Chapter 171: Entrance

Chapter 171: Entrance

Do you know why I compared this half-destroyed tower to the famous monument in Pisa?

Because it looms. Beware this one is straight. However, it somehow manages to project its shadow everywhere. All its entrances, in fact, are shaded. Isnt that freaky as hell? From what I gather, its the residual magic. Even if new [Archmages] secured this place as their personal pet Colosseum, no one would mess with magic so great.

And if you think that magic just expires like putrid meat, you are sorely wrong. Once you become powerful enough, your magic is just like a McDonalds hamburger it can seemingly last forever. Even if it has a hypothetical expiration date, reality just bends around it.nove(l)bi(n.)com

And so, we get closer and closer to this thing.

Good luck, Domitilla says before we part ways. She has to go to the stands like everyone else. And thats because the door that leads to the entrance Im heading to is just for me. Even my opponents will enter from another place. Yeah, this time, I gathered a little information from Stan on how these duels work. Also, they can ask to duel me till death, and I can either give up or accept. No middle-ground.

Watch closely, Domi, I wink at her with a sincere smile. But if it gets a bit gory, you are allowed to look away.

The last part kind of brings my mood low. I know whats going to happen down there. If they try to kill me or challenge me to death, I cant back down. And knowing the atmosphere Im walking into, they will. But if they truly want to end their lives, Ill oblige. I took new responsibilities upon myself, and Im not going to renege them.

So, I walk toward this looming place, half-decayed, half-grandeur in stone.

There are two massive doors in front of me. They are twenty times my size. Maybe even more. They are so massive theres no way any being Im aware of could pry them open. But they seem to be more of a message than a functional entrance. And this message has probably been lost in time. Its either because that [Archmage] wanted you to feel small or because he wanted you to understand the weight of your actions. You dont go through doors this big if you dont know what you are doing. Or maybe you are just a huge idiot.

Who knows which one I am.

I step through a small opening in the door. The two wings are not blown open. Theres just a tiny crack, a minor fissure in this mighty tower. And as I ponder about that, I find myself in a gladiator-like corridor that brings me to the arena.

As I pass the enormous doors, I can hear the chatter of the people in the stands. Hell, they are packed. I know that I have enemies, but this is unreal. It looks like the Super Bowl. And the actual battleground of the arena is massive. Entering here is like having to tear through a barrier made of sound. The loud shouts that touch me as soon as Im behind the threshold almost make me fall.

But I have come prepared. I knew that all the [Archmages] came here Stan told me they would. Again, this is way over the top for simple me. I suspect they came because of my possibly marrying Princess Laura because of the political implications. But I still cant see it. Ive never been a fan of politics or too strategic games.

Also, not possiblycertainly marrying, I chuckle.

Well, baby, its showtime.

As people see me, they forget about booing for a moment. Im finally on the threshold, taking in all the stands, from the civilians to the very high podium where the [Archmages] are supposed to be sitting. I see Atticus, my first opponent, looking straight at me in awe.

And for one beautiful moment, I own the place. Everyones looking at me, enraptured. The moment is pregnant with nervous energy. Everyones blood is boiling, and they can finally glimpse the shadow of whats about to go down. If most could look disappointed and slightly bored, forced by the [Archmages] and their superiors to attend, now everyone is looking at me with wide eyes, happy to be here.

Its in the air.

What, you might ask?

History is in the air.

A historical moment is before us. And we know it. A possible turning point for this era...

So, I let the loose boxers robe fall to the ground, showing my almost naked form in front of this theatre of blood and death. Im only wearing shorts and the massive scar on my abdomen. The rest of my body, even my feet, are naked. There are only some bandages wrapped around my lower extremities to avoid hurting them while walking up to this place.

Its the attire you wear when you box, when you are in the ring with an opponent. When you know a big fight is coming up.

So, the big hat and my shorts are the only two pieces of clothing covering my body. Oh, and the belt. Right. The massive belt with its pure gold plate.

I take the belt from my shoulder and bring it over my head with both hands. And as I do that, the audience finally seems to be waking up from their very Human dream.

But before they can snatch away my moment, I say a few words, enhanced by magic.

HELLO THERE, ACADEMY; HOW YOU DOIN?

Their boos are strong, almost as strong as the music.

But I simply smile and keep the champions belt above my head, drinking in everyones rage and hate.

God, I have waited my entire life for this moment.