Chapter 81 Hand Of The Lightning God
Shelby and Zane barely made it in time for registration.
The offline registration was held in what was called the Fresher Meet Village—though it wasn’t a village in the traditional sense. It resembled an Olympic Village: a massive complex set up specifically to host the upcoming tournament.
The village sprawled across a vast area of flatland, located about three and a half miles east of the northeastern edge of Artemis City. Though remote, it was buzzing with activity.
As they passed through the main entrance, Zane was struck by the sea of people. Freshers, academy representatives, event organizers, and workers hustled in every direction. The entire village throbbed with energy and anticipation. Almost everyone here was affiliated with the Academy in some way.
The registration office was located just beyond the main gates.
Shelby filled out a few forms, handed them over to the attendant, and with a stamped approval, the two walked back outside.
Zane looked around, eyebrows raised. "This place is packed. Are we staying here?"
Shelby chuckled. "I told you before, remember? Every year this tournament draws freshers from all six Academy City Office Towers across the Western Continent: the Northern Highlands, Western Frontier, Southern Lowlands, the Island Nations, the Eastern Range, and the North-Eastern Range. We’re from the Eastern Region."
Zane nodded slowly. "Okay, but then why aren’t we staying here with everyone else?"
Shelby grinned and pulled out a shimmering silk pouch, jingling with coin. "Because, my friend, we’re rich. Why would we sleep in a cramped, noisy, sweat-smelling village when we could enjoy the finest hotel this side of the continent? I’ve already booked us a room."
"You didn’t even ask!" Zane frowned. "That’s not fair. I’m not sharing my room this time."