ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 225: THE PRIDE OF A DARK MAGIC USER

The atmosphere in the Soaring Dragons Pavilion was heavy yet vibrant. The Pacesetters Academy representatives had gathered in the grand hall, illuminated by elegant chandeliers and adorned with banners of the academy’s emblem. Despite the luxurious setting, a mix of emotions filled the air—disappointment, pride, and anticipation.

At the head of the room stood Chancellor Castenada, his imposing figure flanked by his close friend Marel, Vice Chancellor Reeves, and General Cao. Their presence commanded respect, and the room fell silent as Reeves stepped forward to address the group.

Reeves, with his usual composed demeanor, began, "Before Chancellor Castenada speaks, I should inform you guys of the outcome at the Southern Azure Coliseum. The individual class battles for the mages have been just as intense as what The Northern Wind spire coliseum offered here today. Among our representatives, only three have advanced to the final stage."

He paused, his gaze scanning the room, before continuing. "Lila, ranked third in the academy, Morris Grey, the inheritor of the Elemental God, and Guinevere, our fire mage prodigy, have secured their spots in the top ten. Let us extend our congratulations to them for their outstanding performances."

A soft murmur rippled through the room. Those who knew Lila, Morris, and Guinevere felt a swell of pride for their peers, while others reflected on their own performances.

"Not bad huh?" Eldric said as he patted Morris’s back as a sign of encouragement. "Thanks" Morris replied with a grateful smile on his face. Only him knew what he had to go through to get to this stage. Meanwhile, Kaelen and Lila’s gaze instantly locked as soon as Vice chancellor Reeves announced. Then right after, they both smiled and did a slight nod of acknowledgement to each other.

Castenada eventually stepped forward, his deep voice commanding the attention of every student in the room.

"Students of the Pacesetters Academy, you have all fought valiantly today. Whether you were victorious or not, I am proud of each and every one of you for representing our academy with honor."

He turned his attention to those who had been disqualified. His tone softened, carrying a note of reassurance.

"To those who did not advance, do not see this as failure but as an opportunity to grow. Each of you faced challenges that will only strengthen your resolve for future battles. Remember, even the greatest warriors faced defeat before rising to their peak."

His words seemed to lift the spirits of some of the disqualified students, most of them whom nodded solemnly.

Castenada then shifted his gaze to the qualifiers—Kaelen, Ethan, Charlotte, and the Forbes who seems to be deep in thought as his eyes were shut. His tone grew firm, filled with encouragement.

"To those who have qualified, you now bear the pride and hope of the Pacesetters Academy. The battles ahead will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. Stand united, even in individual battles. Each victory is a victory for us all. Show the world why our academy is unmatched."

The qualifiers stood straighter, their determination renewed by Castenada’s words.

As the room began to hum with whispered conversations, Marel leaned slightly toward Castenada and spoke in a low tone.

"Your students have done well, old friend. But the real battles are yet to come. The ones like Kaelen and Forbes show great promise... though I wonder if even they are ready for what’s ahead."

Castenada nodded thoughtfully, his gaze resting momentarily on Kaelen, whose expression was calm but intense.

Before the gathering dispersed, General Cao stepped forward, his rugged features and battle-worn voice adding a sense of gravity to his words.

"Remember, this is not just about glory. Every duel, every technique you’ve seen today, is a lesson. Learn from your opponents, adapt, and overcome. The true test of a warrior is not in victory but in how they rise after each challenge."

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With that, the gathering began to break apart. Some of them mingled in small groups, some sharing their experiences, others strategizing for the battles to come. Kaelen found himself quietly observing the room, his mind already turning toward tomorrow.

Ethan approached him with a small smirk while he said. "Looks like we’ve got a lot to prove tomorrow. You ready for whatever comes?"

Kaelen then replied with a faint smile. "I’ve been ready since the day I stepped into this academy. Tomorrow, we show them what Pacesetters are made of."

The resolve in the room was palpable. Day one of the Battle Convention had ended, but the true battle was only just beginning.

After a few more minutes went by, the Soaring Dragons Pavilion was quieter now, with most of Kaelen friends and comraderie retiring to their rooms after the long and exhausting day. But Kaelen stood near the edge of the grand hall, his sharp eyes catching an unusual scene.

Valir Ferris, the Dark Prince, was standing with Chancellor Castenada, Vice Chancellor Reeves, and General Cao. They were engaged in a hushed conversation that Kaelen couldn’t quite hear. Valir’s expression was unreadable, but there was a certain tension in his posture.

After a brief exchange, Valir gave a slight bow to the academy leaders, a gesture uncharacteristic of his usual arrogant demeanor. Then, without a word to anyone, he turned and strode out of the pavilion into the night.

Kaelen’s curiosity flared. ’Something wasn’t right.’ And without hesitation, he decided to follow Valir.

Kaelen had barely stepped out of the pavilion, the cool night air brushing against his face, when a figure appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

It was Forbes Hernandez, the mysterious swordsman and Pacesetters’ leading figure. His calm, piercing gaze stopped Kaelen in his tracks.

"Now isn’t a good time, Kaelen."

Kaelen frowned, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his disguised Blade of Eternity as he asked calmly. "Why not? He’s clearly troubled. Whatever’s going on, I want to help."

Forbes shook his head, his voice steady but firm. "Valir is not someone you can simply approach right now. He’s a sensitive young man… with a very disturbing past."

Kaelen’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t expecting Forbes to defend Valir, of all people. "Disturbing past? What are you talking about?"

Forbes leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice.

"Valir has always carried himself as if he’s the strongest dark magic user in the world. And for a long time, he had the skills to back up that claim. But his arrogance… it comes from a place of deep pain. His family, his upbringing—everything he endured shaped him into who he is now. Defeat isn’t just a bruise to his ego; it’s a crack in the foundation of the identity he built to survive."

Kaelen’s curiosity deepened, but Forbes wasn’t finished.

"Today, he faced his second real defeat—first was to me which was tolerable since he sees himself as the strongest dark magic user, but then he lossed again to another dark magic user this time, Kelvin. That’s not just a loss in a duel. For someone like Valir, that’s like losing the very thing that defines him. His pride is in tatters, and if he doesn’t find a way to reconcile that, it could destroy him."

Kaelen crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful but resolute as he asked. "And you think leaving him to figure it out alone is the right thing to do?"

Forbes sighed, his tone softening. "Sometimes, battles are fought within, Kaelen. You can’t help him with this. He needs to confront his demons on his own terms. If you intervene now, you might only make things worse."

Kaelen hesitated. He hated standing by while someone—enemy or not—struggled. But Forbes’ words carried a weight of experience.

"Fine. I won’t follow him. But if he does something reckless—"

Forbes quickly interrupted with a faint smile. "Then I’ll stop him myself. I’ve been keeping an eye on Valir since he joined the academy. Believe me when I say, he’s not as alone as he thinks he is."

As Forbes and Kaelen returned to the pavilion, Valir disappeared into the dark streets of Valoria. His steps were heavy, his mind clouded with turmoil.

The memory of Kelvin’s chilling darkness and the words, "Welcome to my darkness," echoed in his mind, haunting him. For years, he had believed himself unmatched in the mastery of shadows, the undisputed prince of dark magic. But today, that illusion was shattered.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as a bitter resolve took root in his heart. If the darkness he wielded wasn’t enough, then he would find a deeper, more sinister power.

In the shadows of the city, Valir’s journey of self-reckoning had begun. Whether it would lead to redemption or ruin, only time would tell. But unbeknownst to him, in a lonely and dark alley, an hazy figure could slightly be seen there as he observed Valir going down the road. And not long after, this hazy figure suddenly spoke up with a tone that sounded sinister and disturbing.

"Seems like the time has come"