11th September, year 1507

For a few moments, silence gripped the crowd as they struggled to process the unfolding drama. Seren's unexpected move left them stunned with their eyes flicking between Seren and Lorien in confusion and curiosity.

It was only when Seren rose from his seat, approached Lorien and extended his palm out in front of him in a gesture that hinted at the exchange that the spectators erupted into a tumult of anger and astonishment.

"He spat! He spat on him!"

Boos and jeers filled the air, accompanied by shouts of disbelief and fury.

"Disgusting! That's not how you win!"

As the realization of Seren's treachery sank into their minds, the atmosphere turned thick with malice, fueled by a sense of betrayal and outrage. The spectators exchanged incredulous glances, their expressions a mix of shock and contempt, as they struggled to come to terms with Seren's deceit.

“ENOUGH!”

All eyes turned towards the source of the commanding voice as Kai stepped forward, his words cutting through animosity and shouts of the crowd.

“...The match is over, this is Seren’s victory. In the brutal arena of life, the fallen have no voice to cry out. It doesn’t matter how he won, in the end, I was beaten and that’s all that matters." Kai said with a mixture of resignation and determination.

As Kai's words resonated through the crowd, admiration for his wisdom and strength swelled among the spectators.

No one spoke for a few seconds as they watched Kai look at Seren.

"...Words of a true warrior!” Someone in the crowd praised.

“Kai understands the game better than anyone."

Some of them in the crowd exchanged looks of admiration, recognizing the depth of Kai's character and the strength of his resolve. They applauded not just his physical prowess, but also his moral fortitude in accepting the harsh realities of life's battles.

"Someone could learn a thing or two about honor from Kai." One of the spectators said with a bit of pity.

"A shame not everyone fights with the same integrity."

Meanwhile, Seren ignored the silent remarks and locked eyes with Lorien with an intense gaze. Lorien gritted his teeth though clearly reluctant, yielded to Seren's demand. He snapped his fingers and a servant bearing a pouch filled with clinking gold coins came running over.

The servant handed over the pouch filled with gold to Lorien, who shoved it into Seren’s hands with a look of resignation before turning away as he seemed uninterested in entertaining the crowd with arguments.

Seren's smirk twisted into a sneer as he glanced back at Lorien's retreating figure. "Seems like your luck ran out, Lorien," he taunted, his voice laced with disdain. "Maybe next time, try playing a game you're actually good at."

The taunt only served to stroke the crowd's fury as the murmurs grew louder with each passing moment. Lorien who was still walking away, clenched his fists in frustration with anger in his eyes and the desire to turn around and confront Seren boiling beneath the surface.

...

Meanwhile, a few elders observed the scene from a distance, their expressions contemplative.

Among them was an elderly woman, draped in pure white garments with a black cloak decorated with reddish flames at the edges. In a voice heavy with wisdom, she remarked, "That child Seren is much more sinister than his peers."

Another elder who was tall and slender and dressed similarly interjected, his voice carrying weight and authority. "Everything he did was meticulously calculated. It began with a simple gesture—a handshake that was meant to forge an unconscious bond of trust. Then with deliberate precision he orchestrated a series of seemingly accidental events: the stumble over the rock, the grasp at Kai's sleeve, and the tearing of the fabric. But his deception went even further. When he fell, he surreptitiously filled his mouth with meadow grass that was growing on the ground, a bitter herb known for its transformative properties when mixed with water. This herb, when grounded, turns green and slippery like oil."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "During the arm wrestle, he feigned weakness by acting like he was struggling and luring Kai into a false sense of security. As Kai prepared for his final push, Seren then made a taunting expression that was a subtle ploy to showcase everything was in his control. Kai bought into it and in his alarmed state exerted full force. And then came the decisive moment: a spit of the meadow grass aimed precisely at the point of Kai's elbow that met the table. Normally, the fabric from Kai’s clothing would provide ample friction even with oil. But, Seren had already torn off Kai's sleeve with the fall before which exposed his skin to the oily substance and with that, Kai's elbow grip faltered on the table, and victory slipped effortlessly into Seren’s grasp."

After a brief pause, the tall elder's voice carried a hint of intensity as he questioned the old lady. "What's your take on this, Luna? Should we dispose of him?"

Luna, the elderly woman, remained calm with a serene smile on her face. "Leave him be. He will serve as a learning point for Lorien in the future."

Darius observed Luna closely and then spoke in a tone that showed little surprise. "You are becoming more and more like a doting grandmother."

Luna's response carried a distant quality, tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Perhaps after living for so long, I wish to see my grandchildren succeed in life."

…

The crowd had already dispersed by now and everyone had started to go back to their family members.

BOOM!

An explosion occurred at the front of the red gate that caught everyone’s attention. When the dust from the explosion settled. Everyone saw an imposing figure standing at the center of where the explosion occurred.

With his hands crossed, the figure was wearing plain black clothes that gave a sense of intimidation. Every movement he made exuded a controlled power as if he could unleash devastating power with a mere flick of his wrist. He had short medium black hair with a bun and the rest of the hair slicked backwards with tan, black skin that gave him an imposing aura.

This person was the secretary of the City Chief, a superior rank 3 Lexarch and one of the strongest people in Chimera Vale.

Elara Swift!

His eyes were sharp as they penetrated and surveyed the crowd with an air of authority that left no room for doubt. Each gaze felt like a weight pressing down, instilling a sense of unease in those who dared to meet his stare. As he stepped forward, the ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet, emphasizing his commanding presence and leaving no doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with.

As the youths gazed upon Elara, a sense of awe and unease washed over them like a turbulent tide.

This was the man who had climbed the tower of power at a young age. His very name made the children feel the weight of his authority.

Suddenly a few figures materialized before the rank 3 Lexarch with their sudden appearance causing ripples of surprise among the gathered youths. Yet, Elara remained unperturbed with his demeanor unwavering in the face of the unexpected guests.

These newcomers were none other than the esteemed family elders of the three ruling families of Chimera Vale.

Each elder knelt with utmost reverence, their gestures a form of respect for Elara. With heads bowed and fists clasped they spoke in unison, their voices resonating with deference, "We greet the Gale of Chimera."

Among the five elders paying greetings to Elara were Luna Ashbourne and Darius Ashbourne, who had observed Seren from afar. Yet, it was the younger figure who stood out—an enigmatic aura surrounded him with his icy demeanor mirrored by the true blue hanfu he wore.

This was Kaelen Frostshade, a prodigy among his peers who was the next heir of the Frostshade family.

The other two elders were Landon and Logan from the Valorheart family who appeared aged and were clad in matching grey and black hanfus. What distinguished them was their unique bond as twins—one was blind in the left eye and the other in the right.

Elara observed the elders with a penetrating gaze. Then with a hoarse voice he finally spoke, his question cutting through the silence, "How many are there?"

In perfect unison, both Landon and Logan replied, "There are 91 participants this year from 60 different families."

Unperturbed by the sizable number, Elara issued his command without hesitation, "Bring them in."

The elders rose to their feet and signalled to the crowd that had gathered behind them to follow. Kai, Finn, Lorien, Seren, and the rest of the youths fell into step behind the elders with their expressions solemn as they ventured forth.

Mixed emotions churned within them—nervous anticipation, excitement, and a lingering sense of fear as the red gate creaked open before them. What lay beyond was a scene of ethereal beauty—a majestic fountain graced the forefront of the mansion, flanked by meticulously trimmed grass on either side.

On one side stood a peculiar tree. Its branches were swirling around a central point like dancers in a mesmerizing choreography. The lush foliage overhead cast dappled shadows upon the ground which added an air of mystery that surrounded it.

On the opposite side stood a seemingly ordinary tree that had long vines hanging down from the branches. Yet, upon closer inspection, the vines revealed a disturbing secret—there were countless tiny holes in the branches teeming with tiny black insects, each movement sending a shiver down the spine of the onlookers.

As the group approached the mansion, the children's reactions to the ominous trees outside varied. Some weaker-willed ones quickly averted their gaze, sensing danger while others like Seren remained composed. Kai and Lorien seemed relatively unbothered by this while Finn fidgeted here and there.

Among the crowd of youths, three individuals stood out who were also unfazed by the trees. One was a girl dressed in a deep blue classic ruqun, her long jet-black hair reaching her hips. Her cyan blue eyes sparkled like gems but her cold glare made any guy looking at her instinctively avert their gaze.

The other two were bald twins. They were lacking eyebrows and were dressed identically. They chattered happily, seemingly oblivious to the heavy atmosphere.

As the group entered the mansion, the atmosphere shifted from the eerie presence of the trees to the imposing grandeur of the interior. Elara, while maintaining his cold demeanor, guided the elders and youths through the hallways. The mansion appearing just as one would imagine, opulent and imposing.

After navigating a series of corridors, they finally arrived at a door at the end of the hall. Upon opening it, they were greeted by stone stairs that seemed to stretch endlessly leading down into darkness.

Elara, followed by the elders, and then the youths all bundled together slowly walked down the stairs in darkness. The only thing they could hear were the countless footsteps of others around them.