After traveling continuously for two hours, Arya and his group finally reached main city. It was the first time Arya had ever stepped outside his village, and the world beyond fascinated him. The roads were bustling with people, and countless market stalls displayed goods he had never seen before. The lively atmosphere, the mix of scents, and the unfamiliar sights filled him with awe.
But there was no time to stop and explore. They continued their journey for another hour, passing through yet another small place before finally reaching their destination—Fallen Leaves City center, the location where the 4-Village Younger Generation Competition was held every year.
As they approached, Arya walked beside his father, Bryan, his mind filled with questions.
"Father, I need to ask you something in private," Arya said.
Bryan glanced at him and nodded, leading him away from the group. "Go ahead," he said.
"You mentioned that an elder from Water Dragon Academy is coming to oversee the competition. If I use my Seed Ring skill, won't he be able to recognize its uniqueness?" Arya asked, his voice filled with concern.
Bryan smiled, appreciating his son's cautious nature. "I'm glad you're thinking ahead, but you don't need to worry. People can only see the rarity of a seed, not its form or skills. Since your seed is only of the common rank, no one will suspect anything. Just avoid using your first skill in front of level 50+ powerhouses. Below that level, no one can see through it."
Arya nodded, relieved.
"Also," Bryan continued, "your Seed Ring skill is extremely rare. A common seed doesn't normally possess a skill of that level. Only Rare or higher-ranked seeds grant abilities like that. So use it sparingly and secretly. Your skill is silent and invisible, directly targeting an enemy's heart, making it hard to detect. But still, be cautious."
"I understand, Father. I'll be careful," Arya assured him.
Bryan patted his son's shoulder. "Good. And remember, don't push yourself too hard. Even if you don't place in the top three, I've already made arrangements for you. I secured you a place in a normal-class academy before I even knew about Water Dragon Academy's offer. Once you reach level 20, I'll tell you more about it."
Arya smiled, touched by his father's support. "Thank you, Father. But I won't need that backup plan. This time, I will seize the opportunity myself. It's not just about me—it's about our village too. As your son, how can I settle for being a mere commoner?"
Bryan saw the determination in his son's eyes. He didn't say anything, only nodded in approval.
As they rejoined the group, Bryan led them toward the competition grounds, where the battle would take place the next day.
"This is where the competition will be held?" asked Kane, one of Arya's fellow contestants and the second-place winner of the previous competition. He looked around in surprise.
The area was vast and open, surrounded by lush greenery. Tall trees provided shade, and the fresh scent of nature filled the air. Unlike grand arenas or structured battlefields, this location felt untouched, almost wild.
As they took in the surroundings, a guard approached them near the entrance.
"Which village do you belong to? Have you come for the 4-Village Competition?" the guard asked.
Bryan stepped forward. "Yes, we are here for the competition. We are from the Blazing Inferno Village."
For a split second, a shadow crossed Bryan's face, but he quickly masked it. Arya noticed the subtle change and felt a pang of curiosity. His village name was rarely spoken aloud, and this was only the third time he had ever heard it mentioned. There was a history here—one that no one seemed willing to talk about.
After completing the formalities, they entered the main competition area. Arya was taken aback by the beauty inside. The grounds were well-maintained, with four colored flags representing the four competing villages, hanging atop different houses in each direction.
Their group was assigned to the northern section, where the Blazing Inferno Village would rest before the competition. Bryan led the way, ensuring everyone got settled. They had been traveling for hours, and rest was necessary before the battles began.
Just as Bryan was about to head toward his resting area, a hand suddenly blocked his path.
"Haha, Bryan, why are you in such a hurry?" a middle-aged man said with a grin. "You've just arrived, and you don't even want to greet an old friend?"
Bryan paused, then smirked. "Oh, so Chief Rick of the Black Crow Village is here as well? I thought I'd be the first to arrive."
They clasped hands in greeting. Standing beside Rick were two younger figures—a muscular boy around 14 or 15 years old, and a veiled girl of 10 to 11 years.
The muscular boy stood with arms crossed, his gaze uninterested in the conversation. His presence alone radiated strength—he was likely a strong contender for the competition.
But Arya's attention was drawn elsewhere.
The veiled girl stood beside Rick, her face mostly hidden. Yet, the moment Arya saw her eyes, he felt a strange sensation. They were captivating—so mesmerizing that for a brief second, he lost himself in them.
Realizing he had been staring, Arya quickly shifted his gaze away—only to find that both the girl and his father were now looking at him.
Embarrassed, Arya quickly turned his eyes to the sky, pretending he had been admiring the scenery all along.
Bryan chuckled at his son's reaction before speaking. "Arya, let me introduce you. This is Rick, an old friend of mine and the chief of Black Crow Village."
Arya bowed slightly. "Greetings, Uncle Rick."
Rick raised an eyebrow, confused. "Oh? Who is this?"
Bryan smirked. "He's my son—and he'll be competing in the tournament this year."
Rick's eyes widened in shock. "Your son? Bryan, you've always kept your personal affairs private, but you never once mentioned having a child. And now, out of nowhere, you introduce me to a nine-year-old son?"
Bryan chuckled. "You never asked. Besides, I wanted him to have a peaceful childhood. But things are different now—you know why."
Rick nodded. "Yes, this year's competition is unlike any before. The presence of Water Dragon Academy changes everything."
He then turned toward his right, gesturing toward the veiled girl.
"Arya, let me introduce you to my daughter, Rose. She is also competing this year," Rick said with a grin. "Which means… you two are rivals in this competition."
Arya looked at Rose, whose gaze had not shifted from him. For the first time, he felt that this tournament wasn't just about strength—it was also about the people he would meet along the way.