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CHAPTER FIVE
Leaning over from the cart, Al gazed at the stunning sight of Omazu, the capital city of the kingdom of Rhetonia. Nestled in the heart of the western continent, Aerosia, the city stood tall and proud. Its white stone buildings gleamed in the sunlight, as if the heavens themselves had crafted the city's foundations. The streets were paved with dark, smooth graphite, reflecting the bustle of countless feet moving with purpose.
At the very center of Omazu stood the Arena, its massive walls towering above and imposing structure that seemed to stare at Al, as if eagerly anticipating fresh blood to challenge its might. The Arena was more than just a symbol of power; it was a pillar of the kingdom's economy, second only to the mines that extracted adamantine—the precious, nearly indestructible metal that fueled the kingdom's smithy. The Arena attracted tourists from all across the continents, spectators drawn to the spectacle of combat, eager to witness fierce challenges from the bravest fighters of Rhetonia and beyond.
Shid stood beside him, wide-eyed and awestruck. "Wow, it's so beautiful... I've never seen so many buildings standing side by side. It's so... alive. I’ve never seen a city this busy."
Having grown up in a small village, Shid had never encountered anything like the sprawling metropolis of Omazu. The constant flow of people, the cacophony of voices, and the vendors calling out their wares were all overwhelming.
Alexandri, the seasoned commander leading their party, grunted in acknowledgment. "It’s the heart of the kingdom, Shid. Rhetonia owes much of its power to this city and its people. But right now, we have more pressing matters to attend to."
The group continued down the crowded streets, making their way to a modest tavern with a weathered sign: Feiy's Tavern. Alexandri ordered two of the men to care for the horses while the rest of them entered the dimly lit interior.
Inside the tavern, the air was thick with the rich aroma of roasted meat and strong ale. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the tables, some sporting battle scars that told tales of their past struggles. A dwarf sat at one table, his oversized axe resting beside him, while crumbs and remnants of his meal scattered across his beard as he ate heartily, oblivious to the mess he was making.
As Alexandri and his companions entered, the chatter in the tavern briefly fell silent. Eyes turned toward the newcomers, particularly toward the two slaves, who wore the unmistakable brown leather and metallic bracelets bearing the names of their masters—an obvious mark of subjugation. The tension in the air was palpable, but Alexandri merely waved it off.
After sitting down at a table, the commander gestured for the server to come over. "Food. Drinks. Now," he commanded.
When the meal arrived, the delicious smell was enough to make Al's stomach growl. He glanced at Shid, who was practically drooling. It had been days since they had last enjoyed a proper meal, and hunger gnawed at them both.
Seeing their eagerness, Alexandri spoke gruffly, his voice low but firm. "Eat. This may be the last decent meal you get before the tournament."
Shid’s expression faltered at these words. The thought of fighting in the Arena, known for its brutal reputation, filled him with dread. But before he could voice his worries, a soft voice called out from behind them.
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"Alexi."
Al stiffened as he immediately recognized the voice. It was Ameria d Contilgo, a noblewoman and one of the kingdom's most renowned knights, known as "The Mist"—a name that reflected her unmatched speed and swordsmanship. She was a legend in her own right.
Turning around, Al's eyes met hers. Ameria stood tall, her striking features framed by flowing hair streaked with red and blue, reminiscent of the fires of battle. She wore blue armor adorned with her family crest—a dragon and a serpent locked in combat, each biting the other's tail. An eyepatch covered her left eye, adding to her fearsome appearance, while the peculiar sword at her waist also bore the same crest, symbolizing her family's long lineage of warriors.
“What brings you here, Alexi?” she asked, her tone teasing yet sharp. “Planning to bully the tournament challengers again this year?”
Alexandri scowled, a grimace tugging at his features. "Not this time," he muttered. His gaze shifted toward Al and Shid. "I’m here on official business, and I intend to enroll these two in the tournament."
Ameria's eyes narrowed as she scanned the boys. “Hmm… these two?” She paused mid-sentence, suddenly captivated by something. Her attention fixated on Shid, her left eye gleaming with a faint light. Her legendary ability to gauge a person's potential, and also allowed her to catch glimpses of their future with just a glance, a power given to the females of her blood line by the god sadumat for being his loyal servants and sword on earth.She saw a massive aura shining around Shid this was what he was going to grow into, she was but amazed and impressed.
As she turned her gaze towards Al "Now lets see what you are made of," something unexpected happened. Her eye twitched, and she staggered back slightly, blood trickling from beneath her eyepatch.
"Impossible…" she muttered under her breath. "What... what is this?"
It felt as if an unseen force was blocking her from reading Al’s potential. She let out a strained laugh. "What have you brought this time, Alexi?" she asked, her voice tinged with both amusement and curiosity.
As she turned to leave, Ameria added with a playful smirk, "I’m looking forward to this year’s tournament. I’ll be seeing you in a month’s time. And don’t forget—my younger sister, Rihanne, will be joining as a challenger. You won’t want to miss that."
The room fell silent. Rihanne d Contilgo, the younger sister of the Mist? No one from the Contilgo family had ever participated in the tournament before; it was unheard of.
The shock of her words rippled through the tavern, leaving Alexandri momentarily stunned. However, he quickly regained his composure. As she left, Al couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just witnessed something significant, though he couldn't quite identify what it was. The name Rihanne didn’t resonate with him from his past experiences, but the expression of shock on Alexandri’s face suggested there was more to this situation than he understood.
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Later that evening, after their meal, Alexandri ordered two warriors to escort the boys to his manor while he mentioned that he needed to speak with the knight captain first. As they passed through the gates, Al was struck by the beauty of the estate. The grounds were immaculately maintained, featuring intricate patterns on the cobblestones and lush gardens surrounding the impressive building. Inside, the manor was a masterpiece—luxurious and elegant, filled with fine art and beautiful decorations that spoke to the wealth and status of its owner.
They were led to a separate annex where they would stay. As they settled in, Shin looked at Al with uncertainty. “What’s going to happen to us?” Al didn’t have an answer. He had thought they would be training in the Arena, but this situation felt different. The Commander had kept them in suspense. What was their role in all of this?
Hours passed, and then they were called out to an open training ground. The marks on the floor indicated that it was designed for intense combat training. Standing in the middle was Alexandri, his imposing figure ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.
“Come forward,” he commanded, his voice resonating like thunder. “There’s no time to waste. You have a month until the tournament. Right now, you’re weak, and weaklings don’t survive in the Arena.”
Al could feel the tension in the air. This was the moment when they would be tested.
"I don’t make bets I don’t win," Alexandri continued. "And right now, you’re all just baggage. Except for you," he said, turning his piercing gaze on Al.
"I don’t know how you killed the Dark Hound Alpha. I had my eyes on you the whole time, but you’re different. And I also saw the burnt magic circle in the isolation cell. That was your doing, wasn’t it?"
Al remained silent, the weight of Alexandri’s words pressing on him. Without warning, Alexandri tossed a dagger at him.
"You’re familiar with these, right?" he sneered. "Let’s see if you’re any more than what you appear. Come at me."
Without hesitation, Alexandri ripped off his shirt, revealing his hulking physique, then threw a sword at Shin.
"Come at me!" he bellowed. "If you manage to make me move even an inch, I’ll teach you a technique of mine. Let’s see what you’ve got!"
Shid hesitated, his grip tightening on his sword. Al placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice firm but calm.
"This is a test, Shid," Al said, his eyes steady. "If we want to move forward, we have to pass this. We’ve come too far to back down now."
Shid looked at him, eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. The words seemed to settle him, and with a deep breath, he nodded.
Together, they stepped forward, ready to face the challenge in front of them.