Nahlara Kingdom — Demon King's Palace
Not to far from the Sunstone Kingdom, stood the Nahlara Kingdom.
At the heart of the kingdom was an enormous dark palace.
Its towering walls were surrounded by countless demon guards, each one standing perfectly still as they protected the residence of their ruler.
Inside the palace was the Demon King's chamber.
The room was enormous.
Black pillars stretched toward the ceiling, while enormous red flames burned within ancient golden braziers along the walls.
At the far end of the chamber sat two figures upon an elevated throne.
The first was the ruler of the demons.
Abel Velvet Tyrant.
The immortal Demon King sat calmly upon his throne. His presence alone carried an overwhelming sense of authority. He had mastered countless forms of combat throughout his existence, though he favored fighting with his bare hands above everything else.
Beside him sat his wife, Nyx.
Nyx possessed a fair complexion and a petite figure. Her long brown hair flowed gracefully down her back, contrasting against her crimson eyes. Despite her delicate appearance, there was something dangerous about her presence.
She was a wielder of Dark Soul Magic.
Together, Abel and Nyx were listening to a report from several high-ranking demons standing before their thrones.
The meeting continued quietly.
Until—
BOOM!
The enormous doors of the chamber opened.
Everyone turned.
A young man stepped through the entrance.
White hair.
Dark eyes.
The uniform of Legion Academy.
It was Cadoc.
Cadoc stopped when he noticed the meeting taking place.
He didn't interrupt.
Instead, he remained near the entrance and waited.
Abel noticed him almost immediately.
The Demon King looked at Cadoc for several seconds.
Then he raised one hand.
That was all.
The demons standing before him immediately understood.
They bowed.
One after another, they left the chamber.
The enormous doors closed behind them.
Silence returned.
Abel rested his arm against the throne.
His eyes remained fixed on Cadoc.
"I hope you have good news for me."
Cadoc lowered his head slightly.
Cadoc slowly exhaled.
Then he raised his hand toward his face.
His fingers touched the area around his eye.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
His dark eye changed.
The eye transformed into his terrifying Evil Eye.
A strange pressure filled the chamber.
Dark markings suddenly appeared across his skin.
They spread from his face toward his neck, then continued across his body.
Cadoc's appearance was changing.
He ran his hand through his white hair.
As his fingers passed through it, the white color began disappearing.
Red slowly replaced it.
The transformation continued until every strand of his hair had become completely crimson.
His eyes burned with a sinister intensity.
His markings covered his body.
Cadoc had returned to his demon form.
He looked toward Abel.
"Yes."
His voice was calm.
"I have good news."
Abel's eyes narrowed.
"Speak."
Cadoc stepped forward.
"The Lords are going to clash."
Nyx's crimson eyes focused on him.
Cadoc continued.
"The Lords Clash is happening today."
A faint smile appeared on Abel's face.
"So…"
He rested the side of his face against his left hand.
"You finally have your opportunity."
Cadoc nodded.
"I'll observe the battle."
His Evil Eye glowed.
"I'll study every Lord."
He paused.
"Every technique."
"Every ability."
"Every weakness."
His expression became serious.
"Until I discover which one possesses the Anti-Energy ability."
Abel's smile widened.
"Great news, though."
Cadoc nodded.
But Nyx remained silent.
She looked at him.
"And what if you fail?"
Cadoc slowly turned his head toward her.
The chamber became silent.
Kadoc's Evil Eye stared directly into Nyx's crimson eyes.
"I won't."
Nyx raised an eyebrow.
Kadoc continued.
"I cannot fail."
Nyx stared at him for a moment.
Then a small smirk appeared on her face.
"Very well."
Cadoc turned away.
He began walking toward the doors.
His footsteps echoed through the enormous chamber.
As he reached the entrance, the demon guards immediately stood at attention.
Kadoc walked between them.
Then—
BOOM!
The scene changed.
Legion Academy — The Coliseum
The atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
The grounds of Legion Academy were overflowing with people.
Royals had arrived from different parts of the world.
Peasants had traveled long distances.
Warriors, families, merchants, students, and nobles filled the Academy grounds.
Everyone had come for one reason.
The Lords Clash.
Mason Grace walked through the Academy's entrance.
The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.
His blue eyes widened.
"Wow…"
He had never seen anything like it.
The Academy was enormous.
Its buildings stretched across the grounds, and thousands of people moved through the area.
Mason looked around.
He noticed the royals first.
Their clothing was elegant.
Some wore expensive coats decorated with gold.
Others wore beautifully designed dresses and accessories that immediately showed their social status.
Mason looked down at himself.
His clothes weren't terrible.
But they weren't royal either.
He could tell immediately that people knew.
As he walked through the crowd, whispers followed him.
"Who's that?"
"Probably from the peasant region."
"Look at his clothes."
Mason heard them.
He understood what they were saying.
But he didn't react.
He simply continued walking.
His father had already given him instructions.
Follow the crowd and find a seat in the coliseum.
So Mason followed the crowd.
Eventually, the enormous coliseum came into view.
His eyes widened again.
The structure was enormous.
Thousands upon thousands of seats surrounded the massive battlefield.
Mason found an empty seat.
He sat down.
His eyes moved around the arena.
Everyone was waiting.
Then—
A voice suddenly echoed throughout the entire coliseum.
"EVERYONE!"
The crowd slowly became quiet.
At the center of the battlefield stood the Master of Ceremonies.
She was a young woman dressed in formal Academy attire.
A faint magical aura surrounded her.
The Academy's magical communication system amplified her voice through speakers positioned throughout the coliseum.
She smiled.
"Welcome, everyone!"
The crowd erupted.
"Today, royals and peasants from different regions have gathered here for one of the greatest traditions of Legion Academy!"
She raised her hand.
"The Lords Clash!"
WOOOOOOO!
The entire coliseum erupted.
The announcer smiled.
"Today, you will witness a glimpse of the power possessed by the strongest warriors of Legion Academy!"
The crowd cheered.
"This battle is not only a demonstration of strength!"
Her voice echoed throughout the arena.
"It is a tradition that allows the Lords to test themselves against one another, improve their abilities, and remind every student of the heights that can be reached through strength, discipline, and determination!"
The crowd applauded.
"And now…"
She raised her hand.
"Let us welcome the Lords!"
The excitement immediately returned.
"First!"
She pointed toward one side of the arena.
"Let us welcome Lord Kelvin!"
The crowd exploded.
"KEEEELVIN!"
"LOOK AT HIM!"
"HE'S SO HANDSOME!"
"MY LORD!"
A group of girls began screaming.
"He's so cute!"
"He's so masculine!"
"Lord Kelvin!"
Kelvin appeared above the battlefield.
He smiled.
Then he waved toward the crowd.
The screaming became even louder.
Kelvin jumped.
BOOM!
He landed on the battlefield.
A powerful gust of wind exploded outward.
The announcer's hair flew backward.
She quickly grabbed herself as the sudden wind nearly lifted her skirt.
Kelvin noticed.
He scratched his head.
"Sorry about that."
The announcer's face became slightly red.
"It's… fine."
Kelvin laughed.
The crowd screamed again.
The announcer quickly composed herself.
"Next!"
She turned toward the opposite side.
"Please welcome one of the Academy's most beloved Lords!"
The crowd already knew.
"Lady Nerissa!"
The coliseum erupted.
"Nerissa!"
"Lady Nerissa!"
"Marry me!"
"You're my favorite!"
Nerissa appeared above the arena.
She smiled.
Then she raised one hand.
Water suddenly gathered beneath her feet.
The water formed a staircase.
Nerissa stepped onto it.
Instead of walking down—
She gracefully glided toward the battlefield.
The water carried her downward like a flowing staircase.
When she reached the bottom, the water disappeared.
She stood beside Kelvin.
The crowd continued cheering.
The announcer raised her voice.
"And next…"
She paused.
"One of the most respected warriors in Legion Academy."
Mason's eyes immediately focused on the entrance.
"Lord Chad Grace!"
The coliseum exploded.
Mason stood immediately.
"That's Dad!"
He couldn't contain his excitement.
Chad stepped into the arena.
He calmly raised one hand and waved toward the crowd.
The cheers became even louder.
Chad jumped down.
BOOM!
He landed beside Kelvin.
Kelvin looked toward him.
"Ready?"
Chad smiled slightly.
"Always."
The announcer turned toward the final Lord.
Her expression became serious.
"And now…"
The crowd began to quiet.
"We welcome the head of the Lords."
"The strongest Lord of Legion Academy."
"The warrior standing at the pinnacle of the lords."
She raised her hand.
"Lord Ackman!"
The crowd exploded.
"ACKMAN!"
"THE STRONGEST!"
"I HEARD HE CAN WIPE OUT MULTIPLE DUNGEONS!"
"WITHOUT EVEN BREAKING A SWEAT!"
Ackman appeared.
He didn't make a dramatic entrance.
He didn't rush.
He simply walked.
Step by step.
His expression remained calm.
Yet his presence alone caused the atmosphere around him to feel different.
Mason stared.
He's… stealthy.
Ackman reached the battlefield.
He walked directly beside Nerissa.
Nerissa gave him a gentle smile.
Ackman simply stood there.
Mason watched him carefully.
He's different from the others.
The announcer looked toward the upper section of the coliseum.
"And now…"
Her voice became quieter.
"There is one person above every Lord in this Academy."
The crowd became silent.
"The protector of Sunstone City."
"The highest authority within Legion Academy."
"The man whom countless people look up to…"
She raised both hands.
"Great Elder Neil!"
The coliseum erupted.
Applause filled the arena.
Music began playing.
Great Elder Neil entered.
He calmly walked into the coliseum, waving toward the crowd.
Thousands of people waved back.
At the upper section of the coliseum was a large throne-like chair prepared specifically for him.
Neil walked toward it.
"Wow."
Mason Said
Neil looked incredibly composed.
His appearance was elegant.
His clothing was perfectly arranged.
Everything about him gave off an unmistakable sense of authority.
But then Mason noticed another figure standing beside him.
A man.
He wore a long cape that rested over his shoulders.
His posture was firm.
His appearance was intimidating.
Mason stared.
Who is that guy?
He then noticed another figure.
A second man stood nearby.
Mason studied him carefully.
His hair.
His eyes.
His clothing.
Everything about him seemed different.
There are people standing beside the Great Elder too?
Mason couldn't take his eyes away.
Before he could think any further—
Neil stood.
The entire coliseum became silent.
He looked across the thousands of people gathered before him.
"Thank you."
His voice echoed throughout the arena through the Academy's magical communication system.
"The Lords Clash has been a tradition of Legion Academy for many years."
The crowd listened.
"Many of you already know its purpose."
Neil looked toward the four Lords standing below.
"It is a tradition where the kingdom's greatest warriors gather to test their strength against one another."
He paused.
"But strength alone is not the purpose."
His eyes moved toward the students.
"It is an opportunity to prove yourself."
"To improve yourself."
"And to inspire those who are still climbing toward the same heights."
The crowd applauded.
Neil continued.
"Whether you were born into royalty or raised as a commoner…"
His voice became firmer.
"The Academy does not measure your future by the family you were born into."
"It measures what you are capable of becoming."
Mason listened carefully.
Neil looked toward the battlefield.
"Today, four of our greatest Lords will clash."
"Watch carefully."
"Learn from them."
"And remember…"
He paused.
"Strength is earned."
The crowd erupted in applause.
Neil nodded.
"Thank you."
He returned to his seat.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward once again.
"Before we begin the battle…"
The crowd became curious.
"We have a special announcement."
She smiled.
"This year's incoming students include someone from one of the most influential families in the Sunstone Kingdom."
The crowd began whispering.
"Please welcome…"
She raised her voice.
"Janelle Ackman!"
The crowd immediately reacted.
"Janelle Ackman?!"
"Lord Ackman's daughter!"
"She's beautiful!"
"She's joining Legion Academy?"
Janelle entered the coliseum.
She wore elegant royal clothing.
Her appearance immediately attracted attention.
She walked toward the Great Elder.
A chair had been prepared beside him.
Janelle stopped before Neil.
She bowed respectfully.
Neil stood and returned the gesture.
Janelle smiled.
Then she walked toward her seat and sat down.
The announcer continued.
"The Ackman family is one of the most respected and wealthiest families in the Sunstone Kingdom."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"For decades, the family has built its fortune through business, trade, and its contributions to the kingdom."
She paused.
"Their wealth is said to exceed one million tons of gold."
The crowd gasped.
"One million tons?!"
Mason's eyes widened.
That's insane.
The announcer continued.
"The Ackman family has also played an important role in maintaining the royal capital and supporting the kingdom's economy."
Mason looked toward Janelle.
She remained calm.
Then he looked toward Lord Ackman.
So that's his daughter.
The announcer raised her hand.
"And now…"
Her voice echoed throughout the arena.
"The moment you've all been waiting for!"
She pointed toward the battlefield.
"Lord Ackman and Lady Nerissa!"
The crowd cheered.
She turned toward the opposite side.
"Against Lord Kelvin and Lord Chad Grace!"
The four Lords moved into position.
Kelvin stood beside Chad.
Ackman stood beside Nerissa.
The Master of Ceremonies quickly began leaving the battlefield.
"All spectators, remain in your seats!"
She ran toward the edge of the coliseum.
The arena gates closed behind her.
Silence.
Every eye was now focused on the four Lords.
Great Elder Neil slowly stood from his throne.
He looked across the battlefield.
"Lord Ackman."
His eyes moved toward Nerissa.
"Lady Nerissa."
Then toward the other side.
"Lord Kelvin."
"Lord Chad Grace."
The four Lords stared at one another.
Neil raised one hand.
The entire coliseum held its breath.
"The Lords Clash…"
His hand remained suspended in the air.
"…will now commence."
To Be continued....