Chapter 220 Rumors 4



Outside the classroom, the academy sprawled across verdant grounds, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Towering pillars marked the entrance to the grand academy, their marble surfaces etched with intricate patterns that spoke of a rich history and profound heritage.

Further within the academy grounds, nestled within a serene courtyard, stood the renowned duel arena. A testament to the craftsmanship and architectural prowess, the arena rose majestically, its walls made of shimmering obsidian stone veined with traces of glowing crystal as if infused with the very essence of magic.

/CHATTER/ /CHATTER/ 

As the rows for the watchers were slowly filled one by one, the sounds of people talking filled the room, showing how excited the people of the academy were.

"Is it starting now?" asked a student, gazing at the currently vacant arena. "This is my first time here, and I have to admit, it looks absolutely majestic," she added while marveling at her surroundings.

As one stepped inside, the atmosphere of nature and calmness shifted to a rather overbearing one, carrying an undercurrent of anticipation and energy. The air itself seemed charged with excitement, the whispers of countless duels past echoing through the stands that encircled the central battleground.

Although the ring had not been filled or maintained regularly, the morning's battle scars were still evident, indicating its frequent usage.

Arcane symbols, etched with precision and ancient knowledge, adorned the ground, their faint glow hinting at the power they held. From the center of the battleground, a towering symbol of a young man with his hands stretched to the side, bearing the emblem of the academy—a radiant sun intertwined with a swirling vortex of magical energy.

"Yeah… It looks magnificent…. Though, I would rather not be the one there." The young man beside her answered as he was calmly looking at the arena.

"What do you mean?" Clueless, she asked her friend for an explanation.

"You will see." Without losing his composure, the boy rather went for a vague answer as his eyes were fixated on the arena. 'You have never tasted his magic, after all.' He thought, with his body flinging as he felt the sensation in the entrance exam. 'It was so dense.' In the end, he, too, was one of the victims subjected to his magic.

/TOK/ /TOK /TOK/

Just as the girl was about to answer, the sound of something hitting the ground was heard.

"Hmm?" Turning her attention to the sound, the young girl saw a pair of adults walking. 

A woman with a serious expression, as her eyes were glaring daggers at the students around, was walking with her heels touching the ground, alerting others. 

Beside her, a man with a rather easy-going face and his hands covered with his sleeves was walking. Though, the easy-going expression on his face made the students that knew about him rather scared.

"What do you think, Seraphina?" The man with a bulky build asked as he sat on the seat that was in front of the ring. "Did he really do it?"

Hearing this, Seraphina answered as she also sat on her seat. "I don't think so. These rumors…Someone has a hand in them."

Rowan Peters, the head of the Knight faculty, answered. "I agree with that. There is no way rumors would spread that fast naturally. But why are they doing this?" He asked.

"I don't know, but we will see about that." As Seraphina answered, her gaze was shifted to the arena, where two young students were slowly walking at.

One had a bulky build filled with muscles, fitting the huge sword behind his back. His face was sharp, his posture proud. On top of his body was a shining white armor, making him look even more enormous than he was normally. 

/CLANG/ /CLANG/

With each step he took, his armor swung as a rather noisy sound filled the arena.

"Arden Valorheart is present." As he stepped onto the arena, he made a slight bow to the two faculty heads as he presented himself.

/CLAP/ /CLAP/ /CLAP/ /CLAP/ /CLAP/

The arena resonated with the sound of applause as the audience was cheering for him right from the start.

"Thank you for your support. I shall make sure to remove one more filth from this world." Responding to the claps with the words of arrogance, his attention turned to the boy that was approaching with slow and steady steps.

The gaze of the audience, filled with disgust, anger, hatred, envy, and many others, was directed at him, generating a cumulative type of natural pressure that was very hard to observe normally. 

With each step he took, his movements were a symphony of grace and fluidity, exuding an aura of profound elegance and tranquil confidence. This demeanor defied the malicious rumors that had painted him as something else entirely, casting a stark contrast between perception and reality.

His attire, a flowing black robe that enshrouded his form, served as a shield against the world's scrutiny. Beneath its layers, a glimpse of a red shirt and black pants hinted at a person both comfortable in their own skin and unafraid to stand out from the crowd.

On his hand, a ring could be seen, giving a mysterious aura of calmness. On his chest, a necklace of small blue arrows shining was hanging.

His eyes, that was reminiscing the color of blood spilled in battle, were scanning the crowd, as in his mind were thoughts rather different from what one expected.

Callius thought as he observed the surroundings. 'Wow, it is very hard to observe such a number of humans being on the same page most of the time. I guess, when it comes to women's rights, everyone becomes a lion suddenly….' 

His eyes scanned the crowd, and he came across the eyes of young people that were looking at him with disgust. 'I will make sure to remember your faces and will see after everything is revealed.' He thought, as his photographic memory had already saved some of their faces.

"Callius is present." As he stepped onto the ring as well, he presented himself, but without bowing.

/BOOO/ /BOOO/ /BOOO/

"YOU R*PIST!"

Though this time, the sound of booing filled the room, showing the disparity in treatment.

"Are both contestants ready?"

Seeing the two entering the ring, the referee, who was standing on the side of the arena, asked.

""Yes."" Both of them answered as they were looking at each other. 

"Then, the duel shall commerce." 

/TOK/ 

Just as he said that and hit the ground with his staff, the young man named Arden bolted toward him, marking the start of the duel.

-------------------A/N-----------------

Here are the chapters; I hope you liked them. 

I am trying to make you feel the atmosphere inside the academy and how students view it. I hope you liked my descriptions. 

I am nearing the end of my finals; then we will go full-speed mode!