Magus Supremacy

Finally, after over an hour of driving without any further hitch apart from the earlier bandit attack, the trio was nearing the capital's border, which was marked by huge, thick, and towering gates.

Bulky warriors wielding a variety of weapons stood guard at the checkpoint. Every entry into the capital required handing over a specific kind of document to the warriors stationed at the gate.

Once verified, the entrants would be handed back another type of document before being allowed through the gates. This same procedure was followed for Grey and the duo's carriage as they passed over a parchment and received another in return.

They rode for about thirty more minutes before finally reaching the heart of the capital. The boys couldn't help but gape in amazement, their mouths slightly ajar as they took in the grandeur of the place.

Looking out of the carriage, Grey and the others were left speechless. Unlike the towns they had grown up in or passed through, very few people were walking on foot. Instead, sleek carriages rolled by, drawn by strong beasts that seemed well-fed and well-trained.

Not a single house looked dilapidated or worn down. Each building stood tall and proud, with elegant designs and vibrant colors that radiated wealth and order. The capital clearly held itself to a different standard.

As the carriage moved deeper in, the boys saw several stalls and shops lined along the sides of the streets, with people leisurely browsing or purchasing goods before continuing on their way.

The ground beneath them wasn't rough or dusty; instead, it was paved with smooth marble flooring that extended across every street and corner. The sun reflected off the polished surface, making the streets gleam.

The people themselves were dressed in fine garments, and none appeared to be starving or struggling. Their faces bore smiles, and their interactions were mostly cheerful as they traded using silver and gold coins.

'This place is quite neat and beautiful,' Grey thought to himself, his gaze scanning the passersby.

He noticed some individuals had weapons strapped to their backs or tucked by their sides.

Unlike the town where the Cromwells had lived, where nearly everyone carried a weapon out of necessity, the capital seemed secure enough that only a select few needed to be armed.

As they rode further, Grey began noticing something else. Occasionally, men and women walked by wearing masks—some plain, some decorated with odd symbols or artistic designs.

'Huh? I wonder what the masks are for,' Grey mused, his thoughts swirling with curiosity.

Just then, Finral's voice broke the silence and snapped them back to reality.

"Now, as we go deeper into the heart of the Aetherian faction, I need to make this absolutely clear to both of you," Finral said, his tone grave and unwavering as he turned to face them.

"We aren't related to the Cromwell family in any way. From now on, we'll make up a last name something random and we stick with it. We're just peasants from a small, poor town trying our luck in this assessment, nothing more. Do we understand?" he asked, glaring at both boys with sharp eyes.

"Why?" Grey questioned, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Why are we denying the Cromwell name?"

"In our town, no one really knows or cares about us," Finral began, his voice lowering. "But in the bigger cities especially the capital, that name carries weight. The younger generation might not know who the Cromwells are, but I'm very sure the elders do. And that could mean trouble. We might start getting targeted."

Grey narrowed his eyes. "Hold on a sec. What's with all this fuss about the Cromwells? What exactly is going on in your family?" he asked, his eyes locked onto Finral, waiting intently for a real answer.

"I already told you. Dad already told you. We can't say anything unless you regain your damned memory, so stop asking," Finral snapped in anger.

"I should stop asking? You're all being secretive! I know nothing about why you're hiding your identities, and you expect me to stop asking?" Grey shot back, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"Don't an—" Finral's words were abruptly cut short by the sudden screech of the carriage. The trio instantly went on guard, senses heightened.

"What's going on?" Ray asked the driver, concern painting his face.

"Is it another attack or ambush?" Grey asked, eyes darting around cautiously.

"Ambush in the capital? Be reasonable, damn it!" Finral groaned, slapping a palm against his forehead in exasperation.

"We are here," the driver announced, pulling the reins as the carriage came to a stop.

The boys stepped out one after the other, exchanging puzzled glances as they surveyed their surroundings.

"Here? Here where?" Grey asked, stepping down to find a colossal coliseum towering before them.

"Is this where the assessment is taking place?" Finral questioned, turning to face the driver.

The driver gave a single nod. "Good luck to all of you."

With that, he snapped the reins again, and the carriage wheeled away, leaving a thin trail of dust behind.

"Yikes. Still feels like a dream," Ray muttered, his gaze fixed on the massive gates ahead of them.

They approached the entrance with tentative steps, preparing to push open the towering doors, but before their hands even touched them, the gates creaked open on their own.

"Huh? That felt familiar... like I've gone through something like this before," Grey thought, his mind flickering with a fleeting sense of déjà vu as they stepped through.

As soon as they passed the threshold, the gate slammed shut behind them with a loud echo. Not that they had any intention of running back, but it sealed off the only way out regardless.

Their footsteps echoed in the vast space as they ventured deeper into the coliseum. With each step, their hearts pounded louder in their chests, a rhythmic thump that matched the tension in the air.

Soon, they came upon a massive open area where hundreds of other young individuals had already gathered. Most appeared to be around their age or slightly older.

Each person wore different outfits some elegant, some armored, and others plainly rugged reflecting a wide variety of backgrounds and training styles. Groups clustered together, whispering and laughing, while others kept to themselves, standing alone in quiet anticipation. A few looked jittery, scanning their surroundings anxiously as if expecting danger at any moment.

Grey's eyes drifted around, taking in the grandeur of the coliseum. On either side of the arena were countless rows of stone seating, arranged like steps climbing to the sky. A shimmering barrier coated the viewing area, likely to protect spectators from stray spells or Ki blasts.

At the far end of the coliseum stood three enormous chairs placed upon a raised platform. Each chair bore a unique color and emblem all three currently unoccupied.

'Huh? Wonder what those chairs are for. I'm guessing one would belong to the Vice Principal. There's no way the Principal himself who also happens to be the leader of one of the major clans would show up for something like this. Not for a mere assessment.'

His gaze lingered on the grand seats, thoughts swirling.

'So who are the others for? More importantly... what exactly is this assessment going to be? Can I even pass it?'

A strange mix of dread and excitement stirred within Grey, tightening his chest. Whatever lay ahead, it was bound to be unforgettable.