The city surrounding the Grand Academy Arena was already alive with cheering crowds, floating camera orbs, and banners announcing the first major event of the year:
THE TOURNAMENT OF TIME — YEAR 1127
Crowds of nobles, scholars, adventurers, and prospective guild recruiters gathered in anticipation of the elite matchups.
Everyone was whispering about a certain mysterious, rising first-year—one who had stunned records, silenced skeptics, and vanished for over a week.
The enchanted royal carriage Eron had chosen began to jolt violently, the wheels suddenly lurching.
CRACK!
The back axle snapped, breaking the magic circuit.
The driver turned back, panicked. "My lord, the route's under anti-field pressure from the Academy's barrier! We can't go further!"
They were still several kilometers out—just beyond the outer seal that repelled magical entry at high speeds.
[System Timer: 00:47:15 Remaining]
Eron's eyes narrowed. "Not good enough."
He looked toward Vythrax, who was curled beside the carriage in compact form.
"Vythrax—expand. We ride through the skies."
The wyvern's golden eyes flared with power as his form rapidly expanded, reaching nearly thirty feet from snout to tail, wings snapping open like fiery banners.
The sudden shockwave shook the road, startling nearby travelers.
Vythrax (telepathic):"Three passengers? I'll clear the skies."
Eron nodded.
"Neha. Seryn. You ride behind me. Veyrix, Earthbreaker, Slime—compact mode, shoulder slots."
The smaller summons immediately shrank and leapt onto designated armor perches along Eron's gear.
Seryn's expression tightened—she was clearly suppressing excitement.
Neha simply smiled. "You always deliver on dramatic timing."
As Vythrax soared into the sky, the sheer sight of a flaming wyvern splitting clouds toward the Academy's central arena sent shockwaves of awe through the city below.
Magical lenses and orbs quickly locked on.
"Who is that?!""A wyvern… flying over the eastern watchpost! That's not allowed unless—""Wait… Is that him?! That's Eron Valemere!"
The announcer's crystal broadcast crackled with static before booming:
"WE HAVE A SURPRISE ARRIVAL, FOLKS!Eron Valemere, unranked in the last chart, is flying in—mounted on a fire wyvern! What in the name of the Founding Flame is happening?!"
The wyvern descended in a controlled spiral, landing just outside the central tower's reserved first-year gate. The impact caused a shockwave across the ground, displacing dust and igniting banners nearby.
Several elite students and faculty were already watching.
Whispers turned to stunned silence.
Even the other participants froze, staring at the black-armored figure dismounting with two women behind him, four sentient-looking companions glowing with power latched to his shoulders.
System Notification – Opponent Drawn
First Match Begins in: 30 Minutes
Opponent: Cassian DrexhartHouse Drexhart, Noble Tier, Top Ranked Swordsman of East Sector
[Note: Past Rival of the Academy's previous First Sword. Known to be lethal, arrogant, and obsessed with dominance.]
Eron's lips curved slightly. "A noble obsessed with control?"
He looked toward Requiem Edge, which pulsed in response.
"Let's break his rhythm."