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Chapter 223: Lanchi's Most Heinous Deed
Chapter 223: Lanchi's Most Heinous Deed
Two days later.
Despite the less than favorable weather, with the Friday afternoon sky looking gloomy and overcast, the royal capital of Ikelite was bustling with excitement. Citizens and tourists alike had gathered near Ikelite College, drawn by a rare public event hosted by the college.
The event had been heavily promoted by the Alchemy Court's Herton Times, attracting many residents of the royal capital to Ikelite College, curious to witness the spectacle.
Not only were the tickets for the Knight Court arena sold out, but even the edges of Jera Memorial Square, where the event was being broadcast, were packed with onlookers. There wasn't an inch of space to be found in the vast square.
On the giant outdoor screen, footage of the event was being projected live.
The camera swept over an impressive arena from high above, the surrounding area filled with security forces maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the citizens who had gathered for this grand event.
Within the massive arena, spectators were pouring in from all directions along the tiered walkways, eager to witness the upcoming team combat match that promised to be a thrilling display of skill and might.
The already seated audience was buzzing with excitement, their voices echoing throughout the arena, occasionally erupting into waves of cheers that drowned out all other sounds.
In the rest area to the left of the arena, the team from the Royal College of Yarloran was ready and waiting. They wore matching uniforms, and their coach, a professor, sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed, meditating. The team members smiled and waved enthusiastically to the crowd, their eyes shining with determination and an unshakeable belief in their impending victory.
A large screen hanging on one side of the arena displayed introductions of the two competing teams, their photos showing cheerful, sunny smiles, accompanied by a rousing battle anthem that further heightened the atmosphere.
High above, in the judges' box, sat the three deans of Ikelite College: Dean Loren of the Sage Court, Dean Borao of the Magic Engineering Court, and Dean Sventos of the Knight Court.
As for the Dean of the Alchemy Court, he was currently in prison.
"Dean Sventos, are you sure this match will be alright?"
Dean Loren's face was filled with anxiety.
He had thought that the students of Yarloran Royal College would soon be safely sent on their way, but now, at the last minute, this unexpected farewell activity had been added to the agenda.
What worried him even more was the news that Lanchi had personally taken on the role of coach for the Soul of the Fighter team, representing the student council.
Dean Loren hadn't seen Lanchi for two whole days, and he feared that Lanchi might be planning something big for this event.
"It's normal for young people to be energetic and rambunctious. If anything happens, just leave it to me."
The old man on the far left looked to be in his seventies, but his tall stature put him at around six feet tall. He wore a black suit, and his silver hair fell casually across his face as he smiled nonchalantly.
"This time, we've made a killing on ticket and advertising sales. I'll take 40%, and you two will get 30% each."
Professor Borao had no objections and nodded in satisfaction.
"..."
Dean Loren couldn't say anything more. He could only hope that Lanchi would act responsibly this time.
Below the platform where the three deans sat, the arena was already buzzing with anticipation even before the match began, like a volcano about to erupt. Every spectator was eagerly awaiting the hour mark, when the combat would commence and unleash the pent-up excitement.
In the front row of seats near the battle platform.
Two girls with light-colored hair sat next to each other, one expressionless and the other looking slightly worried.
"Tata, I haven't seen Lanchi for two days, and I'm a little scared..."
Hesperian held Talia's hand as she spoke.
As Hesperian was a member of the student council, she had easily obtained tickets for the best seats in the house.
The surrounding crowd was filled with familiar faces, all eager to witness the drama that was about to unfold.
Even Lanchi's father, Noe, sat behind them, thoroughly enjoying himself. He munched on snacks, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smile, eagerly anticipating the show.
Ever since Lanchi had agreed to provide special training for the Soul of the Fighter team, he had asked Hesperian and Fred to report back to the president while he took the fighters to a separate location for professional guidance.
Normally, the Three Gods' Heads had only undergone one day of training with Lanchi, and even then, it had been a fun and educational experience.
Hesperian had no idea what might have happened during the two days of intense training under Lanchi's sole guidance.
"There's nothing to be afraid of."
Talia's reply was devoid of emotion.
She didn't understand why Hesperian was constantly worried.
Lanchi wasn't capable of causing any real trouble, and she could easily handle him.
Talia disliked crowds and noisy places.
Hesperian was very interested in this match, so she came along with Talia to see what Lanchi was up to.
On the distant opposite side of the stands, a girl with deep red hair watched the area below with a complicated and conflicted expression.
Cervini's long, deep red hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, she looked like an ordinary student. Her eyes, once aggressive, now calm and gentle, went unrecognized by the Knight Court students, and some even wondered who the elegant red-haired lady was.
She had already decided to stop fighting.
But now, for some unknown reason, she clenched her fists once more.
The clock struck ten minutes to three.
The official match was due to start at three o'clock.
However, there was still no sign of the Ikelite College team on the right side of the arena.
"They should be arriving soon, right?"
"If they don't come, it'll be a forfeit."
"It's possible they might forfeit. I heard Ikelite College's fighters were badly beaten before, but Ikelite found a great coach."
"If they don't show up and it's a no-fight, we'll have to refund the tickets!"
The sky was like thick ink, shrouding the entire arena. Dark clouds loomed, occasionally drifting over the arena, plunging the already dim venue into pitch blackness.
The howling wind swept through the arena, picking up leaves and dust, as if mocking the frailty of humans.
Finally, six figures appeared at the Ikelite entrance, led by Coach Lanchi and the Soul of the Fighter team.
Their mere presence caused the entire audience to fall silent.
Amidst the dark clouds, lightning occasionally ripped through the darkness, illuminating the entire arena. In that fleeting moment of light, it was as if the eyes of a deity were scrutinizing the mortals below.
Thunder followed, shaking the very hearts of those present, a heavenly warning that this was a life-or-death confrontation.
Under this ominous sky, two teams stood on opposite sides of the arena.
Their gazes met, and despite the howling wind and flashing lightning in the sky, the standoff between them was unusually quiet, like the calm before a storm.
In the audience, it seemed as if everyone's breath had stopped. Only the cold wind weaved through them, stealing away their warmth.
Some elderly people tightly gripped their canes, women pulled their coats tighter, and children clutched their parents' hands. The oppressive atmosphere felt like a massive rock pressing down on everyone's chest, making it hard to breathe.
Even from a distance, one could sense the intangible, fiery aura emanating from the five figures standing behind Lanchi.
Zervini, who had been hesitating about whether to jump down and inform her little brothers that "she would be fighting," froze.
She felt an overwhelming sense of strangeness—
These few beings, as if stripped of their emotions and memories, walked past her indifferently, not even noticing her presence at the edge of the stands.
What happened to her dearest friends?
Talia, sitting in the distant stands on the other side, rubbed her eyes.
At first glance, she thought these five individuals were demons unskilled in human disguise, their hands seemingly stained with slaughter, and an icy coldness emanating from their souls.
The last time she saw beings with this feeling was in the Demon King's Special Slaughter Force.
Compared to the cheerful young men featured in the promotional footage on the screen earlier, were these truly the same five people?!
As the two teams in the center of the stands drew closer together.
"I didn't expect you to show up instead of running away." Kuse, at the forefront of the Yarloran team, looked down at the approaching Ikelite fighters with contempt.
"... "
In response to Kuse's provocation, Lanchi's fighters remained silent.
Or rather, their eyes were devoid of any life, as if they were already dead.
Lanchi ignored Kuse for the moment and spoke briefly to the referee.
Soon after, the referee instructed a staff member to bring a document and a pen.
The Soul of the Fighter team members quickly signed the document.
"Let's get the waivers signed first."
After checking the signatures of the fighters, Lanchi handed the "Knight Court Arena Team Combat Competition: Disclaimer and Risk Acknowledgment" form to Kuse.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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