BOOOOOONG—
The ancient bell echoed across Martial High.
Its deep, resonant sound rolled over every mountain peak and through every courtyard.
One after another...
Applicants opened their eyes.
The Entrance Tournament...
Had officially begun.
---
Guest Residence
Kael slowly sat up.
The first thing he did was fold his blanket neatly.
Then he washed his face, packed his belongings, and fastened Grandpa Elias' hunting knife to his waist.
Only after everything was in order did he leave his room.
Outside...
The academy had already come alive.
Hundreds of applicants hurried toward the central arena.
Some looked confident.
Others repeatedly rehearsed techniques beneath their breath.
Several whispered prayers.
Kael simply followed the flow of people.
---
"Kael!"
Rowan came jogging over, his spear resting across his shoulder.
"I thought I'd lost you already."
Kael smiled.
"Good morning."
"...How did you sleep?"
"Very well."
"You?"
Rowan laughed nervously.
"I don't think I slept at all."
Kael looked at the dark circles beneath his eyes.
"...That explains it."
"Explains what?"
"You look tired."
"...Thanks."
"I wasn't trying to be rude."
"I know."
Rowan sighed dramatically.
"You're too honest."
---
The Grand Arena
The arena was unlike anything Kael had ever seen.
It was enormous.
Rows upon rows of stone seats climbed high into the mountainside.
Thousands of spectators had already filled them.
Parents.
Sect elders.
Clan representatives.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Even former Martial High disciples had returned to watch the newest generation compete.
At the center lay twenty circular platforms made of polished black stone.
Each platform was large enough for two martial artists to fight freely.
Above the arena, dozens of banners bearing Martial High's emblem fluttered proudly in the wind.
Kael slowly looked around.
"...There are many people."
Rowan laughed.
"I think that's becoming your favorite sentence."
---
The Instructors' Platform
The Headmaster sat calmly in the center.
Around him were dozens of elders and instructors.
The elderly registration instructor slowly unrolled a scroll.
"First round."
"Random pairings."
A younger instructor smiled.
"This is always my favorite part."
"No reputations."
"No rankings."
"Only what happens in the arena."
---
The Drawing
A Martial High disciple stepped onto the central platform carrying a wooden box.
Inside were thousands of numbered wooden tablets.
"The First Round Pairings will now be announced!"
The crowd immediately became silent.
Applicants instinctively gripped their examination tokens.
Kael looked at his own.
2480.
He quietly waited.
---
The disciple reached into the box.
"Platform One!"
"Contestant 0118!"
"...versus..."
"Contestant 2741!"
Cheers erupted from different parts of the arena.
The two contestants quickly stepped forward.
More names followed.
One after another.
Twenty platforms were soon occupied.
---
Match One
A loud gong sounded.
The battles began simultaneously.
The arena immediately exploded with activity.
Steel clashed against steel.
Spears struck shields.
Martial Qi illuminated the platforms in brilliant colors.
Gasps echoed from the audience.
Kael watched carefully.
He wasn't watching only the winners.
He also watched those who lost.
How they moved.
How they reacted.
How they recovered after mistakes.
Every fight held something worth observing.
---
Han Zhen
His name was called.
"Platform Seven!"
"Contestant 0089!"
"Han Zhen!"
"...versus..."
"Contestant 2310!"
A wave of excitement spread through the audience.
"It's Han Zhen!"
"The Crimson Saber Hall genius!"
His opponent swallowed nervously.
The gong sounded.
Han Zhen took a single step.
His saber flashed.
A crimson wave of Martial Qi roared across the platform.
BOOM!
Dust filled the air.
When it settled...
His opponent's weapon had already been knocked from his hands.
The referee immediately raised his arm.
"Winner!"
"Han Zhen!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
Han Zhen simply bowed to his opponent before leaving the platform.
---
Zhao Lian
Her match followed shortly afterward.
Unlike Han Zhen...
She never attacked first.
She calmly waited.
Only when her opponent committed to a strike did she move.
Three elegant sword exchanges.
Nothing more.
Her blade stopped gently against her opponent's throat.
The referee smiled.
"Winner!"
"Zhao Lian!"
Several elders nodded approvingly.
"Excellent control."
---
Jian Yu
When Jian Yu entered the arena...
The atmosphere noticeably changed.
His opponent attacked immediately.
Three consecutive sword strikes.
Fast.
Accurate.
Jian Yu didn't move.
Only when the fourth strike came...
His sword left its sheath.
A silver flash crossed the arena.
Shing!
Silence.
The opponent's sword spun through the air before landing several feet away.
Jian Yu's blade had already returned to its scabbard.
"...Winner."
The referee announced after a brief pause.
"Jian Yu."
The audience burst into cheers.
---
Kael
He watched quietly.
"...They're all skilled."
Rowan nodded.
"I hope I don't face any of them."
Kael looked toward the platforms.
"...Everyone here trained very hard."
There wasn't admiration in his voice.
Nor intimidation.
Only simple acknowledgment.
---
Hours passed.
The first round continued.
Dozens of contestants were eliminated.
Dozens advanced.
The atmosphere grew increasingly intense.
Applicants waiting for their names became more nervous with every passing match.
Then...
The disciple reached into the wooden box once again.
"Platform Twelve!"
A brief pause.
"Contestant..."
"...2480."
Kael looked down at the bronze token in his hand.
"...That's me."
Rowan immediately straightened.
"Already?"
The disciple continued reading.
"Contestant 2480..."
"...versus..."
"...Contestant 1964."
A young man carrying twin short swords stepped forward from the opposite side of the arena.
He wore a confident smile.
Several spectators immediately recognized him.
"That's Victor Kane."
"He trained under the Twin River Dojo."
"They specialize in dual-blade techniques."
Victor rolled his shoulders before looking across the platform.
His eyes landed on Kael.
Simple gray clothes.
A hunting knife.
No famous clan emblem.
No sect robes.
Victor smiled.
"...Looks like I got lucky."
Kael stepped onto the platform.
He looked at the referee.
Then at his opponent.
Finally...
He offered a polite bow.
"My name is Kael."
Victor gave only a casual nod.
The referee raised his hand.
"The match begins..."
"...at the sound of the gong."
The entire arena grew quiet.
Far above...
Several instructors leaned forward ever so slightly.
The elderly instructor smiled almost imperceptibly.
"...Let's see."
The gong slowly began to rise.
End of Chapter 22