THE COLOSSEUM – NOON
The lingering smoke from ten thousand Ignite spells still drifted in the air as Mint's voice boomed across the stands.
Mint: "Gentlemen! Before the battle ceremony begins, witness the first march of our future heroes!"
One by one, the cadet academies entered the arena in perfect formation. At the head of each unit, a student held their academy's flag high, the silk snapping in the wind.
Mint: "Welcome the Royal Solaren Academy of Solaren! The Emperor Adrian Academy from Joming! The Ares War Academy from Joagerm City! The Mystic Academy from Nortin! The Imperial Knights Academy of Solaren! The Ashes Academy from Fostan! And finally... the Celestial Academy from Burnwood City!"
As each flag passed, sections of the crowd erupted. People from every corner of the Empire had gathered, and the cheers for their local regions shook the very foundation of the Colosseum.
Among the crowds, a group of friends in their twenties—each cheering for a different academy—were caught in the joy of the moment. A new figure pushed through the seats to join them.
Kellen: "Hey guys! I made it!"
Harish: "Yoooo! Kellen is here! Bruh, how the heck did you manage to get away from the border guards?"
Kellen: "I used my one-time emergency leave. At least one of us had to be here to tell the story back at the barracks. Seeing the Imperial Princes battle in person? It's totally worth it."
The stadium suddenly went silent as Mint's voice took on a tone of deep reverence.
Mint: "People of the Eternal Empire, stand for our light and our warmth! The 11th Emperor of the Agnikhaat Empire... the Raging Infernal Emperor, Stromas Ignis, has arrived!"
The entire Colosseum stood as one. The academies halted their march and lined up in the center of the sands.
Emperor Stromas entered with a heavy, rhythmic stride. He was a man of massive build, with pure white hair and a beard that contrasted sharply with his crimson robes and white cape. In his left hand, he gripped a long spear made of white jade. His crimson eyes scanned the crowd, and his aura—the weight of a Descendence Stage powerhouse—rippled outward, making the air itself feel thick. Though he appeared to be in his sixties, his cultivation was high enough that he could have looked half that age; yet, he allowed the lines of time to show on his face, and no one dared ask why.
Stromas took a deep breath that seemed to pull the oxygen from the arena.
The Crowd: "Hail the Emperor! May your flames be eternal!"
(Note/: every academy can only send one representative. So they won't march first but only come forward when emperor calls.)
Stromas Ignis: "Forward."
Mint: "Alright, people! The moment we have waited for is here! Let us welcome the main characters of today's event—the Representatives!"
Mint: "First! OM of the Ares War Academy!"
A young man with dark skin and a bald head stepped forward. His physique was lean and fit, dressed in a black combat vest and trousers. He was a rare Close Combat Mage, a Master of martial arts and magic combined.
Mint: "Next! Stency Rose of the Celestial Academy!"
The mysterious girl from the rooftop stepped into the light. Her white hair, dipped in pink at the ends, framed sharp purple eyes. She wore a modern pink top with an attached skirt and leggings. She was a rarity—a Thread Grand Master who had already formed eight knots at the age of nineteen. She caught Osmian's eye and offered a mischievous grin.
Mint: "Meena Meril of the Mystic Academy!"
A timid girl with deep black hair and eyes walked out, wearing a blue shirt and skirt under a white robe. Despite her shy appearance, she carried the aura of a Master. In the balcony, Anjan's eyes widened.
Anjan: "That girl... she has grown far more than I expected."
Mint: "Osmian of the Emperor Adrian Academy of Joming!"
As the Grand Master from the West walked out, Melvin nodded in approval.
Melvin: "Such a young Grand Master. These children are promising."
Anjan: "Perhaps... perhaps we truly can overcome the upcoming storm."
Mint: "And the Second Prince of the Empire, Prince Rocian Ignis of the Imperial Knights Academy!"
The military officials and guards roared for the silver-eyed Prince. Even Emperor Stromas allowed a small, proud smile to touch his lips.
Mint: "And the Treasure of Solaren, our Crown Prince! Prince Aurin Ignis of the Royal Solaren Academy!"
Aurin stepped out, his dazzling crimson hair and eyes glowing in the sun. He wore loose red silk with golden flame patterns and white trousers, a golden-sheathed longsword at his hip. The crowd went wild, throwing flowers until the sand was covered in petals for the Grand Master Prince.
Melvin: "He is loved by the people. Truly worthy of a future Emperor."
Anjan: "He is worthy, yes... but the Second Prince is still out there. We cannot know the future yet."
Melvin: "I don't understand why you and those brutes in the military are so fixated on the Second Prince, Advisor."
Anjan: "If you had seen the side of him that I saw that day... you would understand."
Mint: "And finally... for the first time in the thirty years since its founding, the Ashes Academy of Fostan has joined us! Welcome... Kain Fostan!"
The stadium fell into an uneasy murmur. Osmian and Aurin both narrowed their eyes, sensing an anomaly. Even Emperor Stromas looked suspicious.
A figure emerged wearing a white mask with sharp eye-slits, dressed in pure white clothes and a matching half-cape. His hair was as white as his mask.
The Crowd: "Who is he? Why does he carry the city's name as his surname?"
Kellen: "Hehe... I smell a dark horse."
On the balcony, Anjan was no longer calm. He was trembling, his face pale with terror.
Melvin: "What is it, Advisor? What's wrong?"
Anjan: "That kid... Melvin, he is in the Profound Heaven Stage."
Melvin (Terrified): "Profound Heaven? At that age? What kind of monster..."
Anjan: "Melvin... now I know why the times are changing. It is exactly like fifteen hundred years ago. Back then, an unprecedented generation of geniuses arrived just before the worst event in human history: The First War of Fall. It is repeating. Once we reach the peak, we are destined to fall to the bottom."
Mint: "Ladies and gentlemen! The long-awaited draft of the Battle Ceremony is here! Our first match is none other than the favorite of the decade—a duel between our Crown Prince, Aurin Ignis of the Royal Solaren Academy, and the Second Prince, Rocian Ignis of the Imperial Knights Academy! A clash between two Grand Masters!"
The crowd erupted in a deafening roar that shook the stone tiers of the Colosseum.
Kellen: "This is it! This is what I was waiting for! I didn't expect them to start with the heavy hitters right at the beginning! Ahhhhh!"
Aurin walked onto the sands with a bright, confident smile, raising both hands to acknowledge the adoration of the people. Rocian, however, walked with a mask of cold stone, his expression unreadable and his silver eyes fixed forward.
Aurin: "My little brother... it's been three years since our paths parted. Did you miss me?"
Rocian: "That parting was the happiest moment of my life. At the Imperial Knights Academy, only the weak waste time missing their family."
Aurin: "Eh? You're still a jerk, I see. I guess running with those muscle-brains all year turned you into a complete stone. You should have come to the Royal Solaren Academy instead."
Rocian: "Why? To be pampered by our uncles?"
Aurin: "What's wrong with a little comfort?"
Rocian: "We are the heirs of an Empire, Aurin. We must take responsibility for our authority. I trained for that responsibility while you were wasting your time in a classroom."
Aurin: "Enough talk. Let's see who truly wasted their time."
Aurin's legs ignited, crimson flames acting like thrusters as he blurred forward. He released a devastating downward slash, his sword glowing pale orange with intense heat. But Rocian wasn't there. He appeared several feet to the right in the blink of an eye.
Aurin: "That's a good trick."
Rocian: "Yours sucks."
Unlike Aurin's pure magic, Rocian had small Explosion Runes attached to his boots. By triggering a micro-blast, he could propel himself with violent, jagged speed.
Aurin: "Are you nuts, little brother? Why would you attach explosion runes to your own feet?"
Rocian: "First: Explosive acceleration!"
SFX: BOOM—SHHHH!
Rocian flew several feet into the air, tilting his body mid-flight as he unsheathed his blade.
Rocian: "Second: Changing trajectory midway!"
BOOM—SWOOOOSH!
Rocian triggered another blast, pivoting in mid-air to thrust his sword toward Aurin's chest. Aurin used a flame-thrust to slide backward just in time. Rocian's blade stabbed the arena floor, shattering the stone. He slowly raised his head, his silver eyes cold, his blade glowing with a faint, eerie green light.
In the balcony, Melvin clapped his hands in genuine surprise.
Melvin: "Excellent combat instincts. He is unexpectedly a genius in his own right. Now I understand why the Advisor favors him."
Anjan looked on with pride, slowly stroking his beard.
Melvin: "But still... he cannot be compared to the Crown Prince."
Aurin (Grinning): "You've grown, Rocian. Now, let your big brother show off a little, too!"
Aurin's sword erupted in a violent crimson blaze. He took a horizontal stance, his eyes reflecting the fire of his blade.
SWOOOOSH!
He used flame-thrusts in multiple directions, spinning his body like a cyclone as he closed the distance. He made two full rotations before leaping, bringing his arm down in a massive, arcing cut. Rocian blocked the strike, their swords grinding together as crimson sparks showered the sand.
The crowd dissolved into chaos.
Kellen: "That's how you show them! The Imperial Knights Academy are not pushovers!"
Harish: "Yeah! Show those cocky Solaren bastards who we really are!"
The two brothers crossed their burning blades, but their blood was far hotter than the steel. Suddenly, Rocian thrust his left palm forward. A unique flame pattern engraved on his glove began to glow.
BOOM!
A massive green explosion erupted at point-blank range. Aurin was sent tumbling through the air, crashing hard into the arena wall.
Aurin (Coughing): "Huk... huk... You lunatic! Are you insane? Triggering an Intermediate Rune on your own hand?"
Melvin: "Prince Rocian is as mad as the rumors say."
Anjan: "He is intense, yes, but no fool. There must be a protection rune on that glove as well."
From the settling smoke, Rocian's voice rang out:
Rocian: "Aurin... I am not a genius like you. I cannot comprehend complex magic techniques or high-level spells. But I am gifted with a high mana pool, just like you. And I have a talent for Runes."
Aurin: "Fool! Runic engravings are even more complicated than spells!"
Suddenly, a Chain Dagger—a blade attached to a long chain—whipped out of the smoke, wreathed in green fire. Aurin caught the chain to stop the strike, even as it burned his palm.
(Note: Like DNA, everyone has different magicprints (mana patterns). If another person's magicprint collides with yours, it still injures you, even if you both use the same element.)
Aurin: "So, you learned the Chain Dagger Arts of the Cinde—"
BOOM!
The dagger Aurin was holding exploded. The force slammed him even deeper into the stone wall.
Stromas: "Clever child. He has overcome his weaknesses."
Adviser: "Indeed. He hid the runic engravings on the dagger beneath the flames so Aurin wouldn't notice. Truly cunning."
Stency (Watching from the floor): "Hah! This Prince is really to my liking."
From the darkness of the wall's crater, glowing red eyes appeared. Aurin's silhouette emerged from the dust.
Aurin: "Rocian... you really have grown up. I'm proud of you. I never thought you'd overcome your limitations. But don't forget—I am still your elder brother. Star Flame Art: First Form – Release!"
Aurin released a massive surge of energy, clearing the dust instantly. He swung his blade twice, sending two giant crescents of fire toward Rocian. They merged in mid-air, forming a sharp X-shaped slash.
(Note: In this setting, a 'Form' is not a single move, but a collection of multiple moves. A technique may have dozens of moves within a single form.)
Aurin began to rain down Tyrant Flame Arts from a distance. Rocian fought back with desperate intensity, using explosive thrusts to dodge and close the gap, deflecting slashes with his sword while using his chain dagger to restrict Aurin's movements.
The battle was so fierce that fights even broke out in the stands between the two academies' supporters, though the guards quickly dragged the troublemakers away.
In a final exchange, Rocian's chain-dagger bound Aurin's arm. Aurin didn't pull away; instead, he grabbed the chain and yanked Rocian forward. Rocian seized the momentum, leaping ahead with an explosive thrust. But Aurin noticed the rune on Rocian's hand glowing again—he quickly anticipated the move and delivered a brutal kick to Rocian's gut, sending him skidding back.
Aurin: "You are too reckless, Rocian. I'm not holding back anymore!"
Aurin raised his right hand, mana swirling into a concentrated point.
Aurin: "FALLING STAR!"
A miniature sun manifested in the sky, a massive sphere of flame descending toward Rocian. It was so large that Rocian had to use several explosive thrusts just to clear the impact zone.
Rocian (Thinking): He's finally getting serious...
But Rocian was so focused on the falling star that he lost track of Aurin. By the time he turned his head, the Crown Prince was already in the air, finishing his stance.
Aurin: "Tyrant Flame Arts: Second Form – Infernal Gluttony!"
seven-foot-long crescent of pure heat erupted from Aurin's blade. It struck Rocian with the force of a falling mountain, knocking him unconscious in a single heartbeat.
Aurin , looking down at his brother.
Aurin: "You proved yourself, brother... even in defeat."
Emperor Stromas let out a booming laugh, his joy echoing throughout the Colosseum as if he had won the match himself. The crowd screamed in triumph
Next chapter →→→→century old rivalry