Helios was waiting for me in the hallway. He greeted me by congratulating me on my win. I nodded, accepting his praise.

"Taking light magic after your teacher?" he asks.

"Lucky coincidence," I chuckle.

I chose my affinity, since I have a good understanding in all common types of magic. Light just suited me the best, and is the fastest magic when cast.

Helios stretches his back, cracking his neck on one side, then the other. "We both wield a very quick and efficient type of magic. I'm excited to see how they fare against each other in the arena."

"Light is faster than lightning," I conclude.

"Your light magic still isn't cast at the speed of light. Although fast, it isn't like Lucidel's true light magic," Helios notes.

He was completely in the right. My light attacks are dodgeable, since I still can't send my light at the speed it is supposed to go. For that, you need sufficient training in magic refinement. It isn't a lesson that Lucidel had to teach me, since my magic is fast enough as is. That would be one of the next few lessons for sure, as my light magic needs to be at its best for future conflicts.

"I don't need light speed attacks in the arena," I note.

Helios smirks wryly. "We'll see about that. I'll show you that lightning can surpass your quick reflexes."

Helios's fight would start soon, so he winked and started walking towards the changing room.

Since the judges gave points on our fights, Helios and I wouldn't have to fight again today. The other challengers which didn't display such an outstanding performance would have to fight 3 or 4 times today, having a perfect record throughout the day.

-

As I was walking around the halls, observing the posters of different winners of the tournament, an older lady approached me. She dropped her cup of what I guessed to be tea or some other dark liquid on the floor, shattering it completely.

"Are you okay miss..."

As I looked at her face, I saw completely open eyes from shock, and a slack jaw hanging as wide as it gets.

"You..."

"Me?" I ask, looking behind me to see if she saw someone else. There was no one there, so I had to assume she was talking to me.

"You're real!"

"I... am?"

I was as confused as this lady was shocked.

She stammered her words, pointing her shaky finger at me. "You're the one! The prophecies!"

"I think you've got the wrong guy ma'am."

"No, I'm sure of it," she counters, "you're The Messiah! The one that everyone was talking about!!"

I didn't know if this lady escaped some mental hospital, so I looked around for any caretakers close by.

"I can't believe I met you at such a young age! I thought my insignificant life would never cross paths with you, but I was proven wrong!"

I was sure of it, this woman was insane.

She started walking towards me, with a dazzled look on her face. She didn't radiate any danger, not being enlightened. Still, she gave me the creeps. I hope this woman doesn't try to touch me inappropriately.

"Young Messiah, I've been observing you from the crowd, but now I'm sure it's you. The great journeys to save the world were told about you!"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Please don't touch me," I stepped back.

"My... I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Yolda, a prophet from Holdanis. I peek into the future from time to time, and yours is very interesting."

"Yeaaah..."

It was a bit hard to believe, so I just stepped back again, not wanting to alarm this lady if she isn't right in the head. Suddenly, Lucidel appeared on the end of the hallway, spotting me in the distance.

"I'm sorry lady, but this part of the arena is for fighters onl- OH! Lady Yolda, what might you be doing here?"

Does Lucidel know everyone in this kingdom? This lady Yolda turned out to be a completely sane person, at least coming from Lucidel. He explained how Yolda is a prophet for Holdanis, probably the most prestigious one at that.

"Can I look into your future, young man?"

This was a lot to soak up. Lucidel hit me with one of his fun facts again. Just like it was with flying, he just revealed psychics that know the future exist.

"Uhh, sure..."

She grabbed my hand gently, closing her eyes in the process. It was weird, but I was interested in what Yolda would say. Even though I never met a psychic, I wanted to know my fate.

Suddenly, she was thrust back into the wall as sparks started flying around. The whole hallway shook, and a flash of light appeared between Yolda and I.

"Lady Yolda!!" Lucidel shouts, helping her get up.

"I'm fine general. It was a miscalculation."

Lucidel was surprised, not knowing what to do. Yolda's hand was severely burnt, reaching all the way to her elbow. Her other arm wasn't any better either. There was blood seeping down her nose, but she just wiped it off.

"I-I'm sorry," I apologized, not knowing if I was responsible for this.

"It's fine young man. That's what I get for taking destiny for granted, like a children's toy I can play with."

Yolda lightened up the mood by joking about her abilities being rusty, and that she's already gone senile in preparations for reading the future. She joked about being as old as Lucidel, even though Lucidel looks younger than this lady.

"You're definitely not that old," Lucidel laughs.

If she was a human, I would guess her age falls somewhere between 45 and 55.

However, she definitely wasn't only human.

"Being a hundred years, I sometimes forget the details."

"It must be hard, reading the future," Lucidel comments.

"It certainly isn't like opening a book," Yolda confirms.

"Wait, if she's a hundred years old, how old are you?" I ask Lucidel.

"He's certainly older than that! Hahaha!"

Lucidel shakes his head, his arms crossed as they usually are.

"I'm too old to be teaching kids like these. They should have a young teacher that follows the trends and knows how to talk to them. I just train them like military kids, hahaha!"

Lucidel's laugh boomed through the hallway. He had many friends it seems. Being older than a hundred years gets you that I guess. It was still weird knowing that my teacher lived my lifetime 10 times over.

"I'm sure this young man appreciates a general being his teacher," Yolda says with a smile.

"Of course. He can be a bit strict though," I respond.

"What did you say!? 20 push ups, now!"

We all laugh. Yolda tells Lucidel she wants a quick moment with me, to which he nods and walks towards Helios's part. Yolda and I were alone again. This time, I knew who she was and felt more comfortable in her presence.

Her eyes narrowed and her wrinkles cut deep into her face. A serious expression changed the mood as she started walking in the opposite direction. I noticed her hands she's been hiding behind her back while talking to us. They were mangled. After talking to Yolda, I got to know what kind of person she is. Even though she hides it, she must be in terrible pain right now. This shows that she went through a lot in her life. She is a good person at heart, I can sense it...

"Adam..."

"Lady Yolda..."

"What happened today never happened before. I don't want to put pressure on a youth like yourself, but it must be said. Your future can't be read, since your fate is worth the destiny of billions. News of a Messiah being born 9 years ago rang throughout the whole world, to every prophet. I'm sure it's you, from the first moment my eyes laid upon you. Even if you don't believe me, know this: Whatever happens, you will choose the right path. Be strong, for the dark alleys you trench through will fall before the mighty sword of your destiny. Believe in yourself, no matter what happens!"

I looked at her serious expression, every hair on my body standing up on its own. There was something about this woman. Her words rang true to my body, raising a primal instinct. It will be engraved into my memory.

"That's it for today. Good luck tomorrow! I don't need to see the future to know you'll succeed in getting to the top 10."

I nodded and thanked her, watching as she walks off to treat her injuries in the medical room. What was this? Today was a weird day, many things happened at once. I decided to think about it in my room, where I would sleep the night. Lucidel rented a hotel room near the arena.

-

In the early morning, Lucidel shook me out of bed.

"NOO panna cotta!!!" I yelled out, being awoken from my dream.

"Adam, we have to go! There's been a breach in the arena!"

"W-what?"

I was still dazed from sleep, rubbing my eyes to get a better grip on what Lucidel was saying.

"Someone managed to get past security and infiltrate the arena! Allegedly, they ransacked the locker rooms!"

"The locker rooms?" I ask with confusion.

It was a moment later I realized something.

I left the Sunsword in my locker room, safe inside the arena. They have a strong security system, with every fighter having their own locker room.

"We have to go!"

Lucidel nods and goes to change from his blue-white pyjamas. The muscular, tall general looked comical in those pyjamas.

I rushed out with bed hair, hoping my Sunsword wasn't stolen.