Chapter 98 - main announcement
The Empress stood at the center of the banquet hall, once again becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.
She calmly looked across the gathered nobles before speaking.
"Today’s banquet was held for one main reason."
The moment those words left her mouth, everyone immediately became attentive.
They knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary announcement.
The Empress continued.
"Next year, a tournament will be held to select the candidates who will enter an important Secret Realm."
"Only those below the age of fifteen will be eligible to participate."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in.
"Every race will have ten guaranteed slots."
A murmur began spreading through the hall, but the nobles quickly quieted themselves and continued listening.
"However..."
"There are twenty additional slots."
"These twenty slots will not belong to any particular race."
"They will be awarded based on the results of the tournament."
"The strongest twenty participants, regardless of their race, will earn those positions for their respective races."
The atmosphere immediately became more serious.
The Empress continued.
"That is the main reason I held today’s banquet."
"I wanted to officially announce the tournament and, more importantly..."
"To see the potential of the younger generation."
She paused briefly before explaining the selection process.
"As for who will represent each race..."
"We will first hold a smaller selection tournament."
"Anyone who meets the age requirements may participate."
"The age requirement will be from ten to fourteen years old."
"Each age group will select five candidates."
"This will give everyone an opportunity to compete."
She looked across the hall.
"The selected candidates will then participate in the main tournament."
"Those who perform well enough will earn their place among the representatives."
"And the strongest twenty participants in the main tournament will also compete for the twenty additional slots."
Her expression became slightly more serious.
"Remember."
"Those additional slots are not guaranteed."
"If someone from your race wins one of those positions, they will keep that position for their race."
"If your race fails to secure one of the twenty additional positions, then the remaining guaranteed slots will still be filled by the candidates selected through the normal process."
She paused.
"Do not assume that someone else will secure your place for you."
"You must earn it."
The Empress’s voice became slightly more solemn.
"The Secret Realm is filled with opportunities."
"Rare treasures."
"Powerful items."
"Ancient inheritances."
"Resources capable of changing the future of those who enter."
"But such opportunities also come with danger."
She looked toward the younger generation.
"That is why we must secure as many positions as possible."
"Train hard."
"Prepare yourselves."
"Because next year, only the strongest will be able to claim what lies within that Secret Realm."
The moment she finished speaking, a wave of commotion swept through the banquet hall.
Excited discussions erupted among the nobles.
Some immediately began discussing their children.
Others were already thinking about training methods, resources, and potential candidates.
The younger generation, however, seemed even more excited.
Everyone understood how valuable an opportunity like this could be.
I quietly looked toward Luna.
She looked back at me.
A grin slowly appeared on my face.
"Hmm..."
"Sounds like a lot of fun."
My eyes practically sparkled at the thought.
Luna stared at me for a moment before sighing.
"What?"
"Don’t tell me you only heard the words ’Secret Realm.’"
"You do realize you actually have to compete to earn a position, right?"
She paused.
"Although..."
"I’m sure you can get one."
Her expression became slightly more serious.
"But Secret Realms are dangerous."
"Don’t get too excited and forget that."
I nodded casually.
"Yeah, yeah."
Just then, Amy walked over with a confident smile.
"Hmph."
"Don’t worry, little brother."
"Once your big sister comes along, you’ll be perfectly safe."
I immediately looked at her suspiciously.
"What?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Her smile became even brighter.
"Of course, you’ll have to do a few things for your protection."
"Just like before your first dungeon."
My expression immediately changed.
I quickly shook my head.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
"I can take care of myself."
"I’m not doing those things ever again."
I said it with such dramatic seriousness that Luna couldn’t help laughing.
She looked between Amy and me curiously.
"What did she make you do?"
I immediately put on a horrified expression.
"She made me say something like..."
"My amazing sister, please—"
I suddenly stopped.
"No."
"I can’t even tell the story."
Amy’s smile widened.
I pointed accusingly at her.
"She made me say all kinds of embarrassing things."
"And then she blackmailed me."
"She said that if I didn’t do those things, she’d be ’busy’ that day."
I paused dramatically.
"And Mom told me that if Amy came with me, I could go into the dungeon."
I looked toward Luna with a deeply troubled expression.
"It was so frustrating."
Luna covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Amy, meanwhile, looked completely satisfied.
"See?"
"I was helping you."
I stared at her.
"That wasn’t helping."
"It was torture."
Then the Empress waited for a moment, allowing everyone to fully digest the information.
Once the conversations had settled down, she continued.
"To choose the twenty people who will compete for those additional positions, we will hold a tournament next month."
Her voice carried clearly throughout the banquet hall.
"It will not matter whether you are a noble or a commoner."
"If you have the ability to earn a place, then that place will be yours."
She paused briefly.
"Even my own children will have to compete for a position."
"There will be no free handouts."
A serious expression appeared on her face.
"I have already announced this tournament throughout the Empire."
"So if you wish to participate..."
"Prepare yourselves."
"Train hard."
"And prove that you deserve to enter the secret realm."
The Empress allowed her words to settle before continuing.
"With that..."
"This is my final announcement for today."
"I hereby conclude the Imperial Banquet."
"You are welcome to continue enjoying the food and festivities."
"And if you wish to leave..."
"You may do so."
She gave the gathered nobles one final glance.
"Thank you all for attending."
With that, the Empress turned around and calmly returned to her throne.
Luna, Elena, and I soon made our way toward the Empress and Mom.
The Empress noticed us approaching and immediately looked toward me.
"How are you feeling now?"
I scratched the back of my head.
"I just lost control for a moment."
"When I cut off his arm, I was still angry."
"But I quickly regained control afterward."
"I’m completely fine."
I gave her a bright smile.
I could tell that she genuinely cared about whether I was alright.
The Empress nodded.
"Hmm."
"You handled the situation well."
"And I have to admit..."
"Your abilities have impressed me quite a bit."
Then her gaze shifted between Luna and me.
A playful smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Oh?"
"It seems you became quite close to my daughter much faster than I expected."
My face immediately heated up.
"We just became friends."
"And we shared some stories with each other."
"That’s all."
The Empress’s smile widened.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"I believe you."
I immediately felt even more embarrassed.
Beside me, Luna wasn’t doing any better.
Her face had also turned slightly red.
If her mother continued teasing her like this, I was pretty sure steam would start coming out of her head.
The Empress seemed to find our reactions amusing, but eventually changed the subject.
"You both heard my announcement."
"What do you think about the tournament and the secret realm?"
Amy answered first.
"It sounds like an amazing opportunity."
"And it’ll be interesting to compete against talented people from the other races."
Elena nodded enthusiastically.
"I like it too!"
"If we all manage to secure a position, we can enter the secret realm together."
She paused before sighing.
"It’s just a shame Big Sister won’t be able to come."
Luna nodded.
"Yeah."
"She’ll have to attend the academy next year."
"But I’m still looking forward to the secret realm."
I smiled.
"It sounds fun."
"A secret realm filled with treasures and opportunities..."
My eyes began to sparkle.
"Who knows?"
"Maybe I’ll find something really good inside."
A huge grin appeared on my face.
Honestly...
The thought of treasure hunting was already making me excited.
The Empress looked at our reactions and smiled.
"Hmm... being excited is good."
"But make sure you prepare yourselves beforehand."
"Train hard, and never assume that you are the strongest."
"There is always someone stronger than you."
"Keep that in mind..."
"And, most importantly, stay safe."
We all nodded.
The Empress smiled gently.
"Alright, then."
"Go and get some rest."
"The banquet is already over."
We nodded again.
I turned around and said goodbye to everyone.
Amy.
Elena.
Luna.
I also said goodbye to Cecilia and Evelyn before finally leaving the banquet hall.
Once I returned to my room, I practically collapsed onto my bed.
I was exhausted.
Not physically...
But mentally.
Today had been one hell of a day.
The engagement announcement.
The duels.
Vincent.
His father’s assassination attempt.
And everything that happened afterward.
I let out a long sigh and buried my face into the pillow.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
I raised my head slightly.
Before I could respond, the door slowly opened.
Mom stepped inside.
She looked at me lying helplessly across the bed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She walked over and sat beside me.
Then she gently lifted my head and placed it on her lap.
I didn’t say anything.
Neither did she.
For a few moments, the room remained completely silent.
Then Mom gently ran her fingers through my hair.
"Gray..."
"I know today’s incident isn’t over for you."
Her voice was soft.
"So don’t keep everything bottled up inside."
I remained silent.
She continued.
"I saw you."
"You were clearly shaken..."
"Yet you still smiled afterward."
"You tried to make everyone around you feel better."
She gently stroked my hair.
"You’re strong, Gray."
"But you don’t have to carry everything by yourself."
"You have me."
"You have Amy."
"Astrid..."
"And many other people who care about you."
"So don’t keep everything inside."
"Let it out."
"You don’t always have to pretend that you’re fine."
Her words slowly reached me.
The tension I had been carrying since the incident gradually began to disappear.
I closed my eyes.
Mom remained beside me.
She didn’t leave.
She simply stayed there, quietly watching over me until I eventually drifted into sleep.
Only after she was certain that I was completely asleep did she carefully move my head from her lap.
She pulled the blanket over me.
Then she leaned down and gently kissed my forehead.
"Good night, Gray."
With one final look at her sleeping son...
Mom quietly left the room.
And for the first time that day...
I finally slept peacefully.
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A/N:-
If someone doesn’t understand the rules of the tournament here more clear explanation
Every race have 10 slots and after all that there still have 20 left so tournament held for decade to who gat those slots
Like 8 human gat into top 20 human have extra 8 spots so 18 human can enter to the secret realm
As for next month tournament is held foe chose who have the ability to represent humanity
And think human doesn’t gat a single spot then the 20 people who chosen gat 10 spots so 10 most strongest 10 gat that 10 spot
I hope if you have any concerns this will clear it
And thank for support and reading my book
B.S