Drally, who was flying swiftly through the air, searched for a pond or any nearby structures. Meanwhile, Talon lay on Drally, his head resting on Gwen's body, visibly trembling with restlessness."Drally, increase your speed," Gwen urged, spreading her wings wider to accelerate their flight. Finally, Gwen caught sight of a reflective surface ahead. "Drally, get closer!" she shouted, diving downward in an attempt to inspect the area more closely to see if it was suitable for Talon.As Drally descended, Gwen confirmed that they were approaching a body of water. "Drally, we'll land here," Gwen gently tapped Drally's scales as they neared the edge of the pond, surrounded by trees. Drally made a stop there.Drally took a deep breath and unleashed a controlled fire breath to burn the nearby bush, simultaneously switching to ice breath to freeze the burnt trees. As Drally touched down on the ground, the earth quaked, causing the frozen, burnt particles to break and shatter. Drally let out a

Talon, unable to find any words, watched as Gwen departed, knowing he was the cause of their current situation. He saw no fault in her actions and simply accepted the consequences. "Damn! I suppose I'll just have to go along with it. This might be the beginning of my suffering," Talon thought to himself, contemplating the potential repercussions Gwen had in store for him.Talon exited through the same door, walking with a sense of resignation. He knew his destination was the Arena, and he headed in that direction. Along the way, he noticed a middle-aged man with black hair, not particularly imposing in size but incredibly tall. The man wore a combat outfit and had an earpiece in his ear. Talon had to crane his neck to get a good look at him as their paths crossed in the hallway."Talon, report to the Protector's Office," the man commanded, motioning for him to follow.The Protector was the individual responsible for overseeing all the NewBlood Initiates and handling any dangers they e

************Deep beneath the surface, hidden 500 feet below, lay an extensive underground domain carved from solid rock. Intricate stone tunnels led the way down in a gradual decline, dimly illuminated by White lights. As the path leveled out, it opened into a vast hall. Here, the stone had been expertly sculpted and reinforced to form the foundations of an subterranean palace. Flickering lights danced across polished walls inlaid with precious gems, reflecting off carvings and embellishments. Marble pillars held the high ceiling, from which hung an array of illuminated crystals serving as a substitute for the sun's rays so far below. Built into the cave's shadows were elegant suites, halls and studies furnished with treasures from above and below.Guarding the perimeter were stern-faced sentries bearing the indigo brand of a demon anchor upon their brows. Their weapons were sheathed but their hands rested readily upon the grips. Further guards stood watch at regular posts dow

"The betting portal has been closed, signaling the beginning of the game. Teams A and B are requested to come on stage. In front of you, there is a portal that will facilitate your entry into the game. Make good use of it," the instructor announced.Teams A and B promptly rose from their seats, their eyes fixed on the doorway that appeared before them, resembling a rippling tear in the air. They exchanged glances before confidently stepping through the portal.Now, both teams found themselves standing on the battlefield—a floating podium devoid of any visible entrances, which justified the necessity of the portal. The battlefield emanated a captivating golden aura, reminiscent of the Martial Center Arena.With the instructor no longer required on stage, he effortlessly vanished into thin air, leaving the audience and the newly initiated participants in awe. They marveled at how the instructor consistently managed to disappear without a trace—a testament to his status as an enigmatic

This was precisely what Logan had intended, and it seemed to be unfolding perfectly according to his plan. He knew that fear often led to hasty decisions.Ragon lay on the ground, incapacitated by Logan's strike. "Ragon!" cried out a beautiful girl in a form-fitting gown and a golden robe. Clutching her staff, she hurried toward Ragon's location. She possessed a slender physique and an appealing figure, with flowing golden hair cascading down her back.Flary, a member of Team A, had always harbored feelings for Ragon, although he had never seemed to reciprocate them. Now, she saw this as her chance to demonstrate her love, so she knelt beside Ragon, intending to heal him. "By the power of the Divine Virtues within me, grant your noble servant strength," the Holy Mage of Team A whispered as she grasped Ragon's hands. Her eyes glowed with a radiant energy that slowly drained from her.From his position, Ragon witnessed Logan defeat five of his teammates and issued a command,"What are