Chapter 207: Welcoming the Guests

The tournament was being broadcast across the entire human continent. Audiences everywhere were watching with excitement.

"WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TO THE EMPIRE’S GRAND YOUTH TOURNAMENT!"

The voice resounded once more across the entire human continent through the broadcast. Everyone — both inside the Colosseum and far beyond it — instinctively turned their eyes toward the sky.

High above the arena floated a man dressed in a bright yellow suit. His spiky red hair and light makeup immediately drew attention, making him look more like a flamboyant performer than a formal host.

When he spoke again, his voice was slightly softer, yet every word remained clear and firm.

[This is none other than yours truly — the Arena’s Voice, Slickmouth! And once again, I’ll be handling the hosting of this year’s Empire’s Grand Youth Tournament!]

The moment he finished, the entire Colosseum erupted in loud cheers and applause. He was a well-known figure across the Human Empire, famous for hosting many of its greatest tournaments.

Nova casually focused on the man’s aura and noted that he was a mid-level King Realm expert.

[I know all of you are excited to see our contestants in action... so without further delay, let us first welcome our honorable guests!]

[First, I welcome the great and honorable King of our beloved Aureth Kingdom — His Majesty Leonis Aurethion!]

[Coming along with him is our kingdom’s pride — Crown Prince Louis Aurethion!]

As the words faded, two figures descended from the sky.

King Leonis, an Emperor Realm powerhouse, landed gracefully alongside his son, Crown Prince Louis, a mid-level King Realm expert. Both wore elegant royal attire that radiated authority.

The audience erupted in cheers for their king and crown prince. The two waved briefly before taking their seats on the specially prepared thrones reserved for the royal families— positions still below those meant for true Emperors.

[Next, we welcome the honorable kings of our two other human kingdoms — Lucien Kalemoris and Gareth Varkhess — along with their respected royal families!]

In the next moment, two more Emperor Realm powerhouses appeared.

Lucien Kalemoris, King of the southern kingdom of Kalemor, and Gareth Varkhess, King of the western kingdom of Varkhess, descended together with members of their royal families.

The audience once again broke into loud cheers. Both kings wore calm smiles as they landed near Leonis, exchanged respectful greetings and a few quiet words, then took their seats.

[Next... one of the Supreme Leaders of the Twilight Order — Darius Veyl!]

The moment Slickmouth’s words rang out, the cheers grew even louder. It was rare for ordinary people to witness one of the Supreme Leaders of the Twilight Order in person.

A tall, sturdy man dressed in a sleek white coat — the formal uniform of the Twilight Order — entered the arena.

Several badges were attached to his attire, and a powerful aura radiated from his body. He bowed respectfully toward the kings before taking his specially reserved seat.

The royal families were seated on the left side of the arena, while Darius Veyl took his place on the right. Above them, even higher seats had been prepared for the truly legendary figures yet to arrive.

Nova’s eyes lingered on the man for a moment. Darius Veyl was a level 9 Emperor Realm powerhouse— clearly far beyond his current reach.

{It’s funny how you still get humbled every time you receive a significant boost in strength... yet you can’t deny that he’s over a thousand years old.}

"Yeah... you’re right," Nova replied quietly in his mind. "But it won’t be long before I stop having this kind of feeling."

[Next... ohhh! We welcome the High Priestess of the Light Temple Order — chosen by the Light Goddess herself, who has only recently taken her position — Maria Everhart!]

A goddess-like figure descended from the sky.

Maria wore an elegant yet bold white nun’s outfit that perfectly framed her mature figure. Her long blonde hair flowed freely behind her as she landed gracefully near her seat, which had been arranged beside Darius Veyl.

With a calm expression, she raised her hand and waved lightly toward the audience. For a brief moment, the entire Colosseum fell silent.

Then the cheers erupted like a tidal wave.

The crowd was stunned. The High Priestess had finally been chosen... and she was none other than a member of the legendary Everheart Imperial Family.

"Everhart?" Nova muttered under his breath.

He turned and noticed that Asia, Rieka, and even Bai Chen all had their eyes widened in shock. Around them, the surrounding youths were already discussing the revelation in loud, excited voices.

"What’s with your reactions?" Nova asked.

All three of them looked at him in disbelief. Asia was the first to speak.

"Seriously, Husband... you don’t know?"

Nova shook his head. He truly had no idea why they were reacting so strongly. Inwardly, he cursed the old Nova. Being weak was one thing... but not even studying basic knowledge about the world was another.

Rieka let out a quiet sigh.

"Sigh... Darling, the Everheart family is the Imperial Family of the human continent — the family of the Human Emperor himself. The fact that that sly woman Maria belongs to that family is something none of us expected."

Asia nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. We thought she was just an ordinary nun of the Light Temple Order... but no. She was the hidden princess of the Everheart family — one who was never shown to the public."

Nova was left completely baffled.

So that woman was even more mysterious than I thought...

Had she been under some kind of trial? Was she forbidden from using her family name until she awakened her bloodline?

His thoughts were interrupted when he looked toward her once more.

As if sensing his gaze, Maria turned her head at the exact same moment. Their eyes met across the distance. A playful smile curved her lips... and she winked at him.

Chaos immediately broke out among the nearby youths.

"Fuck—! Did you see that?! The High Priestess winked at me!!"

"Are you kidding?! She winked at me!"

"You bastard... it was definitely me!"

"I’ll beat the shit out of you fucker!"

The young men around Nova completely lost their minds, each convinced that the goddess-like High Priestess had directed her wink toward them.

In truth, it had been aimed solely at Nova.

{Hehehe... she really is cunning.}

[Alright! Let us welcome our next guest — from the Imperial Family of the Dragon Continent, the blood brother of the Dragon Emperor himself...Draeven Rhaevoryn!]

[And next... one of the Five Emperors of the world! The mighty! The great! The fierce! One of the most powerful figures in existence — the Beast-Folk Emperor himself, Vaorak Tigrath! Along with the five junior candidates of the Beast-Folk Continent selected for the secret realm!]

The moment those names were announced, the entire continent erupted.

Cheers exploded across the Colosseum and through every city watching the broadcast. Two overwhelmingly powerful figures appeared high above the arena.

Draeven Rhaevoryn stood at least two meters tall. His body was sturdy and powerfully built, with brown skin, dark blue hair, and sharp yellow eyes.

Two dragon horns rose from his head, and his handsome face carried a naturally haughty expression. Even in his humanoid form, his presence was imposing. He wore elegant regal attire befitting a member of the Dragon Imperial Family.

Beside him stood a true giant.

Vaorak Tigrath, the Beast-Folk Emperor, towered nearly three meters in height. He was a powerfully built tiger-kin with a broad, muscular frame and a wide, fearless smile.

His clothing was made from the hides of powerful Demonic Beasts, giving him a wild yet regal tribal appearance that perfectly matched his status.

In the next instant, both figures vanished from the sky and reappeared directly in front of their thrones.

Even though they were clearly suppressing their auras, the pressure they released was still off the charts.

Nova’s gaze lingered especially on Vaorak Tigrath.

So this is the Emperor of the Beast-Folk...

His Absolute Appraisal could not even display any information except his name. The man stood completely beyond his current reach.

Yet strangely... Nova felt no fear. If anything, the presence of such a powerful being only made his blood boil with excitement.

**

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