Bronze Level

After a long journey three individual look down from the hills at a majestic city. They were Eden, Adara, and Headmaster Oak, after a long trek and weeks of training, they were ahead of schedule and have just arrived at Crux City.

The journey was relatively peaceful as Adara and Eden spent their days training. Adara continued to train with the lessons her father left her. She was able to cast several of the spells that her father left her showcasing her own talent.

Eden on the other hand, continued to work his way through his foundational stages, hoping to finally reach where Adara was. Eden's growth was something Headmaster Oak continued to be amazed by. At this rate, his original goal for Eden would be shattered before even the academy competition. Adara clearly felt the pressure to push herself as she felt as Eden was gaining on her although he was a year younger.

'Strength through decisiveness' was written on a banner at the main gate. Crux City was formed during the establishment of the kingdom and was known as one of the three great cities of the Rivenhart kingdom. The highlight of Crux City was the coliseum where its warriors must be decisive in battle in order to achieve victory.

Crux City was a bustling city within the Kingdom and many academies sent their students here to train and practice. Headmaster believed this to be a good place for them to develop their skills for the next several months.

After arriving within Crux City, Adara, Headmaster Oak, and Eden headed for an inn to rest up and store their bags. They went to the Coliseum immediately after. The Coliseum, one of Crux City's greatest attractions, was a tower at the center of the city.

"Every floor represents a new level of strength, all competitors start at the bottom and through winning are able to progress through each floor. As you progress through each floor you will be able to obtain higher rewards and better treatment. Now we are about to go to the registration floor, and you both must register to participate." instructed Headmaster Oak. "However, since you are both still students and not of contract age, you can only participate on the rookie floor with only other competing students. Let's continue inside."

"Contract age?" asked Adara curiously.

"Yes, contract age, when you are eighteen years of age you must sign the life and death contract within the Coliseum. This is why the rewards are so great within the Coliseum, everyone is putting their lives on the line. The matches on the rookie floor have the judges protecting the participants should a potential life threatening hit occur."

The three made their way into the Coliseum. The inside was crowded with many competitors. Although the most watched of the events were elementalists, there were many other events featuring competitors without an element. In some special cases, there would be battles where elementalist fought non-elementalists.

After making their way to the registration desk, they were greeted by a burly looking man wearing a suit that seemed way too small for him.

"The name's Gase and I'll be your attendant today, How many are signing up today?"

"These two, please register Eden Durreye and Adara Redwall under Oak Academy." replied Headmaster Oak while handing over his academy certificate.

"Since it is both your first time here, let me explain the rules. Since you both are academy students, you will be registered and set at the bronze rank competitor. When you are older or no longer affiliated with an academy or above the age of eighteen, your membership is updated to the silver level. The rankings are silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and if you reach the top one hundred, the master level. You will only be matched by those within your rank. Keep in mind as you progress, you will be able to obtain greater rewards."

The attendant Gase took out two flat stones that had a a picture of a tower and two crossing swords in front of it, the logo of the Coliseum.

"Please place a drop of blood onto the stones Adara and Eden. With these stones, we will be able to record your record and record your rewards." Gase calmly said while pulling out two knives and handing it to both the students.

The act of placing a drop of blood onto an object was normal in this world. It could be seen as a signature for locking in contracts and forming pacts. This was an established norm in society and for Adara and Eden this was not an issue.

Adara and Eden used the knives and cut the tip of their index finger and dripped a droplet of blood onto the stone. The stones lit up tying themselves to Adara and Eden.

"Welcome to the Coliseum, please enjoy your time here. Both your fights will be scheduled to occur in two days please use this time to prepare for then." smiled Gase. "All members of the Coliseum have access to all our amenities, you should check them out and get accustomed to them during this time. We have the coliseum training grounds at the outside of the city and meditation halls on the second floor of the tower."

"Now that you both are signed up, let's go to the Crux City armory you two, with that we will able to get you both new equipment." said Headmaster Oak as the group began to walk out.

"Headmaster, you seem very familiar with this place, you must have been a participant before you served the King, what rank are you?" asked Eden.

"Hah, hah, Eden, that is a story for another time" laughed Headmaster Oak as the group continued on their way to the armory.

Unbeknownst to them, a there were two students sitting at a table eyeing their registration, one girl, and a boy.

"Looks like there is some fresh blood participating, Apollo. And it doesn't look like they are from the Four Kings." the girl took a sip of her drink.

"If they aren't part of the Four Kings, then they aren't even in my sight..." Apollo gazed out the window watching the disappearing view of the trio. "Still, I'll simply just add another body count to those I have to step over to reach the top!"