The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Ulysses smiled, and he wasn't offended by the student in front of him.

It wasn't too surprising since she probably had some sort of ability to detect strong individuals, so she approached him. However, it seemed that this ability didn't work on someone stronger than her, or perhaps, someone who could hide their strength really well.

Anyway, Ulysses gestured toward a smaller figure near the back of the group—a boy who looked absurdly young, his hands tucked casually in his pockets as he chatted with the Headmaster of the Academy.

Claire's face burned.

That's him?!

The infamous Hayden Gray was just a... child?

Although she heard that Hayden was younger than Laxus, she didn't think too much of it as she believed that his appearance would be quite similar to Laxus' rough figure.

However, she was completely wrong.

It felt as if she was about to bully her younger brother and it didn't sit well on her.

Ulysses leaned in, his voice dripping with amusement. "Unless you'd rather fight me instead? I don't mind humiliating Solaris twice in one season."

Claire's composure shattered as she heard this. She wasn't interested in this person at all so she shook her head.

"Tch—! Forget it!" She then turned back and stormed off before her embarrassment could deepen.

Behind her, the Dawnspire students erupted into fresh laughter.

It was definitely an interesting sight. Because of that, they couldn't help but look at Hayden, who seemed not to care about what had happened just now.

***

As Claire retreated, her master followed beside her and his expression unreadable.

"Well," Fern mused, "that could've gone better."

Claire gritted her teeth. "I'll crush both of them in the arena."

Fern chuckled at this. "Good. But Hayden may not participate in the competition and is only here to watch… Also, maybe ask for a name first, next time."

Claire didn't respond as she knew that her master was definitely playing pranks on her. It was deliberate.

However, she didn't voice it out as there was no point arguing with her master.

Nonetheless, after this matter, Grandmaster Fern of Solaris Academy sent Claire back to their hotel and he made his way to the hotel where Headmaster Mensa and the Dawnspire delegation were staying.

The establishment, The Gilded Aerie, was reserved for visiting dignitaries and high-ranking academy officials. It may not be as extravagant as many other establishments owned by noble families, but it was still a decent place.

Fern was soon escorted to Mensa's private suite.

The two headmasters exchanged curt nods. They were rivals, but not enemies.

"Your student has spirit," Mensa remarked while pouring a glass of aged firewine. "But she lacks patience."

Fern grunted at this as he knew his student very well. "Claire doesn't believe in waiting. She wants to fight Hayden tonight."

Mensa was amused and looked at the old man. "And why should I allow that?"

"Because," Fern said, placing a small box on the table, "I'm willing to bet this on her victory."

Mensa's eyebrow arched as he opened the box.

Inside lay a Painite's Eye Amulet, a rare gemstone that enhanced the wearer's Aura conductivity by twenty percent.

"And what do you want from us?" Mensa asked as he snapped the box shut.

Fern thought for a moment before asking back.

"What can you give me? Or do you have a request? You don't have to give anything too valuable since we're the ones challenging you. However, make sure that once we win against him, it will be published in all newspapers that the one who defeated Laxus was defeated by my student. It will be in every journal in the whole kingdom."

Mensa then thought for a moment before nodding his head.

"Very well, if we lose, I will teach your disciple our Dawnbreaker Swordsmanship."

As soon as he said this, Fern's eyes lit up! He didn't expect that this retired Knight would be so willing to pass his own Swordsmanship!

"Deal!"

Fern immediately shouted, afraid that Mensa would suddenly change his mind. He couldn't let that happen.

***

Then, at precisely six in the evening, Hayden and Mensa arrived at The Iron Cage, a notorious tavern located deep in the residential area of the town.

From the outside, it looked like any other grimy tavern with smoke-stained windows, a creaking sign, and some drunken patrons.

But beneath the floorboards of its VIP room, there was something far more interesting.

Mensa led Hayden to the back of the VIP room where a bouncer eyed them.

"Evening, Kris…" Mensa said as he slid a silver coin across the counter.

The bouncer nodded and pocketed the coin before pressing a hidden switch beneath the bar.

With a low rumble, a section of the wall slid open, revealing a spiral staircase leading underground.

'Interesting, indeed.' Hayden thought as he realized that this place was truly different from what he had imagined.

'Are they running some illegal stuff here? Why is it so hidden? Furthermore, why is the headmaster aware of all of this? Is he some sort of thug before he became an Aura Knight?' Hayden mused as he couldn't help but feel curious about the Headmaster's background or history. It seemed really interesting now.

"Welcome to the Pit," Kris muttered.

Soon, Hayden and the Headmaster descended into the depths of the tavern.

After a few moments, Hayden's senses were assaulted by the thunder of cheering crowds.

There was a smell of blood all over the place, and the flickering glow of enchanted lanterns made him dizzy for a brief moment before he was able to adjust his eyes.

"The Pit, huh…" Hayden muttered as he didn't expect that the young girl before had actually chosen this arena to fight against him.

'What a bad taste…' He mused. After all, he didn't like the feeling of being caged to fight and watched by many other people for entertainment.

However, Hayden really liked the amulet that the Headmaster promised…

"I just have to endure for a bit and take that amulet."