The name of the planet chosen as the venue for the tournament was Eryndor, a beautiful habitable world orbiting a binary star system in a very sparsely populated area within the domains of the Arcane Order. This caused the planet, despite its rich flora and fauna, to remain uninhabited and without a trace of human civilization.
The planet boasted stunning forests that glowed with shades of purple and emerald, enormous mountains and valleys visible from space, as well as vast and majestic deserts that shimmered under Eryndor's two suns. This created mirages of palaces and cities that vanished as swiftly as they appeared.
As time passed, more than 800 participants began appearing in the designated area of the planet using various means. Some arrived in imposing ships of all sizes and shapes, while others appeared directly on the ground using different kinds of spells and magical artifacts, each more intricate and spectacular than the last.
A few hours later, most of the participants gathered on a huge, beautifully carved platform in the middle of a vast green valley filled with all kinds of flowers and grass. In a somewhat distant corner stood Liliana, Zoe, and Elara. Zoe and Elara were looking around, searching for a certain young man with starry hair, whom they couldn't see anywhere.
"Stop looking for him; you look like love-struck teenagers." Liliana commented irritably as she glanced at her friends, who now seemed like fervent admirers of that no-longer-so-annoying guy.
"Fufufufu, there's no need to talk like that, Liliana. We're just a little worried because Disciple Erik hasn't arrived." Zoe remarked with an elegant smile on her face, though she continued to discreetly glance around.
"Yes, yes, it's just concern. Maybe he overslept and is running late." Elara added with an adorable smile, still openly looking around.
"Hmph, most likely he's deliberately arriving late to make a dramatic entrance and draw attention."
Liliana, who unknowingly had hit the nail on the head, commented a bit irritably, but her expression changed immediately when she saw a beautiful woman who appeared to be about 25 years old. With skin like polished ebony and long silver hair that matched the white robes of the Order, yet contrasted wonderfully with her skin, giving her a mystical and sophisticated air. She approached flying through the air, seeming like a goddess capable of controlling the world with a single finger.
Moments later, the beautiful woman arrived before them and stopped in midair, in a position where all the participants could easily see her. She then spoke with a magnetic and powerful voice that seemed to course through the bodies of all present, filling them with infinite respect for the colossal power embodied in her attractive figure.
"I hope all participants are present." The woman scanned all the participants with her beautiful silver eyes, but quickly seemed to notice something and added while looking to her left with an ironic smile on her face.
"It seems someone is missing."
Upon hearing her words, all the participants curiously looked in the same direction the beautiful woman was gazing. Only to find a terrifying accumulation of clouds that completely covered the two suns, turning that place into an area filled with shadows.
Surprise filled the hearts of all the participants present. After all, just moments ago, one could see a beautiful clear sky as far as the eye could reach. Such a massive change must have occurred in mere instants without anyone noticing—something absurd for many who looked at the sky, doubting their own senses.
Many of those present had a strong connection with the Myst, which made them feel deeply proud. Thanks to that connection, it was as easy as breathing for them to notice climatic changes on the planet they were on, especially a change as significant as the one they were witnessing. But for some reason, they felt absolutely nothing and only realized something was amiss when the beautiful woman in the sky mentioned it.
Meanwhile, on the platform, Elara's and Zoe's eyes began to shine with anticipation as they looked at the incredible mass of clouds, eager to see how Erik would appear, as it was almost certain he was the only one missing. At the same time, Liliana couldn't help but smile ironically as she looked at the sky.
"I knew it, that guy wanted to make a dramatic entrance..."
Liliana murmured to herself, but at that moment, from the thick mist, a titanic eastern dragon with scales blacker than the abyss of space emerged, surrounded by terrifying black electric arcs that seemed to affect the climate. It roared powerfully, sending chills through the bodies of all present.
Flanking the dragon were two gigantic wolves: one with silvery fur luminous like the moon, and the other as black as the deepest night. They advanced majestically through the air, treading on clouds as if they were solid meadows, leaving behind trails of electricity and shadows. The silver wolf flashed with rays that seemed like threads of pure silver, while the black wolf enveloped its surroundings with a darkness so dense it absorbed nearby light.
But it was the figure seated atop the head of the colossal dragon that drew all eyes. A young man of almost ethereal appearance, with white skin contrasting his black hair, which seemed to be an extension of the cosmic vault where stars and galaxies danced and shone—almost like a crown of stars proclaiming him the king of the cosmos. This greatly highlighted his bright-green eyes.
Everyone on the platform gazed in surprise and shock at Erik, who landed near the platform with a dignified and elegant bearing. Elara and Zoe cast almost obsessive glances at the handsome young man, who descended from the head of the terrifying dragon by walking on air. Then, with a single movement of his hand, he made the colossal dragon and the majestic wolves disappear amid flashes of black and silver lightning, accompanied by a deep darkness that seemed like a bottomless abyss.
With a demeanor full of style and elegance, Erik approached the platform, ascending it with the help of an intricate staircase of solidified Myst, which formed out of nowhere in mere instants. This surprised those present once again, who felt nothing when he did it, filling them with deep caution and a hint of fear.
...
"Hahahahaha, what a grand entrance, worthy of my first disciple!"
In the midst of the meeting room on the space station, Sigrún's voice, full of pride and arrogance, echoed as she continuously cast condescending glances at everyone present while observing the situation on the planet through holographic screens arranged throughout the room.
"Hmph, it had to be your disciple; something like that could only come from someone raised by you." A handsome man with dark hair and Asian features who appeared to be around 40 years old commented with a bit of annoyance in his voice as he looked at the young man on the screens.
"What? Jealous, Ryoma?" Sigrún retorted with a voice full of condescension to the handsome man, who responded firmly.
"Jealous? Please. Putting on that kind of spectacle is nothing to be proud of. Luckily, my Zoe understands well and prefers to keep a low and modest profile."
"Poor granddaughter of yours, having such a boring and smelly old man like you as a grandfather." Sigrún remarked disdainfully while looking at the man with a mocking gaze.
"Sigrún!! I demand respect!" Ryoma retorted angrily, raising his voice slightly as he shot a piercing look at Sigrún.
"Hehehehe, well, come and demand it and see how it goes for you, Ryoma."
With a mocking expression, Sigrún spoke with a voice full of contempt for the man, which angered him quite a bit. But just as he was about to rise from his chair, the director spoke with authority, so he could only sit back down—not without first casting an annoyed glance at Sigrún, who merely responded with a defiant smile.
"That's enough. Stop causing trouble, Sigrún."
"Hmph, it was that smelly old man who started it." Sigrún crossed her arms in annoyance and turned again to look at the holographic screen showing the gallant figure of her beloved Erik, determined to ignore those envious old folks.
...
On the platform where all the participants were gathered, Erik was in a distant corner, seated on a beautiful throne made of solidified Myst, with a calm and serene expression. He gazed at the absurdly powerful Master-level in the air, who seemed to have an even more terrifying presence than his own masters—similar to the director's right hand, though perhaps a bit 'smaller', but not by much.
Although Erik did enjoy showing off from time to time, he was actually doing everything possible now so that Sigrún could boast to her heart's content to the other Master-levels—something she herself had asked him with a mischievous smile on her face. So it was certain they were watching them at that moment.
"Disciple Erik, I hope you refrain from making more displays like that; this is a serious tournament."
The beautiful woman in the sky spoke with a voice full of authority, to which Erik nodded in understanding and bowed slightly from his chair—without standing up—to express an apology. This only made the woman sigh, as she could see the influence of the boy's masters in him.
(This is going to be another troublesome one... Why do all the talented ones have to be like this...?)
The woman thought to herself with a bit of regret for the dark future she foresaw when the trio of disciple and masters would be together in the Order's meetings. That would be an utter mess—even worse than it already was.
"Well, now that everyone is gathered, it's time to begin." The woman commented with a magnetic voice, once again drawing the attention of all the participants. She then added in a clear and firm tone.
"My name is Ngozi Iyanda, Master-level of the Arcane Order, and I will be supervising this tournament. For this tournament, it is forbidden to use any artifact, potion, pill, etc., above the Illuminated level, and I will personally disqualify anyone who attempts to use such things, so be very careful." Ngozi cast a piercing gaze at the participants, who trembled slightly where they stood, but she quickly continued explaining the rules.
"The format of this tournament is very simple. On this planet, there is a palace that holds a special treasure. The first person to obtain this treasure will be declared the winner and will claim all the treasures within the palace, including potions, artifacts, and even bio-mystical techniques and spells. However, don't worry if you miss out on this prize—there are several other palaces where you can find 'pass treasures'. While these treasures don't come with extra rewards or make you the champion, those who manage to find them will earn a spot on the exploration team for the ruins."
Everyone present was filled with enthusiasm and determination to find the main palace and claim the promised treasures while securing a spot on the exploration team. But some strange emblems that suddenly appeared before them pulled them out of their thoughts.
"One more thing: these emblems recognize you as participants. So, to be worthy of the spot, you must present an emblem along with the pass treasure." Ngozi commented with a slight smile as she observed several participants who seemed to instantly realize what those emblems meant. She then asked in a calm tone.
"Any questions?"
In response to Ngozi's question, a burly young man with brown hair, dressed in a slightly different version of the university's robes—looking more like elegant light armor—raised his hand.
"Yes, speak." Ngozi quickly looked at the young man and commented calmly, to which he nodded and began to speak in a tone filled with respect.
"Excuse my impoliteness, Master Iyanda, but are there any other rules besides not using items above the Illuminated level?"
"None; that's the only rule." Ngozi commented with a slight smile, which caused the young man to ask again without changing his expression.
"Is even killing allowed?"
The young man's question slightly widened Ngozi's smile, and she quickly responded in a calm and clear tone, casually observing the different expressions her words brought to the participants' faces.
"Yes, even killing is allowed. But you don't have to worry about that; the moment your lives are in danger, you will be automatically transported to the space station. So for this tournament in particular, your lives are safe."
"Thank you very much for your guidance, Master Iyanda."
The young man bowed respectfully and spoke in a respectful tone, while simultaneously glancing sideways at Erik, who seemed bored as he ate cookies from a tray on his lap. Two wolf cubs—who knows when they had appeared—sat on his shoulders, eyeing the cookies with desire.
"Any other questions?"