Chapter 197: Chapter 197 - Arena
Theo’s eyes slowly opened.
Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting shadows across the apartment.
For a brief moment, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Then yesterday’s memories poured back into his mind.
"Ugh!"
He stretched his arms and cracked his stiff neck.
Finally, he sat up and glanced at the time.
"It’s seven already?"
He rubbed his temples, knowing there was only an hour before the assembly.
Without another word, he jumped out of bed.
It didn’t take long before he sat down fully clothed with breakfast.
Only, his gaze was locked in front of him with each bite.
[Spell Manual - Divine Thunder God’s Body]
’Really wonder how it’ll work,’ he thought, shoving another bite down his throat. ’But I’m better off not looking at it with only an hour left.’
He dismissed the window with a simple wave.
[System Space - Five Items]
Theo smiled slightly.
After waking up, he’d quickly stuffed the summoning book, Divine Thunder Storm Manual, and both spatial tokens inside.
’That’s another headache gone,’ he thought.
Now, there was absolutely no reason for him to worry about anyone discovering them.
Even so, he couldn’t help but stare at the screen.
’Such a shame it only works for system items,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’But I can see how ridiculous it’d be otherwise.’
A few more minutes passed by in silence.
Most of his thoughts had circled back to yesterday’s most shocking event.
’What an insane being,’ he thought, swallowing his last bite. ’Even the system said it wouldn’t be able to stop it if it went all out.’
Just how strong did a being have to be in order to do that?
The system had practically been delivering him unheard-of miracles every week. And even something like that couldn’t stop it?
’Begs the question... who are you really, system?’
Theo stared in front of him expectantly.
But no answer ever popped up.
’Figured.’
Without another word, he pushed himself up from the table.
Minutes slowly ticked by.
Finally, Theo stepped outside his apartment, feeling completely refreshed.
"Today is going to be a long day," he muttered, smiling. "Let’s make the best of it."
In front of him, countless students had already left their own apartments. Many walked around in groups as they headed straight for the arena.
But surprisingly, even the majority of second years were going there.
’Again?’
Theo’s brows furrowed slightly.
’Why do they have so much interest in our competition?’
His mind churned in search of an answer.
But with nothing popping up, he had no other choice but to just start walking.
It didn’t take long before the students began staring and pointing at him.
’Seems like the duel spread far overnight,’ he thought, listening to the conversations.
One nearby young man pointed at him.
"Look," he said, elbowing his friend. "He’s that guy."
"To think he actually beat the Church!" another said.
"It was in bad taste though," a female student retorted. "How could he beat a girl up like that?"
Theo didn’t pay them any mind.
He simply continued walking toward the arena with a smile on his face.
Only as he reached the entrance did he finally hear an interesting piece of information.
"I heard the finals are going to be broadcast around the globe," a very young-looking man said. "It’s like the perfect opportunity to get famous!"
"Tch!" his friend snorted. "You and famous? That’ll be impossible."
The rest of the conversation was cut out by the dozens of other voices.
But Theo didn’t pay it any mind.
’So it’s being broadcast this year,’ he thought, feeling his heart pound. ’Is that the unique twist Elise mentioned?’
It’d certainly make students more willing to prove themselves.
Even so, he couldn’t help but frown slightly.
’Aren’t they going to paint an even bigger target on my back like this?’
More people finding out only meant a higher chance that someone would try to do something against him.
After a moment, Theo shook his head.
’It doesn’t matter,’ he thought, heading for the participants’ entrance.
He clenched his fist, a firm look flashing through his eyes.
’No matter what, I’m going to grow stronger. And getting my one summon is the way to do that!’
The moment he stepped through the participants’ area, the atmosphere changed completely.
Theo snapped out of his thoughts and looked around with a frown.
Several people, who were clearly high up in the rankings, stood silently in the room.
That’s when his gaze landed on a familiar woman.
She stood in the center of the room, white robes with golden crosses draped over her shoulders.
’Lucienne?’ he thought. ’She’s here too?’
Before he could think any further, she turned toward him.
Her gold-and-platinum eyes locked onto him while her veil rose slightly.
"Good morning, Theo Lane," she said, taking a step closer.
Theo nodded once.
"Good morning," he responded, feeling several gazes land on him.
He glanced around, locking eyes with each of them.
A faint chuckle echoed out in front of him.
"I came here for two things," Lucienne said softly.
Theo turned back toward her with a raised eyebrow.
"First of all, I came to tell you that I will not be fighting you today."
"Huh?"
His eyes widened slightly.
"Why not?"
Lucienne didn’t respond.
But Theo could tell she was smiling underneath her veil.
"Secondly," she continued, "I will need your phone number."
Theo stared at her for a moment.
"My number?"
Several nearby contestants quietly turned their heads, clearly listening in.
Lucienne gave a small nod.
"There are matters that would be troublesome to discuss in public."
Theo fell silent for a second.
’Matters, huh?’ he thought. ’Wonder what that’ll mean.’
After thinking it through for a moment, he shrugged.
’I guess it wouldn’t be bad to have a connection with the Imperial Church.’
Before he could answer, though, a loud bell echoed through the training area.
DING!
"Finalist Theo Lane, proceed to the arena please."
Lucienne inclined her head slightly.
"We will speak later."
Then she turned and walked away, leaving Theo alone before the tournament.
