Stars Kingdom, 9:30 PM, Galaxia National Sports Arena.
This open-air stadium, built by a legendary spellcaster, requires no additional light sources. By merely gathering and reflecting the starlight, it can make the entire arena as bright as daytime, with the spotlight effect achieved by adjusting the mirrors. At this time, 4,600 seats were filled with students and faculty from the colleges of Galaxia. As the smooth arena floor was transformed into a shallow ground by the Miracle of Earth and Wood, an uproar erupted from the crowd. Apart from the students of Truth College who clapped vigorously, the rest of the students couldn’t help but curse.
“Big thanks to the Death Chant Phantom Band for their amazing performance!” Arsenault’s clear and bright voice cruised over the stadium, quelling the students’ commotion. “Next, we have the final segment of the College League opening ceremony—the Meteor Trial!”
“Please welcome the contestants!” another female host announced. “First up is a freshman from Swordflower College’s Swords Sect, two-wings spellcaster, Sonya Therave!”
As Sonya emerged from the tunnel, a pillar of starlight focused on her, making her combat attire glitter brightly. Fireworks erupted at the entrance, forming patterns of swords and roses, and the thunderous applause from thousands of people welcomed the village girl into the combat arena!
Eight massive holographic screens simultaneously displayed her front, side, and angled views. But thanks to the stage makeup that Lois and others had spent an afternoon perfecting, along with the ‘Fixed Day’ spirit’s enhancement, Sonya’s beauty was flawless from any angle. No amount of starlight could overshadow her radiance. She proudly raised her chin, basking in the attention.
As she stepped onto the shallow ground stage, Sonya glanced at the commentary booth, thinking that her greatest luxury two months ago was merely to be seated there, introducing the new generation of Stars in Galaxia.
Even she hadn’t imagined that two months later, she would become one of the Stars herself.
And next, she needed to prove that she was the brightest star!
“The second contestant is a senior from Trajectory College’s Nunchaku Sect, two-wings spellcaster, Colonzo Warren!”
“The third contestant is a senior from Fantasy College’s Gunmanship Sect, two-wings spellcaster, Lydia Azdar!”
...
“The sixth contestant is a junior from Truth College’s water department, two-wings spellcaster Vereen Stella!”
“All six contestants for the first round of the Meteor Trial are two-wings spellcasters!”
When all six contestants took the stage, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly Vereen from Truth College. Not only was she one of the only two underclassmen on the stage—compared to the other seniors, she indeed was.
More importantly, she was a water spellcaster!
And tonight’s Meteor Trial ground was a shallow terrain!
“Insider dealings, definitely insider dealings!” Adelle cursed angrily in the audience, “Chop the League committee into bits and feed them to Lala Fatty!”
“Truth College doesn’t need to cheat in the College League,” sighed Lois. “This is just Truth College’s heritage.”
The match terrain indeed was entirely random, but students from Truth College who studied in the Prophecy Sect didn’t need to interfere with the League committee. They just adjusted the sequence of participants directly to gain the geographic advantage!
Other colleges also wanted to predict the match terrain, but the problem is, the Prophecy Sect has no set learning method. The lucky few who get in are immediately poached by Truth College. After all, Galaxia’s only source of Prophecy Sect knowledge is Truth College, and even those with restraint would be swayed by Truth College’s benefits!
Some might think, is it really necessary to go all out for a league held annually? However, for schools, the College League’s results directly determine next year’s education funding. For students, this might very well be the most glorious moment of their lives, and everyone would give their all!
As a nationally broadcast, annually held competition show with ratings so high that even Delarose’s lead drama gives way, student performance in the league directly impacts their future. The Royal Family’s Starburst Guard, the House of Nobles’ Griffin Squad, and the Barrier legion sweeping the Abyss all pick members from these competitors. Moreover, nobles enjoy injecting new blood through marriages. For instance, each generation of the Stargazer Duke, Duke of Vlozrada, has a partner who is a powerful swordsperson, mostly from a common background rather than noble birth.
However, for this inaugural round of the Meteor Trial, Truth College isn’t going easy on anyone. If the terrain were the gobi, abyss, city, or desert, ordinary spellcasters might get some boosts, but not much. The shallow terrain is practically home turf for water spellcasters. Moreover, since Vereen hails from Truth College, she undoubtedly has some Radiant Golden-level Miracles up her sleeve, giving her a crushing advantage over the other spellcasters!
“Still, this is the Meteor Trial,” Engulite said, folding her arms. “Truth College’s representative is so dominant; she might be the first one to go down.”
Lois and Adelle couldn’t help but nod in agreement, their eyes fixed on the six contestants in the arena.
“Sonya, junior sister, may I call you that?” Vereen suddenly said, “Since we’re both young and pretty, let me give you some advice—when they gang up on me, you’d better find a way to take at least one of them out.”
Lydia quickly glanced at Sonya, then sneered at Vereen, “What’s this? A top student from Truth College resorting to sowing discord and forming cliques? Forget it. I’ll admit you’re the strongest right now, so you have to be the first to go!”
“I don’t talk to ugly people,” Vereen laughed. “Sonya, junior sister, you’re just a first-year student who recently advanced to two-wings. In their eyes, you’re the weakest. Suppose—just suppose—they do eliminate me. They would immediately turn on you so you don’t get to reap any benefits.”
“In fact, they might even target you before eliminating me. Because in the Meteor Trial rules, only participants who have defeated others get a chance in the Revival Match. Even for insurance, they have no reason to let you, the newest and freshest junior sister, off the hook.”
“Look at you, using a Wooden Sword instead of a real one,” Vereen continued. “I don’t know if you’re deliberately showing weakness or if the Wooden Sword has some significance, but showing weakness in the arena will only make you a target for others.”
Sonya raised an eyebrow, “Thanks for the advice.”
“Therave, junior sister, don’t fall for it!” Lydia said. “She wants us to internalize our disputes, giving her a chance to pick us off one by one. Right now, Vereen is the strongest. If we don’t kick her out straight away, we’re bound to lose!”
“Don’t worry.” Sonya gripped the handle of her Wooden Sword. “I’ll take down the strongest first.”
Despite the bold words, the spellcasters were clearly distancing themselves from one another. Verbal promises meant nothing here. One of the main attractions of the Meteor Trial is the deceit among participants. In a zero-sum game, forming a genuine alliance among the six contestants is impossible.
That’s why Vereen wasn’t worried about being ganged up on. With just a slight nudge, any so-called alliance would crumble like sand. She was confident—in terms of combat ability, tactics, eloquence, and situational awareness, she was the strongest among the six. This Meteor Trial’s victory would be hers to claim, effortlessly.
“The contestants are growing impatient after a bout of verbal sparring. Who will become the meteor and who will be reduced to ashes? Let’s find out!” Arsenault’s voice boomed enthusiastically. “Countdown begins at five! Five, four...”
“Three.” Vereen gripped her long staff, nine water dragons forming behind her.
“Two.” Lydia subtly retreated, her gun aimed at everyone.
“One.” The hilt of Sonya’s Wooden Sword glowed with an ancient brilliance.
“Begin!”
Boom!
Blood Moon!
A surge of a blood-red moon!
As a crimson crescent shimmered across the water’s surface, everyone was momentarily stunned. It wasn’t until a muffled thud sounded from outside the ring that they snapped back to reality.
Vereen had been knocked off the stage, crashing into the outer wall, gripping the broken pieces of her long staff in both hands. A ghastly wound seemed to split her from upper left to lower right. Thankfully, the “Death-Prevention” miracle had been invoked on the contestants, protecting all vital organs. But the terror in her tear-filled eyes made it clear just how deeply the attack had scarred her mentally.
“...What miracle was that?” Colonzo asked.
“Blood Moon Riptide,” Sonya replied, shaking off the water droplets from her Wooden Sword. “This miracle requires a large amount of water. I actually thought this shallow water terrain was designed to give me, a first-year student, an advantage.”
“It’s not in the Star Miracles Directory. Something you created?” Lydia inquired.
“Yes, inspired by others’ experiences.” The Red-Haired Sword Princess said, “So, since I’ve defeated the strongest...”
“Next, it’s your turn, you four weaklings.”