The announcer's voice resonated through the arena as he presented The Bag of Dalioum to Valicar. "The Bag of Dalioum, an ancient treasure of the central continent, a legendary artifact that harkens back to a time when magic flourished freely. Its creation is a forgotten art, lost in the annals of history. It is with utmost honor that I present this to our champion, Valicar," he proclaimed, the weight of the moment evident in his tone. The bag, shrouded in impenetrable darkness, was placed in Valicar's outstretched hands, and with curious anticipation, the twins opened it, only to find themselves greeted by an abyss of pitch-black darkness.

"How does it work?" Sophia began to ask, but her words trailed off as the cheers of the crowd drowned out her voice. The overwhelming sound surrounded them, and Sophia, feeling a rush of emotions, blushed under the adoring gazes of the audience. Mike reveled in the attention, raising Valicar's other hand high, brandishing his ice sword with gusto, and the applause thundered through the arena.

"Mike, I'm feeling kind of light-headed," Sophia confessed, her legs beginning to sway unsteadily beneath her.

"Oh, come on, Soph. It's about time we received the appreciation we deserve. Just enjoy it while it lasts. But, wait... I'm getting kind of light-headed too. Did you cure the poissssoonnnn?" Mike's words slurred as dizziness overcame him, and the world around them faded to black.

Valicar regained consciousness later in the medical tent, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling the air. She found herself lying on a cot, her body feeling weak and disoriented. As her vision adjusted to the surroundings, she noticed Altheack on the neighboring cot, awake and looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Sophia's gaze bore into Altheack's bandaged face, the guilt churning within her. The memory of the scorching lava and its aftermath haunted her, and she couldn't help but regret the damage caused. Yet, her attention was drawn to something new—an exposed pointed ear beneath Altheack's hair. It hinted at her half-elf heritage, and the platinum hair, blending blond and silver, seemed to make sense now.

A wicked grin curled Altheack's lips as she remarked, "That was a pretty desperate move you pulled at the end. Hacking at my roots like a wildling with that frozen blade of yours, I almost felt sorry for you."

Mike's irritation flashed across his face, but he wasn't one to shy away from playful banter. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he shot back, "Well it worked didn't it, and you almost bit me in half with that zoo act of yours, beast girl."

Altheack couldn't help but release a low, amused chuckle. "You are an odd one. Are all central continent nobles as uncanny as you?"

"I'm about as much of a noble as you are medium rare." He gestured at Altheack's burns, aiming for a lighthearted jab.

Altheack raised an eyebrow, then broke out laughing. "And to think I gave the doctor the antidote only for you to burn me a second time." Her good-natured response indicated that the joke didn't offend her, and she continued the banter. "So you're saying there's no connection between you and the hero Valicar?" She asked a hint of challenge in her tone.

"There is," Sophia interjected, annoyed with Mike's jokes at Altheack's expense. "I can't say much about it but I'm sorry about the lava."

This sudden shift in tone brought a quizzical look to the visible part of Altheack's face. "All the nuts are in the tree, but not all the squirrels are home for winter, huh? Or more than one?" The half-elf pondered aloud, her words forming a slightly nonsensical yet intriguing statement.

"What the hell does that mean?" Sophia asked, thoroughly confused by the half-elf's enigmatic remark.

The banter between the twins and Altheack continued for hours, filling the medical tent with lively energy. Laughter, teasing, and friendly jabs bounced back and forth as they exchanged playful insults. The medical staff, observing their rapid recovery aided by magical healing, eventually deemed them well enough to be released from their cots. The lingering effects of the poison Altheack had used on them reminded Sophia of her lack of healing magic, Wishing to learn more her thoughts turned to the school and what was to come.

A group of individuals from the school arrived, led by a man named Orgoth The Green. As a master of nature magic, his presence was reassuring, especially considering his role as one of the judges during the games. He had come to ensure that all traces of druidic poison had been successfully extracted from Valicar.

With Valicar now awake and deemed capable of defending the artifact, Orgoth presented the bag to her. He explained its remarkable properties, detailing how it could contain objects of immense size, expanding its opening to accommodate anything as long as the wielder had the necessary mana. The bag's true nature as a safeguard against theft became apparent—without magic or knowledge of its contents, theft would prove futile. Furthermore, the bag could shrink down to a mere palm-sized object, offering convenience and portability.

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"The weight in the bag stays the same regardless of what's put into it," Orgoth explained, his voice filled with a mix of awe and practicality.

Mike, appreciated the bag "This is gonna make hauling shit so much easier," he remarked with a grateful smile.

Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We're carrying around a spatial anomaly, Mike. It's so much more than just a luggage carrier. It's a real inventory, and knowing how to manipulate it opens up endless opportunities!"

Mike, ever the warrior, couldn't help but question... "What the fuck can you do with a bag in a fight, Soph? I mean, it's cool, but it's no Blue Dawn," he said, his confidence apparent.

Sophia scoffed playfully, "Not everything has to do with fighting, but let me give you an example. We could fill the bag with water or rocks, then drop the whole damn thing on someone, turning them into a fucking pancake. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, my dear brother." Sophia said internally.

"You're looking at that bag like it's your newfound love," Altheack remarked, her tone filled with amusement.

Sophia responded with a mischievous grin. "Well, can you blame me? It's a damn fine bag, after all!"

"Enough to drop lava on me?" she quipped, a playful glint in her eyes.

Sophia's smile faltered momentarily, and she looked sheepish. "Okay, maybe I got a bit carried away with the lava. My bad," she admitted, feeling a pang of guilt. Their lighthearted banter filled the room once again, laughter echoing through the space.

Orgoth, having finished his conversations with the other winners, approached the group to discuss the school and their enrollment. Among the top ten contestants, some were already students, while others had competed for the chance to win the grand prize they still won free tuition.

"Like these rich fucks really need the financial aid!" Mike grumbled, his annoyance evident as he observed the privileged students taking up spots that could have been given to those in need.

"You've got a point, Mike. It's definitely unfair. But hey, let's not forget that we're in the same boat. We took one of those poor bastards' spots too, didn't we? Let's just be grateful we didn't have to deal with student loans. Ugh, I hated that shit," she remarked with a playful smirk.

Mike chuckled, his voice tinged with amusement. "Like you were ever gonna pay those off anyway, Soph."

As they left the medical tents and were teleported to the path leading up the mountain, they found themselves outside Helmtown, with the city gate behind them. The path stretched ahead, winding its way up the mountain toward Helm Hold, the renowned magical school.

The stairs that led up to the entrance of Helm Hold were a sight to behold. Each step was adorned with intricate and glowing runes, pulsating with magical energy. The runes were etched into the stone, forming a mesmerizing pattern that seemed to come alive under the light of the sun.

As they approached the stairs, Oghoth, their guide, revealed a trick to riding them at blinding speeds. With a simple incantation, "Volwush," the runes activated, causing the stairs to come alive. They transformed into a series of shimmering pathways, suspended in mid-air. The once static steps now flowed like a river, curving and twisting, creating a thrilling and dynamic path.

The mana cost of using this rune-activated staircase was negligible, a testament to the mastery of the magic wielders at Helm Hold. It showcased their ability to infuse everyday objects with extraordinary power and efficiency.

With a mixture of excitement and anticipation, they stepped onto the stairs. As they uttered the incantation, the runes responded, propelling them forward at astonishing speeds. The wind whipped through their hair as they soared along the staircase, the landscape whizzing past in a blur.

As they ascended higher, Helm Hold's true magnificence came into view. Perched atop the mountain, the castle stood tall with floating towers and buildings defying gravity. Upside-down structures hung in the air, and people walked confidently on the undersides, seemingly unaffected by the inverted perspective. Waterfalls cascaded upwards, defying the laws of nature, their crystalline streams flowing into a massive lake suspended in the sky. The water shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting the vibrant colors of the magical energy that permeated the entire school.

The entrance to Helm Hold was a massive archway adorned with intricate runes that glowed with a soft, magical light. As they stepped through the arch, they were greeted by an enchanting courtyard filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and peculiar magical creatures roaming freely.

To their left stood the Ice Tower, its surface shimmering with an icy brilliance. Snowflakes swirled around it, and occasional bursts of frosty air emanated from its core. Students clad in warm, fur-lined robes walked in and out, their presence not perturbed by the cold. They could see glimpses of ice sculptures and frozen waterfalls inside, promising a captivating realm of cryomancy to explore.

On the right was the mesmerizing Fire Tower, flames dancing playfully up its sides. But contrary to expectations, the fire did not spread or harm the surroundings. Instead, it transformed the colors of the tower, causing it to glow in ever-changing, vivid hues. Students practicing pyromancy were seen, their staves and wands igniting bursts of controlled flames that seemed to dance in harmony with the fiery tower.

Beyond the Elemental Towers lay a sprawling park area, filled with a harmonious blend of natural beauty and magical wonders. Exotic plants, some that seemed to defy botanical conventions, grew alongside shimmering crystals and glowing mushrooms. The park's central feature was the massive lake, suspended in mid-air, reflecting the kaleidoscope of magical energy that permeated Helm Hold.

Bridges, staircases, and floating platforms connected the various parts of the school, leading to other towers and buildings that specialized in different magical disciplines. The distant hum of spells being cast, laughter, and the rustling of leaves formed a symphony of magical academia that seemed to echo through the very air they breathed.

Mike, commented with his usual snark, "Alright, this place is pretty damn impressive. I'll give them that, it's like some doctor-strange shit."

Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Impressive? It's like a masterpiece of magic! I can't wait to learn how all of this works." The twins continued on.