BOOM!
A loud voice suddenly resounded across the coliseum, amplified by spirit energy. It rolled through the arena like thunder, silencing the crowd in an instant.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Element Awakening Ceremony of Stoneford Village!"
The announcer's voice boomed across the coliseum, magnified by spirit energy until it rolled like thunder through every corner of the arena. He was a middle-aged man with an average face and build, but at this moment, his presence filled the grounds as if he were a herald of destiny itself.
"Today, we gather to witness the birth of new talents — the future geniuses and cultivators who may one day stand at the peak of this continent!" His words carried pride and fervor, drawing murmurs of excitement from the crowd. From children with wide, eager eyes to elders with weathered faces, every gaze was fixed upon the center stage.
The announcer lifted his hand, drawing attention to the high balcony on the left. "And seated among us are those who have come to grace this occasion with their presence. On behalf of Stoneford, we welcome our own esteemed Village Chief, Robert!"
The crowd erupted in respectful applause.
"Accompanying him are the chiefs of three neighboring villages: Chief Harren of Greenhollow, Chief Varkas of Ironhill, and Chief Malric of Windvale. They have all traveled here to witness this momentous event!"
All eyes turned toward the balcony. Four middle-aged men sat upon elevated seats, their expressions smug and prideful as they surveyed the coliseum below. Their robes were of fine quality, their postures steeped in authority. For them, this ceremony was more than tradition — it was prestige, a chance to flaunt their status before the masses.
Leon's gaze inevitably locked onto Chief Robert. The moment he did, his blood began to boil.
His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging faintly into his palm. The weight of old memories pressed against him, hot and suffocating. Rage flickered in his obsidian eyes like a suppressed flame, begging to be unleashed.
But Leon drew in a slow breath, forcing it down.
Not now.
This was not the time, nor the place. He would bide his time… but the moment his path aligned, the debt written in blood would be repaid.
"And on our right side," the announcer continued, his voice echoing with reverence, "we have our four honored village elders… and our esteemed guest, Elder Eleice, who has come all the way from the famed Astralis Academy!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd at the mention of Astralis Academy. All eyes shifted toward the balcony on the right. There, six figures sat in dignified silence, their presence drawing every gaze like moths to flame.
Two of them were men: Elder Kaelen, a stern-faced elder with streaks of white in his beard, and Elder Roderic, a stocky man with a broad chest and sharp eyes. Both had been pillars of Stoneford for decades, their authority second only to the village chief.
Beside them sat three women.
The first was Elder Mariel, a composed woman in her forties with streaks of silver threading through her auburn hair. Her presence was steady, maternal, and carried the quiet wisdom of years.
The second was Amelia.
Today, she was no longer simply the woman Leon had known growing up. Draped in flowing azure robes embroidered with silver, her black hair shimmered beneath the sunlight, cascading down her shoulders like silk. There was a poise about her now — the poise of someone who had stepped into a higher realm. She looked like a goddess descended to the mortal world, her beauty drawing awe-struck stares from all directions.
Leon's chest tightened, warmth rising in his heart as his eyes lingered on her. Admiration and pride welled within him. She was radiant, untouchable, and yet still… she was his Amelia.
But then his gaze fell upon the final figure seated at Amelia's side — and the air itself seemed to shift.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, yet her presence eclipsed all others. Her hair was a vivid cascade of violet, shimmering like amethyst under the light. Her face was breathtaking, flawless in symmetry and allure — a beauty on par with Amelia's, perhaps even surpassing it. She wore flowing robes of deep purple that matched her hair, their elegant folds accentuating her graceful figure. Her chest was full and proud, perky and generous, drawing unbidden comparisons in the minds of those watching.
Yet it was not her beauty that stole Leon's breath — it was her aura.
Though she sat with calm composure, her expression utterly neutral, an overwhelming wave of power radiated from her very being. It was not released intentionally, but rather seeped out naturally, like the silent majesty of a mountain or the boundless pressure of the sea. Her presence carried allure, yes, but also dominance — a subtle reminder that beneath that divine beauty was strength vast enough to crush the unworthy with a glance.
The crowd felt it too. Whispers hushed. Even the boldest youths lowered their eyes, their hearts trembling beneath the invisible weight.
Leon's obsidian eyes narrowed slightly, awe stirring in his chest. So this is the elder Amelia spoke of…
The purple-haired woman sat silently beside Amelia, her calm demeanor unshaken, her beauty radiant yet untouchable. She had no need for words. Her presence alone was enough to command the coliseum.
Suddenly, a familiar, childish voice echoed in Leon's mind, sharp and laced with impatience.
"Stupid master, be alert! Don't act suspicious, and most of all—control your dark element. Those four village chiefs? Hmph, nothing to worry about. They're only at the eighth stage of the Warrior Realm, same stage as you. As for those three elders—excluding Amelia—they're all at the peak of the Warrior Realm. Strong, yes, but they can't gauge your strength or sniff out your element. They're blind compared to me."
Her tone shifted, growing heavier.
"But the problem… is that woman."
Veile's words sharpened, carrying a gravity that made Leon's heart skip. "She's at the Grandmaster Realm, second stage. My ring will mask your cultivation, so she can't see through your realm. But don't get cocky. A woman like her doesn't need to see your qi to see through your lies. If you slip up even a little, she'll notice. Be careful."
Leon's breath caught as his gaze slid once more to the purple-haired goddess seated beside Amelia.
Grandmaster Realm…
He was stunned. She looked barely older than Amelia, her features youthful, with only the faintest hint of maturity. But he knew appearances meant little in the cultivation world. Age could be hidden. Faces could remain eternally young. Time bent before the will of those who advanced far enough.
Still… the sheer weight of that title sent chills crawling down his spine.
Warrior Realm. Grandmaster Realm.
The gulf between the two was like the gap between a mountain and the heavens. Even the name Grandmaster carried an oppressive weight, as though the air itself bowed before it.
Leon swallowed quietly, his obsidian eyes narrowing with resolve. So this is the level of power that walks casually through the world…
Meanwhile, Veile's voice continued, smug but firm.
"Hmph. Don't look so rattled. Even weakened as I am, my soul strength is beyond their comprehension. Reading the level of trash like this is child's play. But don't forget, stupid master—while they can't see your foundation, you're still nothing compared to a true Grandmaster. One wrong move, and not even I can save you."
Leon's jaw tightened, but he nodded faintly. "Understood," he whispered under his breath, unseen amidst the noise of the coliseum.
Leon steadied his breathing, forcing his heart into calm rhythm. With an expression as placid as still water, he leaned back comfortably in his seat.
The announcer's voice boomed once more, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
"And before me sit the participants of this year's Element Awakening Ceremony! Today, each of you will stake your fate, your future, and perhaps even your destiny upon a single chance — to awaken your element!"
A wave of tension swept through the rows of youths. Dozens of throats bobbed as they swallowed nervously, their eyes wide with a mix of dread and excitement.
Beside Leon, Denny groaned under his breath, his chubby hands clutching at his stomach. "F-fuck… this is my second time, and it still feels like I'm suffocating! The excitement's building up so much I think I might puke. Damn it, Leon, don't you feel that pressure?"
Leon turned his head slightly, his obsidian eyes calm, and allowed a small smile to curve his lips. "I do."
Denny froze, then let out an exaggerated groan and buried his head in his hands. "Ugh, screw you, man! Why do you look like you're enjoying this? You're supposed to be nervous! Damn it, you're pissing me off!"
Leon chuckled softly, his relaxed demeanor only deepening Denny's misery.
Before their exchange could continue, the announcer's voice rose again, solemn and commanding.
"And now, let us turn our attention to the heart of this ceremony… the Element Awakening Stone!"
A collective gasp ran through the audience as every eye shifted to the stage.
At the center stood a massive orb, pristine and luminous, its surface a flawless white. Veins of faint silver light pulsed within, radiating an aura of purity and mystery. The Awakening Stone gleamed like a moon fragment torn from the heavens, its presence filling the coliseum with reverence.
For a moment, silence reigned. The weight of destiny itself seemed to settle over the youths gathered, as if the stone were a divine judge waiting to pass its verdict.