107 All Se (1/2)
Like in a flash, three days had already passed as if time accelerated like lightning. Today, was the day of the long-awaited competition; a tournament that would only occur once every half a century which would take place in Ryon City.
The streets near the venue were packed of decorations that were set up a few days beforehand in preparation. Near the center of the city was a humongous structure that was as tall as Ryon's walls. Not only the height of the building was huge but also was its capacity capable of accommodating three-quarters of a million people.
It was a roofed coliseum.
Nevertheless, this roofed coliseum was just one of the colossal infrastructures within that part of the city. There was also the Ryon City Marquis' estate although nearly devoid of large buildings, its land size could be compared to Crescent Town.
There was also the beautiful large cathedral of the Retollian Church in this very city too.
***
The branch office complex of the Alchemist Union was also standing in this city, showcasing how the said organization was one of the most powerful faction within the Monarch Walls.
The cathedral and the branch office complex of the Union-Alchem Town weren't near the coliseum, but were on a separate area along with the city administrative building.
Within one of the buildings in the branch office complex, Esmund was sitting on the high chair in a conference room at the end of a long table, and along with him were the higher-ups of the particular branch he was heading sitting on the seats on the two sides of the table.
”The day has come for us to host this once every five-decade tournament. I sincerely hope everybody and everything is prepared.”, Esmund voice reverberated throughout the quiet chamber then he looked at one of the seated men.
”Rest assured sir, we are more than ready.” The seated man whom he gazed at replied and took a peek through the papers he was holding, ”Summarizing everything, the tools to be used during all the rounds except for the final one are prepared. The array that can hinder almost every kind of magical transportation for extra security has already been finished after it was started to be set up last night and what is only needed are your orders to activate it, it's expected that it will cover the whole city.”
”Why is such formation needed during this time? In the past competitions there weren't such any kind of those arrays, even small-scale ones.” Another man questioned.
”It's because we have new visitors, we wouldn't want them to get hurt, do we?” Esmund was the one who replied to the question. It might seem like a worried tone, but there was a tinge of sarcasm inserted in it.
”What if those 'visitors' will run amok? I'm guessing that they are powerful enough to ignore the effects of our array.” The second man replied.
”Oh, we know, Asdrim. The array is there just in case if they brought more friends.” The first man chuckled as he thought of the possibility of what he said.
The other people within the room also chuckled, but the happy air instantly turned into a solemn one afterwards, and that's when the first man continued speaking, ”The security would mainly be provided by the Marquis' forces, but we already requested some reinforcements from the national government too for a thicker two-sided shield.”
After a pause, the first man added, ”Well, in the other areas it's all set and the respective directors already raised the go-signal.”
”Great job.” Esmund nodded in satisfaction, ”Also, the bishop of the eastern region and one of the government cabinet members will be attending this event too. Let us all show our best courtesy.” He stood up and said, ”Let this meeting be adjourned, and may this tourney be bountiful for each and every one of us.”
Esmund glanced at the first man, ”I hereby allow the activation of the array.”
”It will commence.” The man nodded.
As the meeting signaled its end, the attendees stood up and began to exit the room, as Esmund was about to join the leaving crowd, another old man pulled him closer then whispered close to him, ”I hope you already apologized to Allen.”
”There's nothing to apologize to him, Samuel.” Esmund calmly answered, ”You know, the two of you are a parallel mix, not only disrespectful to the higher-ups, but are also hardheaded. You have been bothering me about this.”
”He's only disrespectful to you.” Samuel retorted
Esmund then unexpectedly went closer to Samuel's ear and whispered something back, then he smiled after doing so.
”Are you lying or not?” Samuel asked.
”Is that a rhetorical question?”, Esmund laughed and added, ”Go oversee the array, Samuel.” After that short command, he then left the room.
***
In the villa...
”Can't I really go with you just for today?”, Edwin requested. He has been training for a few days, and was nearly used to the new level of his strength.
”No, focus on your improvement.” Allen replied. ”Or I won't let you watch me in the final round.”
”Okay, okay! I will!”, Edwin nervously backed away from Allen by a short distance. 'Why can't he just let me watch for once? Hais, nevermind, maybe this is for my own good.'
Allen clothed himself of his alchemist robes over the shirt and tight pantaloons he was wearing and strapped his satchel around him.
As he approached the door, Edwin called out, ”I hope you will be successful, Allen!”
He stopped on his tracks and said, ”I will.” After which, Allen left the villa.
***
Walking through the streets, Allen slipped through amidst the populous crowd who were eagerly gossiping about the upcoming tournament.
'I can sense the faint aura of an array covering the whole city. It's familiar.' Allen thought.
Later, he walked into an empty alley and drawn an array beneath him. After fully drawing it, he planted his hand on top of it and transferred internal energy. The array started to glow and when it reached its climax, he disappeared from his location.
***
Somewhere underground...
Several people were sitting cross-legged inside a closed chamber. Each and every one of them had a blue-glowing rough pillar which were made from mana stones behind them where they harvest extra mana.
Under them were also small circles connected towards a bigger one with complicated symbols and words on the middle of the enclosed room. And that larger circle has veins reaching out towards the tunnels that crossed every part of the city.
”Director Samuel, the array perceived somebody has used some sort of method of teleportation inside the city.” One of the seated men said towards an old man.