She sat elevated above the arena on a raised stone platform positioned to the left side of the courtyard. A throne of polished dark wood and silver stood behind her beneath a crimson canopy.

Even from this distance, she was impossible to ignore.

Her long dark-red hair moved gently with the afternoon wind while the deep crimson dress she wore flowed over the throne like spilled wine. Gold jewelry glinted faintly around her neck and wrists, and despite the elegance surrounding her, there was something sharp in the way she carried herself.

Not cold. Just powerful.

Royal guards surrounded the platform at every corner, standing motionless.

And beside her stood two familiar faces. Thornhawk. The same bastard who threw me into the Circle. Even from here, his expression looked just as stern and unpleasant as I remembered.

And beside him sat Yua.

Unlike Thornhawk, she looked completely relaxed. The moment her eyes landed on me, her expression brightened slightly and she gave a small wave.

I immediately looked away before anyone noticed.

The line continued moving.

One by one, students stepped outside, bowed deeply toward the Queen’s platform, then moved toward the rows of seats circling the arena.

Eventually, Ken reached the entrance first.

I watched him suddenly straighten his posture completely before stepping outside. He turned left toward the Queen’s platform and bowed deeply enough that I thought he might actually collapse forward.

Then he hurried toward the seating area. My turn.

I stepped through the doorway into the open courtyard. Warm wind brushed against my face immediately. The entire arena felt enormous from down here. Thousands of eyes. Teachers. Guards. Students. And royalty.

I turned left toward the Queen’s platform and lowered myself into a respectful bow.

From the corner of my vision, I could see Yua smiling faintly while Thornhawk simply stared at me without expression.

I straightened again and quickly moved toward the seats before anyone decided to start another conversation with me.

Ken had already claimed a spot halfway up the stone rows. Mio sat on one side with her arms crossed while Ken patted the empty seat beside him for me.

I sat down between them and exhaled quietly.

"Gods," Ken whispered while staring toward the royal platform. "It’s really her. Queen Mia."

"Hmm," I muttered while looking toward the arena. "It really is."

The remaining students slowly continued pouring into the courtyard in long lines. The stone rows surrounding the arena gradually filled with noise as hundreds of students took their seats. Teachers moved along the pathways between rows, making sure nobody climbed over seats or shoved their way forward for a better view.

The royal guards, meanwhile, looked ready to stab anyone who caused trouble.

Once the last student entered the courtyard, the massive double doors behind us slowly shut with a deep thud that echoed through the arena grounds.

For a brief moment, the entire place settled into silence.

Then Queen Mia rose from her throne. Immediately, every conversation stopped.

Even the wind felt quieter.

She stepped forward slightly onto the elevated platform overlooking the arena, one hand resting lightly against the arm of her throne. Her crimson dress shifted gently around her legs as the breeze moved through the courtyard, and the sunlight reflecting off the gold accents in her clothing made her impossible to look away from.

When she spoke, her voice carried clearly across the entire arena without needing to be raised.

"Students of Northwood Academy," she began. "It brings me great joy to stand before the next generation of our kingdom’s protectors."

The courtyard remained completely silent as everyone listened.

"This tournament has long been one of the academy’s proudest traditions. It is not merely a competition of strength, but a lesson in discipline, teamwork, and trust."

Her eyes slowly moved across the rows of students.

"The world beyond these walls grows harsher with each passing year. Monsters grow bolder. Tensions between kingdoms continue to rise. Elves lurking in the shadows. And because of that, each of you must learn not only how to fight, but how to rely upon those standing beside you."

Beside me, Ken sat so straight he looked like a soldier during inspection.

"This practice event exists so you may sharpen yourselves before the true tournament begins. Learn from today. Improve from today. And most importantly..."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Do not embarrass your instructors too badly."

The entire courtyard erupted into laughter and cheering. Even some teachers chuckled quietly. Queen Mia allowed the noise to settle for a moment before raising one hand again.

"Well then," she declared. "Let it begin."

The cheering exploded even louder this time. Students stomped their feet against the stone rows while others shouted excitedly toward the arena floor.

Then Professor Veyra stepped into the center of the arena. Ten students followed behind her in two groups.

Each carried training weapons made of dark-colored wood. At first glance they looked almost identical to real swords, spears, and staffs, but something about the material looked... strange.

The wood was nearly black. Not polished either. Dense. Heavy-looking.

"That doesn’t look like normal wood," I muttered.

Ken nodded immediately. "It’s ironwood. Well, people here call it Varken wood."

"Varken?"

"Rare tree from the northern forests." He pointed toward the weapons below. "That stuff is ridiculously hard. Stronger than some low-quality steel weapons, honestly. But it’s still dull enough not to slice someone open."

"Comforting."

"Doesn’t mean it won’t break your ribs if you get hit hard enough."

"Less comforting."

Professor Veyra stopped in the middle of the arena while the students lined up behind her.

"The rules for today’s practice matches are simple," she announced loudly. "No lethal attacks. No intentionally crippling injuries. Healing magic is permitted."

She slowly looked across both teams.

"If I believe you are attempting to seriously injure another student, I will personally remove you from this arena. Understood?"

The students immediately nodded.

"Good."

A few academy healers wearing white-and-green robes stood near the arena entrance already prepared for injuries.

Which honestly did not make me feel better.

Professor Veyra then began introducing the participants one by one.

She announced each student’s name, combat class, year, and divine blessing while the crowd reacted differently depending on who was called. Some students received cheers from their friends. Others earned nervous murmurs whenever powerful gods were mentioned.

Professor Veyra stepped back and raised one hand. "Combatants," she ordered. "Take your positions."

The ten students spread out across the arena floor immediately.

The atmosphere changed instantly. The cheering around the courtyard grew louder while students leaned forward in anticipation.

Ken grinned beside me. "This is actually getting good."

Professor Veyra stepped back toward the edge of the arena and raised one arm high into the air. The ten students immediately tensed. Weapons lifted. Feet shifted. Spells gathered at fingertips.

"Now," Professor called out loudly. "Team A, left side. Team B, right. Ready?"

The arena fell silent.

Then she brought her arm down sharply.

"Fight!"