Inside a grand hall fit for royalty, with opulent chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow. The hall was adorned with intricately carved chairs, plush velvet drapes, and gilded accents, creating an air of majesty and elegance, creating a truly regal atmosphere.
The hall door swung open and a dignified golden-haired middle-aged man walked inside with a few old faces following behind him.
The golden-haired man approached the middle chair designed with beautiful patterns and sat down with a serious expression.
After him, an old man with a wrinkled forehead proceeded to open up a small device, and instantly afterward three big projections lit up midair.
"Your Majesty, the tournament will start within thirty minutes."
The old man said in a nonchalant voice before he and the other three old individuals sat down on the empty chairs available in the hall.
Cedric the current King of Kingdom Escalante gazed at the middle projection, it showed a vast expense of light green bushes. Among the grassy field, a big stage coupled with many small stages was set up in a circular fashion. With rows of audience seats set up in one corner upon one another.
The other two projections showed many individuals varying from young to old. The young were the students participating in the tournament while the old individuals were their protectors.
Cedric frowned and his eyes narrowed when he didn't see the familiar face of his acquaintance Geroge. No, not just George no one from the Royal Academy was present in the Projections. He tapped the chair's armpit and looked at the old man sitting on his left.
"Ratric, where's your people?"
His voice was heavy but the old man sitting beside him was confused as well.
"I don't know, after leaving the forest I directly arrived here."
It was indeed strange, all the participating Academies were required to arrive at the platform five hours earlier to start the tournament as soon as possible.
"Let me check."
Retric fiddled with one of his communication devices that was linked with the Academy but his frown deepened when he opened the device. It was broken.
"Ah... I didn't notice this."
He sighed because he was too busy running around and forgot about the broken device. With a swift movement, he took out another device and after injecting the device with his mana signature he called George directly.
The communication crystal vibrated for a while before it stopped and an anxious voice resounded in the hall, attracting the attention of everyone.
"Sir?"
Retric expression hardened a little, it was very rare for George to panic.
"Yes, it's me. Where are you? The tournament is about to start."
There was silence for a second before George's voice resounded as he recounted everything that happened in the Academy.
Ratric face was ashen as he heard everything with clenched fists, an angry vein bulging on his forehead. He gritted his teeth.
"Who dare to show such audacity and kidnap my people?"
His angry voice died down when the King stood up with a dark expression and patted his shoulder.
"What about the students? How many were abducted?"
The King's voice was calm but everyone sitting inside the hall could feel the hidden rage in his voice.
"12 students including Professor Oliver. Carcel, Alec, and Kyle included."
There was an eerie silence within the hall as Retric stood up and clenched his fist with anger.
"Tell me the location of the coordinates you find. I am coming there. I will destroy them with my own hands."
Geroge didn't waste any time and hurriedly told him the location. Retric looked at the King who was livid and finally took a deep breath to calm his troubled heart.
"Cedric I am leaving. Please take care of the matter regarding the tournament."
The King simply nodded and Principal Ratric stormed out of the hall, directly floating toward the east border.
After he left, the King ordered someone to link his projection with the place where the tournament was going to be held.
Soon, his floating image appeared in front of the hundreds of excited students and old individuals who were waiting for the tournament to start.
The crowd cheered with enthusiasm but the King's next words poured a bucket of cold water off their heads and their excitement disappeared replaced with confusion and bewilderment.
"For now, the tournament is canceled."
The single line resounded in their heads like a bolt of lightning. Some of them wanted to know the reason behind this decision and some wanted to confirm if they were hearing things but the Projection was abruptly cut off, making them curse inwardly.
After making the announcement, the King dismissed everyone present in the hall. When he was alone his nonchalant expression disappeared replaced with worry.
He clasped his hands together and called out his two loyal shadow guards.
The two shadows appeared out of nowhere kneeling in front of him with their faces hidden behind black masks.
"Do whatever you can to find the culprit behind all this. Also, make sure nothing happened to the young Prince."
His voice was deep and heavy, the two kneeling figures nodded and disappeared from the hall.
....
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit dark room, filled with eerie equipment and mysterious contraptions. The room was shrouded in darkness, with flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the walls.
A man with deep red eyes and long uncombed black hair was pacing around a table where patches of red blood could be seen. Two ancient books filled with unreadable text were lying on the table.
He laughed historically as he looked at the red vial present in his hand. His deep gaze locked on the steel cage placed at the edge of the table. An injured beast that looked like a red fluffy bird was lying unconscious in the cage with its neck trapped in a circular steel chain. It was Bia, her feathers were dyed in blood and a large gash could be seen on her back.
"I can't believe it! I just used the beast blood and within a few hours, I succeeded in making such a potent potion that can extend anyone's life force. Just gulping the content of this single vial and the person can live a few hundred years more even if he is lying on death bed!"
"What would happen if I used its heart? Now I am one hundred percent sure I can make a potion that will increase my talent!"
An incredible sensation surged inside his heaving chest as he snickered and jumped around with joy staring at the small vial.
