The academy grounds were filled with excitement.
Hundreds of apprentices had gathered in the designated area, waiting for the commencement of the Entrance Tournament. Some stood in groups, chatting and laughing, while others discussed their abilities and speculated about the opponents they might face.
A few apprentices confidently demonstrated small displays of magic to impress those around them. Others preferred to remain quiet, observing their fellow candidates and trying to determine who among them might pose a serious threat.
The atmosphere was lively, with conversations coming from every direction.
Amid the crowd, Janelle stood on her own, looking around.
Her eyes moved from one group of apprentices to another, searching for someone in particular.
Where is he?
She continued looking until she finally spotted Duke standing beside a wall, his back resting against it. He appeared completely uninterested in the excitement surrounding him, simply watching the crowd without making any effort to join a conversation.
Janelle immediately walked toward him.
"Hey, Duke! I've been looking for you. Where have you been?"
Duke turned his head toward her.
"Oh, hey, Janelle. Nowhere, really. I've been here since I arrived, just waiting for them to announce the matchups."
Janelle folded her arms.
"Really? At some point, I thought you were avoiding me."
Duke raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I do that?"
Before Janelle could answer, a familiar voice called out to them.
"Hey, you guys!"
They both turned.
Lena Ashford was making her way toward them, wearing her blue apprentice uniform. A bright smile spread across her face as she approached.
"Oh, hey, Lena!" Janelle greeted her.
"Hey, Janelle!" Lena replied before turning toward Duke. "Hi, Duke."
"Hey," Duke answered casually.
Lena looked around at the gathering apprentices, barely able to contain her excitement.
"Oh my God, I'm so excited! Can you believe the tournament is finally happening? I've been waiting for this moment!"
She clenched her fists enthusiastically.
"This is my chance to test my abilities against other apprentices and see how much I've improved. I can't wait to get started!"
Janelle smiled at her enthusiasm.
"You're really excited, aren't you?"
"Of course! We've all worked hard to get here. Now we finally get to prove ourselves!"
Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind her.
"Hey, princess."
Lena's smile immediately disappeared.
She slowly turned around.
Standing behind her was Caleb Veyr Draven, wearing a confident grin.
Janelle stared at him with an expression of disbelief.
"Oh, you again."
Caleb placed a hand against his chest as though her reaction had wounded him.
"What? Don't tell me you missed me."
"Miss you? In your dreams."
"It's been quite a while, hasn't it? You almost made me think you were avoiding me."
"Don't get the wrong idea. We aren't dating, so don't start acting like you own me."
Caleb chuckled.
"Dating? Who said anything about dating? Don't deceive yourself. I've already made arrangements with your father. Once we're both old enough, we'll get married. After I become the next Great Elder of my generation, of course."
Janelle'sexpression darkened.
"You're so annoying! You only say those things because my father likes you."
Caleb laughed.
"Ha!."
Before Janelle could come up with another response, the sound of approaching footsteps drew the attention of several apprentices.
A young man had just entered the grounds.
He wore a brown hooded coat over his blue apprentice uniform, with the hood covering much of his head. His presence alone was enough to draw curious looks from those nearby.
Whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"Hey, isn't that the peasant boy?"
"The one who somehow managed to get into Legion Academy?"
"I heard his father was Lord Chad."
"Chad? Are you kidding me? How could someone like Lord Chad have a son who isn't even royalty?"
"Who knows? Maybe he inherited none of his father's talent."
The whispers continued as the young man walked forward.
Mason Grace paid them no attention.
He continued walking, his expression calm beneath the shadow of his hood.
Across the grounds, Janelle noticed him.
Wow… that's Mason?
Her eyes widened slightly.
The last time I saw him, he didn't look like this. He's changed.
She studied him for another moment.
He actually joined the academy. I thought he was joking when he spoke to the Great Elder.
Caleb noticed the way Janelle looked at Mason.
His sharp eyes followed the hooded apprentice as he walked through the crowd.
After observing him for a moment, Caleb pushed himself away from where he had been standing and began walking toward him.
Duke noticed Caleb's movement but said nothing.
Mason continued forward until Caleb stepped directly into his path.
"Hey!"
Mason stopped and looked at him.
"What the hell do you think a peasant like you is doing here?"
Mason regarded him calmly.
"Greetings."
"Don't greet me. I already know who you are. Everyone does."
Caleb's expression was filled with disdain.
"And don't get the wrong idea. You're not famous for anything good."
Mason lowered his head slightly.
"I apologize if I've done anything to offend you."
Caleb scoffed.
"Your very presence here is worth apologizing for."
He folded his arms, looking Mason up and down.
"You know what? I doubt you'll even defeat your first opponent. That's assuming you make it far enough to participate in the tournament."
Caleb leaned forward slightly.
"I can't sense any spiritual energy coming from you. And judging by your build, you don't look particularly impressive physically either. So tell me, what exactly do you think you're doing at this academy?"
Mason opened his mouth as though he intended to respond.
But after a moment, he closed it again.
Caleb smirked.
"Just as I thought. Pathetic."
He shook his head.
"People like you really believe you can stand alongside royalty just because you've managed to get through the academy's doors."
Janelle watched the exchange from a distance, her expression growing uneasy.
She wanted to intervene, but she hesitated, unsure whether doing so would make the situation worse.
How ever from one said Riven Saw what's happening
"What is he doing?" He muttered.
He stepped forward, glaring at Caleb.
"Why don't you just leave him alone?"
Caleb slowly turned toward him
"You need to learn to mind your own business, you creep."
Riven narrowed his eyes.
"I've noticed something about you, Caleb. Just like I said before, you're only good at running your mouth."
She tilted her head.
"But there's a saying you should remember. Actions speak louder than words."
Caleb's expression twisted into a mocking smile.
"Oh? Look at you, princess, quoting some proverb you picked up in your own kingdom."
He took a step toward him.
"Let me remind you of something. You're standing on another man's land now. Don't forget that."
Riven stared back at him, refusing to back down.
Before either of them could continue, a loud voice rang out across the grounds.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
The conversations gradually died away as the apprentices turned toward the speaker.
An academy official stood near the front of the gathering, waiting until he had everyone's attention.
"The matchups for the Entrance Tournament will be announced shortly. Listen carefully for your names and assigned opponents. Once your matchup is called, you are to proceed to the main training ground immediately."
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd.
"The tournament will begin very soon," the official continued. "Prepare yourselves."
Caleb glanced back at Mason before turning toward Riven.
"Just pray they don't match you against me."
He smiled arrogantly.
"You wouldn't last a minute."
Mason said nothing
The official raised his voice once more.
"Attention, everyone!"
The entire gathering fell silent.
"The Entrance Tournament for the new apprentices of Legion Academy has officially commenced!"
Cheers erupted across the grounds.
Some apprentices shouted with excitement, while others exchanged nervous glances. At last, the moment they had been waiting for had arrived.
The official allowed the excitement to settle before continuing.
"Our opening matchup promises to be an interesting one."
He paused dramatically.
"On one side, we have Caleb Veyr Draven!"
Caleb stepped forward with a confident smile.
"And on the other side, his opponent…"
The official looked toward the crowd.
"Lena Ashford!"
For a moment, Lena remained still.
Then she straightened her back and took a deep breath.
So it's starting.
She knew Caleb was confident in his abilities. She also knew that he expected to win.
But she wasn't going to surrender before the fight had even begun.
Even if I lose, I'll give it everything I've got.
Janelle smiled encouragingly.
"That's one of the things I like about you, Lena. Now go kick his butt!"
Lena glanced at her friend and smiled.
"I'll do my best!"
Caleb burst into laughter.
"Seriously? They couldn't find anyone better to match me against than that pathetic girl?"
He shook his head dismissively.
"What a waste of my time."
Mason watched him silently.
"Whatever."
Caleb turned toward the main training ground.
"I'll just make this fight quick."
Without another word, he began walking toward the entrance tunnel.
Lena followed shortly afterward.
As the two apprentices disappeared into the tunnel, the cheers of the spectators grew louder.
"Let's go!"
"Show us what you've got!"
"Don't hold back!"
The tunnel opened onto an enormous battlefield surrounded by towering stands. Thousands of spectators filled the seats, their voices echoing throughout the coliseum.
Caleb emerged first and walked toward one end of the battlefield.
Lena appeared moments later, making her way to the opposite end.
The two stood facing each other, separated by the vast stretch of the arena.
An announcer stepped onto the battlefield and positioned himself between them.
He looked at Caleb, then at Lena.
"Are both contestants ready?"
"Yes," Lena answered firmly.
Caleb merely smirked.
"Whatever. Let's get this over with."
The announcer nodded before quickly leaving the battlefield.
Once he had reached a safe distance, he turned toward the spectators and raised his voice.
"LET THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE ENTRANCE TOURNAMENT BEGIN!"
The crowd erupted.
And just like that, the first clash of a new era was about to unfold.
To be continued…