CHAPTER 179: STARTING
Applause rang out as the A-Rank group entered the Hero Academy hotel room.
Apart from the members of Rank A entering, everyone else was present, clapping and praising.
Some like Jordan or Frank let out howls like desperate fans, but no one was bothered.
What’s more, even the hotel workers were giving smiles and clapping.
“Is this what fame feels like? I have to admit, I like it,” Niels commented, waving as if all the onlookers were his fans.
“Bah, no one’s praising you,” Jordan criticized with an amused laugh.
“It always ruins the moment,” Leslie pointed out and ignored Niels’ look of amusement.
Cithrel stepped forward and cast a spell that helped restore the fatigue of the entire group and, in response, the team walked around a little less exhausted.
“I just want to sleep through the night,” Gregorio stated with a sigh.
“I want to take a bath and go to sleep,” Rachael mumbled, with a hint of pallor.
Alice walked over to Aurora and murmured. “I’m hungry.”
Those who heard it let out some giggles, and Aurora’s lips twitched.
“I think everyone deserves a big reward,” Vanessa said and, beside her, Dalia and Taqiyya nodded.
All the students of the hero academy validated her words, and it made sense.
Not only did they face a wave of creatures of greater numbers than all the other challenges of the same type, but in a sense, they faced an S-Rank.
They were up against Cécile Leroux! They were up against a ‘one-woman army’!
The most impressive thing was that famous S-rank archmage of the summoning branch seemed not to hold back.
Hundreds of B-Rank creatures and dozens of A-Rank creatures, all against five students.
While they were S-Rank, Cecile was powerful and renowned for having the ability to take down her opponents with numbers.
Adding that the creatures were under her control, those creatures were terrifying and could organize among themselves.
However, when they faced Alice’s [Dominion of Darkness], the entire organization fell apart because of the offensive capability she had.
Alice was perfect at taking down hundreds of creatures, and that perfection showed perfectly, countering Cecile.
Adding her companions who also did their best to support her, they then became a huge mountain that the monsters could not take down.
It was such a splendid challenge that millions of people saw it!
“The only reward I need now is some massages,” Clémentine murmured as she stroked her temple.
Like Rachael, who spent her magical energy, she spent all her psionic energy and was pushed to the extreme limit.
Alice showed great strength, but that didn’t mean she did all the work.
The others could feel it, as sometimes some monsters came close to them and even while flying.
Of course, no one bothered because they wanted to do something and not just be baggage that Alice had to carry.
For such a reason, they all reached their limit and pushed themselves to continue.
“If you want, you can go to the hotel spa, but first allow me a moment,” Edward interjected, and seeing that everyone nodded, he revealed. “We are all very happy for today’s victory, not only from the A-Rank group but also from Taqiyya, who made me admire her confidence in her art.”
Her words were sincere and caused Taqiyya, who was close to Cithrel, to turn red as she saw the others nodding.
“However, we don’t have to get carried away. We still have the Group Challenge and the alchemy and computer tournament left. That means we’ll have our last challenge tomorrow!” Edward announced with a solemn expression.
The expression and tone caused everyone to look up tensely.
Only one day remained until the last and biggest challenge.
The group challenge was near!
Having had the opportunity to see other challenges, they had realized how difficult this one was.
“No need to be nervous. No matter what we face, we will overcome!” Edward announced as his eyes sparkled with tiny flashes of lightning.
With confidence and attitude, he made everyone feel confident and motivated for what was to come.
Leading was a quality that not everyone could achieve and not everyone could understand.
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It was not just about leading and directing a group; it represented something greater than that.
It meant being the fundamental pillar of the entire group and the one who would guide them forward, giving them strength and confidence to move forward.
This was what Edward was representing now.
“Aurora has informed us how the ‘enemies’ were preparing, so we have more methods in our favor. However, remember to rest and be prepared for tomorrow. First place only holds if we are all united,” Edward reminded and seeing the students nod solemnly, he laughed and added. “That’s all I had to say. You can go get some rest.”
The students who heard him nodded with smiles.
There were many strong students, but the pillars of the battle group were Edward and Alice.
Edward was their leader and his strength was so impressive that everyone took his words seriously and relied on his ability.
Very different from Alice, who, because of her indifferent personality, made no one feel good about her doing most of the work.
It gave confidence, but at the same time created pressure for them to work hard.
It was good for Aurora that it gave that feeling and not distrust that she would betray them over a bag of chips.
******
Aurora walked down the hallway beside Cithrel and Taqiyya, excited for what was to come this day.
“Is it okay for us to be here?” asked Taqiyya curiously.
They were now in one of the buildings for the magical beast tamers and were heading to a particular room.
“Sure, it’s fun to watch the fights between more people,” Aurora replied without giving it too much thought.
The group challenge was slightly earlier than the other normal challenges and while the students had time to rest, it wasn’t like to completely relax.
It was for that reason that they were now here on this new day... A day that would bring a lot of excitement.
After all, in a few minutes Hero Academy and Cernunnos Academy would begin the group challenge before the eyes of millions of spectators.
So gathering to watch it was enjoyable.
“It’s a pity the others didn’t come,” Aurora pointed out, shaking her head.
Vanessa had to prepare for her alchemy tournament, and Andrés had other tasks to do, as did Jaxon.
Leaving only the three of them available to watch the tournament.
Cithrel gave a smile, and the three continued on until they stopped at a particular door.
Aurora knocked on the door, and it after a moment opened, revealing Elder Kernen.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Aurora said, followed by Cithrel, leaving Taqiyya with a touch of shyness, to nod.
“No, no, thank you guys for coming,” Elder Kernen commented, and looking at Cithrel, added. “It is an honor to have you come today, Your Highness.”
“Is Aurora here yet? Send her in!”
Elder Kernen’s polite words were suppressed by a growling voice from inside that sounded animated.
Elder Kernen gave an apologetic smile, and Cithrel interjected.
“I am a guest today. Please treat me as such,” Cithrel asked with a soft, gentle smile.
Elder Kernen nodded and gave way for them to pass.
Inside the room, the hallway was small and then extended into a huge room where there was some larger furniture.
An example of that was not only the huge screen, but the lone couch where Rupert was sitting.
“And do you think your little ones will manage to win?” Rupert asked with an amused grunt.
“Sure, and yours?” Aurora returned, looking at him seriously.
“Obvious!” growled Rupert in reply, and they both laughed in amusement.
After all, those ‘little ones’ were the students, and they were both in the same group.
After sitting down on the couch near Rupert, Aurora couldn’t help but give an apologetic smile to Elder Kernen, who was bringing the snacks.
“Don’t worry, you guys are guests,” Elder Kernen said, and tapping his companion, he stated. “Rupert is the one who should be more courteous.”
Rupert grunted at those words and politely shared the bowl of fruit he was eating.
Taqiyya smiled shyly at the thundering gorilla sharing his food and agreed by pulling out a fruit.
“I want the challenge to begin,” Rupert muttered, looking at the big screen.
It was still a few minutes before everything officially started and now he was letting himself see the students from both academies who were preparing their respective equipment.
Not only humans could use combat gear, but sometimes magical beasts did as well.
The winged lions were one example, and now it was some of the students’ magical beasts were wearing a battle outfit.
Of course, there were always some who didn’t like to wear artifacts or armor and liked to fight more ‘natural’.
After leaving different snacks and drinks nearby, Elder Kernen gently sat down on the couch.
“How are things for Zerzura?” Elder Kernen asked as he saw that there was still time left.
“Everyone is kept busy. The army trains its soldiers even harder and General McLean uses them to support the Lord of Mombasa in Kenya... Well, I guess he’ll soon stop being called that in the future,” Aurora explained, and seeing the old man nod, she continued. “Deals with the local adventurer’s guilds have been secured to deal with any situation with the abyssal portals and security has been increased throughout the territory Zerzura holds sway over.”
With the abyssal portals and the international tournament, the issue of the war in Kenya was put aside and, at this time, the Lord of Mombasa was building the foundation for his future nation.
Once they decide on the organization and type of government, the title of ‘Warlord’ would be set aside, and quite possibly with it, the title of ‘Lord of Mombasa’ would also be set aside.
It was an international issue to accept a government in Kenya, but it was not as if it was very difficult and there was no need for a global ‘power’ to recognize them.
Or at least such powers had no force in Africa.
Nations were more interested in protecting themselves from the abyssal portals or looking for ways to survive than trying to annoy a small warlord in Africa.
As for the adventurer’s guilds, like everywhere else, they had a profound influence and even became decisive in political affairs of a state.
However, in Zerzura, it was quite different.
The Orisha Oko held that position among the ‘rulers’, but in reality, they only participated in political matters that affected the adventurer guilds, and their authority, compared to the other high commanders, was minuscule.
Even so, they were still strong and one of the pillars of Zerzura City, as in most countries.
They were the defense for monster appearances in the city, dungeon clearing, or other national defense issues.
The army was present, but it was common to leave the monsters or dungeons to the adventurers.
“As for the magic forest, the Apicius Company has been arranging matters with them. We are allies, and everyone wishes to continue to maintain our alliance and even deepen it.” Aurora added after remembering that last detail.
There were a few other things that were brought to her attention due to her relationship with the higher-ups, but these were the most notable topics and the ones that could be talked about calmly.
“That’s nice to hear. The Cernunnos Academy has also prepared to defend its allies,” Elder Kernen revealed, and seeing that Cithrel was looking at him curiously, he explained. “We have quite a few relationships with magical beast tribes all over the world. We are an academy, but we are more tight-knit than other academies.”
Unlike an academy where the teachers just worked, Cernunnos Academy was deeply connected to its teachers because of its relationships with its magical beasts.
It was true that some magical beasts were loners, but others, like the thundering gorillas, were close knit and that unity extended to their human companions.
After all, protecting a friend’s family was commonplace.
“It’s about to start,” Rupert pointed out excitedly.
Everyone looked away from the screen where a huge group of students was entering the portal.
Starting the group challenge.