Chapter 71 - 71
Alex’s anguished cry cut through the air, echoing across the entire Lion Arena. The audience, perplexed and unable to comprehend the cause of his torment due to Klaus’s mana wall, stared at him with a mix of confusion and concern. The aftermath of the intense battle left them in suspense, grappling with the mystery of how Alex had ended up in such a pitiable state.
Klaus strolled casually toward the stands where his instructors were seated, wearing an indifferent expression as if Alex’s agonizing screams were nothing more than ambient noise. Rick, one of his instructors, noticed Klaus approaching and hastily made his way to the arena floor. With authority in his voice, he declared the conclusion of the fight.
"In this duel, the victor is Trainee 401, Klaus Lionhart!" Rick declared loudly, his voice echoing through the Lion Arena. He swiftly moved toward Alex, concern etched on his face.
As the audience reluctantly clapped their hands, a tinge of disappointment lingered in the air. The spectacle of power showcased by Klaus and Alex had left them yearning for more, and the obscured view of the fight only added to their unfulfilled curiosity. The once vibrant atmosphere of the Lion Arena now held a subtle undertone of discontent, as if the anticipation for a thrilling spectacle was abruptly cut short.
Rick reached the small pit where Alex had crashed, his expression contorted with a mix of concern and disbelief as he surveyed the injured boy.
’There is no way he ended up like that because of a sword technique; just what did that "Little monster" use to make it look like that?’ Rick thought, his gaze fixed on the injured boy who resembled someone run down by a fast-rolling train.
"Bring the medics here!"
Rick’s command echoed through the arena, and soon, medics rushed to the pit, ready to attend to Alex’s injuries. The audience watched with a mix of concern and curiosity, their earlier disappointment now replaced by the anticipation of understanding the aftermath of this intense duel.
Raphael Lionhart, Klaus and Alex’s uncle, sensing the severity of the situation, hastily made his way to the arena. His caring demeanor was evident as he appeared almost as if he had teleported, his concern etched on his face. The crowd’s attention shifted to the distressed instructor, adding a layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere.
Raphael Lionhart’s eyes widened in shock as he quickly began to examine his nephew, Alex, who was writhing in pain and coughing blood. Placing his hand gently on Alex’s body, he started to circulate his energy, his brows furrowing in concern as he detected the extent of the injuries. Seven broken ribs, distorted arms and legs, and a fractured jaw—each detail adding to the severity of the situation. The audience watched in stunned silence as the gravity of the injuries became apparent.
Raphael’s mind raced as he pondered the mysterious nature of Alex’s injuries. There were no visible wounds that suggested a sword had caused such damage. Retrieving a high-grade tier potion from his dimensional ring, he swiftly administered it to his nephew, hoping to alleviate some of the pain and accelerate the healing process. The audience remained in bewildered silence, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene in the arena.
Rick watched in awe as Raphael, with Alex cradled in his arms, vanished from the arena with a speed that left him bewildered.
’Still as impressive as ever when you look at him move up close,’ Rick thought, acknowledging the extraordinary abilities displayed by Raphael. The onlookers exchanged glances, the lingering echoes of Alex’s screams still haunting the air.
Raoul Lionhart struggled to contain the raging anger that threatened to burst forth from within him. Initially pleased as he witnessed his son holding his ground against the insolent brat, Klaus, the dynamics of the fight shifted unexpectedly. The cloaked end of the battle, hidden behind a mana wall, left Raoul bewildered. He couldn’t comprehend how his son had lost the fight. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Frustration and fury boiled within him, and in a fit of unbridled anger, he clenched the armrest of his seat, turning it to dust. The visible manifestation of his wrath spoke volumes about the intensity of his emotions.
*** ***
After an intense thirty-five-minute hiatus, Rick and Erina convened all the trainees back to the arena, Alex conspicuously absent as Raphael had presumably transported him to the infirmary. Rick’s countenance bore the imprint of satisfaction, a subtle smile gracing his face as he surveyed the assembled trainees. His eyes, a mix of approval and expectation, seemed to carry the weight of the recent confrontation.
Erina, receiving a slight tap on her back from Rick, took the cue to assume control. Her blind eyes swept over the trainees, her countenance reflective of the gravity of the situation. The arena, once a battleground, now felt charged with a palpable blend of anticipation and concern.
Erina assumed a commanding position at the forefront of the trainees, her authoritative stature emanating a sense of control. With a purposeful throat clearing, she prepared to address the expectant gathering.
"Out of the 401 of you trainees, those standing here today are not just survivors of a brutal selection; you are the chosen, the elite, the future pillars of our mighty Rikxia Empire. Hold your heads high, for you are all worthy of the grueling training that awaits. The eighty of you standing here have earned the title of official trainees. Brace yourselves, for the path ahead, will feel like traversing the flames of hell. Many of you may contemplate giving up, but I have faith that each one of you possesses the resilience to persevere and emerge triumphantly from the challenges that await. Now, let the true training begin!" Erina declared with conviction, her words echoing through the arena, punctuated by a resounding clap for the trainees. Read chapters at empire
The resounding applause and cheers from the audience, including Roman and Melo, enveloped the newly recognized trainees. The atmosphere in the Lion Arena shifted from the intensity of combat to a moment of celebration for the chosen few.
The air in the arena crackled with excitement as the audience continued to chatter animatedly about the impressive performances they had just witnessed.
"To think they weren’t even considered official trainees! How scary!"
"True, this generation of trainees will definitely be way stronger than the previous one."
The spectators marveled at the extraordinary skills displayed by Klaus, Nicholas, and Alex. Their talents had etched a lasting impression, sparking discussions and heightened expectations for the future endeavors of these exceptional trainees.
"Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for," Rick announced, drawing the attention of every trainee in the arena. "Let’s find out who stands at the top among you."
He paused for dramatic effect, allowing the anticipation to build. The trainees held their breaths, curious to know who had secured the coveted top rank.
"Securing the 10th position is trainee 214, Lillian Windrider," Rick continued, his voice resonating through the arena. The spotlight shifted to a young girl with flowing golden hair, and she gracefully acknowledged the applause as she moved forward.
"Claiming the 9th spot is trainee 127, Lydia Shadowstep," Rick announced, and the spotlight illuminated a girl with dark hair who walked forward with a confident stride, acknowledging the applause.
"Securing the 8th position is Trainee 178, Maxwell Stone," Rick declared, and a tall, muscular young man stepped forward, nodding at the acknowledgment from both instructors and peers.
"Ranking at the 7th position, we have Trainee 170, Myre Lionhart," Rick announced, and Myre stepped forward with a prideful posture. The intensity of the applause increased as the audience recognized the prestigious Lionhart name.
"Ranking at the 6th Position, we have Trainee 14, Ken Lionhart." Rick declared, and as Ken stepped forward, the applause resonated even more intensely, echoing through the arena. The Lionhart name seemed to command respect and admiration from the audience.
"Ranking at the 5th Position, we have Trainee 234, Kurt."
Kurt stepped forward, and as he did, a noticeable distinction in the applause emerged. The commoner and vassal family section, perhaps out of genuine support or fear of displeasing Roman, erupted in enthusiastic clapping. Soon, the rest of the audience joined in, creating a synchronized applause that filled the arena.
"Ranking at the 4th position, we have Trainee 63, Sarah Margot!" Rick announced with a confident voice. The audience, having been captivated by Sarah’s skills during the trials, erupted in applause, expressing their appreciation for her achievements. Rick continued to announce the rankings, revealing Nicholas as the third-place holder, which garnered him a well-deserved round of applause. The anticipation heightened as Rick prepared to disclose the second-place position, and when he mentioned Alex Lionhart, the clapping resonated with a mix of astonishment and approval. The audience acknowledged Alex’s remarkable performance with an enthusiastic display of applause.
"Finally, ranking at the first position, we have Trainee 401, Klaus Lionhart!" Rick’s announcement echoed through the arena, and a wave of thunderous applause erupted as Klaus stepped forward. Almost everyone in the audience, moved by the extraordinary display of skill and tenacity, rose to their feet to express their admiration for the top-ranking trainee. The sound of clapping and cheering reverberated, marking the culmination of an intense and memorable day in the Lion Arena.
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