Great Elder Neil sat behind his desk in his office, his hands resting on its polished surface. Lord Ackman and Lady Narissa stood before him, while Bruno remained quietly at his side.
Outside, the academy grounds were filled with noise. Thousands of people had gathered in Stone City for the Entrance Tournament, and the excitement could be heard even from inside the building.
Neil looked at the two Lords.
"How are the preparations coming along?"
Lord Ackman answered in his usual calm manner.
"Everything is proceeding as planned. Thousands have already gathered at the coliseum, and many applicants are waiting in the designated apprentice area. More are still arriving, but we expect everyone to be present before the tournament begins."
"Good," Neil replied.
Lady Narissa stepped forward slightly.
"The coliseum is ready as well. Many Upper Junior Scouts are prepared to handle the protective magic. Once the tournament begins, force fields will be activated around the spectators' seating sections to protect them from attacks during the battles."
Neil nodded approvingly.
"Excellent work, Narissa. I'm glad you thought of that."
Narissa smiled faintly.
Neil leaned back in his chair.
"You two should return to the coliseum. There's something I need to take care of first. In the meantime, I want you to buy me a little more time. Delay things if necessary."
"Understood," Ackman replied.
"We'll handle it," Narissa added.
The two Lords bowed slightly before leaving the office.
Once the door closed, Bruno turned towards Neil.
"Are you going to see Kelvin?"
Neil glanced at him.
"Yes."
"Then you should know that the front gate is crowded. If you go out that way, people will recognise you immediately."
Neil stared at him for a moment before smiling.
"So, you're suggesting I jump out of my own window?"
Bruno remained expressionless.
"If that's what it takes to keep you from being recognised."
Neil chuckled.
"Wonderful. My own right-hand man is encouraging me to escape through a window."
He rose from his chair and walked towards the window.
"Don't worry about me. You can go ahead without me."
"Try not to fall, Great Elder."
Neil looked back at him.
"Have a little faith in your Great Elder."
With that, he climbed through the window and disappeared from sight.
Bruno sighed.
Sometimes, I wonder how this man became the protector of an entire kingdom.
The morning breeze swept across an abandoned training ground on the outskirts of Stone City. Weeds had begun growing between the old stone slabs, and several weathered training posts stood scattered around the deserted field.
Kelvin stood near one of them, dressed in ordinary clothes rather than his academy uniform. His gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon as the breeze moved his hair and clothing.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"It's been a while, Kelvin."
Kelvin turned.
The moment he recognised the person standing behind him, his expression changed. He looked away without saying a word.
Neil stopped a short distance from him.
"The academy misses you," he said. "And so do I."
Kelvin remained silent.
Neil continued.
"You already know that the tournament was postponed. Well, today is finally the day."
He paused, watching Kelvin carefully.
"I also know that you're still grieving over Chad's death. And I know you blamed me for what happened."
Neil lowered his gaze.
"But the truth is, I blame myself too. Chad wasn't just another Scout to me. He was like a brother. He meant more to me than you probably realise."
"Stop."
Kelvin's voice interrupted him.
Neil fell silent.
"I don't blame you anymore," Kelvin said.
He turned to face Neil.
"Back then, I was angry. I couldn't understand why Chad had kept everything from me, and I needed someone to blame. But I've had time to think."
Kelvin clenched his hands briefly before relaxing them.
"If Chad had wanted me to know what was happening, he would have told me. Perhaps he had his reasons for keeping it a secret. Perhaps he knew exactly how I would react."
He took a breath.
"I can't change what happened. And blaming you won't bring him back."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Kelvin straightened his posture and saluted Neil.
"Great Elder, I apologise for the way I behaved in the chamber. I allowed my anger to control me, and I acted foolishly. Please accept my apology."
Neil looked at him before shaking his head.
"You don't need to apologise for grieving, Kelvin. I was never angry with you."
Kelvin lowered his hand.
"Anyone who loses someone they consider family can react that way," Neil continued. "You lost a close friend. I understand that."
A faint smile appeared on Kelvin's face.
"Thank you."
He paused before speaking again.
"Then, Great Elder, I'd like to return to the academy."
Neil raised an eyebrow.
"As what?"
Kelvin gave him a questioning look.
"As Lord Kelvin, of course."
Neil laughed softly.
"Who said you were no longer Lord Kelvin? You were never expelled, and you never stopped being one of us."
Kelvin stared at him for a moment before finally smiling.
Neil turned towards the path leading back to the city.
"Come on. Time waits for nobody. You need to get back, change into your uniform, and return to the coliseum before everyone starts wondering where you are."
Kelvin smirked.
"Still giving orders, I see."
"Some things never change."
Together, they left the abandoned training ground.
The coliseum was overflowing with spectators. People filled the seating sections, their voices blending into a continuous roar of excitement.
At the centre of the arena, the announcer stood before the gathered crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and aspiring apprentices! The Entrance Tournament is about to begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"But before we officially commence, allow me to introduce the Lords who will oversee today's proceedings!"
He raised one hand.
"First, Lady Narissa!"
Narissa stood and acknowledged the crowd.
"Next, Lord Ackman!"
Ackman rose calmly, giving the spectators a brief nod before taking his seat.
"And finally, Lord Kelvin!"
Narissa turned towards Ackman's direction, her expression revealing her surprise.
"Do you think he'll come?" she whispered.
Ackman glanced towards the entrance.
"Who knows?"
A voice suddenly came from the shadows behind them.
"How many of you thought I wouldn't show up?"
Both Lords turned.
Kelvin stepped out from the entrance, wearing his black academy uniform. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the front of his uniform was partly unbuttoned. His twin axes were strapped across his back.
A confident smirk spread across his face.
"I'm back, baby!"
Narissa immediately covered her mouth, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
Ackman merely smirked.
"We would have managed just fine without you, big boy."
Kelvin placed a hand against his chest in exaggerated disbelief.
"Aw, come on. You missed me, big boy."
Ackman's smile disappeared.
"Call me that one more time, and I'll shut you up myself."
Kelvin laughed and walked towards his seat.
"That's the spirit."
He sat down beside the other Lords, his familiar smirk still on his face.
The announcer raised his voice once more.
"Everyone, please rise!"
The crowd gradually quieted as thousands of spectators stood.
"Today, we are honoured to welcome the man who protects our kingdom, the Great Elder who has led us to victory time and time again, and the one who has dedicated his life to safeguarding our people!"
The announcer extended his arm towards the entrance.
"Please welcome our Great Elder, Neil!"
The coliseum erupted.
The applause was louder than anything the Lords had received. People cheered, waved their hands, and called out Neil's name as he entered the arena.
His hair flowed gently in the wind. Wearing his established black academy uniform, A Long white coat with subtle gold embroidery. And white gloves, he walked towards the central platform with a katana resting at his left waist, partially concealed by his sleeve.
Neil raised one hand and waved to the spectators before taking his seat beside the Lords.
The announcer waited for the noise to settle.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Legion Academy! Applicants have travelled from different parts of the world, as well as from across our own kingdom, hoping to earn a place among our academy."
He paused, allowing his words to reach the crowd.
"And let it be known that Legion Academy welcomes both nobles and commoners! Talent is not determined by royal blood alone. Every applicant will have the opportunity to prove their worth!"
Cheers erupted throughout the coliseum.
"Before the tournament officially begins, however, our Great Elder has something important to say."
Neil slowly rose from his seat.
His expression had changed.
"Before we begin," he said, his voice carrying across the coliseum, "there is something I must address."
The crowd quieted.
"Recently, our academy suffered a great loss."
Murmurs spread among the spectators.
"A great loss?"
"What is he talking about?"
Neil paused, allowing the murmurs to settle.
Someone in the crowd suddenly noticed something unusual.
"Wait a minute. Weren't there supposed to be more Lords?"
Another spectator looked towards the Lords' seats.
"Where is Lord Chad?"
The question spread through the surrounding sections.
"That's right! Where is Lord Chad?"
Neil closed his eyes briefly and let out a quiet sigh.
When he opened them again, his gaze was solemn.
"Lord Chad passed away one month ago."
The entire coliseum fell silent.
Then came the gasps.
"WHAT?!"
"Lord Chad is dead?"
"That can't be true!"
"How could someone like him die?"
"He was one of the strongest Lords! His strength rivalled Lord Ackman's!"
The disbelief spread rapidly. For many people, Chad had seemed invincible. He had completed dangerous missions, defeated powerful enemies, and returned from battles that others would never have survived.
Neil waited patiently until the noise began to subside.
"His death was no ordinary loss," he continued. "Lord Chad was one of the pillars of this academy. Throughout his time here, he accomplished extraordinary things and helped lead Legion Academy to the height of its reputation."
His voice remained steady, though the sorrow beneath it was unmistakable.
"He completed countless dangerous missions. On one occasion, he entered a dungeon and rescued hundreds of prisoners, bringing them back alive and without a single one of them suffering a serious injury."
Several spectators exchanged astonished looks.
"Hundreds of prisoners?"
"He really did that?"
Neil nodded slightly.
"Chad was more than a powerful warrior. He was someone we could depend on when the odds were against us. His contributions to this academy will never be forgotten."
He slowly placed his right hand over his chest.
The other Lords followed his gesture.
One by one, the spectators did the same.
Across the coliseum, thousands of people stood with their hands over their hearts.
Even in the apprentice waiting hall, the young applicants fell silent and followed suit.
Neil lowered his head.
"Though Lord Chad is no longer physically with us, his spirit and legacy will remain part of this academy for generations to come."
His voice softened.
"Rest in peace, Lord Chad."
The entire coliseum bowed its head.
Kelvin sat quietly among the Lords, his eyes lowered. He said nothing. There was nothing he could say that would bring his friend back.
For a brief moment, the cheers, excitement, and anticipation that had filled the coliseum were replaced by silence.
A silence of respect.
A silence of remembrance.
And then, slowly, the moment passed.
The tournament still had to begin.
Heroic music began to play.
The scene shifted to a room where Janelle stood before a mirror, dressed in her blue apprentice uniform.
Her long white hair flowed gently in the morning breeze coming through the open window. The hem of her skirt moved softly as she reached for the necklace around her neck.
She held it between her fingers and stared at it for a moment.
Then she released it.
Her hand curled into a fist.
"I'm ready."
She turned towards the door and walked out.
Elsewhere, Duke stood, already dressed in his blue apprentice uniform. Over it, he wore a fresh, dark coat, neatly buttoned and fitted to his frame.
His dark hair fell partly across his face.
He exhaled slowly.
"All right, then. Let's go."
He turned and left the room.
In the village of Cinderval, Mason stood outside, dressed in his blue apprentice uniform.
He lifted his brown coat, preparing to put it on, but the wind caught the fabric and swept it behind him.
For a moment, he watched it move.
Then he slipped into the coat and adjusted it over his shoulders.
His hand moved towards the katana at his side—his father's sword.
Mason looked down at it.
Father...
He tightened his grip on the hilt.
"Today I, Mason Grace goes to the tournament," he said quietly.
His gaze hardened with determination.
"Not just as Mason Grace, but as the son of Chad Grace."
He would do everything he could to prove himself worthy of entering Legion Academy.
Today, he would take his first step towards that goal.
Mason turned towards the villagers who had gathered nearby.
He raised a hand and waved goodbye before turning towards the road.
Then he began to run.
The wind swept past him as he raced towards Stone City, his father's katana resting at his side.
He wasn't going to let Chad's legacy end with his death.
He would carry it forward.
And today, he would begin.
Narrator:
And now, with that, the Legion Academy Entrance Tournament has officially begun!
Thousands of aspiring apprentices have gathered, each carrying their own dreams, ambitions, and reasons for standing among the crowd.
But how many of them will prove worthy of entering Legion Academy?
How many will rise above the rest?
And how many will discover that the path to greatness is far more difficult than they imagined?
The journey begins now.
The screen splits into two.
On one side stands Caleb, his slightly messy white hair moving in the wind, his icy-blue eyes fixed ahead.
On the other stands Riven Veylor, his dark navy-blue hair slightly tousled, his golden-amber eyes observing everything with a sharp, calculating gaze.
Two individuals.
Two different paths.
And a tournament that will change their lives forever.
To be continued...