**Congratulations! You have reached the Level 20 milestone!**
**All attributes increased!**
**1500 Mana points gained!**
**The book of honor unlocked**
**The Armor of the Eternal Guardian unlocked!!**
While an erupting cheers were going on all around the coliseum, Kaelen was completely dazed as he keeps on getting notifications in his head along with screens popping up on his face.
’I have reached Level 20?’ He eventually thought while he struggles to take in this piece of discovery. But right at that moment, he suddenly got a tap on his back which brought him back to reality.
When he turned to find out who tapped him on his back, who he saw was the referee who giving him a light smile as he said calmly "Please leave the arena, the final match is about to begin"
"Oh ok" Kaelen said before he walked off the arena.
Meanwhile, Morris and Ethan weaved their way through the bustling crowd outside the coliseum, the air thick with excitement as the next round of the Rookie Tournament approached. The sound of cheering and the occasional explosion of magic from the ongoing duels could be heard even from the entrance.
They finally entered the coliseum, and as they climbed the stairs to the spectator stands, their eyes scanned the sea of faces.
"Where is he?" Ethan muttered under his breath, standing on his toes to get a better look over the crowd. His gaze swept across the massive arena, but Kaelen was nowhere in sight. "He should be here. The duels must be halfway through by now."
Morris, standing beside him, was quieter but equally focused. His eyes, sharper than most, scanned the participants’ area below, searching for any sign of Kaelen. Yet despite his efforts, he couldn’t spot him either.
"He’s probably resting after his last fight," Morris suggested, trying to reassure himself as much as Ethan. "With how hard he’s been pushing himself, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s laying low for a bit."
Ethan gave a short nod, though he didn’t seem entirely convinced. "True, but you’d think he’d be watching the matches at least. This should be the semi-finals, after all."
Morris, still scanning the area, let out a small sigh. "Maybe we’ll spot him after the next match," he said quietly, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. "He’ll show up when it’s time for his duel, for sure."
Ethan frowned, the unease he felt not entirely dispelled. "He better be ready," he muttered, half to himself. "Whoever he’s up against next won’t be easy."
The two of them settled into their seats, awaiting for the next duel. Despite their casual demeanor, a sense of urgency lingered between them. Kaelen was their friend, and after witnessing the intensity of the previous battles, they couldn’t help but worry about what was coming next.
While Morris and Ethan scoured the crowded coliseum for their friend, Kaelen sat calmly in the participants’ area, away from the bustle of the spectators. His back rested against one of the stone benches, his eyes half-closed as if deep in thought, though a faint grin tugged at the corners of his lips.
In reality, Kaelen was focused on something entirely different—his system. The interface appeared before his eyes like a private window into his own progress. After his duel with Lira, the energy surging through his veins had been unlike anything he had ever felt before.
He could practically see the leaps in his strength, the newfound mastery in his Sword Union, and the subtleties of his refined techniques reflected in his system stats. It made him feel invincible, even after enduring so many battles.
The interface shimmered before him as it listed his improvements:
- **The way of the sword**: Mastery achieved!!
- **Stamina**: Boosted by 15%
- **Mana Reserves**: Expanded by 10%
- **Sword Rain Technique**: Sharpened, capable of faster and deadlier strikes
Kaelen’s fingers twitched slightly, eager to wield his sword again, to test the limits of his newfound abilities. His heart pounded in his chest, not out of nervousness but out of sheer excitement. It wasn’t just about winning the next duel; it was about pushing himself further, seeing how far his training and determination could take him.
He closed the system interface with a simple thought and glanced around at the other participants. Many looked weary from the intense rounds, their expressions serious as they braced for what was to come. But Kaelen felt energized, his spirit soaring. The boost in his stats made him feel like he had a real shot at the championship now.
He could sense the glances from a few other participants, some wary, others respectful. His recent battles had garnered attention, and Kaelen could feel the weight of their stares, but he was ready for it. He had come too far to falter now.
The distant cheers of the crowd still lingered in the air as Kaelen turned his gaze to the arena, his mind already running through possible strategies for his upcoming duel. The tournament was nearing its climax, and every fiber of his being was ready to face the next challenge head-on.
As the arena was being cleared for the final battle in the tournament, Kaelen couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander back to Morris and Ethan. He hadn’t seen them yet, but he was sure they were somewhere in the crowd, watching, waiting. He couldn’t wait to meet them after the next match, knowing they’d be just as excited about his progress as he was.
’I think I will go through the book of honor after the tournament’
With a deep breath, Kaelen relaxed back into his seat, his excitement tempered by a calm determination. The system had given him the numbers, but it was up to him to prove that they weren’t just stats. He smiled to himself, knowing that the next duel would be his moment to shine even brighter.
Meanwhile unbeknownst to Kaelen, Julian stood in the participants’ area, his usual calm demeanor cracking slightly as his eyes locked onto Kaelen. Resting confidently after his match, Kaelen exuded a newfound power, one that Julian couldn’t ignore. The way Kaelen sat there, as though he had already won, made Julian’s gut twist with unease.
He had dismissed Kaelen early on, thinking him another promising student who would crumble under pressure. But that breakthrough during Kaelen’s match with Lira had changed everything. Now, Julian found himself staring warily at this unexpected rival.
Julian’s thoughts churned. *Sword Union, mastery… this shouldn’t be possible,* he thought, narrowing his eyes at Kaelen. Julian had trained for years, endured excruciating discipline and rigorous regimens to reach where he was now, but Kaelen’s sudden leap in ability put him on edge.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing through battle strategies, knowing that the finals against Kaelen would be anything but simple. His opponent wasn’t just another obstacle—he was a real threat.
Foll𝑜w current novels on fɾēewebnσveℓ.com.
Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge, excitement buzzed through the air. The Vice Chancellor of Pacesetters Academy leaned forward in his seat, a wide grin spreading across his face as he discussed the upcoming finals with the academy’s pillars.
Meanwhile, the Headmaster of Valen Military Academy sat rigidly in his seat, his expression taut with concern. He fidgeted with the sleeves of his robe, his fingers tapping against the armrest as if to suppress his nerves. The military prodigy standing beside him, stone-faced and composed, seemed unmoved at first glance, but the subtle clenching of his jaw betrayed his tension.
The Headmaster leaned closer to his prodigy and muttered under his breath, "This Kaelen… We underestimated him. He wasn’t supposed to be this strong. Julian will need to crush him, or our plan may falter."
The prodigy’s eyes flicked over to Kaelen, calculating. "Julian has the experience, the technique. But Kaelen… his determination, his ability to adapt… It’s dangerous. We need to be careful."
The Headmaster nodded, his gaze shifting back to the arena. His arrogance from earlier had faded, replaced by a growing anxiety that he couldn’t quite shake. This wasn’t supposed to happen, not like this.
Around the coliseum, other VIPs and dignitaries began to murmur amongst themselves, their interest piqued by Kaelen’s unexpected rise. Some had heard whispers of his talent before the tournament, but none had anticipated this level of performance.
"I had my eye on Julian, but this Kaelen… He’s proving to be something special," one nobleman who is apparently named Hue said to his companion, leaning back in his luxurious chair with a thoughtful expression.
"Indeed," another agreed. "The finals between those two will be fascinating. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such a clash of talent. If Kaelen continues like this, he could very well surpass Julian."
As the tension in the air thickened, Kaelen remained seated in the participants’ area, unaware of the stir he was causing among the VIPs. He was focused, prepared for what was to come. Julian, meanwhile, continued to watch him, the pressure building within as the reality of their impending duel weighed heavily on his mind.
The stage was set for a battle that would decide more than just the tournament—it would decide the future of the Academy’s reputation and the power struggles quietly simmering beneath the surface.