The Contest Begins

He stretched out before looking through the window at a clear blue sky. It felt so good to be alive, and he couldn’t wait for what today and the next few days had in store for him—and for certain people.

He had prepared early, as the contest was being hosted in a different place, located in the middle of all three training mansions belonging to the three branch families.

He didn’t need to take anything with him, as all their needs would be provided there. So, after completing part of his daily quest and dressing up, he walked toward the door of his room. But just before crossing it, he stared back at his bed with sadness in his eyes.

This was probably the last time he was going to see his bed and his room—not only them but the mansion as a whole.

He had built his first month’s worth of memories here, so it felt a little sad. But at the same time, he couldn’t wait to leave, as he needed to see the outside world and had been restricted here.

After one last glance, he closed the door before walking through the hallway and stairs, ending up outside the mansion where everyone stood.

No one was talking to each other, as they saw themselves as enemies for the time being.

He looked toward Cait, the crush of his former body’s owner, and was glad that he didn’t feel a thing. It seemed that his Cold Heart passive skill had helped kill those emotions.

After a few minutes, the last person arrived, and shortly after—right on time—Lord Gajeel also appeared.

He was clad in formal clothing, with a smile on his face. He stopped a few meters away from them.

After staring for a few seconds, he began to speak. “This one year with you all has been one of the best. You’re one of the most promising sets to ever set foot here, and I am proud to be the one to nurture you all.

Even though you will compete against each other in the contest, no matter the result, you will forever be comrades…”

His speech continued, and most of them listened attentively and vigorously. Some even had tears in their eyes as they recalled the one year they had spent together here.

Due to some reasons, including his condition at the time, Art had arrived here four months after them, so he had spent only eight months here. He wasn’t interested in the speech given by Lord Gajeel, and it seemed like some others felt the same way.

He noticed that Frigga, JV, and Chucky had been in high spirits since his fight with Iris, and he was sure why.

Only the smiles on their faces and the occasional chuckle when looking at him said it all.

What they weren’t aware of was that he was in even higher spirits. But just to satisfy them, he wore a worried look whenever he met their gazes, and it was working perfectly.

They felt much better with his expression, as different scenarios of him pleading ran through their heads.

“And so, after this contest, your first step into the magical world begins. I would love to see what kind of mages you all become.” After he said the last word, he placed his hand on the ground, and some runes that weren’t visible before began to glow.

“A teleportation circle,” Art muttered. He was sure that this was something placed there recently.

Rachel was also coming along, so she stood beside him. After the circle glowed brighter, they all disappeared from that spot.

When they opened their eyes next, they were in an open room with no ceiling or roof, and a similar teleportation circle below their feet.

The glow faded as Lord Gajeel gestured toward the open door, and they all walked out.

They realized they were on high ground, so they had a good view of the place.

It was like a small settlement of buildings that surrounded a battle arena, about a quarter the size of a football stadium.

Well, that was only for the rows of seats, as the open space they surrounded was just as big as a standard football field. They could see people moving around, which meant they were going to have spectators.

“The contest is going to begin a few hours from now, and you are all expected to be in your rooms in that building before then.” He pointed at a tall building that had numerous rooms.

He opened his hand, and the ring on one of his fingers glowed as a box appeared. Opening it, their gazes fell on golden bracelets.

Without anyone telling them, they took turns picking one, and after they were done, they brought it close to their wrists, and it wrapped around on its own.

“You can check the place out if you want to, but make sure you’re in your rooms before the contest starts. Those bracelets will guide you to your room. I have work to do, so see you soon. I’m looking forward to your performances.”

After leaving them, they began to disperse. Those who felt nervous and some who wanted to prepare went toward the building, but others, like Art, decided to stroll around for some time.

“I’ll see you later,” he said to Rachel, who nodded. After walking down to the ground level, he started moving around.

The higher-ups preferred not to draw too much attention to the young Silvers, so this contest wasn’t made too public, with the guests arriving being limited. During his walk, he didn’t encounter many people.

There were some places they weren’t allowed to go, and he wasn’t feeling that curious, so he just stayed away.

He noticed that the people he made contact with didn’t try to communicate with him—most likely, there was a rule stopping them from doing so.

‘It’s been some minutes now. Maybe I should head back,’ he muttered before turning around. His gaze fell on a girl who seemed about five years older than him, with some people escorting her.

She stopped walking after noticing his presence. Her long, wavy silver hair showed that she was certainly a Silver.

She shifted her yellow eyes to him.

He didn’t need to be told—only the mana leaking from her was enough for him to know that this person was incredibly powerful.

He couldn’t recall anything from the memories he had gained, so this was probably his first time meeting her.

After a few seconds, she looked forward before walking away.

When she was out of sight, a wry smile appeared on his face as he raised his hands, which were shivering, to eye level. His body was reacting to the danger he felt from her.

He decided not to stay outside longer to prevent meeting people who could end his journey—which had just begun—with a wave of their hand, as several more people were still arriving.

After getting to the building, he walked inside, and the bracelet on his hand lit up.

The bracelet glowed brighter when he walked toward the stairs, so he concluded that it became brighter the closer he got to his room.

After tracing, he ended up in front of a door in a hallway that had several others, and the bracelet glowed its brightest right in front of the door.

He stretched his arm toward the door, and the place meant for the handle also glowed. The door immediately opened.

He walked into the simple-looking room, which only had a bed, clothes meant for combat, and a sword—the weapon he had awakened with, or, better put, just one of the many.

Others would also have their awakened weapon types provided to them. He had brought his dagger along in his inventory, not that using it wasn’t allowed.

Basic things like food and water were also present, stored in a transparent large cube.

He walked toward the window, and looking out, he could see the battle arena.

Those who chose not to—or weren’t allowed to—go to the spectator seats surrounding the arena could watch from their rooms. The windows also acted as screens for viewing fights at closer range.

He sat on the bed, a little disappointed as it didn’t compare to his other bed, but he didn’t have time to complain. There was something he wanted to try out, and he kept practicing until an announcement began.

“I guess it’s time,” he said, his eyes opening.