A few days later. The teachers holding courses for newer students all frowned in annoyance. Today, hushed whispers were constantly exchanged, interrupting the peaceful learning environment.
"Today is the day!"
"Yes. Someone finally dares to challenge an aristocrat!"
"Do you think that guy can win?"
"I prayed for him yesterday! Let's hope he stands a chance!"
Fortunately, Tepo didn't hear the last student's words, or he might heave cursed them to death.
But while the normal students were all excited, the aristocrats and their followers only looked at them with mocking eyes.
"Clowns! Corian is an idiot, but his abilities are the real deal."
"Right, even among the young masters he ranks high."
"Yes! If it weren't for Konstan overshadowing him like an unshakable mountain, Corian wouldn't be underestimated."
Suddenly the youths shuddered thinking about the eldest brother of the Gold family. Konstan was a psychological shadow in all the aristocratic students' minds, suppressing a whole generation by himself.
"Thank you everyone for listening. That's it for today."
Finally, the last courses ended. The students were already giddy. It showed the respect they had for the forum that no one left earlier.
But now there was no holding back anymore. Like water gushing out of a broken dam the youths pushed through the door.
Many shouted loudly when they saw their friends ahead, asking them to reserve some seats. But it was unclear if any words managed to reach their target.
The excited students poured out of multiple lecture buildings, pushing and pulling, some even sneakily using spells to travel through the park the fastest.
Next to the trial field was a hilly area. Multiple arenas were built on top of it, connected by bridges, each built in the characteristic style of a different world.
At this time a large crowd had already formed around one of the arenas on the edge of the area. Students walked up the small hill, their eyes on the white pillars circling the arena, depicting the names of various tournament winners.
Especially the aristocrats stuck out their chests as they conversed with pride.
"Do you see this? My cousin once won an entire tournament in three hours, setting a record!"
"Tzz. Empty boasting with only eight candidates! My third granduncle set the records for the youngest student to win a tournament ever!"
"What's the use of that? He still never won the most important prodigy tournament!"
"You! I dare you to say that to his face!"
A few of the surrounding youths form poorer households felt their smiles gradually disappear.
"Are the aristocrats really just that much stronger?"
"Don't we have anyone who can take some victories from them?"
"I still remember Gaunpe. He wiped the floor with the aristocrats but eventually he let himself be recruited by the Redswan family. Since then, we haven't seen much of him as he prefers to do missions…"
Similar conversations went on in many places. Gradually the normal students were left with mixed emotions, their excitement dimming somewhat.
Mixed in the crowd were also three figures waering white coats, hoods over their faces.
The one in the middle let out a sigh:
"Do you think Tepo can win?"
"I… don't know. We can't underestimate Corian."
"Droa'va is right. But who cares? It's not like they are fighting to the death!"
"Are you still holding a grudge Inurol'ah?"
"Of course I am! And you should hold one, too!"
"But… I feel like Tepo wasn't wrong this time…"
Upon hearing this, Inurol'ah wanted to refute but didn't find any words. Droa'va also didn't want to continue the topic, sneakily holding Yerive's hand as she asked her boyfriend:
"Are you sure you don't want to meet Tepo? You haven't been in the dorm since solving the dungeon. I'm sure you two would quickly reconcile if you just talk to each other."
Yerive's eyes looked at the large arena as he let out a sigh.
"I don't know. I think I still need some time."
Afterwards the three friends stayed silent. They each had their own thoughts as they followed the crowd into the arena.
Since there was no need for tickets, and the stadium had many large gates, the audience stands quickly filled up.
Chatter echoed in the circular building, while most eyes looked at the two large doors, waiting for the fighters to step into the light.
About half an hour later all seats were filled. Many famous students and even a few idle teachers came to watch.
Suddenly one of the doors opened revealing a thin man in stylish black elder robes. An uncharacteristic smile graces his thin lips as he stepped into the center of the arena.
Immediately the crowd fell silent. Many were even confused, having never seen this elder.
Only after others explained to them Elder Trang's position did they recognize him, but not many could figure out why he was here.
"Students and Teachers!"
A grating voice overwhelmed the other noises as the elder began to speak. His smile even brightened as he finally felt the Force of Natural Perception picking up again.
But Trang suppressed his excitement, showing a dignity befitting an elder.
"My name is Elder Trang. For a long time now, I have held the honored position of managing the forum's spell storage.
Of course, some small quarrels over spells can erupt. But never before has one of those caused such a commotion.
Since two students began to make trouble in my territory, it naturally is my duty to bear witness to their agreement and serve as the referee for this upcoming fight!"
"I hope all of you believe in my impartial judgement!"
Deafening applause echoed in the arena. Elder Trang smiled brightly, soaking it all up. After finally getting some attention again he even considered giving up his job as manager.
But he hastily buried this thought. The benefits were too enticing.
While the whole stadium cheered, one man stood at the top of the stands with his arms crossed. Konstan Gold watched everything with emotionless eyes.
The young master didn't believe for a second that Elder Trang was impartial. But under this many eyes no one would dare to play any tricks.
Glancing to the side, Konstan looked at a somewhat isolated area. It was the spot where the teachers were gathered. But most of them were rather tense as Vice-Commander Tapharn and the female Redswan elder were standing behind their backs.
Interestingly no important member of the Gold family was there. But Konstan wasn't surprised by this fact, knowing his elders' characters most of them wouldn't let a boring fight interrupt their research or training.
Slowly the man turned his head back to the arena as Elder Trang was finished with his introduction.
Sitting in an inconspicuous room, Tepo couldn't help but let out a sigh. He somewhat excepted Yerive to wish him good luck, but his friend didn't appear for the whole day.
Only Shorey and Quordh spoke a few words before mixing with the audience.
Meanwhile, the most pitiable of all was Varei. The spirit didn't even dare to get close to the arena, forced to stay in the dorm.
Taking a deep breath, Tepo got rid of all the distracting thoughts. His eyes hardened, concentrating on the upcoming battle.
Suddenly he heard Elder Trang's voice being transmitted into the room.
"And now welcome, our new student, Tepmodus!"
The introduction was a strange mix between a host's excitement and an elder's dignity.
But this was not for Tepo to worry about. He was already glad the elder didn't make things difficult for him as he stood up and exited the room.
A short walk later Tepo stepped onto the thick stone floor of the fighting stage.
Excited cheers reached his ears as he scanned the crowd.
Yerive and his friends held their heads low, hiding between other students.
Thus, Tepo didn't see his best friend and quickly lost interest in the crowd. He closed his eyes, adjusting his mindset, as he waited for his opponent.
"Please welcome, a genius among his peers, Corian Gold!"
Most of the crowd clapped awkwardly, clearly not supporting the aristocrats.
Among the teachers a few even raised their brows in surprise as they observed this scene, realizing how much dislike the aristocrats had accumulated over the years.
Some teachers from common households even hoped that the water would soon boil over, burning the aristocrats.
However, Elder Redswan remained unperturbed, confidence engraved deeply in her being. She knew that not only the forum, but the entire World of Nine Suns belonged to the aristocrats! And no one could change this fact!
Everyone had their own thoughts as they stared at the door opposite Tepo, waiting for Corian to appear.
But even after a full minute passed there was no movement.
A few brave students already began to let out mocking shouts, calling Corian a coward who doesn't dare to fight.
But suddenly their voices were drowned out by a loud screech piercing everyone's ears.
Tepo looked towards the sky without showing any emotions as a huge flying beast with four gorgeous red wings threw its large shadow on the arena.
Suddenly it dived forward, revealing a young man proudly standing on its back.
With a risky maneuver the beast landed on the arena floor, scattering dust in all directions.