ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 209: LOCATION CONFIRMED

Under the serene glow of the evening sky, Kaelen sat cross-legged on the balcony of his room at the Soaring Dragons Pavilion. The faint hum of the distant crowd leaving the coliseum was barely audible as he meditated solemnly, his eyes closed and his breathing steady. Yet, his mind was anything but tranquil.

The sudden system notification from earlier echoed in his thoughts, vivid and enigmatic.

[System Mission Received: Uncover the Secrets of the Magic Pandora.]

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[Mission duration: Unknown]

[Rewards: Unknown]

[Failure For Completion: Mana Restriction for a month]

Kaelen’s brows furrowed slightly as he replayed the moment in his head. The message had come during the grand ceremony, but it offered no context, no explanations—just a cryptic name: Magic Pandora.

"What is the Magic Pandora?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the light breeze. "And why now...?"

His thoughts spiraled deeper. The system rarely gave missions with vague instructions, yet this mission seemed shrouded in mystery. Was it an object? A person? Or perhaps a place? He clenched his fist. The mission’s importance felt undeniable, but without clarity, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Before he could dwell further, a knock came at his door, followed by the sound of it creaking open.

"Kaelen," Morris’s calm yet firm voice called out as he stepped into the room. The young heir of the Grey family, with his usual composed demeanor, stopped just shy of the balcony. "The locations for the individual class battles have been received. The Chancellor has summoned all of us."

Kaelen opened his eyes, his royal blue irises gleaming faintly in the dim light. He stood up and turned to face Morris, nodding slightly. "Understood. Let’s go."

Morris hesitated for a moment, studying Kaelen’s face. "You seem... preoccupied. Something on your mind?"

Kaelen dismissed the question with a faint smile. "Nothing that matters right now. Let’s not keep the Chancellor waiting."

Without another word, the two of them left the room, their footsteps echoing softly as they made their way to the central gathering hall, where their teammates and Chancellor Castaneda awaited. Unbeknownst to Morris, Kaelen’s thoughts lingered on the mysterious mission, the words "Magic Pandora" repeating in his mind like a riddle waiting to be solved.

As Kaelen and Morris stepped into the grand gathering hall within the pavilion reserved for the male representatives of Pace Setter Academy, where their comrades were already assembled, both boys and girls. The hall buzzed softly with subdued chatter as Lila and the other team members exchanged predictions about the battles to come. At the head of the room stood Chancellor Castaneda, his authoritative presence commanding respect, flanked by his old friend Marel, Vice Chancellor Reeves, and General Cao.

The moment Kaelen and Morris entered, the room fell silent, with all eyes turning toward them. Kaelen gave a brief nod to acknowledge their teammates before moving to take his place among them.

"Good. Everyone’s here," Chancellor Castaneda said, his deep voice resonating through the room. His sharp gaze swept across the students, lingering briefly on Kaelen. "Let’s begin."

He gestured to Marel, who unrolled a large map of Valoria’s territory onto the table before them, highlighting three distinct coliseums marked with intricate sigils.

"Tomorrow, the individual class battles will commence," Castaneda continued. "Each of you will be assigned to the coliseum corresponding to your primary combat style. This is how the divisions will be arranged."

He pointed to the first sigil, situated in the far north, surrounded by mountainous terrain. "Melee weapons—those of you who primarily rely on swords, spears, axes, and similar weapons—will head to the Northern Wind Spire Coliseum. Prepare for intense, close-range combat in a challenging environment."

A ripple of anticipation spread among the melee fighters. Kaelen’s eyes narrowed slightly, knowing that this was where he would be heading.

Next, Castaneda moved his finger to the southernmost sigil, near the coast where vibrant magical energies were rumored to flow. "Mages and similar combatants will go to the Southern Azure Dawn Coliseum. Expect heightened magical interference and dynamic terrains that will test your versatility and control."

Marel chimed in, his tone calm yet firm. "For the mages, adaptability will be key. The terrain in Azure Dawn is known to shift unpredictably."

The mages in the group exchanged glances, murmurs of strategy passing between them.

Finally, Castaneda gestured to the sigil marking the grand coliseum they were previously in, the one that had hosted the opening ceremony. "Long-range melee weapons and similar combatants—those specializing in bows, crossbows, thrown weapons, or hybrid styles—will remain here. This coliseum has been optimized for such battles, with strategic vantage points and dynamic obstacles. But I don’t think any of you will be going there right?"

At the moment the question was asked, Kaelen and his teammates first looked at each other before he nodded their head in approval.

"Alright then" Castenada said before a quiet intensity settled over the room as everyone absorbed the information. Castaneda’s tone grew sharper, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "Remember, this phase is not just about showcasing your strength—it’s about proving your worth. Represent Pacesetters Academy with pride, for the eyes of the entire territory will be on you."

Vice Chancellor Reeves stepped forward, his sharp gaze scanning the students. "Assignments will be finalized by tonight. Ensure you get adequate rest and preparation—no excuses. We cannot afford complacency."

General Cao crossed his arms, his voice gruff. "Make no mistake. This is the time to demonstrate why you were chosen to represent this academy. Do not disappoint."

Kaelen, standing with his usual calm yet determined expression, felt the weight of their words settle heavily on his shoulders. He knew the expectations placed upon him—and the silent pressure from Castaneda’s gaze only reinforced that.

"Dismissed, but Kaelen stay." Castaneda said firmly. "Prepare yourselves."

As the students began to file out of the hall, Kaelen remained, his thoughts already shifting toward the upcoming battle and the cryptic mission still swirling in his mind. Whatever challenges awaited tomorrow, one thing was clear: the path forward would not be easy.

As the other students left the hall, their voices echoing faintly in the distance, the atmosphere shifted. Now, only Chancellor Castaneda, Vice Chancellor Reeves, General Cao, Marel, and Kaelen remained. The grand hall, once filled with anticipation and whispers, now felt heavier, as if the very air acknowledged the gravity of the conversation about to unfold.

Castaneda crossed his arms, his piercing gaze fixed on Kaelen. "Now that it’s just us, let’s address the matter that requires utmost discretion."

Kaelen stood with his hands at his sides, his calm yet alert demeanor unwavering. He knew exactly what Castaneda was referring to.

"The disguise I provided for the Blade of Eternity," Castaneda began, his tone low but firm. "How has it fared? Have there been any signs of suspicion or individuals probing into its nature?"

Kaelen’s gaze flickered briefly to the sheathed blade at his side. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. "No, Chancellor. As far as I’ve observed, there’s been nothing unusual. No one has questioned it or shown any indication of recognizing what it truly is."

Castaneda exhaled softly, a trace of relief visible in his otherwise stoic expression. He nodded. "Good. That’s good. But do not let your guard down, Kaelen. The people in the top echelons of this territory are not to be underestimated. Many of them are at my level of power—or, in some cases, far beyond it. A simple glance from them could be enough to unravel the disguise entirely."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened slightly at the warning. "I understand, Chancellor. I’ll be vigilant."

Marel, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up, his tone casual but laced with an undercurrent of seriousness. "Kaelen, you’ve done well so far, but this convention is a stage where not just skill but ambition is on full display. Keep in mind that there are eyes here sharper than any blade."

Reeves added, his voice pragmatic, "And some of those eyes belong to individuals who would go to any lengths to seize the blade for themselves. If they realize what you’re carrying… there will be blood."

General Cao grunted, his stern face even more rigid than usual. "And not just yours. They’ll use your comrades, your academy, even innocents to force your hand. Do not let them have even a shred of suspicion."

Castaneda stepped closer to Kaelen, his voice dropping to a near whisper, though the weight of his words was immense. "The Blade of Eternity is more than just a weapon, Kaelen. It’s a symbol—a key to powers and secrets that could change the balance of this world. Protecting it isn’t just your duty; it’s your burden. Are you prepared for what that truly means?"

Kaelen met Castaneda’s gaze, his royal blue eyes resolute. "I’ve been prepared for as long as I’ve held it, Chancellor. I won’t fail."

Castaneda studied him for a moment, then nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Good. Then remember this: In this convention, more than your skill will be tested. Your patience, your discretion, and your ability to navigate treachery will determine whether you walk away victorious—or at all."

With that, Castaneda turned to the others. "We’ll monitor the situation closely. But for now, let’s allow Kaelen to focus on his immediate task. The battles tomorrow will demand his full attention."

Kaelen gave a slight bow to the gathered figures before excusing himself, his thoughts a mix of determination and wariness. As he stepped out of the hall and into the dimly lit corridor, his hand unconsciously brushed the hilt of the disguised Blade of Eternity. The Chancellor’s warning echoed in his mind: "Protecting it isn’t just your duty; it’s your burden."

And with that, Kaelen resolved to steel himself for the trials ahead.