Outside the waiting room, specifically in the middle of the vast tournament arena, the main host had stepped onto the podium. The well-dressed, middle-aged man prepared to open the prestigious annual event to the tens of thousands of people filling the stands.
"Good morning, wonderful ladies and gentlemen!" the host greeted enthusiastically, using a wind-magic-powered loudspeaker artifact to make his voice echo to every corner of the coliseum. "On this bright morning, the 140th inter-kingdom magic tournament officially begins!"
The crowd's cheers exploded in response to the greeting.
"And on this occasion, our event becomes far more special because we have super special guests in the honorary stands!" the host continued, stretching his arms toward the luxurious VIP balcony. "His Majesty the 17th King of the Garveon Kingdom, Nalvon Erloch Da Garveon, has traveled far from his land, sitting side-by-side with the Duke from the family with the strongest military power, whom no one on this continent does not know, Duke Elgard Altavis!"
Thundering applause and cries of awe immediately rang out as the Altavis family name was mentioned.
"Of course, our great ruler, His Majesty Nortvan Arguist De Larkvood, is also present to lead us here!" the host continued. "Furthermore, the 37th High Priest, Ererias Holpedam of the Holy Kingdom of Niverta, and His Majesty the 20th King of the Altoria Kingdom, Erociel Axvadire Elm Altoria, have also taken their time to be among us today!"
The arena's atmosphere grew even hotter with the mention of these world-renowned figures.
"And without further ado, let us discuss the match format and begin this prestigious tournament!" the host shouted enthusiastically.
The host's shout was met by the roar of the spectators who were already impatient to witness the start of the prestigious matches.
"Following tradition, this tournament will be divided into two main match phases: the team match and the individual match!" the host explained so everyone would understand. "The first phase is the team match, where all remaining participants will fight as a single team representing their academy. In this phase, teamwork is everything! Each team will be deployed into a special simulation area and must compete for a sacred flag held and guarded by the other participating teams. Any team that loses their flag will be immediately eliminated!"
Tense murmurs began to drift from the spectator seats and from within the participants' waiting room.
"As for the second phase, it is the individual fight, which is a pure one-on-one battle in the arena!" the host continued explaining loudly. "Keep in mind, even if you are from the same academy or team, you will still have to fight each other without favor if you meet after the random number drawing process!"
Enthusiastic cheers and thundering applause echoed once more from the spectator stands. Their blood seemed to boil. They truly could not wait to see the high-level magical intrigues and battles begin.
Seeing the audience's enthusiasm reaching its peak, the host turned back, looking toward the row of main judges and the high-ranking officials of the Larkvood Central Academy to ask for approval.
The judges and officials nodded in unison. Receiving the green light, the host immediately faced the audience once again.
"Very well! I will call the kingdom representatives to enter the arena!" the host shouted with enthusiasm. "First, let us welcome the representatives of the Holy Kingdom of Niverta!"
The main gate at the corner of the arena finally swung wide open, and the four representatives from the Holy Kingdom of Niverta began to march onto the field as the first group. They walked with upright posture, wearing pristine white uniforms with gold patterns that symbolized the purity of their kingdom.
"The team from the Holy Kingdom of Niverta is led by the top third-year student, Erwin Marrect, who is none other than the third son of the High Priest leading that realm!" the host's voice boomed through the magical loudspeaker artifact.
Cheers from the audience filled the stands. They clapped thunderously, encouraging the four participants from the Holy Kingdom, who were always known for possessing extraordinary healing and defensive magic.
"Next, let us welcome with great fanfare... the participants from the Ignias Kingdom!"
From the same gate, the representatives of the Ignias Kingdom entered the arena. The flaming red robes they wore seemed to symbolize the fire element that was the hallmark of their kingdom. A wave of heat appeared to drift up toward the spectator stands along with their steady footsteps.
"The team from the Ignias Kingdom is led by Arkaen Efredion Zal Ignias, a talented second-year student and the Third Prince of the Ignias Kingdom!"
The spectators cheered again, but this time it was accompanied by murmurs of awe. They never expected that one of the core representatives sent by the Ignias Kingdom this year would be a prince.
"The next team, participants who always bring beauty and surprises... the participants from the Lasc'ar Kingdom!"
Hearing their kingdom's name called, the four participants immediately stepped out into the arena with confident strides and chins held high.
"The team from the Lasc'ar Kingdom is led by Fazania Erfedia Lasc'ar, a third-year student and the Second Princess of the Lasc'ar Kingdom!"
While the cheers outside were exploding to welcome the princess, a starkly different atmosphere was taking place inside the participants' waiting room.
Hearing clearly the name of the woman who had previously introduced herself as 'Zania' from the magical audio channel in the room, Alvin immediately smiled wryly. He leaned his back against the sofa while crossing his arms over his chest.
"It's no wonder she was so arrogant earlier, looking down on others and not even bothering to greet you two." Alvin said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It turns out the woman seeking my attention was a real princess. But truly, I despise her attitude and temperament."
"In that case, humiliate that arrogant princess in the arena later, Alvin!" Allen chimed in suddenly, his voice calm yet radiating a cold aura of hostility. "Make her feel deeply ashamed in front of thousands of people for daring to be so insolent and belittling our fiancé!"
"I agree with Brother Allen!" Arken added, his eyes flashing sharply, fully supporting Allen's lethal suggestion. The brown-haired youth turned toward Alvin. "Brother Alvin, if you don't show even a fraction of your true power to them, I am certain you will always be bothered and approached by annoying flies like her!"
Hearing the full support from Kazien's two other fiancés, Alvin gave a faint smile. However, he felt a bit uneasy about following through with their plan.
"I could easily defeat them all by myself, but... what about the stage for the two of you?" Alvin asked, slightly worried that Allen and Arken wouldn't get a sufficient chance to show their existence and strength to the world if he took over everything.
"You don't need to worry about us. Isn't there still the individual match phase of this tournament?" Allen replied very casually, a small, terrifying smirk forming at the corner of his lips. "When those one-on-one matches arrive, we will be the ones to shock everyone ourselves. Hahaha."
Arken nodded, agreeing with Allen's words.
Alvin then nodded in agreement, feeling that this division of tasks was perfect and efficient. "Alright then, it's decided! I will be free to act without holding back during the team matches!"
While the Garveon group in the waiting room was busy devising strategies on how to most elegantly crush their opponents' spirits, in the main arena, everyone was just surprised again by the announcement of the team leader from the host, the Larkvood Kingdom.
"And the team from the Larkvood Kingdom is led directly by Mardaziel Arguist De Larkvood, an unrivaled third-year student and the Crown Prince of the Larkvood Kingdom!"