Chapter 289 - 287 : Blame

Chapter 289: Chapter 287 : Blame

Meanwhile, inside the Golden Colosseum, destruction had already consumed nearly half the arena. The once-grand stadium had become a battlefield. Entire sections of the spectator stands had collapsed, massive cracks ran across the golden floor, and broken pillars and shattered stone covered the arena. Smoke rose from burning sections of the colosseum, mixing with mana residue that made the air heavy and difficult to breathe.

Above the ruined stadium, the sky had become a war zone.

Adrian Evan Imperius fought against Ariela, the Demon Lord who ruled over the Authority of Sloth. Their battle was so overwhelming that even the clouds seemed to tremble.

Adrian had deliberately kept the fight high in the sky. Every strike between them carried enough power to destroy large parts of the colosseum. If they fought on the ground, the remaining spectators, students, guards, and academy staff would not survive.

So Adrian pushed Ariela upward.

Higher.

Far above the floating island.

Every collision between their powers created explosions of mana that shook the entire island.

BOOM!

The Golden Colosseum trembled again.

At the center of the ruined arena, the ground was stained with blood. The remains of the black-robed attackers lay scattered across the battlefield, their weapons broken and their dark mana fading into the air.

Several powerful figures from around the world stood near the center of the arena. Academy heads. Noble family leaders. Dukes. Royal guards. Guild representatives.

They all surrounded the remains of the enormous blood-red crystal.

The crystal had been shattered into countless fragments.

Its purpose had become clear.

Sylvia clenched her fists, her eyes fixed on the broken crystal.

"That crystal was a distraction."

Everyone turned toward her.

"It was a ruse to keep us busy while we fought those black-robed figures."

Her voice became colder.

"The crystal was only used to teleport the students away."

She looked at the shattered fragments.

"The coordinates have already been erased."

Her expression darkened.

"And now it is useless."

Jonathan, the elderly headmaster of Lumina Academy, stepped forward. He had long gray hair, a white ceremonial robe, and a dignified presence. But behind his calm expression was calculation.

"A Demon Lord has appeared."

His eyes moved toward the destructive battle in the sky.

"And the students are gone."

Jonathan looked toward the other academy heads.

"This is not a simple incident. Something powerful is backing the people responsible."

His gaze shifted toward the empty space where Athena should have been.

"And Athena still has not appeared."

The other academy heads became quiet.

"Was she not supposed to be responsible for security?" Jonathan asked.

His expression became more serious.

"John, the headmaster of Martial Star Academy, is dead."

Several people lowered their gazes.

"As the host of this tournament, Athena will need to take responsibility."

Some academy heads nodded.

They had lost people.

They had lost security.

They had lost control of the tournament.

Someone would need to be blamed.

Sylvia’s eyes turned cold.

"That is not the priority right now."

Jonathan looked toward her.

Sylvia stepped forward.

"We can discuss responsibility later."

Her voice was firm.

"First, we need to find the children."

She looked directly at Jonathan.

"Is that not correct, Mr. Jonathan?"

Jonathan smiled politely.

"Of course."

But inside, his thoughts were very different.

’Look all you want.’

His expression remained calm.

’The students must already be dead.’

His eyes briefly moved toward the ruined crystal.

’Including that pest, Arthur.’

Jonathan’s lips tightened.

’That boy tried to stand against Lord Raphael.’

He looked toward the sky.

’Soon, Saintess Karina and a few others will return. They will claim they fought desperately but could not save the rest.’

A cold smile nearly appeared on his face.

’And all the blame and responsibility will fall on Athena.’

Jonathan lowered his gaze.

Then he muttered under his breath.

"I tried to find her last night while she was under the potion’s effects."

His eyes darkened.

"To finally have a taste of that bitch."

His lips twisted with frustration.

"But she disappeared before I could reach her."

A massive blue portal suddenly appeared at the center of the arena.

Everyone froze.

The portal spun rapidly, blue and silver light spreading across the destroyed Golden Colosseum.

The academy heads stepped forward.

Weapons appeared in their hands.

Mana gathered around their bodies.

Then someone stepped out.

Karina.

The Saintess of Lumina Academy emerged from the portal.

Behind her came Ranga.

Christopher.

Amaya.

And Bryan.

Jonathan’s face immediately brightened.

"It looks like everything went according to my lord’s plan."

But his expression suddenly stiffened.

More students emerged from the portal.

Celestias Academy students.

Lumina Academy students.

Stormveil Academy students.

Raven Academy students.

Students from every academy began stepping out.

They were injured.

Exhausted.

Covered in dirt and blood.

But alive.

Jonathan stared at them in disbelief.

’Do not tell me...’

His thoughts became frantic.

’That Maya woman failed to kill a bunch of children?’

His jaw clenched.

’Lord Raphael chose her for this task. How could she fail?’

The students saw the Golden Colosseum.

They saw the destroyed arena.

They saw the familiar academy heads and their families.

Then the fear they had been holding back finally broke.

Several students collapsed to the floor.

Some fell to their knees.

Others lay sprawled across the broken stone, breathing heavily.

They had survived.

They had truly escaped.

The adults rushed toward them.

The headmistress of Cherry Blossom Academy immediately raised her hands.

A soothing pink light spread through the arena.

"Healing Blossom."

The light covered the injured students.

Cuts closed.

Bruises faded.

Mana circuits stabilized.

The exhausted students felt warmth spread through their bodies.

Sylvia rushed toward Arina.

She grabbed her daughter and hugged her tightly.

Arina froze.

Her mother had never been openly affectionate.

Not like this.

Sylvia’s arms trembled as she held her.

"I am glad you are safe."

Ravina Crown did the same for Isabella. She pulled her daughter into a fierce embrace.

"You are alright."

Her voice shook.

"Thank the heavens."

Eliana Ashford ran toward her daughters. She wrapped both Evangline and Jasmine in her arms.

"I am so glad you are both fine."

Evangline was stunned.

Jasmine looked away.

But neither pushed their mother away.

Victor stood near his father.

Oliver Blackthorn walked toward him.

For a moment, Victor expected a lecture.

A judgment.

A cold comment about strength.

Instead, Oliver placed one hand on Victor’s shoulder.

"I am glad you are okay."

Victor stared at him.

Then Oliver added.

"I am proud of you."

Victor’s expression changed slightly.

He nodded.

Diana ran toward her father.

She hugged Ryan Stromborn tightly.

Tears fell from her eyes.

Ryan held her quietly.

Damian stood nearby.

He did not look at his father.

His eyes remained lowered.

Ryan turned toward him.

"You did a good job protecting your sister."

Damian froze.

Ryan’s voice remained calm.

"And I am glad both of you are safe."

Damian looked up.

For the first time, he saw genuine concern in his father’s eyes.

Then Ryan spoke again.

"I am proud of you."

Damian’s eyes widened.

This was the first time his father had praised him so openly.

Sylvia looked toward Arina.

"Where is Arthur?"

Arina’s face changed.

"He was behind us."

Her voice became uncertain.

"I do not know where he is now."

Eliana raised her voice.

"Children, what happened there?"

Layla stepped forward.

Her expression was exhausted.

But she explained everything.

The teleportation.

The demonic stadium.

The strange creatures.

Maya.

The Death Game.

The sacrifices.

Aaron’s spatial magic.

Arthur’s domains.

The Shadow Dragon.

Athena’s arrival.

The battle against Maya.

The portal.

The escape.

Every adult listened in stunned silence.

Many of them could not believe what they had heard.

Then their gazes turned toward Aaron.

Aaron immediately blushed.

He looked like he wanted to disappear.

Edgar Vale Valmont stared at his son.

The man who had considered Aaron’s talent ordinary had his mouth hanging open.

Aaron spoke quickly.

"Everyone, it happened only because of Arthur."

His eyes moved toward the other students.

"Because of him, we survived."

Aaron’s voice became more certain.

"And Miss Athena came to rescue us."

Sylvia looked around.

"Where is Athena right now?"

BAM!

The entire floating island shook.

The clash in the sky sent a shockwave across the Golden Colosseum.

Everyone looked upward.

Adrian and Ariela were still fighting.

Their battle had not ended.

One of the academy heads raised his voice.

"We should help Adrian."

Another headmaster shook his head.

"No."

His eyes were fixed on the sky.

"Adrian strictly told us not to interfere."

He looked toward the terrified students.

"First, we need to contact the International Council."

"We need reinforcements."

"We need to move the students somewhere safe."

The others nodded.

No one could afford to make a reckless decision.

But Sylvia did not move.

She continued staring at the portal.

Her hands were tightly clasped.

"Please be safe, Arthur."

Then another blue portal appeared.

Sylvia’s eyes widened.

A smile formed on her face.

Athena stepped out of the portal.

She was still wearing her veil.

And in her arms, she carried a boy.