Chapter 257 - 256 : Interviews (2)
The interviews began beneath the dazzling lights of the Golden Colosseum.
The enormous arena had grown noticeably quieter, but the anticipation in the air had only intensified. More than a hundred thousand spectators filled the countless tiers of the colosseum, while millions more watched through mana screens scattered across cities and kingdoms around the world. Above the ceremonial stage, enormous floating mana cameras hovered in formation, transmitting every expression, every movement, and every word to the watching world.
At the center of the stage stood the announcer, a broad smile spread across his face as he raised his mana-enhanced microphone.
"Before the tournament officially begins, we will have a brief interview with the representatives and vice-representatives of each academy!"
The crowd immediately erupted into cheers.
"Let’s hear what the next generation of elite mages and warriors have to say before they step onto the battlefield!"
One after another, the representatives and vice-representatives stepped forward and formed a line across the magnificent stage. Some looked nervous, others were visibly excited, while a few wore expressions that suggested they had already decided exactly how they were going to crush their opponents.
The announcer turned toward the first team.
"First up, we have the representative of Mirage Crown Academy! Please introduce yourself."
A tall young man with brown hair stepped forward. His elegant gold-and-brown uniform shifted lightly with every movement, while the emblem of Mirage Crown Academy gleamed proudly against his chest.
"Greetings, everyone. I am John White, the representative of Mirage Crown Academy."
The mana cameras immediately zoomed toward him, projecting his image onto the enormous screens hanging above the arena. Polite applause followed.
The announcer nodded.
"John, tell us something interesting. Who do you believe is the most talented student in your academy? And who do you think will be your toughest opponent in this tournament?"
John folded his arms and considered the question for a moment.
"I believe every student representing our academy possesses their own strengths. However, if I had to name one person who stands above the rest, it would be our vice-representative, Princess Salima."
The cameras immediately shifted toward the woman standing behind him.
Princess Salima stepped forward slightly. She was a tall, strikingly beautiful woman with long gray hair flowing down her back. Her sharp eyes possessed an unmistakable confidence, while her elegant posture carried the natural dignity of someone raised within royalty.
John continued.
"Her swordsmanship is exceptional, and her ability to analyze a battlefield is even more impressive."
The announcer nodded appreciatively.
"And who do you consider your greatest competition?"
John’s expression became slightly more serious.
"Saintess Karina of Lumina Academy."
A murmur swept through the crowd.
"Just like last year," John continued. "She is not someone we can afford to underestimate."
The announcer turned toward Salima.
"Do you agree with your representative, Princess Salima?"
Salima nodded calmly.
"Yes. I agree with John."
Her gaze then slowly traveled across the stage before stopping on Arthur. For a brief moment, her eyes lingered on him.
"But there is someone else I am curious about."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"However, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see whether my hunch is correct."
Isabella’s expression stiffened slightly. For some reason, she did not like the way Salima had looked at Arthur.
The announcer immediately seized upon the tension.
"Oh? It seems some rivalries are already forming before the tournament has even begun!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
The announcer quickly moved on.
"Next, we have the representatives of the magnificent Stormveil Academy, renowned throughout the world for their mastery of elemental magic!"
A young man with spiky blond hair stepped forward. He wore a silver-and-blue uniform, while tiny sparks of lightning danced between his fingers.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Tyler, the representative of Stormveil Academy."
The crowd applauded.
The announcer turned toward him.
"Tyler, which student from another academy do you believe you need to be most careful of?"
Tyler smiled confidently.
"As representatives of Stormveil Academy, we believe our students are among the strongest competitors here. However, I would acknowledge Bryan from Martial Star Academy."
His gaze shifted toward the enormous blond man standing among the Martial Star representatives.
"His physical strength and close-combat ability make him particularly dangerous."
The announcer nodded before turning toward Stormveil’s vice-representative.
"And what about you, Freya?"
A petite girl with short pink hair stepped forward, a mischievous smile playing across her lips.
"I agree with Tyler."
Her eyes then shifted toward Arthur.
"But I also have my eyes on Arthur from Celetias Academy."
The crowd immediately began murmuring.
Freya smiled.
"He’s a mystery. Almost nobody knows what his actual fighting style is."
Every floating camera immediately turned toward Arthur.
Arthur was yawning.
Layla, standing beside him, reached over and pinched his arm.
Arthur blinked.
"What?"
Layla stared at him.
"What do all these girls even see in you?"
Arthur glanced toward the crowd before shrugging.
"Beats me. They just keep coming to me even when I don’t want them to."
A vein twitched on Layla’s forehead. She wanted to argue, but unfortunately, she couldn’t completely deny it.
The interviews continued.
One representative after another stepped forward. Some named Arthur as someone they needed to watch, while others mentioned Bryan, Karina, Victor, Damian, Layla, Arina, Jasmine, Evangeline, Arion, and several other renowned students from the participating academies.
Every name sent another wave of whispers through the spectators, and with each passing interview, the atmosphere became increasingly heated.
Then came the representatives of Black Star Academy, Glacier Peak Academy, and Iron Fortress Academy.
Christopher stood with his hands buried casually in his pockets, his sunglasses resting over his gray eyes. Amaya stood beside him with a playful smile, while Ranga remained completely still, his broad sword strapped across his back and the scar running across his cheek giving him an intimidating appearance.
The announcer looked toward them.
"Who do you consider your toughest opponents?"
Christopher gave a faint smile.
"No one."
Silence.
A few spectators blinked.
Amaya giggled.
"Well, perhaps the Saintess of Lumina Academy is interesting."
Ranga nodded.
"Karina is the only one worth watching."
Their answers immediately caused a stir. Several representatives frowned, while whispers spread throughout the stands.
The arrogance of the four academies—Martial Star, Glacier Peak, Black Star, and Iron Fortress—was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Finally, the announcer approached the final three academies.
Martial Star Academy.
Lumina Academy.
And Celetias Academy.
He first turned toward Martial Star’s vice-representative.
A slender young woman with long auburn hair stepped forward. She wore thin glasses and an elegant green-and-black uniform, her calm expression contrasting sharply with Bryan’s overwhelming presence.
"Please introduce yourself."
"Of course."
She adjusted her glasses.
"My name is Aliya. I am the vice-representative of Martial Star Academy."
The announcer smiled.
"Aliya, who do you believe is the student you need to be most careful about?"
Aliya considered the question carefully.
"In my opinion, we should keep an eye on Layla and Isabella from Celetias Academy, as well as Saintess Karina from Lumina Academy."
Her gaze briefly moved toward each of them.
"Layla’s intensive training, Isabella’s swordsmanship, and Saintess Karina’s holy powers make all three of them worthy opponents."
"Interesting," the announcer said. "And what led you to that conclusion?"
Aliya smiled faintly.
"I had the opportunity to observe them during their battle against the Demon Cultists. Their abilities were remarkable."
The announcer nodded before turning toward Bryan.
The enormous blond man stood at the front of Martial Star Academy’s group, towering over nearly everyone around him.
"And what about you, Bryan? Who do you think you need to watch out for?"
Bryan grinned.
"There is no need to worry about anyone else when I’m here."
He folded his massive arms across his chest.
"I’ll be the one winning this tournament."
The crowd responded with a mixture of applause, laughter, and cheers.
The announcer chuckled.
"Confident as always, I see. And how exactly do you plan to accomplish that?"
Bryan raised his chin.
"With my strength and skill, obviously."
His dark eyes swept across the other representatives.
"No one here can match me in combat."
The announcer smiled before turning toward Celetias Academy.
"Arthur has been receiving quite a lot of attention today. Several representatives have already named him as someone they need to watch."
The crowd’s attention immediately shifted toward Arthur.
"What are your thoughts on Arthur, Bryan?"