(Rodova Military Academy, Practical Combat Grounds, 8:45 AM)

    At 8:45 AM, Leo stepped onto the practical combat grounds, his usual military-issued robes replaced by his black Assassin attire—a rare choice, which he usually only wore during specialized stealth and mobility classes.

    He had chosen this attire because he felt a sense of freedom moving within it, that he did not feel with the tight military clothes, and also because it helped him conceal weapons underneath the folds of the robe.

    By the time he entered, a sizable crowd had already gathered at the practical training grounds, with the crowd’s whispers immediately surging as they spotted his visage.

    "He actually showed up? Damn, I thought he’d take the smart route and bail."

    "Does he really think he can win? I mean, he’s strong, but against a circuit team member?"

    "No chance. The circuits team isn’t some joke. There’s a reason only ten second-years made the cut."

    "But he’s a Monarch-level talent. You never really know until you see them fight."

    Leo heard them all. Every snide remark. Every whispered doubt.

    But he gave them nothing.

    His expression remained unreadable, his posture relaxed yet purposeful as he walked further into the arena, his sharp gaze scanning the field.

    There was no real optimism in the air surrounding him. The crowd wasn’t here to cheer for him—they were here to watch him fail.

    Out of the hundreds gathered, only a handful seemed to believe he had even the slightest chance.

    Mu Ryan.

    Mu Shen.

    And that was about it.

    However, it did not matter.

    He hadn’t come here to prove anything to them.

    He had come to win and to avenge.

    "Good, you showed up on time.... If you had not, I would have been forced to drag you from your dorm room by your hair—" A male voice came from behind Leo, as when he turned he found Yu Shen entering the combat grounds, with the entire second year team behind him.

    "Are you scared? Rookie? You should be— you’re gonna face ’Khyaal’ here today.

    And ’Khyaal’ is a mountain of a man!" Yu Shen said, as he gestured towards the biggest and tallest brute standing behind him, who looked like he was at least 7’6" tall.

    (10 Minutes Later – 9:00 AM Sharp)

    By 9:00 AM, the anticipation in the arena had reached a fever pitch.

    It wasn’t just Major Hen who arrived alongside his officiating team— as he was accompanied by a lineup of figures that instantly commanded respect.

    Professor David.

    Professor Powell.

    Lieutenant Muiyan Faye.

    Principal Alric Dainhart.

    Professor Marvin.

    And nearly a dozen other instructors, some of whom Leo didn’t even know by name, all arrived at the Practical Combat Grounds one after another.

    "Holy shit even the principal is here—"

    One student noted, as it became evidently clear to all that this wasn’t just a regular show-case fight anymore. That it was a proper spectacle.

    As the gathered faculty took their seats, a secondary wave of arrivals followed behind them, in the form of Rodova’s entire medical team.

    Leo’s gaze flickered across them, noting just how many of them had been summoned, only to realize that there were far too many for him to even count.

    A dozen high profile healers, A dozen doctors and at least 3 dozen nurses seemed to be at-hand for this fight and it did not seem to be a coincidence that so many of them were here.

    It was clear that principal Alric was the one who had summoned them and that he was the one who was not keen on taking any chances.

    These were his star students that were fighting today—-

    His circuit team members against his monarch level talents, and hence Alric seemed to wish to ensure that no matter what, none of them were permanently injured in today’s bout, for which, he summoned every available doctor to the combat arena.

    "I’m telling you, Hen... if any of the boys lose a limb, or become permanently retarded because of a blow to their heads, I’m going to fire you from your job, and hound you to the point you don’t even get a pension after retirement.

    I’m trusting your referees to interfere as and when needed, but it’s your neck and job at the line here.

    Officiate a safe match, else be fired" Alric warned, as Hen chuckled heartily at the principal’s words.

    Deep down he knew that Alric wasn’t bluffing, however, he had absolute faith in his referees.

    They were the ones who were going to be closest to the action, and he trusted them to intervene if things ever went south.