?" Another figure appeared out of nowhere. A sturdy man, flanked by two girls, suddenly arrived to join the discussion. "You cannot ignore me when it comes to these things, am I right, Rebecca?" his voice bold and commanding. "Christopher-" the two said in unison, looking at the newcomer with hatred, their glares like daggers. The three belonged to different factions. Trevor to the Red Dragons, Rebecca to the Silver Phoenix, and Christopher, accompanied by the two girls, to the Black Tortoise, each representing a slice of the academy's power structure. Lian suddenly found himself at the center of a vortex of attention, with the three faction representatives scrutinizing him as if he were a rare treasure to be contested, their eyes gleaming with ambition. "What the…" he murmured in disbelief, observing the scene before his eyes. The situation seemed surreal to him, like a dream turned chaotic. He had just arrived at Astralis Academy, and already he was caught up in some kind of unsolicited competition, a whirlwind he had not signed up for. "Excuse me," Lian said, raising a hand to stop the growing chatter around him. His voice was calm but firm, with a hint of curiosity betraying his interest in what was happening, his composure a fragile mask over his confusion. "Can someone explain what is going on and who you are? I am a new student here; today is my first day. The headmaster told me to take a few days to get to know the place better…", his words clear and measured. The three froze instantly upon hearing the boy's words, their expressions shifting from aggression to shock. "The headmaster?!" Christopher murmured in shock before calming down, observing Lian with fury. "Boy, are you trying to fool us? We have been here for years and have never seen the legendary Mage, and you talk about him so casually? Do you have no shred of respect?" his voice thick with indignation.

Chapter 71 - CHAPTER 71: The Arena

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