Endless Leveling Done Right!

“Is everyone here?” Professor Rowan asked.

The candidates for the Inter-Academy Tournament had gathered at the academy plaza, proudly standing in front of the entire student body.

Not everyone would come with them to the Kingdom of Faelarun. The other students had simply gathered to cheer and support their candidates. They hoped they would return victorious by winning the majority of the events they had signed up for.

Princess Xenia’s airship hovered above the plaza.

The members of Endless Horizon assembled on deck, waiting for the Headmaster to teleport the students and the airship directly to the Kingdom of Faelarun.

Since Alex needed his friends to also participate in the Second Trial of the Hermit, they would need an airship to travel towards the mysterious island of Hy-Brasil.

Luthor stood on the ship’s deck at Alex’s request. Since the old man frequently performed maintenance around the academy, the students had grown quite familiar with him.

After the teachers had double-checked that their candidates were all present, the Headmaster finally began his speech.

“Today, we head to the Kingdom of Faelarun to participate in the Inter-Academy Tournament,” Professor Rowan declared. “But before we do, I want you to bear this in mind— winning is not everything.

“What truly matters is giving your best so you won’t have regrets. Every battle you fight, every hardship you overcome, and every decision you make in this tournament will help shape your growth.

“Some of you will taste victory. Some of you will taste the bitterness of defeat. Both are equally valuable. Victory teaches confidence, while defeat teaches growth. Treat this tournament as something you can look back on many years into the future.

“Make it a fond memory that will make you say, ’I learned a lot from that experience.’ Remember this. You are not merely representing the academy. You are representing the dreams of everyone standing here today.”

The Headmaster gazed at the hopeful faces of the candidates who stood before him. Some of them looked anxious, some determined, while others looked confident.

They had been training for the past month, and it was now time to show everyone the results.

Alex stood alongside the candidates of the Music Hall.

They had never seen him practice, but the confident gaze he had assured them that the Singing and Blackmail King of their Frieden Academy was in peak condition.

“And last but not least,” Professor Rowan continued, his voice spreading across the silent plaza. “Never forget that no matter what happens in the tournament, Frieden Academy will always welcome you back with pride.”

A round of applause erupted from the gathered students.

Some shouted the names of their friends, while others raised banners they had prepared the night before.

The atmosphere instantly became lively, washing away the tension that had been building among the candidates.

“Bring home glory for Frieden Academy!”

“Show them our strength!”

“Don’t lose to the Royal Academies!”

“Alex, marry me!”

Alex’s lovers all perked up and glanced in the direction where they heard the voice.

Though, since there were too many students gathered in one place, they had no idea who was so daring as to shout for Alex to marry them.

While this was happening, the candidates who would be participating in the tournaments smiled after hearing the cheers of encouragement from their fellow students.

Even those who had been nervous moments ago felt courage rising inside their hearts.

The Headmaster raised his hand, causing the plaza to quiet down once more.

“Now then,” Professor Rowan said with a faint smile. “It is time for us to depart.”

He then tapped his staff lightly against the ground.

Immediately, dozens of magic circles appeared beneath the gathered candidates, encompassing the airship above their heads.

Brilliant golden runes spun rapidly, releasing a powerful surge of mana that made everyone’s robes flutter wildly.

“Next stop, the Kingdom of Faelarun!” Professor Rowan declared.

A moment later, a bright flash of light shot to the heavens.

When the light receded, the Headmaster, the candidates, and the airship could no longer be seen.

They were now on their way to the Kingdom of Faelarun, where their rivals awaited their arrival.

————

Kingdom of Faelarun…

A bright flash of light descended a mile away from the capital city of Faelarun.

In order to prevent any accidents, Professor Rowan decided to take his students outside the city, then walk the rest of the way.

It would also give some time for the Forest Guardians enough time to head in their direction and guide them inside the City of Everdawn.

“We will walk from here,” Professor Rowan said before looking at the airship above their heads. “Princess, you may enter the city first. They have already been informed of your arrival.”

“Thank you, Headmaster,” Princess Xenia replied.

The airship then moved toward the designated port, where the airships from other kingdoms had parked.

Professor Rowan then led the march toward the city, making sure to keep his students safe from any potential dangers.

The Forest Guards arrived a few minutes later and escorted them to the gate.

“Wow!” one of the candidates exclaimed. “So this is the city of the Elves. It’s so beautiful.”

Unlike the human kingdoms, the Elves had strict rules, which prevented ordinary people from entering their domain.

Nearly all the students that had come to participate in the Inter-Academy Tournament were seeing the elven city for the first time in their lives.

Lapiz and Aeris, who were also part of the delegation, were greeted by their people with smiles on their faces.

Although they would be participating as members of Frieden Academy, the Elves didn’t seem to care much about it.

For them, as long as the one who won were of Elven lineage, it was considered as a victory for their entire race.

“The Inter-Academy Tournament will begin four days from now,” Professor Rowan explained. “You may use the next three days to explore the city. However, bear in mind to follow the rules of Faelarun. I advise everyone to be on their best behavior and avoid any conflicts with students from other academies.”

“”Yes, Headmaster!””

“Professors, please guide your students to their accommodations,” Professor Rowan ordered. “Also, keep an eye out for troublemakers. If any of them causes an international dispute, you will have a deduction to your salaries for the next three months.”

After hearing this rash punishment, the Professors gave their students the “if you do anything stupid, I’ll kill you” gaze, making them feel a little anxious.

Alex, on the other hand, was already looking forward to the upcoming tournament.

“Well then. Should we explore the city a bit, Dim Dim?” Alex asked.

“Dim Dim!” Dim Dim raised its hand and pointed forward, as if telling Alex “Let’s go!”.

While this was the first time that he had been in Faelarun in the flesh, he had visited the city of Everdawn many times in ELO.

He knew the best viewing spots, as well as other special attractions. Because of this, he headed to the port where Princess Xenia’s airship had landed.

Today, he would spend some time with Lavinia because their previous date had been postponed.

He hoped that she would enjoy the sights and sounds of the city while they traveled together to create a special memory.

———–