A couple of weeks go by, as Ray continues his schooling, and Modri, Seirai, and Victoria complete several weeks of quests.
In that time, Ray has advanced to the 2nd circle in both wind and speed. He has also leveled up his alchemy, construction, and foraging skills.
In total, during these weeks 73 silver was earned by the guild trio. All of which was put towards the savings for the guild registration.
As Ray enters Alfuris College, he sees Victoria walking out of an office.
"Hey Victoria." Ray calls out.
"Hey! Apparently a new sponsor has been assigned to me, and I have the next month off for the guild!" Victoria smiles.
"Nice! I will see you in a month then!" Ray replies as he heads into class.
"Alright class, listen up, as the top of the seventh tower, you are invited on a trip to the Tyralen Empire's Advanced Arcana Conference. Now, due to you all only being in the Seventh tower, you will not be able to partake in many events unless a sponsor vouches for you. Also, by invited I mean we are going, so pack quickly." Ray's new teacher on the top floor, Olapen Finreal shouts to the class.
"Excuse me, I am not too knowledgeable about the nations of the world. What is the Tyralen Empire?" Ray asks.
A couple of chuckles can be heard, but Olapen responds, "Ah, Mr. Kaine. Well that is quite simple, the Tyralen empire is a close ally to our kingdom of Marrin. Tyralen happens to be one of the Husbands of Marrin, and he is the god of Energy."
The students leave class early to go pack their bags, Ray informs Leon and the twins that he will be going on a trip for a bit.
*****
As Ray gets back, he sees a big clearing with an intrinsic magic circle in it, designed for long distance teleportation.
Hundreds of students from all seven of the towers stand on this circle waiting for about an hour for everyone to arrive.
"Hello Sir Ray!" Jirin shouts as he walks up to meet with Ray.
"Hey Jirin, do you know what this Conference is about?" Ray asks.
"Ah, the Advanced Arcana Conference, it is a yearly meet up of three nations, being the Tyralen, Marrin, and Aser nations. Where each group discusses recent discoveries, as well as hosting duels between students to show the fruits of the nation's labor." Jirin replies
"So, a general meet up between allies, also who is Aser?" Ray questions.
"Seriously?! Aser is a Primus like Marrin, he is the God of the Moon and Prophecy!" Jirin yells in shock.
"Wait, so is Tyralen not a Primus?" Ray asks.
"No, he is one of the stronger Minor deities though." Jirin responds, and as he is about to add more, they hear a familiar booming voice.
"Welcome one and all! Soon we shall depart and join our allies for the conference. But you must remember that while you may be young, you are representatives from not only the Marrin Kingdom, but also Alfuris college. Hold your heads high, and remember who you are." Archmage Alfuris says in a loud voice, drowning out the sound of the crowd.
Bright orange light envelops the mass of people as they are teleported away, arriving in a vast clearing outside of a large, wealthy looking city.
Dozens of magical circles flare up, with thousands, if not tens of thousands of people appearing.
A tall, slim man wearing a ruby red suit and a black shirt with a purple tie yells from a stage towering 20ft up in the sky. With many people appearing up there with him, including Alfuris.
"Welcome one and all to our marvelous city, Altrino. I am the humble lord of this city, Jain C. Oculus! And it is my absolute pleasure to invite you to our yearly Advanced Arcana Conference!" Jain says in a showman like voice.
"As you can see, there are many of you, but worry not, some of our High Magi's will be guiding you to your lodgings for your time in our city!" Jain continues.
A woman in red robes appears before the circle Ray is in and they are guided to a massive building, reinforced with mana keeping it held high into the sky.
"Now, due to the size of your group, each of you will have to have one roommate. But who that is, is entirely up to you." The Magi says.
With no hesitation both Ray and Jirin look at each other and go find their room.
It is about half the size of a house in space for them, with two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen and two bedrooms.
'They are clearly trying to flaunt their wealth…' Ray thinks as he unpacks his bag, which has a couple of spare changes of clothing, as well as his money.
After unpacking, Ray meets up with Jirin in the living room.
"So, what are we going to be doing first?" Ray asks
"Well, seeing as how both of us are trying to make a name for ourselves, I guess the Dueling Field would be a good place to start. It isn't the same as the Arena though, it is less of a sport in the sense of different sections and alterations, it is mostly focused on actual fighting." Jirin responds.
"Very well, it would also be good to try and make connections while we are here… But that is mostly up to you, as you are a noble." Ray says as Jirin and him get up and head to the Dueling Field.
*****
The field is about 5 times the size of a UFC ring, and has, instead of a cage wall, a magical shell placed around it.
"Now, the basic rules I remember are, you win by knocking the opponent out, or down three times. Or if you manage to knock them to the ground for 8 seconds, or if you can dispel any of their spells three times before they can successfully cast one spell. Finally, if you make them submit, then you win." Jirin fills in Ray as they walk up to the sign up sheet.
'I guess it is about time that I truly step in the ring again…' Ray thinks, remembering just a hint of his previous career.