Volume 2, Chapter 22: The Tournament Begins
The grand arena of Aurelius Magic Academy gleamed under the morning sun. Nobles, princes, princesses, and students from neighboring kingdoms filled the stands, eager to witness the Inter-Kingdom Magic Tournament.
> "This is where appearances matter most," Cael whispered, standing among the competitors.
"No one can suspect the Shadow Sovereign… not yet."
Selene hovered quietly, shadows coiling like a protective storm around him.
> "Do you intend to fight normally?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
> "No," Cael replied.
"We show them enough to impress… but not enough to reveal everything. The shadows must remain unseen."
Early Rounds
Cael faced off against several students, princes, and princesses. His movements seemed unremarkable at first, almost clumsy, yet his suppressed power allowed him to:
Dodge strikes with slight unnatural precision, hinting at something more.
Counter magic with subtle atomic resonance that left no trace, confusing his opponents.
Deliver minor attacks that seemed weak, but slightly shifted the battlefield in his favor.
Despite this, Cael intentionally made mistakes, letting his opponents land blows and even scoring "points" against him. Whispers ran through the stands:
> "Isn't he a noble student? He's… weak."
"I thought he was talented… how is he losing?.
Cael smirked faintly beneath his hood. Exactly as intended.
Clash with the Royal Prodigy
The final round of the first day brought Cael face-to-face with Prince Alaric, the kingdom's top young mage and heir to a neighboring noble family. Crowds held their breath.
Alaric's flames surged like a miniature sun, aiming directly at Cael.
Cael's suppressed aura allowed him to dodge with almost imperceptible speed, but he deliberately tripped at a critical moment, letting Alaric score a hit.
Onlookers gasped as Cael staggered back, clearly "defeated."
Yet in the shadows, atomic resonance coiled invisibly, barely restrained, ready to react at a moment's notice. Only Selene noticed the faint tremor in the air:
> "Master… you could end him in a single strike," she whispered.
> "Not yet," Cael replied calmly.
"We lose… to preserve the shadow. Patience is everything."
Subtle Glimpses of Power
Though he "lost," a few moments during the fight left whispers among the audience:
When Alaric's flames exploded, the arena's walls shimmered, as if reality itself bent around Cael.
One of his counters caused a sudden gust of wind, knocking several spectators' papers and hats into the air.
A flash of shadows moved faster than the eye could follow, leaving faint afterimages in the arena.
To the crowd, these were minor anomalies, easy to dismiss. But for those attuned to magic, it was a hint of extraordinary power hidden beneath a weak exterior.
The Outcome
The match ended with Alaric declared the winner. Cael bowed politely, masking his faint smirk.
> "Congratulations," he said softly, his aura completely hidden.
"You fought well."
Selene hovered beside him, whispering:
> "They still didn't notice anything… perfect."
> "Exactly," Cael said calmly.
"The tournament is just the beginning. We observe, we learn… and when the time comes, Absolute Atomic will show its true face."
The nobles and students went home, convinced the "weak noble student" had merely been average. Meanwhile, Cael quietly analyzed:
The strongest contenders.
Hidden threats among students and faculty.
Potential allies and future rivals.
Everything was part of his hidden preparation, while maintaining the perfect illusion of a background character.