Chapter 23: Questioning
Chapter 23: Questioning
Ren stepped into the training chamber, his mind still a bit distracted, but the air of the academy always seemed to have a calming effect on him.
His gaze shifted toward Kai, who stood at the viewing chamber, scribbling meticulous calculations on a massive whiteboard.
"Your statistics have been updated by Gaia," Kai remarked without looking up, his voice calm and deliberate.
Ren gave a brief nod, though his attention remained on Kai for a moment longer. "I'll check them in a bit," he responded, his tone quiet as he continued to watch Kai's focused movements.
Kai, sensing Ren's distracted state, turned around lazily and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Ren hesitated for a moment, then waved it off. "Nothing," he muttered, even though the unease still lingered.
Kai's gaze sharpened for just a moment before he shrugged, clearly not overly concerned.
"Good. Well, grab your greatsword and get to practicing. Shoo," he said nonchalantly, gesturing toward the training floor.
Ren gave a respectful nod, "Senior Kai." There was a hint of formality in his voice, but Kai remained focused on his calculations, not responding.
Taking the moment as his cue to speak further, Ren couldn't help but ask, "How come you never train?"
Kai glanced at him briefly, his expression unreadable as he continued his precise scribbles across the whiteboard.
"Who says I don't train?" His tone was firm, neither hurt nor defensive, as if he was stating a simple fact.
Ren blinked, caught off guard.
"It's just... you spend so much time with me, so I was wondering."
Kai let out a small, dry chuckle, his back still to Ren.
"Well, stop wasting your time wondering what I'm doing. I don't know when you got it into your head that you have time to focus on something other than yourself."
He paused to tap the marker against the board, thinking. "I've been working on a way to help you control your aura more effectively."
Ren straightened, curiosity piqued.
Kai turned, crossing his arms with a hint of impatience.
"But first things first—go warm up. Swing your sword. I'll be there soon to get started."
Ren gave a quick nod, already heading toward the training ground.
Ren began with a few careful stretches, loosening his muscles before lifting his greatsword.
He swung it slowly at first, feeling each muscle engage as he extended and pulled back, easing his body into the familiar weight and motion.
Just as he was settling into the rhythm, Kai's voice cut through the quiet of the training room.
"Today, we'll be doing something a bit different," Kai announced.
Almost instantly, the sterile white of the room shifted, transforming before Ren's eyes.
Above him, an artificial sky stretched out, heavy with clouds, and beneath his feet, a soft, grassy field appeared, gently sloping toward a distant horizon.
A fine drizzle began to fall, misting the air around him, each raindrop tinged with a faint glow. A
s he sensed with his aura, Ren realized that the rain itself was saturated with aura, as though it held an energy he had yet to understand fully.
The atmosphere was charged, a challenge lingering in the rain-soaked air, beckoning him to engage.
…
The massive stadium was filled with an air of anticipation as hundreds of students made their way through the entrance.
Towering columns of stone surrounded the arena, with ethereal floating platforms hovering above the crowd like a spectacle of advanced magic.
These platforms were spaced evenly across the vast arena, each one marked with different sectors for the students to occupy.
Ren, along with the others, had already been assigned to his designated sector—Sector 4.
As he walked through the entrance, whispers filled the air like a breeze, students murmuring excitedly among themselves, eager to see what the challenge of the day would be.
Some speculated it would be a test of raw strength, others thought it might be a battle of wits or strategy. No one really knew, but the tension was palpable.
Ren made his way to the back of Sector 4. He stood quietly, taking in the surroundings, his posture relaxed yet alert.
His royal blue robes, stitched with golden threads, billowed slightly with each step.
The deep blue fabric of his tunic blended perfectly with the pants, both made from a fine material that shimmered under the light—signifying his noble heritage.
The intricate design of the fabric, woven with subtle patterns of his royal family's crest, gave off an aura of regality.
His long sword was sheathed on his back, the hilt poking just above his shoulder, its weight a constant reminder of the skill he had worked so hard to cultivate.
Around him, students from various noble houses dressed in similarly ornate robes stood in their assigned sectors.
Some wore robes of deep greens and silvers, while others were adorned in reds and blacks.
A few wore specialized armor, their weapons strapped firmly to their sides or backs—swords, daggers, and staff of all types.
Each student's attire was a reflection of their family's status, their unique approach to combat or magic, and their personal power.
Ren, however, was calm. The noise around him faded into the background as he focused inwardly, preparing himself for whatever lay ahead.
He was no stranger to challenges. Despite the excitement bubbling in the air, his thoughts were clear, his mind settled.
The competition, whatever it would be, was just another step on the road to his goal. He had trained relentlessly for moments like this, and now, all that was left was to show the world what he was capable of.
The vast stadium, split into ten sectors, seemed to pulse with energy as students filled the stands, eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament.
At the center of all the sectors stood the main platform, elevated slightly above the crowd, offering a perfect view of the entire arena.
It was pristine, the smooth surface gleaming in the sunlight, and it served as the focal point of the event, visible to everyone.
The stands, packed with students, were alive with whispered speculations and excitement.
But it wasn't just the students participating in the tournament who were present.
Ren could feel the eyes of the older students, the ones who had already climbed higher in the academy's ranks, now filling the elevated stands.
Though their faces were mostly unfamiliar, Ren knew they were watching carefully, their interest piqued by what was about to unfold. The anticipation was thick, the air charged with tension.
As the buzz of conversation continued, Ren's attention was drawn to a figure who made his way to the main platform.
He stood tall, his purple hair catching the light as he walked with an air of authority.
He wore a set of red robes, and a distinctive badge on his chest clearly marked his rank: Vice-President of the Student Council.
It was a position of considerable importance, and Ren knew from past interactions that this student was someone to be taken seriously.
The robes he wore, though simple, were of high quality, the red fabric accentuating his status as a fourth-year student.
When the vice-president reached the center of the platform, the murmurs of the crowd quickly silenced. With a calm, practiced voice, he addressed the sea of eager faces.
"Welcome, everyone," he said, his voice echoing across the stadium.
It was clear that he had done this many times before, his presence commanding attention.
The way he held himself, his steady posture, and the focused gleam in his eyes gave an aura of someone who was both confident and used to leading.
"As many of you know, this event is not only for your benefit," he continued, surveying the crowd of first-year students, his gaze lingering on some of the more nervous faces.
"Now, I'm sure some of you are wondering why so many of your seniors are taking time to watch this little competition."
He paused for a moment, letting the silence settle in, before continuing in a more matter-of-fact tone.
"They are not," he said, his words cutting through the air with surprising sharpness. "Your seniors are here for something completely different."
Aiden's eyes swept over the crowd, his presence commanding attention as he raised his voice to address them all.
"I'm sure most of you are eager to see what's about to unfold," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Especially since it's a battle between the two strongest Rankers in the entire academy."