"It’s them."
"The captains are here!"
All eyes turned toward the second level of the colosseum. A broad archway opened into dark interior passages, and from within, a procession of figures began to emerge. Each wore flowing robes, distinct in color, cut, and emblem.
Leading the group was a man in his early twenties wearing a blue robe. His dark hair was impeccably groomed, framing a sharp face set with striking blue eyes. A bright smile plastered his lips, radiating pure excitement to be standing above the crowd.
"Who is that?" a candidate from the crowd asked.
"That is Cole Thalascale, captain of the Pelagos House. He is a lover of knowledge and mystery, and an Archmage." a different candidate explained.
Derek and Roselle had moved away from where they had leaned and were now standing at the center of the arena together with other candidates. Their eyes were up, looking at the flashy individual in blue robe as his name was being introduced.
"Do you know him?" Roselle asked Derek who was at her side.
"No, I don’t. Why?" Derek glanced over at Roselle who kept her eyes straight up.
"I thought you might. You know, since you are a noble. I figured all nobles know themselves."
Is that how it works? Too bad. I’m not a noble. Archmage huh? Is that a high rank?
Derek glanced back at the captain, who had just emerged and stopped toward one of five chairs arranged at the front of the second level.
"Here comes another one." Roselle murmured.
Following the first captain, another young man in his early twenties stepped out. He had short brown hair and sharp grey eyes, a gold tie tucked around his neck, and a vibrant yellow robe that billowed slightly as he walked.
Upon seeing the new arrival, Derek glanced toward the examinee who had identified the first captain, waiting for him to drop another explanation.
And he wasn’t disappointed.
"That is Luke Kyreion, captain of Akeso House. He is also an Archemage like Captain Cole."
After hearing this, Derek nodded as if he was the one that they were explaining to...Another archmage huh? He also looks strong.
Roselle noticed that Derek wasn’t saying anything, but merely paying attention. She did the same thing and listened as the examinee explained.
The examinee who was explaining was at the front of Derek while the other was at the front of Roselle. They were obviously talking to themselves. But, those who were around them like Derek and Roselle couldn’t help but listen.
"So, is that all?" the candidate across Roselle asked.
"How can that be?" The candidate across Derek uttered. "Look up. There are five seats. Meaning there are five captains."
Hearing this, Derek narrowed his eyes and looked closer, spotting the five chairs lined up along the balcony of the second level... There are indeed five chairs. So five captains?
He glanced over at the candidate across from him...This dude sure knows a lot.
As a stranger in this world, Derek was lacking in information. So when he hears talks like this, he doesn’t hesitate to drop a listening ear.
"Now, look closely." The candidate across Derek spoke. "The three that are about to come out are no joke. Out of the five, they are considered the best Archmages."
Hearing his words, the candidate across Roselle swallowed hard.
Emerging from the same passage as the previous two, the third captain stepped into view. Golden blonde hair caught the light above a following robe of deep purple and rich violet.
"That’s Miss Abigail Vesperion, captain of the Astra House. The one and only female captain. Just loo at those melons of hers."
Derek glanced at the back of the candidate across from him after what had just heard. Then, he turned to Roselle to see her reaction. But, she didn’t seem to bother.
"She’s pretty." Roselle praised softly.
Hmph. I wasn’t expecting that. Seeing her compliment someone is strange... Derek retracted his gaze back to the female captain who just took her own seat.
"So, so... who are the remaining two?" the candidate across Roselle asked curiously.
"Patience man. Patience. The next to emerge should definitely be..." Before he could finish his speaking, another captain emerged, a young man in his mid twenties.
Short green hair framed a sharp face set with dark, piercing eyes of the same hue. A sharp, chilling aura clung to him, casting a heavy, intimidating pressure over the surrounding area. Draped in a crisp green robe accented by a black tie, he walked toward his assigned seat with unwavering razor-sharp focus.
Who’s that one? He isn’t smiling.
As if hearing to his thoughts, the candidate across from him immediately explained.
"That’s the second person among the trio. He’s none other than Francis Skarvolden, captain of the Stalwart House. I hear he’s a ruthless and merciless captain. The mages under him are probably going through a lot."
"They must be in hell with that kind of captain. Just look at his eyes. They don’t wish good. I don’t pray to be under bim." The candidate across Roselle uttered in fear.
"Well, it doesn’t matter. I hear his squad of mages are one of the best in the Kingdom." The candidate across Derek uttered, "But there’s none that compares to the next person you are about to see."
As the examinee spoke, a sudden surge of energy coursed through Derek’s body. An unmistakable thrill welled up inside him, stirring his excitement for the figure about to emerge before he had even set eyes on him.
The chilling, oppressive air that had hung over the arena vanished in an instant, replaced by a soothing warmth reminiscent of early morning sunlight.
This gentle sensation engulfed every examinee in the courtyard, locking their gazes onto the dark passage in breathless anticipation.
At that exact moment, the final captain emerged. Long blonde hair swayed around a striking face set with magenta eyes, and his bold red robe billowed in the wind as he stepped into the light.
Who’s that?
"That’s the front runner. The strongest among the five captains. He’s also an Archemage, but the best of all five. He’s a genius, an individual with various magical abilities."
"Who is he?"
Yeah, tell us.
"That’s Raymond Aurevarch. Captain of the Imperium House. He’s the first son of the Aurevarch royal family, and heir to the throne of Aldridge Kingdom. It’s rumored that he’s said to be the next Magus King... A true mage both in body and spirit."
After Raymond emerged, a low murmur rippled through the entire arena. Not a single candidate could remove their eyes away from the royal heir. Those laying eyes on him for the first time stood frozen, their mouths open in sheer awe.
"So that’s the top dog." Roselle uttered. She had expected a comment from Derek but the young man was lost in thought.
The Magus King. The one the man I met earlier mentioned? The person who created this very land we’re standing. I’ve heard tales of the Magus King. The strongest person in the entire Kingdom. And this guy is said to be the next?
Derek was taken aback. He could feel it even if it wasn’t intense. The surge of energy coursing through his vein. He could feel the power in the air even though he couldn’t detect mana yet.
If that’s true, doesn’t that make Archmage second only for the Magus King? It’s the highest rank a Mage can reach before Magus King. That’s not an easy fit... He glanced up.
Every House Captain was standing at the front of their seats. Raymond at the center of the five. Francis at his right and Abigail at his left.
They were the symbol of hope, and the ones who were to train and bring about the next best mages for the kingdom. A practice that has been passed down through many generations.
Roselle, who saw that Derek didn’t leave a comment as she had expected, moved closer to him and whispered. "If we are to enter any House. That one is the best choice."
It was obvious who she was referring to, and Derek knew it likewise. He didn’t speak, but nodded in agreement.
Raymond raised his right hand, his voice calm and steady as he spoke.
"The entrance exam will now begin!"