The Moonlight Swordsman

The atmosphere at the table grew hushed as Soren and Aizel remained seated, their thoughts seemingly lost in the moment.

The empty plates showed that everyone had finished eating. 

With a collective sigh, the group gradually stood up, ready to depart from the castle alongside Ashlyn. 

"Are you not using your portals?" Aizel asked.

"I can\'t. I don\'t have permission to open a portal in the arena," Ashyln replied.

"That means we have to hire a carriage to go all the way there?" Raven asked.

"Yes, but renting horses much be better," Ashlyn replied.

As Ashlyn led the group through the busy streets, the sound of their footsteps on the cobblestones could be heard. 

They navigated their way past quaint small houses and towering skyscraper-like structures. The cityscape transformed around them, blending elements of tradition and modernity.

They finally got to the horse stable, which was full of activity and the soft neighing of horses.

After that, they rented nine beautiful horses, each of which was perfectly suited to the needs of its rider.

As they embarked on their journey, the rhythmic sound of hooves echoed through the streets, carrying them away from the city and toward their destination.

Ashlyn and her horse led the way at the front of the group. Behind her, Raven and Zareena maintained a close formation.

Soren and Edumont were in the middle, riding next to each other. Their horses were moving in perfect sync. 

And bringing up the rear, the quartet of Daisy, Hazel, Seraphine, and Aizel rode together. 

"Your\'s competition will be first right?" Aizel asked.

"Yes," Hazel replied.

"So... What a potion-making competition will be like? 

"Do you just need to make a potion and then every participant\'s potion will be checked and the result will be decided on who did the best?" Aizel asked.

"You are half correct. We will be told to make a specific potion in the given time.

"The result will be based on whose potion has the most effective use," Hazel replied.

"So the potion which you made that makes us invisible for 2 minutes. If someone made the same potion that can make us invisible for 5 minutes, that means that person won,"

"Exactly."

"It seems I need to give you my blessing so that you can perform well," Aizel said.

"Hihi.. I hope I won\'t get bad luck from that,"

"Oii, what that\'s supposed to mean,"

After a few hours of traveling, they reached their destination, which was a majestic colosseum surrounded by tall mountains and a lush forest. 

There was a buzz of excitement in the air as crowds of people lined up in orderly lines, eager to get into the big venue.

The huge building drew everyone\'s attention, and the natural beauty around it made it look even bigger and more impressive.

Crowd pushed forward, each person eager to see how the upcoming event would play out in the arena\'s grand surroundings.

"Don\'t tell me, we are going to battle here? This shit will break with one attack," Aizel said.

"Just have some patience idiot," Ashyln replied.

Hmm, so they might have someone who can make protective shields or barriers something like this," Aizel thought.

[Or what about a vast space inside the Colosseum?]

Possible,"

"So how are we going in through that?" Aizel asked pointing towards the big sea of people in front of the entrance.I think you should take a look at

"Through the portal now," Ashlyn replied, opening a portal for them.

*Tsk* Should have let us do that in the first place,"

In an orderly procession, they stepped through the mystical portal. As they emerged on the other side, they found themselves in a vast and ornate hall, adorned with intricate tapestries and gleaming chandeliers. 

"They are here," Xavior said.

Aizel looked around the hall, taking in the familiar faces of the people.

The king sat on a plush couch with a goblet of richly colored alcohol in his hand. Yotum stood behind him, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a watchful intensity. 

Among the gathering of noble heads, Aquarian found his place, engaging in conversations and exchanging nods with his peers. 

Aizel\'s eyes then fell upon the distinctive presence of the Kingsley family\'s mages, their presence marked by their distinctive attire and quiet composure.

"I have never seen Kingsley\'s family head," He whispered silently to Seraphine.

"She doesn\'t join any meetings or events. She is very secretive and only listens to King\'s order." She replied.

"Does she know what happens in her family? Is she responsible for it?"

"I don\'t know about that. Why did you ask?" 

"Nothing just forgot about that part,"

"You seem different once again," 

"Umm.. how so?"

"It\'s like you are changing from time to time. The first time I met you were like a mage who has just stepped into this world.

"Then after some time your personality changes suddenly. It felt like you were afraid of killing someone first but then all of a sudden you don\'t care about anyone.

"It\'s like you don\'t care for anyone in this world whether they live or die.

"Inside of you is like a mixture of emotions and different personalities."

"I can still feel, you are changing once again,"

Aizel stared at her for a second and then said, "You know, this is the first time I have heard you speak so much.

"And you are wrong about one thing,"

"What is that?"

"I care about others. But they are only a few of them," Aizel replied.

"Now you have talked about this, answer my one question,"

"Speak,"

"How do you feel when you see him," He slowly whispered in her ear.

Seraphine stare at him in rage and didn\'t reply.

"Huh... see, you are not different from me. I bet you would do anything just to get your revenge,"

Aizel left after saying that and sat beside Daisy who was chatting with Hazel. 

"What were you guys talking about?" Suddenly Zareena appeared behind her.

"Nothing... just something related to battle,"

"Then why do you have a serious look on your face?"

"Just realized something about myself," she said, with her eyes on the king in the distance.