Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of firework magic was released into the air. The clamor on the streets and city gates was as lively as ever.
People from different territories were walking around the Seirende Empire's city as they enjoyed the bustle one last time before they got busy with the tournament.
Today is the opening ceremony of the Grand Tournament of the Three Continents. People were gathered everywhere as they excitedly waited for the parade of delegates around the city.
Recording stones were also set up all around the city, ensuring that the proceedings of the tournament could be broadcasted all around the Prasinos.
The opening march will start on the Seirende Capital's plaza. They will march around a certain route before they get to the Capital's grand colosseum which could house not only all the outside delegates but also a large percentage of the local and foreign spectators.
The overall atmosphere outside sparked a lot of interest in the visitors as they could not help but admire the place.
"Seirende Empire is truly grand and huge! They could easily accommodate more than three thousand delegates over the entire Prasinos and there wasn't even any news of spillovers!"
"I know, I even thought that we would even lose a place to stay since we have already entered the territory late. But who knew that the Imperial Family would manage this issue really well!"
"I heard that the Emperor entrusted these matters to his three sons. One of them is tasked for restoration, the other for the trades, and the last for security!"
"Indeed, they live up to their names as the next generation of Seirende! Whenever I look around, I could not even imagine that six months ago this place was a battlefield!"
"I can say, even if the council had indeed schemed to force the Seirende Empire to host the tournament, it was by far the most well thought off and well-managed venue for the past twenty years.."
"Oh, senior… you really have gone through times!'
"Eherm! Anyways, I am saying this because back then, the council always chose a small kingdom to host the tournament, to also promote tourism in these small territories. It was the first time that it was held in a mega territory like Seirende!"
"I see… The Seirende Empire really showed the entire world what they were capable of!!"
"It's early to say, we are still on our first day of the tournament…"
"Oh! The Parade is starting! Look, those are the delegates from the allied kingdom!"
While the people were immersed in their discussion, the sound of festive drums and trumpets was heard from a distance.
They all started to clear up the path as they saw that the parade already started!
Cheers were all over the place! The children looked at the delegates of the tournament with great admiration.
Today these children saw many valiant-looking young people. There were also beautiful men and women whose parents were dragons, mermen, and even werewolves!
They also saw a lot of princes and princesses dressed nicely as they were seated on beautifully decorated carriages!
But the highlight of the crowd would still be their very own delegates.
"Woah! It's the great inventor!!!"
"All hail her highness's queens and consorts!!!"
"You can do it, Farauld Academy Students!!!"
The locals all threw fragrant flower petals and shouted with all their might as the representatives of the Farauld Magic Institute were marching towards the Grand Colosseum.
In the Colosseum, the council and all the headmasters were already dressed in their respective academic and wizard gowns as they waited patiently on the arrival of the delegates.
The envoys from the participating territories were also comfortably sitting in their designated seats as they watched the entire venue slowly become filled with the tournament contestants.
"Hmm… Headmaster Farauld, I did not expect that this tournament would be as grand as this! I am pretty impressed!" The other headmasters praised Grandmaster Reuben as they watched the entire proceedings go.
"It was all thanks to His Majesty and all that has helped the empire prepare. If not, you would all sleep on dilapidated tents while your students toil to win gold…" Grandmaster Reuben has never been one who enjoyed flattery, much more sarcasm.
So he did not indulge these men and replied bluntly. "The Empire just pitied these students so we sacrificed not sleeping for six months just to let you sleep with a roof."
The other headmasters: "..."
They could not refute his words no matter how rude they could be. That is because they were the first ones who forced them to host such a large-scale event without regard that the Empire had just experienced civil war.
"Eherm… It seems that Headmaster still bears a grudge toward us for this incident. We apologize sincerely…" One of them answered to smoothen the awkward atmosphere between the headmasters.
"I am indeed holding a grudge, you do not need to imply that you are merely guessing. Enough of the talk, the parade of delegates is almost done." Grandmaster Reuben replied grumpily and waved his hand to gesture to the headmasters to not give him any more attention.
It was as Grandmaster Reuben said, the delegates have almost arrived and soon they will be hosting the opening ceremony which would mark the official commencement of the tournament!
Boom! Boom! Whoosh!!
Just as all of the delegates lined up orderly in the large open ground in the colosseum, the fireworks were once again released, making the people around excited with their hearts beating fast.
The marching band also intensified their music as the colosseum was filled with loud cheers.
As the time for the official ceremony arrived. The crowd and all the music temporarily halted. The next moment, the Chairman of the Tournament Organization, Headmaster Heron Vanderford stood up and addressed the crowd with a speech.
"Distinguished guests and the Imperial Family of our host Empire, Seirende, my fellow headmasters and faculty members, delegates, envoys, ladies, and gentlemen, welcome to the Grand Tournament of the Three Continents!"
"Today is a historical day as three thousand sixty students gathered here to showcase and exchange their learnings with each other through the events that the council had prepared for them all."
"This might be called a competition among the students, but this is also the best avenue for them to have a life-changing experience that would contribute to their growth as the next generation."
"I plead to everyone that the proceedings of this tournament will go smoothly and cleanly. Let us keep in mind the value of integrity, sportsmanship, and excellence throughout the end of this tournament!"
"With that, I officially declare the start of the Grand Tournament!"
After Headmaster Heron gave his speech, the ceremonial goblet was lit up by the selected deans of the magic institute. The bright multicolored flame danced vigorously at the platform of the Colosseum.
After that, there were some intermissions and the official presentation of all the participating institutes and their delegates consumed the time allotted for the ceremony.
One by one, the institutes raised their flag and showed themselves to the crowd, making all the spectators guess who among them might be a good seed throughout the competition.
It was very apparent when the top three institutes, Vanderford, Greenwave, and Farauld Magic Institute were introduced.
They stayed on high alert to see who among the delegates and their mentors they must watch out for so that they could follow their performances in the future.
Of course, the crowd could not be controlled when the Farauld Institute's Academic Department was introduced.
Standing in front of them were Dean Athena and the top mentors of the branch. Eli, Randel, Queen Tehila, Queen Lucia, Princess Evelyn, and Princess Arielle stood out among them.
On the envoy's side, the group of men could not help but spark a lively discussion the moment they saw the neglected princess of the Vanderford standing proudly beside Eli, the legendary inventor, and the respected royalties and faculty members.
"Hmm… It seems like the Princess was doing well outside the territory… What do you think, Your Highness Crown Prince?" They all looked at the mysterious man at the center of the private booth.
"Hmmm… she's just something that we gave away to the Empire who likes to take care of stray animals. Let her play around, we do not need to bother." The Crown Prince, Ranon, replied coldly.
His eyes were not even directed on Princess Arielle, but rather at a certain woman whose countenance would make a man like him interested at first glance.
"Oh, that intimidating young woman beside the Second Queen of Seirende is the legendary inventor, Lady Eli, who was also the fiance of the Third Prince of the Seirende Empire!"
"For real! Wow! Look at her… she looks so intimidating even at this distance!"
Crown Prince Ranon smiled alluringly as he heard the comments from the noblemen beside him.
"Young Inventor Eli, it is…" He mumbled, but no one in the room understood his mood and thoughts at the moment.
Eli seemed to have felt his intense gaze from afar because without any warning, she lifted up her head and immediately glanced in the direction of his private booth.
At that moment, their eyes met.
