READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 192 - The Great Battle of the Dragons (1)
Chapter 192: The Great Battle of the Dragons (1)
December 15th.
A gathering order was issued to all cadets from years 1 to 5.
However, not all cadets responded to this order.
Only those who had qualified to participate in the Great Dragonless Battle were summoned—specifically, the top five-ranked cadets.
Those who received the gathering order left their respective living quarters in the north, south, east, and west to assemble at the circular arena where the Great Dragonless Battle would take place.
The first to arrive were the 50th generation cadets, who moved swiftly like the newcomers they were.
Led by Yuri, along with Gunther, Poppy, and Arin.
The four who were always fixtures on the 50th generation’s top-ranking list.
Joining them was Clarice Van, who had fought her way through fierce competition to secure the 5th rank this time.
Beside the quickly settled 50th generation were the 49th generation cadets, who arrived slightly later.
Their atmosphere was peculiar.
It was understandable that Theresia, who was more familiar with the 50th generation than her own peers, was acting this way.
But strangely enough, the rest of the 49th generation’s top ranks seemed to be wary of the 50th generation.
Or more precisely, they were watching Yuri, who stood with a slightly defiant stance among the 50th generation.
While this odd tension filled the air, the third group appeared from the southern entrance.
One might have expected the 48th generation, but surprisingly, it was the 46th generation, the fifth-year cadets.
At the forefront of the 46th generation, marked by their white epaulets, were Fritz Singh and Vangelis Anniston.
Vangelis and Theresia’s gazes briefly met in the air.
“…….”
“…….”
Though the two exchanged a subtle rivalry, Vangelis turned away without any further conflict.
As the 46th generation took their place at a distance, the 47th and 48th generations, marked by blue and green epaulets respectively, appeared from the east and west entrances.
The 47th generation, the fourth-year cadets, were led by a red-haired man and a gloomy-looking woman with black hair.
After a brief glance at them, the 50th generation quickly turned their attention towards the 48th generation.
That’s when Arin’s eyes met Goetz’s.
However, something was odd about him.
Whoosh—
Startled, he turned his head away.
It was so uncharacteristic of Goetz that Arin could only tilt her head in confusion.
Meanwhile, she wasn’t the only one tilting her head.
Yuri, too, was puzzled as he observed the 48th generation.
‘What the… someone’s missing?’
Only four from the 48th generation had emerged from the western entrance.
It was immediately obvious who was missing.
Gunther Ryder, who always exuded a strong presence, was nowhere to be seen.
While Yuri was wondering about Gunther’s absence, the Black Sword Corps made their entrance.
Leading the Black Sword Corps was someone Yuri hadn’t seen in quite some time.
It was Duran Vikovich, the one-eyed man who had overseen the Dragon Plaque Ceremony for the 50th generation about a year ago.
He stood before the assembled cadets of the Cradle and called out in a bold voice.
“I hereby declare the start of the Great Dragonless Battle!”
As his booming voice echoed, a dignified woman standing a step behind him sighed and whispered in his ear.
A brief exchange followed.
“Oh, really?”
Scratching his cheek, Duran shouted again.
“Correction! We will start by drawing lots for the matches. The Great Dragonless Battle will begin later in the afternoon!”
As the somewhat lacking superior waved his hand, his sharp subordinate sighed and handled the rest.
“…Bring it over.”
Rattle—
A Black Sword Corps member brought out a small chalkboard.
On it, there were 24 empty slots, drawn as part of a 12-group tournament bracket.
Arin, observing this closely, raised her hand.
“I have a question!”
“What is it?”
As soon as the one-eyed man granted permission, Arin asked with a puzzled look.
“Why are there only 24 slots? Shouldn’t there be 25?”
“Oh, that?”
Nodding as if he understood, Duran picked up a piece of chalk and drew four square slots at the top of the board.
He wrote a name in one of them.
[Gunther Ryder]
Tap—
Pointing at the board, Duran explained nonchalantly.
“Don’t you think last year’s winner deserves special treatment? Gunther Ryder will enter the competition from the semifinals. The rest of you will battle in the 24-person preliminary to determine the three finalists who will join him.”
Duran tapped the remaining three slots.
The other cadets, already aware of this, accepted it as a matter of course.
Finally understanding the rules, Yuri and his group nodded slightly.
Satisfied with their reaction, Duran lightly tapped a small prepared box.
“Alright, we will now begin the draw for the groups. Starting with the 46th generation, step forward.”
At his command, the 46th generation stepped up, with Vangelis skillfully reaching into the box.
Rattle, rattle—
As Vangelis stirred her hand inside, the sound of something rolling echoed from the box.
Eventually, what she pulled out was a wooden ball, carved with the number ‘12.’
Handing it to a member of the Black Sword Corps, he wrote her name in one of the 12 groups on the board.
With Vangelis taking the lead, the 46th generation efficiently completed their draw, followed by the other generations.
A short time later.
Theresia’s name filled the last empty slot in Group 5, marking the end of the 49th generation’s draw.
Finally, it was the 50th generation’s turn, and Yuri gestured to Clarice.
“Alright, the lowest rank goes first.”
“Lowest rank? I’m 5th.”
“Yeah, lowest among us.”
“…….”
“What? You don’t want to? Do you want me to give up my spot?”
“…I appreciate that.”
Despite her complaints, Clarice eagerly stepped forward.
With a tense expression, he looked at the board.
‘The remaining slots are in Groups 1, 7, 9, 10, and 11.’
All the groups were filled with formidable opponents.
‘Groups 1, 9, and 10 have the 48th generation, and Group 11 has the 47th….’
The best choice seemed to be Group 7, where the 49th generation was assigned.
Clarice prayed silently.
‘Please… let it be Group 7!’
With that fervent wish, his hand reached into the box.
Rattle—
He pulled out one of the five remaining balls.
At the same time, his soul felt like it was leaving his body.
‘Ah….’
The ball he drew was marked with the number ‘11.’
In other words, he had picked the most challenging opponent.
‘Damn it, a one-in-five chance! My first draw, and of all things… the fourth-year!’
He had considered the second-year opponents somewhat manageable.
But his tiny bit of hope was utterly shattered.
Clarice, half in a daze, watched as his name was slotted into Group 11.
Behind him, Gunther, Arin, and Poppy quickly drew for Groups 1, 9, and 10, respectively.
This left Yuri naturally assigned to Group 7.
Tap, tap—
Yuri watched as his name was written on the board, then glanced over at the 49th generation.
He smirked when he met the eyes of someone who looked particularly pale.
The smile made the already pale 49th generation cadet’s face turn completely white.
“Hiccup—”
Startled enough to hiccup, he stumbled.
Meanwhile, Duran clapped his hands lightly and spoke.
“We’re done. Alright, see you all in the afternoon!”
With that, Duran waved his hand and disappeared.
“……?”
The audience looked on in bewilderment.
Then, Duran’s subordinate sighed and stepped forward.
“The Great Dragonless Battle will take place over nine days. This afternoon, we will hold half of the 24-person preliminary matches, and tomorrow afternoon, the rest. The exact schedule will be announced later, so be sure to check.”
“…….”
“The most important thing for you is probably the rewards, so let me start with that. First, for everyone participating in the Great Dragonless Battle…….”
She was cut off before she could finish.
“Wait, wait!”
Duran, who had been walking away, quickly returned.
“I almost forgot to mention this!”
“…It seems like that wasn’t the only thing you forgot to mention.”
Despite his subordinate’s exasperated comment, Duran continued as if it didn’t bother him.
“The winner of this Great Dragonless Battle will receive special permission from the Sword Master to access the Black Dragon Vault.”
“…What?”
Even the subordinate, hearing this for the first time, asked again in surprise.
So how did the cadets react?
“The Black Dragon Vault?!”
“Really?!”
Exclamations of shock erupted everywhere.
However, not everyone could share in the excitement.
“…What’s that?”
Led by Yuri, the clueless 50th generation blinked in confusion.
It was noon, with the sun slightly past its peak.
The audience, packed in the seats, murmured as they looked down at the circular arena.
The topic of their chatter was singular.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“They’re opening the Black Dragon Vault for the winner this time.”
“No way… seriously?!”
Those who knew of the Black Dragon Vault.
“What’s the Black Dragon Vault?”
“The Sword Master’s collection of trophies, or his treasure vault!”
“Wait, something like that exists?!”
And those who didn’t.
All were buzzing about the Black Dragon Vault, the reward for the Great Dragonless Battle.
The reward was enticing enough to cause a stir among everyone.
But surprisingly, the participants of the Great Dragonless Battle were quiet.
Or rather, it wasn’t quiet; a better term would be desolate, due to the extreme tension.
‘Anyway, the Black Dragon Vault won’t be mine.’
‘So… I’ll just aim for the rewards I can actually get!’
Merely participating in the Great Dragonless Battle meant rewards.
The further one advanced—whether to the round of 12, 6, or the semifinals—the better the rewards.
Thus, those who felt the Black Dragon Vault was out of their reach focused their resolve on securing the best rewards they could.
Scattered across the Cradle, the participants of the Great Dragonless Battle sharpened their minds for victory.
Of course… not everyone was like that.
“Ah…….”
Theresia let out a light sigh.
As a Group 5 competitor with a match today, she was trying to build the right level of tension for her performance.
“…It’s just not happening.”
The nerves she needed simply wouldn’t come.
It was no surprise.
“Sigh…….”
Theresia glanced around.
Crunch, crunch—
First to catch her eye was Poppy, stuffing his face, hugging a bag of rations tightly to his chest.
Well, this sight was relatively normal.
But elsewhere…
“Why do you keep following me!”
“It’s not that I want to follow you. It’s just that the scent you leave behind pulls my body along.”
“…Then why don’t you get closer instead of hiding and watching like some creep?”
“I fear my heart might stop if I get too close to your scent….”
Arin, clearly annoyed, was being followed closely by Goetz.
Moreover, contrary to his usual self, Goetz was hiding behind a tree, sneaking glances… an oddly shy display far from his usual behavior.
But all this together…
‘None of it compares to what that guy is doing.’
Theresia’s gaze drifted further.
“No, why can’t I do it?!”
“I told you, it’s not allowed!”
“Why not?!”
“It’s the rules, you know? Participants in the Great Dragonless Battle can’t place bets on their matches!”
“Why the hell not?”
“I’ve explained it a dozen times! You might rig the results, that’s why!”
“I was just going to bet everything on myself winning!”
“It doesn’t matter! It’s one of the longstanding rules of our betting hall, handed down from our seniors!”
“Damn, where’s that written?! Get the manager here!”
“I’m the manager, you idiot!”
Yuri, grabbing the betting hall manager by the collar and tussling.
Despite the manager being a fifth-year senior, Yuri showed no hesitation, shaking him boldly while those gathered around the betting hall were stunned.
Theresia sighed.
“Sigh…….”
How could one even think of building tension in such an atmosphere?
Theresia ultimately gave up on trying to get into the right mindset.
Instead, she grabbed Yuri by the scruff, dragging him away from the betting hall, and called over Arin and Poppy with a puzzled expression.
“Should you guys really be doing this here?”
“Why not?”
“Yeah. Hey, pig, give me one of those!”
“I’m hungry!”
Yuri and Arin lunged at Poppy, trying to snatch his bag of rations, while Poppy stubbornly fought back.
Theresia sighed as the three answered absentmindedly and resumed their antics.
“Sigh… are you not going to watch the match?”
“Whether we watch or not, it’s optional, right?”
“That’s true, but… shouldn’t you watch, at least?”
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Hungry?”
Seeing the three’s clueless expressions, Theresia replied in disbelief.
“The first match… it’s Gunther’s.”
Upon hearing this, all three stopped in their tracks for about three seconds.
“…Huh?”
“Oh…?”
“…Hungry.”
Finally, Yuri, Arin, and Poppy blinked in unison as they realized Gunther wasn’t with them.