Novel Full Chapter 199: It Begins
Chapter 199: It Begins
“Tell me again why we are here, Vivian?”
A plain-looking middle-aged man with an unkempt beard asked the question with a tired, exasperated sigh.
He wore simple pants, a black tunic, and a grey robe thrown loosely over his shoulders—hardly the attire one would expect from someone attending a grand event.
A long scar ran down the length of his left eye, and his dull brown eyes had the infamous dead fish look, like someone who hadn’t slept properly in weeks.
His black hair was just as messy as his beard, giving him a rather rough and unusual appearance.
Walking a few steps ahead of him was the woman he had addressed.
Vivian looked just as plain.
She wore a short skirt, sturdy boots, a white blouse, and a robe similar to Cain’s. Her black hair hung naturally without any decoration, and her brown eyes were equally unremarkable.
The only thing about her that drew attention was her curvy figure.
Many men who passed by spared her more than a single glance, appreciating her sexy body, their eyes drifting toward her body before quickly turning away once they noticed her otherwise plain face.
“You know why we’re here, Cain,” Vivian said without turning around. “Stop complaining.”
Cain sighed again as they walked through one of the many tunnel-like entrances leading into the coliseum.
His back slouched even further.
“I didn’t sign up for this,” he muttered. “And I know that stinky old coot won’t even pay me extra for the extra work.”
Vivian laughed quietly.
“Well, that’s true,” she admitted.
Then her tone sharpened slightly.
“But at least you get to keep your life.”
Whether that was truly guaranteed… only the two of them knew.
Cain sighed again.
“And you still won’t even warm my bed for one night,” he complained. “What does a man have to do to get some action around here?”
His gaze openly wandered over Vivian from head to toe before returning to her midsection. He watched the hypnotic jiggle of her sizable ass cheeks through the robe.
Left one up, right one down. Right one up, left one down, like a pendulum.
’Damn, that ass is as heavenly as ever,’ Cain thought. His gaze lifted to study her features. ’Too bad she had to disguise her face.’
To him, the thought was subjective, while it was a tragedy that he would have to look at this plain face instead of her beautiful face, the silver lining was that fewer men would be eyeing something he fancied.
Of course, many still stared at her lustfully. Those who believed that you don’t eat the duck’s head, the bird’s body is all you need to enjoy your meal.
Vivian snorted, clearly aware of his leering without even bothering to look back.
“Dream on,” she said flatly. “How many times do I have to reject you before it gets through your thick skull?”
“A man can dream, can’t he?” Cain shrugged.
“Well, if you won’t let me have you,” he continued lazily, “at least give me some silver so I can spend the night at a brothel while you do your scouting.”
Vivian shook her head with a frown.
“Men…” she muttered to herself. “Is fucking women all you think about?”
“That,” Cain replied casually, “and gold. And booze. And cigars. And gambling.”
He paused.
“Oh, did I mention booze?”
Vivian gave him a wry smile.
“I need your help for the scouting,” she said. “What you do afterward is none of my concern.”
She glanced back at him sharply.
“And don’t even think about renting a room at the same inn as me, or I’ll cut those hands off.”
Cain raised his hands in mock surrender.
You would notice that he was actually missing a pinkie on his left hand. Vivian had literally cut it off with her blade, as payment for when he had dared to grab a handful of her ass when she slipped and fell.
Of course, being the gentleman that he was, Cain had caught her before she could hit the floor, but not without taking advantage of her while he did so.
Light began to appear at the end of the long tunnel as they walked forward. The sound of their footsteps slowly faded beneath the growing rumble of distant voices.
Then Vivian stepped out of the tunnel.
A deafening wave of noise immediately assaulted her ears.
Thousands upon thousands of voices echoed throughout the massive coliseum. Cheers, shouting, and excited chatter filled the air like a roaring storm.
“Tch.”
Vivian clicked her tongue.
“So loud,” she muttered. “I already want to leave this place.”
Cain stepped out behind her.
His slouched posture somehow drooped even further as he sighed for what must have been the tenth time in the last five minutes.
“Fucking hell…” he muttered.
Then his half-asleep eyes widened slightly.
Before them stretched the enormous coliseum, already packed with spectators from all over the continent.
Even Cain had to admit—
It was quite the sight.
Rows upon rows of seats stretched upward in a massive circle around the arena. The structure was so large that it almost felt like a city built inside another city.
Thousands of people filled the stands, their voices blending together into a constant roaring wave of noise.
Colorful banners hung from the upper balconies, each one bearing the insignia of noble houses, merchant guilds, and other powerful organizations that had come to watch the tournament.
The arena floor itself was enormous.
Smooth white stone formed a perfect circular battleground, reinforced with multiple layers of magical arrays that faintly shimmered under the sunlight.
At each corner of the arena stood tall crystal pillars, mana conductors meant to stabilize the barrier formations during intense battles.
Vivian’s eyes narrowed as she quietly took everything in.
“So many people,” she muttered.
Cain rubbed the back of his neck lazily.
“Yeah… yeah… big crowd,” he said with a tired shrug. “Great place to try your luck with the bets too. If you would just give some of that money the old man gave you.”
Vivian ignored him.
Her gaze slowly scanned the surrounding stands, analyzing the people present.
There were nobles dressed in luxurious clothes, wealthy merchants seated in private balconies, and even several armored figures, guards who clearly belonged to powerful factions.
A few particularly strong auras could already be felt even from where they stood.
Some of them, she was kind of familiar with.
“Looks like the entire continent decided to show up,” Cain added as he yawned loudly.
Vivian nodded slightly.
“That’s exactly why we’re here.”
Her eyes drifted toward the center of the arena.
“Some very interesting talents will appear in this tournament.”
Cain glanced at her sideways.
“You mean that brat the boss mentioned?”
Vivian didn’t answer immediately.
She crossed her arms while observing the arena carefully.
“Maybe, you know his visions are vague,” she finally said.
Cain sighed again.
“I still think it’s ridiculous. Dragging me all the way here just to watch a bunch of kids fight.”
He scratched his beard lazily.
“And for what? To confirm if some random academy student is special?”
Vivian’s voice turned colder.
“You heard the old man.”
Cain groaned.
“Yeah, yeah… ’observe carefully, don’t interfere, report anything unusual.’”
He mimicked the voice of an elderly man in a mocking tone.
Vivian shot him a sharp look.
Cain quickly raised both hands.
“Alright, alright. I’m behaving.”
He leaned lazily against the stone railing overlooking the arena.
“Still though…”
His dull eyes slowly drifted across the massive arena.
“I hope this kid is actually interesting.”
Vivian’s gaze sharpened slightly when she heard him mention the unnamed kid.
“Me too,” she said quietly.
Because if the old man’s claims were even half true…
Then the coming times were about to become far more interesting than anyone expected.
The roaring noise of the crowd continued to swell until it filled every corner of the massive coliseum.
Then suddenly…
BOOOOOM!
A deep, resonating sound echoed throughout the arena.
The magical arrays carved into the arena floor flared to life, glowing softly as waves of mana spread across the vast field.
A circular platform slowly rose from the very center of the arena.
It floated upward until it hovered several meters above the ground. The crowd quieted slightly as all eyes turned toward it.
A moment later, a figure appeared atop the floating platform. It was a young woman.
She was strikingly beautiful, with long silver hair that flowed behind her in the wind and bright emerald eyes that sparkled with excitement.
She wore a fitted crimson dress trimmed with gold patterns that hugged her figure elegantly, while a long slit along the side revealed her smooth legs as she stepped forward.
In one hand, she held a small crystal device used to amplify her voice across the entire coliseum.
Her lips curled into a confident smile as she looked down at the enormous crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
Her voice rang clearly across the arena, magically amplified so that every single spectator could hear her perfectly.
“Welcome… to the Grimholt Academy Grand Selection Tournament!”
The crowd exploded into cheers.
The young woman raised her hand gracefully, acknowledging the roar of excitement before continuing.
“This is the event you have all been waiting for!” she said brightly. “A gathering of the most promising young talents from the academy!”
She paused for a moment, letting the energy of the crowd build.
“And this year… we have prepared something special!”
The audience leaned forward eagerly.
“As many of you already know,” she continued with a playful smile, “for the first time in academy history, outsiders have been allowed to participate!”
The stadium erupted again.
“Yes, you heard correctly!” she said, pointing dramatically toward the arena floor. “Any young challenger who defeats a student of the academy of the same age will be granted immediate admission into Grimholt Academy!”
The cheers grew even louder.
High above the arena, Vivian crossed her arms as she watched the spectacle. “Showmanship,” she muttered.
Cain scratched his beard lazily beside her.
“Gotta admit,” he said with a yawn, “she’s easier on the eyes than the host they used at that tournament in Haven a few years ago.”
Vivian didn’t respond.
Down below, the beautiful host’s voice rose once again, brimming with excitement.
“So without further delay—”
She stretched both arms outward toward the massive battlefield.
“Let the tournament begin!”