Gardener of Eden

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Imperial Colosseum

The morning air was crisp and clear as dawn broke over the academy grounds. At the grand front entrance of the main academy building, Squad 07 stood fully equipped and prepared. Rowan adjusted the brim of his Enchanted Straw Hat, while Caelen rested a steady hand on the hilt of his sword and Mirei checked the tension of her longbow string. Beside them, Barney carried his smithing toolset, and Seraphina wore her alchemical potion belt tightly fastened.

Awaiting them at the bottom of the grand steps was a heavy, private armored escort—a massive carriage reinforced with reinforced obsidian steel plates and inlaid with glowing mana-shielding runes.

Dean Theresa Sterling stood by the open door of the vehicle. Her crisp uniform was immaculate, and her posture exuded pure authority as her sharp gaze scanned the five cadets.

”Squad 07,” Dean Sterling spoke, her voice cutting cleanly through the quiet morning air. ”The time has come. Today, the Exhibition Tournament begins, and all five division events will be hosted on the grand grounds of the Royal Colosseum.”

She gestured toward the armored transport. ”Board. We have much to discuss on the ride.”

Once inside, the heavy runic doors sealed tight, dampening the rumble of the street outside as the armored escort began its smooth journey through the city toward the imperial heartland. The interior was spacious, lined with velvet seating surrounding a central tactical map display.

Dean Sterling sat opposite Rowan and his squad, leaning forward with her hands rested atop her cane.

”You have all proven yourselves inside our academy and cleared the Tower Expedition, making us the top-ranked academy in our home city,” Dean Sterling began, her tone serious. ”However, you must understand the broader scale of what you are walking into.”

Rowan listened quietly as the Dean continued.

”Our Empire is vast,” Dean Sterling said. ”And within the regional hierarchies of the realm, cities are ranked by their heritage, mana density, and military power. Several of the regional academies you will face today are situated in territories ruled directly by powerful extended branches of the Imperial Royal Family. The heirs and scions of these noble bloodlines line their rosters.”

Barney crossed his thick arms, frowning slightly. ”So we’ll be fighting high nobles with imperial blood?”

”Precisely,” Dean Sterling replied. ”And because of their lineage, several of these regional academies arrogantly label themselves as ’Royal Academies.’ Do not let their self-appointed titles fool you. In the entire Empire, there is only one true Royal Academy—the Imperial Royal Academy situated in the Imperial Capital itself.”

Seraphina’s eyes flicked up. ”Meaning the regional branches will look down on academies from outer cities, while trying to assert dominance before the main capital roster even steps onto the arena sand.”

”Exactly, Seraphina,” Dean Sterling nodded. ”They will try to use their family names, political influence, and grand titles to intimidate you in the waiting halls and during pre-match preparations.”

She looked each member of Squad 07 dead in the eye.

”Here is my direct instruction to all five of you,” Sterling declared, her voice dropping into a stern, unyielding growl. ”Treat every opponent on those grounds with respect as an awakener, no matter combat or non combat. Do not underestimate anyone’s raw skill. However... do not be afraid of offending anyone.”

Caelen’s lips twitched into a subtle, sharp smile.

”If a regional noble prince or an arrogant heir tries to push you around because of who their ancestors were, break their guard,” Dean Sterling continued coldly. ”Offend them on the dueling ring. Crush them in the alchemy hearth. Out-cultivate them on the terra fields. As the Dean of this academy, I take full responsibility for any political fallout. You do not need to hold back out of fear of stepping on noble toes.”

Rowan smiled, resting his hand against his hoe’s sheath. ”Understood, Dean Sterling. We’ll let the results speak for themselves.”

”They certainly will,” Sterling said softly, looking out the armored window as the gargantuan silhouette of the Royal Colosseum came into view. Rising up like a mountain of white marble and brass plating, the imperial arena grounds towered over the city skyline, surrounded by thousands of banners fluttering in the wind. Banners of every major academy, noble house, and regional guild lined the surrounding plazas, and the thunderous roar of tens of thousands of spectators already echoed through the reinforced glass of their carriage.

The private escort pulled to a stop at the combatants’ private entrance.

”We have arrived,” Dean Sterling said, standing up as the armored doors hissed open. ”Go out there and show the Empire who Squad 07 is.”

***

As the armored transport hissed to a complete stop inside the colosseum’s underground arrival bay, a contingent of Imperial Royal Guards in polished silver armor stepped forward, their runic halberds held at strict attention.

Standing alongside them was a high-ranking imperial registrar, holding an glowing crystal tablet to oversee incoming delegations.

”Welcome to the Imperial Royal Colosseum,” the registrar spoke, his voice crisp and official. ”All registered competitors must now proceed through the primary security wing for identity verification, mana-signature scans, and equipment inspections.”

Mirei squinted at the intense array of security runes glowing above the arched archway leading into the registration hall. ”That’s a serious amount of high-tier security arrays just for a student tournament.”

”As it should be,” Dean Sterling replied calmly, adjusting her grip on her cane. ”Rumors in the higher circles suggest that senior members of the Imperial Family—perhaps even the Crown Princes—will be attending the final rounds today. The Royal Guard leaves nothing to chance.”

She turned to face Squad 07, her sharp eyes sweeping across Rowan and his teammates.

”This is where our paths split for now,” Dean Sterling instructed. ”By tournament mandate, each academy is permitted only one accompanying faculty representative, who must enter separately through the designated Advisor’s Entrance to access the high-table viewing boxes.”

Barney blinked, looking around at the bustling corridor where other academies were being led in by junior instructors. ”Wait... Dean Sterling, didn’t the upper-class cadets say you usually delegate tournament duty to Vice-Deans or senior instructors?”

”They are correct,” Sterling said without hesitation. ”In past years, I had far better uses for my time than sitting in an VIP lounge watching green cadets spar. I rarely participate in these exhibition events in person.”

A slight, formidable curve touched the edge of her lips.

”However, Sol-Aethel has not fielded a squad with your degree of raw promise in over a decade,” Sterling continued, looking directly at Rowan and his team. ”You shattered Layer 1 expectations, cleared the Tower expedition, and carry a level of potential that demanded my personal presence today. I intend to watch every single match from the high seats.”

Seraphina offered a sharp, confident nod. ”We won’t disappoint you, Dean.”

”See that you don’t,” Dean Sterling growled softly, though her tone bore unmistakable pride. ”Head through registration, submit to the security checks, and gather in the main combatants’ holding hall. Keep your heads high and show them what Sol-Aethel’s top squad is capable of.”

With a final tap of her cane against the polished floor, Dean Sterling turned toward the grand archway of the Advisor’s Entrance, where imperial attendants bowed deeply to usher the renowned Head Dean into the high gallery.

Rowan adjusted his hat, looking back at his squadmates with a light grin. ”Alright, Squad 07. Let’s go get registered.”