This lasted until Marco revealed to everyone that Merlin directly supported Kayden. Not only that, but he had strong support from the god. At that moment, all opinions changed. He had no wealth or power that surpassed the support of a God. Not even if someone conquered the other 27 worlds would they have a greater influence than Merlin’s. Whether he wanted to or not, the old man only needed to move a finger and he would completely eradicate any force opposing him.
The time passed quickly. Kayden was not involved in any conflicts during this period. Any sign of struggle, he dodged easily. Furthermore, he never had contact with his students and his students’ friends, he practically forgot about them.
Kayden spent four months just training in the density room and watching the lectures. His knowledge of the universe and advanced forms of mana has improved by many folds. Each lecture was unique and knew the highest level. Another gain he obtained was his relationship with Triz.
He hasn’t made any sexual advances so far, just making some camouflaged flirtations at opportune moments. Their meetings became more frequent. Slowly, their relationship began to blossom into a friendship with a hint of something more. Kayden was slowly going to pin Triz completely. The only problem was Marco’s constant visits and, recently, Triz’s parents started showing up at their lunches.
Kayden didn’t feel any pressure from their presence, but it was obvious to him that Triz was a little uncomfortable in their presence. Kayden didn’t like how this was interfering with her dates and started scheduling more random times with her.
This was the last month of the event, and the talks were over. Something called proof of value began. All generations could freely face each other to show their gifts and strength. The best of the best had the right to be called by some renowned masters.
Kayden wouldn’t be interested in this if it weren’t for something very specific that would be given to the category of those below the fifth realm: an invitation to a special room. This would be the perfect gift for him to give Triz.
This room was the time room. Furthermore, elven culture had a unique way of beginning a romantic relationship. First, they would be a different type of boyfriend called "hookers." At this stage, the suitor, whether male or female, had to give a gift to their partner and ask for their permission for them to start a relationship. After a few months, they could evolve into an official relationship, and only after that would they move on to marriage. The funny thing about elven culture was that they didn’t have betrothal; it was just a linear progression from dating to marriage.
Kayden’s cultivation also bore fruit, and he managed to reach the fourth level of the third realm with perfect maximization. This was only possible due to the sum of three factors: first, the mana density room; second, his meals with Triz. He didn’t know, but that fish was an incredible ally in cultivation. And the third point was the treasures he had been consuming to speed up the process. The treasures came from several lectures he attended. Not only that but also from your stash. They were much inferior to what he had access to on this planet, but he needed to use them because when he entered the room, these treasures would probably not be taken with him. Besides, when he left, they wouldn’t be that useful anymore.
"Can I accompany you to the test of valor?" Kayden asked Triz, she still didn’t know he would participate. The two were having breakfast together at that time.
"Every member of the royal family has to be there. If you don’t have any problems with that, that’s fine with me." Kayden already knew that.
"It’s okay as long as we can be together." Kayden saw the woman turn red in the cheeks and turn away from him. The two flew a few kilometers out of the palace and it didn’t take long for them to arrive at the competition venue.
It was a huge stadium over 10 kilometers wide. He was floating on a huge piece of land in the air that looked like it had just come out of the ground. The stadium glowed with grandeur in the air. It was an immense building with a round glass at the top. The stands were completely immense and could easily accommodate almost a hundred million people, mainly because the space was remodeled in this place.
The center of the arena was a few kilometers away in reality, but with the space compressed, it was almost a hundred. It was without a doubt something completely immense. In it, there were dozens of trees, rivers, and mountains. Not only that but entire cities were set up inside the stadium. It was completely surreal. The competition would be very similar to a battle of the last man standing but with some special conditions.
First, there were some treasures to be looted that were worth points and would give the participant a strength boost. Furthermore, forming teams was prohibited under any circumstances. Any victory against another participant guarantees a 100% cure to your physique and stamina. In a way, it was a competition aimed entirely at showing the skills of the participants and did not allow luck to get in the way, nor even personal feuds to interfere directly.
Kayden descended directly from the heavens together with Triz in the most special area of the entire stand. His arrival was watched by the eyes of many powerful entities. Some people there had a planet under their thumb and answered only to Conor and Merlin. Triz had already explained to Kayden on the way the correct procedures for greeting everyone. First, the two of them had to bow to a specific region where the veterans were.
"My regards to the veterans, I am Kayden Heart." His presentation was short. Then he turned to the elders’ table. At the first table, there were around 30 people; at the second table, only 10. All these ten exuded an aura of knowledge and strength. Kayden couldn’t measure their realm, but they were probably above Triz in terms of strength. His greeting was neutral and short in the same way.
"My regards to the elders." Kayden bent down until his forehead was on the floor this time, but without touching his knees. It was strange, but culture would always be unique in each place in the universe.
"My regards to the highest elves, the great royalty." Kayden bent down and put both knees on the floor this time. In front of him was Conor in all his splendor and someone he had the impression he had seen before but didn’t remember perfectly.
This was Triz’s mother, known as Rafaela, one of the strongest elves in this entire solar system. In addition to them, there were two other people: Marcos, whom Kayden had already met before, and a woman very similar to Triz, but only in the fourth kingdom. She was Triz’s sister and a few centuries younger than her, the girl was called Helena and had a great talent, just not as great as Triz’s. After greeting everyone, Kayden waited for Conor’s orders.
"Triz, sit with your guest here." A sigh of relief was released by Triz. In a way, this was Kayden’s introduction to his family. She didn’t know why she was so nervous, Kayden was just her friend.
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"Hey, Kayden! I still have my eye on you." Marco said as Kayden sat down in the seats along with the elf emperor’s children. The emperor and empress were sitting right above them but with a fair distance separating them.
"Hello, Your Highness Marco, hello, Your Highness Helena, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Kayden Heart." Kayden bowed to the two to greet them. What he expected was a gigantic level of ego, but...
"Just call me Marco too, your background gives you that right." Marco spat out these words as if they were bitter.
"You can call me Miss Helena, there’s no need for so much formality." Helena also reduced the amount of pompous words, but still kept the "miss", this was normal considering the gender difference between the two.
"I ask you to do the same to me then." Kayden helped himself to everything he saw Triz picking up. He didn’t know how the woman would eat in public, but he soon noticed that she began to get nervous with every second she spent just looking at her food.
"Triz, would it be breaking the law or something if I put up a bubble around us?" Kayden’s question at the table made everyone look at him as if they saw a madman.
"No, but it would be extremely offensive and could disrespect all the elders around, besides, everyone probably heard your words since they are nosy old men." Marco was the one who responded and that earned him a spoiled brat scream from the veteran’s table.