Chapter 23: Preparations(1)

The announcement of the Inter-Academy Tournament had left the class buzzing with excitement. Professor Jadestar's words echoed in Luciel's mind as he sat at his desk, his golden eyes fixed on the chalkboard. The tournament was not just a competition; it was a chance to prove himself on the grandest stage imaginable. But with that opportunity came immense pressure—pressure that Luciel wasn't sure he was ready to handle.

Professor Jadestar continued her lecture, her crimson eyes scanning the room. "For those of you who will be participating, it's important to understand the structure of the tournament. Each event has a different number of participants. For example, the dueling event will feature one-on-one matches, while the war games will require teams of five. The battle royale, on the other hand, will involve all participants from a given league competing simultaneously."

Luciel's mind raced as he tried to process the information. Dueling, war games, battle royale... Each event would test different aspects of his abilities, and he would need to prepare for all of them. But before he could dwell on it further, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

As the students began to file out of the room, Professor Jadestar called out, "Luciel, a word, please."

Luciel froze, his golden eyes widening slightly. He exchanged a quick glance with Aria and Arthuria, who looked just as surprised as he was. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aria nodded, though her green eyes were filled with curiosity. "Good luck," she said before following Arthuria out of the classroom.

Luciel approached Professor Jadestar's desk, his heart pounding in his chest. Kaelith had arrived at some point in time, and he was standing beside her, his blue eyes calm but serious. The sight of them together only added to Luciel's unease.

"Luciel," Professor Jadestar began, her tone firm but not unkind, "we've been discussing your participation in the tournament. Given your progress and potential, we've decided to enter you in three events: dueling, war games, and the battle royale."

Luciel's eyes widened in shock. "All three? But... I'm just a first-year. Shouldn't I focus only on one event?"

Kaelith interrupted his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority. "You're stronger than you think, Luciel. This tournament is your chance to prove that—not just to us, but to yourself."

Professor Jadestar nodded in agreement. "The other academies will be watching closely. Celestia Academy is considered the most prominent and important facility in the human domain, and that status comes with a target on our backs. The other academies are envious of the resources and prestige we receive, and they'll do everything in their power to dethrone us. You need to be ready for that."

Luciel swallowed hard, the weight of their words settling on his shoulders. "I understand. I'll do my best."

Kaelith's trademark smile returned, though it was faint. "Good. Because this tournament isn't just about winning. It's about showing the world what Celestia Academy stands for."

As Luciel and Kaelith left the classroom, they walked in silence for a while. The halls of the academy were quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an almost eerie calm. Luciel's mind was racing, trying to process everything he had just been told.

Finally, Kaelith broke the silence. "There's something else I need to tell you, Luciel."

Luciel glanced at him, his golden eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it?"

Kaelith's expression grew serious, his blue eyes locking onto Luciel's. "This will be my last year at Celestia Academy. After the tournament, I'll be graduating, and I intend to leave the mantle of the strongest student to you."

Luciel's eyes widened in shock. "Me? But... I'm not ready for that. There are so many others who— can take part in the other events"

Kaelith held up a hand, cutting him off. "Maybe not yet, but after a few months of hard training, you will already be one of the strongest students, and when the second year starts, you will probably already be the strongest. And more importantly, you have an important role to play in the future, so it isn't bad to gain footing in the world this early on. This tournament is your chance to prove that you're worthy of carrying that mantle in the future."

Luciel fell silent, his mind reeling. The idea of being the strongest student at Celestia Academy was daunting, to say the least. But Kaelith's words resonated with him. He had come so far in just three months, and he knew he couldn't stop now.

"I'll do my best," Luciel said finally, his voice steady.

Kaelith smiled, his usual confidence returning. "We'll train harder than ever, and by the time the tournament arrives, you'll be ready."

As they continued walking, Kaelith explained the broader implications of the tournament. "Celestia Academy isn't just a school, Luciel. It's a symbol of the human domain's strength and unity. The resources we receive—the funding, the equipment, the best instructors—are a direct result of our reputation. But that reputation comes at a cost. The other academies are envious, and they'll stop at nothing to take our place."

Luciel frowned, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "So the tournament isn't just about winning. It's about defending our position."

Kaelith nodded. "Exactly. If we lose, it won't just be a blow to our pride. It could affect everything—our funding, our standing, even the morale of the human domain. That's why this tournament is so important. That's why you're so important."

Luciel felt the weight of Kaelith's words pressing down on him, but he also felt a spark of determination. He had faced impossible odds before, and he had always found a way to rise to the challenge. This would be no different.

"I won't let you down," Luciel said, his voice firm. "I'll give it everything I've got."

Kaelith clapped him on the shoulder, his smile widening. "That's what I like to hear. Now, let's get to work. We've got a lot of ground to cover before the tournament."

When Luciel and Kaelith arrived at the Warblades' training facility, the atmosphere was electric. The members of the Warblades were already gathered, their expressions a mix of excitement and determination. The tournament was only two months away, and every second counted.

Kaelith stepped forward, his blue eyes scanning the group. "Listen up! The tournament is our chance to show the world what Celestia Academy is made of. But it's not just about winning. It's about dominance. We need to leave no doubt in anyone's mind that we are the best."

The members nodded, their expressions serious. Kaelith continued, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "Luciel will be representing the first years in three events: dueling, war games, and the battle royale. Our focus for the next two months will be to prepare him—and ourselves—for every possible scenario. But most importantly, we need to mold Luciel into someone who can dominate the tournament so overwhelmingly that the world will be left speechless, so later in the future he can take my spot."

Luciel's golden eyes widened slightly at Kaelith's words. He had expected intense training, but this was something else entirely. The members of the Warblades turned their attention to him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and determination.

Katharine stepped forward, her red eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, we're turning our little junior into a monster, huh? I like it."

Kaelith's smile returned, though it was faint. "Exactly. Luciel needs to become someone who exudes arrogance as if everyone around him is nothing more than a stepping stone. He needs to be so domineering that his opponents are scared out of their minds just by standing in front of him. And he needs to be so ruthless that no one dares stand in his way."

Luciel swallowed hard, the weight of Kaelith's words settling on his shoulders. This wasn't just about training his body; it was about transforming his entire persona. He wasn't sure if he was ready for that, but he knew he didn't have a choice.

The training began immediately, and it was unlike anything Luciel had experienced before. The Warblades pushed him to his limits, forcing him to confront his weaknesses and refine his strengths. But it wasn't just physical training; it was mental and emotional as well.

Kaelith took the lead, his blue eyes sharp as he observed Luciel's every move. "You need to carry yourself differently," he said, his voice firm. "When you step into that arena, you need to believe—no, know—that you're better than everyone else. You need to make them feel it."

Luciel nodded, his golden eyes narrowing in determination. He tried to adopt the persona Kaelith described, trying to imitate how Kaelith carried himself in public but it felt unnatural. He wasn't arrogant or domineering by nature, and the idea of pretending to be someone he wasn't made him uncomfortable.

Katharine noticed his hesitation and stepped in, her red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Think of it like this, rookie. You're not pretending to be someone you're not. You're embracing the power you already have. You're a prodigy, whether you realize it or not. Start acting like it."

Luciel took a deep breath, trying to internalize her words. He closed his eyes, focusing on the strength he had worked so hard to build. When he opened them again, his golden eyes glowed with a newfound intensity.

"Good," Kaelith said, his smile widening. "Now, let's see if you can back it up."

As the days turned into weeks, Luciel's transformation began to take shape. His movements became more confident, his presence more commanding. The members of the Warblades pushed him harder than ever, forcing him to confront his limits and push past them.

But it wasn't just about strength; it was about mindset. Kaelith and the others worked tirelessly to mold Luciel into the kind of person who could dominate the tournament. They taught him how to exude arrogance without crossing the line into cruelty, how to inspire fear without losing his humanity.

By the end of the first month, Luciel was unrecognizable. His golden eyes had air of detachment as if he was above everything, and his presence was enough to make even the most confident opponents hesitate. He wasn't just strong; he was a force of nature.

As he stood in the training grounds, surrounded by the members of the Warblades, Luciel felt a sense of clarity. The tournament was no longer just a chance to prove himself—it was a responsibility, a duty to his academy.