Scattered around the monarchs were the high-ranking noble families and influential Dukes.

Among them sat Lucian and Adrian’s parents, accompanied by their younger sisters, Cassia and Lysandra, all watching the arena with keen interest.

A few seats away was Seraphina’s prominent family. Occupying the highest, most respected seats in their section were the King and Queen of the Frostfall Kingdom — Elira’s parents, both radiating a natural, freezing elegance.

Security in the VIP box was absolute. Standing directly behind every ruler were two young, imposing figures dressed in sharp Astraviel Academy uniforms.

These were the second and third-year senior prodigies, hardened veterans who had already earned their official "Hero" titles in previous years. Surrounding them were the monarchs’ personal guards — veteran Knights and Mages radiating the heavy pressure of the True Rank, with a rare few even standing at the legendary Crown Stage.

Yet, despite the grand spectacle about to unfold, a dark, heavy whisper was rapidly spreading from ear to ear among the nobles and rulers.

"Did you hear? Zandar’s third strongest..." "Murdered.

In his own room. They say his head was completely obliterated..."

"But who? Who could possibly have done this — killing a True Stage prodigy so brutally, and for what reason?"

Before the rumors could spiral any further, a booming, magically amplified voice completely shattered the murmurs, echoing like thunder across the stadium.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! KINGS, QUEENS, AND ESTEEMED GUESTS OF THE WORLD!"

Standing on a floating platform right in the center of the colossal arena was Lumen, the academy’s notoriously energetic and loud-mouthed announcer. He threw his arms wide open, soaking in the absolute madness of the roaring crowd.

"The wait is finally over! You’ve seen them survive the brutal wilds, you’ve seen them push past their absolute limits, and today... you will see them fight for glory, for honor, and for the ultimate title of HERO!"

The crowd erupted, the raw volume practically shaking the stone pillars of the Colosseum. Lumen spun around, dramatically pointing toward the two massive steel gates on opposite ends of the arena — both thrown wide open — where the 24 surviving first-year prodigies stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the shadows, waiting for their moment.

"Let us not waste another second!" Lumen roared, his voice reaching a fever pitch as the ground itself seemed to vibrate before pointing down toward the massive steel gates on the east side.

"Please put your hands together and scream your lungs out as we welcome the absolute finest of this generation! We begin with the unstoppable forces representing the mighty ZANDAR EMPIRE! Let’s hear it for..."

"From the proud lands of the ZANDAR EMPIRE, stepping out from the elite halls of Sovereign Monolith Academy, give it up for our first batch of survivors!"

The heavy gates slowly grinded open, and the crowd went absolutely feral.

"First up! The girl who knows no equal, the absolute apex of her class... The Undefeated Prodigy, ZENITH KORR!"

"Following her is the man who refuses to break, the ultimate defense specialist, VIKTOR ASHFORD!

Next, don’t let his speed fool you—he’s nimble, he’s lethal, and he swings a giant hammer like it’s a toy... DANTE SOLARI!

Keeping them all breathing is the miracle worker herself, the buff and healing specialist, SELENE VERYA! And rounding out Zandar’s elite, the master of ancient relics, ADRIAN VALEMONT!"

The VIP box nodded in approval as the Zandar prodigies stepped into the light. But Lumen didn’t even pause to catch his breath.

"Next! Hailing from the GRANDHOLD EMPIRE’S prestigious Silvercrest Academy! Watch your step, because she will bind you in an instant — the master of the deadly mana threads, LYRIA DRAVEN! And stepping beside her, the undisputed top ranker of the arcane exams... the master of spatial magic himself, KAELEN NEBRYSS!"

The crowd roared as Kaelen and Lyria casually walked out.

"But wait! Grandhold isn’t done yet!" Lumen screamed, pointing to another gate.

"From the training grounds of the Blood Oak Institute, we have the absolute savages! Brace yourselves for the Berserker magic of ERYX VALMAR!

The Gentle and untamed beast tamer, ISLA FENRIR! The unbreakable human tank, GARRICK STONE! The shadow you will never see coming, assassin MIRA BLACKTHORN!

and The twin-blade hurricane, THERON ASHGAR! And the man who brings the literal heat, the explosion mage, DOREN DAVEN!"

The Blood Oak prodigies marched out, radiating pure, aggressive bloodlust.

"Now... let the temperature drop!" Lumen shivered dramatically, his voice taking on a darker, eerie tone.

"From the freezing borders of the FROSTFALL KINGDOM, emerging from the shadows of Blackmire Academy!

The creepy queen of the dark, shadow user NYX VERYA!

The man who wakes the dead, corpse manipulator RIVEN DUSKFALL!

The physical absolute, enhancer LYSIN HOLLOW!

The bringer of hexes, curse user CAIN MARROW!

The terrifying mistress of the scarlet arts, blood mage VESPER NIGHTSHADE! And the silent killer, poison specialist MORVEN SHADE!"

The Blackmire students walked out silently, their very presence making a section of the crowd visibly uneasy.

Suddenly, Lumen snapped his fingers, and a massive spotlight hit the final, largest gate. The crowd’s cheering reached a deafening crescendo.

"And FINALLY! The prodigies who hosted this very bloodbath! The pride of ASTRAVIEL ACADEMY!"

Lumen’s voice boomed so loud the ground vibrated.

"You call her the Ice Princess, but after what we saw in the second exam, she is the undeniable Queen of Close Combat! She took a direct, full-power punch from the undefeated prodigy and didn’t even flinch! The Strongest Fist Prodigy... ELIRA FROSTVEIL!"

Elira stepped out, her expression as cold and indifferent as ever.

"Next! The flawless blade! She one-slashed an S-Rank beast like it was made of paper! Her unique sword arts have even caught the eyes of the Emperors themselves! The Ashen Swordmaster, SERAPHINA ASHENBLADE!"

Seraphina walked out gracefully, her hand resting calmly on her hilt.

"Following her, the mystic of the wild! The agile, spirit-channeling catfolk... ZERI LIORA!"

Zeri stepped out, her tail swishing behind her lazily.

"Next up! The Perfect hero, a prodigy who makes absolute excellence look completely effortless! He’s got the charm, he’s got the overwhelming power, and he is the literal textbook definition of a flawless, unstoppable Hero! The Shining Star of Astraviel... CASSIAN BRIGHTMORE!" Cassian stepped into the blinding light, flashing a dazzling, picture-perfect smile and waving to a crowd that practically lost its mind.

"AND LASTLY...!" Lumen paused dramatically, letting the silence hang over the Colosseum for exactly three seconds.

"The absolute wild card! At the start of the year, people called him a weakling. They called him dead weight! But after his terrifying display in the recent trials, he has shattered every single expectation! He is the dark horse who just might have the potential to claim the ultimate title of the Strongest Hero... Give it up for... LUCIAN VALEMONT!"

Lucian stepped out of the shadows and into the glaring sunlight of the arena, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets — his eyes completely deadpan as he stared up at the roaring crowd and the VIP boxes above.