bioinnovel Chapter 768 - 726: Sky Arena (2)
Chapter 768 - 726: Sky Arena (2)
Right now, the stands were already filled with quite a few people.
There were organization student groups in uniform wizard robes, groups of three or five scattered guests, mentors with their students, and some official wizards evidently here to observe and learn.
The noise was deafening, like countless bees buzzing around one’s ears.
But all this commotion could not penetrate the transparent barrier that separated the arena from the stands.
A spatial barrier.
All energy fluctuations, magic aftershocks, even sounds within the arena would be completely isolated by this barrier.
No matter how intense the battle inside was, those outside could only watch without being affected.
This is the Sky Arena, virtually a small world separate from the main plane.
Duke withdrew his hand, following the aisle of the stands forward.
He didn’t seek out the bustling spots closest to the field, nor did he try to squeeze into crowded areas.
He just casually found an edge, a relatively quiet corner, and sat down in an inconspicuous spot.
From here, the entire arena was visible. In the center, Leon and Audric had yet to enter, only some staff in council uniforms were checking the conditions of the field.
He leaned back against the chair, scanning calmly over the throng of people pouring in.
Across the stands was a section filled with wizards in dark blue robes—people from the Star Tower.
Sitting in neat rows, clearly organized for observation.
To the right were students from the Seville Empire, those young people in dark red robes gathered together in low discussions, occasionally pointing to the center of the field.
People from the West Coast were naturally present as well, nearly all who could come were here.
Further away, Duke saw Morris.
That slender figure sat alone in the highest shadow of the stands, half his body melding into the darkness, only his pale face vaguely visible.
There was no one in front of him, the three surrounding rows of seats vacant, unclear if others deliberately avoided him or if he chose the spot himself.
...
About half an hour later, the magical screen above the arena suddenly lit up.
A line of enormous golden text appeared:
"Appalachian Coast, Silver Hand—Leon Ironfist"
"Golden Continent, Blood Rose—Audric Bloodgold"
Cheering rippled through the entire venue like tidal waves.
Duke saw the east passage door of the arena slowly open.
Leon walked out.
He had changed out of his usual wizard robe, into a set of silvery white full body armor.
It was not ordinary standard gear.
The armor surface glowed with a faint sacred silver light, every leaf engraved with intricate rune patterns, those runes seemed alive, subtly flickering with his breaths.
The shoulder guards bore a roaring lion design, the center of the chest plate emblazoned with a burning holy sword, a crest of the Holy Silver Knight Order at its peak, unseen in public for centuries.
The longsword hanging at his waist was equally extraordinary.
The scabbard was made of a kind of white metal, set with seven fingernail-sized sacred silver gemstones, each emitting a pure and sharp aura.
The end of the sword hilt sported a tuft of silver-white tassel, gently swaying with his steps.
He walked toward the center of the field, surrounded by a faint silvery white glow of fighting spirit.
The radiance complementing the runes on his armor, made him look like a holy sword unsheathing.
Fully armed.
Fully prepared.
The west passage door opened as well.
When Audric emerged, the cheering abruptly altered, amazement mixed with a certain incredulous silence.
He still wore that dark red robe.
The same he had worn in the square before, the collar and cuffs embroidered with intricate gold rose patterns, the crest of the Blood Rose organization at the chest, upon a dark red backdrop a golden rose blossoming.
The robe’s tailored fit complemented his tall stature, yet it seemed nothing like battle gear.
He just walked out wearing everyday robes, leisurely as if strolling in his own garden.
Those pale golden vertical pupils scanned the multitude in the stands, a faint, elusive smile always playing at his lips.
Not tension, not excitement, not even disdain.
But a sense of inevitability.
As though being observed by millions of people was something he’d grown accustomed to from birth.
Buzzing discussions arose from the stands.
"Why isn’t he wearing anything?"
"Golden Dragon bloodline doesn’t need such things, his scale armor can cover him anytime."
"But he’s not covering now..."
"Probably thinks it’s unnecessary."
Duke heard a few young wizards in Star Tower robes just ahead, whispering:
"That guy from the West Coast... Leon? His gear is quite remarkable."
"Relics of the Holy Silver Knight Order, you see the crest on his chest, absolutely a legacy-level witchcraft artifact."
"No less than three items... the gems on the sword’s scabbard, are they sacred silver crystals? A piece of that could exchange for the revenue of a medium-sized city..."
"To arm so thoroughly, he’s in for a fierce fight indeed."
Another voice came from the other side, a few scattered middle-aged wizards:
"That Bloodgold kid, why isn’t he wearing any gear?"
"You don’t understand; with Golden Dragon bloodline awakened, the flesh itself becomes the strongest weapon, its defense no less than any top-level witchcraft artifact."
On the east stands, Blood Rose’s students occupied a large area. That witch who had echoed on the square now held a palm-sized alchemical telescope, a faint smug smile on her lips.
Young men and women around her whispered to each other, occasionally bursting into low laughter.
Duke withdrew his gaze, continuing to listen to those around him.
A few rows behind, two young officials in council uniforms conversed softly:
"Leon... the one with the Silver Hand, I heard he received the complete Sacred Silver Breathing Technique inheritance?"
"You heard too? I didn’t believe it at first, then checked the records—Sacred Silver Breathing Technique is indeed the core inheritance of the Silver Hand, said to boost spiritual power and fighting spirit alike."
"Boost them both? Then he’s now..."
"Level 2 Mage, Level 2 Knight, dual cultivation of magic and martial arts."
The other took a sharp breath: "No wonder he dares challenge the Golden Dragon bloodline..."
"That’s what makes it intriguing." He chuckled, "The Sacred Silver Breathing Technique long lost, up against a once-in-fivdhundredears Gold Dragon bloodline. It’s hard to predict who will win or lose this battle."
Duke glanced sideways at them.
He had heard about the Sacred Silver Breathing Technique before. Ever since the Holy Silver Knight Order faded away, the Silver Hand’s strength had weakened increasingly.
Because their core inheritance was nearly cut off, that being the Sacred Silver Breathing Technique, despite appearing to be a knight’s breathing technique, it was actually a highly unusual technique that simultaneously enhanced spiritual power and fighting spirit.
Wizard level and knight level progressed simultaneously. Leon, through some chance, fully acquired this inheritance, now a Level 2 Mage, Level 2 Knight, possessing a stronger body and fighting spirit than ordinary Level 2 Knights, as well as greater spiritual power and magic power than typical Level 2 Mages.
In the center of the field, the fully armed Leon, and Audric in everyday robes.
One fully prepared, one indifferent.
This was the most straightforward comparison of two bloodlines, two inheritances, two prides.
Duke’s gaze fell on Audric.
That fellow moved so leisurely, so leisurely it seemed he wasn’t here to duel, but merely to make an appearance.
But in those pale golden vertical pupils, something deeper undeniably burned.
The focus of a hunter locking onto prey.
The two of them stood in the center of the field, about thirty paces apart.
The countdown began on the screen above the arena:
Ten... nine... eight...