From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"Perfect," Phillis confirmed, "Thank you very much. To confirm, you have purchased two Reinforced Vests, four Basic Medical Kits, two prepped survival bags each containing a medkit, one MRE, bandages, gauze, an emergency blanket, a portable water filter, and a fire-starter kit, two Camo Tents, and one extra large empty bag."

"Was there anything else I could get you for today?"

Ty looked over to Gisorn and Kern before he shrugged and stated, "That will do for everything. Thank you, Phillis." As Ty finished speaking, the door swung open and the man announced, "Okay! Time's up, we have a strict schedule to follow, please follow me from here."

Ty and the rest walked out, with Ty and Kern each carrying a bag. Everyone was now fully equipped with what they would normally wear in their day-to-day lives of fighting, ready to face whatever challenges the Arena of Life would throw at them

As the guard led Ty and his companions to their pre-Arena destination, the air was filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. Kern, ever the questioner, voiced the group's concerns.

"With about half a day left until the Arena starts, where are you taking us?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

The guard, whose demeanor remained unreadable, replied without turning back, "To avoid any further issues with the Rebels attacking us, especially the Black Bulls, we have decided to outpost the final 12 hours to the King's courtyard. Only those given access by the king can access this area."

"This will give you a chance to catch a few hours of sleep, eat some food, or have a last meeting with your mentor if he cared enough to come out here," the guard continued, his voice steady. "However, the final two hours you will all be secured, and when you leave, you will be at the arena."

Kern's expression shifted to confusion at the guard's explanation. "I thought we were allowed to see our family one last time before it starts? That's tradition for nobles and most of the volunteers, right?" He paused, trying to gauge the guard's reaction. "Also, what is this King's Courtyard? The Kingdom is far away from here."

The guard smirked, a knowing look crossing his face as he finally turned to address Kern directly. "There are many places on other continents you don't know of, so don't worry about it. And due to the threats, bringing anyone other than the mentor could pose a risk to them, so that has been barred."

As they moved along the long corridor, passing other rooms filled with squads making their final preparations, Kern's frustration bubbled up, his voice tinged with skepticism. "I suppose that makes sense, this King's courtyard though," he said, half to himself and half to the group, wondering aloud, "Are we being mixed in with the other 50-man team or how is that working?"

The guard, maintaining a brisk pace, answered without looking back, "It has been divided perfectly. It's quite a large courtyard, evenly split into ten sections so you can spend the time alone with your squads preparing. But of course, you can go anywhere you want except the Burning Sun's side."

He continued, "Everyone with active mentors is already there, so you just need to go to your designated section."

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Ty processed this information, feeling a mix of relief and unease. "What about Sponsors? Will they be present?" Ty stated thinking to himself "Please say no."

The guard's reply was terse as they reached a formidable wooden door, about ten feet tall with polished handles. "Go find out for yourself," he said, pushing the doors open. A flood of bright purple light spilled through, forcing Ty to shield his eyes momentarily.

As Ty's vision cleared, he followed the guard out into the expansive King's Courtyard. He was immediately struck by the sight: a massive dome of grass stretched out for miles, bisected by a striking pillar of black stone that split the courtyard in half. Above, a small opening allowed the sun's rays to penetrate the dome, casting a radiant light that highlighted the lush greenery.

The air was filled with a sweet and fragrant aroma, reminiscent of sunflowers blended with maple syrup, enveloping Ty in a comforting yet unfamiliar scent. It was a moment of surreal beauty, unexpected amid the preparations for the grueling challenges ahead.

Ty's reverie was broken by the snapping of fingers. The guard, noticing his awe, chided him gently, "I know, it's amazing, but don't spend your entire time staring like a lost animal, Demon."

"You five can go ahead and head toward Court 13," the guard continued, gesturing towards a section of the courtyard. "There you will have food, some fresh patches of grass to sleep on, and a medium-sized courtyard for sparring or trying out last-second tactics, etc. You can figure it out, just no fighting between each other."

As they continued along the cobblestone pathway, the distinct red hue and interspersed green patches added a vibrant contrast to the serene backdrop of the courts. When they reached their designated Court 13, Ty noticed the strategic placement of lush green bushes climbing nearly 30 feet high, effectively isolating each court from its neighbors.

Ty, curious and somewhat puzzled by the elaborate setup, voiced his thoughts. "I wonder why they went through this entire process, like what's the point in dividing us further?"

Gisorn took a moment before responding, his tone reflective. "I believe it's more likely this place exists as a training ground or a royal garden, perhaps a mix. And these were designed to give privacy.

They just so happen to also line up as privacy points so we can discuss our powers and strategies… While we are all on a team, that is only for now, and I'm sure some of us don't want to reveal every secret we have in the first arena."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"In that sense, this works out in my opinion," Gisorn concluded, nodding towards the surrounding greenery that provided them with both seclusion and security.