The atmosphere inside the coliseum remained lively as the previous contestants left the battlefield.
The announcer raised her hand, declaring the winner of the match before calling out the name of the victorious apprentice. Cheers erupted from the audience as the young man acknowledged his victory and returned to his seat among the other apprentices.
The battlefield, however, was far from ready for another fight.
Several apprentices specializing in Rock Magic stepped forward to repair the damaged ground. They raised broken slabs, filled the cracks, and restored the battlefield to its original condition. Within minutes, the arena was ready for the next match.
Yet the announcer remained silent.
The apprentices exchanged curious glances. Some leaned forward in their seats, wondering who would be called next. Others continued discussing the previous fight.
Amid the anticipation, the Great Elder sat at his elevated sit, quietly scanning the apprentice section.
His gaze moved from one row to another, searching for a particular face.
Mason Grace.
After a few moments, he finally spotted him.
Mason sat among the other apprentices, wearing his blue Legion Academy uniform beneath a brown hooded covering that concealed most of his body.
The Great Elder's lips curved into a faint smile.
So, he actually came.
He leaned back in his chair, looking rather pleased.
I'm impressed.
At last, the announcer stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and apprentices of Legion Academy! We shall now proceed to our next match!"
The coliseum erupted with applause.
"However, before we announce our next contestant, there is someone we must properly welcome!"
The announcer paused, allowing the crowd to settle.
"This young man is not merely another prospective student seeking admission into our prestigious academy. He is a prince, the heir to a royal bloodline, and a representative of one of the kingdoms of our world!"
The crowd immediately grew louder.
"Everyone, please welcome the Prince of Valtheris Kingdom—Riven Veylor!"
The coliseum exploded with cheers.
"RIVEN!"
"PRINCE RIVEN!"
Several girls screamed his name, while others clapped enthusiastically. Some even stood up from their seats, declaring their admiration for the young prince.
Riven smiled faintly as he rose from his seat.
The reception was hardly surprising. For a prince to seek admission into Legion Academy was a statement in itself. The academy's reputation extended throughout the kingdoms, and more people recognized the value of its training.
As Riven prepared to descend toward the battlefield, the announcer raised his voice once more.
"And now, his opponent!"
The audience quieted.
"Facing Prince Riven Veylor is—Darius Stonewell!"
For a moment, confusion spread through the coliseum.
"Darius Stonewell?"
"Who is that?"
"Have you heard of him before?"
"I think I've heard that name somewhere, but I can't remember where."
The whispers travelled from row to row. Unlike Riven, Darius was not a name that immediately commanded recognition.
Then, from among the apprentices, a young man stood.
He had dark hair and green eyes. His blue apprentice uniform was partially concealed beneath a long green coat that reached his knees. A strip of ordinary cloth was wrapped around his waist, completing his unusual appearance.
He said nothing as he stepped into the aisle.
Riven glanced in his direction.
I wonder what kind of person he is.
A small smile appeared on the prince's face.
Well, let's have some fun.
The two contestants began walking toward the battlefield.
As they approached, the ground beneath their feet continued to regenerate, the Rock Magic apprentices finishing their repairs. The last damaged section rose into place, leaving the arena smooth and ready.
Riven stepped onto the battlefield first.
A gentle breeze swept across the coliseum, lifting his hair as he moved toward his starting position.
Darius followed, his expression unreadable.
They stopped several metres apart and faced each other.
Riven's gaze travelled over his opponent before settling on his arms.
Darius stood with both arms folded across his chest.
Then he slowly unfolded them.
Riven's eyes narrowed.
Darius's left hand was missing.
His arm ended without a palm, leaving only the remainder of the limb.
He doesn't have a left hand?
Riven studied the injury.
Did he lose it in a fight?
"Stonewell," he called. "What happened to your other hand?"
Darius didn't answer.
Instead, he lowered his body into a fighting stance.
The announcer raised his hand.
"Are both contestants ready?"
"Ready!" Riven answered.
Darius remained silent, his eyes fixed on the prince.
The announcer brought his hand down.
"BEGIN!"
Riven immediately shifted his weight, preparing to move.
But before he could take a single step, the ground beneath his feet cracked.
Rock shot upward, wrapping around his legs and locking them in place.
"What the—?!"
Riven attempted to pull free, but the stone held firm.
From the apprentice section, Caleb Veyr Draven smirked.
Weak. Just as I expected.
Still, this is the perfect opportunity to discover what kind of magic that Riven uses.
Darius began walking toward Riven.
As he extended his right hand, the ground responded. A stream of rock rose from the battlefield and flowed into his palm, taking the shape of a sword.
He continued forward, gripping the weapon.
Riven struggled against his restraints.
Damn it! This rock is too solid!
Darius reached striking distance and swung.
The sword descended toward Riven's head.
Riven reacted immediately, raising both hands to block the attack.
The impact sent a shock through his arms. The sharp edge cut across his palms, and blood spattered onto the ground.
"Damn it!"
Before he could recover, more rock erupted around his wrists.
Rock chains tightened around both hands, pulling him downward until he was forced onto his knees.
The audience gasped.
At the Great Elder's table, several Lords leaned forward.
"It appears the prince has found himself in a difficult position," one apprentice remarked.
"I would have to agree," another replied.
Darius raised his sword, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
Riven looked up at him.
Then he smirked.
Suddenly, Darius's expression changed.
His body stiffened. His breathing became strained, and he staggered as though the air around him had grown heavier.
"What the hell…?"
He coughed violently, blood escaping his mouth. One hand flew to his chest as he struggled to breathe.
Riven's smile widened.
"Viper Magic: Poison Gas."
The rock chains around his limbs began to crack.
Darius stumbled backward, barely able to remain standing.
Riven pulled his hands free and rose to his feet. With a sharp kick, he struck Darius in the chest, sending him several steps backward.
Darius coughed again.
"What… was that?"
He looked at his opponent in disbelief.
Riven settled into a fighting stance, spreading the fingers of his hands slightly.
Caleb's smirk disappeared.
For the first time, genuine surprise crossed his face.
What the hell is that magic?
Riven's expression remained calm.
"Viper Magic," he repeated.
Darius wiped the blood from his mouth and forced himself upright.
"Poison gas…"
He looked at Riven more carefully.
He poisoned the air around me without me noticing?
Riven moved his fingers, ready to attack again.
At the elevated table, Bruno watched intently.
"Viper Magic," he murmured. "From what I've observed, he can manipulate his poison in different forms."
The Great Elder turned his attention toward the battlefield.
Bruno continued.
"When Stonewell was about to finish him, Riven released poison gas. But now, he appears to be concentrating the poison around his fingertips. His attacks may not rely on overwhelming physical force, but even a small contact could be dangerous."
He paused, studying Darius.
"The poison is spreading through Stonewell's body rather quickly. However, his Rock Magic seems to be slowing its progress. If he were an ordinary magic user, he might already have collapsed."
Kelvin leaned backwards.
"I have to admit, my Rock Magic still has a long way to go if this is what Stonewell can do with his."
The Great Elder smiled faintly.
Nearby, Narissa watched the fight with a slight blush on her face. Lord Ackman remained silent, while
back at the apprentice sit Duke Mighty observed the battlefield without showing any particular expression.
The battle had only just begun.
Darius straightened his back, his expression darkening.
"You're stronger than I expected, Prince Veylor."
Riven said nothing.
"I thought a prince would spend his days attending meetings and festivals. I didn't think you'd have time to train and develop your abilities."
He tightened his grip on his rock sword.
"But tell me something, Riven. What exactly is your magic?"
Riven raised his hands.
"Viper Magic. That's all you need to know."
Darius stared at him for another moment.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"I see."
He raised his sword, and the ground behind him began to tremble.
"But I haven't shown you everything I can do."
Rock surged from the battlefield, forming nearly twenty human-sized stone creatures. Each one carried a different weapon: swords, shields, axes, twin-headed axes, and chains lined with sharp spikes.
The audience erupted in disbelief.
"Twenty of them?!"
"How much energy does he have?"
Darius pointed toward Riven.
"Kill him!"
The stone creatures charged.
Riven lowered his body, Then moved.
The first creature swung its axe.
He dodged beneath the attack, brushed his fingertips against its stone body, and slipped past it.
Another creature thrust its sword toward him.
Riven twisted aside, touched its arm, and continued moving.
He didn't strike the creatures with his fists or attempt to break them apart.
He simply touched them.
One after another, he slipped between their attacks, grazing their stone bodies with his fingertips.
The audience stared in confusion.
"What is he doing?"
"Why isn't he destroying them?"
"Does he have a plan?"
Riven finally reached the other end of the battlefield.
He stopped and exhaled.
Behind him, the stone creatures began to change colour.
Dark stains spread across their bodies. Cracks appeared along their limbs, and the stone gradually crumbled. One after another, the creatures collapsed into piles of decaying rock.
Riven turned.
"Viper Magic: Dance of the Serpent."
Darius's eyes widened.
"You…!"
Anger twisted his expression.
"You'll pay for that!"
He slammed his remaining hand into the ground.
The battlefield rose in a rolling wave, the rock beneath Riven surging upward as Darius attempted to overwhelm him.
But before the wave could reach the prince, it shattered.
Hundreds of sharp rock fragments shot through the air, rushing toward Riven from every direction.
The Great Elder's eyes narrowed.
Even the Lords looked surprised.
Riven's hair swept across his face as the incoming fragments obscured his body.
For an instant, the battlefield disappeared behind a storm of flying stone.
Then the screen of dust began to clear.
The rock fragments fell to the ground, crumbling before they could strike Riven.
Riven stood untouched.
The remaining stone creatures had completely decayed.
Darius stared at him, his breathing growing heavier.
Riven brushed a speck of dust from his shoulder.
Mason leaned forward in his seat, his eyes fixed on the battlefield.
This Riven guy is strong. I'll give him that.
He glanced toward Caleb before looking back at the prince.
I thought he might use something like Flame Magic, like that Caleb guy. But what did he call it again? Viper Magic?
Mason narrowed his eyes.
Interesting.
Riven looked at Darius.
"I've let this battle go on long enough."
His expression sharpened.
"Now it's time to end this."
Darius tightened his jaw.
The two contestants faced each other once more as the coliseum fell into tense silence.
The prince of Valtheris had finally begun to reveal the true danger of his magic.
And Darius Stonewell had yet to surrender.
To be continued….