Chapter 332
As the cursed clans settled into their positions, a new energy rippled through the arena. The excitement heightened as the next group of competitors made their appearance—those who, in many ways, were the heart of the competition. The normal apelings, backed by the teachers from the academy, marched forward in disciplined rows. Their presence was a reminder that the Elemental Trials weren’t just a stage for the cursed clans but an opportunity for the entire apeling race to grow stronger together.
The academy teachers, towering figures of respect, led the normal apelings with the quiet confidence of those who had honed their power through years of training and research. Among them, some had reached the fourth stage of power, and a few were even in the fifth stage—a level that could rival the natural strength of the cursed clans.
Their leader, a stern yet charismatic apeling named Master Kalim, stepped forward. His presence commanded attention, not because of any elemental affiliation, but through the sheer force of his personality and the respect he commanded from his students and peers alike. His fur, streaked with the scars of past battles, was a testament to the hard-fought experience of a life dedicated to learning and growth.
Beside him walked Lady Elara, a teacher who was known for her expertise in blending science and magic. Her innovations in crafting weapons and tools had given normal apelings an edge in many past competitions. With her silver fur and sharp eyes, she gave off an air of intelligence and precision.
The normal apelings’ entrance was met with cheers from the crowd, but there was also a noticeable tension. They were seen as underdogs, but over the years, they had proven that they were not to be underestimated. The cursed clans watched them closely, knowing that despite lacking elemental powers, the normal apelings had become formidable in their own right.
"Look at them," Ripple murmured, glancing at the academy group. "They’ve come a long way. This should be interesting."
Nwadiebeube paced the halls of his grand castle, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His normally calm demeanor was shattered as he gritted his teeth, glaring at the enormous column of light piercing the sky from the distant horizon. The gate had been activated again—by the Apelings, no doubt. Those arrogant beings had always kept the gate’s power to themselves, prohibiting anyone else from using it. But this time, the sight filled him with a deep, seething anger.
For centuries, his people had shared this vast eastern continent with the Apelings, yet not once had they been invited to the annual grand occasions the Apelings hosted. Despite their proximity, despite their history, despite everything, his people were always excluded. It felt like a deliberate slight, an insult Nwadiebeube could no longer ignore.
What fueled his rage even more was the fact that outsiders—people from other continents—had been invited before him and his people. Just weeks ago, the priest of Björn had approached him with a new proposal, one that promised a chance to connect his people with the wider world. Yet Nwadiebeube had turned it down, convinced that maintaining their strained ties with the Apelings would eventually pay off. After all, there was still some connection between them, however faint.