Chapter 232: Tears of joy

Rieka staggered slightly as feeling returned to her limbs, her breath visible in the lingering chill that still hung over the platform.

Asia lowered her sword, her posture straight and composed. Behind the veil, her expression remained calm, as if the outcome had never been in doubt.

The Colosseum fell silent for a heartbeat — then erupted into thunderous cheers.

As expected, it had been an intense match between two of the most powerful and beautiful women participating in the tournament. Both were still so young, yet their strength and skill stood out clearly to everyone watching.

Nova felt a quiet sense of pride as he watched his two wives fight with such efficiency. He could tell that Asia had still been holding back — she had not used her most powerful skill.

It was understandable. That skill was still not under her perfect control, and using it here would have drawn far too much unwanted attention.

Nova did not fear being unable to protect her if trouble arose, but the resulting complications would have become annoying for the entire Frost family, especially Theodore.

In the high platform, Darius sat beside Maria with an unusual expression on his face.

He had remained quiet throughout most of the tournament, as if he had not expected these young contestants to reach such a level. Now, watching the result, he looked almost annoyed.

Maria, sitting beside him, paid little attention to his mood. She was still amazed by the performance of both of Nova’s women. A quiet thought passed through her mind.

Is this growth also because of him?

She clearly remembered what Rieka and Asia had been like before meeting Nova. They had been talented, yes, but nowhere near this overwhelming.

After becoming involved with him, both had become nearly unstoppable. Maria wanted to understand the reason, yet her curiosity carried mixed feelings.

Digging too deeply might end up harming Asia and Rieka — and that would turn Nova into her enemy. That was something she did not want.

On the high platform, Lyra smiled as she watched the two women.

"The Human Continent really raised two great talents."

The others around her nodded in agreement. Aurora also praised them inwardly. It was true — especially in Asia’s case.

She could sense that the girl’s talent ran even deeper than what had been shown so far. At the same time, she could also tell that Rieka was special in her own way.

In the VIP section, Jenna and Edward both offered warm praise for the two young women. Theodore, from his own seat, received congratulations from several nobles around him.

A few even attempted to bring up marriage offers for Asia, but Theodore firmly stated that she was already engaged to Nova.

Hearing that from Theodore himself surprised many of them. Until now, some had still believed the relationship was only a rumor or a childish arrangement between young people. Theodore’s words made it clear that it was real.

Velena watched with a proud expression. Seeing Asia and Rieka fight with such efficiency and refined skill proved that all the hard training they had gone through had been worthwhile.

Nyxara, meanwhile, calmly praised both of her fellow wives. She remained patient, waiting for the moment her husband would finally step onto the platform and defeat the arrogant boy from the Everhart family.

[Ladies and gentlemen, with this, our Semifinals are also over. It truly was a great match.]

[Now, I would like to present this year’s Empire’s Grand Youth Tournament fourth-place holder — Rieka Vargirth — and third-place holder — Asia Frost!]

The audience erupted into even louder cheers that echoed across the entire continent as two more winners of the tournament were officially announced alongside Celine.

After the long wave of applause finally settled, both Asia and Rieka walked over and took their seats beside Celine in the winners’ section. Celine offered them warm congratulations as a fellow winner.

....

At the same time, in Frostholme, the tournament was being broadcast in the city square, where all the citizens had gathered to watch two great beauties of their city become the winners and take first and second place.

As Lord Nova, their pride, was going to fight in the finals, William, the Guild Leader of the Frosthall Hunters of Frostholme, along with the other prominent warriors of the city, watched with proud faces.

It wasn’t long ago that they had been behind them, but now they had reached far above them. They didn’t feel bad about it; instead, they felt proud that at least they had made the name of their city shine.

Tharuk and his tribesmen watched their beautiful princess, Rieka, with happy and proud faces. Tharuk had tears of joy in his eyes.

He had been right to let her go with Nova. She had become so strong. He was surprised when she contacted him and told him that she was going to participate in the tournament.

He was even more surprised to learn that she had reached the King Realm, something even he hadn’t been able to achieve after all these years, obviously because of his lack of resources and potential.

He felt happy and relieved that he had let her go with Nova. Nova had kept his word and had already made her so strong. She looked so happy after becoming the winner.

He couldn’t see her face in the projection because of her veil, but he could tell that his little troublemaker was truly happy to be there. And that was all he wanted—for her to be happy.

....

By now, evening had already arrived. The sun had set, and the mana lights around the Colosseum shone brightly.

Slickmouth announced that the Semifinals were concluded and that the Final — the championship match — would take place the following day.

The excitement in the crowd was impossible to miss. Almost everyone was already looking forward to the final confrontation.

Throughout the tournament, many youths — and even older warriors of similar levels had begun treating certain contestants as idols. Names like Nova, Asia, Rieka, Liam, and Celine were spoken with admiration everywhere.

Among them, Nova’s name resounded the loudest. Those who had never heard of him before would soon witness an eighteen-year-old talent rise to become the champion of the Empire’s Grand Youth Tournament.

At the same time, Nova was also becoming the target of jealousy and quiet resentment. Not only had he displayed overwhelming strength, but he already had two breathtaking women like Asia and Rieka by his side.

Even so, many other young, mature and even married women— had begun turning into his open fangirls, completely ignoring the men beside them.

....

It did not take long for the next day to arrive.

The capital was even more crowded than before. Throughout the tournament, countless people had traveled from all across the continent just to witness the Finals live.

Although the Colosseum was already completely full, many still considered themselves fortunate if they could catch even a single glance of the contestants — or of the high-ranking guests such as Lady Aurora.

By the time the event began, every seat was filled and all the special guests had already arrived. Nova and Liam stood facing each other on the large platform in the center of the arena.

The audience was already burning with excitement, barely able to wait for the match to begin.

Special seats had been arranged today for all of the top one hundred contestants of the tournament. It was a reward for those who had managed to reach this far and become one of the hundred strongest youths of the continent.

Watching the two finalists fight would also serve as motivation for them to continue growing stronger.

Among them, Bai Chen sat beside Tank, clearly excited to see his junior brother fight and win championship match.

"Do you think your frie— I mean, your junior brother will win?" Tank asked out of curiosity.

"Of course," Bai Chen answered with clear pride. This old one will let you in on a secret. His junior brother is far stronger than what he has allowed others to see."

**

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