Venna busily packs sandwiches and fruits into a basket, her excitement building for the day ahead. She turns to her father, Roderick, who is waiting by the door, his eyes gleaming with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia.
"Ready, Dad?" Venna asks, holding up the basket.
Roderick nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "Let's go, Venna. Today's the day Paul shows us what he's made of."
Together, they exit their home and make their way to the stadium, the sun shining bright overhead. The air is electric with excitement, crowds of people streaming towards the tournament venue.
As they approach the stadium, Venna can feel the tension building inside her. She knows how much this day means to Paul, and she's determined to support him every step of the way.
Roderick's eyes scan the crowds, his gaze lingering on the nobles and dignitaries gathered in the VIP section. Venna notices his gaze and wonders what thoughts are running through his mind.
"Dad, are you okay?" she asks, her voice soft with concern.
Roderick turns to her, his expression softening. "Yes, Venna. I'm fine. Just a little...reminiscent."
Venna nods understandingly, knowing that today's tournament brings back memories of Roderick's own past, both triumphant and painful.
As they take their seats in the stands, Venna's eyes scan the arena, her heart swelling with pride when she sees Paul standing tall, his sword at the ready. The tournament is about to begin, and Venna can barely contain her excitement.
The host, a charismatic emcee, steps forward, a grand gesture sweeping across the arena. "Welcome, young warriors, to the most prestigious tournament of the year! Sixty-four of the finest young minds and bodies have gathered here today to compete for the ultimate prize: the chance to serve a noble family!"
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as the children stand tall, their eyes shining with determination. Paul's heart races with excitement, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
The host continues, "The tournament will consist of one-on-one matches, with the winner advancing to the next round. The last one standing will be granted the honor of serving a noble family, a privilege that will change their life forever!"
The children nod, their faces set with resolve. Venna and Roderick watch with bated breath, their hearts filled with pride and hope for Paul's success.
The host raises his arm, and a trumpet blares, signaling the start of the tournament. The children march forward, their footsteps echoing across the arena, ready to face their destiny.
Paul's eyes scan the crowd, his face lighting up with a bright smile as he spots Roderick and Venna in the stands. He waves enthusiastically, his hand soaring through the air, and they wave back, their faces beaming with pride.
Then, he turns his attention to his friends, Kael, Kaira, and Lyrien, who are standing nearby, their faces etched with excitement and anticipation. Paul strides towards them, his footsteps light with eagerness.
"Hey, guys! Are we ready to do this?" Paul asks, his voice tinged with nervous energy.
Kael grins, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Born ready, Paul!"
Kaira playfully rolls her eyes. "You're going to get us killed, Kael."
Lyrien chuckles, his smile calm and reassuring. "We've got this, friends. We've trained for this moment."
Lyrien's eyes scan the noble seating area, his gaze lingering on the familiar crests and coats of arms. "Look, guys, the heir of the Duke Modrig family is here, along with several baron and count heirs."
Paul's expression darkens, his eyes narrowing as he follows Lyrien's gaze. His disgust is palpable as he spots the Modrig heir, his mind flashing back to the humiliating encounter.
"Ugh, that smug face," Paul mutters under his breath, his hand tightening into a fist. "I can't believe he's here, watching us like we're some sort of entertainment."
Kael notices Paul's reaction and places a calming hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't let him get to you, Paul. Focus on the tournament, not on him."
Paul takes a deep breath, his determination renewed. "You're right, Kael. I won't let him distract me. I'm here to win, not to impress the likes of him."
Paul steps into the arena, his eyes fixed on his opponent, a young mage with a nervous expression. The crowd murmurs in anticipation as the announcer declares the start of the match.
The host's voice echoes through the arena, "And now, folks, we have a fascinating match-up for you! On my right, we have Elian, a 1st circle mage, capable of wielding the elements with precision and power! And on my left, we have Paul, a skilled swordsman, yet to unlock his aura... or so it seems!"
The crowd murmurs, their eyes fixed on Paul with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Elian smirks, confident in his magical abilities.
Roderick and Venna exchange a knowing glance, their eyes shining with hidden knowledge. They know that Paul has already discovered his aura, but it remains a secret to the rest of the world.
The host continues, "Let's see if Paul's swordsmanship can withstand Elian's magical prowess! The battle begins now!"
The crowd erupts into cheers as the match starts, their voices echoing through the arena. Paul and Elian face off, their determination and focus palpable as they engage in a thrilling duel.
Elian, the 15-year-old mage, takes a deep breath and raises his hands. A burst of flames erupts from his palms, hurtling towards Paul.
Paul draws his sword, its blade shimmering in the light. With a swift motion, he deflects the flames with his sword, the fire dancing across the arena floor.
The crowd gasps in awe, and Elian's eyes widen in surprise. Paul takes advantage of the momentary distraction and charges forward, his sword flashing in the light.
The battle intensifies, Paul's sword clashing with Elian's magic. The outcome hangs in the balance, as the two young warriors engage in a fierce and thrilling duel.
Paul dashes towards Elian with lightning-fast speed, his sword flashing in the light. Elian, caught off guard, struggles to keep up with Paul's rapid movements.
With a swift and precise strike, Paul knocks Elian's staff flying out of his hands. The young mage stumbles back, his eyes wide with surprise.
Paul seizes the opportunity, his sword slicing through the air to deliver a decisive blow. Elian tries to defend himself, but Paul's attack is too swift, too precise.
The crowd erupts into cheers as Elian falls to the ground, defeated. Paul stands over him, his chest heaving with exertion, his sword still trembling with the force of his final blow.
The host's voice booms through the arena, "And the winner of this match is... Paul! The swordsman has defeated the mage with his incredible speed and agility!"
Roderick and Venna leap to their feet, their faces beaming with pride. "That's our Paul!" Roderick exclaims, his voice full of joy.
Venna cheers, her eyes shining with excitement. "He's amazing! And he's only just beginning to tap into his true potential!"
The nobles in the audience gasp in shock and disbelief, their eyes fixed on Paul with a mixture of amazement and concern. "An 11-year-old boy defeating a mage? Impossible!" one of them whispers.
Duke Modrig's heir, who had been watching the match with a smirk, suddenly looks pale and worried. "How...how did he do that?" he stammers.
The other nobles begin to murmur among themselves, their voices filled with excitement and trepidation. "This boy is a prodigy!" "He's a threat to our power!" "We must keep an eye on him!"
Roderick and Venna, still cheering and congratulating Paul, notice the nobles' reactions and exchange a knowing glance. They realize that Paul's impressive display has not only earned him recognition but also made him a potential target for those who fear his abilities.