The residents of the capital and dozens of students from the Larkvood Kingdom academy, who were initially only admiring Garveon's spatial carriage, suddenly fell as silent as statues. They gasped in shock, holding their breath as their gaze accidentally caught the figure of Alvin standing calmly in the middle of the group.
The Azvel Continent was a land inhabited only by humans. No other races resided on this continent. For the inhabitants of Azvel, the existence of races like Elves or High Elves living on the Reavel Continent was nothing more than fairy tales, ancient legends, or illustrative materials confined within the pages of old history books in libraries.
But now, a living myth was standing before them, setting foot on the soil of the Azvel Continent.
His masculine golden hair, cut short and slightly messy as it blew in the gentle breeze, only served to emphasize a handsomeness that was far beyond the normal limits of average humans. His clear mint-green eyes shone brightly under the morning sunlight, as beautiful as an untouched emerald. And of course, his distinct pointed ears, which were clearly visible without being blocked by a single strand of hair, immediately became a magnet and the absolute center of attention for every pair of eyes that still could not believe what they were witnessing.
"Hey!" a Larkvood Academy student whispered with a voice trembling from sheer shock, nudging his friend's arm so hard the magic book he was holding almost fell to the ground. "I-Isn't that an Elf? My eyes aren't deceiving me, are they?! Aren't they supposed to only live on the Reavel Continent? Why is a creature from a history book here with the entourage from the Garveon Kingdom?!"
"I don't know whether to think of him as handsome or beautiful... his charm is completely baffling to my common sense." a female student said, unable to look away for even a second, truly enchanted by Alvin's stunning and surreal face. "That Elf is truly amazing. Look, he looks so gallant like a knight, yet so captivating at the same time."
"You're right!" another student answered with bated breath. "This is the first time I've seen an Elf in person in my entire life! I thought those creatures didn't really exist in this world. Look at his clothes; that's the Garveon Kingdom academy uniform. Is he also one of the tournament participants? This is insane!"
Kazien, who had been standing casually beside Alvin, caught all the whispers of disbelief, praise, and shock with his incredibly sharp hearing. He maintained his unreadable, flat expression, but the faint aura around him shifted slightly, preparing for any possibility should anyone overstep their bounds.
I knew this commotion would happen. Kazien thought quietly in his heart, not at all surprised by the extreme overreaction shown by the people of Larkvood or any human on the Azvel Continent.
The silvery-white-haired youth stared straight toward the academy gate. Alvin's presence in the Azvel Continent, which was inhabited only by humans, was indeed a massive anomaly. Those pointed ears and that enchanting face could not be hidden at all, especially with his current short hairstyle which suited him perfectly and exposed his racial identity clearly. But as long as they all knew their limits, only watching and admiring from a safe distance and whispering like that because they viewed Alvin as a miracle from a storybook, I would leave them be without taking further action.
Although there was much hysterical discussion and whispering of admiration about Alvin from the crowd that was growing denser around the plaza, not one of them dared to take a step forward to approach. This was especially true when they realized there was a King radiating a natural aura of intimidation, as well as dozens of elite Garveon troops in full armor with sharp, hawk-like gazes surrounding the High Elf youth protectively.
King Nalvon, standing not far from them, chuckled softly at the stunned reaction of the people of the Larkvood Kingdom. The supreme leader of Garveon seemed quite satisfied with the immense shock factor his entourage had successfully brought on their first day of arrival in the host capital.
"Let's head inside!" King Nalvon commanded in a calm and authoritative voice. "We don't have time to stand around being a spectacle all day!"
Ignoring the words of the people around them who continued to hum loudly like a beehive that had just been awakened from a long sleep, the group from Garveon began to march forward in a neat and calm formation.
They walked along the glistening marble path, passed the main gate guarded by the two giant lion statues, and immediately entered the vast lobby of the central academy.
Their goal was only one: to officially register Kazien and his three fiancés with the committee as tournament participants.
The footsteps of the entourage from the Garveon Kingdom continued to march steadily into the inner grounds of the Larkvood Central Academy. The sound of elite soldiers' boots clashing against the polished marble floor created an authoritative rhythm, as if asserting that they had not come merely as guests, but to establish their presence.
Passing through a broad corridor decorated with rows of legendary mage portraits and ancient artifacts in glass cases, they finally arrived at the main registration hall. The room was immense, with a high vaulted ceiling, filled with representatives from various kingdoms across the Azvel Continent who were queuing at the registration desks.
However, the arrival of the Garveon entourage instantly shifted the atmosphere of the hall. Alvin's presence once again became a magnet that drew everyone's attention, including the committee members in charge of registering the tournament participants. The whispers that had previously discussed tournament strategies now shifted entirely toward the golden-haired youth with pointed ears.
Furthermore, the security surrounding Kazien and his three fiancés was incredibly tight. The elite soldiers of the Garveon Kingdom formed a sturdy perimeter, leaving no gap for anyone to approach within five meters.
A female senior committee member in a white uniform, who appeared to be responsible for the order of the hall, stepped forward hesitantly. She bowed deeply when facing King Nalvon, though her face showed clear anxiety.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty..." the official greeted with a trembling voice, yet still trying to maintain a formal demeanor. "According to the academy's security protocols, you are actually not permitted to bring such a large number of fully armed troops into this registration area for the comfort of other participants."
King Nalvon did not answer immediately. He stood tall with his hands behind his back, staring at the official with an incredibly cold and intimidating gaze.
"I must certainly protect this non-human race from the foolish people who might act without thinking!" King Nalvon said in a heavy voice that echoed throughout the hall, making several people behind the line flinch.
King Nalvon's gaze sharpened, as if it could pierce through the official's heart. "If my elite soldiers do not escort him and foolish people instead swarm this high elf until chaos ensues, are you and this Larkvood Kingdom willing to take full responsibility for all the consequences that might occur because you forbade me from providing an escort?"