The colossal arena loomed ahead, a testament to the grandeur and rigor of Valtherion Academy. Its towering walls, inscribed with ancient glyphs and reinforced with high-tech shielding, seemed to pulsate with the anticipation of the third phase of the admission tournament. The arena buzzed with energy as students gathered, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of excitement and anxiety.
Clusters of students filtered into the arena, their conversations brimming with apprehension and ambition.
"I heard the third phase is a real bloodbath," one student murmured to her friend, clutching her Aetheris tightly. "I just hope I can make it through with decent results."
"You and me both," the friend replied, glancing nervously at a group of confident nobles walking ahead. "Though with people like them around, it's not exactly a fair fight."
Nearby, another group debated heatedly.
"Of course the nobles have an edge," a lanky boy complained, his voice dripping with frustration. "They've been trained since birth for this stuff. What chance do we have?"
"Stop whining," a sharper voice cut in. "We knew what we were signing up for. If we can't keep up, we don't belong here."
Amid the chatter, rumors about the previous phase's incident lingered like a dark cloud.
"You think something like that could happen again?" a wide-eyed girl whispered.
"No way," another replied, shaking his head. "The professors wouldn't let it. That's why they gave us the break—to make sure everything's secure. Right?"
"Right…"
But doubt lingered in their eyes as they shuffled toward their assigned zones, the weight of the upcoming trial pressing down on them.
...
Lucius stood in the shadowed halls leading to the arena entrance, his gaze fixed on his Aetheris. He was typing, making last-minute notes and strategies to ensure his survival in the third phase. The rhythmic clicking of the holographic keys echoed faintly in the corridor.
"Lucius!"
He stopped typing but didn't look up immediately. Turning slightly, he saw Ash approaching, his signature charming smile plastered across his face.
"Don't be so cold," Ash said, his tone light but tinged with mock sadness.
Lucius rolled his eyes and turned back to his Aetheris. "It's your imagination."
"No, it's not!" Ash protested, pointing dramatically. "You're not even looking at me right now."
Lucius sighed, shooting him a sidelong glance. "I'm preparing for the third phase. You should be doing the same instead of pestering me."
Ash frowned but quickly softened. "Fine, you're right," he admitted. "Still, you're always so… prepared. It's almost unnatural."
Lucius's fingers paused over his Aetheris. He turned fully to Ash, his gaze narrowing. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, think about it," Ash began, counting off on his fingers. "The first phase—your fight with Soren. Even though it looked like you were struggling, you calculated every move. That bullet ricocheting off the wall to hit Soren's neck? That wasn't luck."
Lucius raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting Ash continue.
"Then the second phase," Ash said, his voice lowering. "Despite the chaos, you stayed calm. Maybe a bit rude and snarky," he added with a smirk, "but confident. It's like… you always know what you're doing."
Lucius scoffed. "You give me too much credit. It was just luck and coincidence."
Ash didn't look convinced but chose not to press further.
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion. A large group of students filed past them, led by none other than Gaius. The tall, charismatic noble moved with purpose, his Aetheris in hand as he typed something. His piercing gaze swept over the crowd before briefly meeting Lucius's. Without a word, he continued on, his entourage trailing behind him.
Ash frowned, leaning closer to Lucius. "What's his deal? Why are so many students following him?"
Lucius sighed, tucking his Aetheris into his pocket. "Gaius is playing the same game he always does," he said dismissively. "He's offering them something in return for their loyalty. Connections, favors, resources—whatever they think they need to survive here. But most of them are just pawns in his game."
Ash's brows knitted together in confusion. "Pawns? Why would they let themselves be used like that?"
Lucius gave him a knowing look before raising two fingers and rubbing them together.
Ash blinked. "…What are you doing?"
"Think about it," Lucius said, nodding subtly toward the group. "Look closer at who's following him."
Ash turned, studying the students more carefully. Many of them wore plain uniforms with little embellishment—commoners or low-ranking nobles. A few had worn expressions, the kind that spoke of sleepless nights and heavy burdens.
A realization dawned on Ash, and he turned back to Lucius, his eyes wide.
"Money," Lucius said simply. "It doesn't matter where they're from. Nobles and commoners alike have debts, families to support, or ambitions they can't afford to chase alone. Gaius knows this and exploits it. He gives them just enough to keep them loyal but never enough to break free."
Ash's expression darkened. "That's… horrible."
Lucius shrugged. "That's politics. The academy may be a place for training heroes, but it's also a battlefield for power and influence. Everyone here is playing the game, whether they realize it or not."
As Ash continued to watch the group, his face a mix of concern and disgust, Lucius's thoughts drifted. He already knew about Gaius's schemes, thanks to the novel's detailed descriptions. But he didn't care much about the students being exploited. He knew Gaius's promises were empty, and most of them would be left to fend for themselves when things got tough.
Still, two of those students would catch on before it was too late, pulling out of Gaius's web of manipulation. Lucius saw an opportunity there—one he could potentially use to his advantage.
But his gaze drifted back to Ash, who was still visibly troubled by the scene.
Ash's rise to power… Lucius thought, his resolve hardening. That's what matters most for the story's progression. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure he reaches the top.
With that, he turned toward the arena, the roar of the waiting crowd echoing in the distance.
"Come on," Lucius said, nudging Ash. "We've got a phase to survive."
Ash hesitated before nodding, following Lucius into the arena, where their next trial awaited.