Chapter 610: The Word Prepares

In the Dark Faction, at the Pagna academy, the five major clans were arriving. They were to have a meeting based on what would happen tomorrow, to discuss the finer details.

A lot of back and forth was also required with the Light faction on who they could bring in after all. There had to be a balance when it came to these events; for one, they had to allow enough people for each faction to feel safe, while not allowing enough people for them to be able to plan an attack. Although it had yet to happen, every faction knew that the best opportunity for a faction to attack the others and get rid of powerful people at the top was the Martial Arts tournament.

Inside the faction, Amir, the vice principal, had gathered the participants into one of the private training rooms, where he had been helping all of them for the big day at hand.

Simon, Liam, and Safa were all seated on the ground, their facial features had aged. They looked different from when they had entered the academy, and the story was even more true if one was able to look at the glow in their eyes.

It was the same for Mada and Ricktor, two of the direct disciples of the five major clans, that had decided to stay with their clans, but what was the plan going forward? What would they do if Raze wasn't here?

As they were, they weren't strong enough to go against their own clans, for sending them to their death.

On top of that, Cronker was also present, a man who had to hide in the shadows and could never be present in the room when the actual principal was there, afraid that he would be found out.

Along with him, three more of the second-year students who weren't taking part in the tournament itself but were part of knowing full well of everything going on.

"All of you have been working hard for this day," Amir said, looking at each of them. "If this was last year or the years before, I would have no doubt in my mind that any one of you would be able to reach first place in this tournament.

"However, my information network tells me that this will be dangerous for all of you. Still, I wanted to let you know that you have all managed to improve beyond regular means. I can safely say that you are the cream of the crop, but your opponents will be doing anything they can to win.

"As for you, Cronker, along with your fellow three disciples, I have made it so you are also allowed to come to the event. They have allowed us to take as many students as we wish since they aren't so threatening to the Light Faction."

Tinson, Joe, and Violet hadn't been taking part in the same training sessions as everyone else; they had been focusing on stealth techniques passed on to them by Cronker from the Crimson Crane.

Knowing their strength wasn't on the same level as the others, for them to still be helpful to the group, they wished to do something, becoming skilled in assassination arts.

"As for those from the Dark Faction, myself, the principal, as well as two other leaders from the Dark Faction will be coming with two others from each clan. There won't be a large amount of us to protect you.

"And I shall warn you, my informants, with the information I have, this will not be a normal Martial Arts tournament."

Amir wanted to continue, but he waited, allowing them to let everything sink in. They had worked hard, worked non-stop, no distractions, they did everything they could just to get stronger for this situation.

"If all works out, this might be our chance to get out of the academy, including me."

At the same time, the Light Faction was doing their best to hold the event. An arena was being built just for the very event. Preparations had finished a while ago, but being the perfectionists they were, they were getting every single detail they could correct.

Wanting the whole ceremony, their displays of strength, and making sure if there were any problems, they knew how to deal with them.

The clan in question that was at the center of it all was the Dawnblade Clan. They were one of the three major clans in the Light Faction and consisted of ten powerful Elders.

However, they now numbered 9 elders due to one of them perishing to the Crimson Crane. One of the members, Beatrix Highborn, was the winner of the last martial arts tournament.

Because of that, the next tournament was to take place in the Light Faction and in the Dawnblade clan's territory. It was more important to them compared to others due to the string of their reputation taking a hit recently.

Beatrix had failed in an attack on the Demonic Faction, and the loss of an Elder. If they faced more humiliation with this event, then the other clans were likely to put pressure on them, telling them to step down.

Beatrix walked through a heavy door, a beam of light shining in on the dark blue tiles.

She walked as she could see another female with blonde hair, on her knees praying, looking ahead toward the glass pane windows.

Hearing the footsteps behind her, she turned around to look at Beatrix in her white clothing.

"Hannah, I was looking for you everywhere, this was the last place I expected you to be," Beatrix said.

"Why, am I not allowed to pray for good luck tomorrow?" Hannah asked, smiling back.

Beatrix was only around a head taller than Hannah, but she was still able to rub the top of her head. The two of them had a special relationship in the clan; it felt like they were sisters even though not related, but in truth, Hannah was Beatrix's direct disciple.

"We don't need to rely on luck; we create our own luck with hard work," Beatrix answered.

"Whether it works or not doesn't matter then, right?" Hannah replied. "If it doesn't work, then no harm done, and if it does work, then maybe someone can help me."

"All there is up there are the Divine warriors, a place where we all strive to be. Maybe. They will - bless you, and when we are up there, maybe we can pass on our blessings to others as well."

The two of them smiled for a bit, until Beatrix pulled out a pendant. It was a light silver chain and round in size; she placed it around her neck for her. Without gestation, Hannah had accepted it.

"This is a gift from the Elders; they said they worked hard in getting it for you, and that it's priceless. It would be good for you to wear it on the day," Beatrix said.

Lifting up the pendant, Hannah took a look at it; it was made with white gold, with a golden center in the middle, in the shape of an 'I'.

"With this pendant, the Elders asked me to pass on another message. No matter what, you must not lose," Beatrix said. "But for me, I will say, no matter what, you must not die."

At the same time, after letting the others take the words in, Amir spoke to them all.

"Tomorrow is the big day, and no matter what, you must do whatever you can to survive."