pre tournament

Bishop stood there stunned by what Ivy had just said to him, he expected her to take his side, after all, they were both nobles and showing off their strength was normal among nobles, but now Ivy had decided not to show her power and hold back.

"I will not," Bishop said.

"You will represent us but hide your trump cards, we wouldn't want to expose our secret weapons," Ivy said, using this chance Bishop left the office a bit disappointed.

At the academy for the following weeks, the fourth years, Aldin and Darvin were working intensely to train. The fourth years used all the time they had, Alidin and Darvin though were in seclusion training themselves, each striving in their fields.

The students of the academy though had been discussing the tournament, and they each had their own biases, as they talked about their biases they all avoided talking about Aldin or Darvin, this was all because of a story going around the students. After what Aldin had done to the fourth years, the story spread around and each time it was spun it would get a new twist to it. Shockingly instead of hating him they now feared him and revered him, to the other students was strong enough that his power had been capable of causing all the fourth years to lose their consciousness, and the reason he asked it all to be kept under wraps since he wanted to make his performance an exception, he and Darvin had gained such a huge following among their fellow student that fan clubs were formed, this also meant that the school was torn in two, Team Aldin or Team Darvin., the intensity was so great that friendships were broken down, but after the effects of this kicked in, they called it a truce and silently agreed not to apply Aldin nor Darvin in any discussions regarding the tournament.

This all happened in the first two weeks. In no time the time for the tournament had arrived.

Within the school, tension was high and almost palpable. It was the big day where heads would bash. Early the same morning all the tower masters arrived at the academy and were taken to a room where they all sat facing each other.

"I wonder what talents we are going to find today?" Ivy said.

"Too bad you might not get the main prize, We all know about what your student tried to pull, intimidation failed you this time," Ilas Fern, the second tower master, a light-attributed mage said.

"I wouldn't be so sure, what she did is all on her, None of my actions led to that and why would I even want a kid who hasn't even developed his will yet," Ivy said in response to Ilas's provocation.

"Then how could he have beaten your student up, not to mention the other two," Opius said looking at Edna the first tower master and Oris the sixth tower master.

In that room, they were all equals and she had two allies.

"That's true, thank goodness that idiot wannabe mage did not pick me last year, it would have been a shame if he got beaten up that easily by a mage in the same tier.

Edna and Oris were angry but could not retaliate, the others would use this opportunity to tear them down.

"Let's all cool our heads, today what is most important are the students, despite your failures, you can make up for it this year," Xander said silencing all of them. In the group, he was well-known for his power.

"I agree with you, should all work to get the cream of the crop with this batch," Ilas said.

Meanwhile, in the warehouse, Aldin was in his warehouse around him all the materials and herbs were nowhere to be found instead there were several glass pill bottles filled with pols and sorted out and his newly improved set of armour had the same design but was more defined and new patterns on it. Aldin himself thought was fitted cross-legged in a mat, his mass had decreased but his muscles were now firmer than before. His expression was also calm and he would breathe long breaths, suddenly a knock was heard at his door.

"I've been sent by the principal to summon you, the day of the tournament has arrived." A voice from the outside said.

From inside Aldin opened his eyes.

"It's finally time," Aldin said to himself. He got up and adorned his armour, it was fitting to the exact shape of his body.

As he walked out his skin was hot by the morning light, he could feel the worth it brought him and also the mana he took in, a smile formed on his face as he walked behind the guard.

As he walked through the academy all eyes were on him, as he was taking in mana, the light stuck to him giving him a glow. He walked to the arena where he took a seat next to where Darvin soon joined him, he too was looking great, his body was more refined.

A few minutes prior, Darvin had also been in his room, for the past weeks he had been coupled up inside his room, he had practised accumulation, worked on his will and improved on his abilities, and his body as well had become better from continuously refining it with the body refining technique. He was in great shape.

When the guard knocked at his door he walked out and followed the guard to the arena.

He sat next to Aldin.

"Long time since we talked," Aldin said looking over at Darvin who was seated next to him.

"Sure is, but that time was worth It, I gained a lot, maybe I can use old tricks today." Darvin said.

"So do I, but don't go all out and have too much fun, we do still have to keep some secrets to ourselves, though I would enjoy watching them a bit," Aldin said.

"That is something I never expected you to ever say," Darvin said shocked by the sudden change in Aldin, he now seemed more aggressive and tougher, not as child as he would act previously. Almost as if he had shed off his scales.

"Well, after I met a few rug rats and we have never shown them to fear us, we really should open their eyes to reality," Aldin said

"If that is what you say, then they are up for a show," Darvin said. What Aldin had said was the same thing Aldin was thinking, he had seen some of the school alumni in the school, they were scum of humanity and if he was taking either of them on he would be more than happy to take him down.

When Darvin was a student at the academy the year prior he had hidden his identity a lot. Not many knew him since he was not that obvious.

Meanwhile, on one of the academy halls a seminar was being held to inform the student of their choices of towers they could join and also of what the day entailed.

Alumni who had joined the segment each trying to draw attention to their cause. All the others were getting enough attention but one was getting it more in particular, the fifth tower was in the spotlight. And all this was because of Alice, the story of her actions had spread far and wide. Bishop could feel the glares piercing him. He ignored all this during the presentation but his anger kept on growing. It would all be aimed at the people he would soon be fighting but he had to keep it under control and follow his master's wishes.

"I can't believe they even have the audacity to show their faces here, even if I lack a choice I am not going to choose that, I wonder where Aldin and Darcon are going to choose. Where ever they choose to go I will follow." One of the students said.

"km sure wherever they choose is going to be the best, they always make the best choices." Another student said.

This discussion took place after the presentation had been done. All the fourth years were talking about two people, Aldin and Darvin.

All the tower representatives would be avoided whenever they got close to any of the students.

In the past they would have been revered for their strength but now none of that mattered since their power seemed like a little inforn of Aldin. In the year he had been at the academy until the present, he had shown them all what power truly meant and they all revered him.

Even as Aldin had walked out of his warehouse he had caused rumors to spread already.

"I heard he was glowing, I didn't believe it at first but since it was Aldin I believe it." One student said.

"I heard Darvin got out today, he looks stronger than he was before this, I don't know what to expect in the tournament." Another of the students said.