Chapter 109: Golden Will

Chapter 109: Golden Will



With the event finally at play, fireworks exploded above the academy's colosseum, their vibrant colors lighting up the Bright sky, that was coated by a veil of celestial magic allowing us to experience the vibrant twinkle of the Twilight sky despite the bright rays of the morningFindd new stories at novelhall.com

sun.

'The CG of the game just never do the actual events justice huh'

The sound of cheers and enthusiastic screams echoed across the colosseum's halls, creating an electric atmosphere.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Academy's one and only Grand Festival!" The announcer's hyped voice boomed through the speakers, further riling up the crowd. Faces were lit with exaggerated excitement as everyone anticipated the grand spectacle. Up until last week, my days had been filled with relentless training, subjugating instant dungeons whenever I could find them, and fulfilling my duties as a student council member. Balancing these responsibilities was a bit of a challenge, especially with the pressure of the Grand Festival looming over me.

But now that the event was finally here, I felt a slight sense of relief, even though my fight had yet to begin.

The colosseum was a sight to behold.

Banners of various colors representing different departments fluttered in the breeze.

Right now, Seo and I were walking hand in hand as we approached the waiting rooms beneath the grand colosseum.

The structure was a massive, open-roofed arena, reminiscent of ancient Rome's colosseum. Since the Eastern Empire was being loosely based on a combination of East Asian cultures, it seemed the developers also wanted to incorporate elements of ancient Western civilizations. "There's a lot of people...." Seo quietly mumbled as she gazed down below.

Even though the fighting hadn't officially started yet, the ground was slightly shaking from the sheer volume of the audience alone.

The crowd's excitement was palpable, their enthusiastic chatter and the occasional roar of approval creating a continuous hum that filled the air.

The anticipation was building, and I could feel the energy seeping into my bones, heightening my own sense of readiness and alertness.

As this was the only time of the year when the academy officially opened its doors to the public, it was inevitable that a massive crowd would gather.

Even though the ticket prices were astronomical, the event attracted a diverse array of attendees.

Normally, the only people allowed entry were invited guests, foreign diplomats, and influential figures like guild leaders and scouts from renowned knightly orders.

However, ever since Principal Leilah took charge, she had revolutionized the event, transforming it into a lucrative opportunity by selling those overpriced tickets to the general public.

While this decision significantly boosted the academy's finances, it also introduced a unique set of challenges.

The security department, along with other heads of the academy, were undoubtedly swamped, managing the influx of people and ensuring the event ran smoothly.

The logistics behind the scenes were as complex as the event itself, with numerous moving parts that had to be synchronized perfectly.

In the game, there were even mini-missions where players would assist in guiding lost visitors around the academy grounds, highlighting the scale and complexity of managing such a grand event.

It added a layer of realism and immersion, showing just how bustling and chaotic the festival could become.

"Are you nervous?" I asked, trying to gauge Seo's mood.

"No... maybe slightly?" she replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "I think I'm a bit excited."

"Is it because of the Duke?" I inquired, curious about her thoughts.

She nodded attentively. "Our lord said that he never won a sword fight with him."

This was new information to me. An information that wasn't in the game.

So, the lord of the Gyeoul family, presumably her father, had never bested the Duke in a duel.

It explained why the game descriptions placed such heavy emphasis on the Duke being the strongest swordsman on the continent. This title seemed to stand firm with Seo's confirmation.

In Seo's route, there wasn't much information about the current lord of the Gyeoul family, so any tidbit about him was much appreciated. It added depth to the lore and context to Seo's character.

But still, I was a bit worried about Seo. After her fight ended, the person she hated the most was going to meet her, likely fouling her mood to the point that a fight almost broke out.

In the original scenario of the game, Lucas would have been there to prevent it from happening, forcefully shooing the guy off.

But since that couldn't be expected now, after my fight ends, I'll have to take care of him. "Riley, are you nervous?" Seo asked, her voice breaking through my thoughts.

"Hm?"

"Your grip is very strong..."

"Ah, sorry," I said, letting go of Seo's hand. "An annoying thought just came."

"Is that so?" Seo said, tilting her head slightly as she immediately took and held my hand back, her touch reassuring and steady.

We continued walking, weaving through the bustling corridors filled with other participants, staff members, and officials.

The atmosphere backstage was a mix of tense preparation and excited chatter.

Each competitor was in their own world, mentally gearing up for their moment in the

spotlight.

waiting room was spacious, equipped with everything we might need before stepping

"Haha, we might have to hold onto our own opinions on that matter, Miss Alice," Alex

replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"She really turned the two of you into her slaves now, huh?" Alice teased, her eyes sparkling

mischievously.

"Well, we do love our jobs," Professor Eldric said with a smile.

To some, Alice's overly familiar tone with them might seem disrespectful, but to the two

professors, it just seemed like the usual overly enthusiastic Alice. Her exuberance was infectious, and it was clear that they both enjoyed her company.

"And finally, last but not least, gracing us with his heavenly presence, let us all welcome the one and only Grand Duke of the Empire, Luther Heavens!" Dilan announced with all his might, his voice echoing throughout the grand colosseum.

As the name was spoken, the music crew in the back fell silent, and the colosseum was enveloped in an eerie hush. The once roaring crowd stilled, and even the wind seemed to hold

its breath.

A heavy, almost tangible presence bore down on everyone, like mere ants struck in awe by the presence of a colossal being.

Though the students and audience had been informed about his attendance, nothing could

have prepared them for the overwhelming aura of the Grand Duke. It was as if the very air had thickened under the weight of his authority.

Without any grand gestures or dramatic entrances, the Duke appeared out of thin air, taking

an immediate seat at the judges' podium.

His red eyes scanned the colosseum with a gentle yet commanding gaze, exuding a quiet

power that demanded respect.

There were no flamboyant displays of magic, no fiery explosions or lightning bolts; his mere presence was enough to silence the masses and instill a profound sense of awe. Everyone who felt his presence understood instinctively that there was no one grander, no one more significant than the man who now sat among the judges.

The other professors and even the students looked up to him with a mixture of admiration

and trepidation.

Noticing the sudden awkwardness lingering in the air, Dilan immediately called out, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness despite his efforts to remain composed. "N-now, without further ado, let's get ready for the first match!"

The crowd's anticipation was palpable as Dilan continued, his tone trying to pierce through

the lingering tension.

"A match between two of our finest first-year students from the Knight Department! Please

welcome Riley Hell and Lucas!"

As the announcement echoed through the colosseum, the massive circular stage at the center

of the arena was illuminated by bright spotlights.

Riley and Lucas, both imposing figures clad in their safety suits, strode confidently onto the

stage, their eyes locked in intense focus.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, their excitement building with each passing

second.

Dilan, flying from his current location, hovered above the stage to get a better view of the unfolding battle.

The two young knights, each gripping the handle of their sword tightly, stood opposite one another, their postures radiating confidence and readiness.

Despite their calm exteriors, the tension between them was so thick it felt almost tangible, as

if the very air around them had been sharpened into a blade.

The colosseum was abuzz with whispers and speculation as the audience eagerly awaited the

clash.

To heighten the suspense, a holographic screen flickered to life above the stage, projecting the names and ranks of the combatants for everyone to see. [Riley Hell - Knight Department Rank 3] VS [Lucas - Knight Department Rank 2]

The holographic display shimmered with a dramatic effect, emphasizing the importance of

this match.

The first match usually sets the tone for the upcoming matches. The crowd's cheers grew

louder, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch.

Dilan's voice rang out again, filled with a mix of excitement and authority.

"Let the match begin!"