SCT-Novel Chapter 123: Preparations [2]
Chapter 123: Preparations [2]
After breakfast, Cael and Edwin stepped out of the cafeteria, exchanging brief farewells with Elara.
Edwin said with a wave,
"See you later."
Elara nodded and walked off in the opposite direction, her purple hair swaying behind her.
The walk back to the guest dorm was quiet. Edwin hummed something under his breath.
Cael said with a teasing tone,
"Are you trying to hit on her?"
Edwin almost tripped as he glared at Cael.
Cael was amused.
"Last time, you said you had feelings for Kira Crimson."
Edwin shook his head.
"Don’t remind me of her. She was just a blood-sucking vampire. If it wasn’t for your brother’s instincts during District Kazi, and him killing her when he had the chance, who knows when she might have turned on us?"
Yes, after Luke killed Kira, the news spread like wildfire.
A vampire had infiltrated Everbright Academy. Moreover, the vampire could use elements. It was sensational news months ago.
Edwin had learned of it, like everyone else.
The more Edwin thought about it, the more terrified he became.
Truth be told, he had only known Kira for less than three weeks, yet he had almost tried to propose to her.
’No wonder the legends say never judge a book by its cover.’
Cael also had his doubts.
Did Luke really kill Kira?
If he wanted to kill her, why wait? He could have done it in District Kazi.
But looking at Edwin, Cael has long since decided.
Even if Kira were alive, it was best if Edwin did not involve himself with her.
So, from then on, from time to time, Cael made jokes about Edwin when they were alone.
His goal was simple: to slowly change Edwin’s mindset, mainly toward the bad side of vampires.
Cael did not know if this was good or bad, but one thing he knew was that it was... safe.
...
Back in their room, they freshened up quickly. Edwin splashed water on his face and ran his fingers through his red hair.
Cael changed into a fresh shirt, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness from yesterday’s ordeal.
They met Aria and Brania in the hallway.
"Good morning."
Aria said, her blue eyes studying Cael. Then her gaze sharpened.
"You broke through."
Brania also looked at him, her purple eyes narrowing.
"I can feel it. [Gold 1]?"
Cael nodded.
"Yes."
Aria’s lips curved into a small smile.
"No wonder you did not come with us last night."
Edwin grinned.
"Our team leader is getting stronger."
Brania said nothing, but she gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
As they stepped outside, Elara was waiting for them.
Edwin blinked.
"Whoa. I did not think we would meet this soon."
Elara gave a helpless smile.
"Ethan was supposed to be your guide today. The black-haired boy who came to your room yesterday."
"But right now, he is in a coma. He has been practicing a runic body technique. Until it is complete, he needs mana twenty-four hours a day."
"Yesterday’s mana disruption caused his body to shut down. The doctors say he will recover, but he will miss the selections."
Cael’s face remained still. Inside, his stomach turned.
’Ethan. The one I threatened. He is in a coma because of me.’
Cael had been so focused on the bigger picture, the wraiths, the vision, that he had neglected the immediate consequences. People had been hurt.
’I was careless.’
But he showed nothing. His expression remained calm, his eyes steady as he said,
"That is unfortunate."
Edwin frowned.
"Will he be alright?"
Elara nodded.
"As I said, he will recover. But he will miss the selections."
She straightened her posture.
"I will lead you to the stadium. Follow me."
Along with Team Gray, other teams from Everbright Academy also followed them.
...
The path wound through the academy, past training grounds and administrative buildings.
Other students joined them along the way, teams from other academies, participants from distant cities.
Everyone was moving in the same direction.
Soon, the stadium came into view.
Cael’s steps slowed.
It was the same stadium. The same structure. The same stone walls. The same towering archways. The same stands that stretched toward the sky.
He had seen it before. In the vision. In the nightmare. The stadium where the Wraith Princess had attacked.
Where Elara’s father had self-destructed. Where the flames had consumed everything.
But here, in the morning light, it was intact and untouched.
Cael exhaled slowly and kept walking.
---
Inside, the stadium was vast. Rows of seats circled the central platform, which was raised and reinforced with protective inscriptions.
Students filled the lower sections, their voices echoing off the walls.
On the platform stood a middle-aged woman with graying hair and sharp eyes.
She wore the insignia of the Golden Scale Academy; she was the vice principal of Golden Scale.
She raised her hand, and the crowd fell silent.
"Students,"
She began, her voice carrying across the stadium without amplification.
"You are here because you have chosen to participate in The Grand Summit Trials. You are here because you believe you have what it takes to stand among the best."
She paused, letting her words settle.
"Yesterday, this city faced something unprecedented. Some of you were afraid. Some of you wanted to leave. Some of you questioned whether the selections would continue at all."
She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the platform.
"Let me tell you something. Fear is natural. Doubt is natural. Every person in this stadium felt it last night. Every person in this city felt it."
Her voice grew harder.
"But fear does not stop a warrior. Doubt does not stop a fighter."
"What separates those who succeed from those who fail is not the absence of fear; it is the will to move forward despite it."
She looked across the crowd, meeting eyes, challenging them. Her voice rose as she gave a motivational speech to ignite the students’ interest.
After a few minutes of motivational talk, she said,
"Selections will begin tomorrow. There will be no delays."
The crowd stirred. Some students straightened their backs. Others clenched their fists.
"The selection process will be sent to your mobiles. Please check them when you are free. That is all."