As the pre selections celebration concluded, Nereus, Jonny, and Triton found themselves exiting the Grand Pavilion and heading to the Grand Arena along with the other hopeful participants and eager spectators.
The Grand Arena, a majestic coliseum carved from ancient coral and encrusted with pearls, stood at the heart of the sect. Usually reserved for high ceremonies and pivotal martial exhibitions, the Arena was now prepared for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Inner Core Disciples Selection.
The Arena's towering arches and vast seating arrangements could accommodate thousands, and it seemed every member of the sect had come to witness the selections.
Nereus, Jonny, and Triton jostled along with the throng of eager Mer students swimming single file into the arena.
One by one many of the young Mer who Nereus recognized from the Forum's teaching sessions could be seen looking around with steely gazes, no doubt sizing up their expected competition.
As the trio took their places within the Arena among the participants, they observed the elaborate decorations adorning the Arena.
Banners of sea silk fluttered with the currents, and bioluminescent sea plants illuminated the surroundings with a soft, ethereal glow. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
At the forefront of the Arena, atop a grand dais, floated Kano Vorteesi, the sect leader.
By his side was his icy beauty of a wife, Beatrix Cyrex Vorteesi, an icy beauty with alabaster skin, flowing white hair, and piercing gray eyes. Her demeanor was as cold and formidable as her reputation suggested.
Kano raised a hand to command silence, and the crowd fell into a respectful hush.
"Welcome, esteemed members of the Vorteesi sect," Kano's voice echoed through the water. "Today, we gather to witness the strength and potential of our young Mer. The Inner Core Disciples Selection is not merely a test of power, but of character, dedication, and resilience."
Beatrix floated by her husband, her cold gaze sweeping over the participants. Her presence was a stark reminder of the high stakes and rigorous expectations of the selection process.
The first part of the competition was a test of cultivation, determined by the Essence Orb—a sea relic used to gauge a Mer's current level.
The orb glowed different colors corresponding to the cultivation levels: white for wave novice, green for Wave Adept, blue for Wave Ruler, purple for Reef Master, and red for Reef Grandmaster.
Jonny was one of the first to step forward.
As he placed his hand on the Essence Orb, the crowd murmured in surprise at his changed appearance. His once chubby physique had transformed into a more muscular and handsome form.
The orb glowed a brilliant blue, confirming his advancement to the Wave Ruler rank. His father, Richard Vanderbilt, beamed with pride, his heart swelling with a mixture of joy and disbelief.
"Look at him," Richard thought, barely able to contain his emotions. "My boy has truly surpassed all expectations. He's not just a Vanderbilt; he's a warrior."
The audience's reactions were a mix of admiration and envy. Kano observed with a raised eyebrow, intrigued by Jonny's transformation and potential. Beatrix's expression remained stoic, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of interest.
Triton was next.
He approached the orb with a mixture of anxiety and determination. As his hand made contact, the orb glowed green, indicating his position at the peak of the Wave Adept rank.
Triton's biological father, Liander, watched in stunned silence. Regret gnawed at him as he realized the potential he had neglected in his son. Cara, Triton's mother, floated in the crowd, tears of pride and joy glistening in her eyes.
"My son… you've made it," Cara thought, her heart swelling with pride. "You've shown them all."
Liander, on the other hand, was filled with a mix of regret and shame.
He had always been aware of Triton's existence but had never acknowledged him publicly. Now, seeing Triton's achievement, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
"Perhaps I was wrong to abandon him," Liander thought, his eyes narrowing as he watched his son. "He might have more potential than I ever gave him credit for."
Nereus and his stepsiblings did not need to take the cultivation level test, as they already had an Early Decision Badge.
Instead, they floated confidently among yet apart from the other participants, their presences commanding respect. The audience's murmurs grew louder, noticing that these 3 Mer seemed to be special in some way.
Among the spectators, Dante and Devran Caerule watched with narrowed eyes, while Brutus Nyx's expression darkened with disdain.
"Argent," Brutus thought bitterly. "You're a thorn in my side, but you won't stand in my way for long..."
With the cultivation tests complete, the matches began. The first rounds' matches were crucial, pitting participants against opponents of the same cultivation level. Nereus, Triton, and Jonny would each soon face their first challengers.
Nereus's opponent was a fellow Wave Ruler named Valen, a Mer known for his agility and precise strikes.
As the match commenced, Valen lunged forward, his trident aiming for Nereus's heart. Nereus dodged swiftly, countering with a series of powerful punches enhanced by the Mantis Shrimp Blows Aqua Art.
His fists moved with blinding speed, each strike generating shockwaves that disrupted Valen's attacks. The crowd watched in awe as Nereus's mastery of the Aqua Art became evident.
Valen tried to maintain his footing, but Nereus's relentless barrage left him no room to breathe. The Mantis Shrimp Blows were a flurry of precise, bone-crushing strikes that targeted Valen's weak points.
Despite his agility, Valen found himself on the defensive, unable to mount a counterattack. Nereus's final punch, a devastating blow to the chest, sent Valen crashing into the arena floor, the shockwave rippling through the water.
The crowd erupted in cheers, recognizing the power and skill Nereus displayed.
Devran Caerule observed with a scowl, recognizing Nereus's potential threat. "He's better than I expected," Devran admitted to himself. "But he won't be a match for us."
Dante, standing beside his brother, felt a mixture of fear and jealousy. "How did he get so strong?" he wondered, his eyes narrowing. "We have to stop him."
Brutus Nyx, observing from the stands, seethed with anger. "This boy… he's too dangerous. I can't let him rise any higher."
Jonny's match followed.
His opponent, a Wave Ruler named Selene, was known for her defensive techniques. Jonny summoned his shark construct, a moderate sized, spectral beast that moved with terrifying speed.
As Selene attempted to block his attacks, Jonny's physical prowess became apparent. His punches and tail swipes were powerful, reminiscent of the Sea Knights. The shark construct added an unpredictable element, forcing Selene to constantly adjust her defenses.
Jonny's transformation from a chubby, unassuming Mer to a muscular and powerful contender had not gone unnoticed. Richard Vanderbilt watched with tears in his eyes, overwhelmed with pride. "That's my son," he thought, tears of joy welling up. "He's truly become a warrior."
Selene, realizing the ferocity of Jonny's assault, tried to create distance between them.
She conjured a defensive barrier of water, hoping to shield herself from the relentless onslaught.
But Jonny's shark construct smashed through the barrier with ease, and Jonny closed the distance with a powerful swipe of his tail that sent Selene reeling. The shark construct lunged forward, its spectral jaws closing around Selene, forcing her to yield.
The audience, too, was captivated by Jonny's performance. Murmurs of admiration and surprise rippled through the crowd, many noting his newfound strength and skill.
As the set of matches concluded, the participants took a moment to regroup and prepare for the next set of matches. The energy in the Arena was palpable, the excitement building with each passing moment.
The audience eagerly awaited the next displays of skill and power.
Kano Vorteesi, observing the proceedings, leaned towards his wife. "What do you think, Beatrix?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Beatrix, her icy gaze fixed on the participants, responded coolly, "They show promise, especially that Nereus. But I suppose the real tests lie ahead..."
Kano nodded, his interest piqued. "Indeed. Let's see how the next challengers fare..."
The instructor, sensing the crowd's anticipation, stepped forward. "Those who have emerged victorious will move on to the next set of matches.," he announced. "The next match will feature Triton Earendil versus Dante Caerule. Please prepare yourselves, and head to the arena floor."