Dance With Darkness And Light - Chapter 26 Slapping Faces Before The Trials

As he passed the gate and entered the military training grounds, a vast space unveiled itself behind the walls. With ten elevated platforms in it, each the size of a football field, an area with hundreds of wooden poles, dozens of barracks and a huge mansion, this was still considered only half of the space. The mansion was built in front of the cliff of a mountain. Next to the estate were two huge cave entrances that lead into the cliff, two stone gates adorned the entryway with slightly glowing runes.

“Aaaah, if this isn’t the number one womanizer from the kingdom of Ralun. This elder brother really has a lot to learn!” An unfamiliar voice reached Bazuul from somewhere to his side. He traced the origin of the voice after it ended with a snicker. After a short moment, he saw a young man with covered but still visible disdain in his eyes. From the sigil on his chest, he was able to determine that this youngster came from the seafaring kingdom of Dias. Because he used the term little brother, he also should be a prince. Unless of course, the kingdom of Dias intended to drop all considerations of face. Bazuul wouldn’t care either way, his brows furrowed and he indifferently said, “Ahoy, brother! Regardless of who you are, some things can never be learned!” Then he looked back around the vast space ahead, wondering what the trials would be, not caring for the rascal on the side.

With that being said, Bazuul indicated that either you had it, or you didn’t and probably that he simply wasn’t good enough. The diasian prince, of course, understood the meaning behind these words. His face already darkened the moment his target greeted him with an ahoy. The following line, of course, didn’t help. Most of all, now his target acted as if he was air. The people in the vicinity also slowly noticed the rising tension around those two and prepared themselves for a good show.

“I am Hugo Dias, the third prince from the kingdom of Dias, fifteen years old! Little brother Bazuul should maybe watch his tone and show some respect to his elders!” He said under gritted teeth.

“Elders?!” Bazuul asked with a contorted face that held a lot of ridicule before breaking out into laughter. After a good while, he looked back up at him, but when their eyes met, he broke into laughter again. Eventually, Bazuul caught hold of himself and looked at him seriously before he said, “Listen, kid, what elders?! You are just fifteen years old, did your hair even start to grow yet? Get a grip and know your place! You don’t like how I talk? This is how it works here on land! If you don’t like it, then go back home and play with your little ships! Now if that’s all, Hugo!”

Many among the crowd couldn’t help but chuckle at the vicious tongue of this young ralunian. Others, on the other hand, wondered who this young teenager was to have the courage to talk to a prince like that. For he casually slapped his face and then dismissed him as if he was a simple commoner. Karon was also among one of the crowds, but he didn’t intend to help and hid out of sight within the masses.

Since most of the competitors weren’t princes or even nobles, they always had to be aware of their surroundings. Though, these high-profile individuals would not be able to harm them right here, but what about within the shadows of the trials? What about after the trials, on their way home? Some already started discussing, “Who is that boy? Does anyone know?” Many questions like these were asked within the clusters of observers. If arrogance had a name, they were convinced that this one here carried it, and they wanted to know which it was.

An ethereal voice, the voice of a fairy seeped into the ears of Bazuul, Hugo and the crowd around them. “I told you it was useless, third prince. This good-for-nothing prince has no manners to speak of!” She said with a tinge of coldness as she walked beside Hugo. The crowd was in awe at her beauty and seemed entranced by her. Her glossy black hair rolled down her curvaceous back, her skin was as white as jade, and her face, adorned by two emerald dots that gazed at the world from above. Though she seemed just as young as this ralunian boy, one could already imagine what kind of beauty would become of her in the future.

Someone suddenly exclaimed, “That…thats princess Emilia Quintana, the second princess of the iberan kingdom!” Many were still in awe; they had heard a lot about the beauty of this particular princess. As many of them were young men, their instincts kicked in. The feeling to flatter her, to protect her, or to conquer her among others rose within their hearts. Yet, before they could feast their eyes further, another voice kicked them out of their dreamy atmosphere.

“Emilia Quintana, second princess of the iberan kingdom, huh? So you are that honorless trash that spits on her father’s grave?” He asked and then looked around for someone whilst yelling, “Could someone here take the trash out? It’s really much too unsightly!”

“This…this vicious tongue again!” Many onlookers thought to themselves shocked. Then again, others felt angered. They had the thought to teach this boy a lesson, and maybe that way they could get on her good side.

“BAZUUL, WATCH YOUR TONGUE!” Hugo and Emilia erupted in chorus. The latter’s face darkened in a crimson tone, due to the humiliation. Some onlookers now finally identified who this arrogant teenager was. The fourth prince of Ralun, Bazuul Ylvazad. Some well-informed youngsters finally realized what this was about. Hugo and Emilia were ganging up on Bazuul due to the news of them cutting off their marriage. Basically, Ibera had been shamed by their own actions, and because they couldn’t face this humiliation, they ganged up on Ralun with the help of Dias. Thick-skinned indeed!

Karon naturally still kept mum, hoping that the third prince of Dias would do what he didn’t dare to do openly.

“Aaah, I see, you have rehearsed this scenario quite a lot. You’re even able to reprimand me simultaneously…hahaha. Now then, piss off back into your corners. The trials should start soon, and I don’t intend to pollute myself with your disrespectful and distasteful kind!” Bazuul continued, ridiculing them further with his mocking tone and savage words.

Hugo’s face darkened again and again. There was no way for him to irritate this prince in front of him. All he did was continually lose face. Worst of all, in front of Emilia, his dream woman. Right now, he was deciding whether to let it go and wait until the trials started, or to attack him now and vent his anger directly. That of course, would immediately disqualify him from the trial. Yet, it was extremely tempting to finally humiliate this brat in front of his former fiance. Before he could decide though, three knocks shook the ground and the air around them.

Unbeknownst to most of them, the organizers of this year’s trial had arrived and already stood atop an elevated stage. An elder with grey hair and a long wooden staff stood in front of all the other people on the stage. He looked across the masses and his gaze pressured all these youngsters into silence. He nodded slightly, cleared his throat and started his speech.

“Welcome, young heroes of the Seven Kingdoms! I will make this short! I’m the judge appointed to oversee these trials by the Directorate, you may call me grand elder Efyr. The ten virtuous men and women behind me are elders from the Directorate and will overlook the trials at any time. The hidden dragon trial itself consists of three tests in total. The first would be the measuring of your cultivation and elemental or magical affinity through the spirit grading stones that were prepared to your right. Due to the difficulty of this year’s trial, everyone below stage three of the true qi realm will be disqualified from going on further but may assist people of their kingdom in the second trial. This would be, the lightning labyrinth within the mountain behind me.

As you can see, the left hole beside the mansion is the entrance, and the right hole is the exit. Within the labyrinth are many traps and mechanisms, so beware. Of course, there are also treasures hidden within. Exiting from the right hole qualifies you for the third trial, which will then determine the top ten competitors through a skirmish on the ten battle platforms, depending on the remaining challengers.

Now line up at the spirit grading stones and wait for your turn!”