ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 187: ARRIVAL OF THE TOP FAMILIES

"Hmm?" While Reeves and his entourage were patiently waiting along with the others for the arrival of the rest of the competitors. General Cao suddenly muttered as he looked up to the skies with a narrow gaze. "They have finally arrived" Reeves then spoke up with a grim look on his face.

And in next to no time, the coliseum suddenly buzzed with mounting tension and anticipation as six prominent families from across the human territories of Aetheris began arriving in grand succession. Each family carried an air of supremacy, their banners proudly displayed, and their chosen representatives—numbering up to five for each—projected confidence and dominance.

’They are just five for each group?’ Kaelen thought with a curious look on his face. But he didn’t bother to voice out his thoughts since it seems to be irrelevant at that moment.

The first to arrive was the Lucent Family, famed for their mastery over light magic. Their chosens, clad in dazzling white and gold robes, exuded an ethereal presence that seemed to illuminate the air around them. Their leader, a girl with golden hair and piercing blue eyes, appeared as if she stepped straight out of a legend.

Next came the Ferrum Clan, a family renowned for their unbreakable defense and metal magic. Their chosen strode in like an iron phalanx, their bodies glinting with traces of metallic sheen from their magic-enhanced armor. The leader, a hulking figure wielding an enormous hammer, radiated an intimidating presence.

Following them was the Blightmore House, practitioners of necromancy and death magic. Their chosen, clad in dark, tattered cloaks, walked with an eerie silence that sent chills down the spines of onlookers. The crowd instinctively gave them a wide berth, their power palpable and unsettling.

The fourth group, the Stormfell Family, entered with an explosive aura. Known for their unrivaled control over storm magic, their arrival was accompanied by the faint rumble of thunder and crackling of lightning. Their leader, a boy with wild silver hair, grinned fiercely, exuding an almost predatory energy.

"Seems like we got a bunch of cocky bastards participating this year huh?" The Dark Prince suddenly muttered with a disdainful look on his face when he noticed the provocative stare one of the members of the Stormfell family gave him. "That’s inevitable, Dark Prince. There will always be a variety of human behaviors and believes in every year of the battle convention" The Mysterious swordsman replied with a calm look on his face.

"Tch!" But the response the Dark Prince gave him was just a weird sound out of his mouth before he went quiet.

Then came the Dragonyx Family, the masters of chaos magic. The air grew heavier as they entered, their chosen wearing intricate robes imbued with swirling chaotic patterns. Their leader, a girl with crimson eyes and a commanding presence, stepped forward with an aura of controlled destruction. Kaelen stiffened as memories of Aron and Selene flashed through his mind, but the entourage before him was far more menacing.

But right before the Dragonyx family could arrive at their spot in the coliseum, the girl in the lead along with the few at her back suddenly turned their gaze and landed it on Kaelen. ’Seems like I haven’t been forgotten or given up on just yet’ Kaelen thought grimly when he noticed the greed burning in each of their eyes except the girl in the lead. Her gaze was that of pure hatred and contempt as if she was looking at something sinful for just a short while before she minded her business and went to the spot she was meant to be in.

And finally, the elusive Royal Family of Valoria arrived. Their chosen were draped in regal attire, each bearing the crest of the kingdom. At their forefront was a boy with icy blue eyes and a stoic expression. He radiated a chilling aura that seemed to command the respect of everyone present.

"That must be the rumored illegitimate son of the Alexandria the great who is the only seeded chosen by the king himself" While the royal family were going towards there spots, The Mysterious swordsman suddenly commented with a grim look on his face.

"The illegitimate son to the king!?" Kaelen asked in a hushed tone with a surprised look on his face. "Yeah no kidding, I can even feel his aura from here and I must say, it’s no joke" The Dark Prince said with a serious look also on his face. When Morris and Ethan heard him, they couldn’t help but make a gulp as they find it difficult to accept the fact that the Dark Prince is being pressured just from aura alone.

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While Kaelen and the others were having a silent whispers amongst themselves, Vice Chancellor Reeves and General Cao stood stoically, their expressions unreadable. They silently observed the arrivals, their presence a steadying force amidst the growing unease among their students.

Reeves leaned toward General Cao and murmured, "The Royal Family’s boy—Aric Alexandria—is as formidable as the rumors suggest. But keep an eye on the Dragonyx girl. Chaos magic is unpredictable, and she’s mastered it."

General Cao nodded grimly. "This will test our students like never before. Let’s hope they’re ready."

As the last of the delegations settled into their positions, the coliseum fell into a tense hush. The gathered powerhouses from across Aetheris radiated an unspoken challenge, their auras clashing in subtle but palpable ways.

Kaelen’s gaze swept across the arena, lingering briefly on the boy from the Royal Family before returning to the Dragonyx representatives. His heart raced, but his resolve burned brighter. ’This is the proving ground. Let them come.’

But just as the tension in the coliseum amongst the groups were reaching it’s climax, a figure suddenly appeared right in the middle of the coliseum while high up in the air.

"Huh? What is that?"

"A transparent human?"

"No, that can’t be right, right?"

"That must be a magic hologram" Reeves suddenly said to his students while he observed the figure in the sky.

"A magic hologram? What’s that?" Perplexed to what Reeves just said, Kaelen quickly asked. "It’s basically bringing an image of a person to live through the use of magic" Guinevere suddenly replied with a calm look on her face while she stared at the figure.

"Oh, ok" Kaelen said before he finally followed the others and observed the figure. The magical hologram figure that welcomed the arriving families and academies was a mesmerizing display of arcane craftsmanship. It appeared as a humanoid form, standing tall at nearly eight feet, composed entirely of shimmering magical energy that constantly shifted between hues of azure, silver, and gold.

Its translucent body seemed to be woven from threads of mana, with intricate, glowing runes tracing across its surface, pulsating softly as if alive. The figure’s face bore no distinct features—only a smooth, radiant surface that emanated a gentle, otherworldly light. Its "eyes," however, were two orbs of concentrated energy, glowing with a steady brilliance that gave it a semblance of awareness.

Each movement of the hologram was fluid and deliberate, leaving faint trails of light in its wake. As it turned to welcome the arrivals, its voice resonated through the coliseum, a harmonious blend of male and female tones, layered with an ethereal echo:

"Welcome, chosen of Aetheris. Your presence honors this sacred battleground where legends are born."

When addressing a family or academy, the hologram gracefully extended its glowing hands, forming a symbolic gesture of respect. With each greeting, the figure adjusted its tone to match the stature and significance of the group, its words imbued with an undeniable sense of grandeur.

"The Lucent Family, harbingers of light and hope, may your brilliance shine forth."

"Stormfell Clan, masters of tempests, your power heralds the coming storm."

For each introduction, the figure conjured brief, animated displays of magic symbolizing the represented group—waves of light for the Lucent Family, swirling storms for the Stormfell Clan, and so on.

Its welcoming presence was both regal and imposing, a reminder to all present of the immense tradition and stakes tied to the battle convention. Despite being an artificial construct, its aura commanded the same respect as a living being of great power.

The holographic figure’s voice rang out, carrying an authoritative tone that silenced the murmurs in the vast coliseum. Its glowing form turned slightly, addressing the gathered academies and families with a sweeping gesture of its luminous hands.

"Honored champions, esteemed families, and venerable academies," the hologram began, its voice resonating with purpose. "For centuries, the Battle Convention has stood as a testament to the unity and strength of Aetheris. It is a crucible where the most gifted individuals from all corners of the land prove their mettle, forging paths to glory while upholding the traditions of our ancestors."

The figure paused, allowing the weight of its words to settle before continuing. "This sacred event has always been a series of structured challenges designed to test not just raw power, but ingenuity, adaptability, and teamwork. However..."

Its voice lowered slightly, taking on an ominous tone. The subtle shift in its glow from vibrant gold to a muted silver mirrored the gravity of its announcement.

"This year, there is a change."

The arena grew tense as all eyes locked onto the hologram. Even Reeves, General Cao, and the seasoned representatives displayed signs of unease.

"For reasons beyond mortal comprehension, the stages of this year’s convention will deviate from the norm," the hologram announced. "The guardians of the sacred grounds and the governing forces of Aetheris have decreed that the final stages of the convention shall now mirror the Trials of Creation—a series of trials not seen for over five centuries."

The air grew heavy with astonishment and dread as murmurs erupted among the attendees. The Trials of Creation were rumored to be far more grueling than the standard convention challenges, with each stage requiring unparalleled mastery of magic, combat, and strategy.

"These trials are not for the faint of heart," the hologram warned. "They are designed to push each participant beyond their limits, demanding unity, courage, and resilience. In each stage, the participants will face dangers that are as real as they are lethal. Only the strongest, the most resourceful, and the most determined will emerge victorious."

Its gaze seemed to linger momentarily on the representatives from the various academies and families, as if weighing their resolve.

"Prepare yourselves, champions. The battle convention will have it’s grand ceremony a week from now. May the mana that flows through Aetheris guide and protect you."

The figure straightened, its form glowing brighter as it concluded. "You have been chosen to etch your names into the annals of history. Fight not only for yourselves but for the honor of those you represent. The true test of Aetheris awaits."

With that, the hologram dissolved into a cascade of shimmering light, leaving the coliseum in stunned silence. Each group, from Reeves and his entourage to the Valen Military Academy and the Dawning of Magic, exchanged glances heavy with anticipation and anxiety.

Kaelen clenched his fists, his mind racing with the implications of the announcement. Nearby, the Dark Prince and the Mysterious Swordsman exchanged grim nods, understanding that the stakes had just been raised beyond their expectations. Reeves remained composed but was visibly deep in thought, strategizing how best to prepare his students for the unknown trials ahead.

The battle convention was no longer just a competition—it was a trial by fire, one that would reshape the destiny of all who dared to partake.