The Ancient Genes

Arena, Ocien Academy.

A huge crowd filled the stands. The atmosphere all around seemed to be cheerful as people were excited for the start of the Competition. Until a day ago, if anyone asked if the place was going to be this crowded, then most people would have said no, honestly.

It was a known fact that Erina, the star of the Ocien Academy, as well as a popular figure in Ocean, had been pulled out of the participating card. Aside from that, there have been a few more switches due to various reasons. This really made the Ocien team to be only Subpar with only one or two decent people left.

This definitely was a let down for the people of the Ocien, and when things were looking down, a shock came that no one expected.

….

Two days ago..

Conference Room, Ocean Academy.

"Are we allowed to be here?" Janet asked as she looked at Aria. They were all present in the outer seats of the Auditorium sized conference room. Except for Elly who was with the little girl back in the room, everyone else was present here.

"Don't you see so many empty seats? I am sure there is no problem.." Aria spoke with a smile.

The place was half filled at most. And, most of these people were from the Academies, and some media personnel as well.

As for why they were all present here…

Well, the Ocien Academy had yet to announce the event for the Competition. And, to be honest, they were already a day late to it. This had resulted in a protest from other Academies.

So, today was probably the day of some answers.

But, looking at the stage where the Current Leader of the Ocien was standing while sweating a bit, it didn't seem that anything good was about to come out of this. Even the Headmaster who was sitting right next didn't seem to be in a good mood.

It seemed that things hadn't gone for them well. Certainly not as planned.

"Why has there been such a delay in the announcement? Is there any explanation for this situation?" Suddenly, the Academy Head of Zealand Academy spoke up while looking at the Centre of the stage.

The Headmasters surely had the authority to question, not to mention his matter had to be questioned.

"Doesn't this count as unfair to the rest of the Academies?" Another voice rang from the first row.

"I apologize for the delay. But, I hope you understand the circumstances that have originated after the Incident in Ishtar.." The Headmaster of the Ocien Academy spoke up with a serious look on his face. Honestly, he was just trying to shift the attention here.

The real problem was something else. There students had been injured, and the substitutes were not at the level of the competitions.

This had really messed up their original plan. And, now they had to change it all. But, the time was definitely not enough. He had given the students time to think of something that they would excel at. Something that would give them a fighting chance, no matter how much they exploited the rules of the competition .

But, they couldn't come up with anything.

How could he allow them to participate like this?

He knew that the chances of winning were none, but if they didn't even put up a good fight, then the reputation of their Academy would go down the drain. He definitely couldn't afford that. That was the last thing he wanted to see.

Honestly, he wanted to delay it for another day if possible. But, the pressure was building up, and at this time a friend reached out to him and with a solution to his problem. And, this gave him a good surprise.

'I hope that guy isn't fooling around. But, he cares about Ocien's reputation as much as I do. He won't pull a prank like this..' The Headmaster of Ocien thought internally.

"Are we going to hear it today or not? I thought this was an announcement for the event.." Someone spoke from the hall.

Many students too seemed to be irritated at Ocean's behavior.

"We will announce it shortly.." Zen, the current leader of the Ocean Academy, spoke up replying to the student who had spoken up.

"Are you sure you even have something to announce?" A voice suddenly rang out with a little mocking to it. And, everyone's attention shifted to that person.

It was Melan Roxley.

He was there in the first row as well standing right beside the Headmaster of his Academy.

"I am sorry for my words. But it seems, you are just trying to go round and round. It has been more than half an hour. And, we haven't heard anything about the event. Is it because you haven't decided on it? Is it due to the fact that most of your students are out of action?"

Those words were like rubbing salt to the wound, and sure enough, Zen's face changed upon the stage.

And, the people in the audience too seem to realize the situation.

"It seems the students of Trinity really have the patience of a toddler…" A feminine voice suddenly sounded in the hall, and everyone slightly turned their head to notice a figure walking down the hall towards the stage.

'Hmmn?' Kain, Lisa's brother who was calmly sitting in his place suddenly frowned. His interest in competitions has been going down recently with Max's exit. He had a feeling that it was all just playing around with rules to gain advantage now instead of actual combat. It didn't give him the feeling that he wanted any longer.

But, at this moment, something seemed to have reignited his interest as he looked towards the lady with deep crimson hairs walking towards the stage.

It was a figure too familiar, but appeared to be a little unfamiliar to him in the current situation.

It was Erina.

As Erina arrived upon the stage, she looked at the Headmaster who was a little surprised to see her as well.

"I am sure father has talked this with you.." Erina sent a silent message to him, and the Headmaster stopped himself from any further questioning. He had indeed talked things out with her father, the Lord. The man was the one who had promised to get him out of this situation.

Erina smiled as she walked past him, and took the center of the stage. She then looked at Melan for a second before her eyes scanned all the leading students of the different Academy and came to a stop on Kain. He was no doubt the strongest among them all.

"I am here to announce the event. And, also to make sure that there was no injustice done due the delay, we have simplified the event this time," Erina spoke in a loud voice, "Ocien challenges all of the Academies into a Duel style battle. Beat us if you can, let the last one standing be the winner.."