Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Winds Stirring at the Southern Bank

“Bridge Pier Academy, Darsi wins!”

Under the moonlight, the arena was brightly lit, and Ling lay on the ground, her wings behind her torn and broken, dark red blood slowly seeping across the ground.

Darsi standing on the arena was also not faring well; one of his eyes had been gouged out, his armor damaged beyond repair, and the spear he once held was now broken in two, half buried in the ground. His body was smeared with black and red blood.

This battle was exceptionally intense, and it was the most brutal match in this year’s academy competition.

The students watching in the stands began to discuss among themselves.

“It’s not looking good. With Darsi in such a state, even if there were wise men within the academy to heal him, he would still struggle to recover quickly. The upcoming matches will be extremely difficult.”

“Moreover, among the top four, apart from Darsi, the other three are all from Fortress Academy: Bumansa, Red Sail, and Atati.”

“When many students were discussing this, the Bridge Pier Academy students were also very worried about their leader’s condition.”

Lolan Hill sat in the stands at the Temple Academy, watching the results of the match, and couldn’t help but feel admiration for Darsi.

The few under her guidance were already among the most talented of their generation. Under her tutelage and discipline, they had practically been in constant practical training every day. Not only did they face conflicts with the ‘Black Veil,’ but internal competition was also fierce.

To encourage members and help them improve rapidly, she had provided several extraordinary potions that could enhance one’s strength, including Golden Maple Syrup, Crimson Frost Syrup Potion, Phosphorescent Essence Condensation Potion, Iceblossom Potion, and Golden Moon Potion.

In short, just like the best-fed children in the best training environment, the combined effects had led to a significant increase in the strength of the ‘Black Lotus’ club, completely suppressing the former ‘Black Veil.’

Darsi came from humble beginnings but had achieved everything through sheer effort. It was this talent and determination that she admired.

No wonder, after the fall of the Mercury Dynasty, as the human race rose, witches gradually withdrew from their former stages and centers. With a large population base, even if geniuses were as rare as one in a hundred million, they would continue to emerge. These geniuses who grew up through numerous trials and competitions were no less in terms of character and wisdom than those born as witches, and they were more numerous. Even witches had to be cautious when walking among humans, not overstepping boundaries.

Fortunately, witches were still ordinary humans, and there wasn’t a complete separation between them. In the eyes of many wise people today, witches were merely a group of lucky and slightly special humans. While they might respect witches’ contributions in history, they wouldn’t blindly worship them.

Those who reached the Sequence 9 were generally outstanding individuals in various fields, each with unique strengths. They might not live as long as witches, but they continued to influence the world.

Darsi was indeed walking down such a path. Therefore, even though his family background wasn’t impressive, the many wise men within the academy still protected him in secret, ensuring that such talents wouldn’t be easily bullied by the powerful.

It was precisely because of this that Emanas was the place many young people of Ivar aspired to. No matter your origins, as long as you could demonstrate your value and talent, teachers would help you, ensuring you weren’t overlooked.

As Lolan Hill pondered the relationship between Sequence 9 humans and witches, the combat within the arena resumed.

“Fortress Academy, Bumansa vs. Atati!”

“Not good, not good. It’s Bumansa sister,” Atati muttered softly, but her movements didn’t slow. Two emerald wooden swords danced in the air, leaving trails of light, before she stood on one side of the venue.

Despite Atati appearing younger, she was actually older than Bumansa, just that elves developed more slowly. Besides, Bumansa always had a big sister aura, so everyone in the club, including Lolan Hill, called her ‘sister.’

“Has Atati come up with any strategies?”

Unlike Atati’s somewhat flamboyant entrance, Bumansa was much simpler. She slowly walked onto the stage with a plain wooden sword, as if on a leisurely stroll.

“No, I can’t think of anything,” Atati shook her head, her golden pigtails swaying in the night breeze.

“The match begins!” the referee announced.

“But I’ll still try my best.”

Then, her figure flashed, and two emerald wooden swords cut through the air like butterflies, aiming at the seemingly ordinary girl.

—

New Vergha Commercial Alliance, Hope Lane.

The morning mist hadn’t dissipated yet, and the city’s council hall was already filled with representatives from various factions.

Many were awakened from their sleep by urgent messages and rushed here.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have received news that the Frost Rose has sent troops northward. Ships loaded with golems and soldiers almost occupy the entire river, stretching endlessly. Our checkpoint on Black Pine River is now virtually useless.”

“At the time of signing the contract, wasn’t it stipulated that armies exceeding 2,000 must report and notify in advance?” one of the representatives asked.

“That’s true, but it seems the other party no longer cares about such regulations.”

“Now what do we do? Ignore it? Condemn? Or declare the alliance entering an emergency state?” the representative from Lamia Trading Company asked.

“With our current strength, I believe we shouldn’t get involved in the conflict between both sides,” proposed the representative from Ao’ni Trading Company.

“But even if we remain neutral, how long can this situation last? Caught between two giants, indecisiveness will make us despised and used as cannon fodder,” said the representative from Thars Trading Company.

“Although the Black Pine River can transport some troops and supplies, it’s still too narrow for the Frost Rose. They will surely ask us to let them pass. Should we lend them passage or not?” the representative from Thars Trading Company added.

“If we lend it,” the representative from Ao’ni Trading Company started to say but stopped halfway, feeling something amiss.

“Haha, your company has quite a few assets in the Frost Rose territory. Perhaps you hope for their rule over New Vergha,” the representative from Lamia Trading Company pointed out.

Among the main members of the alliance, Ao’ni Trading Company was the most eager for the Frost Rose. Thars Trading Company and Uriya Trading Company were uncertain and vacillating. Lamia Trading Company firmly stood with Clancia because they mainly dealt in wool, fur, and leather, and the grasslands of Clancia and the northern ancient Gufia were their primary raw material sources. Any turmoil would cause major problems for the company.

The other three trading companies, Yagdelin Trading Company being the smallest, mostly operated internally and paid little attention to external matters. Melu’s Helis family remained silent, not taking sides rashly.

At this moment, everyone turned their gaze to one side of the conference table where four representatives from the Karites were seated. They were the largest dominators within the alliance and had significant speaking power in the current situation.

Just as everyone waited anxiously, a guard in a purple cloak hurried into the hall and stood beside the four representatives. He took out a sealed bamboo tube, its surface damp with dew, indicating it had just arrived.

After the representatives read the letter inside the bamboo tube and saw the familiar signature and seal, they exchanged glances, nodded, and returned to the conference table.

“The will of Karites is to immediately request aid from the Juvenile Moon Council, placing the alliance in an emergency state, always ready for battle, to prevent the sudden attack from the Frost Rose.”

“Perhaps, their expedition fleet is already on the way,” the Karites representative solemnly stated.

Thank you, Rain Palace Small Branch, memories of days gone by, Eevee Eeve, focused on daydreaming, reader 20201012140541836, finishing writing, fleeting thoughts, Loluoshuang, thanks to 9 readers for their support.

Special thanks to Rain Palace Small Branch for the support. Currently, extra chapters are being added!