Chapter 118 Challenges

The Winged Soul Academy's power system aimed to motivate all students to work hard and being a Legacy Student was everyone's goal. It turned out that only the top thousand students in the Academy Ranking could compete for the Legacy Islands but it wasn't as easy as challenging the top thirty for a duel.

"So we need to be approved by the Academy Board to even fight them," Number One muttered as he listened to the Disciplinary Group Leader. "I don't think that will be a problem."

"You already received Headmaster Blake's approval so you only need to defeat their Shadow Avatar to be eligible for a duel," the Disciplinary Group Leader explained while pointing at the biggest Island right in the center of the outer ring. "Can you see the black mountain in the middle? That's the Challenger Temple. Each Legacy Student has their own Shadow Avatar inside which represents their strength."

"Makes sense. If the Legacy Students were challenged randomly then they wouldn't have time to train," Number One acknowledged. He was thankfully immune to that rule since he would be mostly busy making pills but Luna and Nami would definitely be bothered a lot.

"That's the reason why the challenges are limited. Even if you are eligible for a challenge, the Legacy Students have a month to respond to it or else they would forfeit their title," the Disciplinary Group Leader replied with a nod. "That time was shortened to a week since we are one month away from the Dragon Summit but there shouldn't be many changes in my opinion."

"How come? Didn't you say the competition got fiercer?" Luna questioned curiously. "There should be a total of one hundred and twenty challenges if everyone was challenged once a week."

"That's true but most of them wouldn't be legitimate challenges," the Disciplinary Group Leader replied with a shrug. "There are many who are strong enough to defeat the Shadow Avatars but instead of fighting seriously, they lose on purpose to secure the benefits from the Legacy Students. There is a very small number of serious competitors who want to risk their lives for the Legacy Student title."

"So they are basically cheating," Luna explained in simple words. "They pay to be challenged and then they are free for a month after winning an easy fight."

"That's the main reason why there were no new Legacy Students in the last few months. Even though I was asked to fake one of the challenges for a lot of money but I rejected the offer. I often run errands for the Headmaster so I don't need to shame myself for a bit of cash," the Disciplinary Group Leader commented while gesturing ahead. "Talking about the Headmaster, his place is right behind the main Island."

The floating islands on one side were occupied by the Legacy Students while the other side seemed to belong to the officials. It wouldn't be surprising if many of them were left free for Academy guests just in case any important figures were passing by.

Number One remembered how there were supposed to be many experts waiting for the Legendary Alchemist to show up but he didn't see anyone outside Headmaster Blake's island. "Where are the representatives of other Soul Academies staying? Did any experts from the Inner World arrive already?"

"Some important people are living in the Headmaster's private courtyard but most of them are occupying the inns in the main Island. They are waiting for the news since they want to be the first to negotiate deals," the Disciplinary Group Leader informed as they landed right outside the barrier. "New experts arrive every day and I don't really know them so I can't really tell much. I will go inside to inform the Headmaster about your arrival."

Every private Island was protected by a shiny Soul Barrier that prevented them from seeing what was inside. They could only wait outside for direct access and hope they wouldn't be bothered by anyone just yet.

Too bad, just as the Disciplinary Group Leader passed through the barrier, they saw multiple colorful lights appear in the sky. It mostly consisted of Blue and Purple but they also saw two pairs of Red Soul Wings. The group of ten individuals headed straight towards them and they recognized one of the Red Talent to be Aurora.

"The news of our arrival seems to be spreading quickly. The Legacy Students coming to research their opponents," Luna commented casually as she nudged Nami. "Do you recognize anyone?"

​ "Only the leading girl with purple wings. Don't worry, she is the friend I was talking about earlier," Nami assured and waved towards the incoming group. It felt like they were coming over with good intentions but Number One wasn't as sure of that.

Nami could be their friend before she decided to join the Academy but now she was their direct opponent. Number One and the girls were bound to target three Legacy Students spots so they couldn't really trust any of them.

'Are you sure we can trust her?' Number One questioned in his mind as the group was about to land and his eyes sharpened on the leading beauty.

The adult lady carried a bright smile on her face but something about her was off. Despite having clear feminine features, she was wearing a male red uniform and her blond hair didn't even reach her shoulders. Her gaze on Nami was also weird as it gave off too much affection.

'I think we can trust her but I don't think you will like her,' Nami commented awkwardly just as the lady landed in a hurry and ran towards Nami with open arms.

"Nami! I missed you so much!" the blond lady shouted excitedly while hugging Nami tightly. She was strong enough to casually lift Nami as if she was a twig and then she danced in a circle.

Number One didn't need to watch for long to figure out what Nami meant. That lady was clearly crushing on her.

"Sena, I told you not to squeeze me like that. Are you trying to choke me to death?" Nami complained with a sigh and Sena let go while reaching to caress Nami's face.

"I am sorry, I was just too excited," Sena apologized sincerely while staring at Nami with a loving gaze. "When Aurora told me the news I came rushing out to meet with you. You are still as beautiful as the first time I saw you."

"Thank you, but please, less touching," Nami acknowledged with a nod while pulling at gazed at Number One as if asking for help. He couldn't help but find the scene amusing and gestured for her to come over.

Nami took this opportunity to skip to his side and let him embrace her. "The only person who can touch me like that is my partner, Number One. Hope you don't mind it."

Sena squinted her eyes at Number One and pointed her finger at his face, "You don't deserve such an angel. I challenge you to a duel. The winner takes Nami's hand in marriage."

"It's not up to me to decide," Number One shrugged in response. "As long as Nami wants me, she will have a place by my side. You should find someone else to court."

"Nami…" Sena muttered as she sniffed in sadness before finally gazing at Luna. Her expression changed immediately and she brushed her hair while trying to appear sexy.

Luna didn't hesitate to step back next to Number One's side and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm taken too and I'm not interested in women."

Sena's smile immediately faltered and she cried out in pure agony, "Ahh! The world is so cruel! All I want is some love!"

The whole group rolled their eyes and Aurora stepped in to get on the right track, "Sena, you can leave your courtship for later. We have more important matters to discuss."

"Let me guess, you heard that we want to compete for the Dragon Summit seeds and you want to befriend us so that we don't target your positions," Number One commented which made everyone more serious. The guys stopped being jealous over Number One's success with women and the only man with Red Talent walked forward.

"We don't want to necessarily befriend you. We work as a team and we would like to stay neutral until the final selection," the young man spoke while pointing at the group. "As you can see, there are ten of us here and there are only ten seeds available. Aurora said you three are quite skilled so we are bound to clash later on. We would appreciate it if you targeted the other twenty Legacy Students instead of us."

"Does that make any difference?" Number One asked back confidently. "I am guessing there are three groups between you and each has ten members. Even if you wanted to secure all spots for yourself, three of you are going to be replaced by us."

The young man's eyebrow twitched. "Arrogant, aren't we?"