Then, after all we encountered our first other travelers on day four.

A merchant caravan, heading the opposite direction. Five wagons and twenty people all looking nervous.

"You're going to Silvercrest?" their leader asked when he saw us. "For the tournament?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Turn back. Something's wrong there. City's locked down tight with military everywhere. They're searching everyone who enters."

"Searching for what?"

"Don't know. But two other tournament groups were turned away at the gates." The merchant leaned closer. "Rumor is, someone threatened the tournament organizers. Said they'd attack during the competition. Place is on edge."

After they left, we held a quick council.

"Trap," Lucille said flatly immediately.

"Probably," I agreed. "But we're still going. Tournament's our best chance to gain political clout recognition. Without it, the Baron's charges will stick."

"So we walk into the trap knowing it's a trap," Marcus said.

"We walk into the trap prepared for it being a trap," I corrected. "Subtle difference."

"Is it though?"

"Marginally. And, I doubt they would let anything happen in the tournament. It's a big deal you know and important people would be there to look for talented people."

"Then what should we do?"

I became silent for a while. "We continue of course. Besides, those that threatened might have done so with no intention of carrying out their threat but to cause chaos."

My voice was firm when I added. "We continue."

☆☆▪︎☆☆

On the fifth day we saw Silvercrest from five miles away.

The city was built around an ancient coliseum a massive structure that predated the current kingdom, it was said to be a bloody entertainment center for a fallen Empire's Emperor. White stone, towering arches, magical reinforcements that made it gleam in the sunlight.

It was beautiful. And completely surrounded by military checkpoints.

"That's not normal," Isabella said.

"No. It's not." I studied the scene. "Three checkpoints on the main road alone. Guards in heavy armor. War mages on the walls."

"Someone's expecting trouble," Helena observed.

"Or someone's creating it." I pulled out the tournament invitation. "Let's see if they actually let us in."

We approached the first checkpoint.

A captain stepped forward, middle-aged. "Halt. State your business."

"One of Astral Haven Academy. Here for the Inter-Academy Tournament." I handed him the invitation.

He examined it carefully.

"You're Hadeon Ravana?"

"I am."

"The one Baron Celestius filed charges against."

"Also me. Is that a problem?"

"Depends. Are you planning any... disruptions... during the tournament? We heard that you are....well...."

I eyed him. "Only the disruption of winning. Is that allowed?"

His lip twitched and lmost a smile. "You've got stones, I'll give you that." He handed back the invitation. "You're cleared. But be warned, any trouble and any incidents, and you'll be arrested immediately. Understood?"

"Perfectly."

He waved us through.

The second checkpoint was similar. So was the third.

By the time we reached the city gates, I was certain that someone had specifically requested heightened security around our group.

The Baron? The League? Or new enemy?

Inside the city, the tournament atmosphere was muted. Normally these events were celebrations of festivals and such, banners, music, crowds.

Instead, there were patrols and suspicion causing high tension.

"Something must have happened," Marcus said quietly.

We found out what at the registration hall.

A massive board listed all participating academies and their status:

- Astral Haven Academy: ARRIVED (both teams)

- Crimson Spire Academy: ARRIVED

- Shadowgrove Academy: ARRIVED

- Ironheart Military Academy: ARRIVED

- Mystholm Institute: ARRIVED

- Stormwatch Academy: ARRIVED

- Goldleaf Merchant Academy: WITHDRAWN.

- Ruins Academy: INCIDENT - UNDER INVESTIGATION.

"What happened to Ruins Academy?" Isabella asked a nearby official.

The official lowered her voice. "Their team was attacked two days ago on the road. Three students killed and two critically injured. The organizers are investigating, but..." She glanced around nervously. "There are rumors that it was some kind of criminal organizations that are out for blood. Seems they're after a team."

My blood ran cold.

"Which teams?"

"No one knows for sure."

We thanked her and moved away.

"We're targets," Lucille said quietly.

"Obviously."

"So what do we do?"

I looked at the coliseum. At the tournament bracket being posted. At the eight schools, sixteen teams, all preparing to compete.

Some of them were allies. Some were enemies. Some were innocent bystanders about to get caught in a war they didn't understand.

"We compete of course," I said with a slight smile. "We win. We make ourselves too valuable to eliminate quietly. And we stay alert. Because they're coming. The reason they attacked those teams was to strike fear into everyone. Those bastards, they're trying to play with me!"

Before they could say anything acommotion at the entrance drew our attention.

Victoria Ironheart had arrived.

She walked through the registration hall like she owned it, her presence making people instinctively move aside. When she saw us, she nodded once.

Message: We need to talk.

Right behind her, Kaeel Nightwhisper slipped in, quieter in a less obvious way but equally focused. She caught my eye and tilted her head toward a side corridor.

Then Adrian entered.

He'd changed since I'd last seen him.

He seem more harder somehow and more focused. Less of the golden boy persona, more of the desperate warrior. His team followed, those still loyal to him.

He saw me. We locked eyes across the hall.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then he nodded slightly.

"This is going to be interesting," Ravenna murmured.

"That's one word for it," I replied dryly.

The registration official called for attention. "Welcome to the 73rd Inter-Academy Tournament! Opening ceremonies begin tomorrow at dawn. Team assignments and bracket postings will be finalized tonight. Accommodations have been arranged at the Imperial Hotel..."

An explosion shook the building, making the ground tremble and the glass windows to rattle. Everyone ducked and went on defensive positions immediately but the explosion wasn't close three blocks away, but it was still loud enough to shake everyone.

Alarms started blaring as guards rushed toward the source.

"What the hell...." Marcus started.

Another explosion, but this time it was coser..

Then a third.

"Everyone to shelter!" a guard captain shouted. "This is not a drill! MOVE!"

Chaos erupted and tudents running. Officials scrambling. Guards forming up. Formation lighting up.

Victoria appeared beside me like a disappearing ghost. "Told you they'd try something. Come on. My people have a safe house. You and your inner circle....now."

"What about the rest of my faction?"

"The guards will handle them. Right now, they need you alive. Let's go!"

She didn't wait for agreement. Just grabbed my arm and pulled.

Kaeel materialized on my other side. "She's right. Those explosions are cover. The real attack is coming. Move!"

I signaled my inner circle. "With me! Everyone else, follow the guards to shelter! Damian, you're in command until I return!"

"Young Master...."

"That's an order!"

We ran.

Behind us, the explosions continued.

And somewhere in the chaos, I heard a loud terrifying laughter that seems to twist in the ear.

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