SHATTERED REALM: FORGOTTEN ECHOES-Chapter 167: Top Fifteen—Finals

Word of Forsaken Peak standing their ground against Dragon Emperor had spread faster than wildfire.

They were now a hot topic that was unavoidable, no matter where you went.

Therin was known as the untouchable crusher, and Lynnor’s act of suppressing the tutors from Dragon Emperor with just her aura alone was the other topic.

They now understood why she was talking anyhow she wanted the whole time.

She had power.

But there were a few who didn’t care whether Forsaken Peak had got a name for themselves or not.

They still looked down on them.

Celestial Fang refused to accept that Forsaken Peak’s sudden rise was legitimate.They’d crushed them last year—how could a single teacher and a mysterious new student overturn that?

You can’t change the reality of your rank so easily. This just didn’t add up.

A lot of groups tried to investigate their backgrounds, but all they got was nothing.

Today, he sat in the company of Mozrael and Lynnor, watching Sylvia totally obliterate her enemies.

It was a team battle, but they drew the short end of the stick and had to send in two against four from their opponents.

Yet, Aramith’s mind was elsewhere.

Two major issues bothered him.

First...Mai. He couldn’t enter his realm since he was forced out by the strange crystal.

And second...Elira.

She’d been eyeing him so much, and at night, lurking around them.

Lynnor was able to find out the animal that was next to Elira—a black leopard.

Strangely though...it never appeared during the day.

After that incident with Eryndor, he hadn’t needed to battle anymore. At least, not yet.

And Mozrael hadn’t set foot in the arena either. They agreed that she shouldn’t step in unless it was utterly necessary.

"Your flames can be noticed by people who know you well," Lynnor said, pointing at the Vermillion Kingdom’s students.

Little by Little, Forsaken Peak climbed the ranks and was now among the top fifteen Academies.

A few decades ago, this would have been easy to do, but that wasn’t the case in recent times.

Forsaken Peak had fallen from its high horse long ago—ever since their founder disappeared.

And only one person in Forsaken Peak knew where he was, and why he hadn’t been able to return.

With only fifteen Academies remaining, battles were going to get tougher and tougher.

Each Academy was a powerhouse.

And Forsaken Peak was preparing for the worst.

The other students and tutors had come to accept Aramith, Sylvia, and Mozrael as their redeemers, and though they had strong students, they were unable to pull through.

The students found it hard to accept Aramith and his group because of pride, but they also didn’t openly oppose them.

Fear controlled them. Fear, and not respect or reverence.

At the end of the day’s battles, the announcer stepped forward to give the usual closing announcement.

But today was different.

A second announcer stepped in after a while.

And the place was devoid of sound.

"Esteemed guests, honored teachers, and competitors," the announcer started.

"It has been a little over a month now since you submitted your participants.

One hundred and eighty-seven academies marched into Yumaris, the Inter-Academy Combat Exchange, and as of now, we stand at fifteen."

The announcer looked around at the many prideful faces.

"Through sheer skill and discipline, along with resolve, we have reached the final stage.

Tomorrow, we will be having the start of the finals, but first, your ranking?"

Everyone was confused.

"Rankings?"

"Is that a thing?"

"They never rank anyone; it’s either you pass or you fail."

The announcer didn’t mind and nodded at the other Keeper beside him.

A list was projected, where everyone could see where they currently stood among the other fourteen Academies.

"Impossible."

"What criteria did you use for this?"

"This is wrong!"

But the keepers weren’t deterred by their outrage.

It made sense that they would protest like that.

"Is this real?" A student from Forsaken Peak asked.

"We’re number nine?"

They subconsciously glanced at Aramith and co.

They all witnessed the battles to reach where they were, but at the moment, they were certain they’d be number fifteen on the list.

How is it that they passed six of them?

The announcer raised a hand for silence before continuing.

"We’ve been observing you all, and no matter what you do or say, we will not reveal our method of ranking you."

He looked directly at a student from Celestial Fang. "If you are so displeased by our decisions, then you may walk out. We have no problem with that decision either."

Everyone was quiet. No one could go against Yumaris.

Yumaris was the law.

And their rules could never be broken by anyone.

"Now then, for the next part of this," the announcer pointed at the entrance to the Arena, and they heard the footsteps loud and clear.

Every tap of her feet sent shivers down their spine, and when she finally reached the center of the arena, those closest felt the cold so much, it was unbelievable that the sun was now setting.

Aramith narrowed his eyes, and Mozrael noticed.

He’s serious again because she appeared. She looked at the platinum-haired girl, coiled in a frosty aura. But I don’t recognize her. She frowned a little. If she’s trouble...

"Princess Kesha of the GLacial Empire, standing for Glacial Dominion Academy!"

Kesha looked at them all with emotionless eyes.

"This year," the announcer resumed his speech. "She is being given another privilege for stepping forward at the beginning of the tournament."

Whispers broke out. They all commented on how unfair it was that she was being allowed another privilege, but others just accepted this turn of events, since they didn’t take the step forward when they were given the chance.

"She will be the final opponent in this tournament, and as such, will be choosing her final opponent now."

It took a few seconds before they finally understood the implications of what was just announced.

And when they did, they refused to agree.

This basically meant, whoever she chose would immediately jump from whichever placement they had to being the second.

And that also meant they won’t have to battle anyone until it was time for the final battle.

This was the same as telling them to give up if they weren’t chosen.

But once again, their protests fell on deaf ears. This was Kesha’s second appearance in the arena, and she was causing another movement.

She went to stand before the projected screen.

Then, with a calm, unbothered tone, she lifted a finger and pointed straight at her mark.

"I choose Forsaken Peak. They will be my opponent."

SIlence.

No one said a word.

It was obvious she would make such a choice.

Crush the weaklings before their ego gets the best of them.

Some smiled at her decision, while others couldn’t accept that in some way, she called them unworthy.

It was a matter of perspective.

But Kesha’s reason for choosing them was different.

She’d seen Sylvia’s fights and Therin’s one fight.

Their way of battling their opponents intrigued her. She wanted to know how Sylvia would do against another ice user, or if she were to battle Therin, find out what his attribute was.

Lynnor smiled crookedly. "I’m really starting to dislike coming here more and more," she said."That girl is trouble."

Mozrael glanced at Aramith, but he was calm as ever, even with a small smile.

What are the odds? He thought. You had to find me in such a way.

Kesha turned to where Forsaken Peak, and for a split-second, made eye contact with Aramith, unaware of his true identity as the one she once chose, but had to be separated from.

She was just a curious girl, looking for worthy opponents.

The announcer bowed with practiced grace. "Thank you, Lady Kesha... We look forward to your battle." She gave a faint nod and stepped away, her white hair drifting behind her like a quiet snowfall, leaving the stage colder than she had found it.

The moment she vanished into the corridors, the announcer’s voice rang out again, firmer now.

"All academies except Forsaken Peak—send one representative tomorrow morning.

You will meet with the judges to plan the remaining stages of the tournament."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Forsaken Peak," he continued, "you have only one task. Prepare for your final match."

Eyes turned toward them instantly—some respectful, some resentful, most disbelieving.

A few academies whispered that they must have cheated.

Others wondered what kind of monster Therin really was if even Kesha wanted him, since he was the only worthy opponent in that group

By the time Forsaken Peak stepped out of the exit tunnel, Celestial Fang was waiting.

A boy with frost-touched hair stepped forward, forcing a smirk he didn’t fully own.

"Don’t look too proud," he said. "A single pick doesn’t make you superior. Last year, you—"

Lynnor didn’t let him finish.

"Last year?" she echoed, tilting her head.

"That’s adorable. Still clinging to the past because the present terrifies you?"

The boy’s jaw tightened.

Lynnor stepped closer, smile razor-sharp.

"You didn’t beat us in the rankings. You didn’t even come close. So if you’re trying to intimidate someone..."

Her gaze slid down and back up, dismissive. "...try someone on your level."

Celestial Fang’s student froze, face burning, but couldn’t reply. Forsaken Peak simply walked past him, unbothered, the crowd parting in their wake.

Tomorrow, the other academies will plan their path forward.

But Forsaken Peak didn’t have to worry. At least not yet.