Galaxy Fall: All My Skills Are Maxed-Chapter 102: The Weight of the Glory Flag 1

[Next Day.]

[Dragon Academy Main Hall.]

​The Main Hall of the Dragon Academy was an architectural marvel, its vaulted ceilings supported by massive obsidian pillars carved with the history of the Empire’s founding. At the moment, the total of 250 students were seated in the hall, their murmurs echoing off the ancient stone. They were staring at the three elders standing before them—Master Teacher Hayatobi, Elder Lady Gaga, and Elder Merlot—in confusion, and anticipation.

​The sudden assembly had disrupted the strict morning cultivation routines, leaving many on edge.

​"Why are we summoned here? We should be focusing on each of our classes." A normal student whispered to the guy sitting opposite him, glancing nervously at the elders.

​"There must be something important the elders are about to announce. Just stay quiet and listen." The second snapped in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Hayatobi.

​"Geez! Fine then." He said in disbelief, and quiet down.

​In the elite section, the tension was palpable. The noble heirs and prodigies sensed a shift in the political winds.

​"So what is happening today?" Austin asked, crossing his arms on his chest. His posture was rigid, reflecting his disciplined warrior class.

​"I don’t know, Brother... But the looks on the elders’ faces, I don’t understand it." Aurelia answered, bored.

​She rested her elbow on the desk before her, then her jaw on her palms. Her eyes were heavy with fatigue. "I am so tired from stealth training... Instead of taking a break, we were summoned here." She grumbled. The rigorous demands of the Assassin pathway were pushing her to her physical limits.

​"Enough Aurelia." Austin snapped at his twin, his gaze fixed on Hayatobi. He knew that weakness shown in the Main Hall was weakness exploited on the battlefield. "Sit upright, and listen." He added.

​Hayatobi moved his gaze on the murmuring students. His silver eyes swept over the 250 faces, assessing the raw, unrefined power that he was tasked with weaponizing. He stepped forward and started:

​"Good morning everyone, sorry for calling you all here this early. But I told you there will be a gathering today, just not the time." He spread out his hands, commanding the space entirely.

"I want to tell you guys about what is happening next week! I am sure most of you already knew about it through connections or long ears... Anyway. In a week time, the competition which only takes place every five years, known as Glory Flag competition will begin next week!!!"

​"....?!!"

​Silence descended in the whole Hall. Everyone stared at Hayatobi like he had grown two heads. The weight of his words took a second to process. For a student, surviving to see a Glory Flag competition was a milestone; participating in one was a death sentence or a ticket to legend. The next moment, the hall erupted.

​"What?!!" A student yelled in shock.

​"Glory Flag competition? What is that?!" A lady asked, her voice trembling.

​"I don’t know, and it’s starting next week, we don’t even have time to prepare." Another added, the panic of unreadiness setting in.

​"This... What is the competition about?" Philip murmured, lost in thought as he began calculating the tactical implications.

​"I wonder if there are any rewards."

​"Silence!"

​Hayatobi yelled, his voice carrying a pulse of spirit energy that instantly silencing all the students, who kept shut and listened. The sheer pressure of a Master Teacher reminded them of their place.

​"Listen you morons!" He added, his tone sharpening into a blade. "The Glory Flag competition isn’t something you can overlook!! It’s a competition that the three empires came together and created!! Every five years, each academy will send all their students!!"

​"Huh?!"

​"Yes!!" Hayatobi yelled, staring at their shocked expression. He pointed to the banners hanging from the ceiling. "All of you will participate in this competition!! The sword empire have 300 students, we have 250! And the eagle empire has 200!! All 750 of you will face off in the name of your academy!!" He explained.

​The sheer scale of the event was staggering. Three rival empires, putting their entire future military leadership into a meat grinder to assert dominance.

​"A competition with 750 participant... That is big." Rose muttered, holding her jaw, her mind racing.

​"And rough." Stellar whispered, already visualizing the bloodbath.

​"Don’t be scared!! You students will all be in one team!! I will leave all the explanations of each round on that day. But for now... I will let you in on some very important details." He exhaled, staring at the students, letting the gravity of the situation anchor them.

"There are five stages in this competition. The first stage is a very important, and give a lot of points! And it’s also very dangerous, really dangerous." He moved his gaze on the students’ stunned faces, making sure they understood the reality of the threat.

​"The first stage is Capture the flag, and you will do this competition in the demon territory!!"

​"What?!!!"

​Everyone yelled in shock, disbelief and horror. The Demon Territory was a quarantined nightmare zone in the South Region. It wasn’t a training ground; it was an active warzone filled with abyssal creatures.

​"Yes! You heard me!! The Demon King has no news of this, so you must move discreetly!! Meaning, Assassins will be the main ones sent on this stage!! Of course, we will add some stronger students with you on this!" He yelled.

​"Umm... Sorry for interrupting, I have two questions." Grace said, rising her hand into the air.

​A ripple of surprise went through the crowd. Grace, previously a timid Lv29 player, stood tall. The awakening stones Mirabella had forced upon her had done more than boost her level; they had forged a new core of confidence within her.

​Hayatobi, Lady Gaga and Merlot turned to her, their eyes narrowing at the interruption.

​"What is your Question, Grace Gabriel?" Hayatobi asked.

​"You said add... So we all aren’t participating in this first round?" Grace asked, getting to her feet, her gaze meeting the Master Teacher’s without flinching.

​"Yes, only ten members from all academy. It’s wise to use a lot of Assassin in this mission." He answered, and looked at her, silently acknowledging her sharp observation. "Your second question."

​"Ok, we will be doing this competition in the demon territory, meaning the south Region, and with what you said, the demon emperor have no idea about this Competition. What will happen if he gets the news?"

​The hall went dead silent again. It was the question everyone was terrified to ask.

​"That’s a good question." Hayatobi stared at them with a serious expression, the shadows in the hall seeming to deepen. "If the Demon Emperor got this news, he will surely unleash the demons on all the students... Besides, you all will be given something very important, it will help calculate your kills, and if you’re killed. It will also send us message back." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

​He smiled, but that smile sent shivers down the students’ spines. It was the smile of a general explaining acceptable casualties. The device wouldn’t save them; it would only document their demise.

​"Don’t worry, only the best will be sent, and don’t fucking die out there, show that demon emperor we are strong!!" He yelled, only for the students to swallowed hard, the reality of the Glory Flag competition finally sinking in.