Red: It will be ok, trust me, it gets better.

Red looks at the boy’s left shoulder, adorning a new, still smoking dragon insignia. Red is then brought out of the trance and gasps for air. His insignia slowly recedes into its normal position. He gets up and walks toward his group, and sits in silence. The rest of them go through the trial, with a final number of 32 passing.

--- Chapter 93 ---

The camp is silent, people recovering from the fear test. Suddenly a large cart rides into the camp.

Proctor: Alright kiddos! Everyone get into the cart!

The thirty-two kids walk over and get in the cart.

Proctor: I will meet you all at the final test.

The cart begins to leave the camp, the proctor and the rest of the observers and teachers wave them off.

Hiro: So, what did you two dream of.

Luna+Red: Rather not talk about it.

Hiro’s gaze keeps shifting from one of them to the other in confusion.

Hiro: Ok? Mine was heights, there was like this giant drop, and I had to walk over a steel beam. Super scary stuff.

Red: I don’t know man, doesn't seem that scary to me.

He responds poking fun at Hiro.

Hiro: Yeah, ok.

They laugh a little and talk the rest of the trip. They eventually arrive at a large cylindrical building. The cart stops outside, and the kids head in a door. It leads to this large area with tables, chairs, food, and drinks. They are each assigned a room. As it’s late, they all eat. Before bed, their proctor arrives.

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Proctor: Alright, looks like everyone’s settled in. Here’s how tomorrow will work, as well as the rest of the tournament. As you all know, the final challenge is a giant 1v1 tournament. It will be single elimination. Since there are thirty-two of you, you will all have an opponent in the first round. We will go through your first round matches tomorrow, and the next round will be the day after and so on. Remember, the winner is a guaranteed A rank, but if you prove yourselves to the spectators, you have a chance of becoming an A rank even if you lose in the first round. So, tomorrow will come quickly so you should all get your rest.

Within the next ten minutes, everyone said goodnight and turned in. Bright and early the next morning everyone was woken up to come to breakfast. They all eat and stand near a door after. The proctor walks up.

Proctor: Ok! For the first round, you won’t be able to see the competition. You are to stay in here until your up. For the first round, we have Red vs Konna. Be on deck for when the tournament begins.

Red looks around and spots his opponent. She is wearing athletic clothing, and he shirt has no sleeves. She spots him and gives him a thumbs up with a smile. He returns the gesture. Outside the colosseum is a large line to get in, with priority to the guilds. A special box seat is arranged for guild leaders of participating people. The master was the first one in and takes a seat. More leaders pour into the area. Kota makes his way into the leader seating area. He sits next to the master.

Kota: You excited?

Master: Of course, I get to see my students thrive.

Kota: Yah, I wonder who will win.

Master: Only time will tell. I am curious to see how young Geno will do.

Kota: And I wonder how Red will do.

The two talk for a while, before the master’s master, sits to his right.

Master: Your a little late master.

Old guy: The games didn’t start yet, so I aint late!

Master: I’m still curious about your student. He brought you out of retirement. So I can only imagine.

Old guy: That boy, he’s gone through so much. And his arcana, its raw power is something that most of us could dream of. While it may not be an arcana that someone will immediately write it off as SS+ material like your boy with GodCore. But under a good master, with a little training. His arcana is a force to be reconned with.

Master: I see, then we will just have to see how your student will hold up.

Old guy: Indeed. But there is a lot of people to keep our eyes on. Those three students of that Victor guy, y’know the won who taught the SS+

Master: Yes, I know what you’re talking about. I told you about them.

Old guy: Oh yeah. There’s also your students, my students, this Geno you were talking about. That one kid from maskrah. And I keep hearing about a prodigy from the academy guild.

Master: A prodigy?

Old guy: Yes I was talking with some people, and I heard the academy is trying to keep one of their students a secret from the other guilds. It was a boy with white hair, so he has a lot of mana. Gah, I can’t think of his name.

Master: That’s fine I think I know who you’re talking about-

Old guy: It starts with an L! It’s on the tip of my tongue.

He thinks about it in silence for a moment.

Old guy: Leo! His name is Leo. According to my sources, his arcana is stronger than an Insignia. I heard he can mimic the things insignias can do, as well as being an arcana.

Down where the fighters stay, Red and Konna get up towards the door.

Proctor: The time has come for battle. The tournament will begin now, remember to show the crowd what you can do. There is a lot of people watching, so good luck.

She leads Red and Konna to two opposing gates. Their battle is about to begin.