Rlyis turned to her fellow judges, "I think," she said, her gaze flickering toward Raiven, "we need to have a discussion."
Sarrin gave a single nod. Eno remained quiet for a long mont, his arms crossed, but his piercing gaze lingered on both the construct and its creator.
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Without another word, Rlyis gave a small nod and turned, leading the other two back toward the judge’s table near the arena’s edge. The mont they distanced themselves from Raiven and the other competitors, the hushed whispers of their discussion began, their words too low for even the most perceptive disciples to hear.
Lassim, observing from a distance, could see each of them fully focused as they discussed their final verdict. Unlike the previous competitions, where decisions had been fairly swift, this ti, they were taking their ti. He did believe however, like most of the crowd, that there was a fairly clear winner.
Rlyis rested her fingers against the stone table, "We’ve seen so impressive work today. So of these constructs will undoubtedly have practical uses in the sect, while others require refinent before they can be viable." Her voice remained steady, but there was sothing else beneath it—acknowledgnt. "But this is different. This isn’t just useful—this is sothing new."
Eno, arms crossed, exhaled through his nose. "It doesn’t just improve upon what already exists—it introduces an entirely new way of constructing and modifying battle constructs. That kind of advancent is ridiculous." His sharp gaze flickered back toward the Volt Engine, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against his arm. "No function decay. No loss of material. No breakdown, even after a full minute of stress testing." He let out a short breath. "There’s nothing more to discuss."
Elder Sarrin, finally spoke, her tone carrying the finality of the one who oversaw the sect’s strongest formation. "It has potential far beyond what any of the others have presented. The others—while useful—are limited to current battlefield applications. This construct, however, is sothing that forces us to consider what will even co next in the future for arrays and constructs alike." She paused briefly before adding, "The decision is clear."
With that, Rlyis turned toward Ilyara, who had been watching them closely from her announcer’s podium, a knowing grin already tugging at the corners of her lips.
Rlyis gave her a subtle nod.
Ilyara clapped her hands together once, and the coliseum’s murmurs imdiately died down.
"Well, there you have it, folks! The judges have reached a verdict, and now it’s ti to make it official!" Ilyara’s voice, carried effortlessly through the coliseum.
Ilyara let the tension settle before raising her voice once more, bringing an end to the anticipation.
"And so, the winner of this year’s Inventor’s Competition is—Raiven Dynros and the Volt Engine!"
The coliseum erupted. Whether they had expected it or not, there was no denying the impact of Raiven’s creation.
Raiven stepped forward and gave a deep bow first to the judges, then to the audience. He remained composed, acknowledging the recognition without excess. Rlyis took a step forward away from the judge’s platform, signaling for silence once more. As the applause faded, she spoke.
"As the winner of this year’s competition, Raiven Dynros’ Volt Engine will receive full sect backing. Eno and I will oversee its continued refinent, developnt, and mass production ensuring that its potential is fully realized."
A murmur ran through the entire stands. Though a single invention was always awarded this opportunity, in the history of the competition, not many had ever been granted official support from the sect’s Construct Division, with them announcing their support. Usually it was a carefully worded grace offered to the winning Personal Disciple by the Sect Master at the award’s ceremony as a formality. Their support at this stage was evident of its potential and the fact that they were quite eager to get their hands on it as soon as possible.
Elder Sarrin’s following words from behind Rlyis echoed out with her usual sternness, "However, this is only the first step. Your construct will undergo further testing and refinent. While its potential is evident, it must et the highest standards before it can be fully integrated into the sect’s forces."
Raiven nodded. "Understood, Elder."
Rlyis wasn’t finished as the applause from the crowd attempted to rise again. She raised her hand, and continued, "As part of your victory, let it be known that as its creator, you will receive a significant share of the profits as well."
Raiven bowed deeply once more. His expression barely changed, but it was clear that this was the part he had been waiting for.
Eno gave a short nod. "Your master’s guidance is evident in your work. This victory reflects well not just on you, but on your teacher as well."
Raiven kept his head lowered. "Thank you, Elders."
With the winner announced and the competition concluded, the disciples took their constructs back into their magic pouches and quickly began exiting the stage. With the last personal disciple and Elder stepping off, the sect’s arena formations activated once more, resetting the stage. The competition platforms shifted back into a neutral state, a large giant square.
Ilyara drew attention to herself once more, her voice carrying across the coliseum with practiced ease, "With that, the Inventor’s Competition has officially concluded! But don’t go running off just yet, because I’ve got one last announcent before we call it for the day."
The noise settled slightly as the audience shifted their attention back to her.
"Tomorrow, at sunrise, the first day of the Martial Competition will begin! We’ll be opening with the Spirit Growth stage personal disciples!"
A few murmurs spread through the crowd. Spirit Growth stage matches were rare, and for there to be enough personal disciples to actually hold a competition at that stage was remarkable. Most sect Elders didn’t take Personal Disciples until the Spirit Transformation stage when they could show real, sowhat acceptable, levels of combat potential. For more than one to be chosen within the last five years, there had to be sothing special about them.
Ilyara didn’t leave much room for speculation. "That’s right! We have two Spirit Growth stage Personal Disciples, and for better or worse, their match should conclude fairly quickly. After that, we’ll be moving straight into the Spirit Transformation stage brackets, followed by the massive Spirit Ascension stage brackets and then the few Spirit Transcendence stage competitors we have!"
Her gaze shifted toward the disciples in the stands—those who would be competing tomorrow.
"Bracket assignnts will be determined and announced in the morning, and as always, the tournant will be single elimination. If you lose, you’re out. No exceptions."
She let that sink in before giving a satisfied nod. "That’s it for today! Get your rest, get your als, and be ready for tomorrow. The next battles are already waiting for you!"
As the final words of Ilyara’s announcent faded, the coliseum began to empty. Disciples from across the sect filed out in groups, so still chatting excitedly about the tournant, others quietly discussing the implications of the Volt Engine’s victory and how a device like that might have saved lives during the Sect War. A few lingered, reluctant to leave just yet as they chatted with friends, but the overwhelming flow of movent was toward the exits.
Up on the highest platform, where Sect Master Volten, Lassim, and the top elders were gathered, none of them had moved yet.
From their vantage point, they watched as thousands of disciples and spectators made their way toward the festival grounds or back to their respective halls. The air still thrumd faintly with the lingering excitent and energy of the competition.
Then, as if on cue when 70% of the disciples had left the coliseum, Volten stood.
The mont he did, the rest of the elders rose as well, followed by Lassim, Tessa and Aurelian as they followed the highest authority in the sect.
The elders exchanged looks before the praise began from every direction;
"Congratulations Sect Master! A construct like that will bring great benefits to the sect."
"With proper refinent, it could be used in many of the various battle formations I offer lectures about. I’d love to get whole battalion’s worth to showcase, but I’d settle for one or two if there’s spares."
"The Lightning Sect continues to lead in both strength and innovation! Our legacy grows stronger!"
"Yes, I agree. Not only do we command the entire Southern Continent, but now we’ll have this and revolutionize further! The future looks even brighter than before."
Volten let the conversation flow before giving a small nod, "It is indeed a great day for our Lightning Sect. The next generation will surely surpass us… Much more quickly than we expect." He cast his gaze first towards Lassim, holding it there for three beats, before turning it across towards the coliseum below, watching as the last of the disciples exited. Then, his attention returned to Lassim once more.
"Lassim," he said, "Follow as I’d like for you to join for dinner. There’s a few things we should discuss before the Spirit Transformation tournant rounds begin."
Lassim, simply inclined his head. "Of course, Grand Master."
With that, the group lifted into the air as the Elders gave their own bows to them both as they departed.
Unusually, Volten, rather than using his near-instantaneous movent technique and bringing them both to the central building where he lived and worked, chose instead to fly at a steady pace above the leaving disciples. He waved once toward the disciples still leaving below, letting himself be seen.
So of the younger initiates gawked in open admiration at the sight, whispering to one another. Others offered respectful bows, while a few of the older disciples rely glanced up before continuing on their way.
Lassim followed alongside Volten, the other elders rising into the air as well, heading their own directions to either find their disciples for similar preparatory conversations.
Though the coliseum faded behind them, the significance and excitent of the day’s events remained firmly imprinted in everyone’s minds.
Tomorrow, the battles would begin.
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