Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 131

Chapter 131: The Roar of the Arena

The arena roared with life. Cheers erupted like thunderclaps, and the sky lit up with colorful firecrackers. The excitement for the main round of the tournament was clear, the energy spreading like wildfire among the thousands of spectators who packed the seat and stands on side.

This was the moment they had been waiting for—the grand clash between the strongest contenders, the battle that would decide who would reach the final round at the prestigious Palace Ground.

Standing in the shadowy passage beneath the stadium, I let out a quiet breath, flipping a page of my book. The loud noises above barely reached me here, silent by the thick stone walls, but I could still feel the vibrations of the stomping crowd. It was chaotic above, but down here, it was calm—just the way I liked it.

The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena, carrying over the crowd like the voice of a god. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main round of this grand tournament! Today, we have 5 exhilarating battles lined up, and the victor of each will move one step closer to the ultimate glory at the Palace Ground!”

The crowd’s cheers swelled again. I barely glanced up from my book, waiting for my name to be called.

“Will it be Seraphine, the warrior driven by the dream to honor her late father?” the announcer continued dramatically. “Or perhaps Cutiepie, the mysterious, cute girl shrouded in intrigue?” His tone dripped with flair, and I imagined the crowd leaning forward in anticipation. “What about the dashing Knight Alex or Braun, the brutal warrior with strength to crush mountains? And let’s not forget the two fierce and determined young men who have fought their way here!”

I turned another page, feigning indifference, though I couldn’t help but smirk a little when the crowd screamed my name. “Cutiepie! Cutiepie!” I could hear a few boys yelling, their voices cutting through the noise.

The announcer added, “And if that wasn’t enough excitement for you, let me remind you—her Majesty, the Queen herself, is present today to witness the spectacle!”

My curiosity piqued, I glanced up, letting my eyes trail towards the VIP balcony. There she was—red-haired, regal, and breathtakingly elegant. The Queen sat on her throne, her presence commanding even from this distance.

By her side stood a woman dressed in royal finery, likely one of her closest attendants. I closed my book and stared at the Queen for a moment. Something about her was exciting me,

“Fighting with ber will be fun. She seems like a wild type. Hehehe..” I couldn’t help but grin over the thought.

The soft sound of approaching footsteps broke my thoughts. Turning slightly, I saw Seraphine walking toward me, her sword strapped to her side and a determined expression on her face.

Beside her was an older man—Darius, her guardian. The guy who called her that morning. His graying hair and weathered features spoke of years of experience, and he carried himself with an air of quiet authority.

“Hello there,” Seraphine greeted me warmly, stopping a few steps away.

I nodded politely, tucking my book under my arm. “Seraphine,” I replied. “It’s good to see you.”

She smiled and sat down on the bench beside me, her movements fluid and graceful. “I thought I’d come say hello before the battles begin,” she said. “I’m nervous, but… also excited.”

“You’ll do great,” I said simply.

Darius, who had remained silent until now, stepped closer, his sharp eyes studying me with an intensity that made me slightly uncomfortable. I raised an eyebrow at him. “Is something wrong?” I asked.

Seraphine noticed his gaze and frowned. “Darius? What is it?”

For a moment, he didn’t respond, his eyes unwavering. Then, he finally spoke, his voice low but clear. “Your friend is… remarkably beautiful. I was simply captivated.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his words. It wasn’t uncommon for people to comment on my appearance, but the way he said it felt… different. Seraphine laughed softly, breaking the tension.

“Darius, that’s hardly appropriate,” she teased, though her tone was light.

I inclined my head slightly. “Thank you, I suppose,” I said.

Darius gave a small, almost apologetic nod. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said before turning to Seraphine. “I have some matters to attend to. I’ll be back soon.” With that, he walked away, his cloak flowing behind him.

I watched him leave, a faint frown on my face. What was that about? I wondered. There was something in his gaze—a recognition, perhaps? Or was I reading too much into it? Shaking off the thought, I turned back to Seraphine.

“Are you ready for your battle?” I asked.

She nodded. “I think so. I’ve trained hard for this moment. No matter who I face, I’ll give it my all.”

“Even if it’s me?” I asked, a small smile playing on my lips.

She chuckled. “Especially if it’s you. I want to test myself against the best.”

“Well, I won’t hold back,” I said. “No grudges, though?”

“None,” she agreed. “Let’s make it a fight to remember.”

The announcer’s voice boomed again, cutting through our conversation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over! The first battle of the day will now begin!” The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching new heights. “Seraphine, versus Braun, the brutal giant! Contestants, please make your way to the stage!”

Seraphine stood, her expression hardening with resolve. “That’s my cue,” she said, adjusting her sword. She glanced at me, her smile returning briefly. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” I said simply, watching as she made her way toward the arena. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as she stepped into the light, her figure felt small by the grand stage. Braun followed shortly after, his hulking form a stark contrast to Seraphine’s lean frame. His eyes were dead, devoid of emotion, and the massive axes strapped to his back gleamed menacingly in the sunlight.

I leaned back against the wall, my book closed. Will she be okay? I wondered, my eyes narrowing as I studied Braun’s movements. He radiated brute strength, but Seraphine had something he didn’t—grace and strategy. Still, the fight would be hard on her.

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena one last time.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the battle begins… NOW!”

The crowd roared, their cheers shaking the very ground as Seraphine and Braun faced off, their gazes locked into each other. The tension in the air was at its peak.

And then, with a single step, the fight began.