Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1555 - 536: Showdown
Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
Although Duke Davis remained unaware of Rein's full exploits within the Federation, covert reports had revealed to him certain aspects of the Ferdinand Forest Battle. Despite the strict gag order imposed by Menia at that time, fragments of the information had still found their way out.
Upon Duke Davis's statement, Jennifer, the elegant woman seated in the front row, instantly released a deep breath of relief.
It appeared that not all attendees were convinced of Rein's impending defeat.
Even though Rein had previously assured her there was no cause for concern whatsoever, Jennifer, as a mere commoner, couldn't help but feel a touch of unease.
Apart from her, Cleya experienced a similar wave of ease, her lightly creased brows gradually relaxing.
From her earliest years, tales of the Imperial Guardians had filled her ears, instilling in her an almost innate respect and awe for their prowess. In general, this contest had left her deeply anxious.
On the other hand, the wild barbarian lass Lagaray placed far greater trust in Rein, having personally observed his swift surge in power and the incredible deed of felling the massive Ancestor Dragon Kolaxius on the Frostwind Prairie just half a year prior.
Now, with yet another six months elapsed, it was anyone's guess how much further Rein's abilities had advanced.
To Lagaray, the much-hyped 'Storm Cloud' seemed scarcely a match for Rein at all.
"Duke Davis, that might not hold true. Yesterday, an ancestor delivered a report to the Imperial Royal Family, claiming his dragon companion Hazas has advanced into the elder dragon stage."
Just then, an aged aristocrat made his way along the walkway; it was Duke Drum, showing up tardily while sweeping a smug look over the crowd as he declared this.
"What! Elder dragon?" Duke Davis's face twisted in shock.
"How is that possible? Isn't the Green Dragon Hazas..." Duke Davis uttered part of his thought before abruptly cutting himself off, as though a sudden realization struck him.
The revelation prompted gasps from the nearby veteran nobles, aristocratic women, and debutantes alike. As pillars of the Dragan Empire, they possessed deep knowledge of dragons' developmental phases and unique traits.
An elder dragon, regardless of personal variations, typically wielded power from the Mid Stage up to the Epic Peak.
Combined with the might of the Dragon Rider Pantoscoke in person, could it really...
Duke Drum's announcement inevitably altered the countenances of the three ladies in the front row, who exchanged glances filled with irrepressible concern.
"See, Rein has arrived."
One of the noble maidens cried out, swiftly capturing the focus of every onlooker.
A striking youth clad in wizard's robes strode unhurriedly toward the arena's heart. Despite his youth, he carried himself with steady poise, a subtle grin playing at his lips. His vivid dark eyes gleamed like precious stones, evoking the most radiant lights piercing the midnight void.
Numerous veteran nobles encountering Rein for the initial time started murmuring softly to one another.
While Rein's reputation had reached many ears, laying eyes on him personally proved a fresh thrill for countless nobles, ladies, and young women.
"Is that Rein? The Empire's rising prodigy?"
"Incredibly youthful!"
"So youthful, and yet able to challenge His Majesty 'Storm Cloud'?"
...
Within the arena.
This marked Rein's debut appearance in the Royal Arena.
He scanned his surroundings. The venue resembled an Ancient Roman Colosseum, yet it was fortified by numerous High Rank Defensive Witch Arrays, causing the pale stone barriers and pillars to flicker with elaborate luminous designs.
Given his current prowess, Rein could effortlessly detect the vital forces circulating within those designs.
His attention initially locked onto the arena's central circular stands' most lavish area. A opulent balcony offered the prime vantage, featuring gold-trimmed barriers and refined carvings, clearly reserved for the Imperial Royal Family.
Rein also spotted the graceful and poised silhouette in that spot, lingering his look there briefly with a soft smile.
Menia occupied the prime seat on the grand balcony. Noticing Rein's subtle signal, she responded with her own warm smile and a nod.
To Menia's right sat Prince Everton, while a lovely young woman unfamiliar to Rein graced her left; this was Princess Renala.
"Aunt Menia, you don't appear concerned about Rein possibly losing, right?" Renala inquired with interest, clasping Menia's hand tenderly.
She knew of her aunt's bond with Rein, aware that he had saved her during a Federation trip. Still, observing her aunt's unwavering grin suggested no fear whatsoever of Rein's defeat in this bout.
"Indeed, I trust in Rein fully," Menia replied smilingly, giving Renala's pale hand a gentle pat.
Though Prince Everton maintained a smiling facade, he harbored total dissent deep inside.
As Rein pressed forward, he quickly identified a cluster of aura-suppressed powerhouses beside the royal balcony, among them the well-known 'Earth Pulse' Reginald.
Clearly, these dozen or so individuals were all Imperial Guardians, or put differently, elite Empire warriors of equivalent caliber.
"Hmm? So this is Rein? Remarkably potent, no doubt," remarked an old man dressed in a aqua-hued wizard robe, his features grave.
He had merely cast a quick probe at Rein's power, only to be rebuffed at the threshold.
To pull off such a defense, one's mental energy needed to rival that of a seasoned Dawn Wizard.
He had figured that for someone Rein's age, attaining Dawn level would already signify exceptional genius. But now, it was evident Rein's capabilities exceeded that assessment.