Chapter 254 - 253 : Other academy representatives

Chapter 254: Chapter 253 : Other academy representatives

The Golden Colosseum roared with anticipation.

Designed to hold more than one hundred thousand people, the colossal arena was already filled to the brim. Spectators occupied every tier of the enormous stands, from the lowest rows near the battlefield to the highest private balconies reserved for nobles, guild leaders, government officials, and influential families.

Banners from academies across the world fluttered in the air.

Massive mana screens floated above the arena, displaying the names and crests of the participating academies. Camera drones hovered throughout the colosseum, recording the crowd and broadcasting the event to millions of people watching from their homes.

The opening ceremony of the Inter-Academy Competition was about to begin.

Excited voices echoed throughout the colosseum.

People discussed the odds.

They debated which academy would win.

They shouted the names of famous young rankers.

Some had placed enormous bets.

Others had come simply to witness the next generation of awakened monsters clash on the grandest stage available to them.

But beneath all the excitement, there was tension.

Because every academy knew the same thing.

A single defeat could destroy a reputation.

A single victory could create a legend.

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Inside a giant meeting room assigned to Celestias Academy, thirty students sat in restless silence.

The room was spacious, with a long oval table at its center. The walls were decorated with Celestias Academy’s white-and-gold crest, while a large mana screen displayed the schedule for the opening ceremony.

Only thirty minutes remained.

At the head of the table sat Layla.

Her fingers tapped steadily against the surface.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

The sound was quiet, but it made everyone in the room uneasy.

Layla’s expression was cold.

Extremely cold.

No one dared point out that she was in a terrible mood.

No one wanted to become the target of her anger.

"He is still not here," Layla said.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

"The ceremony begins in thirty minutes."

The room fell silent.

Then Liana Climgton stood.

Her purple hair fluttered slightly as she rose from her chair, and her eyes moved toward Layla with a carefully controlled expression.

"Senior Layla," she said, "there is no choice anymore."

Everyone looked toward her.

"It does not look like he is coming back."

The moment she spoke, every person in the room turned their attention toward Liana.

Deep within her heart, however, Liana smiled.

’This is an opportunity.’

Arthur had vanished.

The person chosen to lead Celestias Academy’s representatives was nowhere to be found.

The opening ceremony was about to begin.

If a new representative was needed, someone had to step forward.

And Liana intended to be that person.

She took another step forward.

"It is time to choose a new representative. A new leader."

Her gaze moved across the room.

"If Arthur is not coming back, does anyone want to volunteer?"

No one moved.

Liana looked toward Damian.

Then Arina.

Then Jasmine.

Then the second years and third years.

No one stood.

Damian leaned back in his chair.

"I was not chosen," he said. "And I do not want to be."

The others remained silent.

No one wanted to openly challenge Athena’s decision.

No one wanted to go against the person Athena herself had chosen as their representative.

Layla’s eyes narrowed.

"What are you trying to do here, Junior?"

Liana turned toward her.

"Do not start trouble."

Liana smiled calmly.

"I would never do that, Senior."

Her voice sounded respectful, but the ambition behind it was impossible to hide.

"It is simply that the situation calls for a new leader to step forward and take command."

She looked around the table again.

"And if none of you want the job, I can do it."

Isabella stood so suddenly that her chair scraped loudly against the floor.

A cold smirk appeared on her face.

"Look at this bitch."

Everyone turned toward her.

"Trying to take advantage of the situation and eyeing the representative position."

Isabella crossed her arms.

"Why don’t you just say it outright? You want to become the representative because you’re chasing the privilege, fame, and recognition that come with it. You want the whole world to know your name."

Liana’s polite smile did not fade.

"So what if I do?"

Her eyes sharpened.

"I did not grow up with wealth like you."

The room became quiet.

"I am from a small family. I crawled my way to where I am. I fought for everything I have. So if an opportunity is presented to me, I will take it."

Liana’s smile became vicious.

"And it is your boyfriend’s fault."

Isabella’s expression changed.

"He pissed his pants in fear and ran away."

The room froze.

Isabella’s patience snapped.

She drew her sword.

The blade flashed beneath the overhead lights.

"So you think you are better than him?"

Liana looked at the sword without flinching.

"Doesn’t his absence prove it?"

Isabella’s aura flared.

"Maybe I want to see the proof some other way."

Mana began gathering around her blade.

"Enough."

Jasmine’s voice cut through the room.

Everyone paused.

Jasmine stood from her chair with a tired expression.

"Are you all children? Sit down."

Evangline immediately stood as well.

"Why don’t you say that to the purple-haired idiot?"

Jasmine turned toward her.

"I am trying to control the situation here. Do you want a fight too?"

Evangline crossed her arms.

"Maybe."

"Guys, seriously, calm down."

Damian raised both hands.

"You are making the seniors uncomfortable."

Then Arion, the leader of the second years, stood.

"Silence."

His voice was not loud.

But it carried enough authority to make the room quiet.

Every student stopped speaking.

Arion looked around the meeting room.

"I know the situation is bad," he said. "But it is also true that we cannot wait for Arthur forever."

Layla’s fingers stopped tapping.

"Someone will have to take his place."

Arion’s gaze shifted toward Layla.

"I personally vote for Miss Layla."

The second years immediately nodded.

The third years followed.

Layla was already their leader.

She had strength, experience, authority, and a reputation that no one in the room could ignore.

Even the first years understood that if Arthur did not return, Layla was the most reasonable choice.

But Layla did not respond.

She remained seated, her eyes lowered.

The commotion around her no longer mattered.

’What is this bad feeling?’

Her fingers pressed against the table.

’It feels as though something is not right.’

Suddenly, the door to the meeting room burst open.

Bang!

Everyone turned.

Four people entered.

The first was a towering man who stood at least seven feet tall.

His uniform barely contained his bulging muscles. He had blond hair, dark eyes, and a heavy aura that pressed down on the room even though he was not openly releasing mana.

Beside him walked three others.

A girl with dark hair braided into twin tails.

A boy with brown hair and a scar running across his cheek.

And a gray-haired young man wearing sunglasses despite being indoors.

Their uniforms were different from Celestias Academy’s.

They were representatives from another academy.

Four of the ten representatives who would command the other twenty-nine students of their academy.

Layla recognized them immediately.

She had met them before.

Her expression changed.

"Bryan. Amaya. Ranga. Christopher."

A strained smile appeared on her face.

"Long time no see."

The giant blond man, Bryan, gave a mocking smile.

"It must have been a long time for you, Layla."

His dark eyes narrowed.

"Especially after that humiliating defeat last year."

Layla’s mouth twitched.

Amaya, the girl with twin tails, stepped forward with a bright smile.

"You know, I was surprised when I heard that you are not the representative this year."

Her eyes scanned the room.

"And that someone from the first year was chosen instead."

She tilted her head.

"Where is he? I’m curious to see him."

A playful smile appeared on her lips.

"Is he cute?"

Christopher immediately adjusted his sunglasses.

"Will you please shut the hell up and take your twisted desires somewhere else?"

Amaya laughed.

"Oh, come on. Do not tell me you don’t want to go for a ride with me, Little Chris."

Christopher’s expression became disgusted.

"No thanks."

He turned away.

"And stay the hell away from me. I might accidentally kill you."

Amaya’s smile only became wider.

Christopher ignored her and turned toward Layla.

"Anyway, the point is this. Layla, do you want to team up?"

The Celestias Academy students froze.

A team-up offer?

From another academy?

Layla’s eyes narrowed.

"And what exactly is the reason for this offer?"

Christopher spoke calmly.

"It is simple."

He placed both hands in his pockets.

"We take out the other academies together."

The room went silent.

"And after that, we fight each other for first place."

Christopher’s sunglasses reflected the ceiling lights.

"Simple, is it not?"

Layla looked at him with distrust.

"And why should I believe you?"

Her voice was cold.

"After what happened the last time we teamed up."

Bryan snorted.

"Are you still hung up on that?"

He stepped forward.

"Do you have any other choice? Several academies are already forming alliances."

His dark eyes swept across the students of Celestias Academy.

"At this rate, you will be crushed no matter how talented you are."

Bryan’s voice became harsher.

"You don’t have a choice."

Amaya nodded.

"Neither do we."

For the first time, her playful expression disappeared.

"That is why we need to work together."

Layla looked around the room.

She hated to admit it.

But they were right.

It was the reason Celestias Academy had fallen short every year.

Other academies formed temporary alliances.

They attacked weaker groups together.

They manipulated the rules.

They used numbers and strategy to eliminate dangerous opponents early.

Celestias Academy had tried changing strategies many times.

They had tried teaming up with others.

They had tried trusting people.

And every time, they had still lost.

Layla clenched her fists.

’But I will not trust these people again.’

She looked toward her teammates.

They watched her silently.

Then, one by one, they nodded.

They trusted her judgment.

Whatever decision she made, they would accept it.

Layla raised her chin.

"I will have to decline your offer."

The atmosphere changed immediately.

Bryan’s expression turned sharp.

Amaya’s smile faded.

Ranga’s hand slowly moved toward the weapon at his waist.

Christopher removed his sunglasses.

"What did you say?"

The Celestias Academy students prepared themselves.

Mana stirred through the room.

Weapons were slowly drawn.

If a fight broke out, no one would hesitate.

Then a voice came from behind the four representatives.

"That was a good offer."

Everyone froze.

"I’ll accept it."

Layla’s eyes widened.

She knew that voice.

The four representatives turned around.

A dark-haired boy entered the meeting room.

His crimson eyes scanned the room with calm confidence.

A lazy smile rested on his face.

Arthur looked at the students gathered inside.

Then he raised one hand in greeting.

"Hey, guys."

His smile widened slightly.

"Did you miss me?"