"Earl's scent is on everyone here..." Luna's voice trailed off.
Earl was unfazed, not attempting to refuse the claim. "That's only natural."
"Is that so?"
"They're all people I'm closest to, after all."
"I see. If Saryll has no problem with that, I won't say anything. She's grown enough to make her own decision. However, the day something changes... Consider this my warning." Luna ended what she had to say there and returned her attention to the arena below.
However, Luna's words undoubtedly riled up the attention of someone else. A suffocating pressure suddenly filled the tiny area they were in.
"Should I give you a warning too?" Ari smilingly said to Luna. The halo above her head took a frightening level of brightness.
"Don't take any offence. I'm just trying to protect my family."
"So am I."
As the pressure continued to rise, Earl interrupted.
"Luna. Everything I do will always be under Saryll's consent. She is an adult. She knows the responsibility of what she is doing."
The pressure immediately died down.
"Using all the right words to appease me. How wonderful." Luna said lightheartedly as if the previous conflict did not happen.
"Aria, please bring us drinks."
"Yes, Master."
Alea POV
I stand alone in the corner of the giant stadium, isolated from other youths. I could see the spectators slowly trickling around to take a seat from the corner of my eyes.
Inside the arena, the mist was so thick that it was impossible to make out the number of monsters there.
The task of the Youth Competition is simple. First, earn the approval of the spirits in the area. The winner is the person who has the complete acceptance of the spirits, and the Spirit King will be summoned as a result.
Since we are in this abandoned dungeon, the way of earning approval is simple. Defeat the monsters and impress the spirits with your strength.
However, I'm not in a particularly fond mood for teamwork. There will only be one winner after all.
Most of the people participating in this event are members of the Ancient Elven Families. It was no surprise. Performing well in this event qualified one a spot as a Spirit Knight, and that was what the ancient families needed to maintain their status.
With that in mind, I quickly decide what I want to do.
In the spectator area of Ablax's guests.
Seth was breathless as he felt the excitement level in the arena rise by the minute. He kept his eyes peeled and didn't want to miss a single moment of this glorious event.
Like him, Merlin and Shane were quiet and focused their full attention on the arena.
This event opened his perspective many times over. The clever use of an abandoned dungeon as a competition field. The beauty and gracefulness of the elves.
This event would show the rising stars of the elves for the next ten years. As it was an event that happened every ten years, there was bound to be repeat competitors. These older elves naturally held an advantage, but that was made it more exciting. With the age range of 10 to 100, a true genius was bound to be in the crowd. A person capable of defeating near 100-year-old monsters who were still considered "youth" by elven standards.
For a human like Seth, that age was when one would peak in their lifetime. An example would be Merlin, who was nearing the end of his life and holding the great status of a Grand Mage. This was why elves were the most vital race in the Great Continent. With their long lifespan, the entire kingdom had an immeasurable number of Expert and Grand ranks.
Queen Saryll's speech came to an end. "With that said, let's welcome the competitors into the arena!"
The gates opened, and hundreds of elves stepped into the arena. From a glance, one could tell they were the cream of the crops. Their aura, deposition, temperament, and beauty. It was something that only a few possessed among the human youths.
However, even despite this, there was one lone figure that stood out. Princess Alea.
The Princess of the Elven Kingdom. Born from the union of Queen Saryll and Spirit Knight Abelis, the finest knight of the kingdom. Her beauty was unparalleled. Her gait was steady and controlled. And finally, an aura that screamed royalty. Seth found himself blushing just from looking at her.
He remembered the words of his father and came to a simple conclusion. He... was unworthy.
To him, she felt like a higher existence. She looked like someone straight out of a fairytale. Ice blue hair, gorgeous emerald-like green eyes, a pretty face and a banger body to match. If he worked up the courage to talk to her, he would find himself stuttering like an idiot.
All the competitors entered the arena, and the Spirit Mist cleared from their auras, revealing the monsters within.
Orcs, trolls, goblins, hobgoblins, wyverns, giant snakes, minor phoenixes, and more.
All the monsters one could imagine were gathered in the thousands in the mist that had dispersed.
Seth found himself covered in a cold sweat. If he were in there, the monsters would kill him instantly!
They were all monsters of the Advanced rank, and there were even a few in the Expert class!
As he gripped his heart in excitement, he saw something shocking.
Boom!
In the arena, a glamorous explosion of spells appeared in the middle of the competitors. Several youths were immediately eliminated and sent out of the stadium. This was a safety precaution set up by the senior mages. Any competitor that was deemed unable to continue would be sent out automatically.
Contrary to expectations, it was not a monster who attacked this crowd. Rather...
The smokes cleared, and one figure stood with a large bow in her hand.
Why is Princess Alea... attacking the other competitors?
Outside the colosseum, two dragons steathily landed, unnoticed by everyone.
"She's here." Zeddro said.
"Those bicoloured eyes. That's her alright." Idu laughed.