Chapter 575: Duel I

“I can’t believe it’s the tenth day already. Time had passed so quickly,” said Baron Husk.

“I wish I could stay longer, but responsibilities await us back home,” Leila sighed as she looked out the tram window.

Yes, we are riding it. It is my third time doing it, and I can’t seem to get enough of it.

I might have had enough if it had been a regular earth tram, but it is a magical one.

Sadly, this is the last day of the synod.

The days flew by too quickly. It feels like just yesterday, this stunning city first came into sight.

I looked outside the window, watching the scenery passing by even faster as the tram moved on to the lightway.

Yes, there are lightway trams, too, and they are expensive, but this city is filled with rich people and has tourists all year round.

I don’t think they suffered any loss operating it.

The speed may be fast, but I could see everything with exceptional clarity: the buildings, the monuments, and teens with wands practicing the spells.

The archmage city has the highest density of mages in the continent and one of the highest in the entire world.

It’s not just the environment that gathers the vast multitude of those classes; it is the legacy and the formidable presence of the Archmage that profoundly shapes and elevates them.

The city is a forge of mages. The sheer number of mages it produces is genuinely shocking.

The legacy gives the city power, even if they didn’t use the Towers’ ability. They have enough powerhouses to conquer any kingdom and empire on the continent.

Hun!

I was looking when I sensed something that brought a large smile to my face.

‘She had finally signed it,’ I thought.

I sent the contract yesterday, but she still suggested a few changes. I agreed to some of them and returned it to her an hour ago.

Now, she had signed it. Making it official.

She will be the city’s highest-level powerhouse, and her presence will greatly benefit the college and the girls.

When we reached our destination, I was still thinking about her. The tram stopped, and we all exited.

“It’s huge,” said Margaux.

“It is as grand as those colosseums of Oton,” said Eva, looking at the massive arena before us.

It’s truly massive, and a large crowd has gathered around it. They all came to watch the duel that the entire city had been discussing for days.

It is built of pale blue stones and has an elliptical shape like most colosseums.

It is truly massive, tens of times than the Colosseum of Rome. Just seeing it would make one sigh in awe.

I admired the massive building before entering inside.

“My god!” gasped Selina, seeing its sheer scale.

It is vast, with a capacity to seat over a million people—ten times more than any arena or stadium on earth.

Over 80% of it had already been seated with people. More are coming in every second.

There had been duels in the past ten days, with people of higher levels than the ones who would fight in a few minutes, but people were excited about this one.

It is a duel of the nobles, the ones with aura.

It carries the weight of a story: the drama.

It all excites people so much that they don’t hesitate to buy the tickets, which are sold at a premium price.

Soon, we reached our suite.

The large suite has cushioned, comfortable seats with the best arena view.

We all took our seats, and immediately, their enchantments covered us. With the slightest focus, we could see the arena in perfect clarity.

I see it with even more clarity because of my skill.

“Who do you think will win, Lord Silver? Count Wathall or Viscount Luran?” asked Baron Husk.

“If we go by the information, it should be Count Wathall. He has more experience, a higher level, and has been an aura user for much longer,” I replied thoughtfully.

“But I have a feeling the duel won’t be so straightforward,” I added, my gaze distant as I recalled the clash of their auras. I had witnessed how Viscount Luran held his ground against the aura—a display of resilience that couldn’t be dismissed easily.

I might be wrong, and Count Wathall may have held back when he pressed.

It is what excited me most about the battle.

Minutes passed, and we discussed the dual and other things. Some had even placed the bet.

Finally, the arena reached its full capacity at precisely ten, buzzing with anticipation.

A middle-aged blond dwarf man with a clean-shaven face, wearing a beautifully carved bronze ring on his neck, walked to the center of the area.

Seeing him, everybody calmed down.

“Esteemed citizens and honored guests, welcome to the Zaldor Arena!” he welcomed, his voice reaching every corner of the area clearly as if he spoke next to them.

“Today, two nobles will fight, not for glory, but to settle a grievance. This is no ordinary contest—a duel of honor, where words have failed, and steel must speak.”

“The man is good. Every word from his mouth makes the crowd more and more excited,” said Margaux.

I couldn’t help but nod at that.

It isn’t just the level and skills. It is his talent and experience that is keeping the crowd hanging on its every word.

“Here, under the eyes of the gods and the judgment of the people, they will fight for truth and vindication. The rules are set, and the stakes are high—only one will emerge victorious.

“Now, nobles, take a step into the arena. Let the people witness your valor!” he finished loudly.

At his words, the two nobles made their entrance from opposite sides, causing the crowd to cheer madly in excitement.

I have never seen people so excited as I am seeing here. They are screaming and shouting.

Charging the atmosphere.

Soon, both nobles stopped precisely five meters apart.

Count Wathall stood imposingly, clad in gleaming blue armor that completely encased his form, shielding it. My gaze drifted to his pristine white blade, which seemed like it had been carved from the very bone of some ancient creature. Its cold beauty hinted at its lethal potential.

In stark contrast, Viscount Luran wore a set of red armor, striking but less encompassing than Count Wathall’s.

He is holding a long red sword that looks carved out of red stone in his hand.

“Kneel and apologize, Luran; you might be able to save yourself some humiliation,” said Count Wathall.

Viscount Luran didn’t say anything. His expression didn’t change as he kept looking at Count Wathall before turning to the announcer.

“LET THE DUEL BEGIN!”

With a shout that echoed across the arena, the tension shattered. The two nobles, until then statuesque in their stance, surged forward at an astonishing speed, their movements a blur of raw power. Their auras collided with a thunderous force, the clash resembling two storms meeting head-on, crackling and surging with energy as they contended for dominance.

…

Caena

“I miss Rayna. She is outstanding at this sort of thing,” complained the old woman, seeing the stack of papers in front of her.

I am in the office of Vice-Headmistress Elme. I came to check on essential things.

College is Margaux’s domain, but since she isn’t here. I am looking over the things.

I hope Margaux returns soon. I am swamped with work, specifically crafting charms, and I need to make a large number of them.

The existing ones can be upgraded when legacy advances, which could happen tomorrow, in the next decade, or the next century.

Nothing could be said with certainty. So, I want everything to be ready before that happens.

“The others are doing the job well enough,” I replied, shaking my head with a smile.

“Yes, others. That girl used to do the job alone,” she said.

Rayna was amazing. Despite her difficulties, she quickly climbed the ladder and became an assistant madam, but Master Silver took her from Velvet Garden.

She is now working for the army, and based on the praises I heard from Lord Silver, she is doing an impressive job.

“Still, the job is being done on time,” I replied, and to that, she nodded.

“They will receive their class schedule letters in a few hours,” stated the old woman.

It had been a few days since the girls from Baxzar had arrived.

Those poor girls. When I looked at their state and heard what they had gone through.

Rage burned through my heart.

All those who chose to stay—every single one of them—had been thoroughly tested, filled out the necessary forms, and are now ready to begin their classes tomorrow.

“Good, I—” I began, only to pause mid-sentence. A smile crept onto my face a moment later as something caught my attention.

The older woman arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. She wouldn’t ask outright—such things were considered impolite—but the question lingered in the air.

“She’s coming,” I said, my smile widening.

“She signed a contract?” she inquired, her tone both cautious and intrigued.

“Yes,” I answered, still smiling.

“It looks like I’ll need to work even harder,” she said with a light chuckle, but I noticed the faint worry hiding behind her mirth. “Or that high-level madam might take my job.”

I smiled seeing that, but the older woman did not have to worry.

The new teacher might be high-level, but she is no threat to Elme. She is a founding member who has made a great contribution. Of all the teachers, she has made the most outstanding contribution to girls and the Velvet Garden.

There is not a single girl that she hasn’t taught.

After becoming vice-headmistress, she continues to teach while handling the other responsibilities, which she is doing excellently.

Half an hour later, I walked out of her office.

“Madam Caena,”

The girls greeted me as I walked. I nodded at them before stepping into the elevator.

It reached the ground floor, and its door opened. Revealing the three women. My eyes immediately fell on the green-skinned orc-blood girl.

The witch.

She is a witch, one of the girls who came from Baxzar. I sensed her the moment she used her craft.

There had been girls with the potential to become witches but not actual witch.

This one is true, witch with class and all.

I want witches; it will help with many things, but the risk is too huge. I cannot do anything that will reveal the true abilities of the velvet garden.

That is why I didn’t pursue those with potential.

However, I manipulated things, making them learn things that would help them become witches if someone showed them the path.

It is precarious, and I am taking every step carefully.

Velvet Garden needs the witches for its growth. It’s not time for them to appear, but they will one day.

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