Three days passed,
In these three days, Gin familiarized himself with the skills he chose. At least, he can now be considered as someone with an ability to defend himself.
Dean Alfin, Gin, and Baste could be seen standing outside the academy gates.
"Gin, did you pack everything you wanted? Aside from healthy foods, you won't get anything inside the arena."
"Yes,"
"Here, keep this" Dean Alfin gave him a pouch.
"What's this, Dean?" Gin asked.
"It's Elemental stones," Dean Alfin said.
"What?!" Gin exclaimed as he knows about Elemental stones and how precious they are!
Gin pulled out two stones from the pouch to examine as it's his first time seeing one. The elemental stone looked like a small crystal, size of a ping-pong ball.
The elemental stones can form only in particular areas with highly concentrated energy and they are precious because of the pure essence energy it holds.
For cultivators, the elemental stones are treasures as they carry the essence energy one badly want and it also helps in uncovering, opening, and destroying the hidden seals quicker.
"In 'Battleborn Arena' you can only use Elemental stones. You will understand when you get there!"
"Oi Gin, are you really ok with going there? From what I heard, its a very dangerous place." Baste asked with little concern.
He already heard about it from Dean Alfin, but he couldn't comprehend why Gin badly want to go there.
"It's okay, I lack experience and that place will grant me that." Gin said while Baste sighed.
"Baste, are you also coming with me?" Gin asked.
"Yes, but I am not taking part in an arena battle. I am just coming with you to make sure everything is all right, at least for a day." Baste said.
Gin rolled his eyes and mumbled, "I think, I will be Ok if I travel alone."
"What?" Baste asked, not properly catching the words.
"Nothing. are we going to travel by train?" Gin asked as the distance between both the regions is about 4000 Kilometers.
Even though there's a rail route linking both regions, the train trips only twice or thrice per week. He was sure there's no train scheduled for today.
Hearing Gin's question both Dean and Baste grinned, staring at each other.
"You will know soon," Dean Alfin replied. Before Gin could ask what they were hiding from him, he heard a cry from distance.
'Screech!'
A loud cry reverberated and from the academy's backside, a large bird descended and crash-landed in front of them.
The large bird is at least 12 meters tall and has a wingspan of 16-meter.
It has a golden tail, colorful orange feathers with blue patterns, blade-like talons, bony beak and eyes as blue as sapphires, filled with intelligence.
Gin was frightened by the mere presence emanated from the fiery bird. He sensed just its breath may kill him or possibly burn him into ashes.
"Holy shit! why is-" Gin screamed while Dean Alfin interrupted him, "Her name is Ria, my closest friend.
"Don't be afraid, she won't harm you." Baste patted Gin's shoulder.
Gin relaxed hearing Dean Alfin and Baste words - but still, just looking at the huge bird scares him a little. He recognizes this magical beast from the books he read - A golden-tailed fiery bird.
The golden-tailed fiery bird is a variation of Pure Firebird species. They are good pilots and friends of wind.
The golden tailed bird – Ria, lowered its head and affectionately brushed its head against Dean's chest while Dean Alfin caressed its feather.
"Good girl, did you miss me?" Dean Alfin asked while the later screeched a little in response.
"Gin, What are you waiting for? Mount up!" Baste uttered while he easily climbed and seated at her back.
"What? No way! Wait... Baste, don't tell me we are traveling by...?" Gin instinctively rejected and asked pointing at the Golden Tailed bird.
"Yes," Baste replied with a grin.
"Don't scare me! Dean, please tell Baste is lying?" Gin showed an apprehensive look.
"No,"
"Don't worry, she is kind and won't hurt you." Dean Alfin said. After much persuasion, Gin also climbed with Alfin's help.
"Gin, be safe and I have faith that you will achieve 50 victories in no time. All the best!"
"Thank you, Dean." Gin smiled.
"Ria, I am leaving them in your care. Go!" Dean Alfin rubbed Ria's neck.
The later screeched and lept up. Within no time, they were flying in the sky. A thin white protective layer extended from Ria's body and protected Baste and Gin from the incoming fierce wind.
As soon as the protective layer surrounded them, Gin felt like he was sitting in a closed room, not feeling any wind pressure.
"Wow! I am flying" Gin cried while his fears were wiped off.
"Baste, how much time it will take for us to reach the Whitestar Region?"
"Three to four hours max." Baste replied without thinking.
"That fast?"
"Yes, Ria's a magical beast who already formed 7 cores - so it's nothing surprising."
"Oh..." Gin exclaimed. A beast who formed 7 cores will be as strong as 'Seal Destruction' stage masters who destroyed one to three seals.
Time quickly passed, as both Gin and Baste chatted on their way. Like that, four hours went by.
Ria screeched a little as if saying they arrived at their destination. They landed some kilometers away from the arena to avoid any attention.
It's common to fly in magical beasts within core domains but in other regions, it's not at all common.
Gin hopped out from Ria's back and was surprised to see the rocky surroundings. 'It's doesn't look like a place within the Whitestar region.'
Presuming Gin's thoughts, Baste spoke, "The 'Battleborns arena' is located on the outskirts of the Whitestar region since its an illegal business."
Gin nodded and asked, "What about the magical beast - Ria, will she wait here until you return?"
"No, she will return right now. If someone sees such a high-class magical beast without any owner, they will try to apprehend it. It's not safe for her here."
"And, I am also traveling to a core region. I won't be back for a while." Baste explained.
Meanwhile, Ria, who dropped both of them soared and disappeared into the clouds.
"Come, let's go"
"Dean said he knew someone in the Battleborn Arena, are we going to meet him?" Gin asked as Dean Alfin didn't mention his name.
"Yes, he will help you if you encounter any problems inside the arena." Baste said.
After 15 mins of walk, Gin and Baste arrived before a huge structure, which stood 60 meters tall and has at least 5 floors. The huge building was surrounded by two high towers on each side.
"Oh! What a view!" Gin exclaimed.
"You won't say that after going in!" Baste commented.
When Gin and Baste reached the Battleborn arena's entrance, they were checked by men in red clothes. Over their chests hung eye-catching insignias—a clash of two shadow warriors.
"They are the guards of this place, who are responsible for the arena's security. Don't underestimate them, all the guards here have at least reached 'seal opening' stage." Baste whispered to Gin.
Gin was shocked by their strength and wondered, 'why are they even working as guards with their strength?'
Only after a thorough examination, they let Gin and Baste pass.
"Did you inform the person that we are going to meet?" Gin asked.
"Yes, he told us to wait before the entrance gate." Baste replied.
After five or so minutes, a tall, fair skin man who seems to be in his forties marched towards them with a smile. He had blue eyes and a mohawk hairstyle of blond and grey.
He was decked in a long robe with the same insignia as the guards on his robe. Overall, he appeared to be a war-loving person.
"Haha, so you two are the students that senior Alfin mentioned coming from his academy. Not bad!"
"I am Juvan, good to see you two."
"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Juvan." Baste politely addressed. "I am Baste and he's Gin."
Juvan nodded his head and looked at Gin, "You are Gin. Much younger than I expected!"
"Are you sure you want to participate in Arena battles? It's a path of no return!"
"Only when you secure 50 victories, you can leave this place. What does Senior Alfin think, why did he send such a young boy like yourself?" Juvan complained.
"I have no problem with that," Gin responded in a worry-free manner.
"Whatever, come with me." Juvan led Baste and Gin inside the arena. As soon as Gin entered the building, he was amazed by what he saw inside.
He saw a large field that looked like a battle arena completely surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to view the battles, either by sitting or standing.
"Welcome to 'Battleborn' Arena, our arena is acknowledged as the number one battle stage by the peoples of surrounding regions."
"Numerous martial artists, fighters, and rich peoples come here every day to watch the battles. We have a betting house, a gambling area, and many fun places to entertain the guests."
"At the same time, the fighters here are also very respected and valued peoples. Some of the fighters who participate in our arena battles are peoples with a powerful background."
"We also regard our fighters as partners - every battle a fighter win, they will receive compensations matching their fame and popularity."