Chapter 301


    "Miss E, you''ve gone too far!" the Citadel Protégés fumed with embarrassment and anger.


    "Thought you were struck dumb, did you?" E shot them a defiant nce, taunting them silently


    with a smirk as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?"


    vinughed. E''s ''joke'' was timely and effective, a perfect reminder for them to think before


    they acted on impulse.


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    The white-haired Elder pulled out two golden badges and ced them on a stone before him, then


    left without a backward nce. They had all momentarily forgotten that Jarad might return at any


    moment, and that cantankerous old wizard was not one to be trifled with. He was capable of


    anything. It was better to leave now before things escted further. They had more pressing


    matters to attend to, like uncovering the secrets of Antis. For today, it would serve as a warning to


    the Protégés of the Blessed Citadel not to underestimate the talents from the outer realms.


    "We acknowledge your title as the Shadowlord''s Messenger. Until we meet again." the Citadel


    Protégés grudgingly conceded, helping Sveinn and Erica as they all left.


    Marak followed in silence; his earlier bravado was gone. Yet, when he looked back at vin, the


    malice in his eyes had deepened. After being repeatedly humiliated, his patience was at its limit.


    "vin, our next encounter won''t be so simple. We shall see," he vowed silently.


    vin''s smile remained, but a lethal intent had taken root in his heart. This threat needed to be


    dealt with swiftly, lest it bring disaster. s, he did not have the energy to deal with it now.


    E, perceptive as ever, whispered, "Keep him around, y with him slowly, and y him to


    death."


    "You''re amazing!" Oda eximed, rushing to vin, eyes wide with admiration. "I want to be strong


    too, to defeat mighty foes in the arena."


    Lucan and the others were full of admiration. To think that the Protégés of the Blessed Citadel had


    been bested by their young lord. What impressed them even more was hispleteck of


    psychological pressure, as if he did not regard them as Protégés of the Citadel at all, but merely as


    opponents. To disregard the Citadel with such audacity was truly inspiring.


    They had been oppressed by the Cobalt Strike Guild in the mines for eight years, ustomed to


    compromise and submission, so vin''s show of strength resonated deeply and was incredibly


    motivating. "If Lord vin fears nothing, neither should we! We need to act more boldly and not


    always rely on him to lead the charge."


    "Remember, let today''s events be as if they never happened," the Citadel Protégés reminded each


    other as they left the beast pit. If word got back to the Capital, it could provoke untold ridicule and


    possibly earn them the scorn of other Inner Protégés, a shame that would spread all the way to the


    Nortnds.


    They all nodded in agreement, vowing silence on the matter.


    Just then, whether E heard them or simply thought of it, she suddenly called out to their


    retreating figures, "Do you need my help to send the news back to the Capital?"


    The group turned back in outrage. That cursed woman, if this were the Minds, they would not let


    her off!


    "Consider it done then, no thanks needed. You go about your business. I''ll handle the publicity,"


    E dered, reveling in the chaos. Such intriguing tidings surely had to be spread through the


    Minds, with a fair share of fanfare in the Nortnds as well.


    Suddenly, one of the bold Protégés, Preytan, turned around and shouted, "vin! E!"


    "What is it, another challenge?" E was not averse to another bout.


    The male Protégé''s voice boomed across the beast pit, "In eight months, the ''Luminous Sanctuary''


    of the Capital will open, and the young heroes of the Royal Realm will be invited. I, on behalf of the


    Blessed Citadel, invite you to participate. The golden sigil you possess is your pass."


    "We''ll wait for you at the Luminous Sanctuary!" The Citadel Protégés cast a lingering nce at


    vin and strode out of the beast pit.


    "What is this Luminous Sanctuary?" vin inquired, having never heard of it.


    Carlys and the others were also unfamiliar, but E knew, "It''s a royal Sacred Territory. Officially, it''s


    called the Luminous Sanctuary, but it ismonly known as the Dimension of Vitality and Void. The


    royal family opens it periodically for two months every year. It is said to be the oldest and most


    mysterious range in the Royal Realm, preserved since ancient times in its primal state. Originally, it


    was an ancient battlefield, but it waster sealed by mysterious forces. It changed hands many


    times until finallying under royal control."


    "Why is it called the Dimension of Vitality and Void?"


    "The environment there is primal, filled with countless treasures but also many terrifying Magi-


    Monsters with ancient lineages. Every year, it attracts numerous young heroes from the Minds.


    It''s apletely sealed space teeming with danger, making it an ideal ce to settle scores. Man


    against beast, man against man, it''s all the same. Every year, thousands enter, and less than half


    survive. Over time, it came to be known as the Dimension of Vitality and Void."