ACT V
THE GLORY WARS
Sierra anxiously waited, her legs trembling, and then Hans arrived, but the air around him was screaming, not to talk to him. He was pissed and the level of malevolence he was emitting was no joke either. Sierra threw the plan of scolding him out of the window and dismissed everyone.
“He didn’t kill someone, did he?” Walter whispered to Rudolf again and got an instant answer, “if he had, he wouldn’t be that pissed.”
“Oh, thank god” Walter sighed in relief, and they, too, retired for the night. Tomorrow marked the start of the Glory Wars, a fifteen-day event they had been preparing for over two years. Excitement pulsed through the participants, banishing sleep, but they forced themselves to rest, knowing they needed to be in top form.
The night passed, and the next day began with people scurrying around, hurrying to prepare for the inauguration ceremony. Hans was already dressed and ready, but his mood remained unchanged. All night, his imagination had run wild, conjuring up various scenarios he didn't want to envision. His crankiness was evident on his face, so everyone gave him a wide berth.
They all left the castle and noticed that the crowd had significantly grown in size. Wealthy merchants, prestigious families, and people from all over the world had gathered to witness the annual Genas event. This was a prime opportunity for merchants to make substantial profits, for reputable families to recruit new talent, and for others to enjoy the spectacle.
The event was also broadcast worldwide for a nominal fee, but watching it live from the Colosseum, amidst hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators and the thrill of betting, had its unique appeal.
Hans and the others were waiting in their designated corner of the arena, just like the representatives from other institutions. Hans recognized the host, a famous celebrity who was doing an excellent job of energizing the audience with his charisma. Then, the Grimgar family made their grand entrance, commanding everyone's attention. The host began his introductions.
Samwell, the King of Grimgar, arrived with his entire family and took their seats, leaving the middle throne reserved for the Alliance's leader. Next came the elves, the Clandor Royal family - King Eleanor, Queen Reina, and their son Riftal, who was the other twin of Allynna. They all wore traditional silver garments adorned with elegant gold embroidery, showcasing their timeless grace. Their clothing was free of any distracting frills that had become fashionable among humans these days.
Their arrival captured everyone's gaze, and Hans was no exception. He was curious to see just how beautiful this queen was, the same woman who had driven his father to madness. Surprisingly, he found himself agreeing, Well, Father, you certainly had excellent taste. She looks like someone worth waging war over." The only one who surpassed her beauty in Hans's eyes was the goddess he had seen in his dreams; no one else could hold a candle to her radiance
As representatives from other nations continued to arrive, Hans gradually lost interest in them. The only one left who truly captured his attention was Norwin, the head of the Alliance. He entered the arena with an imposing aura that inspired awe in the audience. Hans couldn't help but think, "Wow, he's strong. Strong like the chairman. Just how much stronger was my father to be able to face this behemoth and emerge victorious?"
Norwin's unkempt black hair lightly floated in the air, waving as if responding to his tremendous aura. His mere presence seemed to lower the temperature by several degrees. Despite it being summer, the atmosphere felt more like winter. He looked at the audience with a face that aged well with the sheer amount of experience he had.
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
..
.
The crowd kept cheering on. To them, Norwin was akin to a god who had imprisoned the terror of the red demon and dedicated himself to eradicating these abominations, even relinquishing the throne to focus on this mission. He embodied the ideal of a good king, and that's why the people believed in him, empowering his blessed weapon known as Faith.
“So that’s a ranked first knight.” Hans mused while observing the cheering crowd. Suddenly, as Norwin took his seat, the crowd's jubilant shouts subsided. The event's organizer, King Norwin, began addressing the people, "I welcome all of you to the 75th Glory Wars. For those who couldn't be here in person, I hope you'll have the chance to witness the younger generation making a name for themselves from your comfort."
Back in Edenberg County, Hodges and others watched the ceremony on broadcast, eagerly anticipating the main events. Like them, the Dorfeil family, who owed Hans a debt of gratitude, also eagerly awaited his turn to perform.
Following Norwin's address, the inauguration ceremony continued as the host acknowledged the contributions of wealthy merchants whose sponsorship had made the event possible. He then summoned the Mage Tower teams into the arena. These mages, hailing from powerful families worldwide, were renowned for their talent and pride. Subsequently, the Association representatives, young knights from influential noble families, were introduced to the audience.
Next in line were the representatives of Concordia, and the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. The majority of those present were commoners, and Concordia symbolized how high an ordinary individual could soar with determination and opportunity. It was an institution forged by and for the underprivileged, a beacon of hope for equitable treatment. Among their competitors, they enjoyed a stellar reputation that extended well beyond the eyes of the common people
The three Concordia teams advanced in unison, each under the guidance of their respective professors. Hans followed Walter at the rear of the procession, his presence not drawing much attention from others. However, those who recognized him as Samson's kin couldn't help but fixate on him. To some, he was a chilling reminder of a harrowing past, while others viewed him as a vessel of divine mana. A few even perceived him as something other than human, but they all shared a common thought— the resemblance was uncanny.
Upon spotting Hans walking confidently, his head held high, the once-beautiful countenance of the Elven queen twisted in revulsion. Memories of her past came rushing back, and her animosity, once directed at Samson, now found a new target in Hans. The malevolence emanating from her was clear even at a distance. "Calm down," the Elven king whispered soothingly, gently caressing her hand. Yet, someone in the centre seat was even more infuriated—Norwin. His deep-seated resentment for his own child was an open secret, and Hans's mere presence exacerbated his fury.
As their emotions were displayed so openly, Hans mentally catalogued the individuals before him. "Elven queen and King Norwin," he noted. "So they are the ones I'll eventually have to confront. It doesn't seem like they would yield to a polite request. But do they think I'll tolerate their blatant stares? If I could, I'd like to give them a good slap right now."He was already enraged by tomorrow’s news and their treatment was sending his anger to an all-time high.
a voice in the crowd murmured, deciphering Hans's expression. The excitement in the air was clear. Turning to his right, the person prodded his companion. "Don't you think so too, Bernard? You understand that expression better than I do. That's why you distanced yourself after betraying him, isn't it?" The incessant nudges from his companion's elbows prompted Bernard to push Dijkstra away. "Listen, if you're looking for a fight, let's settle it somewhere else."
"No," Dijkstra promptly declined, tearing into a skewer of meat. With his mouth full, he continued, “I’m going to spice up this boring shit.” He then vanished, only to reappear on the guest platform beside Norwin.
"That lunatic," nearly everyone exclaimed, including a flabbergasted Hans. However, what everyone expected didn't come to pass. Dijkstra merely placed a piece of paper on Norwin's lap and uttered a single word before disappearing once more. Norwin had no desire to engage with this deranged individual, but he also recognized that Dijkstra wasn't capable of concocting an elaborate scheme. So, he reluctantly opened the paper, read its contents, and promptly destroyed it. His gaze toward Hans became even more intense.
“Just what kinda crap did that maniac spew to him?” Hans was taken aback. "Did he spill the beans on everything? Damn it, I thought he wouldn't ruin this for me. Did I just blow my chance at becoming a Solar Mage?" However, despite the intense glares exchanged, nothing more occurred, and the host proceeded to introduce the wild card entry. "Please welcome the team that fought their way to this stage, Devildom. They will be competing in the Senior league."
Despite being fewer than ten, they managed to steal the spotlight. Their mages were all at the fourth circle, and their knight had achieved a grade of fifty. Hans couldn't help but mutter in disbelief as he cast a discerning eye over them. "How on earth are they training? Are they chugging growth potions every day?" His astonishment was shared by many others. The seven-person team was comprised of exceptional talents, the hidden geniuses of their generation.
Just when Hans thought he might be one of the most talented participants, even more, remarkable individuals emerged. “It's not your day Hans, not your day…” He shook his head in disappointment. “I was just frolicking in a well, the world is vast.” He was promising himself to work harder to improve himself, but his concentration was shattered when he felt an annoying gaze fixed on him. Turning around, he discovered the source of the stare—a young mage from Devildom. Whatever restraint Hans had been holding back, it snapped.
“The fuck you are looking at me, peasant? Do you wanna die?” Hans's voice boomed, capturing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Even the broadcasting artefact shifted to focus on the escalating argument just before the competition began. Early rivalries like this were excellent for viewership, and the operator didn't want to miss out on the drama.
"Kneel." This time, Hans's voice carried a commanding tone, and a small VoidZone compelled Ezekiel to drop to his knees. Ezekiel couldn't comprehend what was occurring; he fought against it with all his might, but nothing worked. His gaze remained locked onto Hans, a defiant challenge in his eyes. "You're still staring at me. Do I appear to be some kind of joke to you as well?" His words drove the surrounding mana into Ezekiel's heart, causing him to cough up blood and clutch his chest in agony. This was a method used to kill knights, but it also inflicted significant damage to the mana heart by contaminating it with mixed mana.
Silence fell over the onlookers as Hans continued to gaze down at the fourth-circle mage. There was no trace of a spell being cast, and not even the Judgement artefact, which could even restrain Norwin didn’t raise any alarms.
The Devildom boy continued to cough, his pain intensifying. Their teacher, the team's leader, rushed toward Hans, as it was evident to all that Hans was somehow causing this torment. He demanded that Hans stop, but this only redirected Hans's focus toward him. "Who the hell are you? Are you looking down on me too?"
Unlike others, the Devildom team leader was somewhat shrewd. He shouted to the audience, "Is this how Concordia oppresses other students just because we're more talented? Is it because we come from humble backgrounds and were rejected, so they can't stand to see us grow stronger?” He then turned to Hans, whispering, “Stop this if you don't want to make things worse."
Hans, feeling increasingly irritated, “Haa… this turd is threatening me, I don’t like the feeling,” and retorted, “BEG! BEG IF YOU WANT TO SAVE THAT SORRY BASTARD.” Hans stressed the latter part, "GET ON YOUR KNEES, OR HE DIES RIGHT HERE.”
The Devildom team leader persisted, "I'll take you to trial. Everyone here is a witness. You won't be able to escape, even if you're royalty—“
"Sure, go ahead. If it's a trial you want, the punishment is the same for attempted murder and murder” Hans looked past him, his target, and he continued, “So, there is no point in sparing that bastard.” For the first time, Hans raised his hand toward Ezekiel, and the result was Ezekiel writhing on the ground, his agonized cries pleading for help.
The in-charge looked somewhere to confirm something. “Wait wait.” He knelt, pleading, “Please spare his life. We’ll forget the whole thing.”
“Your word.”
“Yes I promise —”
“Say it aloud so your so-called witness could hear this too.”
“Yes,” the in-charge shouted, putting his lungs to work, “My apologies, We won't pursue this any further. My team member was simply experiencing mana reflux.”
"There you go." As soon as Hans spoke, Ezekiel calmed down, still gasping but no longer in pain. When the in-charge moved to check on his student, Hans added with a hint of disgust, "Next time, I'll at least gouge out his eyes. That pervert was winking at me and biting his lips." Hans shuddered at the thought, but this revelation made everyone in the junior team crack into laughter because they knew exactly whom that labelled pervert had been winking at.
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Chris asked Delimira, continuing his deduction. "That's why you switched positions with me, to shadow Hans from this side.”
“What’s wrong with me using our Joker card? That was so satisfying.” She heaved, relaxed.
But Chris wasn’t done yet. “You even winked at that bastard. He was just returning the sentiment. Poor sod fell for your scheme.” Chris mused, a frown creasing his brow, “But why the heck Hans didn’t even doubt that it could not be him, that mage’s target—”
"Hans is a narcissist through and through," Delimira interjected, her expressions indifferent, "Do you really think he believes anyone here is more important than himself?”
***
AnnouncementNEXT : THE GAME BEGINS
ACT V
THE GLORY WARS
Sierra anxiously waited, her legs trembling, and then Hans arrived, but the air around him was screaming, not to talk to him. He was pissed and the level of malevolence he was emitting was no joke either. Sierra threw the plan of scolding him out of the window and dismissed everyone.
“He didn’t kill someone, did he?” Walter whispered to Rudolf again and got an instant answer, “if he had, he wouldn’t be that pissed.”
“Oh, thank god” Walter sighed in relief, and they, too, retired for the night. Tomorrow marked the start of the Glory Wars, a fifteen-day event they had been preparing for over two years. Excitement pulsed through the participants, banishing sleep, but they forced themselves to rest, knowing they needed to be in top form.
The night passed, and the next day began with people scurrying around, hurrying to prepare for the inauguration ceremony. Hans was already dressed and ready, but his mood remained unchanged. All night, his imagination had run wild, conjuring up various scenarios he didn't want to envision. His crankiness was evident on his face, so everyone gave him a wide berth.
They all left the castle and noticed that the crowd had significantly grown in size. Wealthy merchants, prestigious families, and people from all over the world had gathered to witness the annual Genas event. This was a prime opportunity for merchants to make substantial profits, for reputable families to recruit new talent, and for others to enjoy the spectacle.
The event was also broadcast worldwide for a nominal fee, but watching it live from the Colosseum, amidst hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators and the thrill of betting, had its unique appeal.
Hans and the others were waiting in their designated corner of the arena, just like the representatives from other institutions. Hans recognized the host, a famous celebrity who was doing an excellent job of energizing the audience with his charisma. Then, the Grimgar family made their grand entrance, commanding everyone's attention. The host began his introductions.
Samwell, the King of Grimgar, arrived with his entire family and took their seats, leaving the middle throne reserved for the Alliance's leader. Next came the elves, the Clandor Royal family - King Eleanor, Queen Reina, and their son Riftal, who was the other twin of Allynna. They all wore traditional silver garments adorned with elegant gold embroidery, showcasing their timeless grace. Their clothing was free of any distracting frills that had become fashionable among humans these days.
Their arrival captured everyone's gaze, and Hans was no exception. He was curious to see just how beautiful this queen was, the same woman who had driven his father to madness. Surprisingly, he found himself agreeing, Well, Father, you certainly had excellent taste. She looks like someone worth waging war over." The only one who surpassed her beauty in Hans's eyes was the goddess he had seen in his dreams; no one else could hold a candle to her radiance
As representatives from other nations continued to arrive, Hans gradually lost interest in them. The only one left who truly captured his attention was Norwin, the head of the Alliance. He entered the arena with an imposing aura that inspired awe in the audience. Hans couldn't help but think, "Wow, he's strong. Strong like the chairman. Just how much stronger was my father to be able to face this behemoth and emerge victorious?"
Norwin's unkempt black hair lightly floated in the air, waving as if responding to his tremendous aura. His mere presence seemed to lower the temperature by several degrees. Despite it being summer, the atmosphere felt more like winter. He looked at the audience with a face that aged well with the sheer amount of experience he had.
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
“Hero king !”
..
.
The crowd kept cheering on. To them, Norwin was akin to a god who had imprisoned the terror of the red demon and dedicated himself to eradicating these abominations, even relinquishing the throne to focus on this mission. He embodied the ideal of a good king, and that's why the people believed in him, empowering his blessed weapon known as Faith.
“So that’s a ranked first knight.” Hans mused while observing the cheering crowd. Suddenly, as Norwin took his seat, the crowd's jubilant shouts subsided. The event's organizer, King Norwin, began addressing the people, "I welcome all of you to the 75th Glory Wars. For those who couldn't be here in person, I hope you'll have the chance to witness the younger generation making a name for themselves from your comfort."
Back in Edenberg County, Hodges and others watched the ceremony on broadcast, eagerly anticipating the main events. Like them, the Dorfeil family, who owed Hans a debt of gratitude, also eagerly awaited his turn to perform.
Following Norwin's address, the inauguration ceremony continued as the host acknowledged the contributions of wealthy merchants whose sponsorship had made the event possible. He then summoned the Mage Tower teams into the arena. These mages, hailing from powerful families worldwide, were renowned for their talent and pride. Subsequently, the Association representatives, young knights from influential noble families, were introduced to the audience.
Next in line were the representatives of Concordia, and the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. The majority of those present were commoners, and Concordia symbolized how high an ordinary individual could soar with determination and opportunity. It was an institution forged by and for the underprivileged, a beacon of hope for equitable treatment. Among their competitors, they enjoyed a stellar reputation that extended well beyond the eyes of the common people
The three Concordia teams advanced in unison, each under the guidance of their respective professors. Hans followed Walter at the rear of the procession, his presence not drawing much attention from others. However, those who recognized him as Samson's kin couldn't help but fixate on him. To some, he was a chilling reminder of a harrowing past, while others viewed him as a vessel of divine mana. A few even perceived him as something other than human, but they all shared a common thought— the resemblance was uncanny.
Upon spotting Hans walking confidently, his head held high, the once-beautiful countenance of the Elven queen twisted in revulsion. Memories of her past came rushing back, and her animosity, once directed at Samson, now found a new target in Hans. The malevolence emanating from her was clear even at a distance. "Calm down," the Elven king whispered soothingly, gently caressing her hand. Yet, someone in the centre seat was even more infuriated—Norwin. His deep-seated resentment for his own child was an open secret, and Hans's mere presence exacerbated his fury.
As their emotions were displayed so openly, Hans mentally catalogued the individuals before him. "Elven queen and King Norwin," he noted. "So they are the ones I'll eventually have to confront. It doesn't seem like they would yield to a polite request. But do they think I'll tolerate their blatant stares? If I could, I'd like to give them a good slap right now."He was already enraged by tomorrow’s news and their treatment was sending his anger to an all-time high.
a voice in the crowd murmured, deciphering Hans's expression. The excitement in the air was clear. Turning to his right, the person prodded his companion. "Don't you think so too, Bernard? You understand that expression better than I do. That's why you distanced yourself after betraying him, isn't it?" The incessant nudges from his companion's elbows prompted Bernard to push Dijkstra away. "Listen, if you're looking for a fight, let's settle it somewhere else."
"No," Dijkstra promptly declined, tearing into a skewer of meat. With his mouth full, he continued, “I’m going to spice up this boring shit.” He then vanished, only to reappear on the guest platform beside Norwin.
"That lunatic," nearly everyone exclaimed, including a flabbergasted Hans. However, what everyone expected didn't come to pass. Dijkstra merely placed a piece of paper on Norwin's lap and uttered a single word before disappearing once more. Norwin had no desire to engage with this deranged individual, but he also recognized that Dijkstra wasn't capable of concocting an elaborate scheme. So, he reluctantly opened the paper, read its contents, and promptly destroyed it. His gaze toward Hans became even more intense.
“Just what kinda crap did that maniac spew to him?” Hans was taken aback. "Did he spill the beans on everything? Damn it, I thought he wouldn't ruin this for me. Did I just blow my chance at becoming a Solar Mage?" However, despite the intense glares exchanged, nothing more occurred, and the host proceeded to introduce the wild card entry. "Please welcome the team that fought their way to this stage, Devildom. They will be competing in the Senior league."
Despite being fewer than ten, they managed to steal the spotlight. Their mages were all at the fourth circle, and their knight had achieved a grade of fifty. Hans couldn't help but mutter in disbelief as he cast a discerning eye over them. "How on earth are they training? Are they chugging growth potions every day?" His astonishment was shared by many others. The seven-person team was comprised of exceptional talents, the hidden geniuses of their generation.
Just when Hans thought he might be one of the most talented participants, even more, remarkable individuals emerged. “It's not your day Hans, not your day…” He shook his head in disappointment. “I was just frolicking in a well, the world is vast.” He was promising himself to work harder to improve himself, but his concentration was shattered when he felt an annoying gaze fixed on him. Turning around, he discovered the source of the stare—a young mage from Devildom. Whatever restraint Hans had been holding back, it snapped.
“The fuck you are looking at me, peasant? Do you wanna die?” Hans's voice boomed, capturing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Even the broadcasting artefact shifted to focus on the escalating argument just before the competition began. Early rivalries like this were excellent for viewership, and the operator didn't want to miss out on the drama.
"Kneel." This time, Hans's voice carried a commanding tone, and a small VoidZone compelled Ezekiel to drop to his knees. Ezekiel couldn't comprehend what was occurring; he fought against it with all his might, but nothing worked. His gaze remained locked onto Hans, a defiant challenge in his eyes. "You're still staring at me. Do I appear to be some kind of joke to you as well?" His words drove the surrounding mana into Ezekiel's heart, causing him to cough up blood and clutch his chest in agony. This was a method used to kill knights, but it also inflicted significant damage to the mana heart by contaminating it with mixed mana.
Silence fell over the onlookers as Hans continued to gaze down at the fourth-circle mage. There was no trace of a spell being cast, and not even the Judgement artefact, which could even restrain Norwin didn’t raise any alarms.
The Devildom boy continued to cough, his pain intensifying. Their teacher, the team's leader, rushed toward Hans, as it was evident to all that Hans was somehow causing this torment. He demanded that Hans stop, but this only redirected Hans's focus toward him. "Who the hell are you? Are you looking down on me too?"
Unlike others, the Devildom team leader was somewhat shrewd. He shouted to the audience, "Is this how Concordia oppresses other students just because we're more talented? Is it because we come from humble backgrounds and were rejected, so they can't stand to see us grow stronger?” He then turned to Hans, whispering, “Stop this if you don't want to make things worse."
Hans, feeling increasingly irritated, “Haa… this turd is threatening me, I don’t like the feeling,” and retorted, “BEG! BEG IF YOU WANT TO SAVE THAT SORRY BASTARD.” Hans stressed the latter part, "GET ON YOUR KNEES, OR HE DIES RIGHT HERE.”
The Devildom team leader persisted, "I'll take you to trial. Everyone here is a witness. You won't be able to escape, even if you're royalty—“
"Sure, go ahead. If it's a trial you want, the punishment is the same for attempted murder and murder” Hans looked past him, his target, and he continued, “So, there is no point in sparing that bastard.” For the first time, Hans raised his hand toward Ezekiel, and the result was Ezekiel writhing on the ground, his agonized cries pleading for help.
The in-charge looked somewhere to confirm something. “Wait wait.” He knelt, pleading, “Please spare his life. We’ll forget the whole thing.”
“Your word.”
“Yes I promise —”
“Say it aloud so your so-called witness could hear this too.”
“Yes,” the in-charge shouted, putting his lungs to work, “My apologies, We won't pursue this any further. My team member was simply experiencing mana reflux.”
"There you go." As soon as Hans spoke, Ezekiel calmed down, still gasping but no longer in pain. When the in-charge moved to check on his student, Hans added with a hint of disgust, "Next time, I'll at least gouge out his eyes. That pervert was winking at me and biting his lips." Hans shuddered at the thought, but this revelation made everyone in the junior team crack into laughter because they knew exactly whom that labelled pervert had been winking at.
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Chris asked Delimira, continuing his deduction. "That's why you switched positions with me, to shadow Hans from this side.”
“What’s wrong with me using our Joker card? That was so satisfying.” She heaved, relaxed.
But Chris wasn’t done yet. “You even winked at that bastard. He was just returning the sentiment. Poor sod fell for your scheme.” Chris mused, a frown creasing his brow, “But why the heck Hans didn’t even doubt that it could not be him, that mage’s target—”
"Hans is a narcissist through and through," Delimira interjected, her expressions indifferent, "Do you really think he believes anyone here is more important than himself?”
***
AnnouncementNEXT : THE GAME BEGINS
