Simon Ramel

“Today’s the day we’ve all been waiting for,” I said excitedly.

Bilric, still changing, glanced at me.
“Why are you so excited? You’re not even participating.”

I smirked.
“The real show isn’t in the ring—it’s in the stands.”

He gave me a disgusted look.
“Yeah… sure. No point arguing with you.”

Before I could reply, a knock came at the door.

“Boys, it’s time. We need to go.”

“We’re coming,” we answered in unison.

It was teacher Sirod—the one assigned as Bilric’s instructor for the festival.

As we stepped out of the mansion, a carriage was already waiting for us. We climbed inside—

—and were immediately greeted by two familiar faces.

“We’ve been waiting for an hour… for a losing candidate,” Jasmine said, clearly annoyed. She looked a bit off—hungrier than usual, less composed.

“That’s not true,” Lisa Bloodrose cut in, her tone sharper than expected. “Bilric has improved a lot lately.”

I glanced at Bilric.

He had already taken his seat, avoiding eye contact with both of them.

So I stepped in.

“Sorry, girls. Let’s just get going.”

The distance between our mansion and the Academy wasn’t far. It didn’t take long before its massive walls came into view.

Crowds had already gathered.

People lined the streets, waving as we passed.

The festival had begun.

As we stepped into the academy grounds, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

Only participants were allowed beyond this point.

“Well… this is where we part ways.”

A familiar voice came from just behind me.

“Indeed.”

I turned to see teacher Biljana, waving lightly as she approached.

“They’re only allowing candidates past this area,” she added.

I nodded.

“Guess that’s my cue to leave.”

I looked at Bilric.

“Well, good luck out there.”

“Luck?” he replied calmly. “I won’t need it today.”

I smirked and raised a hand as I started backing away.

“Of course… Lord Bilric doesn’t need luck.”

Behind him, Jasmine and Lisa Bloodrose let out quiet laughs.

I turned and headed toward the stands.

I made my way to our section of the stands, where my family was seated in a private viewing area reserved for the great nations.

I still couldn’t believe how the central building had transformed.

What was once a structured academy complex now stood as a massive stadium—layered with towering stands, filled with people from every corner of the world.

Each major nation had its own section.

Ours overlooked the arena from a perfect vantage point.

My mother was already there, deep in conversation with Serah Bloodrose.

Not far from them, my father stood with Vahmir Bloodrose… and two other men I didn’t recognize.

New faces.

Important ones, most likely.

I scanned the crowd, trying to take it all in—the banners, the colors, the sheer number of people gathered here.

Then—

A powerful voice echoed across the entire stadium.

“Welcome… to the 25th Gathering Festival!”

The noise that followed was immediate.

The festival had truly begun.