Chapter 267: Dusk Demon’s Followers
At St. Maryan’s Outdoor Dueling Arena, which was generally structured like a Roman coliseum.
But beneath its grand appearance lay mystery.
The vast spectator area, capable of holding tens of thousands of people, did not actually exist within the academy. Instead, it was distributed across the kingdom through special mechanisms.
In an era lacking in entertainment, dueling competitions flourished, leading to the emergence of various new industries.
Although St. Maryan’s dueling tournament was not the most authoritative, it was the most popular!
Every weekend, thousands of spectators entered the local arenas and watched the students’ thrilling duels through near-real magic projections.
In the capital city’s St. Maryan branch, carriage after carriage stopped at the entrance of the dueling arena.
After a week of busy work, watching an exciting duel at the arena was a way to reward oneself.
But today’s atmosphere seemed different?
As Old John turned the corner, he couldn’t help but stop.
He was forty-six years old and still single, but surviving this long was already quite good.
Moreover, he had recently found a way to make money. If he could use this opportunity to become wealthy, perhaps he could finally find a partner?
He glanced at the entrance.
The rise of the competitive industry always came with gambling.
But he didn’t participate in gambling; he only sold small booklets—records of the contestants’ information.
Every year around this time, new participants joined, so he came on time to gather intelligence to update the booklets.
But today’s atmosphere…
John couldn’t help but retreat back around the corner, feeling frightened.
The family crests on those carriages were terrifying!
Not only did they bear the crests of great nobles, but also royal insignias!
“Oh my God, what’s going on?”
Old John’s legs went weak with fear.
“Could it be that there’s a member of the royal family among the new participants?”
He shivered and quickly backed away.
He couldn’t watch any longer.
If noticed by the royal guards, things could get complicated.
He decided to wait half an hour before entering the venue.
…
Inside one of the royal carriages.
“Beast Sage” Claire Kate was squinting, stroking the back of a fat cat named “Galileo,” seemingly reminiscing about some sensation.
Beside her, “Valkyrie” Alvaraite Saint Diemond was engaged in intimate conversation with Princess Eliza.
Since Princess Eliza attended St. Maryan’s Halloween party, Alvaraite had often sought her out for chats. Later, when Claire returned, she also started pestering her.
She was always worried about her son being bullied at the academy, whether he ate well and stayed warm, and if he felt lonely without her.
Even though Eliza and Claire told her not to worry, she still couldn’t let go.
“I haven’t seen him in almost half a year, I wonder if he’s lost weight.”
Alvaraite looked far away, filled with worry.
Princess Eliza comforted her, “Duchess, you’ll see him soon.”
Alvaraite replied, “But will he really pass the Duelling Club’s assessment as a first-year student?”
Eliza’s tone conveyed helplessness, “He is the winner of the Crimson Star.”
Alvaraite asked, “Really?”
Eliza leaned back against the chair and looked up at the sky.
How could someone so wise turn out like this?
A few minutes later.
They got off the carriage.
Almost simultaneously, Prince Charles also stepped down from another royal carriage, accompanied by the Archbishop of the Holy Church—an emaciated old man.
They exchanged glances from afar, and Prince Charles coldly snorted before entering the arena from the other side with the Archbishop.
They came to see the “Hero.”
…
St. Maryan.
Dusk followed the crowd into the outdoor dueling arena, observing the facilities with interest.
This was his first time here. The dueling grounds in the outdoor arena were clearly larger than those indoors, starting at 120×80 meters.
The size of the grounds would inevitably lead to changes in tactics and techniques.
Simply put, the surface rhythm would slow down, but the internal confrontation would intensify.
He turned his head to look at the spectator area.
It was just past eight o’clock, and the connection between the spectator area and the dueling grounds had not yet been activated.
At this moment, the spectator area was empty, making the entire venue seem rather desolate.
Students who wanted to watch the match were seated in special internal seats.
These seats formed a ring between the spectator area and the dueling grounds and would not be projected to the branches in various parts of the kingdom.
“I’ll be going now,” Rose raised the signboard with “Bear and Cat” and headed towards the ring.
Dusk and Diana showed their contestant cards to the staff and then entered the internal competitor passage.
“Which round are you in?” Dusk asked.
Diana waved her selection card and said with a squint, “Fourth round.”
Dusk: “If each round is ten minutes, that means the eighth-thirty round. Do you think you have a chance?”
Diana thought for a moment, “A little, but only a little.”
Dusk smiled, “Then give it your all.”
Diana frowned, “But even if I try my best, I might not win.”
Dusk: “Then win next time.”
Diana: “That’s true!”
She laughed.
…
Gradually…
The ring filled with people.
Not only did all the first-year students arrive, but many high school students and some professors also came.
While the novice tournament wasn’t as spectacular as the main event, the fresh energy of the newcomers added much to the dueling atmosphere.
Professors Jones and Fox sat side by side, and this time there was no rivalry between them.
Next to them were Professors Shylph and Lily.
One came as a vice principal to observe, while the other simply came for fun.
Further away, Professors Ryan Hux and Metia Bartholomew were also present.
At exactly eight o’clock…
A phenomenon resembling spatial distortion appeared in the spectator area, and one by one, spectators materialized—though they were merely projections.
Inside the competitor’s lounge, Dusk looked out the window toward the ring, trying to spot Senior Pandora. Instead, he unexpectedly saw Alvaraite in the spectator area!
Alvaraite sat in the front row, with Princess Eliza on her left and Claire on her right. Her smooth blonde hair was very eye-catching.
If she just sat there, she would be the epitome of grace and composure.
But at this moment, Alvaraite wore a worried expression.
Perhaps because the clock had struck eight, but she still hadn’t seen her precious son.
Dusk couldn’t help but hesitate, “Why are they here?”
