“Did you mean the Crullsfeld?” I asked, eyes narrowing.

She just grinned. “Nope! We’re in the Kingdom of Arcadia!”

Frustration twisted my gut. “How the hell did we enter a portal in Thurisgard and end up here?”

Alina’s expression didn’t change. Exactly that, duh. It’s a portal. They don’t have to open and close at the same spot.

I clenched my fists at my sides. So I won’t be seeing my family… Great.

“What happened to the long journey we were supposed to make? And I’m assuming you had a reason for dragging me here. So, what’s the deal?”

She laughed, carefree as ever. “Dunno, Niko.”

“Anyway, let’s head to the capital, Asterion. It’s only an hour away!” She turned and started walking, leaving me with no choice but to follow.

The path through the forest was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves underfoot and the occasional chirp of distant birds. True to her word, it took us about an hour to reach the capital, and as we approached the heart of the city, everything changed.

The humble huts gave way to sturdy stone houses, their walls glowing warmly under the late afternoon sun. The buildings grew taller, more ornate, their windows reflecting the light like jewels. Eventually, grand mansions appeared, towering and decorated with intricate carvings, their iron gates shining with polish.

At the far end of the city, rising above it all, stood the castle. It was an imposing structure, its gray stone walls reaching for the sky, topped with shimmering spires that seemed to pierce the clouds. There was something ancient about it, as though its very stones held the weight of centuries of history.

Alina seemed unfazed by the sight. “Impressive, isn’t it? The view never gets old.”

The castle cast long shadows over the bustling streets below. People—nobles in flowing robes, merchants shouting about their wares—moved like a current through the city. The air was thick with the scent of spices, and the vibrant colors of silks and trinkets flashed around us.

I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the city’s energy, a constant buzz of life. To someone used to the quiet of villages, this was overwhelming—but it was also exhilarating.

I snapped out of my thoughts to see Alina scanning the crowd. After a moment, she smirked.

“Found it. Follow me, Niko.”

I sighed, already knowing this wouldn’t end well.

Alina led me to a small bulletin board in front of the castle gates. The papers pinned to it were full of advertisements and notices, most of them mundane. But one caught my attention—a notice from a noble seeking a magic teacher, promising a tournament to determine who was most qualified.

I didn’t hesitate. “Alright, I’m in.”

Alina’s grin widened. “Great. Let’s head to the tournament arena. It’s starting soon.”

We arrived at the tournament hall—a massive structure that resembled the Roman Colosseum, complete with towering pillars and arches. It was awe-inspiring, but there was a certain weight to it as well. Only those who were truly worthy fought here.

“Fighting inside the Arcadian Arena is a big deal,” Alina whispered. “Only the strongest are allowed in.”

We walked toward the entrance, where a small woman stood with a clipboard, her brown hair neatly tied back. She was quick to look us over before addressing us.

“Here for the tournament to decide the noble’s magic tutor?” she asked, her voice businesslike.

I nodded. “Yes. My name’s Nikolai Nordhil, and I’d like to enter.”

She jotted my name down without a word. “Follow that man,” she gestured toward a tall, slender man with black hair and sharp glasses. His quiet, stoic presence radiated authority.

“This way,” he said, his deep voice carrying an air of quiet command. He turned and walked toward the arena.

Inside the waiting room, the atmosphere was strangely cold. A bench sat against one wall, and that was it—nothing to decorate the sterile space. It felt more like a forgotten storage room than the backstage of a grand tournament.

I turned to Alina. “Any more info about this tournament? Who’s likely to be here?”

She just meowed and walked over to me. Without saying a word, she reached up to touch my chest with her paw. A brilliant light filled the room, and a wave of calmness washed over me, almost like my nerves had been muted.

Alina winked, then curled up on the floor, pretending to sleep.

I shrugged it off and began shadowboxing to warm up. Just as I was starting to feel the rhythm, there was a knock at the door.

The tall man gestured for me to follow him.

Stepping into the arena, I was greeted by the roar of the crowd. The floor was a large platform, surrounded by a deep moat of water that dropped twenty feet down on all sides. We entered through a drawbridge that connected the arena to the rest of the building.

Across from me, an old man hobbled onto the platform. He was cloaked in gray, his face hidden beneath a hood. Not again.

The referee shouted, his voice amplified by some kind of sound magic. “No killing, no permanently crippling your opponent. Only magical dominance matters. The crown will punish those who break the rules.”

The old man gave a slight nod. I followed suit.

The voice boomed again: “Let the battle begin!”