The Winter Festival Gala’s competition site was bustling with excitement as night fell.
Hovercrafts and drones streaked across the sky, their cameras focused on the massive and vibrant venue below, broadcasting the event live across the entire star region.
The annual Winter Festival Gala often had the highest viewership of the year within the star region. People gathered in front of screens to watch teenagers in their prime fight valiantly on stage, radiating pride and brilliance. These young talents represented the future of the star region and were admired and idolized by countless fans.
Bright spotlights swept across the venue, and waves of enthusiastic cheers and applause filled the air. Spectators held up signs, shouting and screaming as if they were attending a concert—which, in many ways, was not far from the truth.
Thilan sat in the lively audience section, surrounded by students from Edess Academy. As one of the top six academies in the star region, Edess Academy enjoyed the privilege of having its exclusive seating area at the venue.
The academy’s black uniform featured intricate designs that struck a perfect balance between sophistication and elegance.
“Now, please welcome the students from Thunder Edge Academy!” The voice of the on-site host burst forth like a volcanic eruption, igniting the crowd’s cheers and emotions.
The girl heard the sudden surge of noise and excitement and saw a group of young knights enter the venue, riding warhorses. Clad in silver-blue armor, the knights’ horses were similarly adorned with matching barding. Entering at a slow pace, the group gradually picked up speed until they formed a precise triangular wedge formation. Their lances pointed skyward before being lowered in unison. A total of 102 knights, shimmering with electric brilliance, galloped rapidly around the venue, dazzling the audience.
The majestic and gallant display elicited deafening screams, with camera flashes lighting up the scene continuously.
Thunder Edge Academy, ranked sixth in the Four-Leaf Crystal Star region, was renowned for cultivating noble knights. Its students specialized in the Blade and Tide Sequences, with many graduates joining the Fedaration Army as officers or advanced mecha pilots.
A few minutes later, the knights and their lightning-clad warhorses stood neatly in a corner of the venue as the host made the next announcement.
“A beacon in the darkness, guiding you to salvation—please welcome the students from Relisa Academy!”
The crowd erupted again, their eyes turning to another corner of the venue as the doors opened. A procession of white-clad nuns holding candles entered the arena. Draped in veils and blindfolded with white cloth, they carried candles imbued with magical properties. Golden flames flickered uniformly atop the candles, radiating a sacred aura as they entered.
Once the procession of nuns reached the center, 26 figures in white robes trimmed with red, adorned with crimson wings, took flight. Forming an upward spiral in the air, they wielded flaming red cross-swords, their eyes also covered with red blindfolds.
Relisa Academy, ranked fifth in the star region, was famed for training clergy and law enforcement personnel. Its students specialized in the Light Feather and Blood Eye Sequences, with most graduates becoming priests or continuing their studies at universities before joining the Fedaration’s inspection agencies as investigators or judges.
Once their procession concluded, the host announced the turn of Edess Academy.
“The black rose in the darkness, an unyielding obsession—let’s welcome the students of Edess Academy!”
When Edess Academy’s students entered, the girl’s curiosity was piqued. From the venue’s corner emerged a line of students cloaked in black robes, their faces obscured by hoods. They carried lanterns in one hand and held azure roses in the other. Wherever they walked, thorny vines seemed to spread, exuding an aura of mystery and allure.
Ranked fourth in the star region, Edess Academy specialized in the Nature and Decay Sequences. Its students followed diverse paths, excelling in various fields. The academy was known for producing graduates who were poised, elegant, and enigmatic.
“A cascade of luminous data flows, showcasing the wisdom of the matrix—please welcome the students from Crystal Grid Academy!”
Following the host’s declaration, the night sky above the open venue lit up with shimmering blue dots that gradually drew closer. The audience realized that these were students walking through the air.
Clad in transparent, glass-like coats, they wore ring-shaped goggles streaming with dynamic data. Their coats, resembling display screens, showcased various equations and functions, glowing with colors that could shift between transparency and vivid hues. As they walked, virtual blue data tiles formed beneath their feet, creating platforms that carried them into the venue.
Crystal Grid Academy, ranked third, specialized in the Spirit Particle Sequence. Its graduates were often AI specialists, masters of mechanical control, and experts in data manipulation. Despite having the smallest enrollment among the top six academies, with fewer than 100 new students annually, its strength remained formidable, consistently occupying the top three spots in the sector and rivaling Hive Dominion Academy for second place.
“Elegant ladies, queens among swarms—please welcome the debutantes of Hive Dominion Academy!”
Wearing floral gowns, the students entered while playing violins. Their bodies swayed with the music, and the wide, ornate skirts twirled gracefully. Despite their seemingly fragile and non-threatening appearance, Hive Dominion Academy’s long-standing second-place ranking hinted at hidden depths of strength.
This prestigious all-girls school attracted many socialites from the star region. Known for expertise in music, art, and diplomacy, its students boasted extensive connections and illustrious family backgrounds rivaling even those of St. Ingo Academy.
“And finally, we present the pride of the Four-Leaf Crystal Star region, the eternal crown—St. Ingo Academy!”
The venue’s enthusiasm reached its peak as boys and girls in white and gold uniforms entered in pairs. Without performing any elaborate moves, their mere presence garnered thunderous applause.
After the entrance of the contestants from all six academies, the opening ceremony commenced with a speech by a representative of the Fedaration government, followed by brilliant fireworks illuminating the night sky.
That evening, the preliminary match began. It was a 30-on-30 team battle between Thunder Edge Academy and Relisa Academy. The match was intense from the outset. Thunder Edge Academy’s knights, riding their lightning warhorses, charged forward, while Relisa Academy’s students, clad in nun attire, formed a circular formation and stood their ground, holding copper flame lamps.
Radiant sacred flames rose from the ground, encircling the 30 students in a three-layered ring. At the center stood four students chanting incantations akin to songs. Angelic symbols and patterns appeared on the ground beneath them.
The four students slowly rose into the air, their hands interlocked to form a square formation. Pure white energy gathered behind them, materializing into snow-white wings.
The “Four-Angel Descent Ritual” temporarily elevated the four students to angelic status, boosting their power by one rank, with a maximum limit of Sequence 6—typically from Sequence 4 to Sequence 6.
Thunder Edge Academy’s charge broke through Relisa’s ring formation, but the four “angels” descended from above, wielding blazing holy swords made of light, launching counterattacks.
The two sides clashed repeatedly across the venue, until a single knight from Thunder Edge Academy leaped high atop his warhorse, thrusting his lance toward the last remaining “angel” with broken wings.
The shining lance crackled with electricity as it pierced through the magically constructed holy cross sword. Unfortunately, at the last moment, the wielder, exhausted, could not precisely control the direction, causing the lance to pass through the “angel’s” shoulder rather than delivering a critical blow.
Lightning struck the ground as the “angel” ascended, releasing golden, flaming cross swords that rained down, engulfing the battlefield and pinning it to the earth.
“The first round goes to Relisa Academy!”
The first match of the team competition ended with Relisa Academy claiming victory. By now, it was already 10 PM, marking the time for a temporary conclusion.
“That was spectacular~”
“I can’t wait for tomorrow’s matches~”
The audience, still abuzz with excitement and reluctant to leave, gradually departed amidst lively discussions. Thilan, holding Dolores’s hand, descended the steps with her.
They didn’t need to leave the venue. They only had to wait for the crowd to disperse before their academy’s dedicated large aircraft would descend to take them back to school.
During this interim, students from the six major academies began gathering on the open ground in the venue, sizing each other up. Some were quite familiar and engaged in catching up or playful banter.
“Relisa Academy isn’t very impressive this year. They almost let Thunder Edge Academy turn the tables in the end,” Thilan overheard a familiar voice as she approached. It was Jinzerk, teasing a blond-haired youth from Saint Ingo Academy.
“That’s somewhat true. If Thunder Edge Academy’s students were allowed to pilot mechas in the match, I doubt any other academy could stand a chance. But if that were allowed, it’d be outright unfair.”
Though Thunder Edge Academy had been defeated, there were no boos from the crowd. As someone remarked, their graduates mostly became Federation pilots. Controlling warhorses was just a school-time pastime. After all, the competition couldn’t realistically allow them to pilot mechas.
“You’re not allowed to mock Sister Filia!” A girl in a white robe, her eyes covered with a white blindfold, protested angrily in front of the two. She seemed to be a first-year student from Relisa Academy.
Jinzerk burst into laughter at her innocent protest. Just as he was about to retort, a slightly more mature woman with purple hair approached. She placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him.
A chilling magical force spread, and Jinzerk froze as if petrified. However, this wasn’t entirely accurate since his eyes were darting around wildly, winking at other students as though pleading for help.
“No one’s mocking your Sister Filia. He’s just too young and foolish,” the mature purple-haired woman said, leaning down to gaze at the golden-haired novice nun in front of her.
“Ugh…” Overwhelmed by her imposing aura, the first-year nun hid behind her companions, eliciting a round of laughter from the surrounding crowd.
“Enough, Lulian. Stop teasing my ‘younger sisters.'”
As the commotion drew everyone’s attention, a blonde woman with a commanding air approached. Her blue eyes still shimmered faintly with golden light—a remnant from the “angel” who had remained on the battlefield until the end.
“You’re here, Filia.” The purple-haired woman, Lulian, crossed her arms and casually brushed her hair back, eyeing the other with mild scrutiny.
The two were longstanding rivals and had crossed paths several times during the Winter Festival Banquet.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they stood side by side, gazing at the gradually emptying venue. A sense of mutual respect seemed to grow between them.
“This must be our last match before graduation,” Filia said with a touch of melancholy.
“Haha, don’t tell me you’re feeling reluctant,” Lulian chuckled softly.
“I’m planning to continue my studies at Dexiumi University in the Dark Cloud Star Region. What about you?” Lulian inquired further.
“Me? I haven’t decided yet. The teachers are suggesting I go to the Federation Central’s Flying Feather Star Region, but I’m more drawn to the remote Windreed Meadow Star Region,” Filia replied.
“The Windreed Meadow Star Region? Isn’t that a designated grazing zone? No wonder your teachers are against it. A genius like you heading there would be such a waste,” Lulian commented indifferently.
“A waste is a waste. I’m not the kind to chase fame or status,” Filia said, seemingly coming to a decision.
“Suit yourself. Not like my opinion matters. But if you really do end up in the Windreed Meadow Star Region, let me know. I might visit during my university vacations,” Lulian said.
“Of course,” Filia replied with a smile.
While the two reminisced, the freshmen nearby were buzzing with discussions.
“Who’s that purple-haired woman? She looks really strong.”
“That’s Lulian, the ‘Venomous Flower’ from Edess Academy. She’s one of the top five in her school and has advanced to Sequence 5: Violet Poison Bloom (Perfect-Grade). She’s also the vice president of Edess Academy’s student council.”
“And the blonde next to her? No need to even ask. That’s Filia, one of the top three at Relisa Academy for years. She’s advanced to Sequence 5: Holy-Eyed Maiden (Perfect-Grade) and is a renowned figure in her academy.”
“Ooo…” The freshmen continued to chat about the famous figures from both academies.
As Thilan and Dolores moved closer, Thilan’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Saint Ingo Academy’s group. They stood at a distance from Edess Academy’s students, as the organizers knew the rivalry between these two academies was the most intense among the top six. The next major conflict would be between Hive Dominion Academy and Crystal Grid Academy, whose ideologies also clashed fiercely.
“Hmph.”
In the distance, a girl wearing a blue light-ring visor levitated, raising her hand. Blue cubes formed in the air, firing beams of light. Though they didn’t hit, they caused the opposing group to scatter and dodge in disarray.
“Binary, you’ve gone too far!” A curvaceous woman with pale golden hair and a staff in hand frowned, raising kaleidoscopic, mirror-like shields to protect her companions.
The two groups were none other than Crystal Grid Academy and Hive Dominion Academy. The small skirmish quickly drew attention, and Thilan could vaguely spot several figures flashing across the sky. Those figures, Sequence 6 elites, were definitely not students but security personnel ensuring order at the venue.
Before long, a light barrier rose, separating the students from both academies. The potential conflict gradually subsided.
Conversations, reminiscences, teasing, and mocking voices filled the venue. This annual gathering provided a rare opportunity for the top academies’ talents to size each other up, their emotions swirling as they compared their strengths.
“Ah, the beauty of youth,” commented one elder on the main stage as he watched the students below, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
“Haha, indeed. There were so many thoughts back then, but at our age, all that remains is fond remembrance,” another elder replied.
Above the venue, a gray aircraft slowly descended. Finally, the arena fell quiet, ready to come alive again tomorrow night.